Chapter 9: House Viewing
971 Words
Xiao Shiyu typed and asked, "Which type of unit are you interested in?"
Zhao Yao replied, "I’d like to see the 140-square-meter large flat."
Xiao Shiyu raised an eyebrow. The large flats in the Sky City complex were quite expensive, each valued at over ten million yuan. Given Zhao Yao's background, it seemed unlikely he could afford one.
Hearing his request, she became even more convinced that Zhao Yao wasn’t seriously looking to buy a house, but rather using this as an excuse to pursue her.
So Xiao Shiyu simply replied, "Let’s set up a time for you to come by, and I’ll show you the property."
Zhao Yao didn’t pick up on her indifference and immediately said, "Great, I’ll come by this afternoon around four. You can show me the house then."
Surprised by his quick response, Xiao Shiyu thought, "I’ll see if he’s really serious about buying." She then typed back, "Okay, I’ll wait for you."
Zhao Yao promptly left home and called for a ride. About half an hour later, he arrived at the Sky City location and sent Xiao Shiyu a message as soon as he got out of the car.
Ten minutes later, a girl with bright eyes and white teeth, wearing the standard black business suit and pencil skirt of a real estate agent, walked toward him.
Zhao Yao was slightly stunned by her appearance at first glance. It was clear that after entering the working world, Xiao Shiyu had become more skilled with her makeup and style, adding a touch of professional elegance to her beauty that wasn’t there during their university days.
Zhao Yao waved at her, "Hello, thanks for taking the time to show me the property."
"It’s no trouble at all," Xiao Shiyu replied politely, though she still didn’t believe he was a serious buyer. "Do you have any specific requirements for the property?"
"Uh, not really sure yet," Zhao Yao scratched his head. "Let’s take a look first."
Hearing his vague response, Xiao Shiyu's expectations dropped even further.
Zhao Yao followed Xiao Shiyu into the complex, marveling at the greenery throughout the community. The building facades, hallways, and lobby interiors were adorned with various European-style marble mosaics and carvings, giving off an upscale vibe.
Xiao Shiyu led Zhao Yao to the 17th floor of one of the buildings. As soon as the door opened, Zhao Yao was greeted by white, minimalist tiled floors in the spacious lobby, and the walls were covered in white and gray striped wallpaper.
Xiao Shiyu commented, "This large flat has five bedrooms, two living rooms, and a private elevator. The entire unit has undergone basic renovations, so once you bring in your furniture, you can move in right away."
As Zhao Yao walked around, he was filled with awe. This place was leaps and bounds better than the cramped place he lived in now. The living room alone was bigger than his entire current apartment, and it boasted two large balconies—one facing north, the other south. There was also an outdoor terrace that could be converted into a sunroom.
The bathrooms were also luxurious, with high-end finishes. The grayish tiles on the walls and floors were accented with subtle golden patterns, exuding a low-key sense of luxury. The sink area was made entirely of marble, giving it a solid, weighty feel.
Xiao Shiyu added, "If you buy now, we can also include a free parking space in the underground garage. In nearby communities, parking spaces cost over 150,000 yuan."
After walking around the property several times, Zhao Yao became more and more satisfied. The quality, layout, and environment lived up to the reputation of being built by a major state-owned enterprise. Everything seemed flawless to him.
However, when he thought about the price of over ten million yuan, his heart ached.
Noticing that Zhao Yao was still wandering around, Xiao Shiyu frowned slightly and couldn't help but ask, "So, what do you think, Zhao Yao? Are you planning to buy? These large flats are in high demand. If you don't make a decision soon, I’ll have to show it to other buyers, and it might sell quickly..."
"I’ll buy it. I’ll pay in full. That’s not a problem, right?"
"Okay, well then, let’s head back, and I’ll—" Xiao Shiyu suddenly stopped, raising her head in disbelief and staring directly at Zhao Yao. "What did you say? You want to buy this flat? In full?"
Her eyes were filled with shock. This flat was priced at 10.8 million yuan, and with taxes, furniture, and appliances, the total cost would easily exceed 11 million yuan. To Xiao Shiyu, this was an enormous sum of money. She found it hard to believe that someone like Zhao Yao, an ordinary university classmate who had been so unremarkable back then, could afford to buy such a property outright.
Zhao Yao noticed her stunned expression and couldn’t help but feel a little smug. "Yeah, I made some money recently, so I’m planning to buy a place."
Still struggling to accept what she had just heard, Xiao Shiyu nodded and said, "Alright then, follow me to sign the contract."
Zhao Yao followed Xiao Shiyu to the sales office reception room. Just then, the sales manager walked in, smiling broadly at Zhao Yao.
"Mr. Zhao, Xiao Shiyu told me you’re interested in purchasing the 17th-floor flat for 10.8 million?"
"Yes, I’ll pay in full," Zhao Yao said calmly, though internally it felt like his heart was bleeding. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to take out a loan; it was just that if he did, he wouldn’t be able to complete his task within the given timeframe.
Upon hearing this, the sales manager’s smile became even brighter.
"Great, great! I’ll prepare the contract right away. Please wait a moment."
- Writer
