Chapter Forty-Seven: The Turmoil of Buying a House

"Now I'm finally a millionaire!" Jiang Yun's heart surged with excitement. "At last, I don't have to live in this rented apartment anymore."

By the time he got off the plane, it was already afternoon. Without stopping to rest, he went straight to the supermarket to buy supplies. After returning home and making dinner, it was evening.

It was too late today; there was no way to go house-hunting. That night, Jiang Yun lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. He imagined what it would be like when he finally bought his own home.

He didn't drift off until dawn.

The sound of a ringing phone jolted Jiang Yun awake. He glanced at the screen and saw that it was Li Lulu calling.

"Hello? What's up?"

"Boss, why are you still sleeping? I've been knocking on your door for ages!"

Jiang Yun, still groggy, rubbed his eyes. "What time is it?"

"It's past ten!"

"Oh, just past ten! Wait for me, I'll get up right away!"

"No, it's past ten in the evening!"

"What? Ten at night?!" Jiang Yun's voice turned shrill.

"I haven't even gone to see the houses yet!"

"I've called you so many times! Didn't you hear any of them?" Li Lulu said angrily, like a little firecracker.

Jiang Yun opened the door. Li Lulu stormed in.

"Boss, what's going on with you?"

"I couldn't sleep last night and only managed to drift off at dawn," Jiang Yun explained.

Li Lulu's anger melted away instantly.

"Boss, you haven't eaten yet, right? Let me make you some noodles."

"You know how to cook?" Jiang Yun was surprised.

"Of course," she replied confidently.

Li Lulu headed into the kitchen to start cooking. Soon, the whole room was filled with smoke, as the kitchen was only separated by a wooden board.

She brought a bowl of noodles to Jiang Yun. "Scallion and egg noodles—try them!"

Jiang Yun began to eat. "I can't wait any longer."

Slurp.

"This is authentic!"

"Well, looks like we won't be seeing any houses today. We'll have to wait till tomorrow!" Jiang Yun patted his full stomach.

Li Lulu smiled.

After chatting for a while longer, she returned to her own rented apartment.

"No, tonight I must go to bed early!"

Jiang Yun lay in bed, forcing himself to sleep. But his adrenaline was soaring; he felt so excited he could run ten kilometers.

"This can't go on. I might oversleep again tomorrow!"

"I remember I bought melatonin pills before."

He opened his drawer and found the melatonin. He poured out two pills, thought for a moment, then added a third.

Soon, his eyelids grew heavy and he drifted into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Jiang Yun stretched lazily, feeling refreshed. After preparing a simple breakfast, he sent Li Lulu a message.

Li Lulu lived upstairs.

Thump, thump, thump!

Jiang Yun heard hurried footsteps coming down—it could only be Li Lulu.

He opened the door, and she appeared at the threshold.

They sat down to eat breakfast together.

"Lulu, why do you look unhappy?"

"Boss, after you buy your house, I'll be left here all alone. I won't get to eat your cooking anymore," Li Lulu said, her head bowed, staring at the table.

Jiang Yun shook his head. He had intended to wait until after buying the house to share his decision.

"I was planning to tell you after I bought the house."

"But since you're feeling down, I'll tell you now!"

Li Lulu was instantly captivated. "What decision?"

"I'm going to buy a big house. When the time comes, you can move in with me."

"What? Move in with you?" Li Lulu's heart raced. The boss wants me to live with him—does he mean something else?

Her cheeks flushed as she replied shyly, "Boss, I'm not that kind of person!"

With his clear-headed logic, Jiang Yun could tell Li Lulu had misunderstood.

He decided to tease her. "What kind of person?"

"You know, someone... casual!"

He chuckled.

Jiang Yun laughed, exasperated. "I asked you to move in with me—what does that have to do with whether you're casual or not?"

Li Lulu paused. "Boss, if you want me to move in, isn't it because you want to... you know?"

"Get out of here!" Jiang Yun flicked her forehead.

Li Lulu covered her head with both hands, tears welling up from the sting.

"Boss~"

After breakfast, the two went downstairs and hailed a taxi.

Li Lulu, wearing glasses and holding a notebook, sat beside Jiang Yun in the cab.

"Boss, I've organized the information over the past couple of days, and there are three options."

"Mm," Jiang Yun nodded with a calm, businesslike air.

He really looked like the chairman of some corporation, with Li Lulu as his secretary.

"First, Qingjiangkou Community: right next to the city's largest supermarket, three subway lines, plus an elementary school. One hundred twenty square meters for only 1.7 million, or 1.8 million with luxury renovations."

Li Lulu adjusted her glasses. "Second, Yaxing Grand Estate: nearby supermarket, a high school, but far from the subway. One hundred twenty square meters, 1.8 million, or 2 million with luxury renovations."

"And third—"

"Let's go with the second one."

"You don't want to hear the third option?"

"No."

"Alright," Li Lulu looked at the driver. "Sir, take us to Yaxing Grand Estate!"

"Sure!"

The taxi sped off.

"Arrived at Yaxing Grand Estate!"

Jiang Yun and Li Lulu got out. Jiang Yun lowered his gaze, hands in his pockets, striding toward the sales office.

He chose Yaxing Grand Estate because he had once promised Wang Lili he would buy a home there one day.

"Welcome to Yaxing Grand Estate Sales Office! How may I help you?" A female sales agent approached.

"We'd like to see some properties," Jiang Yun replied coolly.

"Certainly! What size are you interested in?" she asked.

"One hundred twenty square meters. Of course, if you have two hundred forty, I wouldn't mind."

The sales agent was momentarily stunned, then flashed a professional smile and deftly sidestepped the topic. "Sir, please take a look at our floor plans."

Jiang Yun walked over to the model display, examining the scale buildings.

"Sir, would you prefer a south-facing unit?"

"Yes," Jiang Yun nodded.

"Luxury renovations?"

"Yes."

The agent paused, thinking. South-facing, luxury renovations, 120 square meters—this narrowed the options considerably.

Jiang Yun took the brochure for luxury units and began to browse. Li Lulu followed along, referencing the information.

"Boss, here's what I've concluded:

First, this unit on the thirteenth floor is only one hundred square meters, but it's far from the main road, with few neighbors—very quiet.

Second, the unit on the seventh floor: one hundred twenty square meters, luxury renovations, matches your preferences.

Third—"

"The seventh floor, then," Jiang Yun said.

Li Lulu felt a bit frustrated—why did he always cut her off before she finished speaking?