Chapter 144: Sister-in-law: Don't snag the stockings

You can't put it that way; there are so many Sole Proprietorships on the market now, where will they get a house?

Don't they have to go buy one?

Lao Huaqiao, a little agitated, said.

This two‑courtyard small courtyard is the life's work of his ancestors.

If he weren't so eager to cash out and buy a house in the United States, he would have, at Xu Yuexin's first price, just kicked the person out.

Xu Yuexin, seeing Lao Huaqiao's demeanor, could only find it funny.

The more urgent they are, the more it works in his favor.

At this moment, Shen Qingru, who had been quietly beside them, spoke up.

Mr. Liu, please don't be hasty.

Shen Qingru smiled politely, "From what I understand, very few Sole Proprietorships have even considered buying a house."

Xu Yuexin also nodded, "To put it bluntly, people generally have no awareness of buying a house."

"If you won't lower the price, I'm afraid you'll only be able to sell it in the Year of the Monkey and the Month of the Horse."

What he and Shen Qingru said was the truth.

Buying a house didn't enter the public eye until 1998, and even then, not many people were willing to spend money on commercial housing.

Especially courtyards like this exclusive, single‑owner one; because the total price is so high, hardly anyone can afford it.

Lao Huaqiao's face tightened from Xu Yuexin's and Shen Qingru's words, and he remained silent for a long time.

"Consider it, please; we still have to go see the next house."

Seeing him silent, Xu Yuexin stood up and said.

From Nothing, No Friend Series·Creating a House from Nothing.

Shen Qingru understood, rose with him, and said goodbye to Lao Huaqiao.

"Oh, you go ahead and look."

Lao Huaqiao said coldly, not even standing to see them off.

Xu Yuexin and Shen Qingru walked together toward the courtyard entrance, their steps showing no hesitation.

He thought it through: if Lao Huaqiao doesn't stay, they'll really leave.

As a result, just as Xu Yuexin and Shen Qingru took a step out of the courtyard, Lao Huaqiao opened his mouth.

"Young man, what you're doing is not proper."

"You told me you wanted to buy a house, I booked a flight from far away to come back, and now you play this trick on me?"

Lao Huaqiao, with an angry tone, accused, "I'm almost sixty years old, old man, do you have any sense?"

Xu Yuexin, unhurried and unruffled, slowly turned around, spreading his hands with a smile.

"Elder, it's not just you; everyone's time is precious."

"We also don't have time to play with you."

"The main problem is your asking price is absurd, and you even haggle back; no one can stand that."

Across the courtyard distance, Lao Huaqiao was left speechless by Xu Yuexin's words.

The haggling, indeed, is his loss.

"Then let's go with what we agreed on last time."

After a long while, he sheepishly extended two fingers, "Two hundred and two."

"Hold on, two hundred and two is the price you quoted; I haven't agreed yet."

Xu Yuexin decisively refused, "What was my asking price again? Right, two hundred."

"Two hundred is off the table."

Lao Huaqiao, hearing this, waved his hand impatiently and said.

"Young man, cutting the price is also without standard."

"This is a properly renovated, single‑owner courtyard, not a Da Zayuan!"

Hearing Lao Huaqiao's refusal, Xu Yuexin actually felt pleased.

A 200 face‑to‑face talk—does that mean just adding a little more will do?

Thinking this, Xu Yuexin gave Shen Qingru a look and walked back to the Guogong Mansion Main Hall with her.

Negotiating from such a distance isn't very appropriate.

Inside the Guogong Mansion Main Hall, Lao Huaqiao still wore an ill face.

"You say 200 doesn't work, then give a price."

Xu Yuexin said to Lao Huaqiao.

"I said 220, that's the minimum."

"Then you haven't lowered a single cent. At this rate, aren't we just talking for nothing today?"

"If that's how you put it, then I'll lower half a yuan, 219.5."

Xu Yuexin laughed: the elder is sulking here.

"Fine, whether you raise or lower, it's still a change; I'll add two yuan per square, 202."

"That's no different from not adding at all."

"You, elder, have only lowered half a yuan."

Xu Yuexin reminded.

Lao Huaqiao was once again at a loss for words.

He closed his eyes, leaned back on the chair, and finally, trembling, extended five fingers.

"215, that's my bottom line; I really can't go down even one cent."

"What a coincidence, I'm also almost at the bottom line—205, not a single point can be added."

At this point, Xu Yuexin and Lao Huaqiao stared at each other, frozen like a tug‑of‑war.

Shen Qingru smiled gracefully.

"Liu Xiansheng, I advise you to think it over again. A round‑trip ticket from the United States costs over ten thousand when added up."

"Spread over the house price, that's more than a ten‑yuan drop per square meter."

"And having missed us today, you probably won't meet another buyer in the next few days."

"So, how about lowering it a bit more?"

Lao Huaqiao was left flustered by Shen Qingru's words.

Shen Qingru pointed out the fact: having missed today's buyer, his house might not sell until some distant, unspecified time, and then he'll have to spend the ticket money again.

"Let's meet in the middle at 210, and don't cut any further."

Lao Huaqiao, extremely reluctant, looked toward Xu Yuexin.

"How about a lucky number, 208, so everyone can prosper together."

Xu Yuexin cheerfully suggested.

He could see that Lao Huaqiao had become calm at this moment.

Perhaps he resigned himself, or perhaps his anger had built up for half a day and now completely dissipated.

"208…"

Lao Huaqiao closed his eyes to think.

Xu Yuexin and Shen Qingru exchanged a glance: judging by the posture, it seemed settled.

Sure enough, Lao Huaqiao quickly opened his eyes, nodded, "208 is fine; let's go sign the Contract and handle the property deed right now."

Xu Yuexin and Shen Qingru both smiled.

Indeed, it was urgent.

"Let's go; the property deed is being processed at the Street Office now."

Xu Yuexin stood up and said.

The three, carrying the already prepared documents, headed together to the Street Office.

Signing the Contract, processing the property deed…

Two days later, Lao Huaqiao fulfilled the move as promised, and Xu Yuexin helped Shen Qingru bring the furniture inside.

"Afterward, managing it should be quite tasteful."

After finishing the moving meal, Shen Qingru strolled in the courtyard and said to the Xu Yuexin beside her.

"That can only be taken care of after we return."

"Indeed, I'll think it over carefully."

Shen Qingru crossed her arms, her eyes showing contemplation, and said.

"Stay in the United States or come back—that's a major question."

After the walk, Xu Yuexin and Shen Qingru returned to the bedroom, lying side by side on the bed to relax their muscles tired from the move.

"Do you have enough money in the United States?"

Xu Yuexin placed his large hand over Aunt Shen's delicate wrist and said, "If not, I'll go to Xiangjiang in a couple of days and transfer some for you."

The Shen family is a reputable lineage, but that doesn't guarantee they are financially comfortable.

Many great families that relocate abroad face cash‑flow problems, just like the Jia household in Dream of the Red Chamber.

People eat horse meat, and after going abroad they lose their roots; such stacked problems are really tough to discuss. "You talk about money… it's enough."

Shen Qingru paused briefly, then said, changing the subject, "Your bargaining is truly impressive, outstanding."

"If you could run a business completely freely, you'd become a business prodigy."

"Serving you, of course, requires wholehearted effort."

Xu Yuexin released Aunt Shen's hand, slipped his arm under her slender waist and said, "Aunt, since you thank me, give me a reward this time."

Aunt Shen understood what reward meant, and her face flushed instantly.

"You've grown a year older, still not proper."

Aunt Shen touched her flushed cheek, said, and moved aside, trying to create distance.

How could Xu Yuexin give Aunt Shen this chance?

He wrapped his arm inward, and amid Aunt Shen's soft cries, pulled her into his embrace.

Soon after, the bedroom was filled with Aunt Shen's continuous panting…

……

It wasn't until evening that Xu Yuexin left Aunt Shen's house.

Before he left, Aunt Shen gave him two bottles of Huoxiang Zhengqi water.

"Xiangjiang is in a lingering southward weather, it's very stuffy."

"If you feel uncomfortable, you can drink a little."

"Alright, thank you, Aunt Shen."

Xu Yuexin took the Huoxiang Zhengqi water from Aunt Shen's hand, feeling that she was truly gentle and attentive toward him.

Two days later, Xu Yuexin, with his already packed luggage, bumped into Da Yizi at Tuanjie Lake and headed together to the station.

Late February, the weather was just warming yet still cold.

Da Yizi wore a white, cinched‑waist Coat, a matching high‑collar sweater underneath, plus swan‑velvet flesh‑colored tights and beige ankle boots, standing out strikingly in the crowd.

"Xiangjiang is now in the twenties, did you bring appropriate clothes?"

After meeting, Xu Yuexin asked Da Yizi.

"All set, what time shall we depart?"

"Let's go to the window and get the earliest one."

Xu Yuexin said, walked to the window and bought two tickets for himself and Da Yizi.

After the train arrived, the two boarded and set off, beginning a journey of more than two days.

Guangzhou, Kowloon, Central…

The two still stayed at the Ritz‑Carlton from last time; the difference was that when Xu Yuexin suggested booking a suite to share, Chen Yixue, after a long hesitation, finally agreed.

After entering the room, Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue took showers in turn and changed into cool clothes.

Chen Yixue changed into a sky‑blue midi skirt, paired with flesh‑colored stockings that were much thinner than before, and a pair of white high heels.

"Legs are really beautiful."

Xu Yuexin examined Da Yizi's beautiful legs, nodded, and said.

"Don't stare randomly."

Chen Yixue twisted her face, speechless, and said, "Think about what to do next."

"First eat, then go check Da Fu Securities."

Xu Yuexin arranged, and after speaking walked up to Da Yizi, twisted the stocking with his hand, and only released it after reaching the limit.

The elastic stocking struck Da Yizi's leg, emitting a light "Bang" sound, making her both embarrassed and annoyed.

"What are you doing?"

Da Yizi bent down to inspect the stocking and said, "Don't snag the threads."

"I bought it here last time, 100 Hong Kong Dollars each, it's not that easy to snag."

Xu Yuexin brushed it off and said.

Da Yizi bent down, examined carefully, and after confirming no snags she relaxed, though she was still not very pleased.

"Then you also shouldn't..."

Da Yizi looked at Xu Yuexin with a contemptuous gaze and said, "So uncouth."

"Between a married couple, there are far more uncouth things."

"Pah, who is married to you?"

Da Yizi rolled her eyes and said.

Xu Yuexin and Da Yizi took the elevator together down to the buffet for a meal.

After the meal, Xu Yuexin took Da Yizi by taxi to Da Fu Securities to check the exchange rate market.

Upon arriving at the sales department, he learned that the previous broker had been transferred to headquarters due to excellent performance.

Fine, we were going to headquarters anyway.

Xu Yuexin thought, and together with Da Yizi walked outside and called another car.

The sales department was not far from headquarters; the two reached it by car in just ten minutes.

After reaching headquarters, Xu Yuexin quickly found the broker who had previously served him.

The broker, upon seeing Xu Yuexin, became as delighted as if he had met the God of Wealth and ushered the two into the VIP lounge.

The headquarters VIP lounge is reserved for clients whose net worth exceeds 8 million.

Moreover, according to the broker, to facilitate large‑account trading, the company recently equipped each VIP lounge with a computer.

The broker attentively offered tea to the two, then turned on the computer.

Xu Yuexin did not drink the tea, but walked to the computer.

"Boss Xu, may I ask if you intend to check the Japanese Yen exchange rate market, right?"

The broker logged into the trading software and asked Xu Yuexin behind him.

"Exactly."

"On the day you bought, the Hong Kong Dollar to Japanese Yen exchange rate was 1:52; now it is 1:57, meaning the Yen has depreciated… let me calculate."

Saying that, the broker grabbed a calculator and started cranking it.

Although the computer has a calculation function, most people of this era are still not accustomed to using it.

In fact, Xu Yuexin himself is not used to this era's computers, as they run on DOS, whose operation differs greatly from later Windows.

"Boss Xu, congratulations! The Yen has depreciated by 9.61%, you used 20× leverage, and the return rate is 1922.1%."

"Your account balance is now… 29,221,000 Hong Kong Dollars!"

"Congratulations, Boss Xu, this time you are truly making a fortune!"

The broker said in an excited tone.

He had seen with his own eyes how Xu Yuexin started from 850,000 Hong Kong Dollars and, in less than a year, his wealth expanded more than thirtyfold! Even a Midas touch wouldn't be that fast!

On the sofa behind, Chen Yixue watched Xu Yuexin's back and inhaled a cold breath.

Nearly thirty million!

If it weren't for traveling alongside Xu Yuexin, Chen Yixue would find it hard to believe anyone could earn money at such a speed.

Of course, at the same time she felt a bit worried!

When his net worth was ten million, her brother‑in‑law was already fickle.

Now with a Reward of thirty million, wouldn't he…

Thinking of this, Chen Yixue's heart gave a sudden thump.

At this moment, Xu Yuexin felt very pleasant.

However, he remained outwardly very calm.

"Transfer all the money from the foreign exchange account, exchange for 1 million US dollars, and go all‑in on a US stock company called Apple."

Xu Yuexin instructed, "Transfer all the subsequent money to the bank card."

"Boss Xu, are you planning to shrink the scale?"

"Not necessarily; we'll see. If a good opportunity comes, I'll still act."

Xu Yuexin answered vaguely.

In fact, Xu Yuexin had already arranged in his mind where the remaining funds would go, and the target wasn't the stock market.

He just didn't need to say so in front of the broker.

After this bout, he certainly became a focus of Xiangjiang, and even many financial big sharks worldwide.

Those people are surely trying to learn his investment moves, to co‑invest, or to snipe.

After all, during his investments he must have taken opposing positions against those sharks, though he himself didn't know it.

So, it's better to keep a mysterious image, not letting others know what he'll do next.

Including this familiar broker.

Because human nature cannot stand the test.

(End of chapter)