Chapter 448: Comparing with Others Can Be Maddening!
After taking down the Fire Cloud Sect, the next target was the Fang Family.
However, Lin Mu had already made ample preparations. He didn’t want to use force to deal with the Fang Family as he had with the Fire Cloud Sect. Since the Fang Family was a major financial consortium in Jiangling, he decided it was best to crush them financially. The first step of his plan was already in motion: the Coiling Dragon Bay project.
In just three short days, Coiling Dragon Bay had become famous throughout Jiangling. Everyone knew that this development, formerly Haiyuan Tiancheng, had been sold and redeveloped. It had been transformed into a veritable Immortal Realm on earth.
At first, the people of Jiangling who saw the news reports were skeptical. But as more and more of them went to see it for themselves, they were shocked. This wasn’t just an Immortal Realm—it was even better!
Consequently, countless people rushed to spread the word, all planning to buy a property in Coiling Dragon Bay. However, they were all taken aback by the price. One hundred thousand per square meter! And that was for a standard apartment!
"Are you robbing people? Who sells houses like this?" a wealthy businessman bellowed in the sales office lobby. "One hundred thousand per square meter! Even villas don’t sell for that much!" A single apartment would cost over ten million! This was daylight robbery!
However, a sales associate from Coiling Dragon Bay simply smiled and said, "I’m sorry to disappoint you, sir, but our villas are not yet for sale."
"Is that so?" The businessman hugged the woman by his side. "Darling, if there are no villas, then we won’t buy."
The glamorously dressed woman looked a little disappointed. "Honey, why don’t we just get an apartment? I really love the environment here."
"But a hundred thousand per square meter is just too expensive," the businessman whispered. "Darling, you don’t get it. This is a classic developer’s trick. They’re treating us like idiots, and I’m not falling for it."
Maintaining a professional smile, the sales associate said, "Sir, if you can’t afford it, please step aside. You’re blocking other clients who wish to view the properties."
"What? I can’t afford it?" The businessman was clearly infuriated. "Say that again if you dare!"
"Honey, let it go!" Seeing her companion fuming, the woman quickly pulled him back. "Let’s just look around a bit more." Clearly, she also thought one hundred thousand per square meter was too expensive.
The businessman shot the sales associate a grumpy look and stepped aside. He didn’t leave, choosing instead to watch from the sidelines. He refused to believe a business run this way could survive. He was convinced the developers would be forced to lower their prices in a few days. It wouldn’t be too late to buy then.
"That’s right. This is the place!"
Just then, another group of people walked in. The man in the lead was tall and bald, his face a mask of brutish muscle that made him look extremely fierce. However, it was the woman beside him that immediately caught the businessman’s eye. She had a tall, slender figure and a cool, glamorous demeanor. From head to toe, she exuded the mature charm of a ripe peach.
"Enjoying the view?" As if sensing his gaze, the woman turned her head and gave the businessman a slight, knowing smile.
At that moment, the businessman felt a fire ignite in his belly.
"Ouch!" Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his side. The businessman’s eyes watered as he looked at his companion. "Darling, be gentle! We’re in public."
His companion snorted coldly. "That’s what you get for letting your eyes wander!" She then shot the glamorous woman a disdainful look and muttered, "Fox Spirit!"
The glamorous woman merely pursed her lips and smiled, unfazed.
"Sister Hua, I’ve seen the apartments in Coiling Dragon Bay myself," the bald man boomed with a hearty laugh. "The environment is beautiful, the construction is absolutely top-notch, and it’s truly an Immortal Realm! Buying one is a decision you won’t regret!"
The bald man was none other than Long Ao, leader of the Six Dragons of Jiangbei, and the glamorous woman was Hua Meiniang, one of the Five Phoenixes of Jiangbei.
Unable to help himself, the businessman stepped forward. "Excuse me, beautiful. The properties in Coiling Dragon Bay are nice, but they’re just too expensive," he said. "One hundred thousand per square meter! Aren’t they just ripping us consumers off?"
Hua Meiniang exclaimed, "One hundred thousand?" Before the businessman could say anything else, she continued, "That cheap? I’d better hurry and buy one."
"Huh?" The businessman was stunned. Cheap? One hundred thousand per square meter? A single apartment costs over ten million! How could a price that high be considered cheap?
"Ma’am, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?" the businessman urged. "A single apartment costs over ten million!"
A faint smile touched Hua Meiniang’s lips. "I have the money, and I’ll do as I please."
With that, she produced a card under the businessman’s dumbfounded gaze and said to the sales associate, "I’ll take two."
The businessman was speechless. Two units? That’s over twenty million! Is this woman really that wealthy? His own companion was also shocked into silence, lowering her head with a sense of inferiority.
"Sister Hua, what are you buying two for?" Long Ao couldn’t help but ask.
Hua Meiniang’s lips curled into a smirk. "It’s a gift."
Long Ao’s expression flickered, and he chuckled knowingly. "A gift for Mr. Lin, I presume?"
Hua Meiniang’s smile didn’t waver, but she bit her red lip and retorted, "Who said I’m giving it to that guy!" Hmph, that ungrateful little brat! Just wait until I see him next. I’ll teach him a lesson!
"Miss, I’m sorry," the sales associate interjected. "Company policy limits each customer to the purchase of one unit."
"What?" Hua Meiniang thought she had misheard. "What kind of business are you running? I’m willing to pay for two, and you’re telling me I can’t?"
"My apologies, but that is the company rule," the sales associate said apologetically.
"Fine, fine. One unit it is, then." Hua Meiniang was rather speechless. Who on earth came up with such a ridiculous rule? It’s completely idiotic.
"Sign me up for one, too!" the businessman hurriedly said, whipping out his own card. The fear of being outdone was a powerful motivator. Before, when no one was buying, he had thought it was too expensive and not worth the price. But now that someone else was buying, if he didn’t, wouldn’t that make it look like he couldn’t afford it?
"Of course, sir! One moment, please!" The sales associate felt like she was dreaming. She had been posted here for three days, seeing countless interested people but not selling a single apartment. If it weren’t for the high base salary, she would have already quit. But today, it was as if the God of Wealth himself had descended, allowing her to sell three units in one go. Even though her commission wasn’t a large percentage, on over thirty million in sales, even a sliver was a huge amount of money. I have to thank him, she thought gratefully. I should definitely treat him to a meal to show my appreciation. Of course, given his status, he probably wouldn’t accept, would he?
While Hua Meiniang and the others were filling out their paperwork, a young man walked in. Seeing that the sales associate was busy, he didn’t say anything and began looking around the office.
The businessman, having finished his own paperwork, felt refreshed and smug. As he stood up, he noticed the young man wandering through the lobby. Mistaking him for an employee, he couldn’t help but call out, "Hey, kid, get me a glass of water. Make it quick."
Lin Mu was momentarily startled but replied, "Of course."
Lin Mu brought the businessman a glass of water. The man took a satisfying sip, then glanced at Lin Mu patronizingly. "Not bad, young man. You’re quick on your feet. Keep up the good work. Even if you can’t afford a place like this, you should have no problem buying an apartment worth a few hundred thousand." He let out a hearty laugh, looking extremely pleased and proud of himself.
"Alright, thank you," Lin Mu said with a faint smile, not bothering to explain.
Just then, the sales associate walked over with the completed documents. She was startled to see Lin Mu. "President Lin! What brings you here?"
"Just having a look," Lin Mu replied.
"Please, have a seat! I’ll get you some water!" The overjoyed sales associate quickly brought a stool over for him.
The businessman stared at Lin Mu, dumbstruck. His throat felt hoarse as he managed to stammer, "You..."
The sales associate explained, "This is our President Lin. He’s the developer of the Coiling Dragon Bay project."
The businessman was speechless. He felt so incredibly embarrassed he wished a hole would open in the floor and swallow him whole. Just moments ago, he had patronizingly told this man to work hard so he could one day afford an apartment worth a few hundred thousand. But in reality, the entire Coiling Dragon Bay development belonged to him. The contrast was utterly infuriating—a true case of comparisons driving a man to despair.