EBE Chapter 449 Sorry, I need to adjust my mindset.
Chapter 449 Sorry, I need to adjust my mindset.
As he walked, he took out a cigarette case from his pocket, took out some cigarette paper, and skillfully rolled a cigarette.
It wasn't because he couldn't afford cigarettes, but because he felt his tobacco was very strong, while the other cigarettes tasted bland and tasteless.
Old Niu, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, mumbled, "Hey buddy, have one."
Zhuang Chaoying looked at the smoke exhaled by Uncle Niu, smiled and shook her head. "Uncle Niu, I don't smoke."
Old Niu chuckled, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and exhaled a smoke ring.
"It's good that you don't smoke, so your wife won't nag you at home. Now that you have connections, you can rest assured about my handling of things, Xiao Zhuang. I'm going to be a bit sneaky and be honest, I only need to take five percent of the commission. Since you buy a lot, I won't ask for more."
Another thing is, I've introduced you two to meet and view the apartment, so you two can't contact each other privately and dump me later. That wouldn't be fair, Xiao Zhuang. With my connections alone, I can make sure you can't buy a house in Kyoto, and you won't find a buyer.”
As he spoke, Uncle Niu looked at Xiao Zhuang with a scrutinizing gaze.
Zhuang Chaoying thought that Master Niu was going to say something unacceptable. He would never do something like using someone and then discarding them, or crossing the river and burning the bridge.
"Don't worry, Uncle Niu, we're all honest people, we wouldn't do anything underhanded. I know the inside story."
Old Niu casually tossed his cigarette butt on the ground and rubbed it with his foot. "Hey, didn't realize Xiao Zhuang spoke such fluent Beijing dialect. How many years have you been in Beijing, man?"
Zhuang Chaoying laughed. "It's been about five years, all told. Now that we have money, we Chinese believe that you need a house to have a home. Without a house, you don't feel at ease."
Niu Ye patted him on the shoulder. "Alright, really alright, you've learned that phrase well. Don't worry, Niu Ye will take care of the house purchase for you perfectly, and make sure you have a home in Kyoto."
Despite Niu Ye's enthusiasm and assurances, Zhuang Chaoying didn't have much trust in him, whom she had only met once.
After all, who can easily trust a stranger? That would make them a foolish traitor.
Zhuang Chaoying confirmed again. "Uncle Niu, I want three courtyards, is it possible to get them?"
Old Niu walked alongside him, glanced at him with a smile, and said mysteriously.
"If you ask me, you're lucky, kid. You have a rich guy, oops, the landlord is going abroad and needs money urgently. The house is fine, I've inquired for you, it's all his private property. I heard his ancestors were even a prince of the Plain Yellow Banner."
After saying that, Uncle Niu shook his head and couldn't help but grumble.
“Xiao Zhuang, don’t think I’m being nosy. I’ve seen far too many things like this since the policies were relaxed. Damn it, wanting to leave the country instead of protecting our family property. I’m a member of the Manchu banner, with two courtyards. A couple of years ago, my eldest son wanted to study abroad, but I stopped him. What’s wrong? Can’t our country accommodate you anymore? You’ve run off abroad. Damn it, just stay here with us. Don’t you think that makes sense?”
Zhuang Chaoying gave him a thumbs up. "Uncle Niu, you're right to think that way. Our country will definitely get better and better and get back on track. But right now, most people think that the grass is greener on the other side."
"They're so obsessed with foreign things. Those bastards stole everything from our ancestors. If they're not good, why are they stealing anything?"
Old Niu was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. He despised those little brats who fawned over foreigners the most.
Well, Zhuang Chaoying thought to herself, this old man is still a radical youth.
However, this made him think that Master Niu was a pretty honest person.
He hadn't walked more than two steps when he saw Boss Niu take out a mobile phone from his briefcase. In Beijing in the late 1980s, who didn't have superhuman abilities if they had a mobile phone?
"Brother Niu, you're awesome, the boss!"
Niu called the convenience store near the landlord's house to confirm he was home, then put his mobile phone back in his bag. "It's for business. This thing is like a brick, but it's convenient for making calls; no need to go to the convenience store."
Soon, the two chatted back and forth, and before they knew it, they had arrived at Nanluoguxiang.
In Nanluoguxiang, Uncle Niu led him through the alley, introducing the surrounding environment as they walked.
"Xiao Zhuang, look at Nanluoguxiang, it's a treasure trove in Beijing. The surrounding amenities are complete, and life is convenient. If you live here in the future, you'll have all kinds of delicious food and fun things to do right outside your door. Moreover, the houses in this area only go up in value, never down. If you buy a courtyard house here, you're guaranteed to make a profit."
As Zhuang Chaoying listened to Uncle Niu's introduction, she looked around.
"How much further is it, Uncle Niu?"
"Don't rush, Xiao Zhuang. It's not far. Let's meet with the homeowner first and talk about the details. After you see the house, you'll have a better understanding."
.....
The two stood at the gate of a courtyard, where the red paint on the gate was peeling and faded.
Two stone lions crouch on either side of the entrance.
"We're here! Nanluoguxiang, guys, this is it! Erzi, Erzi, the buyer's here, open the door quickly!" Uncle Niu shouted at the top of his lungs.
Upon hearing "Nanluoguxiang," Zhuang Chaoying's heart skipped a beat. "Damn it!" he thought. "He knows someone here! Number 95, Nanluoguxiang, Jia Zhangshi!" The familiar name instantly brought back fragments of memories: the young widow, Sha Zhuzi!
Hearing Niu Ye's knocking, Zhao Er hurriedly came out to open the door. "Niu Ye, may you be blessed."
Uncle Niu led him across the threshold and waved his hand. "Erzi, this is a new society, don't do things the old way. This is the buyer, show him the house."
Zhao Er sized up the man in front of him. He was wearing a suit and had an unusual air about him. He looked like a wealthy man.
I really want to go abroad to work, but I'm short of money. This person might be my savior.
"The courtyard I live in is a single-courtyard house, with a side room on each side of the main house, making a total of five rooms: three main rooms and two side rooms."
As Zhao Er explained things, he led them on a tour of the courtyard.
Zhuang Chaoying looked at the courtyard quietly, knowing in her heart that it was a place where people lived, and that the house was well maintained.
He slowly and deliberately inspected each room, his expression showing little change in emotion, making it impossible to tell whether he was satisfied or not.
After reviewing the materials, Zhuang Chaoying calmly said, "Let's take a look at the other two sets."
Zhao Er followed closely behind him, looking at his expression, wondering to himself whether the buyer liked it or not.
"The other two are right across the street. One is a two-courtyard house, and the other is a one-courtyard house that is a bit dilapidated. If people want to live in it, it will need a major renovation."
The three walked down the street, and Zhao Er pointed to the houses along the street as he walked.
“Back then, this whole street, all of these were my ancestors’ heirlooms. Later, my grandfather started smoking opium and playing dominoes, and in the end, only these three courtyards were left.”
Looking at his commanding manner, Zhuang Chaoying thought, "Sure enough, some people are born into privilege, claiming everything as their own. Why don't they just say that the entire city of Beijing is theirs?"
He suddenly realized that he was harboring some resentment towards the rich, so he silently told himself, "Sorry, I need to adjust my mindset."