From house viewing to sealing the deal, the entire process took just half a day—so quick that even the other real estate agents working alongside Fang Quanyou were left dumbfounded.
What kind of past heroic deed must they have done in their previous life to have encountered such a dream client?!
How wealthy and decisive must someone be to swipe their card right after viewing a property — and to pay in full?
While provincial capital cities see higher property transaction volumes compared to smaller towns, even affluent clients with millions in assets usually deliberate for days. They consult their families, scout for other options, and even hire feng shui masters to choose auspicious building orientations and unit numbers.
Yet for Jiang Wang, a seven-figure deal was sealed with just a nod. Legendary.
As soon as Jiang Wang and his family of three left, the real estate office buzzed with disbelief and chatter. Many couldn’t wrap their heads around it.
Except for Fang Quanyou, who remained calm.
‘…They haven’t seen how this big brother bought the bookstore in Hongcheng,’ Fang Quanyout hought.
Back then, Jiang Wang had taken barely an hour to inspect the location, sign the contract, and make payment. He’s like picking up cabbages at the market.
The others in the office began to notice Fang Quanyou’s unusual expertise.
Despite being new, he required no training and had an unorthodox yet highly effective working style.
Jiang Wang himself had once dominated the real estate market in his previous life, closing deals that added up to eight-figure sums. His instincts and negotiation skills were razor-sharp.
After transitioning to a career as a bookstore owner in Hongcheng, he had stumbled across Fang Quanyou, a coworker whose very name was a harbinger of success. Delighted by the serendipity, Jiang Wang had casually taught him a few of his own trade secrets over drinks.
Clinking glasses of cold beer alongside plates of roasted lamb skewers, the two bonded over business stories.
“Who knows,” Jiang Wang had mused back then, “maybe I’ll jump back into real estate one day. If I do, I’ll make you my manager. I trust you’ll handle it well.”
Though Fang Quanyou thought Jiang Wang was joking, he respectfully stood up, toasted several more glasses in gratitude, and finished them cleanly.
Now in Yuhan, Fang Quanyou had truly hit his stride, negotiating deals with effortless precision. His efficiency and skill earned admiration from his new manager, who gave him constant thumbs-up.
Jiang Wang took note. After strolling through the pedestrian streets with Ji Linqiu and Xingwang that evening, he made a call.
“Settling our home is done. Now I need a place to set up a school.”
Fang Quanyou, working overtime, immediately replied, “What kind of space are you looking for? Just tell me!”
“I’m eyeing the Junyue Office Building on Bibo Road. I want the entire sixth and seventh floors. Can you help me negotiate for it?”
“The Junyue Office Building,” Fang Quanyou repeated, jotting down the details. “We don’t have that listing in our office, but I’ll start reaching out to contacts tomorrow. What’s your target price?”
Jiang Wang held the phone, smiled faintly and nodded.
It’s smart to create one when there’s no resources.
He casually mentioned two price ranges and added, “If possible, try to secure a storefront on the ground floor of the same building—something suitable for a restaurant.”
He envisioned a perfect ecosystem:
Customers could buy study materials and stationery at the bookstore, attend mock tests and tailored tutoring sessions upstairs, then conveniently grab a meal downstairs. It’s a perfect one-stop service.
Fang Quanyou responded swiftly, “I’ve already gathered and summarized info on five cost-effective and reliable local renovation companies. I’ve emailed it to both you and your secretary.”
“Boss Jiang, if you and your family plan to explore Yuhan tomorrow, do you need a local guide?”
“No need. We’ll just wander around.”
“Understood. I’ve arranged for local specialty gift boxes to be left at your hotel room door. Rest well. Good night.”
Jiang Wang smiled at the thoughtfulness, stepped to the door, and saw the gifts: two boxes of premium cigarettes and a box of salted egg yolk flower cakes— Xingwang’s favorite flavor.
Suddenly, he missed the years he worked as a real estate agent.
One has to be a true smooth operator to succeed in this line of work.
As expected, within five days, both office floors were secured. They became the official headquarters of the “Buwang Cultural Co., Ltd.” and the flagship location of “Buwang Education.” Renovated in a minimalist style, the space was both cost-efficient yet elegant.
Staff and supplies from Hongcheng gradually moved to Yuhan. Several top-notch teachers from the small town were directly recruited to the provincial capital, with generous perks including meals and accommodation.
The first tutoring center successfully completed its trial run and became a notable highlight in Hongshan District.
—Not only were the teachers’ roles clearly defined and systematic, but students underwent pre-class evaluations for tailored placement. Parents received regular text updates on their child’s progress, making the center a time-saving, efficient, and affordable option!
Business boomed in both cities. Despite hiring aggressively, they were still short-staffed. Even Peng Xingwang started helping at the front desk after finishing his homework, enthusiastically handing out registration forms—though he ended up being patted on the head by parents so many times like a mascot.
“Auntie, be gentle! I’m going bald!!”
Amid the whirlwind of success, Jiang Wang found brief moments of leisure. In public, he remained composed and commanding. In private, he acted like a spoiled brat.
On a drizzly afternoon, driven by curiosity, he pretended to accidentally click on an NSFW website, trying to fill the gaps in his knowledge.
The resolution was atrocious—like it was filmed on a landline phone. The audio sounded like someone slaughtering a chicken, and most videos were low-quality home recordings. Everytime the actors move, the jiggle of their body fats would appear excessive, and the white stuff that appeared on the screen looked downright gross.
After his first attempt at “observing the human condition,” half of Boss Jiang’s restless energy fizzled out.
Maybe there just aren’t any good films in Asia…
He covered his face with one hand and continued his search. Undeterred, he clicked on an American video.
After a painfully long half-hour loading time, the content finally started: a hunk of a black man wrestling two white men for three hundred rounds. The video quality made it look as if there’s three bears passionately ramming into a tree.
Jiang Wang shut off his computer immediately.
After sitting quietly for fifteen minutes, Jiang Wang came to a realization.
Something should happen between him and Ji Linqiu.
But it couldn’t be like this.
What they should have would be tender, lingering, like an intimate dance of mutual surrender—slowly permeating and devouring each other, until instinct drove them to fully meld and utterly possess one another.
Leaning back in his office chair, Jiang Wang pondered for a long time, as if contemplating how one might kiss a gardenia without crushing its petals.
He adored Ji Linqiu’s smile.
He wanted to see him softly pleading or flushed red, pressed against the window, allowing himself to be indulgently swept away.
Even if Ji Linqiu were to lose his composure, even if he were to appear disheveled, he would still be far more beautiful than the people in those videos.
No, there was absolutely no comparison.
When Jiang Wang thought of him, he was careful, as if even his thoughts, if too rough, might harm the person he cherished.
The rain outside grew heavier, pulling him back to reality. His secretary knocked on the door.
“Mr. Jiang, I noticed you didn’t bring an umbrella. Should I wait and drive you to the parking lot later?”
Jiang Wang came to his senses and waved dismissively.
“The rain’s not that heavy. You can go home first.”
The secretary, looking at him with an expression that said “Boss, you’re such a tough guy,” bowed slightly and left.
After finishing up some paperwork, Jiang Wang packed his things and left on time.
The air outside was cool and moist, as if it could cleanse all the restlessness from one’s heart. The sound of the rain was soothing, making him feel unexpectedly refreshed.
As he exited the building, Jiang Wang noticed a faint figure holding an umbrella, seemingly waiting for someone.
‘So dramatic,’ he thought. ‘Coming out in the rain just to pick me up.’
As he walked closer, Ji Linqiu tilted his head and lightly waved the umbrella.
“I knew you didn’t bring one. Let’s go.”
Jiang Wang blinked twice in surprise.
It was the first time someone had picked him up from work. And it felt— damn amazing.
“This moved you already?” Ji Linqiu teased with a laugh. “If I told you Peng Xingwang secretly learned how to cook at home and made a three-dish, one-soup dinner waiting for you, would you burst into tears?”
Jiang Wang took a deep breath, stepped quickly under the umbrella, and glanced at Ji Linqiu. “That little rascal is cooking now?”
He paused and coughed awkwardly. ‘…I can’t even cook yet.’
“Grandma Feng taught him. He even put potato chunks in the rice cooker to make the rice more fragrant. He’s been urging me to pick you up early so you can have some hot soup at home,” Ji Linqiu replied, his tone filled with admiration. “The kid really loves you. He even stood on a stool just to stir-fry the dishes himself.”
“It’s not just me, he loves both of us,” Jiang Wang corrected smugly, before adding, “But what can I say? I’m just too charming.”
As they walked together, Jiang Wang suddenly remarked, “Getting off work is the best.”
He really loves getting off work!
Meanwhile, back at home, Peng Xingwang climbed up and down from his stool, finishing the three dishes and a soup. Waving goodbye to Grandma Feng, who had been patiently teaching him, he carefully carried the dishes to the dining room.
Feeling that something was still missing, he went to the yard, plucked a few sprigs of gardenias, placed them in a vase, and sprinkled some tap water over them to mimic dewdrops. Then he stood by the dining table, experimenting with poses.
Should he go with “I worked so hard on this meal, big brother, you better cherish me” or “Wow, I didn’t expect to be such a genius that I’ve taken over cooking dinner”?
While still deciding, the sound of the front door unlocking broke his train of thought.
Peng Xingwang immediately grabbed a rag and started wiping the table with exaggerated vigor, pretending to be too busy to turn around.
“Come here, let your brother hug you!”
With a cheer, the boy dashed over, hugging Jiang Wang and Ji Linqiu tightly. His grin was the spitting image of Jiang Wang’s smug smile. “Look, look, look!!”
Jiang Wang glanced at the dishes, carefully covered with bowls to keep them warm. “So, Little Chef, what’s on the menu tonight?”
Peng Xingwang dashed back to his creations, dramatically lifting the covers with both hands.
“Garlic scapes stir-fried with pork!”
“Stir-fried broccoli!”
“Steamed sausage!”
“Tomato and egg soup!”
“And a side of your favorite fermented bean curd!”
Jiang Wang felt like today was some kind of celestial celebration. He changed his shoes, washed his hands with Ji Linqiu, and turned to help set the table.
“You made all of this yourself?”
“Well… sort of?” Peng Xingwang glanced at Ji Linqiu for confirmation. “Grandma Feng taught me…”
Ji Linqiu nodded firmly. “Of course he did.”
“Teacher Ji says it counts!”
Jiang Wang placed the bowls on the table and picked up the boy, spinning him around in the air.
“Smart kid,” he said with genuine admiration. “How did I get so amazing?”
“That’s not you being amazing! You said it wrong!” The boy puffed up, indignant. “You’re supposed to say I’m amazing! I’m the one who’s amazing!!”
“Alright, alright, let’s eat.”
“No! Say it again! Who’s amazing?!”
“You’re amazing!”
“Big brother, that’s so half-hearted. My heart is shattered!!”
“……!!!”
