Chapter 143: Assertive Property Acquisition (Part I)

As soon as Zhang Wenhao finished speaking, the room fell silent. Even his uncle looked stunned, clearly finding it hard to believe that a single phone call from his nephew could resolve the situation so perfectly.

His aunt let out a cynical laugh, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, Wenhao, stop teasing your uncle. How could such a good deal ever fall into his lap? Besides, you must have quite a bit of pull! If what you're saying is true, buying an 800,000-yuan apartment would save him at least 500,000. Do you take 500,000 yuan as a joke?"

The others around the table shared her disbelief. Zhang Wenhao's mother looked at him awkwardly and whispered, "Wenhao, don't talk nonsense. Your uncle is already in a bad mood."

His aunt-in-law chimed in with a smile, "Wenhao, your mother is right. Your uncle is already stressed; isn't it kicking a man when he's down to tease him like this?"

Zhang Wenhao gave a cold smile and said firmly, "Whether I’m joking or not, my uncle will know once he goes to the Hengjian Group with me tomorrow."

His grandfather asked, "Wenhao, tell your grandfather the truth—are you joking about what you just said?"

"Grandfather," Zhang Wenhao replied earnestly, "I’m not that bored, and I would never build my own happiness on my uncle's suffering."

He explained, "It’s true that the Swan Bay apartments are no longer available to the public. Those quotas were snatched up long ago and are now being scalped at high prices. However, the Hengjian Group holds back a certain number of units in every floor plan specifically for their employees."

His uncle gave a bitter laugh. "Wenhao, that quota is exactly what I'm struggling with. Since I'm not a Hengjian employee, I’d have to buy from scalpers or resellers, which would mean paying a premium of at least 100,000 yuan."

Zhang Wenhao said calmly, "Uncle, don't do anything tomorrow. Just wait for my call. I’ll take you to the Hengjian Group to get hired. Their benefits are twice as good as your current printing factory, and most importantly, you’ll be eligible for internal housing immediately. You only need a fifty-percent down payment; the rest will be deducted from your salary monthly. That way, you'll save at least 400,000 yuan in mortgage interest."

His aunt scoffed, "Wenhao, didn't you say internal employees get a discount of 1,000 yuan per square meter? Let me calculate: 100,000 for the quota, 100,000 in employee discounts, and 400,000 in saved interest—that one phone call of yours is worth 600,000 yuan! If that's really the case, you should quit your job and just spend all day making phone calls."

Ignoring her sarcasm, Zhang Wenhao said indifferently, "It doesn’t matter if you believe me or not right now. Everything will be clear tomorrow morning."

His uncle wasn't sure if it was true or false, but seeing Zhang Wenhao's firm demeanor, he couldn't help but hope. If it were true, it would be a true lifeline.

The awkwardness lingered for the rest of the meal. By nine o'clock, seeing that everyone had lost interest, Zhang Xingping called an end to the dinner.

His uncle’s family took a taxi home, while the eldest uncle’s family drove the aunt’s family, squeezing six people into a five-seater car.

Once they had left, Song Huafang sighed and said to Zhang Wenhao, "Wenhao, it's getting late. Why don't you take Ruoran home?"

Zhang Wenhao nodded and said to Su Ruoran, "Ruoran, let's go."

Su Ruoran politely said goodbye to Zhang's parents, and the two hailed a taxi.

After they left, Song Huafang asked anxiously, "Xingping, do you think what Wenhao said at the dinner table is true?"

Zhang Xingping hesitated for a moment before nodding. "He’s our son, why wouldn't I believe him? The boy never speaks rashly. He wouldn't say it if he weren't sure."

Song Huafang frowned. "How could he have such connections? The Hengjian Group is a massive company everyone wants to get into. Could he really get Xingye in so easily, and even secure an internal housing quota without a word?"

"It must be," Zhang Xingping said, his doubt replaced by resolve. "I trust Wenhao's character. This is reliable."

Song Huafang smiled. "If this is true, it's a huge help to Xingye."

Zhang Xingping sighed and looked at her apologetically. "Huafang, I took the liberty of promising to help Xingye raise money. You aren't angry, are you?"

Recalling his sister-in-law's coldness and his own sister’s apathy, Zhang Xingping felt a chill. He hadn't been sure if his wife would object to helping his struggling brother.

Song Huafang smiled, taking his arm. "We've been married for twenty years; don't you know me by now? I just think we shouldn't let others know about those two million, or where it came from. But if you want to help Xingye, how could I say no? Just make sure you come up with a good story so he doesn't feel burdened, or he won't take our money."

Zhang Xingping felt immensely comforted. "I've thought about that. We have some savings, and with Wenhao’s status as a top scorer in the college entrance exam, we can just say most of the money is his scholarship."

"Fine," Song Huafang nodded. "Well, that's one weight off our minds. You've been worrying about Xingye and his wife all this time. Let's walk home and enjoy the air."

Zhang Xingping agreed, and the couple walked home arm-in-arm.

...

In the taxi, Zhang Wenhao felt disheartened. He had always known his relatives were snobbish, but he hadn't realized how shallow they were. His eldest uncle was so henpecked that he didn't dare speak up for his own brother, and as for his aunt... he felt nothing but annoyance.

Sensing his mood, Su Ruoran took his arm. "Wenhao, don't let it bother you. Every family has its struggles, and the world is often cold."

Zhang Wenhao sighed. "I know the world is cold, but I didn't realize it had reached the point where even blood ties are crushed by money."

Su Ruoran smiled helplessly. "That's reality. Even in ancient times, princes slaughtered their brothers for the throne. Your family may be cold, but at least they aren't harming each other."

She sighed softly, "My family is different. It’s full of treachery and scheming you can't even imagine. They treat each other as enemies, and money and power are all they care about."

Zhang Wenhao pulled her close, gently stroking her smooth face. "Let's not think about such unhappy things. You're leaving tomorrow, and I can't bear it."

Su Ruoran looked up and told the driver to pull over.

"Why are we stopping?" Zhang Wenhao asked.

"Let's walk," she said with a smile. "We're by the river."

They got out and walked down the steep stone steps toward the riverbank. Knowing the steps were treacherous, Zhang Wenhao walked in front to shield her. Su Ruoran placed her hands on his shoulders, feeling touched by his attentiveness.

Walking along the river, they reached the railroad bridge. Zhang Wenhao suddenly turned and pulled her into his arms. She was leaving for Beijing tomorrow, and he would be heading to the southwestern mountains the day after. They wouldn't see each other for two months.

In the darkness beneath the bridge, he held her tightly. Feeling her heart racing against his, Su Ruoran whispered, "Wenhao, take care of yourself."

"You too," he replied.

"You have to miss me," she said.

"You too," he answered.

"Every single day."

"You too."

Su Ruoran smiled happily, pulling him closer. Their faces pressed together, and Zhang Wenhao, his head spinning, cupped her hot face in his hands. He leaned in and pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to her lips.

Su Ruoran, initially tense, felt herself relax, closing her eyes and responding shyly. Zhang Wenhao was incredibly gentle, savoring the moment like a connoisseur tasting fine wine.

After a long while, he pulled back slightly, their eyes locked in the dark. "Wait for me in Beijing," he whispered.

"I will," she nodded, her eyes filled with unwavering resolve.

...

Su Ruoran’s flight was scheduled for the next afternoon. Zhang Wenhao had arranged to meet her at her home before taking her to the airport. At eight in the morning, he called Yu Hongyu.

Yu Hongyu was in high spirits. When Zhang Wenhao asked if he was at the Hengjian Group, Yu replied excitedly, "Yes, I've been waiting for you all morning! Just tell the front desk to bring you to my office; I've already cleared it."

After hanging up, Zhang Wenhao called his uncle. His uncle and aunt hadn't slept, still debating whether to believe the news. Desperate for a change in their bleak lives, his uncle decided to try.

Dressed in his only suit, Zhang Xingye left the house. His aging parents were waiting anxiously in the living room. "Did he call?" his father asked.

"Yes," Xingye said, "he wants me at the Hengjian headquarters in half an hour."

"Go!" his father urged. "Try your luck! It might just be a blessing!"

Xingye nodded and hailed a taxi. Zhang Wenhao had already arrived, and ten minutes later, his uncle stepped out of a cab, looking worried. "Wenhao, what are the odds?"

"One hundred percent," Zhang Wenhao smiled, pulling him toward the building. "Let’s go. Director Yu is waiting for us."

Yu Hongyu was thrilled. He knew that if he helped Zhang Wenhao, he was also opening a door to Chen Feng, who could help him secure the most coveted land in the city. The opportunity to develop that land meant a fortune. He had been looking for a way to get closer to Chen Feng, and now, by simply helping a young man with a housing quota and a job, he had found his bridge to success. Everything was falling into place.