Chapter 32: Buying Property for My Elder Sister

“My dear brother, I arranged this big business deal for you. How do you plan to thank me?” Xiao Banxia began to angle for her reward. “Let me state in advance, your gratitude must be sincere. Don’t think you can just treat me to a meal and be done with it.”

“You really underestimate your brother. Just the cash I have at my disposal is about to make me a billionaire. How could I ever shortchange my one and only sister?” Xiao Yao thought for a moment, then said, “This courtyard will always be your home, but eventually, you’ll want to marry. Tell you what—I’ll buy you a property of your own. How does that sound?”

“You’re really going to buy me a property? That’s no small sum.” Xiao Banxia was instantly tempted.

She’d only been half-joking when she asked for a reward. Even if her brother gave her a little gift, she’d be perfectly satisfied. But now he wanted to buy her a property outright—that was a genuine surprise!

She had lived in the capital for six years. From her very first day at work, she’d dreamed of having a place to call her own. But property in the city was far too expensive. It was a secret wish she kept buried deep in her heart, something that always seemed impossibly out of reach.

These past few days, her brother had come to visit, and she’d learned he had suddenly become a billionaire and acquired a courtyard home of his own. Naturally, she was overjoyed.

Staying in the family’s courtyard these days, she woke up smiling every morning. But as her brother had just said, one day she would marry, and she couldn’t live in the family courtyard forever. Even if she wanted to, her future husband would never accept it.

Deep down, she still yearned for a place of her own.

“With a fortune like mine, do you really think I’d mind spending a little to buy you a property? You’re my only sister—if I don’t spoil you, who would I spoil?” Xiao Yao said warmly.

“Well, that’s true. You’ve got so much money, how could you ever spend it all? Why don’t you just give me half? I’ve always split things with you growing up—now it’s your turn to return the favor. Don’t break your sister’s heart.” Xiao Banxia made a show of pressing her advantage.

Xiao Yao snorted. “Dream on! You want half my fortune for a tiny favor? Why don’t you just ask for the moon? I was going to buy you a villa, but now I’ve changed my mind. As punishment for your greed, you’re getting an apartment instead. How do you feel about that?”

“Oh, the days when money ruled and morals vanished! A younger brother, showing no respect for his elder sister—what can I do? If I can’t fight it, I’ll just have to accept it.” After her mock lament, Xiao Banxia said, “I’ve looked at a few places near my office with some colleagues. There are still two-bedroom, two-living-room units available at Yunyao Residences, about six million each. What do you think?”

“Not much. How big can a two-bedroom apartment possibly be? It’s too small,” Xiao Yao replied, shaking his head.

“It’s not small at all. Two bedrooms, two living rooms, one bathroom—just over a hundred square meters. The layout is great. I really like it,” Xiao Banxia said, thinking fondly of the apartment she’d dreamed of owning if only she could save enough for the down payment.

“You’re the eldest daughter of the Xiao family—how could you settle for such a tiny place? I’ll buy you an apartment first, just so you have a private space of your own for now. When you get married, I’ll make sure to get you a big villa for your wedding. Even if it’s just an occasional place to stay, the apartment shouldn’t be too small—at least three or four hundred square meters,” Xiao Yao suggested.

“That’s really more than enough, isn’t it? Three or four hundred square meters, even in a less central area, would still cost twenty or thirty million. I feel a bit spoiled,” Xiao Banxia said, her expectations modest. Just having a regular home in the city would already make her happy.

“I’m starting to doubt your taste. I was going to let you choose, but now I think I’ll take away that privilege and let Housekeeper Lu handle it. You just wait to receive the keys.”

“At least let me have a say before you make the final decision?” Xiao Banxia quickly tried to win back some control.

“Of course. After all, it’s your home. Choosing and deciding is part of the fun—I wouldn’t take that away from you. You can work with Housekeeper Lu as his assistant to pick out places, but when it comes to the final choice, all three of us have to be satisfied,” Xiao Yao said, making sure his sister didn’t settle for something too small or cheap. After all, it was to be her home, and she should have the final say.

Housekeeper Lu was highly efficient. Within a day, he had a list of more than ten high-end properties to choose from. Taking advantage of a weekend, he accompanied Xiao Banxia to view each one in person, and together they selected three that both found very satisfactory.

All three properties were exceptional—any of them would have been beyond Xiao Banxia’s wildest dreams before. But now that she had to choose, she found herself unable to decide.

In the end, it was Xiao Yao who made the decision: he bought the largest, most expensive penthouse duplex with a sky garden.

The duplex was 430 square meters, complete with ownership of the sky garden, beautifully designed, and the highlight of the entire building. Anyone who set foot in that garden would be unable to resist the allure of nature in the heart of the city’s high-rises.

Xiao Yao could tell this was his sister’s favorite. She hesitated only because of the size and price, worried about spending too much. But Xiao Yao was no ordinary rich man—gifting his sister a property worth forty-five million was effortless. As long as she liked it, that was all that mattered.

When Xiao Banxia finally received the property deed, she could hardly contain her excitement.

To think she now owned a luxury apartment over 400 square meters in the capital! It felt like a dream.

For a young professional living far from home, nothing else could bring this kind of happiness and satisfaction. To have her own grand home just two years into her career—Xiao Banxia felt unbelievably lucky, as if she were the happiest person in the world.

Her career was on track; she’d just been promoted to assistant to the Asia-Pacific president, was driving the BMW she’d always wanted, and now owned a multi-million-dollar home. She was truly living the dream and wanted for nothing.

Now that her boyfriend was due back from a business trip, she could hardly wait to see him and share all her joy.