Tang Jiaojiao was hesitating whether to sell her bags or have her man wire the money when the sales manager approached with a beaming smile. His smile, as broad as that of the Maitreya Buddha, regarded Su He as if she were the God of Wealth.
"Miss Su, do you like this apartment?" the manager asked cautiously.
Su He nodded slowly. "However, this price... I need to consider it..."
"It's good that Miss Su likes it. Xiao Liu, go prepare the contract." Hearing Su He's reply, the manager immediately instructed the salesperson to draft the contract, as if afraid Su He would bolt.
"Um, I didn't say I was buying it..." Su He quickly covered her bag, startled.
"My apologies for not being clear," the manager explained with a smile. "The developer of this project is Sifang Group, and CEO Lu holds eighty percent of the shares. CEO Lu has instructed that anything Miss Su fancies should be registered directly under your name."
Su He's mouth hung open in astonishment, unable to speak for a long time.
Tang Jiaojiao and Jiang Xiaoxiao beside her wore expressions of disbelief.
Had they heard correctly?
Such a large flat, just given away? Was such a good thing possible in this world?
Tang Jiaojiao pulled Su He aside and whispered, "Is this the Lu family's compensation for your divorce?"
Su He shook her head, not daring to tell her the truth. "It... it was probably just a casual remark, don't take it too seriously."
"But, the contract has already been drafted..." Tang Jiaojiao stammered.
"There might be some attached conditions, we'll play it by ear," Su He felt that pies don't fall from the sky. She was still planning to live a carefree life with her five million yuan after two years, and didn't want any further entanglement with anyone from the Lu family.
Five minutes later, the salesperson brought the drafted contract.
Su He carefully read it from beginning to end. It was no different from an ordinary house purchase contract. As long as she signed her name and pressed her thumbprint, the house would be hers.
"Could it be that I'm judging a noble person by a petty mind?" Su He mused internally.
However, she still refused, believing that one should not accept undeserved favors.
As they exited the sales office, Jiang Xiaoxiao exclaimed, "Miaomiao, you missed out on eight million!"
Su He smiled. "If it's not earned by myself, I won't feel at ease."
"That makes sense," Tang Jiaojiao gave her beloved daughter a thumbs-up. "If you really like it, we'll find another way."
Su He looked back regretfully, then patted the bank card in her hand.
Perhaps, she could buy one with a mortgage?
*
Back home, Tang Jiaojiao started rummaging through boxes and cabinets.
Su Dazhi returned from outside and looked at his busy wife, asking, "Jiaojiao, what are you so busy with?"
While packing her vintage bags, Tang Jiaojiao took a moment to answer him. "Susu took a fancy to an apartment, but she doesn't have enough money. I want to sell my bags to help her raise it."
"Aren't these bags your favorites? You'll be heartbroken if you sell them." Although Su Dazhi didn't understand fashion, he knew from his wife's usual attitude towards these bags that she treasured them.
Tang Jiaojiao's expression seemed calm. "They are just inanimate objects, nowhere as important as my precious daughter."
"Besides, I've used these bags for many years, I'm tired of them. When your engineering payment comes through, I'll buy new ones." Tang Jiaojiao smiled contentedly.
Su Dazhi was a doting husband. He couldn't bear to let his wife sell her bags to buy an apartment for their daughter. With a wave of his hand, he gave her a card. "Isn't it just buying a house? I'll pay for this."
Tang Jiaojiao stared at the card for a moment, then immediately put on a fierce expression. "How do you have another card? Have you been hiding private savings?"
"How would I dare?" Su Dazhi quickly clarified. "It's just that the villa in Nancheng was just sold, and I haven't had time to hand it over to you yet."
Tang Jiaojiao was skeptical.
"Don't you know my character? All the money I earn is for you and the children!" Su Dazhi put on a heartbroken act.
Tang Jiaojiao then began to believe him.
The villa in Nancheng was an asset they had acquired years ago. It was bought quite cheaply at the time, but because it was far from the city center, it remained vacant. In recent years, property prices had surged, and that land, due to its good environment, was highly favored by the wealthy, causing its price to multiply several times over. Su Dazhi thought it was a waste to let it sit idle, so he resold it.
"How much is in this card?" Tang Jiaojiao asked.
"Around fifty million," Su Dazhi scratched his head. He hadn't paid much attention to the exact amount.
Tang Jiaojiao's mouth widened in shock. "So much?"
"The house we bought had good feng shui, and many people were competing to buy it," Su Dazhi said cheerfully. Although he appeared simple and honest, he was very steady in his dealings.
After earning his first pot of gold, he didn't deposit it in the bank but invested in buying properties. Moreover, he would consult feng shui masters when buying houses, always choosing the best ones.
In recent years, he had made a fortune just by flipping properties. After accumulating a certain amount of capital, he started buying land and building houses himself. He also invested in some small companies with good development prospects, waiting for dividends.
All in all, his net worth was now quite substantial, several hundred million.
Tang Jiaojiao held the bank card and, excited, kissed him on the cheek. "Husband, you're amazing! I love you to death!"
Seeing the smile on his wife's face, Su Dazhi felt that all his hard work was worth it.
With such a large sum of money, Tang Jiaojiao immediately contacted the sales office and bought the apartment. Of course, Su He's name was filled in on the contract.
When Su He was dragged by her to sign, she was still confused. "Ms. Tang, where did you get the money to buy this apartment?"
"Your dad won five million in the lottery a few days ago." Tang Jiaojiao looked around furtively, then whispered in her ear, "Don't tell anyone about this, we're keeping it from the neighbors. If anyone asks, just say you bought it with a mortgage, understand?"
"Plus my savings over the years and the money from selling the bags, it's almost enough for the full payment."
The Su family had always adhered to the family motto of being thrifty and not flaunting wealth.
The couple unanimously believed that silence leads to great fortune!
Su He felt both amused and exasperated.
However, she didn't want her adoptive parents to lose out. So, she pooled her years of savings with the money from selling her apartment on Beihua Street and gave it to "Tang Jiaojiao." "Here's over six million. I'll repay the rest when I earn more."
Tang Jiaojiao adamantly refused her money. "We don't have many expenses, keep it for yourself."
"Then consider it as you helping me keep it. You know I have a bad memory and am always forgetful." Finally, Su He convinced Tang Jiaojiao with this excuse and accepted the money.
As they left the sales office, Su He felt empty.
One apartment had emptied her little treasury.
From now on, she was a penniless poor person again.