Qin Cong's face looked sickly green; he had never suffered a setback like this in his life. From childhood to adulthood he'd always got whatever he wanted—wind and rain alike—yet this time he'd capsized in a stinking ditch.
"I know what you're thinking right now—that this was just bad luck, that you'll be more careful next time. But have you ever considered what would have happened long ago if you didn't have your family's backing? What end your usual antics would have met?"
After saying that, Qin Cheng seemed to realise something.
Though he was full of worry and concern for Qin Cong's plight,
he knew his own situation was extremely dangerous; at any moment the inspectors might haul him away.
That helplessness weighed on him with guilt: he had failed his wife and son, had not lived up to his duties as husband and father.
Qin Cheng strode out the door, saying urgently, "No more talk—I'm driving to divorce your mother right now. If I wait any longer it'll be too late."
Clutching his phone, Qin Cheng hurried to the entrance, but before he could reach the car,
several inspectors strode straight toward him.
"Qin Cheng, please come with us."
Qin Cheng sighed at the sight. "Still a step too late," he said helplessly.
On the other end of the call Qin Cong's face drained white. "Dad, are you all right?"
Qin Cheng knew his son's stubborn, fiery nature; without guidance the boy could easily veer onto the wrong path.
"Cong'er, Dad can't get away. If I go inside, curb your temper from now on. Have your mother transfer you to another school and study hard, understand? Don't follow my road."
On the other end of the line Qin Cong's face turned pale at his father's words.
Whatever was happening inside his father's company,
he could sense the gravity of it from the man's tone.
Right then he felt terrified and helpless, not knowing what to do.
He wanted to ask more, but the call had already ended.
At the same time, several inspectors escorted Qin Cheng into a car.
His heart was heavy; he remained silent the whole way.
He knew his fate now rested in others' hands—he could only leave it to heaven.
Seeing Qin Cong's sickly face, the cocky youngsters tensed. "Well?"
Qin Cong couldn't speak; he simply stared wide-eyed at Jiang Cheng.
Though he normally had plenty to say, right now he dared not utter a word.
Cheng Gui, watching from the side, finally pieced the farce together. "That's Qin Cheng's son?"
Jiang Cheng didn't want to continue the topic, so he simply nodded and changed it. "Uncle Cheng, I was about to sign for one of your apartments when this mess happened. The sales agent said she had to ask the supervisor about discounts, and since you're here, let's go in and look at the contract together."
Cheng Gui chuckled. "Sure, let's go in."
Jiang Cheng turned to Wang Sheng. "Keep an eye on them. When the inspectors arrive, hand over the video I shot. These punks have probably committed plenty of crimes—use whatever means necessary to get them locked up."
"Understood."
The group panicked; only now did they realise they might be in real trouble.
Jiang Cheng didn't spare them another glance. He turned, slipped an arm around Zhou Ying, and followed Cheng Gui toward the VIP lounge.
The girl who'd been filming from a distance tagged along.
Just outside the lounge a female voice rang out.
"Jiang Cheng, Zhou Ying."
Hearing their names, the two stopped and turned in unison.
A familiar face appeared before them.
Seeing her, Zhou Ying said in surprise, "Zhong Chuxi? You're here to buy a flat?"
Zhong Chuxi had been their high-school classmate.
In senior year she'd sat behind Zhou Ying, and the two were close.
When Zhou Ying's family went bankrupt, Zhong Chuxi was the one who kept comforting her.
She was one of the few friends Zhou Ying had in all of high school.
After graduation she'd added Jiang Cheng on wechat, and they liked each other's posts from time to time.
Zhou Ying's question made Zhong Chuxi laugh. "Me, buy? I can't even afford to rent here. Someone posted on the local forum: need water army, two hundred a day, food and drinks included—so here I am."
"No wonder you're dressed so maturely—borrowed the outfit from your mum?"
Zhong Chuxi giggled. "How did you know? They told us to look grown-up."
Zhou Ying glanced at Jiang Cheng,
her eyes saying he'd called it.
"Turns out you were right—everyone here really is an actor."
With the two women being so blunt, Jiang Cheng looked toward Cheng Gui.
Cheng Gui showed no embarrassment; he merely smiled. "Every new launch does this—you need a queue to build buzz. Honestly, most of them are staff from our design or logistics departments, so they don't cost a penny."
Jiang Cheng burst out laughing. "So I'm the only real buyer in Wangjiang Residence?"
Cheng Gui spread his hands. "We're mid-to-high-end. One genuine customer a day is already a good day."
"Uncle Cheng, you're refreshingly honest."
"Haha, no point pretending in front of you. Come inside, sit down. I'll have someone bring fruit and snacks and we can chat."
Zhong Chuxi didn't hesitate; she followed Jiang Cheng into the lounge as if she belonged.
She'd heard in the class group chat that Zhou Zhiyun said Jiang Cheng had bought a six-million-plus Ferrari.
Now that she'd chanced upon this Tycoon buying property, she wasn't about to miss the spectacle.
In the VIP lounge Cheng Gui soon had the contract ready.
Smiling, he said to Jiang Cheng, "Xiao Jiang, the unit you picked isn't actually our best. We hold back a few internal units for connections—perfect for a family of three. Want to take another look?"
Jiang Cheng was a little surprised Cheng Gui would offer one of those kept-back flats.
Cheng Gui and Jiang Jianming couldn't be very close;
when he'd phoned Jiang Jianming earlier, the man hadn't even mentioned the boss here.
Jiang Cheng chuckled and changed tack. "Xiao Ai, didn't you tell me just now this flat was the ceiling of our lobby units?"
Xiao Ai smiled wryly. "Mr Jiang, apart from Chairman Cheng's personally reserved units, the one you chose is indeed our top. If I'd known you were connected to our chairman, I'd have shown you more."
After she spoke, Cheng Gui added, "The internal units I kept back are excellent—top-floor duplexes with four bedrooms, a huge living room and terrace overlooking the whole city. Plus full smart-home tech to make life easy and comfortable."
Jiang Cheng's interest was piqued.
He looked at Zhou Ying, questioning.
She understood, but she couldn't decide for him.
She wasn't sure what Jiang Cheng thought of Cheng Gui.
After a brief pause she said obediently, "Up to you."