Shen An's tone suddenly shifted; the deference toward Jiang Cheng vanished, replaced by a lazy, rogueish drawl as he looked at Lin Jie. "The outside walls aren't exactly new, but when I came by this morning the corridor tiles were so shiny I could see my reflection—someone's clearly taking good care of the place."
At that, Lin Jie immediately averted his gaze.
Following Shen Lang's cue, he explained, "Mr. Jiang, Young Master Shen, the exterior may look dated—Renji Mountain Villa was built back in 2003, after all—but the corridor tiles and the latex paint on the walls are refreshed every year. It looks clean and feels solid to live in."
He paused, then shifted to selling the estate's value. "Don't be fooled by the age. Within three kilometres, our prices are top-tier. In the 2018 market, surrounding blocks were around 80k per square metre; here we're easily above 110k, and the big view apartments almost hit 130k."
"That much?" Shen Shuang blurted out. "I looked at Tianzuo International not long ago—it was only 70k. That's a huge gap."
Surprise wasn't limited to Shen Shuang; Jiang Churan and Xu Yan couldn't help but gape.
When they'd stepped out of the lift, Lin Jie had said Jiang Cheng wanted to see a duplex.
In a residential zone a duplex is either a special layout or two floors knocked together.
Either way, the square footage is never small.
So whether you rent or buy, the price won't be low.
After all, the tiny flat Shen Shuang occasionally stayed in already cost over ten grand a month.
Shen An cut in first, Beijing-bantering: "What do you know? Tianzuo's a commercial zone—delivery scooters clog it by day, neon keeps you awake at night. How's that compare with the quiet here? Prices stay low. For long-term living, a mature compound like this wins."
Shen Shuang nodded. "Makes sense. It looks clean and comfy."
Shen An went on: "There's another plus. Back when this place first sold, most buyers were aerospace experts, university professors, and factory owners—people who care about quality. No one stacks junk in the corridors or shouts around. The owners' group never squabbles over trivia. High-calibre residents, none of the riff-raff you get near commercial districts—that's why prices stay high."
Jiang Churan gave a satisfied nod. "So a development can rise in value for reasons like that—learned something new."
Then Shen An turned to Jiang Cheng. "Brother Cheng, I came early this morning and walked around. East of the estate is Zizhuyuan Park—one of the few real lungs inside the Third Ring. Forty per cent of the compound is green, with mature trees chosen back then; now they blot out the sun and drop summer temperatures two or three degrees. After checking several nearby estates, I'm convinced this one's best."
Jiang Cheng clapped his shoulder. "Brother, that's thoughtful of you."
Shen An lives in Dongcheng; Haidian is northwest, so he'd clearly done his homework.
He'd even come over first thing to scout the place—meticulous.
Shen An chuckled. "Come on, Brother Cheng, you're too polite. Inside the Third Ring most estates are old; anything new sits beyond the Fourth or Fifth. Choices are slim."
Inwardly, Shen An felt lucky to know Jiang Cheng.
Most of the heavyweights around him were there through his father.
As a second-generation Beijinger, he'd been cultivating his own network since adulthood.
Leaving Jiang Cheng's background aside, the fact that Jiang Cheng was willing to let him earn money was already something he cherished.
These days you can find drinking buddies by the dozen.
Try asking the guy who's suddenly rich to bring you in—see how many answers you get.
The moment the words landed, Lin Jie, leading the way, glanced back with a probing smile.
"Young Master Shen, you're off there. I heard your Shen Group just bought Lefu Garden inside the Second Ring, planning to tear it down and rebuild. A spot way pricier than beyond the Fourth—how can you say there's no new stock?"
Shen An's casual air froze; he hadn't expected Lin Jie to bring that up.
He let out an awkward "Uh…"
Scratched his ear, voice dropping: "That's the old man's project—what do I know? Just a small compound; tearing it down won't make waves."
He shot a glance at Jiang Cheng, afraid his family might seem to be stealing the limelight.
Jiang Cheng picked up on it and turned, surprised: "Your family's in development too?"
"Hardly development!" Shen An waved both hands, posture instantly humble.
All swagger gone, he said respectfully, "The old man just thought the place too shabby, bought it to spruce it up. Nothing like your Fengtai King project."
Lin Jie's eyes lit up; he'd only sensed Jiang Cheng wasn't ordinary.
He pressed on: "Fengtai King land? So Mr. Jiang, you develop property too—buy land and build?" His tone turned serious and his pace slowed, eager to learn more.
Jiang Cheng replied: "Not really; property's just a sideline."
Shen An jumped in: "Come on, my brother Cheng's being modest. Fengtai King was acquired for self-development. Land cost aside, follow-up investment is easily ten billion. If that's a sideline, then my family's just patching holes."
He spoke without lifting his chin, yet his tone carried a quiet pride—praising Jiang Cheng without sounding like he was boasting.
At that, not only Lin Jie but the three women exchanged glances.
They all knew Jiang Cheng was rich, but not this rich.
Developing entire estates.
No wonder Xu Yan and Shen Shuang felt another stab of envy—why hadn't they ever met a man this handsome and loaded?