Manager Fang did not expect Chu Ge to actually take a liking to this plot of land. He coughed lightly, looking somewhat embarrassed, "Mr. Chu, are you sure you want to choose this one and not look at others?"
This location was like a hot potato; it was always good to sell it early. However, the current buyer was a distinguished guest of the Nangong Family. If he sold the shop to him, and if something went wrong in the future, he couldn’t bear the consequences.
Chu Ge saw the difficulty in Manager Fang’s expression, and he chuckled softly, saying, "Manager Fang, don’t worry about it. I am very satisfied with this shop, just proceed with the standard procedure."
Chu Ge’s words did not much reassure Manager Fang. He looked up at Nangong Man Sha, who nodded gently at him, "Do as Mr. Chu said."
The commanding tone left Manager Fang no choice but to comply. The shop, having not sold for a long time, was priced at rock bottom. Now, he didn’t dare to ask Chu Ge for a higher price, so he just pressed the price to the lowest and signed the contract with Chu Ge.
Manager Fang had been in this industry for many years, but it was the first time he met someone as straightforward as Chu Ge. After exchanging a few polite remarks with Chu Ge, he took the contract and left.
Chu Ge and Nangong Man Sha stood in the empty room, whose walls were already starting to peel and fall off.
The air was filled with a thick, stuffy smell of decay.
Nangong Man Sha said, "To open this place up, it needs to be renovated."
Chu Ge nodded, "Indeed, it needs renovation."
Nangong Man Sha looked up at Chu Ge, her lips curving slightly, "Does Mr. Chu really plan to open a gambling stone field?"
Chu Ge looked at her amusedly, "Of course, I’ve already signed the contract, how could I go back on it?"
Nangong Man Sha shrugged, smiling, "If Mr. Chu wants to open a gambling stone field in Beijing, I, Nangong Man Sha, can help you."
Chu Ge arched his eyebrows, surprised, "You want to work for me?"
Nangong Man Sha rolled her eyes, "Work for you? You wish. I meant I could help run some connections. After all, you are new to Beijing, and it’s difficult to manage relationships well. If I help you, it would be much more effective."
Chu Ge thought for a moment, and indeed as Nangong Man Sha said. He nodded lightly and said, "Then I’ll have to trouble Miss Man Sha."
The old mansion of the Nangong family is located next to a scenic area on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, built halfway up the hill. From the road at the foot of the mountain, one can see part of the mansion’s architecture. This plot was purchased by Old Master Nangong many years ago when the location was still quite remote and hardly anyone visited. People around him thought Old Master Nangong was crazy to spend millions on a land in such a deserted place.
Decades later, as the economy of the Imperial Capital developed and spurred economic growth in the surrounding areas, more and more wealthy people from the city began buying villas in the suburbs, and this land became very sought after at that time. Old Master Nangong was a shrewd man, already wealthy, so this land has always remained under the Nangong family’s name without being sold.
Later, Old Master Nangong built a large mansion here, which is the mansion seen today. From the air, it doesn’t resemble a residence as much as it looks like a park, with its vast area and beautiful scenery.
"Ah, it really is more comfortable to be back home. Although the hospital feels safe, it gets depressingly suffocating after a while; nowhere is as good as home." Old Master Nangong, leaning on a cane made of golden phoebe wood, leisurely walked from the living room to the outside lawn.
Since the villa is built on a hillside, aside from the direction of the main gate, the other sides each feature their own scenery. Old Master Nangong now came out facing the south, where he could see the distant blue sea, which stretched to the horizon and seemed like the edge of the world.
Chu Ge followed behind Old Master Nangong. He had been here before but had always stayed inside the villa. As for outside the villa, he had never come out to experience it. Now, following Old Master out and seeing the distant sea, he felt exhilarated.
"Old Master is right; the hospital is too solemn, not as comfortable as home at all. Now that you’ve recovered, you are free," Chu Ge said with a smile. Old Master Nangong was an easy-going person. Although he was a big boss of his generation, when facing juniors like Chu Ge, he never put on airs, or rather, he didn’t put on airs towards Chu Ge—something Chu Ge greatly admired.
Whether in Shanghai or the Imperial Capital, he had encountered too many family heads from large families, some even elder types, who always looked down on him as if they were gods and Chu Ge but an ant. Chu Ge detested such people the most.
"How about it, do you find this place beautiful?" Old Master Nangong seemed to really enjoy this scene. He pointed to the distant sea and then to the surroundings, asking Chu Ge with a pleased expression.
Chu Ge had previously been focused on the sea and had neglected the scenery around him. Only when he turned his head did he notice the green trees and the flowers in the trellis were blooming. A breeze blew by, bringing with it a faint scent of flowers.
Surprised, he looked at the blossoming red and the green leaves, even someone as well-traveled as Chu Ge couldn’t help but be amazed.
He was surprised not because of how beautiful the scenery was, but because it was deep autumn now. When he drove up the mountain, he could see through the car window