Chapter 2 – Buying a House

“Mr. Chu, President Xiao has agreed. But he has one condition—you must never again work in a related industry.” Jiang Ning looked at Chu Xiao with a face full of joy.

As long as Chu Xiao agreed, her mother could be saved.

“I have a condition too. Think about it.” Chu Xiao looked at Jiang Ning before him—the number one female war goddess of the apocalypse. He would definitely not let her slip away.

“Mr. Chu,” Jiang Ning frowned slightly, a trace of disdain in her heart.

“I want you to be my assistant. I have things to deal with over the next year, and I need someone at my side. I’ll pay you fifty thousand a month.”

Jiang Ning was a little stunned. That’s it?
“In a while I’ll be going abroad. Your job will just be to take care of my two cats at home.”

Chu Xiao swiftly signed the contract.

“I’ll think about it,” Jiang Ning said, looking at the name on the contract, torn.

Fifty thousand a month really wasn’t a small sum.

And her mother’s illness was draining money. At Xiao Corporation, even if she worked herself to death, she could only make seven or eight thousand a month. Worse, she couldn’t leave whenever she needed to take care of her mother.

“I’ll give you two days. If you come around, call this number.” Chu Xiao’s eyes grew cold as he looked at Jiang Ning.

If she couldn’t be used by him, he’d kill her.

He had seen enough of the shifting variables and treacherous human hearts of the apocalypse.

Jiang Ning’s hand, holding the contract, began to sweat.

“…Fine, I’ll agree.”

Chu Xiao casually took her phone, entered a number, and handed it back.

“This is my number. Save it. Come find me at Tianyuwan tomorrow, and then I’ll take you to Hengshuiwan.” As he spoke, Jiang Ning’s number was saved to his phone.

“Got it.” Jiang Ning hugged the contract and left the company.

The meeting room was left with only Chu Xiao.

In the empty silence of the room, he glanced at the faint scar on his left index finger and smiled.

After downing a bottle of sweet mineral water in one gulp, he drove straight to the real estate center.

In the apocalypse, water resources were so scarce that a bottle of Yibei mineral water only came once every three days.

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Hengshuiwan was a villa district reserved for the ultra-wealthy.

It was also an excellent refuge—built on high ground, it was safe from floods.

The large plots came with three underground levels—wine cellar, storage rooms, and more.

This alone made the reborn Chu Xiao very tempted.

“Here to view a house, sir?” The real estate agent, dressed in business attire, showed off her curvy figure.

“Has Villa No. 12 in Block A of Hengshuiwan been sold yet?”

That villa had been the stronghold of his former team in his past life.

Not only did it have three underground floors, it even concealed a bomb shelter.

A secret Chu Xiao had learned by chance in his previous life.

At the mention of Block A, the agent’s eyes lit up.

The price of Block A villas started at one billion.

“Please have a seat, sir. I’ll bring you some refreshments while we talk.”

“No need. Just take me to see it.”

Though the apocalypse was still a year away, Chu Xiao was anxious.

He wanted to prepare thoroughly.

Seeing his seriousness, the agent immediately grabbed a parasol and ushered him into the shuttle cart.

The whole ride, she chattered introductions, but Chu Xiao stayed silent.

The surroundings looked exactly the same as they had in the early apocalypse.

After about ten minutes, they stopped in front of a gated courtyard.

“Mr. Chu, we’ve arrived. Please mind your step.”

The agent, gloved and holding the parasol, opened the car door for him.

She swiped a card to unlock the gate, then led him into the garden.

“Spare me the small talk, let’s just see the house.”

What he wanted to confirm was whether the bomb shelter was still there.

The villa rose five stories high, occupying some 4,000 square meters.

With front and rear gardens, the grounds totaled 4,600 square meters.

Most importantly, it came with 200 staff quarters.

Each staff house had five bedrooms and three living rooms.

No wonder this was hailed as the most luxurious villa district in City A.

Seeing how familiar Chu Xiao seemed, the agent was puzzled.

Was he here to buy? Or just to investigate?

Still, out of professionalism, she walked him through every room, explaining the layouts.

Finally, they reached the underground storage.

“I’m a bit tired. Go upstairs and bring me some water,” Chu Xiao said, his heart pounding.

The agent hesitated, then handed him the walkie-talkie.

“Please wait here, Mr. Chu. Don’t move around. I’ll be right back.”

As soon as she left, Chu Xiao began searching the walls.

In the corner, he found it—a brick with faint markings, slightly darker than the rest.

“Found it!” His eyes lit up. It was still here.

By the time the agent returned, he was leaning casually against the wall, lost in thought.

“Here’s your water, Mr. Chu.”

“Alright. Let’s go back and pay the deposit.”

The agent froze in shock as he strode away.

Already decided? She was ecstatic!

Her commission alone would be around ten million.

She’d never have to worry about food or clothing again!

“Wait, Mr. Chu! I’ll try to get you a discount.” She was giddy with gratitude.

All she could think was how to earn him the best deal.

“No need. Just pay.” Chu Xiao was already planning renovations—bulletproof glass and armored doors were a must.

The deposit alone was 900 million. The total price, 8 billion.

After seeing him off, the agent couldn’t contain her joy, screaming in the lobby.

Her colleagues didn’t look envious, but jealous.

Some even had murder in their eyes.

That was human nature.

They were all selling houses—why should she land such a massive commission, while they couldn’t?

Chu Xiao didn’t care. Driving his Hummer, he returned to his Tianyuwan residence.

As soon as he opened the door, a cat resembling a Maine Coon leapt into his arms, while another, leopard-like, lazed in the sun on the balcony.

The house was kept air-conditioned for them year-round.

The Maine Coon look-alike was named Nuomi, and the other, Banban.

Relaxing completely, Chu Xiao buried his face into Nuomi’s fur, inhaled deeply, then carried him over to Banban.

Normally aloof, Banban never allowed him to touch her.

But today, for once, she rolled over and showed her belly.

These two cats had belonged to his grandmother. After she passed, Chu Xiao lived alone with them.

In his past life, they had died of old age before the apocalypse began.

Now, he cherished every moment with them—his last bond with his grandmother.