Qiao Wen turned his head to look at him and laughed: “Then what are we going to do with a million? Eat beef offal? That will be enough for us to eat for a few lifetimes.”

“I…” Chen Jianan was utterly taken aback, still reeling from the shock, felt a wave of emotions sweep over him, leaving him momentarily speechless. 

Of course, growing up in the impoverished slums, he had dreamt of living in a bright and spacious apartment one day, but he just thought about it. While he occasionally fantasized about such a life, the reality was that affording a place like that in the next seven or eight years seemed improbable. 

Now, holding more than one million yuan and listening to Qiao’s reminder. The realization dawned on him that acquiring a house was no longer a mere fantasy but a tangible goal within reach. This newfound possibility meant that he could provide a comfortable home for his father, uncle, aunt, and son, where they could enjoy the amenities of running water and gas. The very idea of this brought a surge of exhilaration coursing through his veins. 

With anticipation he saked, “Where did you see the house?” 

Qiao Wen said: “A batch of new high-rise apartments have just been built in the area of ​​Kowloon Bay near Yau Ma Tei. I came across advertisements in the newspapers, and the prices are quite reasonable. Moreover, the location is conveniently close to the Walled City. Your uncle, aunt, and Haozi all work in the Walled City, moving to the new place, they can’t find other jobs for a while. Even my grandmother is the same. While I want her to enjoy a comfortable life, she definitely doesn’t want to live stay at home all day long. So the new home can’t be too far from the Walled City.” 

Chen Jianan nodded vigorously: “You are very thoughtful. I am still in Hexing Society now. It is really inconvenient to live too far away.”

Nowadays, the real estate industry in Hong Kong was experiencing an unprecedented boom, with large tracts of high-rise buildings springing up across the cityscape, epitomizing the city’s rapid development. The property that had piqued Qiao Wen’s interest had recently been launched. Like most of the apartments in the city, it was not large in size and simply decorated, but it had complete facilities and easy access to transportation services. 

Stepping into the apartment, Chen Jianan’s excitement was palpable, reminiscent of Granny Liu exploring the enchanting Grand View Garden. He eagerly inspected every nook and cranny, darting from the kitchen to the bathroom and back, pointing out the conveniences he discovered along the way. 

“Xiao Qiao, there are several water taps here. We don’t have to fetch water anymore.”

“Yes.”

“The room is big enough to fit two beds. I don’t have to squeez one with Haozi.”

“Yes.”

Chen Jianan’s imagination ran wild as he planned the future setup of the apartment. “When the time comes, we’ll buy a big sofa and put the TV right in front of it.” 

“The electricity here should be stable, right, it won’t be like the Walled City where it can be cut off three times a day.” he questioned. 

“Of course, here we get a consistent electricity supply from a reputable provider.”

To be honest, Qiao Wen was also a man who lived in a mansion. Although this kind of apartment from the 1970s was a far cry from the tenement buildings in the city, he didn’t really care about it. He just wanted to make a living there.

However, he was still moved by Chen Jianan’s unconcealed excitement. Only people without big ambitions and desires would be so easily satisfied.

After Chen Jianan had finished his tour inside, he took Qiao Wento the balcony for another breathtaking view. Looking out from the elevated vantage point, the bustling city sprawled out below them, revealing a vibrant landscape no longer a maze of dimly lit alleys, but a bustling metropolis. 

“Is it possible to see airplanes here like the walled city?” He was so excited that he couldn’t help but raised his head to look to the sky and asked. 

Qiao Wen smiled: “It should be possible, but we won’t be disturbed by the noise of the motors.”

The repeated mention of Walled City from their conversation, evoking thoughts of the renowned Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong. This leading the observant salesman to contemplate various possibilities.

Despite Qiao Wen and Chen Jianan being attired in suits that projected a mature appearance, it was essential to remember that they were merely young individuals in their late teens. With the phrase “Walled City” lingering on their lips, it seemed implausible that they could afford a modern apartment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Seeing that the two of them had been pulling like they were talking in a dream, the salesman couldn’t help but stepped forward to steer the two people’s vision of the future. With a forced smile, he interjected: “Have you two gentlemen come to a decision? There are a lot of people looking at houses recently, and I have other clients waiting for my assistance.” 

Qiao Wen was also infected by Chen Jianan’s enthusium and forgotten his focus on his business affairs. It was only, when hearing salesman remainder, he came back to sense and returned politely:  “Sorry, we talked over. I want both this apartment and the smaller one next door that I just saw.” 

The salesman was taken aback for a moment, “The total price of these two apartments is 1.2 million yuan. Are you sure you want them?”

Qiao Wen nodded: “Well.”

The man said again: “If it is confirmed, you need to pay the deposit immediately. Is it convenient for you?”

Qiao Wen still nodded with a smile: “No problem.”

Witnessing the salesman’s doubtful gaze between back and fort, Qiao Wen had a moment of epiphany as he realized that both he and Chen Jianan exuded an air of youthful innocence, almost as if they were venturing out into the world for the first time. Consequently, it didn’t come as a shock that they found themselves under the shadow of suspicion due to a perceived lack of purchasing power. 

Even in the face of the salesman’s doubt, Qiao Wen remained amiable in his interactions, on the other hand Chen Jianan’s impulsive nature threatened to surface, especially in the face of perceived disrespect. Chen Jianan’s protective instinct towards Qiao Wen, especially in unfamiliar territory, became palpable as he bristled at the salesman’s condescending attitude. 

For the salesman to cast a disparaging eye in Chen Jianan’s direction was one thing, but to demean Xiao Qiao, someone who had garnered public attention through newspaper features, was a step too far for Chen Jianan.

With a swift, almost theatrical gesture, Chen Jianan unzipped the canvas bag and flung it to the ground, and retort with evident anger: “What? Do you think we can’t afford it? Go and take us to sign the contract now!” 

As the man’s gaze flitted towards the conspicuous bag overflowing with banknotes that now lay discarded on the ground, he couldn’t help but inhale sharply, momentarily entertaining the notion that this duo might be in possession of ill-begotten funds from a recent bank heist orchestrated by Chen Jianan. However, a fleeting glance at Qiao Xin’s delicate countenance and his nonchalant expression left the salesman tentative about the validity of his conjecture.

Ultimately, yielding to the unwavering wrath of Chen Jianan, the man found himself mopping beads of sweat from his brow as he dutifully lead the two young men to sign the contract.