2: Chapter 2 A Chance Encounter While Buying a Property: Getting to Know Each Other as Neighbors

Six in the morning, the sky over Seoul was just beginning to brighten.

Qian Xu opened his eyes, and the first thing he did was open his banking app.

Balance: 22.74 billion won.

He stared at that number for ten seconds.

It was not a dream.

After washing up, he put on his most presentable suit—the BOSS suit that had cost him two months' salary.

Today, he had two major things to take care of.

The first: buying a house.

The second: buying a car.

Qian Xu walked out of his rental, turning back to take one last look at the semi-basement he had lived in for two years.

Damp, moldy, and crawling with cockroaches.

"I'm never coming back."

He hailed a taxi.

"To Cheongdam-dong."

Cheongdam-dong, the most expensive place for real estate in Seoul.

Prices started at 30 million won per square meter, with better ones going for over 50 million.

What Qian Xu wanted to see was a penthouse apartment.

It was 240 square meters, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and a fully illuminated layout.

Asking price: 9 billion won.

The agent was a Korean woman in her forties, surnamed Kim.

The moment she saw Qian Xu, she put on a professional smile, though there was a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.

"Mr. Qian, are you sure you want to see this property?"

"I am sure."

"This is the best layout in Cheongdam-dong, and the price is not low."

Agent Kim reminded him tactfully.

"I know."

Qian Xu's tone was indifferent. "Full payment."

Agent Kim froze for two seconds.

"Fu... full payment?"

"Yes."

"9 billion won?"

"Yes."

Agent Kim's expression changed instantly.

From a polite smile to overflowing enthusiasm.

"Mr. Qian, this way, please! This house is absolutely worth every penny!"

The house viewing went very smoothly.

A penthouse in Cheongdam-dong with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a view of the entire Gangnam District.

The renovation was already done, featuring imported Italian furniture and German kitchen and bathroom fixtures.

Qian Xu took a tour and was very satisfied.

"I'll buy it."

"Now?"

"Now."

Agent Kim's hands were shaking.

In her ten years as an agent, this was the first time she had encountered such a straightforward client.

9 billion won, full payment, ten minutes of viewing.

"Mr. Qian, what kind of business are you in?"

"Investment."

Qian Xu didn't explain further.

Signing the contract, transferring the funds, and getting the keys.

The whole process took less than two hours.

When he stepped out of the real estate office, Qian Xu had two keys in his hand.

A house worth 9 billion won.

Bank account balance: 13.74 billion won.

Next stop: Rolls-Royce showroom.

Gangnam District, Rolls-Royce showroom.

The salesman was a Korean man in his early thirties, surnamed Park.

Seeing Qian Xu walk in, he gave him an up-and-down look.

The suit was nice, but he couldn't recognize the brand.

The shoes were ordinary leather shoes.

There was no watch on his wrist.

"Sir, what car would you like to see?"

"The rolls-royce cullinan."

"This model is quite expensive."

Salesman Park's tone was polite, but his eyes were filled with scrutiny.

"I know."

Qian Xu walked over to the display car and circled it.

Black, V12 engine, 5.3 meters in length.

Price: 1.5 billion won.

"Can I test drive it?"

"Of course."

He test-drove it for ten minutes.

Qian Xu was very satisfied.

"I'll buy it."

"Now?"

"Now."

Salesman Park was stunned.

"Sir, this model requires a reservation, and the fastest delivery is three months."

"What about the one in the showroom?"

"This is a display car; it's not for sale."

"I'll pay a 20% premium."

Salesman Park swallowed hard.

"Sir, let me consult with the manager."

Five minutes later, the manager came out personally.

"Mr. Qian, the display car can be sold."

"Good."

Signing the contract, transferring the funds.

1.5 billion won, paid in full at once.

Bank account balance: 12.24 billion won.

Qian Xu drove the rolls-royce cullinan out of the showroom.

The black body gleamed in the sunlight.

The V12 engine roared with a low rumble.

He glanced at the navigation.

Cheongdam-dong, new home.

The rolls-royce cullinan pulled into the underground garage in Cheongdam-dong.

Qian Xu carried the keys and walked into the elevator.

The elevator doors were about to close.

"Wait!"

Two women hurried over.

Qian Xu pressed the door-open button.

"Thank you."

The two women walked into the elevator.

Qian Xu took a glance.

One was less than 1.6 meters tall, with a baby face, looking like a high school student.

The other was about 1.7 meters tall, with short hair and a capable aura.

Both of them wore masks and hats, but it was clear they were beauties.

Qian Xu didn't think much of it.

"What floor?"

"15th floor."

The baby-faced one replied.

Qian Xu pressed the 15th floor and then the 20th floor.

The elevator went up.

It was quiet for a few seconds.

The baby-faced one secretly sized Qian Xu up.

"Are you someone who just moved in?"

"Yes, just moved in today."

"The 20th floor?"

"Yeah."

"Wow, we're neighbors!"

The baby-faced one's eyes lit up. "I live on the 15th floor."

The short-haired woman tugged at her.

"Boram, don't talk so much."

"It's fine, Eunjung, we're neighbors, just getting to know each other."

Qian Xu's heart skipped a beat.

Boram? Eunjung?

Those two names sounded familiar.

The elevator arrived at the 15th floor.

"We're here, bye!"

The baby-faced one waved.

"Bye."

The elevator doors closed.

Qian Xu suddenly remembered.

Jeon Bo-ram, Ham Eun-jung.

T-ARA members.

A Korean girl group, once very popular.

Later, because of some incidents, they fell out of favor.

Qian Xu shook his head, not thinking much of it.

Arriving at the 20th floor, he opened the door and entered.

The house was large and empty.

It was fully furnished, but lacked a living atmosphere.

Qian Xu sat on the sofa, looking out at Seoul through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Need to add a few things."

He opened his phone, preparing to shop online.

The doorbell rang.

Qian Xu opened the door.

Standing outside were Jeon Bo-ram and Ham Eun-jung.

Jeon Bo-ram was holding a plate of fried chicken.

"Hello! We bought too much fried chicken and couldn't finish it, so we're sharing some with you!"

Qian Xu was taken aback.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome! Neighbors, after all!"

Jeon Bo-ram smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

Ham Eun-jung stood behind her, looking somewhat helpless.

"Um... would you like to come in and sit for a while?"

Qian Xu stepped aside to let them in.

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes lit up.

"Is that okay?"

"Of course."

The two walked in.

Jeon Bo-ram looked around.

"Wow, your place is huge!"

"Just moved in, haven't tidied up yet."

"It's fine, take your time."

The three sat in the living room.

Jeon Bo-ram placed the fried chicken on the coffee table.

"Do you live alone?"

"Yes."

"Are you Chinese?"

"Yes."

"Wow, your Chinese is great!"

Qian Xu smiled.

"I'm ethnic Korean, so Korean is my native language."

"I see!"

Jeon Bo-ram nodded. "What do you do for work in Korea?"

"Just resigned, planning to start my own business."

"Start a business? Doing what?"

"Haven't decided yet."

Jeon Bo-ram blinked.

"Then are you interested in investing in an entertainment company?"

Ham Eun-jung frowned.

"Boram, don't talk nonsense."

"What's the matter? I'm just asking."

Qian Xu was curious.

"What entertainment company?"

Jeon Bo-ram sighed.

"Our former company."

"MBK?"

"Yes."

Jeon Bo-ram smiled bitterly. "The company went bankrupt, with 18 billion won in debt."

Qian Xu's heart skipped a beat.

18 billion?

"Aren't you T-ARA? How could it go bankrupt?"

Ham Eun-jung spoke up.

"It's a long story."

"In 2017, the company was mismanaged, and combined with our contract disputes, it kept losing money."

"Last year, it completely collapsed."

"Now the company is in bankruptcy liquidation, and our contracts have been frozen."

Jeon Bo-ram lowered her head.

"The six of us are now going our separate ways."

"Hyomin is acting, Qri is doing live streams, and Jiyeon is doing solo activities."

"So-yeon has been shelved, and we can't reach her."

"Eunjung and I live in Seoul, waiting for the company's settlement results."

Qian Xu was silent for a few seconds.

"18 billion won in debt, and the company went bankrupt?"

"Yes."

Ham Eun-jung smiled bitterly. "We want to make a comeback, but the company is bankrupt, our contracts are frozen, and we can't do anything."

"And even if we could make a comeback, no one would be willing to invest in us."

"T-ARA's reputation was ruined long ago."

Qian Xu looked at the two of them.

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes turned red.

Ham Eun-jung bit her lip.

He suddenly thought of a question.

"If... someone was willing to take over your company's debt and acquire the company, could you make a comeback?"

Ham Eun-jung looked up.

"Theoretically yes, but who would do such a thing?"

"18 billion won in debt, plus the company's assets, would cost at least 20 billion won."

"Who would spend 20 billion to buy a bankrupt company?"

Qian Xu didn't speak.

He picked up a piece of fried chicken and took a bite.

"The fried chicken is good."

Jeon Bo-ram was stunned.

"Huh?"

"I said, the fried chicken is good."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Thank you for the fried chicken."

Jeon Bo-ram and Ham Eun-jung exchanged a look.

This person was a bit strange.

But it seemed... he wasn't simple.