54: Chapter 53 Buying a house is like getting something for free.

Lin Feng hung up the phone, went to the bathroom to take a shower, then changed into a clean set of clothes and went out.

He didn't take Xu Luo's call to heart at all.

A beautiful woman with such a good family background asking him to attend some high-class party?

Would this actually be for his own good? A first-grader wouldn't even believe that.

If he went, he'd either be a scapegoat or make enemies with some big shots.

He wasn't stupid; let alone not having his wings fully grown yet, even if he could cover the sky with one hand, it was impossible to help Xu Luo without any cost.

"Now broadcasting a piece of news: A high-ranking official in Shen City who fell from grace half a year ago had a 200-square-meter house auctioned off for 3 million. Mr. Wang Tao, who bought the house, found 1 million in cash in the floor interlayer and handed it over to the Shen City police. This act has been highly praised by the police."

On the television, a morning news segment was playing.

Lin Feng, who was about to head out, paused in his tracks and looked at the TV screen.

A past event surfaced in his mind. More than a month ago, when he had just transmigrated, he successfully avoided getting shot in the head by the "ex-husband."

At that time, while hiding on the rooftop, the intelligence hinted that there was 500,000 in cash hidden in that middle apartment.

He wondered if it had been sold yet.

Today was Tian Xue's day off. He was originally going to her place for lunch at noon, and then do some "physical training" in the afternoon.

It was the perfect opportunity to check if that house was still there.

During this period, although he spent money quickly, with the support of takeout, his assets had increased by about 300,000 in just two weeks.

After deducting the money for stock trading at Tian Xue's place, and the 1 million he went all-in with on his own stock account, he still had over 2 million in cash.

If that house was still there, it was enough to buy it.

According to the timeline, housing prices would gradually rise, surging around 2015. Buying a house now meant lying down and making money.

He had to earn money through legitimate channels, but he couldn't miss this kind of speculative opportunity either.

Real estate, silver, gold—he wouldn't miss out on any of these this time.

Half an hour later, Jinhe New Village.

Lin Feng hadn't been here for a long time.

Ever since he rented a place, Tian Xue always went to his place.

After all, not many people knew her there.

Although Tian Xue was already divorced, Lin Feng still didn't want too many people to know the true relationship between him and Tian Xue.

In front of the 12th residential building, Lin Feng walked into the unit, and a woman in her 70s walked toward him.

"Oh, Little Lin, long time no see. Are you here to tutor at Teacher Tian's house again?"

"Ah... yes, the exams are coming up, so I'm here to get some help with Chinese."

"Sigh, that's good. She finally divorced that scumbag husband of hers. It's good for you students to keep her company."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes. Then I'll head up first."

Chen Ma downstairs was a chatterbox. Lin Feng gave a perfunctory response and quickly rushed upstairs.

He was indeed here for tutoring, just that it was a health education class.

With the teacher-student dynamic, the attack speed must be +999.

Lin Feng arrived at the fifth floor but didn't stop, instead heading straight to the seventh floor.

That two-bedroom apartment was still sitting empty.

Lin Feng's eyes swept over it, and a line of text appeared.

[Unsold status. Contains 500,000 in cash left by the previous owner. The current owner is unaware. The previous owner was arrested for serious disciplinary violations and died of illness inside. Current housing price: 12,000/sqm. It will rise to 28,000-30,000/sqm in 3 years.]

Holy crap...

This return on investment was not low.

A 70-square-meter house, bought for 840,000, with 500,000 in cash inside, meant it was bought for 340,000.

Three years later, it could be sold for up to 2.1 million, a profit of nearly 300%.

If he had sufficient funds, he could buy ten or twenty of these and be worth hundreds of millions in a few years.

Lin Feng took out his phone and dialed the number on the note on the door.

"Hello? Is this Mr. Jiang?"

"Who is this?"

"I'm right at your door, looking to buy a house."

"Buying a house? Wait twenty minutes for me, I'll be there soon."

After waiting for about half an hour, the sound of hurried footsteps reached Lin Feng's ears.

A greasy middle-aged man in his early 50s ran upstairs panting. Seeing Lin Feng, his eyes lit up.

[Addicted to gambling, family destroyed, owes 600,000 in usury, due in 3 days. Wife has run away. Desperate to sell, price can be negotiated down to 8,000/sqm.]

If he could get it at this price, the 500,000 in the room would offset it, which was practically getting it for free.

He never expected such a good thing.

"Hello, are you looking to buy a house?"

The owner had a cigarette in his mouth, a face full of stubble, messy hair, and greed hidden deep in his eyes.

"Yes, what's the price?"

"18,000 per sqm. If you want it, we can find an agent to handle the transfer and sign the contract immediately."

"18,000? Forget it, you keep it."

The old guy was stunned. Lin Feng didn't even bargain and just walked away.

This caught him off guard.

"Wait, you're not bargaining?"

"If I bargain, will you agree?"

"Try bargaining."

"8,000 per sqm."

"What? 8,000 per sqm?"

"Hey, you... where are you going?"

"I'm leaving. You won't sell for 8,000 anyway."

"Wait, let's talk. 8,000 is too little. Can you add a bit more?"

"I only have this much money. Take it or leave it. I was just inquiring about the price anyway."

Lin Feng had already reached the 6th floor when the landlord rushed down and blocked his path.

"What? Are you trying to force a sale?"

"No, no, absolutely not. How about 9,000?"

"Only 8,000. Forget it, let's not talk."

"Wait, I'll sell, I'll sell. I'll call the agent to sign the contract and handle the paperwork, but I only accept full payment."

"Really? 8,000, are you sure?"

"Yes, sure, sure. But I need money urgently, so we must trade immediately."

"That's no problem. I'll go with you to the agent to handle the paperwork."

The two arrived at the entrance of the residential complex and found an agent the owner was familiar with.

When the agent saw it being sold to Lin Feng for 8,000 per sqm, he was stunned.

"Old Jiang, 8,000? Are you sure?"

"Yes, hurry up and do it. Don't keep Mr. Lin waiting."

He could see it now; Lin Feng would really walk away.

This house was on a high floor and didn't even face south; it wouldn't sell at all if he held onto it.

He had bought it at a judicial auction for 200,000 back in the day, so it wasn't a loss, strictly speaking.

"Alright, I'll prepare the contract for you, then we'll go straight to the Real Estate Bureau. It's Monday today, so you'll get the three certificates in 2-3 working days at most."

Lin Feng nodded and didn't say much.

They were busy until 3 PM before Lin Feng and his group came out of the Real Estate Bureau.

"Mr. Lin, here are the keys. You can go take a look at the house yourself. I'll be going now."

The agent muttered: "Old Jiang is throwing his life away, selling for 8,000."

He glanced at Lin Feng and smiled: "Mr. Lin, you've picked up a bargain this time."

Lin Feng smiled and didn't say anything. He got on his little e-bike and drove toward Jinhe New Village.

Tian Xue had called more than a dozen times; it looked like she was drying out. He needed to rush back to irrigate her and soothe that dry firewood.