18: I like peace and quiet, and I don't want to be disturbed by inconsiderate neighbors.

The sales office of Xisheng Mansion was truly magnificent.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the dome, and the marble floor was polished to a mirror-like shine.

The saleswomen, dressed in exquisite uniforms, wore perfect professional smiles.

However, a hint of exhaustion could be seen between their brows.

Lin Jianguo and Wang Xiulian sat on the leather sofas in the lounge area.

The tea in front of them had been replaced several times already.

"Little Que's money is for university and his future marriage. How can we spend so much all at once?

Three point eight million... I can't bear to spend it!"

Wang Xiulian lowered her voice, but her tone was exceptionally firm.

"Didn't he say it? This money is for us to improve our lives! He can still earn more himself!

Look at your hands, and look at my back. What have we worked so hard for our whole lives?

Isn't it for the child, for this family?

Now that the child is successful and wants us to enjoy some comfort, why are you being so stubborn?"

Lin Jianguo was anxious and annoyed, his voice involuntarily rising.

"Enjoy comfort? As long as my son is healthy, I'm enjoying comfort. I have to think about my son, unlike you..."

Just as the two were at an impasse, a glib voice chimed in.

"Oh, isn't this Old Lin?"

Lin Jianguo's body stiffened. He looked toward the source of the voice.

He saw a middle-aged man with a beer belly and slicked-back hair walking toward them.

The man was accompanied by a young couple who looked somewhat constrained.

The newcomer was none other than Director Wang from Lin Jianguo's factory workshop.

"Director Wang."

Lin Jianguo instinctively moved to stand up.

"Hey, don't, don't. Stay seated. We're old colleagues, no need to be so polite."

Director Wang made a show of pressing down on Lin Jianguo's shoulder.

His small eyes darted between the couple, the disdain in them almost undisguised.

"Old Lin, you are..."

Before Lin Jianguo could answer, he started laughing to himself.

"Right, a place like Xisheng Mansion is one of the top high-end developments in Jiangcheng. It's good to come and see the sights.

Today, I'm accompanying my daughter and son-in-law to pick out a wedding house."

He pulled the young man beside him forward and patted his back proudly.

"My son-in-law, Xiao Xu, is an engineer at the Tech Park. His annual salary is hundreds of thousands!

Unlike us who spend our whole lives in the workshop, earning a fixed wage.

Working hard for a year isn't even enough for a fraction of what he makes."

A flash of embarrassment crossed the young man Xiao Xu's face, and he managed a forced smile at Lin Jianguo.

Director Wang didn't notice at all and continued to boast loudly.

"Old Lin, although you're older than me, you should listen to my advice.

A person must have self-awareness. For people like us, it's already good enough to be able to raise our children.

In a place like this, it's fine just to come and open your eyes.

If you think too much about it, you're just making things hard for yourself. You won't be able to sleep at night!"

These words were sharp and mean.

They made Lin Jianguo's face turn the color of pig liver, and his fists were clenched tight at his sides.

Wang Xiulian couldn't take the insult and was about to stand up to argue.

But she was pulled back by Lin Jianguo.

He knew Director Wang's character; arguing with him would only make him more smug.

Seeing Lin Jianguo's look of silent fury.

Director Wang felt extremely satisfied.

Only then did he turn to the saleswoman and wave his hand grandly.

"Alright, young lady, show us some houses."

He held up a finger and intentionally raised his volume.

"The budget is around one million. Pick a good one for us."

The young man Xiao Xu's expression became even more strained.

His annual salary after taxes was only about two hundred thousand.

After expenses, not much was left at the end of the year.

For the wedding, his family had scraped together a total of four hundred thousand, intending to take a loan for a small unit.

Who would have thought that in his future father-in-law's mouth, it would become an annual salary of hundreds of thousands and a budget of one million.

He hurriedly whispered to the saleswoman.

"Hello, we'd like to see that eighty-square-meter small unit."

"Eighty square meters?"

Director Wang immediately raised his eyebrows, his voice loud enough for the entire sales office to hear.

"How can you buy something so small? It's so cramped!

Will my daughter be comfortable living there? No, it has to be at least a hundred square meters!"

Xiao Xu's face turned completely dark, and he suppressed his anger, saying:

"Dad, it's just Xiao Jia and me. Eighty square meters is enough."

"Enough? Where would I put my face if word got out!?

Besides, will your children be comfortable living in such a small house in the future?"

Just as the father and son-in-law were about to start arguing, a clear voice came from the entrance.

"Dad, Mom, why haven't you decided yet?"

Lin Que, wearing a faded school uniform and carrying a backpack, walked in slowly.

His appearance was out of place in this luxurious environment.

Yet, he strangely carried a calm and composed aura.

Xiao Xu felt like he had seen a savior, thinking that someone had finally arrived to divert the attention.

No matter how embarrassed he was, he was still better off than a high school student in a school uniform, right?

Director Wang also saw Lin Que.

He sized him up, and the contempt on his face deepened.

"Oh, Old Lin, you even brought your son to broaden his horizons?

Good, good. Let him know the gap from a young age so he'll have the motivation to study hard in the future!"

Lin Que didn't even look at Director Wang.

He walked straight to his parents, his gaze falling gently on his mother, Wang Xiulian.

"Mom, that 140-square-meter unit we saw in the video last time looked great. Didn't you like it?"

Wang Xiulian nodded hesitantly.

"Yes... it's very nice, but it's too expensive. I can't bear the cost..."

"If you like it, that's enough."

Lin Que cut her off decisively.

Then he turned to the saleswoman who had been silently observing him since he entered.

"Hello, that unit, 1808 in Building 18. We'll take it."

The saleswoman's eyes lit up, and she quickly confirmed.

"Sir, are you referring to the 140-square-meter scenic floor unit, 1808 in Building 18?"

"Yes."

"Sir, that house is three point eight million. You..."

"Hahahaha!"

A burst of piercing laughter interrupted the saleswoman.

Director Wang laughed so hard he doubled over, pointing at Lin Que as he said to Lin Jianguo:

"Old Lin, your son is something! He can brag even better than you!

Buying it? Does your family have no concept of money? Can you even afford the change?"

Lin Que didn't even bother to look at him, simply asking the saleswoman calmly:

"Payment in full. Can we sign the contract and start the process now?"

Payment in full!

These words were like a sudden clap of thunder, causing the entire sales office to fall silent instantly.

Director Wang's laughter got stuck in his throat.

Xiao Xu and his fiancée also gaped, their faces full of disbelief.

Only the saleswoman.

After a brief moment of shock, she reacted quickly.

She had seen all sorts of customers.

The composure of the youth before her was definitely not an act.

The professional smile on her face instantly became sincere and eager.

"Of... Of course! Sir, are you sure it's a full payment?"

Director Wang sneered and said to the saleswoman:

"Three point eight million? He wouldn't be worth that much even if you sold him! Little girl, don't let this kid fool you!"

Lin Que ignored him and directly took out a black card and handed it to her.

This was a consumer card the bank had specially issued for him when he handled the signing fee and royalties from Hong Guo Net.

This consumer card had no credit limit and was only issued to customers with high income potential.

He looked up, his gaze falling on Director Wang for the first time.

His tone was flat, but every word was a blow to the heart.

"I like peace and quiet. How is the soundproofing of the houses here?

I assume I won't be disturbed by some neighbors with poor manners?"

Director Wang's face instantly turned from red to purple,

then from purple to green, a spectacular display of colors.

He felt his face burning, as if he had been slapped countless times in public.

The saleswoman immediately understood and smiled:

"Sir, you can rest assured about that. Xisheng Mansion uses the highest specification of soundproofing materials, which will definitely guarantee your quality of life!"

"That's good."

Lin Que nodded.

After completing all the procedures, the saleswoman respectfully saw the family out the door.

Lin Jianguo and Wang Xiulian held the burning hot purchase contract, still feeling as if they were in a dream.

Lin Que walked in front, and his phone vibrated slightly.

Just then, his phone screen lit up, followed by the notification sound of an email.

Lin Que opened the email.

Sender: "New Tide" Editorial Department.

[Teacher Jian Shen, sorry to disturb you. The layout for "The Miracles of the Namiya General Store" has been completed and is attached for your review. If there are no issues, it can be published tomorrow!]