Real estate consultant Liu Cai saw that Wang Yi was genuinely interested and wasn't worried that he was just asking out of curiosity.
Instead, she introduced in detail:
"The smallest property listed in the Yihe Yuanzhu deed is 750 square meters, and the largest is 2500 square meters."
"Located at the center of three imperial gardens, there are height restrictions. They can only be built with two above-ground floors and two underground floors."
"Among them, the first underground floor has a skylight, and a sunken courtyard. The second underground floor is entirely complimentary space!"
"For example, a 750-square-meter unit has an actual usable area of 1052 square meters! It comes with four parking spaces and a 150-square-meter garden."
"While a 2500-square-meter unit has an actual usable area of 4000 square meters! It comes with 8 parking spaces! And a 1000-square-meter garden! All units will have more than one-third extra space compared to what's on the deed!"
Wang Yi understood.
With the Summer Palace just a wall away, and the Old Summer Palace and Changchun Garden nearby, the authorities wouldn't approve building three above-ground floors in such a location!
Absolute height restrictions!
No way, they've built villas next to imperial gardens, and they still want multiple floors?
That's really asking too much.
Wang Yi asked,
"How many 'King of Buildings' units are still available?"
The 91 detached residences were developed in several phases, and there isn't just one 'King of Buildings'.
On the contrary, each phase has one or two 'King of Buildings'!
Just like in a residential complex, the 'King of Buildings' isn't just one apartment, but rather one or two entire buildings, comprising dozens of units.
"There are currently three 'King of Buildings' units available, one of which was just launched this year. If you're interested, sir, I can take you to see them!"
"Okay! Let's go see them."
Liu Cai took the keys and led Wang Yi towards the villa area.
Along the way, she first showed Wang Yi the smaller units and the large units over a thousand square meters, finally arriving at the 'King of Buildings' units!
Throughout this journey, Wang Yi truly recognized the wealth gap among the affluent.
The smaller 750-square-meter units in Yihe Yuanzhu were mostly in less desirable locations, with gardens only about a hundred square meters.
Many were also obstructed, affecting natural light.
As for the larger units over a thousand square meters, they were in better locations, but most cost over a hundred million yuan!
As for the 2500-square-meter 'King of Buildings' units, all were located in the best positions!
The surrounding environment and water features were all top-notch, and the total price was also the highest!
Wang Yi calculated that a 750-square-meter small unit cost 60 million yuan, meaning about 80,000 yuan per square meter.
The location and lighting weren't good, making the entry threshold low, but it wasn't really a good deal.
Spending so much money only to have poor lighting and feel suffocated truly didn't make much sense.
As for the 'King of Buildings' units, the total price was 200 million yuan, also 80,000 yuan per square meter.
There was no alternative; the total price was too high, few people could afford it, so the price couldn't be raised further, and it was even negotiable!
After all, this was 200 million yuan in 2011, not 200 million yuan in 2021!
Not to mention many couldn't afford it, even if some could, they wouldn't dare buy it.
It was too conspicuous.
Only merchants like Wang Yi, with assets exceeding several billion yuan, would dare to buy it openly!
Finally, Liu Cai brought Wang Yi to the newly launched 'King of Buildings' unit:
"Sir, as you can see, this house has a deeded area of 2500 square meters, a total usable area of 4000 square meters, and a 1000-square-meter garden where you can plant your favorite flowers, plants, and trees."
"The first floor is a distinguished social venue; the second floor is a spacious living area with 360-degree natural light!"
"The first underground floor has a skylight, a sunken courtyard, a swimming pool, a spa room, and a nanny room. It serves as the owner's high-end private club, for enjoying the pleasures of life to the fullest!"
"And the second underground floor, a completely complimentary level, features a home theater, wine cellar, garage, etc., catering to the owner's collecting and appreciating hobbies, and also providing enhanced security features!"
...
Liu Cai introduced each feature one by one.
Wang Yi admitted, he was tempted.
He was truly tempted.
This house had no flaws other than its expensive price.
As for the argument that the two underground floors were a waste of space, it didn't matter.
After all, the first underground floor had a skylight and a sunken cinema, ensuring privacy.
And the second underground floor was completely free; if it cost nothing, why ask for more?
It was just a full 200 million yuan, not a small amount of money!
But ten years later, Wang Yi remembered even the "junk" units sold for 180,000 yuan per square meter.
The most expensive 'King of Buildings' reached 800 million yuan!
There was no alternative; other luxury villas, no matter how superior, could be replicated.
But Yihe Yuanzhu, located at the center of three imperial gardens, with the Summer Palace just a wall away, truly could not be replicated.
Looking globally, it was unique.
Even if one were to spend vast sums to build three more imperial gardens, they couldn't create that kind of historical and cultural heritage and depth!
Moreover, this was a prime location in the Imperial Capital!
It truly couldn't be replicated.
For such rare villas, the smaller units would only appreciate by a little over two times, but the future appreciation of the 'King of Buildings' units would be absolutely terrifying.
If Wang Yi bought it now for 200 million yuan, it would appreciate to 700 or 800 million yuan in ten years, no problem!
Furthermore, with the purchase restrictions in the Imperial Capital, no matter how much more money Wang Yi earned in the future, he could only buy one house in the Imperial Capital.
In that case, these 200 million yuan had to be spent.
Of course, not with a full payment, but with a loan!
Moreover, the factory in the county town was going to be frozen for demolition in a few days.
Barring any surprises, Wang Yi would have to go back during the National Day holiday to negotiate the demolition compensation.
That would be another large sum of income.
These 200 million yuan could be managed completely.
Liu Cai took Wang Yi to see all three 'King of Buildings' units.
Wang Yi was most satisfied with the one just launched this year.
Good location, good environment!
However, Wang Yi wasn't impulsive enough to place an order immediately; instead, he wanted to haggle the price further.
At a price of 200 million yuan, even negotiating a five-point discount would save 10 million yuan.
And such luxury homes sold very slowly.
Especially for a 200-million-yuan 'King of Buildings' unit, selling even one a year was considered impressive.
As for other unit types, selling a dozen or so combined in a year was the absolute maximum.
These 91 units, built and launched in phases, could be sold for many years.
Luxury homes worth hundreds of millions aren't like cabbage; they won't sell out in two years.
But unfortunately, the price was hard to negotiate.
"Mr. Wang, this is a 'King of Buildings' unit, the lowest we can go is 195 million yuan. We really can't make it any cheaper. It's not just for you; it's this price for anyone."
Liu Cai sighed.
She really wanted to close the deal, but there was nothing she could do about the price restrictions.
Real estate consultants for such luxury homes often don't close a deal for two months, but once they do, they can live off it for half a year!
"Alright, I'll consider it,"
Wang Yi said, turning to leave.
195 million yuan was expensive; if it were 185 million, he would have been ready to buy it.
Ten million yuan was not a small sum.
For Meiyou, ten million yuan was a small sum.
But for this house, Wang Yi had to use his own money, so it wasn't a small sum then.
"Mr. Wang, take care. Let me add your contact information,"
Liu Cai said with a gentle smile.
"Okay."
Wang Yi left his contact information.
Liu Cai escorted Wang Yi all the way to the door, then hesitated before speaking:
"Mr. Wang, I apologize, within my authority, I can only offer it at 195 million yuan. If you're looking for a more suitable price, you might consider other avenues... Mr. Wang, take care!"
"Goodbye!"
Wang Yi waved his hand, understanding Liu Cai's implied meaning.
Such luxury homes all had a bottom price.
The real estate consultant's authority was limited to 195 million yuan, there was nothing to be done.
But most people who could afford such luxury homes were either extremely wealthy or powerful, perhaps with connections reaching the highest levels.
If one had a very close relationship with the boss of Longfor, or knew certain influential people, then not to mention 195 million yuan, even 185 million yuan might be possible!
Every company has a very limited number of internal prices for high-level individuals!
Whether he could get it or not depended on Wang Yi's capabilities.
Wang Yi drove away in his Porsche, muttering to himself,
"I need to find some connections!"
But unfortunately, in the Imperial Capital, he didn't have many connections.
If he were in Jizhou, it would be easy to arrange things.
But in the Imperial Capital...
The only person he knew well was Director Qin from the Haicheng District Management Committee, but his identity was too sensitive, and Wang Yi didn't want to play with fire and get burned.
So, what remained was Jian Ziyan's teacher, Professor Mo!
Dean of the Beihang Law School, a special expert for CCTV's legal programs, a big shot in the legal world!
Such an individual would likely be treated as a distinguished guest even by the high-level executives of Longfor in the Imperial Capital.
After all, the lawsuits a company like Longfor encountered were all tricky cases; they might very well need Professor Mo!
Or should he ask Jian Ziyan to invite Professor Mo?
Once invited, the matter would likely succeed.
But then he would owe Professor Mo a favor.
A favor worth ten million yuan.
Was it worth it?
Wang Yi felt a bit hesitant.
But it was nothing; at worst, he could hire Professor Mo as the legal consultant for Xingyi Technology in the future.
In the future, all legal matters for Xingyi Technology would be entrusted to Professor Mo and his students.
Coupled with Jian Ziyan's connection, a strategic partnership between the two sides was also perfectly fine.
In this way, Wang Yi would also establish a firm footing in the legal circles of the Imperial Capital.
In the future, anyone who wanted to cause trouble for Xingyi Technology would have to consider how difficult Professor Mo would be to deal with.
This was definitely an option.
Furthermore, Wang Yi treated Jian Ziyan well, frequently giving her raises and grooming her for a manager position.
She could serve perfectly as an introducer to Professor Mo.
Moreover, Wang Yi was also a Beihang student, so Professor Mo should not refuse!
With this thought, Wang Yi called Jian Ziyan:
"Ziyan, let's discuss something."
"Boss, what is it? Just say it!"
Jian Ziyan said cheerfully.
As a student who hadn't even graduated yet, she was already dizzied by Wang Yi's high salary.
A quick calculation showed her salary plus performance bonus for this month would be at least 20,000 yuan!
If they also poached chief editors and managing editors, it would be tens of thousands more...
A monthly salary of twenty or thirty thousand yuan – not to mention a sophomore student, even a second-year doctoral student would be dazzled!
"It's like this, is Professor Mo free recently? I'd like to invite him for a meal!"
"Oh, about that, I'll ask. It shouldn't be a big problem,"
Jian Ziyan said with a smile.
"Okay, you ask and see when the professor is free."
"Got it, boss, please wait a moment!"
Jian Ziyan hung up the phone and immediately sent a message to Professor Mo.
Such a prominent professor, a big shot in the legal world, was hard for others to get in touch with.
But for Jian Ziyan, as a student valued by Professor Mo, it was much easier.
Professor Mo looked at the message, pushed up his glasses, and smiled:
"Boss Wang wants to invite me to dinner?"
"Heh heh, this guy finally figured it out!"
He immediately replied:
"Ziyan, Boss Wang has taken good care of you, I'm well aware of it. Let's make it tonight!"
"Okay, teacher, thank you."
Jian Ziyan beamed with joy and then informed Wang Yi of the result.
Wang Yi breathed a sigh of relief:
"Sure enough, with Jian Ziyan involved, this matter is much easier."
If it weren't for Jian Ziyan, an acquaintance, acting as an intermediary, it wouldn't have been so easy for Wang Yi to approach Professor Mo himself.
There was no other way; Professor Mo wouldn't feel comfortable with a stranger!
That's how a society based on connections works.
At 5:30 PM, Wang Yi arrived at Xingyi Science and Technology Park and handed the Porsche keys to Jian Ziyan:
"Ziyan, go pick up Professor Mo!"
"Okay, boss."
Jian Ziyan took the keys and immediately set off.
It was undoubtedly most appropriate for her to pick up Professor Mo.
Just then, Liu Shishi walked over.
After a day of shooting commercials, her makeup was still impeccable.
"You've worked hard, Shishi,"
Wang Yi said with a smile.
"Not at all!"
Liu Shishi smiled faintly:
"Indeed, what people in the industry say is true."
"What?"
Wang Yi was a little curious.
"There are two legends about Boss Wang circulating in the industry."
Liu Shishi recounted:
"First, Boss Wang is a breath of fresh air in the investment circle; he doesn't get involved in all that messy stuff."
"Second, Boss Wang has excellent judgment; whoever he chooses to endorse becomes incredibly popular!"
"Am I that amazing?"
"Of course!"
Liu Shishi said seriously:
"I didn't believe it before, but look, Meiyou got Ye Xiaohe to endorse, and Ye Xiaohe was a third-tier celebrity before. After endorsing Meiyou, the box office exceeded 400 million yuan, and she became incredibly popular! She might even win Best Actress!"
"Zhenyou asked me to endorse, and I also became popular, hehe."
Wang Yi laughed despite himself:
"You can also win Best Actress for TV, I say!"
"Thank you for your auspicious words, Boss Wang!"
Liu Shishi was thrilled:
"Everyone in the industry says you have good judgment; whoever you pick becomes popular. Many actresses are hoping to become your endorser!"
"Are they that superstitious?"
Wang Yi was a bit surprised.
It was then that he remembered that celebrities in the entertainment industry and business people seemed to be the most superstitious about this kind of thing.
Many business people regularly burn incense and worship Buddha every year.
Many companies even bring their senior executives to collectively burn incense and worship Buddha to welcome the God of Wealth.
And it's even more so for celebrities in the entertainment industry; they believe in the God of Wealth, and even in methods for changing their luck...
Of course, there are even celebrities who make voodoo dolls to curse their competitors.
"Alright, I didn't expect to have another good reputation!"
Wang Yi said with a smile.
Having these somewhat illusory titles was still very useful.
At the very least, when Wang Yi looked for endorsers in the future, they wouldn't refuse; instead, they would eagerly agree...
Wang Yi changed the subject:
"I was supposed to invite you for dinner tonight, but I unfortunately already made plans with someone. Do you have any plans? Want to join us?"
"Sure, I don't have anything else to do anyway!"
Liu Shishi readily agreed.
Wang Yi bringing the big star Liu Shishi to meet Professor Mo was, first, to show Wang Yi's respect for Professor Mo.
Secondly, Liu Shishi also had a need to associate with such a legal giant.
"Then let's go together. The person you meet tonight might be useful when you terminate your contract with Tangren later!"
Wang Yi said it as if joking.
Liu Shishi's expression was complex; she didn't respond but firmly remembered it.
Through Tangren's attitude towards Boss Yang, Liu Shishi had already seen her own fate.
Terminating the contract was only a matter of time!
Wang Yi suddenly thought of an awkward problem:
"My car was driven away by Jian Ziyan, so we'll have to take a taxi."
"No problem, I have a car!"
Liu Shishi smiled and pulled out her car keys:
"I often come to the Imperial Capital for work, so I bought a house and a car here."
"Good, buying more properties when you make money is much more reliable than playing the stock market."
Liu Shishi's expression turned grim:
"Please don't scold me, if I play the stock market again, I'll chop off my hands! I even lost an entire house in the Imperial Capital from it!"
Wang Yi: "..."
Currently, an ordinary house in the Imperial Capital costs around 30,000 yuan per square meter, so a unit would be three to four million yuan.
For a celebrity to lose three or four million yuan in stock trading seems normal.
Afterward, Wang Yi drove Liu Shishi's Mercedes-Benz E straight to the hotel.
Twenty minutes later, Jian Ziyan and Professor Mo also arrived.
Wang Yi smiled and went to greet them:
"Professor Mo, hello. This is..."
"No need for introductions, Ruoxi! Liu Shishi, I know her!"
Professor Mo was very pleasantly surprised:
"Recently, my wife has been dragging me to watch 'Scarlet Heart' every day. I wasn't interested at first, but then I started watching and got hooked!"
(End of Chapter)