At nine in the morning, Yusuf Zuck drove to the area near Ocean Film Academy and phoned Sara Zuck to ask if she was free that day or if skipping a day of classes would be okay.
However, Sara Zuck whispered that today’s class was very important—it featured a guest lecture by a big-name director from the entertainment industry who would also be making on-the-spot selections for actors in a new production. It was an opportunity she had signed up for, so she couldn’t skip class.
Yusuf Zuck figured it made sense and conceded; after all, buying a house wasn’t something to be finished in a day or a morning, so he told Sara Zuck to focus on her class with peace of mind.
A little after ten, Yusuf Zuck arrived at Ruiz Family Market and, after signing a tripartite agreement with Mr. Harper, the owner, and Mr. Liu, he took Miles O’brien to the new shop.
The new shop was still being renovated, so there was nowhere to step, and Yusuf Zuck stayed there with Miles O’Brien until noon when he took her out for lunch and then planned to go house hunting in the afternoon.
"Are we in such a hurry to see houses? But we don’t know anything about the housing prices here in the capital or anything about the respective areas and locations, whether they’re good or bad. Isn’t this too hasty?" As they ate, when Yusuf Zuck suggested they go see houses in the afternoon, Miles O’Brien’s face showed tension; she hadn’t anticipated Yusuf Zuck to be so impulsive. He mentioned buying a house the day before, and today he was already set on taking a look, seeming eager to make a decision.
Yusuf Zuck thought about it and realized he was being too impatient. Buying a house wasn’t something to be done blindly, so after pondering for a moment, he said, "Call Uncle Harper and ask if he’s free. Tell him I want to buy you a house and need his advice."
"Oh, I’ll check with him. It’s not certain if Uncle Harper knows either." Miles O’Brien picked up the phone and dialed Bryce Harper.
Shortly after, the call connected, and Miles O’Brien relayed Yusuf Zuck’s message.
"Yusuf Zuck is buying you a house? A villa? I’m really not an expert in that. You know, I still live in a traditional courtyard house. Your aunt and your brother have been abroad for years, and I’m not picky about where I live. However, if you’re in a hurry to buy a house, I can recommend someone," Bryce Harper said with a laugh. "Seek out Mr. Zuck, Master Zuck. He has a wide network, and many developers reach out to him to check the feng shui and such before launching a property, so he knows where the good and bad houses are, and he can get you a bargain!"
"Oh, then I’ll tell Yusuf Zuck." Miles O’Brien said before hanging up.
Meanwhile, as Miles O’Brien hung up the phone, Yusuf Zuck also picked up his phone and dialed Everest Zuck, having overheard her conversation.
Everest Zuck, indeed, would be a good choice.
However, after dialing for a while with no answer and waiting for seven or eight rings, the call automatically disconnected.
"Not answering?" Yusuf Zuck frowned.
"Could it be because you’re calling from a new number?" Miles O’Brien suggested. This update is available on Nove1Fire.net
"Right, right, exactly. I changed my number and haven’t informed him yet," Yusuf Zuck nodded repeatedly and immediately composed a text message to send.
Then, barely ten seconds after the text was successfully sent, Yusuf Zuck’s phone rang—it was Everest Zuck returning the call.
"Mr. Zuck, hello, I am Faye Webb. Sorry, but since it was a new number, I didn’t answer. Are you looking for the boss?" Faye Webb’s sweet voice chimed through the line.
"Yes, I’m looking for Mr. Zuck. Is he available?"
"Please hold on. The boss is currently discussing business with someone else, but I’ll ask for you." The call wasn’t disconnected, and Yusuf Zuck could hear footsteps.
After a short while, Everest Zuck’s voice came through, "Little brother, what do you need the big guy for?"
"Everest, it’s . I want to buy two villas but as an outsider, I’m not familiar with the capital, so I’m bothering you for recommendations."
"Sure, no problem, you’ve come to the right person. But what price range are you looking at? What about size and location?" Everest Zuck readily agreed.
"The location on the outskirts of Beijing is also fine, quieter with less traffic, and I’m not sure about size, but at least it should be over 300 square meters, with a garage and a garden. Price range should be between 30 and 40 million!" Yusuf Zuck had long planned to spend all his savings.
"Alright, come to me. I’m currently with a real estate tycoon. They have the type of house you’re talking about, I’m at home."
"Okay, I’ll be right over," Yusuf Zuck didn’t even think about it, taking Miles O’Brien and leaving immediately.
He truly found the right person. Everest Zuck had divine skills, knowing a real estate boss was nothing for him.
At one o’clock in the afternoon, Yusuf Zuck and Miles O’Brien arrived once again at Everest Zuck’s house in Fragrant Hills, where they were received by Ms. Faye Webb, who directly led them into the study.
In the study, apart from Everest Zuck, there was also a fat man in his forties with a very large belly, looking like he was pregnant!
"Come, come, come, Jesus, let me introduce you. This is my younger brother, Yusuf Zuck, and Yusuf, this is Mr. Jesus," as soon as Yusuf Zuck entered the room, Everest Zuck promptly stood up to introduce Yusuf Zuck.
Yusuf Zuck could naturally tell that Everest Zuck was deliberately appearing exceptionally close to him.
The fat Jesus bowed respectfully, shook hands, and handed out his business card with both hands. His name was Jesus Bell, the general manager of some real estate company in the capital.
"Jesus, Yusuf is not my biological brother, but he is still of my clan. Our relationship is the kind where I’d come running with just one phone call from him. So, do me a favor. If he takes a liking to one of your villas, you’ll have to give him a discount!"
"Mr. Zuck, guaranteed cost price, not a penny more!"
"Let’s go then. I’ve got nothing else on today. I’ll go house-hunting with Yusuf and give him some advice, is that okay with you, Yusuf?" Everest Zuck said with a beaming smile.
"If big brother is advising, then that’s simply the best I could ask for. Alright, whether the house deal goes through or not today, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight!" Yusuf Zuck said generously.
"I’ll treat, I’ll treat," Jesus Bell waved his hands continuously, saying, "Mr. Zuck’s visit to my property development is an honor for me. Now, I put it to you , brother Yusuf, if you take a fancy to my house, it’ll be buy one get one free!" Jesus Bell was quite shrewd himself; he had figured out that if Everest Zuck personally accompanied Yusuf Zuck to view the homes, their relationship must be out of the ordinary.
And Everest Zuck was someone Jesus Bell had connected with only after pulling many strings and making countless contacts, not to mention he had previously received Everest Zuck’s favors. Just half a year ago, Everest Zuck had rescued him from a difficult situation.
Jade Garden, the villa estate developed by Jesus Bell, was located in the Ocean Township of Haidian District, part of Beijing’s suburbs.
Since they had Jesus Bell, the big boss, personally leading the way, they didn’t go to the sales center, and the group went directly to several unoccupied detached villas.
The villas’ interiors were already fully furnished, and they were of the type where one could move in with just a suitcase.
Yusuf Zuck was a bit of a bumpkin and didn’t much understand the concept of inner beauty. He thought the outdoor environment was nice, the villa interiors were grand and refined, and there was a garden outside with a private gate and courtyard, so after touring around inside, he decided on one.
One was 289 square meters, the other 360 square meters; the two villas were located less than a kilometer apart and were not connected. In Jesus Bell’s words, it was a ’buy the large one get the small one free’ deal. The combined cost price for the two villas was 41 million, and he was responsible for all the procedures, including the housing certificate!
At 40 million for two detached villas, Yusuf Zuck knew he had stumbled upon a great deal; Jesus Bell was likely earning about half less than he should have.
"Take it, you don’t need to worry about owing me anything. If anything, I still owe you. That Blood Jade you helped me with saved the life of someone from my school. So tell me, what’s more valuable, a human life or a pile of worthless paper?" Everest Zuck pulled Yusuf Zuck aside and whispered.
"It just feels like, why is he giving us such a big discount? It’s like he’s selling at a loss!" Yusuf Zuck also whispered back.
"Jesus Bell is no fool; how can he make a loss? Take the house for now, and we’ll talk about the details later. Also, didn’t I tell you to buy a jade Pixiu? Don’t buy it, I’ve had one custom-made for you. When the opening comes, I’ll have it delivered right to you."