Chapter 30: Buying a House

The two little ones were chatting away, keeping up with each other seamlessly.

Meanwhile, the adults were engaged in a serious discussion about buying property. For most families, buying a home is a major life event; it cannot be decided in a few words and requires careful consideration.

Zhang Min joined the conversation with great enthusiasm; she had also started toying with the idea of buying a house in Yandu.

"We should definitely look within the Second Ring Road. In the remote areas, the infrastructure just doesn't keep up," Zhang Min suggested.

"The houses there are quite dilapidated, and the facilities are... well, let's just say they leave much to be desired," Sister Li shook her head. She had many friends in Yandu and had naturally visited them.

"That 'Lijing Garden' project developed by Big Liu costs over ten thousand per square meter. The houses are quite pretty, but there’s nothing around them—it's just close to the airport," Zhang Min remarked, showing she was quite knowledgeable about the Yandu real estate market.

After all, many of those flooding into Yandu to invest in property over the past two years had come from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Numerous wealthy merchants, celebrities, and overseas Chinese had purchased real estate in the capital. Yongsheng was also planning to invest in the north, and since she heard about these things constantly, she naturally knew more than the average person.

"Exactly, exactly! You step outside and you're at the Forbidden City, turn a corner and you're at the Square, and right at your doorstep is Chang'an Avenue. How exciting would that be?" The aunt was radiant. Her family background was decent, and she had some savings. She and Zhang Min had just agreed to buy together so they could be neighbors.

"What you’re saying is all well and good, but the closer you get to the center, the more money you need. If only we had bought a few years ago; it was so cheap back then," Sister Li said with a bitter smile.

"You couldn't have bought it even a few years ago," Teacher An pointed out realistically, noting that commercial housing had only recently begun to circulate.

"How about we just buy a courtyard house?" Zhang Min suddenly proposed.

"A courtyard house? Wouldn't that be too chaotic?" Sister Li frowned.

"The year before last, Jackie Chan spent four million and bought eight courtyard houses. Everyone said he was crazy back then, but look at it now—he’s made a tidy profit. If we buy ones with plenty of space and fix them up properly, they’d be beautiful to live in," Zhang Min said, growing more excited as she spoke.

"I think that’s a good idea. Courtyard houses are both livable and have collector's value. Some of them have such unique styles, like a piece of art," Teacher An agreed.

"Alright! I think that’s a plan," Sister Li concluded firmly.

Zhang Min was satisfied; her suggestion had been adopted. She grabbed Liu Jing and said, "Come on, let's go take off our makeup."

"I don't need to take off makeup, I've already changed my clothes," Liu Jing replied, reluctant to go.

"Your little face is all dirty, come wash it with me," Zhang Min insisted, pulling him along. "Later, I'll borrow a car and we can go explore."

"Explore what?" Liu Jing asked, puzzled. It was just buying a house—what was there to explore? With enough money, he wasn't worried about failing to find a good place.

"The hutongs! The courtyard houses are all tucked away in various alleys. Cars can't easily get through, so I need to change into some comfortable shoes," Zhang Min explained.

"Exploring the hutongs—that doesn't sound like a very pleasant term," Liu Jing muttered.

Liu Jing finished washing his face quickly, as he didn't need to apply any powders or creams. Just as he was about to leave, Zhang Min called out from the next room, "Woody, come here for a second, do me a favor."

"Hey! That’s the dressing room. What do you want me to do in there?" Liu Jing said indignantly.

"It’s just me and Little He, it’s fine," Zhang Min explained. Little He was the makeup artist for the film crew.

Once inside the dressing room, Liu Jing was even more speechless. Zhang Min was wearing only a bodice, posing in front of the mirror.

"You brought me here to see this?" Liu Jing’s little