Chapter 15: Acquiring Eight Suites
“Mr. Huang, sorry to keep you waiting. Let me introduce you first—this is Mr. Cao Kun, whom I mentioned to you over the phone.”
“Mr. Cao, this is Mr. Huang Jiahao, the owner of those eight apartments.”
As the intermediary, Liu Yuling took the lead in introducing Cao Kun and Huang Jiahao to each other.
Huang Jiahao, clearly more eager than Cao Kun, warmly grasped Cao’s hand as soon as Liu finished the introductions.
“Hello, Mr. Cao! Just as Manager Liu described over the phone, you’re truly a distinguished and promising young man.”
“Especially your looks, Mr. Cao—so handsome! In our Guang Province, with that kind of charm, you’d have a whole street full of girlfriends.”
Hearing Huang’s flattery, Cao Kun laughed heartily.
“Mr. Huang, you flatter me. A whole street of girlfriends is too much; my kidneys wouldn’t survive. Half a street is enough.”
His witty reply made both Liu Yuling and Huang Jiahao laugh, instantly easing the atmosphere.
Once they were seated, Liu Yuling took the initiative to pour coffee for both men.
Huang Jiahao spoke first: “I heard from Manager Liu that you plan to buy a batch of properties here. If you don’t mind me asking, Mr. Cao, did you catch wind of something?”
Having purchased eight apartments here a few years ago, Huang clearly had some means.
And people like him were usually sharp.
While he couldn’t speak to all the details about Yun East District, one thing was certain: the next few years wouldn’t be suitable for real estate speculation.
Yet, Cao Kun chose to enter the market at this very moment, which made Huang wonder.
Could it be that he had received some inside information prompting this move?
Faced with Huang’s question, a wry smile crossed Cao Kun’s face.
“Mr. Huang, you’re joking. There’s no insider news. I just don’t know what else to do. If there were a better investment project, who would still be speculating in real estate these days? At the end of the day, I’m just taking a gamble.”
With that, Cao Kun earnestly raised three fingers.
“Mr. Huang, I won’t hide it from you—I’m giving this place no more than three years. If after three years the property prices haven’t shown much promise, regardless of profit or loss, I will decisively exit.”
Seeing Cao Kun’s serious demeanor, Huang Jiahao took it at face value. He took a deep breath and said thoughtfully,
“Yes, the overall economic environment is weak right now. Indeed, there aren’t many good investment opportunities.”
After a bit of small talk and once the mood was right, Cao Kun brought the conversation directly to the eight apartments.
“Mr. Huang, Manager Liu has already briefed me on the eight units you own. Honestly, I’m quite satisfied with them. However, I still think the price is a bit high.”
Hearing this, Huang Jiahao’s expression turned bitter.
“Mr. Cao, 7,700 yuan per square meter isn’t high at all. I bought them at 8,500 yuan per square meter.”
“Selling to you now means I’m losing 800 yuan per square meter.”
Cao Kun nodded with a smile.
“I understand how you feel, Mr. Huang, but that’s not how you should calculate it.”
“Although you bought them at 8,500, the current market in Yun East District doesn’t really support that value. And 7,700 per square meter is indeed on the high side. If you don’t believe me, just ask Manager Liu.”
As a buyer’s market, Liu Yuling was undoubtedly in cahoots with her buyer, Cao Kun.
Liu Yuling looked at Huang Jiahao, her smile tinged with bitterness.
“Mr. Huang, to be honest, 7,700 per square meter really isn’t low.”
“These eight apartments have been listed with me for three months. It’s not that no one has inquired, but the moment people hear the 7,700 price, the interest dies.”
Huang’s face darkened. He frowned and looked at Cao Kun.
“Mr. Cao, what price do you think would be appropriate?”
“7,500,” Cao Kun answered decisively. “If you’re willing to sell at that price, I’ll take all eight units. We can go to the property center for the transfer today, and the money will be in your account by the end of the day.”
Huang Jiahao hesitated over the 7,500 price at first. But when he heard that the money would be transferred immediately, he made up his mind.
“Sold!”
He had no choice—he desperately needed the money. He was already losing 800 yuan per square meter; losing another 200 was acceptable.
“Alright!” Huang patted the table. “If you say so, then 7,500 it is. But I have one condition—we go for the transfer now.”
“I have business back in Guang Province and need to leave quickly. Today is Friday. If I miss today, I’ll have to wait two more days to complete the transfer, and I simply don’t have that kind of time here.”
“No problem,” Cao Kun smiled. “As long as Manager Liu has all the paperwork ready, I have no issues.”
“No problem, neither do I,” Liu Yuling said gleefully, barely able to contain her excitement. She patted her bag. “I’ve got everything prepared. Let’s head to the property center now.”
Eight apartments!
Each around 130 to 140 square meters. Roughly calculating, the agent’s commission would be at least 100,000 yuan!
If Huang Jiahao hadn’t been present, Liu Yuling might have been so excited she’d have jumped on Cao Kun and run wild.
...
Time flew by, and it was already half past four in the afternoon.
Outside the property center in Yun East District, Haicheng, Huang Jiahao hailed a cab and left, with Cao Kun and Liu Yuling watching him go.
Finally, everything was done!
Because each apartment required a separate transfer number, and one of the clerks was absent due to illness, the process was slow, taking the entire day.
But thankfully, it was all completed!
Eight apartments at 7,500 yuan per square meter cost Cao Kun 8.1 million yuan in total.
Liu Yuling received a 1.5% commission from Huang Jiahao—just over 120,000 yuan. She rounded it down to a neat 120,000.
Seeing Liu Yuling’s beaming smile, Cao Kun lightly patted her hip.
“Manager Liu, making 120,000 yuan on one deal—don’t you think we should celebrate with a meal?”
Liu Yuling looked at him with a meaningful smile.
“No rush. It’s not mealtime yet. How about we check out your eight apartments first?”
“The properties have all been transferred, but you haven’t even seen them yet. It wouldn’t be right not to take a look.”
Seeing her knowing expression, Cao Kun nodded seriously.
“You’re right. Let’s go see the apartments.”
Half an hour later,
Cao Kun and Liu Yuling arrived at the first apartment.
A spacious three-bedroom unit, previously rented to a young couple, so it still had some basic furniture and appliances.
The master bedroom had a bed, mattress, and air conditioner.
The kitchen had a rice cooker.
The bathroom had a water heater.
All left behind by the young couple when they moved out.
After touring the apartment, the two returned to the master bedroom.
Seeing Cao Kun draw the curtains and turn on the air conditioner, Liu Yuling bit her lip shyly, as if anticipating what was next, and quietly locked the bedroom door behind her...