Buying a House

After collecting his thoughts, Shen Yi turned his attention to the final item.

Lifting his gaze, he saw a shimmering light darting up and down within a bubble, flitting left and right as if trying to break free.

As Shen Yi's consciousness made contact, a wave of familiarity washed over him.

"Is this... a simulation seed?"

He hadn’t expected the last item for sale here to be a simulation seed. Shen Yi had just used one recently—no wonder it felt so familiar.

The price of this thing was equally striking, costing a full S-rank evaluation to exchange for just one.

However, Shen Yi had no immediate use for it, so he set it aside for the time being.

Looking back, the items in the store were few, but each one was something Shen Yi needed. He couldn’t help but think that if he had known earlier, he would have focused more on leveling up.

Having reviewed all the refreshed items, Shen Yi prepared to make another round of purchases.

After careful consideration, he decided to exchange three evaluations—one B-rank, one A-rank, and one S-rank—for badges.

Holding onto these evaluations wouldn’t generate any value, so he might as well convert them into cash.

Exchanging the three badges would net him over 30 million, and having money in hand would give him some peace of mind.

"This place isn’t really suitable to stay in anymore..." Shen Yi mused to himself.

Though he had never been particular about his living conditions, the current situation made it clear he couldn’t stay here much longer. He needed to think about the future.

With things gradually falling into place, he was confident he could persuade the three women. After all, they couldn’t all keep cramming into this tiny space forever.

While he had no qualms about relying on them—Fu Nanzhi and the others wouldn’t mind either—it wasn’t just about the two of them anymore.

Personally, he didn’t see an issue, but he still had to consider how the others might feel.

After a flurry of actions, he exchanged most of the badges, leaving just one S-rank badge as a contingency.

If something new popped up or he needed a simulation seed, he wouldn’t be left in an awkward position.

Letting out a long breath, Shen Yi stretched his stiff limbs after sitting motionless for nearly an hour.

It was already half past eleven. He picked up his phone and glanced at the screen.

Fu Nanzhi had messaged him half an hour ago asking if he’d eaten, while Shu Yunyi had sent a text early in the morning.

Shen Yi had only given them brief replies, putting them on hold for now.

For one, he didn’t have time to meet them at the moment, and secondly, he didn’t want to show favoritism by responding to one before the other.

If they noticed any imbalance, it could easily lead to arguments.

"But after tonight, everything will be different..." Shen Yi muttered to himself.

Once he found the time to edit the new simulation footage and sync it, they would likely reconcile.

Right now, he needed to address his own hunger. The past two days had drained him mentally, leaving him both exhausted and famished.

Ordering takeout would take too long, so without even changing his shoes, he rushed downstairs in his slippers to grab a quick meal nearby.

While eating, his phone buzzed incessantly. Checking it, he saw that the money from the exchange had just arrived.

Large sums kept pouring into his account, each transfer triggering a flurry of notification messages.

Shen Yi paused mid-bite, his expression turning odd.

"This is so blunt... Could they freeze my account for suspicious large transfers?"

He had assumed there’d at least be some discretion, but the money had been transferred directly without any attempt to obscure it.

Shen Yi's concerns were not unfounded. With his legal knowledge and experience managing a company, he knew the bank wouldn't unfreeze an account without proper documentation.

As online banking becomes more prevalent, financial oversight has grown stricter, and even minor missteps could lead to frozen funds.

Fortunately, the simulator intervened—leaving no loose ends.

By the time he finished his meal, not only was his account untouched, but the bank didn’t even call. It was as if the incident had never happened.

Under normal circumstances, at the very least, a bank manager would have reached out to check on him, trying to secure him as a potential client.

No call was just fine. Shen Yi wasn’t the type to borrow trouble. He paid the bill and stepped out of the restaurant.

As he approached his neighborhood gate, his steps gradually slowed.

"Buy a house."

The thought lingered in his mind for mere seconds before he settled on it.

With money in hand, free time, and a clear need, all the conditions aligned.

This was freedom—doing what he wanted, when he wanted.

No hesitation. Shen Yi went straight upstairs to change his shoes, then headed to the parking lot, got into his car, and drove off.

Once on the road, he mulled over his options.

He had always had some ideas about housing, but the choices were limited.

Jingyuan City was no up-and-comer; its prime locations had always been expensive, though most properties there were older.

Living in the city center was convenient, but space was tight, and the noise was relentless.

With ample funds now, Shen Yi wasn’t about to settle for less—for himself or those around him.

That decision alone ruled out most developments in Jingyuan City.

If he wanted a villa, there were only two or three viable options.

The first was Songping Garden, the earliest development, already in its third phase of construction. The first phase, Peaceful Lake Residence, was where Fu Nanzhi currently lived.

These were small detached homes—perfect for a single family, but too cramped for more.

The second option was Bojing Garden, where Cheng’s parents resided. A newer development in recent years, it was a proper villa district—the most expensive, but with spacious, tranquil surroundings.

Lastly, there was Junyue Mansion in the suburbs—the newest and most luxurious.

Its remote location made it relatively cheaper, yet it offered ample space and lavish interiors.

Shen Yi tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, weighing his choices.

"Songping has the best location, Bojing the best environment, Junyue the best interiors."

Each had its merits, and Shen Yi needed to make a trade-off.

When it came to shopping, he was never one to agonize. He made his decision quickly.

"Songping Garden it is. Established developer, prime location."

With a turn of the wheel, he headed toward Jianyuan District.

Not only was it close to Tiancheng Corporation, but Jingyuan University was nearby—convenient for all three women in his life, saving them unnecessary travel.

Peaceful Lake Residence might be a bit small, but Shen Yi had a backup plan.

The second phase had been completed for a while now, with more suitable layouts. He could always choose there instead.

Soon, his car pulled up to the sales office. Shen Yi parked and walked in.

The moment he stepped through the door, two staff members approached him.

A man and a woman, a seasoned professional paired with a newcomer, greeted Shen Yi warmly and politely, inquiring about his needs.

Shen Yi remained noncommittal, standing before the property model and asking a few simple questions.

The two responded with grace—the man explaining while the woman supplemented—delivering a clear and insightful analysis that had Shen Yi nodding in agreement.

After the presentation, they moved to the lounge area. Once tea was served, Shen Yi began detailing his requirements.

The two real estate advisors were visibly surprised but treated him with even greater respect.

They didn’t judge him for his simple attire. On the contrary, knowing Jingyuan City was a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers often emerged, they were accustomed to clients who could spend fortunes in a blink.

As service professionals, they never dared to harbor any dismissive or condescending thoughts.

"Hello, Mr. Shen, based on your requirements, I’ve selected a few options for you to review," the male advisor said, quickly pulling out several brochures and sliding them over.

"The first one is our Peaceful Lake Residence No. 47—a highly sought-after property."

"Not just you, but several other clients have shown interest. It spans 197 square meters, with two floors, a garden, and a private pool."

"..."

The advisor went on, matching the images with detailed explanations of the property’s advantages.

Shen Yi rested his chin on his hand, listening intently before finally speaking after a moment of contemplation:

"It’s a bit small. Do you have anything else?"

The female advisor promptly handed him an iPad, supplementing the visuals with a video as she leaned in to explain:

"Not satisfied with the size? Then you might want to consider this one."

"This is our second-phase Lakeside Mansion, nestled right by the lake with breathtaking views."

"The property covers 355 square meters, spread across three floors, complete with a private garage and fully furnished for immediate move-in. The front yard has ancient trees for shade, while the backyard features a landscaped pond and rockery."

"Would this one meet your expectations?"

Shen Yi’s eyes lit up as he swiped through the images, growing more pleased with each one.

But pictures could only convey so much. He then asked:

"Can I see it in person?"

Hearing this, the two advisors exchanged a glance, their smiles widening.

"Of course, right this way."