All Procedures Completed

The two consultants led Shen Yi out of the sales office.

A security guard drove over in a small cart, and the three of them boarded the sightseeing vehicle, heading toward the second-phase development, Lakeside Manor.

Along the way, the consultants pointed out the surrounding scenery, highlighting the amenities—commercial districts, hospitals, and shopping centers.

Before long, the cart twisted and turned along narrow paths before coming to a stop.

Shen Yi followed the two inside.

As soon as he stepped in, he was greeted by towering ancient trees, lush and dense.

The old tree stretched its flourishing branches, casting cool shade. Though it was late autumn and a few withered leaves had fallen, the scene only added to its charm.

Shen Yi took an instant liking to the place and walked over to touch the gnarled, cracked trunk.

The male consultant stood nearby with a smile and explained,

"This one is a registered ancient tree with an electronic ID. If it weren’t for the risks and difficulties of transplanting, it probably wouldn’t still be here."

"It’s quite old, so if you choose this property, you mustn’t damage or cut it down."

Shen Yi patted the trunk and replied with a laugh,

"I know. Cutting it down would count as environmental destruction—punishable by three to seven years in prison, plus fines."

"Let’s go inside and take a look."

"Mr. Shen is very knowledgeable. Right this way."

After the lighthearted exchange, the two led him further in.

The 355-square-meter space didn’t seem excessive, but it was undeniably spacious.

The villa had a complex layout—three main floors with five bedrooms and two living rooms, not even counting the nursery or maid’s quarters.

For most families, this would be far too large; two or three people living here might even feel unnerved by the emptiness.

But for Shen Yi’s current situation, it was perfect. In the near future, Fu Nanzhi, Shu Yunyi, and Cheng Jun would all move in.

Four people might still leave the place feeling roomy, but considering long-term plans—like having children—it was just right.

The backyard featured an artificial hill with a koi pond, alongside a grassy garden—ideal for adults to relax and chat while children played.

After touring the entire property, Shen Yi was already sold.

"Alright, let’s go back."

But satisfaction alone wasn’t enough—he still needed to check the price.

Not one to overthink, he turned to the two consultants, and the three returned to the sales office to crunch the numbers.

Back in the lounge, the male consultant sat across from Shen Yi with pen and paper, while the female consultant took a seat beside him.

Dressed in a professional skirt suit, her subtle perfume drifted insistently into Shen Yi’s nose.

As the male consultant calculated, the woman leaned in to explain, her glossy manicured nails flickering in his vision.

Uncomfortable, Shen Yi shifted slightly toward the male consultant’s side.

He saw right through her intentions but chose not to call her out, simply keeping a polite distance.

Once the calculations were done, the final price stunned Shen Yi, even though he’d braced himself.

At 355 square meters and roughly 50,000 yuan per square meter, the total came to a staggering 18 million yuan.

Fu Nanzhi’s Lakeside No. 114 had cost only about 20,000 yuan per square meter when her parents bought it over a decade ago—hardly a fair comparison.

But given that prices had only doubled in ten years, and considering the prime location, this wasn’t unreasonable.

Without much deliberation, Shen Yi waved his hand and decided to place the deposit.

This was how he always shopped—and he genuinely loved this property. The interior design was tasteful, the location convenient.

Best of all, it was move-in ready. The developer maintained and cleaned every unit monthly, leaving no trace of dust or neglect.

If he wanted, he could move in the same night after completing the paperwork.

As for appliances or furniture, anything unsatisfactory could be replaced later—he’d leave that to Fu Nanzhi and the others.

Hearing his decision, the consultants brightened, their enthusiasm doubling.

A sale like this meant hefty commissions—sometimes a month’s work couldn’t compare.

High-value property deals often dragged on, with clients hesitating and revisiting endlessly.

A decisive buyer like Shen Yi was rare, so their excitement was understandable.

Regarding payment, developers usually encouraged loans—beneficial for both parties, as mortgages allowed buyers to leverage bank funds.

But Shen Yi had no need for financing. He opted for a full cash payment.

Loans delayed possession; developers typically waited 15 business days after the bank confirmed repayment before handing over the keys. With cash, there were no such delays.

Soon, a stack of purchase contracts was printed, thick enough to resemble a small book.

Three copies, dense with legalese—but all Shen Yi had to do was sign. The consultants handled the rest.

After signing, the documents needed filing at the property bureau to finalize the process.

Stepping out of the sales office and into his car, Shen Yi checked the time—just past 3 p.m.

He tossed the contracts onto the dashboard and drove off, leaving the bowing consultants behind.

Buying a multi-million-yuan property in under three hours—aside from paperwork, it hadn’t been much more complicated than grocery shopping.

According to the consultants, since it was a ready-built unit and he’d pressed for urgency,

the handover could happen as soon as tomorrow or the day after, pending smooth processing. They’d confirm by phone.

With the house settled, a weight lifted, Shen Yi headed home.

After touring the grand villa, returning to his modest apartment felt like stepping into a hovel—enough to inspire an essay on the virtues of humble dwellings.

Sitting down, he noticed evening approaching and decided to edit the memories saved from his simulations.

"Simulator, activate!"