Chapter 1: 001
The weather in Ning Cheng wasn’t great. It was a Wednesday afternoon, 3 PM, at the sales office of Jinbiao Mingting, a landmark building in the city center.
After seeing off the last client, the manager glanced at the overcast sky. Seeing no one around, he decided to give everyone an impromptu half-day off.
It wasn’t that their management was lax. Jinbiao Mingting was one of the most upscale residential complexes in Ning Cheng. Residents had moved in a year ago, and very few units remained. Coupled with the bad weather, potential buyers were unlikely to visit.
So he went with the flow and let his colleagues leave early.
However, the receptionist misheard the announcement and thought they were having a team-building activity.
She set out fruit platters, coffee, and drinks, connected the large advertising screen in the sales hall to the TV, and put on a movie.
Channel 6 was broadcasting an interview.
As Qi SiJia entered the sales office with her cap pulled low, Meng Jiang’s elegant face appeared on the big screen.
Meng Jiang had impeccable posture, honed by years of etiquette training.
Her long, slender legs were pressed together, perfectly angled at 45 degrees under the studio lights, showcasing their graceful curves.
Even an ordinary person sitting like this would be praised for their poise, let alone the three-time award-winning actress, Meng Jiang.
She appeared more mature than in previous years, her emotions no longer readily apparent. No matter how tricky the host’s questions were, she handled them with grace and diplomacy, leaving no room for criticism.
During the interview, a faint smile played on her lips, her phoenix eyes slightly curved, a tear mole at the corner. If she smiled fully, she’d be a breathtaking beauty.
Although no one had seen Meng Jiang’s smile reach her eyes outside of acting, it didn’t detract from her captivating, all-around beauty.
Most of the young women in the sales office were Meng Jiang’s fans. As the interview progressed, the host, following the script, routinely asked about Meng Jiang’s love life.
Assuming she wouldn’t answer, the host even prepared a graceful retreat.
However, Meng Jiang, who usually projected an image of independent womanhood, unexpectedly responded in a slightly husky voice, slowly lifting her head to face the camera: “How should I put it? Although I don’t want to admit it, I did project my first love’s face onto someone while filming ‘First Love at 20’ in 2019.”
The host was visibly stunned: “And then?”
“And then?” Meng Jiang’s lips twitched, as if finding the question amusing.
A soft chuckle followed: “I dumped Miss Q.”
The drawn-out ending sounded like a sigh, or perhaps a hint of regret.
The host was shocked.
Who would have thought that at the peak of her career, Meng Jiang would not only publicly reveal her first love but also that it was a woman.
This revelation wouldn’t significantly impact Meng Jiang. As a powerful actress whose talent outshone her beauty, her acting was more captivating than her looks.
She had just been nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars and had swept the three major domestic awards. Her acting was even praised as “gifted” by renowned international directors.
Consequently, Meng Jiang had far more fans who admired her acting than her appearance. Even this romantic revelation wouldn’t affect her career.
Despite this, the host was momentarily speechless, unsure of Meng Jiang’s intentions.
The interview was live, and the host’s eyes were filled with complex emotions as she took a deep breath, her nervousness and caution evident.
In contrast, Meng Jiang remained composed, seemingly unafraid of the commotion her words would cause. When she mentioned Miss Q, her expression was as casual as if she were discussing the weather.
“I’m sorry, I was so surprised I forgot my lines. Which girl would be so lucky?” The host recovered and pressed on.
Meng Jiang tapped her fingers on her knee, then looked up, her tone playful: “Shouldn’t it be unfortunate? After a first love with me, it would be hard for anyone to find a better girlfriend.”
The implication: I’m the queen.
With her stunning face, her words were irrefutable.
Qi SiJia frowned, agreeing. It was indeed extremely unfortunate.
Being publicly discussed by your first love as a casual anecdote; whoever came after would appear more dignified than being dumped by her.
Looking away from the breathtaking woman on the screen, Qi SiJia withdrew her gaze and heard the real estate agents erupt in excited chatter.
“Oh, Jiang Jiang had a first love! As a CPF, I’m so heartbroken today.”
“The first love is in the past, right? Meng Jiang’s willingness to admit it means they’ve clearly broken up.”
“I just want to know who this chosen first love is. After dating someone as stunning as my sister, could they still function normally?”
…
Even with her social anxiety, Qi SiJia couldn’t help but feel a pang of discomfort at the word “function,” as if a sore spot had been poked. She couldn’t listen anymore.
What if your sister was a celestial being?
Qi SiJia scoffed and faked a cough.
The gossiping real estate agents in the sales hall turned around: …
Multiple gazes landed on her. Qi SiJia pulled her cap lower, her voice magnetically pleasant: “Are there any units available?”
The scene fell silent for three seconds.
Qi SiJia’s attire was unusual.
Her baseball cap was pulled low, and she wore a black mask, her face completely concealed. At first glance, her figure and demeanor resembled a celebrity’s.
But up close, besides her slender figure, her clothing was casual: a light green hoodie and casual pants.
Her sneakers were new, pure black, and their quality was indiscernible. This everyday outfit made it difficult to determine her background.
The real estate agents in the upscale complex reacted quickly. Even though they were about to leave, a client had arrived.
The on-duty agent, SA, quickly stepped out from the gossiping group.
After a welcoming smile, SA led Qi SiJia to the designated client sofa.
“Would you like tea or coffee?”
Qi SiJia: “Coffee.”
…
A minute later.
“Miss, are you sure you don’t want to look around more? You want to pay in full?” SA paused, looking at Qi SiJia with surprise.
“Yes.”
On the side table sat a pot of Clivia miniata, its yellow stamens and clustered petals filling the pot, complementing the elegant and luxurious sales hall. The only issue was that the fragrance was too strong.
Qi SiJia pursed her lips, suppressing the urge to go home.
She pulled her crossbody chain bag closer and took out a wallet.
Because she rarely went out, her bag contained very little: a phone, a wallet, no lipstick, tissues, or even an umbrella.
SA glanced over, bewildered. A normal woman wouldn’t go out so unprepared.
Was she a spoiled rich kid forced to spend money?
Her age didn’t seem to fit. SA was filled with uncertainty but remained polite: “Alright.”
This was the first time she’d encountered a buyer who wanted to purchase a property without even asking about the unit’s orientation.
The price of Jinbiao Mingting wasn’t cheap. Before its launch, it had been hyped to the price per square meter of properties in Beijing’s second ring road.
Now, a year after residents had moved in, only less desirable units and expensive, less cost-effective ground floor villas and top-floor duplexes remained.
Regardless, none of them were cheap.
And the young woman across from her hadn’t even asked about discounts before wanting to pay in full.
Still in disbelief, SA held her breath and dutifully introduced the available discount options.
“I can help you get the company’s internal discount…”
Qi SiJia interrupted quickly: “Are there any units with good orientation?”
“The top-floor penthouse was sold last month. The remaining good units are on the ground floor, with a sunroom and a small courtyard. At 88,000 per square meter, the total price would be 7.3 million. Rounding down, that’s 7 million.”
Qi SiJia nodded: “I understand.”
She then pulled out two cards from her wallet. Under SA’s complex gaze, she placed the two cards on the table, looked at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China card on the left, then at the China Construction Bank card on the right. After a few seconds, Qi SiJia looked up at SA hesitantly.
This was a normal reaction. After all, buying a house for 7 million wasn’t a small matter.
SA skillfully offered an out: “Is there a problem?”
Avoiding the agent’s inquiring eyes, Qi SiJia switched the card in her left hand to her right, exchanging them back and forth a few times, hesitating about how to speak.
This behavior, in SA’s eyes, automatically translated to “not enough money.”
Just as SA was about to offer a solution, Qi SiJia finally found the words, pressed the two cards on the table, and pushed them towards SA.
Qi SiJia’s voice was incredibly pleasant, like melting snow, soothing to the ear: “I don’t remember how much is on each, please try both.”
SA: …
Qi SiJia had been staying up late writing, and her memory wasn’t great.
Plus, she hadn’t been out in three months and hadn’t used her cards, so she wasn’t entirely sure which one had 10 million.
In front of the real estate agent, Qi SiJia entered the passwords and checked the balances. The two cards held a combined 20 million.
Not much, but enough to buy a house.
Qi SiJia didn’t even look up, completely unaware of how flaunting her wealth appeared to others.
The gazes on her became more intense.
Qi SiJia’s expression cooled, and she glanced towards the door three times.
She couldn’t stand crowded places.
She had severe social anxiety, so severe that she no longer knew how to define it.
Staying home for three months at a time was normal. Coming out today to buy a house and sign a contract was a truly groundbreaking step.
There was a reason for this outing.
She hadn’t had a proper relationship in five years.
Every previous relationship ended within a month, with her being dumped.
She’d finally met her current girlfriend, and their relationship had lasted longer.
Her girlfriend didn’t mind her being a homebody and was happy with their online relationship. Despite never meeting or video chatting, her girlfriend had never complained.
Their only argument was yesterday, when her girlfriend wanted to come over and hold her hand, and Qi SiJia refused.
Her girlfriend seemed upset.
Unsure how to appease her, Qi SiJia had asked her readers in her author’s notes how to maintain a long-term relationship…
Her readers suggested buying a property, to offer a sense of security.
The path of same-sex relationships wasn’t easy. Things had become more tolerant in recent years, but it wasn’t legal marriage.
It was best to buy a property as a guarantee for her partner.
Qi SiJia agreed, which was why she mustered the courage to go out and buy a house for love.
Now that the payment was made, there was no turning back.
Forcing herself to stay seated on the sofa, she waited for SA to swipe the card.
Qi SiJia didn’t want to stay a moment longer. Her expression was indifferent, her tone cold: “Let’s sign the contract.”
With the money in hand, SA gulped: “Of course, of course.”
As Qi SiJia was leaving, SA handed her a business card for a headhunting agency, but it was the one for part-time jobs.
SA felt slightly awkward and was about to switch cards.
Qi SiJia was eager to leave, so SA just stuffed the card into Qi SiJia’s pocket: “My contact information is on there. You can contact me if you have any questions.”
As soon as Qi SiJia left, the real estate agents who had witnessed the three-minute house purchase began chattering.
“She’s so generous.”
SA spread her hands: “Isn’t she? Just casually pulling out two cards with at least 20 million…”
“Is she a celebrity? Last month, Meng Jiang came here. She was also fully covered up.”
SA glanced at the signature on the contract—Qi SiJia.
An ordinary name.
She shook her head: “No. Maybe she’s a rich second-generation from Ning Cheng.”
Qi SiJia had just received the contract and was in the underground parking lot when her girlfriend, Shu Ran, called.
“Are you free? I need to talk to you.”
“En…” Qi SiJia: “Is it urgent?”
“Quite urgent.”
Qi SiJia also had a surprise for her, but having just interacted with so many people, she hadn’t recovered yet. But her girlfriend sounded urgent, so Qi SiJia considered it.
“Let’s find somewhere less crowded. How about Huaqing Garden?”
Shu Ran thought she’d misheard. She rubbed her ears, confirming that it was the Huaqing Garden she knew.
Gritting her teeth, she thought, Qi SiJia had hidden it well.
Last time, for her birthday, Qi SiJia had only gifted her a 100 yuan game skin. Shu Ran had thought she was broke, but it turned out she could afford to dine at Huaqing Garden, a high-end club.
Regardless, Shu Ran was planning to break up with her.
“Okay, you decide.”
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