Chapter 163: Take a Shower Before Going Back

The small building listened to the spring rain all night.

Looking out the window at the drizzling rain that had appeared at some unknown time.

Jiang Ning was still lost in a daze.

Real estate?

“Click.”

The sudden sound of a switch drew her attention.

Following the sound, she saw—

Li Mingyu was holding a record, placing it on the turntable nearby.

She gently moved the needle.

A moment later.

A soulful “whoa” sang out—

Waking up the still-dazed Miss Jiang.

At that moment.

Li Mingyu’s voice rang out again:

“So?”

“Interested?”

Upon hearing this—

Jiang Ning closed her eyes.

Took a deep breath.

“Sister Mingyu, can you really do real estate with just three or four million?”

To this—

Li Mingyu let out a soft laugh and said:

“Don’t overthink it. This business may look like it requires tens or even hundreds of millions, but much of it is just on paper.”

“As long as you can get a project and some land, and have the qualifications, you can apply for a loan from the bank.”

“Once the first floor of a building is sold, repay the bank—whatever’s left is pure profit.”

“It’s dirt cheap.”

Isn’t this just like getting a car loan at a dealership?

You mortgage the car to the bank, then once someone buys the car, use the money to redeem it and hand it over to the buyer.

Except one is a hundred- or two-hundred-thousand loan over a few months…

And what Li Mingyu is talking about is real estate: several million over one or two years.

Of course—

Not everyone can do this kind of business.

First, you have to secure the land and the permits.

That alone blocks out 99% of people.

As for the rest…

“So? Thinking about it?”

Truth be told—

Jiang Ning had considered getting into real estate.

After all, that several-hundred or even several-thousand-percent return is tempting for anyone.

But her money didn’t grow on trees.

Faced with this opportunity, she still cautiously asked:

“Sister Mingyu, can you tell me exactly how the investment works?”

Five minutes.

It took a full five minutes.

Only then did Jiang Ning understand from Li Mingyu where this investment opportunity came from.

It was still that Xinglan Plaza.

But this time, it was a nearby development project—Xinglan Junwang Mansion.

The parent company behind this residential complex had gotten into trouble due to nepotism linked to a former high-level executive.

Later, they were also taken away.

Under investigation by various departments—

It was found that the company was already riddled with problems.

All kinds of project funds had been funneled out under the guise of bridge loans and other tricks.

Now that they had lost upper-level support—

The project collapsed overnight.

And in such a situation—

Li Mingyu’s father, newly appointed as the second-in-command, was urgently tasked with plugging the financial gap.

However—

In this day and age, real estate had become rather ordinary.

Nothing like the hot stock market.

So investors weren’t that interested in the land.

On top of that, internal financial supervision meant no side operations could be done.

Even fewer investors were willing to step in.

As a result, the 12 million yuan needed for Phase 1 wasn’t even close to being raised after a month.

At this point—

Jiang Ning thought deeply.

“Sister Mingyu.”

“How big is the funding gap now?”

“About one-third.”

One-third of twelve million—

That’s four million.

Jiang Ning mentally checked her bank account.

Unless something changed, she should have just over four million, not quite five.

But this was all the usable money she had at the moment. If she were to invest it all at once—

That wasn’t realistic.

Even if she knew the money was guaranteed to bring returns—it didn’t matter.

The factory, the shop, everything needed working capital to operate.

One slip-up, and it would strike at her very foundation.

Moreover—

According to Jiang Ning’s judgment—

After the fiasco with the last fully invested company,

The powers-that-be were unlikely to let one single company or individual take too big a share.

Otherwise, if something went wrong again—

It would become a joke.

“Can I ask what kind of return we’re talking about?”

“Hard to say, but definitely won’t be less than what you earn selling chickens.”

Hearing that—

Miss Jiang chuckled.

Truth is, the profit margins in real estate were something she could roughly estimate.

Asking that question was just to let Li Mingyu know—she didn’t part with money lightly.

Still—

Jiang Ning didn’t plan to agree right away.

After all, this was a matter of millions.

If she agreed too easily—

Li Mingyu might start getting suspicious herself.

An hour later—

Jiang Ning left Tianwei Tower.

Standing alone by the road, waiting for the bus.

As for the electric bicycle she had ridden there—

It had now been successfully adopted into the Li family.

Parked safely in Li Mingyu’s private parking spot.

At the same time, she received a standing order:

Every time a new model comes out, a brand-new Xiaoning No. 3 e-bike is to be delivered.

The reason?

“Gifting between girlfriends strengthens the bond.”

This woman seriously—

Who wants to be your girlfriend?

Call me daddy—that’s your only way forward.

——

It was Saturday.

Mom had a train to Haicheng at 9 p.m.

So when Miss Jiang arrived at the shop around 4 p.m.—

She started helping Mom sort the clothes that needed to be exchanged.

At first—

Jiang Ning thought the rack didn’t hold many clothes.

Maybe twenty or thirty pieces.

But when they were all stuffed into a burlap sack—

She was stunned.

Huh.

She couldn’t lift it.

Even dragging it was a struggle.

What the hell.

When did I get so weak?

Jiang Ning rolled up her sleeves and flexed.

Smooth, fair arms—no hair, let alone biceps.

Unacceptable.

She needed to find time to work out.

Not asking to carry a horse on her shoulders—

But at least be able to push a bike.

“Ning Ning, help Mom pull the curtain.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Ning responded—

Took a few steps and pulled down the curtain hanging by the door.

Completely blocking the outside view.

But when she turned back—

She saw her mom lifting her shirt, stuffing a wad of hundred-yuan bills into her bra.

“Mom, you…”

“This is what Aunt Chen taught me.”

“When you go out, keep your money close—and never all in one place.”

Saying that, Mom took another small wad of cash, split it, and stuffed it into the soles of her shoes.

Seeing this—

Jiang Ning suddenly felt the urge to go to Yuzhou and find that alien.

Maybe she could help bring mobile payments to the world a bit early.

Because she was afraid—

That one day, the cash in her hand might also come from someone’s sweaty foot soles.

That night—

Miss Jiang sat in the passenger seat of Tian Wenhao’s car.

Closed the door.

Gave her older cousin in the driver’s seat a pat on the shoulder.

“Thanks for today.”

“Man, you have no idea how heavy that stuff was.”

Tian Wenhao smiled—

Didn’t say a word.

Once Jiang Ning buckled her seatbelt, he started the car—

And drove them toward home.

“Lately, ‘Emperor’s Chicken’ has been quite active.”

At this point, Tian Wenhao paused and said,
“Two more new stores are being renovated—
One on South National Day Road, and another right behind your school.”

“I know.” Sitting in the passenger seat, Jiang Ning was flexing her fingers, looking unconcerned.
“Let’s not worry about those two for now.”

“How are the preparations for the previous three stores?”

“We’ve found good locations and are now negotiating rent.”
At this, Tian Wenhao suddenly hesitated.

“I’ve had Mingxiu handle all of this…”

Knowing why her cousin emphasized that part, Jiang propped her elbow against the window, rested her head on her hand, turned slightly, and smirked,
“Cousin, what’s the rush in pushing cousin-sister-in-law into the spotlight?”

“Are you thinking of getting married?”

With just that one line, Tian Wenhao’s face turned three shades redder.

He stammered for a while, unable to come up with a response.

Jiang couldn’t stop laughing, giggling in the passenger seat.

After a while, once the amusement passed, she couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.

After all, in her previous life, this older cousin hadn’t even considered settling down until he was nearly thirty.

But now?

Still in college.

Tsk tsk tsk.

Ten minutes later.

When the car stopped at the gate of the community where her aunt lived,
suddenly, Tian Wenhao called out to Jiang Ning, who was about to walk in.

“Ningning, Mom said the pipes in the complex are broken, the water’s out tonight.”

“Maybe go take a shower at the bathhouse outside before heading back?”

Huh?

No water?

Just as she was about to say something, Jiang’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Bathhouse?

Take a shower before going back?

Take a shower?

A shower?

(End of Chapter)