Considering that Zhou You was a client of a five-star hotel in Shanghai, the tour guide assigned to him was surprisingly high-quality. Usually, female tour guides working outdoors have poor skin from constant exposure to wind and sun.
By the afternoon, the two had gotten familiar and were chatting casually. "How long have you been a tour guide, Xiao Bai? You seem pretty familiar with Shanghai," Zhou You said, lying on the sofa while Xiao Bai sat across from him. "Only a year, but I studied tour guiding, so I know the local spots better," Xiao Bai replied, a bit shy. "That's not bad. I used to want to be a tour guide too—traveling all over the country, free entry to attractions, and making money while guiding guests." "I thought the same way, which is why I became a guide. But once I actually started, I realized it's not like that." Taking guests out means taking responsibility; you can't enjoy yourself. You have to arrange everything—food, lodging, transportation—and prevent any accidents. As she spoke, Xiao Bai patted her chest, still a little embarrassed. "Like today, your request was pretty sudden. No one from the company was available except me, since I had the day off. So if the service isn't perfect, please forgive me." When Xiao Bai smiled, her eyes took on a charming, fox-like look, and she had two small canine teeth that made her quite cute. "Mr. Zhou, what brings you here? Just sightseeing?" Xiao Bai asked curiously, touching her leg. "Investing in a movie. The deal's done, so I wanted to relax." Hearing this, Xiao Bai's eyes lit up. The entertainment industry is a gossip hub, and young people are always curious about it. "That's amazing! You're so young and already investing in movies. You must get to meet lots of big stars." "I've met a few, but not many. I mainly invest in films and occasionally interact with actors, depending on my mood," Zhou You said, resting his hands behind his head. "By the way, you know Shanghai well. The view along the Huangpu River is great. Are there any decent properties nearby?" "There are plenty of good houses in Shanghai, but I'm not sure what you need. I'm not an expert on this," Xiao Bai admitted, since she wasn't a real estate agent. Zhou You thought for a moment and then changed the afternoon plans. "Let's go to a real estate agency and look at some houses." Xiao Bai looked resigned, thinking, *You're the boss, so whatever you say. I'm a tour guide and an assistant now.* She felt even more envious—rich people change their minds on a whim, buying houses like they're buying cabbages.
In the afternoon, they went to a real estate agency. Shanghai had plenty of agencies—not everywhere, but still a wide selection. They found a well-known chain, and as soon as they walked in, an agent greeted them. "Hello, what can I help you with? Buying or renting?" "I want to buy a river-view apartment, around 100 square meters, with convenient transportation, preferably near a subway station," Zhou You said, listing his requirements. He might live there long-term, and driving in Shanghai was inconvenient, so taking the subway or taxis would be better. Hearing his request, the agent continued, "Is this for a wedding home? Any preferences on decoration—unfurnished or fully furnished?" At this, Xiao Bai blushed, but since Zhou You didn't say anything, she kept quiet. "Preferably furnished with all appliances, so I can move in directly without the hassle." "Alright, let me introduce a few options nearby. One is Binjiang Garden, with a direct view of the Huangpu River. It's close to a pedestrian street, the Bund, and has a well-established school district. One owner is selling—he renovated it for himself but recently moved abroad and wants to sell. Can I take you to see it now?" They followed the agent to the property, which was close enough to walk to, saving the trouble of driving.
Upon entering the complex, Zhou You found it average—the landscaping was nothing special, likely an older development. When he asked, he learned it was built in 2008, which was still fairly new. The buildings were only about a dozen stories high, considered tall back then, unlike later buildings that easily reached 20 or 30 floors. Inside the apartment, the decoration was mediocre. The living room faced the river, but the sunlight was poor, and the layout wasn't ideal—too much was sacrificed for the river view. After viewing it, Zhou You told the agent, "I need good sunlight and ventilation. The apartment must be north-south facing with plenty of light." "Got it. I'll show you a few more," the agent said cheerfully. Picky buyers were good—they were serious. Agents dreaded clients who said nothing or claimed everything was "fine," as they were usually just browsing with little intention to buy.
Leaving that complex, they went to Jin Waitanyuan. This one clearly had a better environment, with a small pond—unlike some later developments that advertised lakes and bridges but only laid down a blue plastic tarp, which was truly off-putting. Built in 2006, the complex had both low and high rises with an underground parking lot. The owner had a deeded parking spot that could be transferred with the property. The apartment was about 130 square meters, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, which Zhou You liked. It was on the 22nd floor with an unobstructed view. After a thorough look, Zhou You was generally satisfied. "It'll do for now. I can upgrade later." "Contact the owner and give me the lowest price," Zhou You told the agent. "I'm tired of looking." Xiao Bai's mouth dropped open as she stared at Zhou You. A decisive, wealthy man was truly attractive. "What do you think, Xiao Bai? Is this place okay?" Zhou You asked, noticing her curious gaze. "It's great—perfect, actually. Prime location, convenient transportation, and a river view. You have excellent taste, Mr. Zhou," Xiao Bai said insincerely, thinking, *If I had money, I'd have good taste too. Too bad I can't afford it. Who knows when I'll ever buy a place.*
The agent returned. "Mr. Zhou, the owner replied. With the parking spot, it's 3.5 million total. If you pay in full, you can get another 100,000 off, bringing the average price to about 26,000 per square meter." Zhou You considered the price and couldn't help but smile. A parking spot included? What more could he ask for? "Alright, let's proceed with the paperwork," Zhou You decided. The agent exclaimed loudly, "Bro, don't worry—I'll get it done as fast as possible!" This was definitely his fastest deal ever. His commission alone would be at least 30,000. Zhou You was thrilled too. Why hesitate? It wasn't like he was short on cash. He could buy a better one later. With startup capital, his future wealth would keep flowing. Buy small now, go big later. He couldn't resist putting an arm around Xiao Bai. "Thanks for taking me to the Oriental Pearl Tower today—otherwise, I wouldn't have thought to buy a house. I'll treat you to a big dinner tonight. Think about what you want to eat." Xiao Bai was a bit dazed. *How did I end up being hugged? Why didn't I pull away? And why do I feel kind of happy about it?*