Human desires are always escalating. When you earn 1,000, you want 3,000. Earn 3,000, you want 5,000. Earn 5,000, you want 10,000. Earn 10,000, you want 20,000. Without a house, you crave one. With a house, you want a bigger one. With a big house, you dream of a villa. Wielding power while awake, resting on a beauty’s lap while drunk—still not enough; you want immortality, eternal bliss.
Now Zhou You had started to find his place too small. But after waiting over a year, a new development finally went up next door.
...
Wang Fangfang didn’t stay home long after the New Year. She came early to the swimming center—after all, it was a high-end facility, and they couldn’t afford a lull in customers. The hotel never closed, so the swimming center could hardly shut down either. During the holiday, one person stayed on duty. Though there weren’t many visitors, the service had to be maintained.
This time, her younger brother Wang Pengfei came along. As soon as they arrived, he rented a place nearby, relying on the same agent as before. Wang Fangfang had called the agent ahead of time, so they moved in right away.
She’d planned to tell Zhou You about it when he came, but didn’t get the chance until the next day. The two hadn’t seen each other all Spring Festival, and there was a sense of reunion sweetening their time apart. After a bout of clinging intimacy, Wang Fangfang briefly mentioned the matter.
“I thought it was something big,” Zhou You said casually. “You can handle this yourself. Your brother learning to swim with you—at least it’s a path forward, better than working odd jobs.”
Wang Fangfang’s slightly anxious heart settled. Her eyes, honeyed with love, gratitude, excitement, and admiration, fixed on Zhou You. Seeing her like this, Zhou You’s vanity swelled. Being admired by a woman was far more satisfying than being admired by a man—it filled him with smug contentment.
As the saying goes, men conquer the world, and women conquer men. That’s how a manipulative woman works—constantly feeding a man’s ego to win him over.
Another round of passion followed. Afterward, Zhou You joked, “Since my brother-in-law’s here, I’ve got to host him. Is the place rented?” “Yes, it’s all set. We found an agent beforehand,” Wang Fangfang said happily. Hearing him call her brother “brother-in-law” felt like an indirect acknowledgment of her as his girlfriend, even though Zhou You had never said it outright.
“Tomorrow noon at the Jade Lake Welcome Hotel. Bring your brother and Wang Ping. We’ll have a meal together. I’ll talk to Wang Ping then,” Zhou You said. It was more fitting than Wang Fangfang bringing it up.
Seeing how much Zhou You considered her, Wang Fangfang wished she could bare her heart to him, to show him her love. She silently resolved that no matter what Zhou You did outside, as long as he still loved her, she wouldn’t leave him.
...
The next noon, the four of them gathered at the hotel in a small private room. By now, they were close partners with the hotel, enjoying discounts on many services. Meals were usually 40% off, making it affordable yet classy.
The first time Zhou You saw Wang Pengfei, he thought the young man looked decent—thin, average build, not tall, with dark skin and plain clothes, no brand names. Wang Pengfei stood up as soon as he saw Zhou You, probably coached by his sister: “Hi, Brother You.” He seemed a bit nervous. Zhou You wondered what Wang Fangfang had told him—had she built him up as some kind of hero?
“Sit down, Pengfei. Your sister mentioned you last year. I told her to bring you back after the New Year. I travel a lot for work, and she’s lonely here alone. It’s good you’re here to look out for each other,” Zhou You said, speaking the truth. Turning to Wang Ping, he added, “Brother Ping, I’ve been planning to have Pengfei come since last year. A young guy working odd jobs forever isn’t a long-term plan. He can learn something from you. Take him under your wing.”
“No problem. Fangfang’s brother is my brother too. I’ll teach him plenty—at least how to swim first,” Wang Ping laughed heartily. Wang Ping was genuinely pleased. Zhou You agreeing to let Fangfang’s brother come opened doors. Everyone had relatives and friends. His own girlfriend, for instance, still had no clear path. He planned to bring her in once the business grew. Now that Wang Fangfang had set a precedent, it would be easier for his girlfriend to join later.
For Zhou You, it didn’t matter much. As long as the swimming center ran smoothly, earning a bit more or less had no impact on his overall assets. Even a loss was acceptable—how much could it be? But he couldn’t stand being fooled. The moment he sensed deception, he’d pull his investment without hesitation.
Seeing Zhou You’s easygoing attitude, Wang Pengfei slowly relaxed, though he still felt out of place. Everything around him screamed luxury—the bright, grand decor, the pretty, gentle waitstaff, the exquisite dishes. It all felt surreal. Before, Wang Pengfei had worked on construction sites and in factories. He’d never been to such a high-end place. If not for his sister, he wouldn’t have dared to come.
He kept his head down, eating carefully, not daring to wolf down his food. He held back, avoiding any greedy gulps, but it was still awkward. At the same time, a faint pride stirred within him. He couldn’t believe he was dining here. And knowing he’d be working here soon made him even happier.
People strive upward, like water flowing downhill. Opportunities had to be seized.
After the meal, Wang Pengfei left with Wang Ping. Zhou You took Wang Fangfang to the sales office next door.
“Brother You, buying another house?” “Yeah, the old place feels too small. I want a bigger one, get it done in one go, so I don’t have to switch later.” Zhou You had been waiting a long time. After living in the countryside for so long, he craved a yard.
Inside the sales office, there weren’t many people. This development focused on quality, with prices higher than surrounding properties. It would indeed become the best neighborhood in the area—no contest. Houses weren’t as hot as they’d be in later years; you could still pick and choose. Not like the peak times, when you had to enter a lottery and might not even win—a real circus.
As the two walked in, a female salesperson approached: “Looking at properties? Need me to show you around?” “Sure, give us a brief overview.” “Our focus is on upgraded homes, mostly large units. The main layouts are 130 and 160 square meters. The front rows are lake-view properties, directly overlooking Jade Lake. The layouts are solid, north-south through. This plot is the last piece facing Jade Lake—prime location. Plus, we’re partnering with No. 1 High School, offering top-tier school districts,” the saleswoman rattled off, making the place sound heavenly.
“Now tell me about the villas.” That was Zhou You’s real interest.