After exploring the lower floors, they moved on to the upper ones. Zhu Ning patrolled her territory majestically, while Pei Jin leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a gentle smile in his eyes.
Zhu Ning said, "This is really a great place. The layout is good, the location is prime, the view is excellent, and even the feng shui is top - notch."
Pei Jin was a bit surprised. "You understand feng shui?"
"Not really," Zhu Ning laughed heartily. "I just feel really comfortable when I come in here. I'm just talking nonsense."
Pei Jin smiled and lowered his head. "Well, you're actually right." He continued, "The reason this building is the king of the complex is that it's located in the best - positioned area among all the buildings. Look," he pointed at the three - dimensional building model that hadn't been taken down yet. Zhu Ning leaned over to take a look, and their shoulders touched. The warmth of her body was transmitted to his arm through his shirt. He paused slightly, and Zhu Ning urged, "Go on."
Pei Jin then began to speak in a deep but gentle voice. "When you open the door, there's a river, like a jade belt encircling the waist. The layout is square and stable. There's a screen - like building in front," he pointed at the model, "flanked by protective sand formations on both sides, and a backing mountain at the rear. The surroundings form a perfect spot for gathering qi. It truly deserves the title of the king of the buildings."
Zhu Ning half - understood. "Living here is good for people, right?"
Pei Jin nodded. "That's what the metaphysics says. Actually, the system of feng shui was initially formed to meet the living environment needs of humans. For example, primitive people would live in wind - sheltered and sun - facing caves to keep warm and avoid natural disasters. They would settle in areas close to water sources for easy access to water. Later, as time passed and humans evolved, philosophy emerged, and feng shui began to be defined. The ancients built buildings based on feng shui and used orientations to predict good and bad luck. Gradually, the system took shape."
"However, both in ancient and modern times, the theory of feng shui holds that water is a symbol of wealth. There's a saying that having water is the best."
Zhu Ning understood. "No wonder some real - estate projects that are otherwise ordinary can see their prices soar once the developer digs a river in front of the buildings."
Pei Jin laughed and affirmed, "That's exactly the case."
Zhu Ning felt like laughing and just showed her smiling eyes while pursing her lips.
Pei Jin looked at her and his lips curved up as well.
A knock on the door interrupted them. Cen Shen said respectfully from behind, "Miss, the handover is almost done."
"Got it."
They strolled around a bit more and then walked out. Pei Jin asked Zhu Ning, "Where are you going to stay next?"
Generally, villas and large - flat apartments are delivered fully decorated. For example, One Bund was already fully decorated when one walked in.
But Zhu Ning had paid an additional amount for a high - end decoration upgrade before buying the property.
During this period, she couldn't move into One Bund.
"A hotel," Zhu Ning replied. "Cen Shen had booked a room for me before we came."
Pei Jin was silent for a moment. Zhu Ning was curious. "What's wrong?"
He then slowly said, "I'm afraid you can't stay in the hotel."
Sure enough, soon there was a notification on her phone. Lin Wan and Zhang Shu, who were on standby at the hotel, sent messages, announcing that their whereabouts had been leaked.
Lin Wan: Miss, the hotel is full of people trying to meet you. It's almost like a star - chasing event.
Then she sent a video. On the hotel's afternoon - tea rooftop, there were handsome men and beautiful women in elaborate dresses, vying for attention. Entertainment news channels and online - media reporters were there with their cameras. The words "Miss Zhu of Jude Wang" were mixed in all the noise. It was extremely lively.
Zhu Ning silently turned off her phone. "I have nowhere to stay in the hotel."
Pei Jin glanced at her wrinkled little face. His fingers twitched, and then he softly said, "I have several villas in the city. They are quite private. You can go there."
Zhu Ning said, "That's not very appropriate... It'll trouble you."
Pei Jin replied, "It's no trouble at all. I don't often stay in Shanghai. The houses are just sitting there. You can help add some vitality to them."
Zhu Ning was still hesitating.
Pei Jin added, "Don't worry. I don't live there."
Zhu Ning felt a bit embarrassed. "That's not what I meant."
After a brief thought, she nodded and accepted Pei Jin's kindness. "Okay. Sorry to trouble you."
Pei Jin slightly curved his lips.
"You're welcome."
They drove to Pei Jin's villa in Runyuan. After passing through the high - level security, the servants were already waiting inside. When Zhu Ning walked in, she noticed several familiar ornaments. From small details to large furniture, it had a strong style of Jinting Yufu.
The luggage was carried in. Cen Shen voluntarily arranged the overall matters in the villa. Zhu Ning and Pei Jin went upstairs to look at the rooms.
When they opened the door, as expected, it was in the style she liked.
Zhu Ning's heart fluttered, and she joked to Pei Jin, "I thought I was back home."
Pei Jin said, "I'm glad you like it."
Zhu Ning's lips curled up.
After settling in, to celebrate the property purchase, the kitchen prepared some drinks.
The red wine was poured into the glass. Zhu Ning took a sip and found it tasted good. She asked for more to be poured. Suddenly, Pei Jin said, "That's enough."
He said calmly, "You can't drink much."
Zhu Ning thought he was underestimating her. "Why are you being so cautious? It's just a glass of wine."
Pei Jin didn't say a word. He just stared at her with his dark eyes.
Zhu Ning somehow didn't dare to look at him anymore.
"Don't drink anymore," Pei Jin said gently. "I'll take you to get familiar with the area later."
Zhu Ning took the opportunity to stop.
After a simple meal, Cen Shen stayed to watch the villa. The little maid followed closely behind Zhu Ning and Pei Jin, carefully guarding the surroundings.
Zhu Ning walked slowly with Pei Jin as he introduced the place. The irrigation equipment was spraying water columns. With over 60% greenery in Runyuan and its superior geographical environment, she didn't feel the heat of the late - summer heatwave at all while walking.
Zhu Ning said, "Mr. Pei, this place is really nice. It's relaxing, comfortable, and the air is fresh. Taking a walk here after a meal makes one feel refreshed."
Even though it was in the city, there was no noise of traffic at all. It truly demonstrated that in modern times, quietness in the city was actually a privilege symbol of the wealthy class.
"Yeah," Pei Jin nodded. "The building density here is low, and the housing price is higher. But in terms of the living experience, it's worth it."
"It's really comfortable," Zhu Ning smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Pei, for bringing me to this wonderful place."
Pei Jin laughed as well.
As they walked along the path, Zhu Ning asked about the previous conflict between Pei Jin's company and Yaoyang.
"I heard that you had a fierce fight with Yaoyang before. You didn't suffer any losses, did you?"
Pei Jin replied, "No. Many companies and enterprises participated this time. Yaoyang has a deep foundation, but it was no match for the combined attack. They suffered more losses."
"It seems that Yaoyang has really offended everyone and made a lot of enemies. Being attacked simultaneously in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou must have caught them off guard," she said. Then she added, "In that case, we can be considered as having cooperated indirectly. We're like half - comrades - in - arms, right?"
Pei Jin curved his lips. "Yes."
Zhu Ning's lips curled up.
After strolling around Runyuan for a while, Zhu Ning got familiar with the roads, and the food had been digested. Pei Jin sent Zhu Ning to the door and didn't go in anymore.
Pei Jin said, "Go in. I'm leaving."
Zhu Ning asked, "Are you going back to your residence?"
Pei Jin nodded. "Get some rest early. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay."
"Good night."
"Good night."
Zhu Ning watched him leave. "He goes to bed quite early."
The little maid said, "Maybe it's because he's getting old."
Zhu Ning: …
Zhang Shu came to report that the sports equipment was ready and asked when she wanted to exercise.
Zhu Ning rubbed the little maid's face until she stared blankly. Then she laughed and replied,
"I'm coming."
At One Bund, Xiao Zailun had completed all the handover procedures with the lawyer team. He was beaming and invited them to dinner.
"Thank you all for your hard work. Our company has prepared dinner. Would you like to join us for a drink?"
"Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for your kindness. But we still need to report to Miss Zhu..."
"Then let's get together another day!"
Xiao Zailun personally sent the team out of the gate with a smile. "I'll send a special car to pick you up another day. Please do give me the honor!"
The lawyer and accounting team were also very happy.
It was the first time in their careers that a billionaire boss had personally welcomed and seen them off. And it was all thanks to Miss Zhu!
"Sure, it's our great honor."
They shook hands and got in the car to leave. The smile on Xiao Zailun's face lingered. His secretary sighed beside him,
"To be honest, Mr. Xiao, I still haven't recovered from the shock of Miss Zhu's price - increasing and building - buying spree. That's 25.3 billion!"
"Not only did she pay in one lump sum, but she also showed no emotional fluctuations. Even in Shanghai, there are few people who can match Miss Zhu."
"Nonsense. She's Miss Zhu! Do you think it's a joke that Jude Wang spent a trillion in ten days?" A cold glint flashed in Xiao Zailun's eyes. "Jiuzhang always wanted to trap me. Making me work for them for ten years wasn't enough. Just when I was about to break free, they sent a troublemaker to disrupt my order, trying to warn me. But what's the result?"
He didn't manage to get on Pei Jin's bandwagon.
But after Zhu Ning spent 25.3 billion, he, Xiao Zailun, now belonged to Jude.
He had obtained the ticket to board Zhu Ning's big ship and completely cut off ties with Jiuzhang!
Regaining his freedom, Xiao Zailun was very excited. He instructed his secretary, "Go and prepare gifts for me. Ding Haoye messed things up today. I'll go and apologize to him in person."
"Remember, it has to be a generous gift."
"Understood."