CHAPTER 491: CHAPTER 491: HEARTBEAT

Gong Ruini, being from the future, was stunned as she stood at the entrance of Zhuge Mansion.

She knew Zhuge Zhi was an important figure, and his residence would certainly be impressive, but she hadn’t expected it to be this grand.

Although it was indeed a courtyard house, just from the scale of the main entrance, it clearly wasn’t a small courtyard.

Even though there weren’t stone lions at the entrance, Gong Ruini noticed stone pedestals; if not for previous movements, there surely would have been stone lions.

This isn’t the future, where you can just do as you please with the entrance if you have money; back then, you needed the status to set things up.

If Gong Ruini was this surprised, Zhao Xuran and the others were even more so. "What a big house," Zhao Guangran exclaimed with his mouth wide open.

His grandfather’s friend couldn’t possibly live in such a large house, could he? My god, Zhao Guangran felt a little jealous of his brother, who might live here in the future.

It’s not just that the house looks enormous; it’s important to know that this area is bustling, much busier than their own neighborhood.

"Ni Zi, what do you think about doing business around here?" Zhao Guangran, although unsure if this area was what Gong Ruini had mentioned as being suitable for business, knew that at least there were a lot of people here.

More importantly, it was in the city, and city dwellers had wages; they were generous with spending. This was something Zhao Guangran had known since childhood. Otherwise, how would his father sell the vegetables, eggs, and meat?

Doing business nearby, Gong Ruini wasn’t too satisfied; after all, on this journey, it seemed to be an area for wealthy and influential families. However, some houses did look like they had become homes for 72 different tenants.

That’s understandable; such houses should have been nationalized and probably allocated to struggling employees. Those who could be assigned to live here wouldn’t exactly be impoverished.

"Not bad, I think it could work, but let’s not consider it." Gong Ruini wouldn’t dare say they should do business here; that would be asking for trouble.

The residents here likely weren’t short on money; more importantly, it could be humiliating to them.

Ah, it was so hard to find a good location, but it just wasn’t possible to do business here. Zhao Guangran’s eyes darted around, pondering how to bring up the idea, hoping to convince the others.

He was relentless, indeed, but Gong Ruini was very curious to see how Zhao Guangran would proceed, wondering whether this unsteady fellow would achieve this step.

While Gong Ruini anticipated Zhao Guangran’s actions, Zhao Xuran wouldn’t allow his brother to act foolishly. "Don’t mess around."

"Do you think the people living here are short on money?"

"And they’re looked after, too." Although Zhao Xuran knew his parents said Uncle Ge stayed because of Grandpa Zhuge’s previous help, at the very least, they needed funds for sustenance. These things required money.

Zhao Xuran didn’t think any promise or money from Zhao Guangran would sway them. It was more likely that they would annoy them if things weren’t resolved.

"Remember we still need them to help us find a good school." Zhao Xuran hinted that Zhao Guangran shouldn’t forget this important matter.

Ah, Zhao Guangran really had forgotten about this. "Yes, yes, don’t worry, brother, I won’t do anything stupid."

There are plenty of places to do business, but being foolish might mean missing the chance to attend a good school. He had no intention of going to a rural elementary school.

Although this was Beijing, it couldn’t hide the fact that he attended a rural elementary school.

Zhao Guangran didn’t want to return to the Northeast for summer and end up bragging to his friends, saying he went to a rural elementary school. That would be so embarrassing.

"Good to know; you don’t want to come back and not be able to show off, right?" Zhao Xuran added finally.

Hua Miaozhu gazed at the house for a long time before letting out a long sigh. "This house has fallen from grace."

"The stone lions here were so majestic once. If not for past events, your dad might have bought a house here," Hua Miaozhu recalled, constantly reminiscing.

No way, could his father-in-law have considered buying a house here? Zhao Gang was startled. Everyone knew his father-in-law always developed in the Southern region; buying a house here would only be for occasional visits. That seemed rather extravagant.

When they came to Beijing previously to buy a house, they never dared to think about purchasing property here. The houses were large, and not to mention expensive, most were quite dilapidated, making renovation costly.

"When you have money in the future, Xiao Jing, you should buy a house here," Hua Miaozhu said, knowing her daughter’s thoughts and offering unsolicited advice.

Oh my gosh, Gong Ruini was also taken aback; just to fulfill a wish a man from the past couldn’t accomplish, Zhan Jing would be asked to buy a house. Lucky that Zhao Gang was easygoing; otherwise, who knows how he might feel, given the price of houses here.

However, if they really bought a house here, in ten or twenty years, it would be a huge surprise for Zhan Jing and them.

Gong Ruini kept thinking about whether Zhan Jing’s family bought a house in such a prime location in Beijing in the previous life; but besides knowing of a report showing a home with distinct Chinese style decor.

"Alright." Zhan Jing had no objection to what Hua Miaozhu said. If they did make money, buying a house here seemed sensible, conveniently allowing the family to live together.

Each family could live in a separate courtyard, allowing closeness but ensuring they could meet frequently, and as time went on, homes like this in Beijing would become increasingly scarce. Zhan Jing was a visionary, understanding that keeping money in the bank, even converting it to gold, wasn’t as beneficial as buying property.

Speaking of gold, Zhan Jing thought about the treasure her family had unearthed last time. Keeping it didn’t seem right somehow; turning it into property might be better.

Cai Meina, listening, was somewhat surprised. Along the way, all the houses looked sizable, buying one would cost a fortune. Although they looked comfortable, where would the money come from? Zhan Jing seemed fortunate.

Cai Meina calculated that in the future, once the child in her belly was born, Ni Zi and others would need school, plus Cai Ming’s marriage would cost money. Though the houses were good, who had money to purchase one?

Zhao Gang saw no surprise that his wife and mother-in-law made such a significant decision as buying property.

Zhao Gang greatly admired his wife’s family outlook. Given her education and network of friends from childhood, their vision far exceeded his, someone who emerged from a poorer background.

"Taozi, if possible, you should consider buying a house here," Zhao Gang kindly suggested.

Zhao Gang believed Gong Tao and his wife shouldn’t have too much cash on hand, otherwise, once the Gong Family or Cai Family knew, they might swarm to ask the couple for money.

"I definitely will buy a house in Beijing," Gong Tao said, puzzled by Zhao Gang’s suggestion; after all, Zhao Gang knew he intended to settle there.

See, he didn’t understand her meaning. "What I mean is to buy a house in this vicinity; though large, it won’t be a bad investment."

Buying a house here nearly took Gong Tao’s breath away; he almost fainted, thinking, buying here—wouldn’t that cost tens of thousands? How could he afford that? "Just kill me."

"You know my financial standing." It wasn’t that Gong Tao was a loudmouth, but their savings only accumulated in the Northeast afterward. How much he earned, surely Zhao Gang knew?

"You’re forgetting your most significant asset." Zhao Gang knew his friend had forgotten the crucial asset and generously reminded him.