The female sales associate, Xiao He, blinked, her expression surprised and a little incredulous as she looked at Bai Ye.
Although she had just graduated from university, she had been in real estate sales for some time and had met many clients. This was the first time she had ever heard such a direct and forthright answer.
"The villa is on the B building display board. Please follow me."
Despite her doubts, she led Bai Ye to the villa display board and patiently began to introduce it.
She lacked sharp eyes or a constant stream of sweet talk; all she had was dedicated service and the refusal to miss any potential opportunity.
On the other side, several sales associates were packing up to leave. When they heard Bai Ye's words, they all looked up, assessing him with interest.
Was this guy, so fully covered, just showing off or was he genuinely wealthy?
"Sir, may I ask your name?"
"My surname is Bai."
"Mr. Bai, this villa is located by the Pudong River on the second ring. It's European style, with an interior area of 500 square meters, and the current price is 210 million."
"This one..."
Sales associate Xiao He introduced it professionally.
Bai Ye looked at the several villas she pointed out, but none were to his satisfaction. It wasn't a matter of price; rather, the villas in this development were all situated in residential areas or even busy districts.
This was not conducive for him to perform large-scale magic, nor did he feel at ease letting Gou Dan out to roam.
Bai Ye interrupted her.
"Do you have any that are in the far suburbs, detached, with few people around, quiet and undisturbed?"
Hearing Bai Ye say this, the sales associates who were watching from the side began to laugh a little too freely.
Xiao He, however, was thinking seriously, and then her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Yes!"
Saying that, she jogged over to a shelf and retrieved a large binder.
"This villa should meet your requirements! And its scale is much larger than other villas, yet it's also the most affordable!"
Bai Ye opened the binder and found a picture and description of a villa named Lone Star.
The moment he saw it, he was immediately captivated by the villa.
This villa was located in the far southern suburbs of Modu, about ten kilometers from the nearest suburb.
It sat atop a small hill named Wei Wu Mountain and boasted a courtyard of several thousand square meters, occupying almost the entire hilltop.
Looking north from the villa offered a view of Modu; to the east lay the coast, less than a kilometer away; while to the south and west, there were dense, virgin forests with towering trees, a protected area.
Within several kilometers, there were no villages or residential areas.
This was, quite simply, tailor-made for Bai Ye.
Wei Wu Mountain was a place where he could practice conspicuous magic like 'Ten Thousand Arrows Volley' and 'Fire Lotus' without anyone seeing.
In fact, he could do anything he wanted with impunity, like running around naked if he had a peculiar hobby! In a word, he could do as he pleased!
If he ever grew tired of this peaceful life and missed the hustle and bustle of the city, it would only be a ten-minute drive to get back.
For Gou Dan, it was also a good thing; he could roam freely outside and even occasionally venture into the virgin forest to find his lost wolf spirit!
A perfect blend of rural and urban living!
Bai Ye was moved.
"This villa must be very expensive, right?"
Quickly flipping to the price list at the back, Bai Ye was surprised.
"Listed price: 86 million!"
"Only 86 million??"
"Why is this villa so cheap?"
Hearing Bai Ye's exclamation, Xiao He blinked at Bai Ye again, her expression odd.
"Only 86 million? Is 86 million very little? It feels like he's talking about 86 yuan!"
Xiao He took a deep breath to calm herself. "Cough~ Well, because it's close to the protected forest, there are some large wild animals that appear, like wild boars, so many owners are afraid!"
"Plus, the mountain road leading there is winding and difficult to navigate, so the price has been continuously decreasing."
Normally, ordinary sales associates wouldn't tell clients these things, but Xiao He, being kind-hearted, honestly explained it all to Bai Ye.
"If you're afraid of wild animals, then perhaps you should consider others?"
"Large wild animals? Wild boars?"
"Shouldn't they be weaker than Gou Dan?"
Hearing Xiao He's words, Bai Ye's expression was calm.
"I'm not afraid of that; I quite like animals."
"By the way, is the scenery around Lone Star Villa and Wei Wu Mountain really the same as described in the photos?"
"Of course, it's the same! These villas involve transactions of hundreds of millions, we wouldn't dare to falsify anything."
Xiao He nodded affirmatively.
"Then can I go see it? If it's truly as depicted in the pictures, I'll buy it! In full!"
"Fu-full payment? Eighty-six million?"
Xiao He's eyes widened in shock again as she looked at Bai Ye, becoming somewhat excited.
If this transaction could be completed, she would receive a 1% commission, which was 860,000.
"Half a year without a single customer, but one sale feeds you for a year!"
"Of course, we can go now, right?"
Xiao He was so excited she was almost stammering. This was the first time she had received such a large order.
Bai Ye nodded. "Yes."
"Okay! Wait, wait, wait, I'll ask the manager for the keys!"
Xiao He excitedly made a phone call.
"Hello! Manager..."
Meanwhile, those sales associates who were about to leave were stunned.
"They're really going to buy? And pay in full? Is this kid that rich?"
After a moment of shock, the group looked at each other with strange expressions, whispering amongst themselves.
"That villa has major problems! Xiao He doesn't know, should we tell her?"
"Shush! Do you want to get fired? This is a rare customer; if we mess it up, the manager will surely fire us!"
"Okay, Manager, I understand."
Hurrying upstairs, she went to the manager's office and retrieved a set of keys for Lone Star Villa.
"Th-then shall we go?"
Bai Ye nodded. The two walked out of the sales office.
Behind them, the other sales associates watched with envy, mixed with an expectant air of watching a show unfold.
At the intersection.
Xiao He asked sheepishly, "Mr. Bai, do you have a car?"
Bai Ye: "Don't you have a company car for pick-up?"
"Uh, no."
"If you don't mind, shall we get a ride-hailing service?"
"Okay."
"Destination: Wei Wu Mountain, Lone Star Villa."
Xiao He tried to book a ride online, but no driver accepted the request for a long time.
Bai Ye said, "A taxi would be fine too, they're all similar."
Xiao He flagged down a taxi by the roadside.
"Driver, can you go to Wei Wu Mountain, Lone Star Villa?"
However, as soon as the drivers heard "Wei Wu Mountain, Lone Star Villa," their smiles immediately vanished.
"Can't go! Can't go!"
Xiao He's expression was astonished, and Bai Ye also frowned slightly.
After flagging down several more taxis, the drivers' smiles disappeared as soon as they heard "Wei Wu Mountain, Lone Star Villa."
Even a fool would know there was something wrong with Wei Wu Mountain, Lone Star Villa!
Bai Ye's gaze fixed on Xiao He.
Xiao He quickly waved her hands, "Mr. Bai, I really don't know why they're acting like this!"
Seeing Bai Ye remain silent, she cautiously asked, "Are we still going?"
After being startled by several drivers in a row, Xiao He herself became frightened.
"Let's go!"
Bai Ye personally flagged down a taxi. As soon as he mentioned the location, the driver, who was in his fifties, quickly shook his head.
"Don't rush, how much? You name a price!"
The driver hesitated.
"One thousand!"
Bai Ye stated, secretly thinking he should buy a car soon!
Based on the distance, a round trip to Wei Wu Mountain would cost at most 300 yuan. Bai Ye was offering a high price.
However, the driver showed no sign of being moved. Staring at Bai Ye, who was wearing a mask, he said, "Three thousand! I'll take you for three thousand!"
Xiao He's mouth gaped in surprise. "Master, how can it be so expensive?"
"If you don't want to go, then don't!"
The driver seemed to sigh with relief.
"Three thousand! Let's go!"
Bai Ye opened the car door and got in.
Xiao He hesitated for a moment before also getting in, then asking, "Master, why is it that none of you are willing to go to Lone Star Villa?"
The driver said, "Pay first!"
Bai Ye: "..."
Xiao He gritted her teeth and took out her phone to scan and pay.
The driver slowly started the car and asked, "What are you going there for?"
"I want to buy that villa, so I want to go see it? Master, is there something wrong with that place?"
The driver looked back at Bai Ye with surprise.
"Young man! You have quite the nerve! That place is rumored to be haunted, and people have died there!"