Chapter 100: A Unit at Cuihu Tiandi
The real estate market in Shanghai was turbulent, with each district having its own appeal.
With Zhang Yang’s budget under thirty million and a requirement of around one hundred square meters, the properties he was looking at were at the high end of the upgraded living spectrum, or at least brushing the edges of luxury residences.
Honestly, buying a property here was far more complicated than his COFCO Seaview No. 1 unit.
Top-tier luxury residences were easy-everything was top-notch; you could just close your eyes and buy.
But with a budget under thirty million, although it didn’t reach true luxury levels, the standard was still far above ordinary upgraded homes. The expectations for amenities and quality were even higher.
From Huangpu to Xuhui, from Changning to Hongkou and Yangpu…
There were so many high-end upgraded properties under thirty million that Zhang Yang could barely keep up, dazzled by the sheer number of options.
Outside Ruihong New Town:
“Mr. Zhang, this property has attracted a lot of interest. You should think it over carefully-by tomorrow, it might be gone, or the price could change,” urged the couple eager to relocate to Pudong.
They had a vague sense that this Cullinan-driving heavyweight client was buying solely for his young girlfriend.
Amid the shock, their tone naturally carried a subtle urgency.
After all, clients like this were rare.
“All right, I’ll think it over,” Zhang Yang replied politely, getting back into the car.
Pei Xiaoru followed and closed the door behind her.
“So, are you satisfied with this Ruihong New Town property?” she asked, smiling.
“It’s okay,” Zhang Yang nodded.
Ruihong New Town, located in the heart of North Bund, was developed with a focus on residential cores complemented by full commercial facilities. Over several phases, it had grown to 1.7 million square meters (~18.3 million sq ft), reaching near perfection and creating what people called the Ruihong Miracle.
“Okay means you still want to look around?” Pei Xiaoru asked, anticipating his response.
“Yes, let’s see more,” Zhang Yang said.
Ruihong’s properties were excellent, but his budget was under thirty million, and he only needed around one hundred square meters (~1,076 sq ft). That brought the price per square meter above two hundred thousand, so careful selection was necessary.
Soon, they headed to their next stop, Xintiandi.
Xintiandi, part of the former French Concession, was a long-established, upscale area in the city center, with top-tier amenities.
As the saying goes: Tomson Riviera belongs to the entire nation, but Xintiandi—that is the Xintiandi that truly belongs to the people of the Shanghai.
Its status spoke for itself.
This time, Zhang Yang was looking at Cuihu Tiandi, one of the three major Tiandi developments alongside Huafu Tiandi and Jinlin Tiandi, also the prime location in the Xintiandi area.
This time, Zhang Yang was looking at Cuihu Tiandi, one of the three major Tiandi developments alongside Huafu Tiandi and Jinlin Tiandi, also the prime location in the Xintiandi area.
“Xintiandi’s location speaks for itself, right?” Pei Xiaoru said, glancing at him.
Inside the Cullinan, Zhang Yang looked at the plane trees along the road and the mix of Western-style apartments and private residences. Everything here, except for Pudong’s modern bustle, was emblematic of Shanghai.
Most importantly, this area wasn’t just rich in local style-the Huaihai Middle Road commercial district was consistently ranked in the city’s top three.
Hong Kong Plaza, K11, Xintiandi Plaza, and more-high-end malls lined up one after another.
With a thirty-million budget, a property here was virtually impeccable and impossible to replicate.
“Unquestionably, I’m impressed myself,” Zhang Yang said, clearly satisfied.
“You’re unbelievable—you already live in COFCO Seaview No. 1, and now you want another property at Cuihu Tiandi?” Pei Xiaoru lightly tapped him. “We’ll set you up with a 550-square-meter (~5,920 sq ft) penthouse at Cuihu Phase 5.”
“How much?” Zhang Yang asked casually.
“One hundred fifty million. If you buy another penthouse here, I might just consider going back home,” Pei Xiaoru said, her face lighting up with anticipation.
“Ah… we’ll see,” Zhang Yang winked.
Phase 3 of Cuihu Tiandi, within the entire Phase 5 complex, was in a transitional, highly desirable location, built directly above Xintiandi’s fashion mall, right across from Lines 10 and 13 subway stations.
The unit they were seeing measured 128 square meters (~1,378 sq ft), designed as a two-bedroom, listed at twenty-eight million, mid-upper floor.
Pei Xiaoru had a reason for showing this unit.
In Phase 5, one-bedroom units were hard to find: Phase 1 was too old, Phase 2 lacked separated pedestrian and vehicle paths, and Phases 4 and 5 mostly offered large units at too high a total price. Phase 3 fit perfectly.
They entered the double-height lobby with 24-hour concierge service and rode the elevator straight up.
“Twenty-eight million feels a bit high,” Zhang Yang muttered in the elevator.
“There’s a reason they listed it at that price!” Pei Xiaoru replied mysteriously.
Moments later, in the hallway, she opened the door and looked back at him.
“Here, see if it’s worth it.”
Zhang Yang hesitated but stepped inside the 128-square-meter two-bedroom.
The moment he entered, he was impressed.
Completed in 2009, much of Phase 3’s décor was somewhat outdated compared to modern tastes. But this unit looked clearly new and tasteful.
“Renovated for over two million two years ago, hardly lived in,” Pei Xiaoru explained. “It’s not exactly a bargain, but it’s definitely worth it-a good property.”
Zhang Yang examined it thoroughly.
At 128 square meters, he didn’t expect extraordinary layouts or cutting-edge design. The two-million-plus renovation, however, showed quality and refinement.
Compared to his own over one-hundred-million COFCO Seaview No. 1, it wasn’t stunning-but he would buy it.
Not for anything else, just for the location and the prestige of Cuihu Tiandi.
“Let’s skip the other properties for now,” he decided.
This budget could get the best location he trusted: Xintiandi, with Phase 3 of Cuihu being the optimal choice.
“Finally, a property that satisfies you, Mr. Zhang,” Pei Xiaoru breathed a sigh of relief. “So, are you bringing your girlfriend to see it?”
“Of course. It’s not for me,” Zhang Yang said, casually wrapping an arm around her waist.
Pei Xiaoru leaned slightly into his embrace.
After finishing at Cuihu Tiandi, the property tour paused.
Once you find the one you like, everything else feels secondary.
It was nearing noon, and Zhang Yang decided to head to the nearby K11 with Pei Xiaoru for lunch and a little shopping.
At a Cantonese restaurant in K11, priced around five hundred per person, they had crispy beef from Jiangnan, crispy Matsusaka pork, roasted crispy pigeon, and crisp Jade Lady melon…
“It’s nice coming out with Boss Zhang-you get meat to eat,” Pei Xiaoru said, her small mouth enjoying every bite. “You don’t even need to buy anything for me; just taking me out for a good meal is enough.”
“That makes it sound like I didn’t feed you properly last night,” Zhang Yang joked.
Pei Xiaoru blushed and pouted in mock annoyance.
After lunch, spending several hundred, they strolled through K11, enjoying a leisurely afternoon.
Shopping was inevitable.
Zhang Yang, keeping his promise, took her to Cartier and chose a bracelet worth over fifty thousand.
She had never used anything too expensive before, so even after years in Shanghai, her total spending on clothing hadn’t exceeded fifty thousand.
Fifty thousand! Pei Xiaoru’s mouth dropped in shock, and she tried to pull Zhang Yang toward the exit.
Zhang Yang’s feet were rooted, refusing to budge.
“You’re already wearing it. Doesn’t it look good? You gonna take it off?” Zhang Yang waved to the sales clerk to finalize the purchase. “This is the one.”
The clerk prepared the receipt, and Zhang Yang paid.
Pei Xiaoru felt shy accepting such a gift.
Buying a house meant she earned a commission, but this was a personal gift worth tens of thousands-a completely different matter.
Yet…
She touched the Cartier on her wrist, and of course, she liked it immensely.
“You buy me something this expensive, I feel embarrassed to talk to you loudly. From now on, we can’t interact as equals,” Pei Xiaoru sighed.
The sales clerk smiled quietly, observing.
In the afternoon, Pei Xiaoru carried shopping bags in both hands, her face flushed.
She was truly easy to satisfy. A few kind words, a hug, and she’d be happy for a long time. Now, with Zhang Yang’s extravagant generosity, she experienced what true shopping joy felt like.
She was completely content, inside and out.
Even her speech softened, turning from a straightforward northern girl to the gentle tone of a southern young lady.
“I’ll try to negotiate the price as much as I can, and I’ll get you the lowest possible agency fees. Also…” Pei Xiaoru counted off on her fingers, meticulously helping Zhang Yang plan.
“Thanks, I’ll give you a private red envelope later,” Zhang Yang held her hand.
“No need. Giving me a red envelope makes you treat me like an outsider,” Pei Xiaoru said, shaking her head but letting him hold her hand.
“All right, then no formalities,” Zhang Yang smiled, stopping the car near the agency.
As the car parked outside Cornerstone Real Estate, he noticed many people inside looking up curiously.
“I’m leaving now.” Pei Xiaoru gently pulled her hand away, adjusted her hair, and touched her face to see if it was still flushed.
Once everything was in order, she calmly got out of the car.
On the way back, Zhang Yang suddenly received a call from Bei Wei.
“Come back to the apartment tonight-I’ve got a surprise for you,” the sweet voice came through.
“A surprise?” Zhang Yang paused.
He hadn’t even revealed his own surprise for Bei Wei yet, and now she was preparing one for him?
“Okay, my apartment, right? I’ll be there,” he replied cheerfully.
In the evening, Zhang Yang parked under the long-missed Regal Edge Executive Apartments and went straight up.
As soon as he opened the door, laughter filled the air.
Bei Jiajia was carrying dishes to the table, and in the nearby kitchen, Bei Wei, wearing an apron, was busy cooking.
“Handsome Zhang is back!” Bei Jiajia smiled and came forward. “You’re in for a treat today-my sister’s cooking herself!”
On the table were Mapo tofu, twice-cooked pork, Kung Pao chicken… authentic Sichuan cuisine for the day.
The aroma hit Zhang Yang immediately, making his mouth water.
“Not bad. What made you decide to cook yourself?” Zhang Yang asked, walking into the kitchen and wrapping his arms around the sweet little waist behind Bei Wei, inhaling the faint scent of shampoo in her dark hair.
“Bei Jiajia suggested it. She said it’s to celebrate our first branch opening,” Bei Wei replied, turning back to lightly peck Zhang Yang on the cheek. “Wait a bit-just two more dishes and it’ll be ready, very quick.”
Soon, Zhang Yang sat on the sofa, watching Bei Wei work in the kitchen while chatting casually with Bei Jiajia.
Bei Jiajia had bought a pile of snacks and placed them on the table, nibbling continuously.
“Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, my sister helped your store expand; she deserves a big reward. You better treat her well later.”
“That? Funny you mention it-I happen to have a surprise ready for your sister,” Zhang Yang said, letting slip a tiny hint without revealing everything.
“A surprise?” Bei Jiajia immediately perked up, tugging at him. “Tell me, quickly!”
“Well…” Zhang Yang trailed off, stopping mid-sentence.
Just then, Bei Wei brought the last two dishes to the table.
“Time to eat.”
The sweet girl untied her apron, her long hair falling over her shoulders, showing no sign of fatigue from cooking the full meal.
“Sis, brother-in-law said he has a surprise for you-you better ask him,” Bei Jiajia teased playfully.
“Huh?” Bei Wei looked at Zhang Yang with curiosity.
“I’ll tell you tomorrow. By the way, put your work aside for a while and come out with me,” Zhang Yang said with a smile.
“Mysterious… what is it?” Bei Wei’s eyes twinkled with anticipation.
“Brother-in-law doesn’t give surprises lightly. Can I guess?” Bei Jiajia couldn’t contain her curiosity.
“Well… guess if you want,” Zhang Yang said with amusement. “Now, let’s eat, shall we?”
Tasting Bei Wei’s cooking, he was genuinely impressed. These dishes could easily rival any Sichuan restaurant.
“Is it a new bag?” Bei Jiajia guessed first, tapping her chin.
“No,” Zhang Yang shook his head.
“Then maybe the new summer collection? Or some jewelry?” she tried, raising the stakes.
“Nope,” Zhang Yang shook his head again.