Chapter 15: Lucky Star

"That's true. You're becoming more and more famous; I often see reports about you even when I'm abroad. Living in a high-rise complex with too many neighbors and having to share garages and elevators with others is indeed quite a hassle. Since you want it, I'll sell it to you for whatever I paid for it back then."

"No need. We'll go with the market price. I spent a lot on the renovation and put in so much effort; if I sold it for a pittance, I wouldn't have the heart to accept it."

When Gu Yongxin was studying in Beijing, Gu Lanxi was also there for her postgraduate studies. The two sisters often met for meals, and she had visited that house before.

Setting aside everything else, the eight-hundred-square-meter garden alone cost several million. Every tree and every flower had been meticulously selected, and even when no one was living there, people were hired long-term to maintain it.

Gu Yongxin knew her sister's temperament. With the time difference between them and both being busy, there was no need for endless back-and-forth, so they quickly settled on a price.

It was an old villa community in the East Fourth Ring Road, with only 58 households in total, adjacent to a massive park and conveniently located for transportation.

After legal renovations, the layout consisted of seven bedrooms, three living rooms, and five bathrooms, with an indoor area of 666.18 square meters. It spanned three floors above ground and one below, was a detached villa facing a lake, and came with a massive 800-square-meter garden. Essentially, every single window offered a different view; a tremendous amount of effort had gone into its design.

After the redesign, it featured a very pleasing black-and-white French retro style, complete with her favorite arched lattice windows.

The living room was high-ceilinged, with a true height of three and a half meters, possessing a sense of grandeur and luxury that large apartments simply couldn't match.

The design fees alone cost over two million, and the furniture and appliances were all fully equipped. It had been continuously maintained and never neglected. At a price of 180 million, it was truly a bargain.

Gu Lanxi didn't even haggle; she simply nodded and agreed

"I don't have that much cash on hand. Give me a few days to arrange it. Don't put it on the market yet; contact me once I'm ready."

Even between siblings, accounts should be kept clear. According to her, it would be a direct exchange: money for the deed.

However, Gu Yongxin didn't want to do it that way; she felt it was too formal and distant.

"We're sisters. It's rare that you like it so much, so there's really no need for this. I happen to be on vacation for the next two days and will be back tomorrow. You can give me the money whenever you're ready."

"You've just become pregnant; long-distance travel isn't good for you. Entrust your aunt to make the trip north for you."

For such a massive transaction, one couldn't simply delegate everything to a lawyer, yet she couldn't stand by and watch her sister, who was in her early pregnancy, traveling back and forth. This arrangement was perfect.

Furthermore, since her aunt had personally overseen the renovations, she could take the opportunity to discuss matters related to the house, making it easier for her to move in soon.

Naturally, she had no worries regarding her own mother.

Gu Yongxin readily agreed and hung up the phone.

A short while later, her aunt called.

Upon learning she wanted to buy the house, the aunt's tone was reluctant but also very happy.

However, compared to Gu Yongxin's lack of experience in such matters, her aunt was much more seasoned.

After all, she was the daughter of a Shanxi coal tycoon; she had seen far too much in her life.

She acted as if she didn't know her daughter had already agreed to transfer the title before payment. She simply said that someone in her maiden family was celebrating their eightieth birthday, so she planned to return to Datong before coming back to Beijing.

After all, this involved 180 million. If there were any disputes among relatives, it would be embarrassing for everyone involved.

Gu Lanxi understood her meaning and nodded in agreement. As soon as she hung up, she immediately made another call.

Although this aunt was shrewd and placed a high value on interests, when it came to transactions, it was actually better to deal with such people.

The sun had already set. Once the call connected, Gu Lanxi didn't beat around the bush

"President Li, you mentioned before that you were interested in my shares?"

A few years ago, Gu Lanxi had invested in a milk tea chain. Due to effective marketing, the company successfully went public shortly after its financing round ended.

The owners were two brothers, but this year, they had developed differences in management philosophy and had been fighting for controlling interest.

Discord among top management has always been a major taboo for investors.

Therefore, even though the milk tea industry had been booming and young people were "thirsty" for such products—leading to brands popping up everywhere and a thriving stock market—Gu Lanxi had decided to exit the company.

Even without the house purchase, she would have cashed out this investment very soon.

Back when she invested, she had acted early, putting in no more than thirty million. After several rounds, the company went public, and its current market value was nearly 3.2 billion.

Since it was currently a sensitive period, the two brothers would not dare to suppress the stock price in order to stabilize it.

A 6% stake would easily yield nearly 200 million upon sale.

One could say that being a celebrity wasn't that profitable anymore.

If you wanted to make real money, you had to rely on one wave of "leeks" after another.

As soon as he heard she intended to sell, Li Jingxiu couldn't even finish his meal. He hurriedly wiped his mouth and said with feigned composure

"Miss Gu, long time no see. I wonder if you've had dinner yet?"

For such an important matter, a face-to-face meeting was naturally the best way to show sincerity.

If it wasn't settled within a day, he wouldn't be able to sleep.

Listening to the sounds from the kitchen and glancing at the wall clock, Gu Lanxi saw it was nearly eight o'clock. Not wanting to go out, she lied effortlessly: "I've already eaten tonight."

This made the other party appear more eager, allowing Gu Lanxi to gain more leverage during the business talk.

But Li Jingxiu had no choice but to be eager.

At this critical moment of power struggles, his greatest fear was that she would change her mind or that his brother would intercept the deal.

A 6% stake was no small amount.

He had already dropped hints to Gu Lanxi, and his brother was certainly coveting them as well.

In particular, because Gu Lanxi had invested early, she held voting rights and could influence company decisions to a certain extent. The Li family had long wanted to buy back those shares.

"Then, I wonder if you are free tomorrow?"

He didn't know exactly what Gu Lanxi was thinking, but he was willing to lower his stance.

"Shall we meet tomorrow at noon?"

A man and a woman, both married, meeting for dinner at night wasn't entirely safe. Especially since "Su Cha" was famous for her marketing skills; one had to be on guard.

Although Gu Lanxi was asking a question, she used a tone of certainty.

Only then did Li Jingxiu breathe a sigh of relief, acting very tactfully

"Then I'll let you know once I've settled on a place."

Gu Lanxi agreed, but just as she was about to hang up, she heard him speak up sheepishly

"If you don't mind, I would like to bring my wife. I assume you know her; she is a senior executive in our company."

Gu Lanxi knew Li Jingxiu's wife.

When the two brothers were starting their business, this capable sister-in-law had played a major role.

However, she held no shares in the company.

It wasn't because the Li brothers were stingy, but because all their shares were marital property; concentrating the shares was more conducive to the Li family maintaining control.

In the past, Gu Lanxi had met Li Jingxiu for dinner alone, but this was the first time his wife had proactively requested to join.

Gu Lanxi was very perceptive; hearing the slight shift in his tone, she immediately guessed many things.

It seemed that the eldest President Li was a bit "unclean" outside, which was why the sister-in-law was so defensive, even insisting on overseeing his private business meetings with a female shareholder.

An ambitious younger brother, a powerful and capable wife—a marriage crisis was visibly about to explode.

*Hiss—*

Lu Nanting really was her lucky star.

(End of Chapter)