Chapter Thirty-Five: The Stratagem of Self-Sacrifice

The Xiangjiang Villa District was considered a high-end neighborhood in the capital. Its grounds were elegant, amenities comprehensive, and greenery covered eighty percent of the area. Security guards patrolled around the clock. In a city where every inch of land was precious, this was undoubtedly a place of luxury.

For Zhang Wei and his three companions to enter Xiangjiang Villa District, the property owner had to notify the gatekeeper in advance. All five underwent meticulous registration before they were allowed inside. The environment within was far superior to that of Yayuan Community; the tree-lined avenues carried the freshness of the foliage and the fragrance of the earth.

From the moment they entered the villa district, Liu Yurou grew even closer to Zhou, the chubby man, even actively holding his arm. Her beautiful eyes surveyed the surroundings, filled with joy and excitement, and her voice, sweeter and more coquettish than usual, said, "Brother Zhou, the atmosphere here is so peaceful and beautiful. I really love it!"

Zhang Wei and Wang Min walked ahead of Zhou and Liu. Hearing Liu’s coy remarks, Wang Min rolled her eyes and pouted, mocking inwardly, "She really is a vixen. She’ll make any man’s bones go soft."

Hearing Liu Yurou’s words, Zhang Wei felt as though a cat were scratching at his heart, his steps lightened, and he mused privately that if he ever had money, he would seek a woman like her as a lover. That would make his life worthwhile.

Zhang Wei’s thoughts were a little sordid, but they echoed the desires of most men. Of course, he was merely fantasizing; to avoid leaving a bad impression on his clients, he dared not even glance at Liu Yurou twice, let alone make any advances.

"The house is indeed decent," Zhou replied perfunctorily, stopping Zhang Wei to ask, "Brother Zhang, how much does a villa here cost?"

"The villas in Xiangjiang are all detached, so the price is quite high. Each one averages around fifty million," Zhang Wei explained.

After saying this, Zhang Wei casually glanced at Zhou, noticing his lips twitch and swallowing involuntarily. He fell silent for the rest of the journey, not uttering another word. Zhang Wei’s heart sank; he knew the Xiangjiang villa was now out of the question.

Seeing Zhou’s demeanor, Zhang Wei lost enthusiasm for the villa district. He realized Zhou would never buy such an expensive place for Liu Yurou and began considering how to gently guide Liu Yurou toward the reality of purchasing two ordinary two-bedroom apartments, lest she end up empty-handed.

Since they were already there, they had to view the house. The villa came with its own private courtyard, and the gate was open. Zhang Wei led the group inside; vibrant flowers adorned the surroundings, a pebble path ran through the center, a swimming pool several meters wide lay to the left, and a row of stone benches sat to the right. The courtyard was impeccably tidy.

The four followed the pebble path to the villa entrance. Zhang Wei pressed the doorbell, and soon a middle-aged woman emerged to welcome them. Zhang Wei had seen this house before and knew she was the family's housekeeper, Auntie Hong.

"Auntie Hong, hello. I’m Zhang from Zhongtong Company. I arranged with Mr. Tian to bring clients for a viewing," Zhang Wei greeted with a smile.

"Alright, Mr. Tian told me about it. Come on in," Auntie Hong looked Zhang Wei over, recalling his familiar face, opened the door, and instructed, "The carpet was just cleaned. Please put on shoe covers when you enter, or I’ll have to clean again after you leave."

"Auntie Hong, don’t worry! We’ve prepared shoe covers," Zhang Wei pulled blue covers from his pocket for her to see, handed them to the others, and only after everyone had donned them did they step inside.

Although it was his second visit, Zhang Wei was still deeply captivated upon entering. The villa had three floors. The entrance opened onto a spacious, bright hall; its ceiling soared over ten meters high, banishing any sense of confinement. A golden chandelier hung overhead, resplendent and magnificent.

The layout and décor were exquisitely considered. The floor was covered with a brown carpet, soft underfoot; white leather sofas looked pristine; a spiral staircase lent elegance; and vibrant oil paintings adorned the walls on either side. It was a classic blend of Eastern and Western styles.

Whether Liu Yurou, Wang Min, or Zhou, all were entranced upon entering the hall. Whatever their intentions toward the house, they had to admit it was truly beautiful.

"Brother Zhou, this house is gorgeous! Let’s go see the second floor," Liu Yurou said, her excitement wound tight, pulling Zhou’s arm as she wandered about.

"Yurou, we’ve been walking for most of the day. I’m a bit tired. Let Brother Zhang accompany you upstairs," Zhou replied, affecting a weary look, supporting his back and twisting slightly.

"Alright then," Liu Yurou pursed her lips, forcing a smile.

Seeing Zhou’s reluctance to go upstairs with her, Liu Yurou’s earlier excitement faded. She climbed the stairs dispiritedly. Zhang Wei gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head and followed her.

Upon reaching the second floor, Liu Yurou did not tour the rooms. Instead, she leaned against the corridor by the stairs, looking somewhat forlorn, and said to Zhang Wei, "I’m a bit tired too. You have a look around. Call me when you’re ready to go down."

Zhang Wei did not disturb her and walked to the window at the end of the corridor to gaze outside.

Having been at Zhou and Liu Yurou’s side throughout, Zhang Wei observed their every move. Zhou’s refusal to go upstairs was not due to genuine fatigue, but rather a tactful way to express his lack of interest in the villa and his unwillingness to buy it.

Liu Yurou was a shrewd girl. She knew Zhou’s limits and understood the vast difference between a two-bedroom apartment and a villa. So she did not act coquettishly as she had at the banquet, but tacitly accepted Zhou’s decision. Going upstairs was merely a way for both sides to save face.

"Mr. Zhang, do you think I’m greedy?" Liu Yurou asked self-deprecatingly.

"Oh, Miss Liu, what do you mean?" Zhang Wei replied, pretending not to know.

"You understand, don’t you?" Liu Yurou gave him a charming smile tinged with bitterness and continued, "I once loved a man and had his child. But he wasn’t responsible—he wouldn’t even pay for the abortion. After that, I stopped believing in men. I only believe that money is what allows you to survive in this world."

As she spoke, Liu Yurou leaned weakly against the wall, her eyes rimmed red, a hint of sorrow within them, like a fallen angel. Zhang Wei felt an urge to embrace and protect her.

"I think much the same. In a certain sense, we’re the same kind of people," Zhang Wei sighed, a sympathetic look on his face. He felt a protective instinct toward Liu Yurou, but when their eyes met, he was suddenly stunned.

Staring into her eyes, Zhang Wei’s pupils contracted, a glint flashed, and he saw a row of golden characters: "None of you men are any good. Anyway, I’m bored, so I’ll spin a tale to amuse you."

Upon seeing Liu Yurou’s true thoughts, Zhang Wei was momentarily dazed. He hadn’t expected her pitiful words to be a ruse, meant to deceive and toy with him. Anger surged within, as though he had fallen from the clouds into the mire.

"You… do you secretly look down on me, thinking I’m a wicked woman who ruins families?" Liu Yurou continued her act, but Zhang Wei again saw mischief in her eyes.

"Miss Liu, may I ask which school you graduated from?" Zhang Wei replied with an unrelated question.

"Ah… I’m a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama. Why?" Liu Yurou expected Zhang Wei to comfort her, perhaps stir his protective instincts and lavish her with attention, but instead he asked about her alma mater.

"No wonder," Zhang Wei said, looking at her with a half-smile.

"What do you mean?" Liu Yurou felt uneasy under Zhang Wei’s gaze, confused.

"I mean, since you graduated from the Academy of Drama, you must be very good at acting," Zhang Wei said, his eyes sharp.