Chapter 23

Mr. Meng drew in a sharp breath and said, "That can't be possible. Deputy Mayor Xiang is a favorite student of that person. If he gets into trouble, wouldn't that person also be in trouble?"

"Time will tell everything. However, you might suffer because of me recently. I apologize to all of you," Fang Tianfeng said.

Shi Weicheng immediately said, "Pang Jingzhou is in real estate, and I'm in road and bridge construction. His influence can't reach me. Anyway, I only have eyes for Master Fang. As for Pang Jingzhou, who cares who he is? Cheers!" With that, Shi Weicheng drained his glass.

Mr. Meng nodded and said, "This richest man is actually nothing special. If I keep a low profile, he can't do much to me. As for Director Chai, unless Pang Jingzhou wants to go down in flames, he wouldn't dare to do anything. Master Fang, you need to be careful; Pang Jingzhou has quite a few ruthless people under him."

Fang Tianfeng asked curiously, "What kind of ruthless people?"

So, Mr. Meng briefly recounted Pang Jingzhou's rise to power and various rumors.

Pang Jingzhou's first fortune was made through smuggling, relying on his father's connections. Later, during the restructuring of state-owned enterprises, he made a large sum of money, but his greedy behavior got him caught. His family worked hard to find connections, and after more than a year in prison, he was released. He then climbed up to a powerful figure, and his business grew larger and larger.

The ruthless people Mr. Meng referred to were actually a well-known gang leader in Yunhai City, known as Fifth Master. He was later tamed by Pang Jingzhou and, with his support, started a demolition company, becoming the vanguard of Yuanzhou real estate.

Mr. Meng didn't dare to go into too much detail, only mentioning that the demolition company had several deaths on its hands and could contact many desperate people.

Shen Xin frowned and said, "Xiaofeng, your martial arts are excellent, so close combat isn't a problem. But if someone uses a gun, you might not be able to dodge it. However, Pang Jingzhou isn't crazy; he wouldn't hire a hitman over today's matter."

Fang Tianfeng said, "I'll be careful."

Shi Weicheng said, "Master Fang, I heard you're showing a villa to Xiaoxin's friend at Chang'an Garden? That place isn't great. Why don't you come to my company?"

Mr. Meng quickly said, "Master Fang, come to my company. You can do whatever you want, and we have many beautiful women."

Shi Weicheng looked at Mr. Meng and said, "Old Meng, you're not being fair. I invited him first."

Mr. Meng smiled and said, "Who cares about who came first these days? It's all about who pays more."

Shi Weicheng immediately looked dejected and said, "Fine, I can't compete with you, Mr. Meng."

Fang Tianfeng laughed and said, "I'm doing well at Chang'an Garden. It's quiet there, except for the security, everything else is great."

Mr. Meng immediately frowned and said, "The property management of Chang'an Garden? The boss is my close friend. If anyone gives you trouble, just give me a call, and I'll make them leave!"

Fang Tianfeng didn't expect this smiling fat man to have such a tough side and laughed, "Just a few rats, no need to trouble you, Master."

Fang Tianfeng had two questions in mind, so he took the opportunity to sit next to Deputy Director Chai while toasting him and asked, "Director Chai, why are you interested in fortune-telling? I thought officials were very wary of it."

Fortune-telling is just a formal term for predicting the future.

Deputy Director Chai lowered his voice and said, "Officials are wary? After a certain sect was eradicated, do you know how many officials were implicated? Do you think officials today are the same as they were decades ago? You just need to know that officials are also human. With such intense competition, some will have different thoughts. Take you and me, for example. You've predicted accurately so far, and you've predicted my promotion. Why wouldn't I believe you?"

Fang Tianfeng thought for a moment and asked, "Your position is lower than Director Qi, but why are you so cautious, while Director Qi seems to be a big talker?"

Deputy Director Chai said helplessly, "That's the difference between number one and number two. In the Construction Committee, number one's word is law, so I have to be even more careful. Most importantly, this is Pang Jingzhou's territory, like his hometown. Moreover, he has Deputy Mayor Xiang behind him. At that table, he has the lowest rank, so if he doesn't be active, who would entertain you, Master Fang? In another place, I can guarantee he would be more careful than me."

Fang Tianfeng finally understood. He even felt that Deputy Director Chai had shared so much not only to sincerely connect but also because he had been frustrated there.

They chatted for a while, and Deputy Director Chai and Mr. Meng left together, leaving Fang Tianfeng their private phone numbers and home numbers before they went.

Fang Tianfeng, Shen Xin, and the Shi couple left next. At the parking lot, Shi Weicheng took out a black plastic bag from his car and handed it to Fang Tianfeng.

"Master Fang, there's 150,000 yuan inside. Please count it."

Fang Tianfeng didn't reach out to take it and said, "Brother Shi, what's this? We agreed on 50,000 yuan."

Shi Weicheng looked a bit embarrassed and said, "Before my child is born, can you use your Daoist magic to ensure my wife's safety and the health of the baby? If you think 100,000 yuan is too little, just name your price. If I frown, I'm not Shi Weicheng."

Fang Tianfeng had heard that the first three months and the last three months of pregnancy were the most dangerous, but he had never done this before. He said, "I've already predicted that you will have a child, so even without using magic, the mother and child will be safe."

Shi Weicheng quickly pleaded, "Master Fang, you only said I would have a child, but what if the child gets sick or something? This is my first and probably last child. I don't want any accidents. Please help me."

Fang Tianfeng hadn't thought about the child having other issues, so he said, "Sister, please extend your hand."

Shi Weicheng's wife immediately extended her hand, smiling widely, clearly having been waiting for a long time.

Fang Tianfeng held her wrist and sent half of his yuan energy into her body, dividing it into two parts, one to nourish her and one to nourish the fetus. Finally, he used the qi-guiding technique to intercept any potential disease qi that might affect the fetus.

"Done," Fang Tianfeng said.

Shi Weicheng's wife said to her husband in surprise, "Honey, Master Fang is amazing. I really feel something extra, making me feel relaxed and very reassured."

Shi Weicheng said excitedly, "Thank you, Master Fang, thank you, Master Fang." He then handed over the black plastic bag.

Fang Tianfeng took it without hesitation, feeling a deep sense of the benefits of the Heavenly Destiny Technique. The first time they met, Shi Weicheng was only superficially polite, but now he called him Master Fang with deep respect.

Fang Tianfeng, carrying the heavy 150,000 yuan, truly felt the benefits of the Heavenly Destiny Technique.

Shen Xin was very envious. If someone had helped her mother during pregnancy, she would be healthy and free from illness now.

They chatted for a while and then parted. Before leaving, Shi Weicheng said he would introduce more people to Fang Tianfeng and that not everyone was afraid of Pang Jingzhou.

Fang Tianfeng and Shen Xin got back in the car. Shen Xin didn't start the car immediately but looked at Fang Tianfeng and said, "Xiaofeng, I know you don't like to bow down, but bowing down to Pang Jingzhou isn't a disgrace. Pang Jingzhou has deep roots in Dongjiang Province. If he speaks, 80% of the real estate circle in Dongjiang Province will shun you. They might not fear Pang Jingzhou, but they don't want to cause trouble."

Fang Tianfeng smiled and said, "But there are still 20% left, right? Sister Xin, if Pang Jingzhou falls in six months, how will those 80% view me?"

Shen Xin's face lit up, and she said, "If you're right, Pang Jingzhou will have done you a huge favor. The day he falls will be the day you, Master Fang, become famous in the Dongjiang Province real estate circle. However, before he falls, you must be low-key. I'm not afraid of his gangsters, but I'm afraid of his official connections."

"Sister Xin is right. I'll be low-key for a while and take care of the villa. Oh, by the way, Sister Xin, I want to tell you something."

"What is it?"

Fang Tianfeng smiled awkwardly and said, "You know, men don't like doing housework much, and I need time to practice. It's hard to take care of such a large villa by myself. I want to find a few people to share the rent and help with the housework, saving me time."

Shen Xin hesitated and said, "If the villa were mine, I wouldn't object. But it's not, and the owner might not like too many people living there."

Fang Tianfeng had another important reason for finding tenants, but he couldn't tell Shen Xin, so he said, "There won't be too many tenants, just four or five at most. If my sister wants to stay at the villa, would that be a problem? If so, I'll have to find another job."

Shen Xin immediately said, "Okay, do it your way! I'll talk to the owner. I'll tell him that a few of my friends want to stay there. You can tell the tenants, and if anyone asks, don't let it slip."

Fang Tianfeng immediately smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Xin, you're so nice!"

Shen Xin gave him a flirtatious look and said, "Then you can repay me with your body."

Fang Tianfeng deliberately looked her up and down and said, "Sister Xin, one day I won't be able to control myself, and when that day comes, don't regret it!"

Shen Xin leaned close to Fang Tianfeng, bit her lower lip, and said in a soft voice, "If you like car sex, you can do it now!"

Looking at the pedestrians outside, Fang Tianfeng said irritably, "Even if we were to do it, we'd need a place with fewer people!"

"Little pervert! Dream on!" Shen Xin laughed and drove away.

The place was closer to Shen Xin's home. After arriving at her place, Fang Tianfeng treated Shen Xin, then took the black plastic bag and took the bus back to his rental.

At home, Fang Tianfeng took the money out of the plastic bag and placed it on the table. Looking at the fifteen stacks of red bills, he felt a bit excited. All his earnings since working didn't add up to what he had earned in the past two days.

With 150,000 yuan, he was one step closer to buying a house.

Tomorrow was Saturday, and his sister, Su Shishi, would stay overnight as usual, so Fang Tianfeng planned to move on Sunday or Monday.

In the morning, after waking up, Fang Tianfeng first recalled what the old man in his dream had said, then memorized it silently. After confirming he had it memorized, he washed up, went downstairs for breakfast, deposited the money he had earned the previous day in the bank, and then took the bus to the villa at Chang'an Garden.

Upon arriving at the villa, Fang Tianfeng took out his phone and started taking photos from the outside to the inside, then posted the rental information online. Since he wasn't the owner and didn't have a property deed, he couldn't go through a regular real estate agency, so posting online was his only option.

Fang Tianfeng lived on the first floor, and the second and third floors each had two bedrooms, so he planned to find four tenants.

Fang Tianfeng's rental prices were 1,500 yuan per month for the master bedroom on the second floor and 1,200 yuan per month for the other three bedrooms. If the tenants were willing to help with housework or even cooking, they could have at least half of the rent waived. They had to pay at least three months' rent in advance.

At the end, Fang Tianfeng noted that if he was unsatisfied with the tenants, he had the right not to rent to them.

The housing prices in Yunhai City were below average nationally, and the prices Fang Tianfeng offered were clearly high. Although it was a villa, most people preferred cheaper and more convenient options. No matter how good the house, if the price was too high, no one would rent it.

Fang Tianfeng's intention was simple: he wanted the tenants to help with the housework.

Actually, these conditions weren't strict. The truly strict condition was that Fang Tianfeng needed tenants with good fortune!

By befriending people with good fortune and getting their sincere help, everything would go more smoothly, which would greatly benefit both his cultivation and his career.

People with good fortune were clearly more important than those willing to do housework, but Fang Tianfeng still required housework to reduce the rent because people with good fortune might not be willing to help him.

If someone was willing to do housework to reduce the rent, it meant they were not overly domineering, relatively diligent, and easier to get along with.

If he encountered someone like Nie Xiaoyao, who had good fortune but a bad temper, befriending them would be very difficult. Since he could only have four tenants, he needed to choose people who were easier to connect with.