[Chapter 415: Buying a House]
The Central Villa District of Beijing was known as one of Beijing's earliest high-end villa clusters.
With its unique location next to the Capital Airport and close to embassy areas, combined with convenient access to major highways, getting around was remarkably easy.
The Central Villa District boasted a vast ecological belt, forming a sprawling 167-square-kilometer green ecological zone. Year-round flowing rivers and dense woodlands created a naturally beautiful environment.
This area focused mainly on low-density residential housing, with an excellent ecological environment, rich educational resources, and comprehensive supporting facilities, making it one of Beijing's most livable districts.
Nearby amenities included European-style shopping centers, popular supermarkets like Jenny's, international bilingual preschools such as Eaton International Bilingual Preschool.
River Garden Villas was situated at 7 Yuyang Road, right in Beijing's Central Villa District in Shunyi. Completed in 1994, the community covered a total construction area of 36,200 square meters and a land area of 45,000 square meters. With 426 standalone villas and 40% green landscaping, the neighborhood provided a comfortable living environment with a low floor area ratio of 0.8.
The public areas were shaded with trees like ginkgos and plane trees, combined with lawns and shrubbery landscaping. In the center, there was a children's playground and a circular walking path. Villas generally had over 50 feet of spacing between buildings, ensuring residents' privacy.
Considering these factors, it became the top choice for Beijing's wealthy to shop and invest in property.
Of course, the prices were steep. While in early 1995, housing prices in core areas within the second ring road averaged just over $500 per square foot, villas here were already sold at $2,200 per square foot.
After thorough research, this place became a clear favorite for Xu Qing.
The next morning, Linton and Xu Qing arrived on-site to inspect the villas.
At that time, real estate had not yet introduced the notorious pre-sale system. All constructions in the community were completed, and some villas were already occupied.
They toured the neighborhood, feeling satisfied with the environment, transportation, facilities, and property management.
At the sales office, over half the villas had already been sold since sales began earlier in the year, but enough inventory remained for them to choose from.
The only point Linton found somewhat unsatisfactory was the size of the villas. The largest floor plan was only 5,800 square feet.
The layout included three floors -- 2,150 square feet on both the first and second floors, and 1,500 square feet on the third floor with an additional 650 square foot large terrace.
The villas had seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
Through Xu Qing's explanation, Linton learned that such a floor plan was already considered an ultra-luxury mansion in Beijing. If they wanted something larger, they would probably need to buy land and build their own mansion -- which would be exponentially more difficult, especially in a prime location.
Understanding this, Linton decided to buy here, mainly because Xu Qing liked it.
Soon, with a sales guide accompanying them, they selected their preferred property. After discounts, the price came to $1.5 million. The villa was fully furnished with exquisite interior decorating, and all they needed was to add their own furniture before moving in.
Even Xu Qing was stunned by the price.
In 1995, before the full market reform of the film and TV industry, even though she was an emerging star on the rise, this kind of luxury home was completely out of reach.
Most people worked as government employees or in state-run television and film studios. They earned fixed salaries and, although stars sometimes took advertisements, those deals paid very little and most profits went to the studios. Earning even $25,000 a year was considered quite high.
She could never have imagined that with the market reforms progressing and private capital entering the industry, her income as a film star would soar dramatically -- within five years, buying a villa like this would be easily affordable.
At the contract signing, Linton surprised her: "Qing, you go ahead and sign. Just put your name on it."
Xu Qing was hesitant. This wasn't a small gift, and she was proud by nature. "No way. It's your house. How can you put it under my name?"
"It's okay. Between us, no need for formalities. Also, I probably can't get the deed in my name with my passport."
Hearing their exchange, the young receptionist helping them process the paperwork almost lost her composure, thinking, 'Why don't I have a guy like that? This girl isn't even that much prettier than me -- maybe just a better face and a nicer vibe. Her assets aren't even bigger than mine.'
With a self-confident smile, the receptionist blurted out without thinking, "Sir, this is an international villa zone. You can use your passport to get the property title."
"Yeah, Linton, you should sign it. I can't." Xu Qing, hearing the sly remark from the receptionist, became even more adamant.
Linton shot the receptionist a sharp look, asking silently, 'What are you stirring up?' Realizing her mistake, the receptionist quieted down and didn't speak again.
"The main issue is I'm leaving Beijing tomorrow," Linton explained. "You'll have to handle the paperwork later anyway. Just trust me and sign. You'll be the one managing the home's setup too."
"But I still can't. It's a $1.5 million place. It's too expensive. I can't take that responsibility."
Linton glanced at the sales assistant. "Could you step outside for a moment?"
The receptionist knew she had stepped over the line and could potentially jeopardize the deal. She apologized and quietly left, watching them from afar.
"Qing, don't let anyone sway you. Honestly, whether the house is in your name or mine doesn't matter. What matters is that we live comfortably together."
"But..."
"No buts. Since you like it, let's buy it early so you can decorate and move in sooner. That's what matters. The name on the deed? Really unimportant. You'd do better spending energy planning how to make it look even better."
After some persuasion, Xu Qing finally signed the contract with her name.
Amid the receptionist's envious and jealous looks, Linton swiped his card and bought the property.
On the way back, Linton stopped at a Bank of China branch and wired $20,000 to Xu Qing for villa renovations.
Back at the hotel, the couple unleashed their passion, and an intense round of lovemaking quickly began.
Joyful and sweet songs echoed through the night.
---
It wasn't until dawn the next day, when warm sunlight streamed through the curtains, that their passionate embrace finally came to an end. Xu Qing nestled tightly against Linton, reluctant to part.
"Darling, I really don't want you to leave."
"No worries. When I get home, I'll send you audition invitations. You can take those to get a visa. Whenever you miss me, just come visit me in America."
"But I heard you have a lot of women over there. What am I to you?"
"You can join the club." Seeing her face fall, Linton added with a grin, "Of course, if you can't handle that, I can get you another villa nearby my estate. Also, you'd probably like to see my big farm and gardens, right?"
"Alright, you're such a bad guy. But who made me fall for you?" She bit his shoulder hard to vent her feelings and mark the moment -- but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break his skin.
"Hey, you must be a Taurus or something, with skin this thick. Funny thing is, your skin is even paler and smoother than mine."
Linton's affection showed as he gently stroked her head, then pulled out a quartz pendant carved with a phoenix pattern.
"Babe, I carved this quartz pendant myself these past few days. It's a phoenix, your favorite. May you always be beautiful and noble like a phoenix."
"Wow, darling, it's gorgeous! Muah... thank you. You have to help me put it on."
"Of course." Linton helped her wear it. "Sweetheart, it looks amazing on you."
"Darling, it feels so cool."
"This quartz pendant took me a lot of effort to make. It has many magical properties, the simplest being it keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. I want you never to take it off, always keep it with you, okay?"
"Darling, you're amazing. Such an incredible pendant, and you made it yourself. I promise I'll never take it off..."
*****
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