A well dressed Woman who seemed like an Assistant came over and politely gestured toward the hallway. "Mr. Mo, Miss. Qin, Mr. Li will see you now."
Mo Fan gave a slight nod, and he and Qin Yu'er rose, slipping effortlessly into their roles as the sophisticated, untouchable elites they had come here to be.
As they were led to the real estate head's office, the two walked in silence and confidently, exuding an air of controlled elegance and authority.
They walked through the office lobby and into Mr. Li's spacious corner office, their footsteps echoing across the marble floor.
Mr. Li was seated behind a large mahogany desk, his smug expression complemented by an exaggerated recline in his chair. He was a stout man with a disheveled suit, an oil-slick smile, and an air of greed that almost dripped from his every gesture.
As the two entered, he barely managed to pull his eyes away from Qin Yu'er, and his gaze lingered on her perfect body just a bit too long, making it clear what kind of man he was.
He rose to greet them, his eager smile spreading wide as his eyes flicked over Qin Yu'er with open interest. He was visibly intrigued, but unbothered by the sight of her cold stare.
"Mr. Mo, Ms. Qin! Welcome, welcome!" He extended his hand, practically oozing insincerity, as his gaze lingered just a bit too long on Qin Yu'er.
Qin Yu'er ignored the extended hand and gave him a nod, her expression completely unyielding. She was the picture of icy indifference, radiating a sense of power that made it clear who held control here.
Mo Fan followed suit, adopting a quiet, watchful demeanor, as though he were here purely as support for his 'sister.'
After an uncomfortable pause, Mr. Li withdrew his hand and gestured for them to sit. "Please, make yourselves comfortable," he said with a forced laugh, glancing nervously at the air of silent command radiating from Qin Yu'er.
Mo Fan began, breaking the silence. "Good afternoon, Mr. Li. I trust you're well?"
"Yes, yes," Mr. Li replied, flashing a toothy grin. "Now, as you said before on the call, I understand you're interested in some rather... unique property. Not many would show such interest in those isolated lands. They're, shall we say, challenging investments."
He leaned forward, clearly trying to intimidate, his eyes scanning Qin Yu'er's calm face. She showed no reaction, her demeanor cold and unbothered.
"We're well aware of the region's situation," Mo Fan replied, voice steady. "We're looking to purchase the secluded mountain area, the nameless city facing Bohai Bay, and the entire uninhabited region stretching across the bay. It's around 140 kilometers, and yes, we know it's a rather... unconventional piece of land." Mo Fan said as he handed him the satellite map of the region. He had already marked and circled the entire place he wanted to buy with a red marker.
Mr. Li's brows lifted in surprise at the scope of their interest as he scanned the map, but he quickly concealed it, trying to keep the upper hand. "Ah, ambitious, ambitious. But let me be transparent with you," he said, adopting a more serious tone. "That area, well, it's infested with... creatures, dangerous ones. Maintaining that land will require serious investment in security. And beyond that, the terrain's a nightmare. I'm afraid only someone with significant capital and, perhaps, no concern for practical gains would consider such a place."
Qin Yu'er leaned back, a faint smirk playing on her lips. Her gaze, icy and calculated, met his. "I don't believe practical gains are a concern for us, Mr. Li. We're prepared to handle the monsters and secure the area as needed. This deal is a priority, not an experiment."
Mr. Li's face fell ever so slightly when he saw the smirk on Qin Yu'er's face, though he quickly masked it, trying to regain control. "Well, then, if you're that certain, let me be clear about the costs involved. The price for land in such a high-risk area is steep. Not only will you need to purchase the land, but there are also 'extra fees' — you understand, of course — for handling those risks and clearing the legal hurdles." He leaned back, hands folded in satisfaction as if expecting them to balk at the mention of extra fees.
Qin Yu'er's expression didn't waver. She spoke with a voice as smooth and cold as a winter breeze. "We're willing to pay a fair price, Mr. Li. But let's not get carried away with fabricated fees. We've conducted our due diligence, and we know the expected costs for a transaction of this kind. So if you're going to add costs, they had better be justified."
Mr. Li's smile stiffened slightly. He was accustomed to wealthy clients, but few matched the presence that Qin Yu'er was exuding. Sensing her resolve, he shifted tactics.
"Ah, Ms. Qin," he chuckled nervously, trying to regain his composure, "you must understand, I'm just looking out for your interests. This land... the monsters there, they aren't exactly the kinds that normal hunters can handle. We'll need special permits, clearances, and a military escort."
Qin Yu'er raised an eyebrow. "And your office handles such matters, I assume?"
"Yes, yes, but... such arrangements are not cheap." He feigned concern, his gaze sliding from Qin Yu'er to Mo Fan, trying to gauge their reaction.
Mo Fan leaned back, giving Qin Yu'er the lead. She leaned forward slightly, crossing her arms on the desk. "Mr. Li, I'll be direct. My Family operates on loyalty and efficiency, especially in our acquisitions. We're willing to take on those 'risks' you mentioned, so your office won't need to worry about it. However, we will expect a cooperative price in return for handling these... inconveniences ourselves."
Mr. Li's expression faltered. Realizing he was losing leverage, he attempted another tactic. "Well, I'm sure we can discuss an arrangement, but... this is no small piece of land. It's quite a big island-type region with the Hai river dividing it from the rest of the Binhai joint land. It's not like any other property you've purchased, Ms. Qin. Surely, you understand the rarity, the exclusivity."
Qin Yu'er allowed a slight smile to play on her lips, a look that was both chilling and commanding. "Mr. Li, your enthusiasm is commendable, but we're not here to debate the uniqueness of this land. We're here to finalize a purchase. Now, if your office can't accommodate our terms, perhaps we should speak directly with the Beijing's Magic Association Tower? We're certain they would be more cooperative for a family of our... influence."
Mo Fan leaned forward, maintaining a neutral expression but adding an edge to his tone. "Mr. Li, we came here under the impression that we'd be dealing with a professional. We understand business is about patience, but it's also about recognizing opportunity when it arrives at your doorstep. If these conditions don't align with your goals, we can take our business to one of your competitors who might appreciate a swift, mutually beneficial transaction."
At this, Mr. Li's eyes widened, realizing that they weren't bluffing. He couldn't let such customers slip from his hands to the Capital's Magic Association.
He tried to recover, his voice now flustered. "No, no, that won't be necessary. It's just... these arrangements, they take time. Government permissions, environmental clearances, they don't happen overnight."
Qin Yu'er's expression turned steely, and she spoke with a firmness that bordered on icy dismissal. "Then expedite them, Mr. Li. We have no interest in unnecessary delays. In return, you'll find that loyalty is generously rewarded by my Family. We're not asking you to jump through hoops, only to ensure that the process moves as smoothly and discreetly as possible."
Mr. Li, now visibly flustered, gave a reluctant nod. "I... I'll see what I can do. Just... one last thing," he stammered, trying one final ploy. "There's the matter of an additional appraisal fee. Since the land is so vast and includes a new city, we'll need to reassess its current value. That could take—"
"We're prepared to pay a fair price," Qin Yu'er held up a hand, silencing him immediately, her voice sharp, cutting off any attempt at further manipulation. "But let's not waste time with needless bureaucracy. The Konstantinov Family pays in full and on time, and you'll find our transactions to be... advantageous for those involved. Do we have an understanding, Mr. Li?"
He swallowed, his bravado gone. "Y-yes, Ms. Qin. We have an understanding. I'll arrange the necessary papers immediately."
"Good." Qin Yu'er offered a final, dismissive glance before rising from her seat, Mo Fan following her lead. "Ensure the papers are ready by tomorrow, Mr. Li. We'll be in touch with our terms, and I trust you'll accommodate them accordingly."
Without another word, the two turned and left the office, leaving a visibly shaken Mr. Li staring after them.