Free Web NovelChapter 126: Chapter 97: The Rich and the Middle Class
National Gold Mansion.
Qi Sheng and Zong Rui hadn’t been back for long.
Qiu Lei called with good news.
The handover procedures for the Guangdong Association Hall were complete, and renovations could begin at any time.
However, the Bureau of Housing and Urban-Rural Development had one requirement: the original building’s antique charm could not be excessively damaged during the process.
Qi Sheng wasn’t surprised to hear this stipulation.
"By the way, I’ll give you a number. Contact a designer named Peng Qingsong. While you’re at it, register a renovation company."
Qiu Lei nodded. "Alright, I’ll contact Designer Peng right away."
The last startup package the system had rewarded him with contained five regular Talent Recruitment Cards.
He had used two of them to recruit the bodyguard Gu Feng and the lawyer Qiu Lei.
Qi Sheng later discovered that the Talent Recruitment Cards could be synthesized.
Without a second thought, Qi Sheng bought three more regular Talent Recruitment Cards.
He directly synthesized them into a single Elite Talent Recruitment Card and recruited an Elite Level designer.
Qi Sheng planned to have Peng Qingsong first contact reputable local renovation companies in Chengdu.
They would then select the most satisfactory design proposal and get the store renovated as soon as possible.
With an industry insider like Peng Qingsong overseeing the entire process,
he wasn’t worried about the renovation companies cutting corners.
After Zong Rui got back, she joyfully started putting away the clothes and bags Qi Sheng had bought for her.
When she heard her man mention a 25-million-yuan renovation budget on the phone, her curiosity was piqued.
"Did you buy a villa?"
In Zong Rui’s mind, only a massive villa in a place like Luhu Lake or Lushan would require that kind of renovation budget.
"Call me ’hubby’."
Qi Sheng gave Zong Rui a pat. The feel was simply superb.
"Hubby~"
Zong Rui rolled her eyes at him but still called out in a sweet, coquettish voice.
"Where are the Balenciaga and Valentino things we just bought?"
"In the closet. Why?"
"I’ll help you change into them first."
Qi Sheng got up and rummaged around, quickly dressing Zong Rui in the two pieces of gear that "increased attack speed."
Then he scooped her up and eagerly headed for the bedroom.
"I was asking you something serious."
Zong Rui tweaked Qi Sheng’s ear in annoyance.
Whenever this shameless man was with her, he was always thinking about *that*.
"What I’m doing *is* serious business."
...
「Two hours later.」
Zong Rui was curled up in Qi Sheng’s arms, looking as pitifully adorable as a homeless kitten.
Even though she had some experience from yesterday, she still wasn’t quite used to Qi Sheng.
Zong Rui was also quite distressed, but she didn’t know who to talk to about it.
Her only close best friend was Qu Man.
And when it came to experience in this area, Qu Man had even less than she did.
When Qi Sheng explained to her that the 25-million-yuan renovation budget was for a hot pot restaurant in Taikoo Li, Zong Rui was completely stunned.
"A hot pot restaurant needs such an extravagant renovation?" she asked in astonishment.
"Of course. My restaurant is one of a kind in Taikoo Li."
"A 25-million-yuan renovation budget barely does justice to that location."
Qi Sheng showed Zong Rui the photos and videos he had taken inside the Guangdong Association Hall the other day.
"The Guangdong Association Hall?"
Zong Rui was even more confused. "I thought that was a historical building."
"Who told you historical buildings can’t be leased out? As long as you preserve its original style, you can renovate it however you want." free𝑤ebnovel.com
Qi Sheng didn’t want to be a freeloader who just ate and waited to die.
Who doesn’t yearn for public prestige, for success in both career and love?
In the love department, he had already reaped a bountiful harvest.
But on the career front, there wasn’t even a sprout in sight.
With the New Year fast approaching, Qi Sheng felt a growing sense of urgency.
To help the renovation companies create design proposals quickly, Qi Sheng laid out all his requirements. The design had to balance both taste and a sense of luxury.
If they pushed the schedule, the renovation work could be finished within three months.
It could open before the New Year, transforming him into Boss Qi.
"Wow, Hubby, you’re amazing!"
Zong Rui reacted quickly, looking at Qi Sheng with adoration.
’To be able to lease a historical building like the Guangdong Association Hall... The connections and financial power behind it must be terrifyingly immense.’
"Amazing or not, didn’t you just experience it for yourself?"
"I don’t know what you’re talking about."
Zong Rui’s face reddened as she started playing dumb again.
"Alright then. If you don’t understand, I’ll just have to do it a few more times."
Qi Sheng felt no pressure dealing with a rookie like Zong Rui.
Only when the three of them ganged up on him did he feel completely drained.
Zong Rui took the initiative, wrapping her arms around Qi Sheng and acting cute in a cloyingly sweet way.
"You’re not going home today, are you?"
Yesterday, she had let Qi Sheng go home, partly because she wasn’t feeling well.
The other reason was a sense of guilt.
But today, she was determined to make Qi Sheng stay the night, no matter what.
"Yeah, I already checked in with the one at home."
Qi Sheng didn’t hide things from Tan Hua; they had a tacit understanding.
"At home?"
Hearing Qi Sheng say that, Zong Rui’s expression dimmed slightly.
’It seems Tan Hua’s place in his heart is far more important than mine.’
Although she was a little jealous, she could understand.
Men, more or less, all have a thing for their first love.
’Even if I can’t compare to Tan Hua, I have to become the second-most cherished woman by his side.’
’After all, what man could resist the bliss of burying his face in her chest?’
...
Peng Qingsong visited several local Chengdu renovation companies with excellent reputations and capabilities.
He dropped a massive 25-million-yuan contract on the table, asking them to have their respective design directors compete for the project.
When they arrived at the Guangdong Association Hall for a site inspection, they were all stunned by the background of the mysterious boss behind Peng Qingsong.
This was Taikoo Li, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, and a rare, standalone commercial property at that.
