Chapter 3: Renting
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on successfully activating the Check-in skill, Racing God: Master of high-speed racing in various categories (motorcycles, racing cars, etc.)."
Zhou Chao was instantly filled with excitement. Although he had a driver's license and knew how to drive, it was only limited to basic driving.
"Claim Skill." A wave of information flooded his mind. Zhou Chao prepared himself for the expected pain, but after waiting for a while, there was no response. He asked, "System, what's going on?"
"Have you been reading too many novels? The human brain has a vast capacity, and this amount of information is just a drop in the ocean. Are you stupid or something?"
"Um... Is it necessary to insult the Host?" Zhou Chao felt annoyed and frustrated.
Looking at his phone, it was already 9:10. It seemed that the convenience store would open a bit later today. Zhou Chao thought for a moment and decided to find a real estate agency to rent out the ten houses he had obtained yesterday through checked-in. He quickly tidied up, grabbed the keys, and left.
"It's been years since I last came back. Where can I find a reliable real estate agency? I guess I'll have to call Lei Firecracker and ask." He took out his phone and called his childhood friend, Lei Mingtang.
"Hey, Lei Zi, do you know anyone who works in a reputable real estate agency?"
"Yeah, I do. You know her too. It's that tomboy, Shu Lijuan, who used to sit in front of you in high school. She's working at 'Reach Home' now. You can go and find her. It's located near Jinkai Road. Let me send you her number. I'm in a meeting right now!"
"Okay, okay. You're busy. I'll go find her." Zhou Chao hung up the phone and accelerated towards Jinkai Road.
Reach Home Real Estate Agency
Zhou Chao stood at the entrance and glanced inside. He saw a room full of people standing and having a meeting. He took out a cigarette and lit it while standing on the roadside. Then, he heard a clear voice from behind.
"Hey handsome, I'm a property consultant from Reach Home. I noticed you were observing. Are you interested in seeing some houses?"
Zhou Chao turned around and saw an elegant professional woman dressed in a black suit, white high heels, and shoulder-length refined hair. He was momentarily stunned by her appearance.
"Uh, hello. I'm here to find Shu Lijuan. I didn't want to interrupt when I saw you were having a meeting."
Before Zhou Chao could finish his sentence, the woman in front of him gave him a meaningful look and said, "Old classmate, am I really not worth your attention? You don't even recognize me when I'm standing right in front of you!"
"You're Shu Lijuan? Is it true? The tomboy from before has transformed into a beautiful lady. It's been years, and I can barely recognize you!" Zhou Chao exclaimed in astonishment.
"Why did you come to see me today? Is there something you need?" Shu Lijuan asked.
"I heard from Lei Zi that you're working at Reach Home, so I came to ask for your help in renting out some properties." Zhou Chao replied.
"Which properties are these? It's been years, and now you've become successful!" Shu Lijuan said with a smile.
"They're from Binjiang Community. I have ten units, ranging from 80 to 100 square meters, and they're all in good condition. How much do you think I can rent them for?"
"Binjiang Community! And you have ten units! You've really made it big, old classmate." Shu Lijuan looked at Zhou Chao in astonishment. She also knew about what had happened to his family in the past, so she felt genuinely surprised.
"Well, I dabbled in Bitcoin during my university days. I bought some when the price was low, and who knew that a few years later, the price of Bitcoin would soar to $20,000. So I sold some and invested in real estate." Zhou Chao casually explained. When he acquired the properties through check-ins, he had already prepared his story. After all, there were many people familiar with his family background, and he wanted to avoid potential complications.
"Don't forget about us, your old classmates, now that you've become rich. Come on, let's go to the office and sign the agency agreement." Shu Lijuan said, turning and heading towards the office.
Zhou Chao followed her and entered the office.
"Manager Wang, this is my old classmate. He wants to entrust me with renting out some properties. We need to sign an agency agreement." Shu Lijuan entered the office and said to a middle-aged man in his forties.
"Alright, take him to the signing room." Manager Wang nodded in approval.
Shu Lijuan took out the agency agreement from the cabinet and said to Zhou Chao, "Let's go, Mr. Wealthy Zhou."
"Just wait for a moment, I'll get the property certificates from my car." Zhou Chao said and walked towards the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV parked outside the store.
Shu Lijuan watched as Zhou Chao returned with the property certificates from outside, and then she led him into the signing room.
Ten minutes later, Shu Lijuan and Zhou Chao walked out of the office, chatting and laughing. She turned to Zhou Chao and said, "After renting out the properties and deducting the appropriate agency fees, the rental income will be transferred to your account."
"Okay, thank you. I'll leave it to you."
"We're old classmates, so let's not talk about these things. By the way, will you be coming to tomorrow night's gathering?" Shu Lijuan looked at Zhou Chao and asked.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Chao replied, "I'll be there. I'll see you tomorrow night."
"Alright, see you tomorrow night." Shu Lijuan turned and walked back into the office.
Zhou Chao was about to drive to the convenience store when his phone rang. "Hello, Third Aunt, what's up?"
"Chao'er, come over for dinner tonight. Your sister is coming back after her break from school and has been nagging me about it!" Zhou Chao heard Third Aunt's slightly complaining voice on the other end.
"Yes, I'll pick up my sister from school when she finishes her classes."
"Sure, when the time comes, pick up Xiaoyan and come over. I'll go grocery shopping, so remember to come early in the afternoon, okay?"
"Okay." Zhou Chao hung up the phone and contemplated for a moment before driving towards the convenience store.