The More Tragic I Act, the Stronger I Get — My Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing Off My Roles-Chapter 242: Sorry, Bought It in Full Cash

The next morning, Jiang Ci drove a newly rented family car, taking Chu Hong toward Star City.

The car merged into the highway traffic. Chu Hong sat in the passenger seat, her heart hanging in her throat the entire time.

"Xiao Ci, listen to mom, we're just going to look, don't you dare be impulsive."

"For a house in Star City, let's look at something a bit more out of the way, it doesn't have to be right in the city center. And also, a rough shell unit is fine, mom can handle the rest myself, that'll save a huge amount!"

She kept repeating these things, trying to use a lifetime's worth of practical wisdom to slam the brakes on her son's upcoming "extravagant move."

Jiang Ci gripped the steering wheel, his gaze fixed steadily ahead.

He didn't argue back, just listened quietly, occasionally glancing in the rearview mirror at his mother's face, etched with anxiety.

It was precisely because of this that he absolutely had to buy it.

A little over an hour later, the car entered Star City and finally came to a slow stop in front of a dazzlingly opulent real estate sales center.

Chu Hong peered through the car window at the imposing marble entrance and the ramrod-straight security guard standing at the door, instinctively shrinking her shoulders.

She tugged at the best coat she had specifically changed into for the outing, yet still felt utterly uncomfortable all over.

"Xiao Ci, this... this place looks expensive just from the outside, we... is it appropriate for us to go in?"

Jiang Ci turned off the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt.

He turned his head, saw his mother's flustered and uneasy appearance, and a glimmer of a smile surfaced in the depths of his eyes.

He took her by the arm and led her out of the car.

"Mom, we're here to give them money. They'll be more than happy to have us."

The two walked into the sales center.

A massive crystal chandelier refracted dazzling light, the polished mirror-like floor reflected their figures, and the air was thick with the scent of money.

A female salesperson with immaculate makeup hurried over on high heels, the upward curve of her smile seeming measured with a ruler—perfectly standard and flawless—only her eyes held not a shred of warmth.

"Hello, are you here to view properties?"

Her gaze lingered on Chu Hong's slightly worn coat for less than half a second. Her body, which had been leaning forward slightly, straightened almost imperceptibly. The curve of her smile didn't change, but the enthusiasm had quietly vanished.

The saleswoman's attention completely skipped over Jiang Ci, as if he were just a bag-carrying attendant. She looked directly at Chu Hong, convinced she was the decision-maker.

"Auntie, hello. Our main promotion is for premium riverside large flats, fully furnished, with areas ranging from one hundred sixty to two hundred twenty square meters. The total price is between one point eight million and three point five million."

She spoke extremely fast, rattling off a string of numbers, then asked in a probing tone, "May I ask what your approximate budget is?"

Chu Hong felt dizzy, as if those astronomical numbers had physically struck her.

One point eight million? Three point five million?

Her mouth fell open, almost blurting out "It's too expensive, let's go," and pulling her son to flee this place that made it hard for her to breathe.

A warm hand gently covered the back of hers.

It was Jiang Ci.

He spoke up, his voice somewhat muffled through the mask, but each word was exceptionally clear.

"The three point five million set, let me see the floor plan."

The saleswoman's smile froze for an instant.

Only then did she re-evaluate this young man who had remained silent.

But Jiang Ci's old T-shirt and jeans were far too misleading. A flash of suspicion crossed her eyes, but her professional judgment still prevailed.

Probably just a young kid who hasn't seen much of the world, asking casually for fun.

She somewhat hesitantly retrieved a tablet and handed it over, her attitude already tinged with perfunctoriness.

"This is the floor plan for our premium penthouse unit. Two hundred twenty square meters, four bedrooms, two living rooms, three bathrooms, with an extra-large viewing balcony."

Chu Hong nervously leaned in, only seeing densely packed lines on the screen, and her head began to spin.

But Jiang Ci looked at it with intense focus, his fingers swiping across the screen.

"With this orientation, will the afternoon sunlight be affected?"

"Which property management company is it? How are the fees calculated?"

"What's the parking space ratio? For rent or sale?"

His questions were extremely professional, each one hitting the nail on the head.

The saleswoman was taken aback by the questions, the dismissiveness on her face finally receding a few degrees as she began to answer seriously.

She started to wonder inwardly, could it be they're not just here to gawk?

Right at that moment, a commotion came from the entrance.

A middle-aged man with a beer belly and a gold watch on his wrist walked in, surrounded by a group of people.

"Cut the chatter!" the man boomed in a loud voice. "Take me to see the most expensive one! That duplex penthouse of yours, if I like it today, I'll decide on the spot!"

The saleswoman's eyes instantly lit up.

She almost subconsciously abandoned Jiang Ci and his mother, scurrying over on her high heels to greet him, the smile on her face ten times more genuine.

"Manager Zhang! You're here! I thought you weren't coming today!"

"Alright! Manager Zhang, right this way please!"

She nodded and bowed, obsequiously guiding the man toward the more luxurious VIP reception room, not glancing back at Jiang Ci's side even once throughout.

In the vast hall, people came and went, yet it was as if an invisible zone of awkwardness had been drawn around Jiang Ci and Chu Hong.

Chu Hong's cheeks burned with embarrassment. She lowered her head in shame, her fingers clutching desperately at the hem of Jiang Ci's clothes. Her lips trembled, her voice faint: "Xiao Ci, let's... let's go. This place isn't for people like us."

Being so blatantly ignored made her face burn, and she didn't want to stay a second longer.

But Jiang Ci shook his head. He didn't feel humiliated. In fact, a familiar trace of sorrow surfaced in those eyes that had performed life-and-death partings numerous times before the camera.

Among the many scripts he had read, there were plenty of characters misunderstood by the world, trampled underfoot by the powerful.

The world outside the drama was also staging such a straightforward script.

This was perfectly normal.

He took out his phone, scrolled through his call log, found a number, and dialed.

It was the contact information left by the manager he had consulted with online earlier.

The call connected quickly.

Jiang Ci's voice was steady, betraying neither joy nor anger.

"Hello, this is Jiang Ci. I had an appointment to view the two point five million unit today."

"I'm currently in the main hall of your sales office. Please come down."

There was a second of silence on the other end, followed by a slightly flustered female voice: "Ah! Mr. Jiang, you're here? Okay, okay, please wait a moment, I'll be right down!"

In less than three minutes.

A middle-aged woman wearing a black suit skirt, with a capable and steady demeanor, hurried down the stairs from the second floor.

She immediately locked onto Jiang Ci standing in the center of the hall, and a sincere, apologetic smile instantly spread across her face.

"Mr. Jiang! My sincere apologies! I was in an urgent meeting just now and couldn't receive you immediately. I've kept you and your aunt waiting!"

Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, yet it clearly cut through the noisy hall, reaching everyone's ears.

In an instant, the gazes of all the salespeople and clients swiveled to focus on Jiang Ci.

The manager quickly walked up to Jiang Ci. First, she offered an apologetic smile and nod to Chu Hong beside him.

Then she turned to Jiang Ci, enthusiastically extending both hands: "Mr. Jiang! My sincere apologies for keeping you and your aunt waiting."

The saleswoman from earlier, seeing the manager personally come down and treat these two with such courtesy, had already begun to pale.

Ignoring everyone else, the manager continued speaking to Jiang Ci: "Regarding the process for the full payment of the premium penthouse unit you mentioned on the phone, our finance department is ready to handle it. Also, since you emphasized wanting to sign the contract as soon as possible..." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

She pulled out a thick document from the folder she had brought and presented it: "We prepared the contract overnight. Would you like to sign it now?"