He walked over slowly, gently hugged Cui Xinyu into his arms, and gently comforted her, "Okay, okay, let's not talk about the past... You go look for a house, and I'll go borrow money from my brother, okay?"
Qiao An tried to calm Cui Xinyu's emotions in this way and temporarily calm the quarrel.
Tears welled up in Cui Xinyu's eyes. She gently pushed Qiao An away, said nothing, and picked up the mop on the ground and started working again.
Coming out of the rental house, Qiao An's face was full of worry. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it with a lighter, took a deep breath, and then let out a long breath, as if this would make him feel better.
As he walked, he was thinking about how to talk to Li Lin.
After all, last night, Li Lin offered to lend him money, but he didn't accept it. Now he feels embarrassed to ask for it again, as if he has gone back on his word.
As hesitantly as this, he walked to the car and drove towards Li Lin's house.
When he arrived downstairs of Li Lin's building, he parked the car and waited for Li Lin.
Li Lin has to go to the county government for a meeting today, which will last more than two hours.
Qiao An’s task was to send Li Lin to the county government, and there would be nothing else to do after that.
Because Li Lin’s home is very close to the county government, only a few minutes’ drive away.
Along the way, Qiao An held the steering wheel tightly with both hands, and his mind was repeatedly troubled by the issue of borrowing money. His lips opened slightly several times, but he never mustered up the courage to ask.
Arriving at the county government, Li Lin opened the car door and went straight to the government auditorium.
Qiao An stared blankly at Li Lin's departing back and sighed helplessly. She thought there was no rush and she would find another chance to talk to Li Lin about it.
The county magistrate and deputy county magistrate went to a meeting, so the drivers were idle.
They gathered in groups of three or four, some standing next to the car, some sitting by the flower beds, smoking and chatting.
Soon, several familiar drivers gathered around Qiao An with smiles on their faces. One of the drivers even took out a cigarette from his pocket, handed it to Qiao An, and said, "Brother Qiao, have a cigarette."
After all, Li Lin is the head of the county government, and Qiao An, as his driver, is naturally the leader of the county government's driver team.
In this circle, any leader’s driver who meets Qiao An has to give him some face.
Qiao An took the cigarette, lit it and started smoking, chatting with his colleagues in a casual manner.
Somehow, the topic of conversation turned to buying a house.
Someone curiously asked Qiao An, "Brother Qiao, where do you live now?"
Qiao An looked at her colleagues around her, her face slightly flushed, and she said embarrassedly, "I have a house in my hometown, not in the county town."
Upon hearing this, everyone showed expressions of disbelief and started whispering to each other.
As the county magistrate's driver, he doesn't even have a house in the county?
This seemed incredible to them.
Someone joked, "Brother Qiao, you are too low-key. How can you serve County Magistrate Li if you live in your hometown? Haha, are you living in a villa without telling us?"
Everyone thought Qiao An was joking. After all, in their opinion, the county magistrate's driver should have a decent life.
Qiao An's face turned red with embarrassment. If he said now that he lived in a rental house, this group of people would not only be dumbfounded, but would also look down on him.
He smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm quite picky about my partner. I'm looking for a house right now. I want to buy a house in a good school district."
Joan tried to use this excuse to cover up her embarrassment.
Everyone laughed and cheered, and the atmosphere became even more lively.
Someone said, "I thought Brother Qiao was being modest. It turns out you're planning to move to a high-end residential area! Have you found a property? Do you want me to recommend a place for you?"
Everyone showed a warm-hearted look.
Qiao An took a puff of cigarette and replied with a smile, "No, I'm looking. If you find a suitable one, please introduce it to me. It would be best if... the price is reasonable."
Qiao An knew that his financial situation did not allow him to have too many choices, and affordable price was the key.
After hearing this, the man showed a meaningful expression on his face and said, "Brother Qiao, others dare not say it, but you are County Magistrate Li's driver. Which developer would not give County Magistrate Li some face? As long as County Magistrate Li makes a phone call, no matter how good the location is, you can get it at a 20% discount!"
He said it confidently, as if it was a very simple matter.
"Really?" Joan was shocked.
He quickly calculated in his mind, even if a house costs 600,000, a 20% discount is equivalent to a saving of more than 100,000... Then why would he need to borrow money? The money he has on hand is enough!
This news gave Qiao An a glimmer of hope.
However, what shocked him most was yet to come.
Suddenly, someone stood up and whispered cautiously, "20% off is nothing. If County Magistrate Li gives a call, those developers can sell to you at 50% off!"
Although the man's voice was not loud, it sounded like thunder to Qiao An.
50% off!
Oh my god!
Qiao An felt his head buzzing, as if he had been struck by lightning.
If that's the case, just buy one with full payment! You can make hundreds of thousands of dollars by reselling it!
This thought made Joan's heart beat faster and her eyes flashed with excitement.
Qiao An couldn't help but ask, "You keep talking about developers. There are so many developers in the county, which one can offer more discounts?"
Someone smiled and said mysteriously, "Brother Qiao, you may not know this because you haven't been in the city before. Developer is a general term in other places, but in our Shannan County, there is only one person who can be called a developer. Almost half of the new buildings in the city are his! And this person is a native of Shannan. He has a good relationship with many leaders in the county. Just find him and you will definitely make the right choice! Who knows, he might even give you a house for free!"
The man spoke vividly and the people around him nodded in agreement.
Qiao An asked in surprise, "Who is this person?"
Joan's curiosity was completely aroused, and she stared at the person who was speaking, waiting for the answer.
The man smiled and lowered his voice and said, "Zhao Chengqiang, Mr. Zhao!"
"Mr. Zhao..." Qiao An murmured to himself, as if thinking about something.
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