Chapter 65 A New Home for the Orphanage

"Three million? Are you trying to brush me off like a beggar?"

Chen Yi smirked coldly to himself. The orphanage, though dilapidated, occupied more than a thousand square meters of land. While funds were always tight, the donations it received barely covered the children's school expenses. In every other aspect, they scrimped and saved, avoiding unnecessary costs wherever possible.

This vast plot of land, apart from housing the children, had been transformed by Uncle Li into vegetable gardens and farmland, providing the primary source of food for the twenty-something children. If the land were sold for just three million, where would the children live? What would they eat? No wonder Uncle Li refused—the offer was nothing short of daylight robbery!

If the land were truly worth only three million, Chen Yi might have had nothing to say. But with the booming real estate market, the development potential of this area was immense. Once developed, its value would skyrocket several times over.

Moreover, next year was the year of Xin Si. "Xin" symbolized the burgeoning vitality of all things, while "Si," the snake, represented fire. Real estate, being associated with the earth element, would be nourished by fire, further amplified by the energy of "Xin." This combination would undoubtedly bring Fang Yixuan immense profits—describing it as a windfall would not be an exaggeration.

His calculations were meticulous, but unfortunately for him, he had run into Chen Yi.

"Boss Fang, isn't your offer a bit too absolute?"

"Do you even know how much it costs to build a three-story building with thirty rooms? It wouldn't cost less than ten million!" Fang Yixuan's frustration was evident.

"How much it costs is your problem. All I care about is a new home for the orphanage," Chen Yi replied, taking a leisurely sip of tea. "If you're unwilling, we can drag this out and see who lasts longer."

Fang Yixuan's eyes narrowed behind his glasses. The anger from before faded, replaced by the composed demeanor of a refined businessman. With a faint smile, he seated himself opposite Chen Yi, picked up a teacup, and poured himself a drink.

For real estate developers, dealing with "nail households" was always a headache, but only that—a headache. If they were determined enough and willing to pay the price, there was no obstacle they couldn't overcome. In the game of negotiation, the wise prevailed, and victory depended on one's cunning and resolve.

Though Chen Yi had once taken down fourteen men in a single night, he was still human, and all humans had weaknesses. If coercion didn't work, temptation might.

"If we escalate this conflict too far, it won't benefit either of us. How about this: I'll add another million. It can go to the orphanage or to you personally—your choice." Lowering his voice, Fang Yixuan smiled meaningfully.

Chen Yi's expression turned playful. "Are you trying to bribe me?"

"It's not a bribe—just a mutually beneficial arrangement. A collaboration, if you will."

"Ah, a mutually beneficial arrangement," Chen Yi mused, tapping his lips. "But your offer is a little… underwhelming."

Leaning back in his chair, Fang Yixuan crossed his legs and began rocking them slightly. His relaxed posture was a telltale sign to those familiar with him—it often appeared when he believed a negotiation was nearing its conclusion. The greater the sway, the more confident he felt about his victory. At this moment, he was certain he had the upper hand.

He wasn't afraid of outrageous demands; he feared only those impervious to negotiation. If the price wasn't right, they could haggle—it was only a matter of time before they reached an agreement. Once a crack appeared in the egg, complete collapse was inevitable.

"Alright then," Chen Yi said, feigning generosity. "Since you claim the orphanage's new home would cost fifteen million, I'll settle for fifteen million. After all, we're old acquaintances—I won't overcharge."

"You—!"

Fang Yixuan shot up from his seat, knocking against the antique Eight Immortals table. Tea spilled everywhere, staining his expensive suit with yellow droplets.

"Don't push your luck! Don't force me to take extreme measures!"

Fang Yixuan felt utterly humiliated, as though he had been played like a fool.

"Oh? And what extreme measures do you plan to take? Do tell," Chen Yi said calmly, wiping the spilled tea with a cloth before pouring another cup. His demeanor remained serene, his expression unruffled.

"Hmph! What if I decide not to develop this land at all? At worst, I'll leave it as it is. When skyscrapers rise all around, the orphanage will be trapped in the middle, cut off from water and electricity. Let's see if you'll still have the mood for tea then!"

With a resolute expression, Fang Yixuan turned to leave. His driver, standing nearby with a scowl, clenched his fists. If not for the sight of his boss's thugs lying battered and bruised earlier, he would have loved to teach Chen Yi a lesson.

This wasn't a negotiation—it was outright extortion!

Chen Yi, still sipping his tea, didn't even look up. "If you do that, I guarantee you won't sell a single apartment."

Fang Yixuan, who had already reached the door, paused. He turned back, sneering. "And how, pray tell, would you accomplish that? Do you think my entire marketing and sales team can't compete with you, a mere amateur? You may be better at fighting, but in real estate, you're out of your depth."

"True, I know little about real estate," Chen Yi admitted. "But no matter how large your team is, it can't match the influence of a single Feng Shui master. People buy homes to live in peace and prosperity, or to run businesses and make money. If I were to spread the word that your development has atrocious Feng Shui, that it brings misfortune, financial loss, and invites petty villains, how many people do you think would dare to buy?"

Fang Yixuan laughed derisively, his tone dripping with disdain. "Don't flatter yourself. Do you think you're the only one in this city who understands Feng Shui? Before I acquired this land, I consulted experts. They told me its location, near the outer ring road, symbolized flowing wealth. How could it possibly have bad Feng Shui? Talented people are everywhere—don't overestimate yourself."

Chen Yi smirked. "Indeed, roads can represent flowing wealth in Feng Shui. But wealth that flows too freely becomes uncontrollable. The expert you hired is clearly half-baked. True wealth requires curves and meanders, creating a sense of harmony and accumulation. The outer ring road, however, is wide and straight, with traffic rushing through like an unbridled torrent. This is what we call 'ruthless water.' Instead of bringing fortune, it scatters wealth and invites disaster."

As Chen Yi spoke with conviction, Fang Yixuan's confidence wavered. Though he tried to maintain his composure, a flicker of doubt crossed his face.

"You don't have to take my word for it," Chen Yi continued. "But open your eyes and look around. If this land truly had good Feng Shui, why is it so rundown? How many wealthy people live nearby? And those who do make money—how long does their fortune last? Ill-gotten gains never endure."

Fang Yixuan's face darkened. He knew the area well and had conducted thorough evaluations before acquiring the land. It was true—there were few affluent residents in the vicinity. The streets were filled with rickety tricycles, not luxury cars. He hadn't considered Feng Shui at the time, but now that Chen Yi pointed it out, he couldn't ignore the possibility.

"Your troubles have only just begun," Chen Yi added with a faint smile. "You've already lost twelve million today. Do you really think your project will proceed smoothly? Once rumors spread that your development is cursed—not just by bad Feng Shui, but as karmic retribution for bullying an orphanage—how many people do you think will risk buying your properties?"

Fang Yixuan's expression twisted with fury and frustration. He finally gritted his teeth and asked, "What do you want?"

"I've already told you—I want a new home for the orphanage. Oh, and since your men have been harassing the children for days, shouldn't there be some compensation for their trauma?"

"I can't make that decision right now. I'll need to discuss it with my team," Fang Yixuan said after a long pause.

"Take your time. I'm not seeing you out," Chen Yi replied, remaining seated as he sipped his tea.

After Fang Yixuan left, Chen Yi stuck out his tongue. This tea really is bitter!