IN A BETTER PLACE

Hu Lei felt a little blue after the meeting with Bo Qian. According to the plan he had in place, it would be a long time before she could relax perfectly as she wanted. She would need to complete a special extra volume of TQA in three weeks. In a month, she would need to go for a book tour and a few conventions.

She did not even have an idea on where to begin her work. By the time she returned to the Hu manor, her mood had hit an all-time low. And being in that house did not help lift her mood at all. The atmosphere of the place always seemed to cloud her mind with unclear memories and an aftertaste of bitterness.

As she entered her room, her phone rang. Looking at the unfamiliar number, she frowned. She did not need more problems on her plate. However, she still picked the call.

"Hello." She answered cautiously.

"Hello, Miss Hu. I am Hong Yu from Daze Realtors. I understand that you are interested in an apartment in the Westend." A professional male voice spoke.

Hu Lei could not help being surprised. She had not expected this call to come this soon. She had done some research and found that it was almost impossible to acquire an apartment in that neighbourhood. Most people had purchased the units before the development began.

"I am." The simple response was enough.

"A unit has opened up unexpectedly. Would you like to see it?" He asked.

"I will be available tomorrow. If it is possible, you can show me the place." There was no need to waste time. It was not like she would get any work done in her current state.

She looked at the old Hu manor and felt no attachment or nostalgia towards the house. Perhaps she had spent some happy years in this place. Unfortunately, all those memories had disappeared a long time ago. Everything was replaced by pain, fear and emptiness.

It was not her home.

She made arrangements with Hong Yu to see the house the following day. Though she knew that she should probably focus on work, she could not find the motivation or strength for it. At the very least, she needed to know that she would not be stuck in this dark house forever.

"What happened to the previous occupant?" Hu Lei asked with suspicion.

She could not imagine anyone giving up this apartment out of the blues. The house seemed perfect in every way: spacious, good view and just below the penthouse. More importantly, she did not believe in coincidences. She could tell that this was the same building that Zhong Feng lived in. Her luck was not so good. It couldn't be fate that shortly after she had expressed interest in an apartment, the occupant of one of the unit had moved out.

Hong Yu felt a cold sweat on his back and cursed Zhong Feng. However, he dared not betray that fearful human. If he insinuated that anything shady had gone on in order to open up this space, that man would probably be unhappy. And an unhappy Zhong Feng could end his blissful life.

"Do not worry, Ms Hu. The couple is now in a better place." He responded with a smile.

"A better place?" she asked with a lifted eyebrow.

"Ha-ha… an unfortunate choice of wording. I mean that they had the good fortune of moving to better conditions. They both got a promotion at work and had to relocate." He explained.

Hu Lei could definitely see that there was some untoward business going on. However, when she saw the uncomfortable sweating middle-aged man, she could not keep pushing. And anyway, it was not her business. All that mattered was that she had a new place to live.

"I will take it." She did not need to keep troubling herself.

"Wonderful. The owner of the complex provides a one-year lease on the apartment before the contract is renegotiated." The man explained.

"Is it possible to purchase the apartment outright?" she inquired.

"It might be possible for some of the other complexes in the area where each unit is owned by a different person. However, this building is not on sale." The realtor spoke strictly.

Hu Lei thought about it for a moment. Though she had been planning to buy her place, leasing was also not bad. Anyway, there was no need to be in a hurry to settle down. This year would perhaps be a good opportunity to explore and find a perfect home.

"Alright, I will still take it." She finally responded.

"Wonderful. The contract should be ready on Monday." Hong Yu smiled widely at her.

"That will not work for me. I am busy." She opposed him immediately.

It was not like she wanted to be unreasonable. She could not afford to waste any more time. The fact that she had taken the day off for this was already bad enough. If she did not complete a satisfactory volume before the deadline, Bo Qian would have her head. In addition to this, she still had to continue working on her current novels without failing to show up when Zhong Feng needed her.

"Miss Hu, I am afraid this…"

Before he could finish his rejection another person appeared in the living room.

"I am sure Mr Hong can make it work." The newcomer spoke in a voice that did not encourage rejection.

"Mr Zhong, this…" Hong Yu began.

"Bring the contract to my apartment in an hour." Zhong Feng cut him off once again.

Hong Yu could only cry in his heart. It seemed that he would not be having his planned date with Korean barbeque. Was this karma for lying to his wife about having an unavoidable business meeting? He refused to believe that! It was all Zhong Feng. Who had told him to have contact with this unkind man in this lifetime?

"Big boss, it is good that you are here. This person would have taken advantage of my ignorance and lack of power." Hu Lei immediately rushed to Zhong Feng with twinkling eyes.

Though she had seen him quite frequently since the gala, they had both been too busy to have a friendly conversation. Seeing him here, she could already feel the clouds which were hovering over her dispersing. It was good to know this type of powerful person. Though she was certain that she could have convinced Hong Yu, she was glad that the problem had been eliminated with a few words.

Hong Yu could not help feeling wronged. He did not habitually sign contracts on Saturdays. But in the eyes of this girl, it become that he was taking advantage. He had not even been given an opportunity to explain. Zhong Feng turned a cold face towards him, causing him to shiver.

"Let's go." He patted her head lightly.

Hu Lei who had achieved her purpose felt refreshed and followed her golden thigh with a skip in her step, not sparing the sad Hong Yu a glance.