Chapter 5 – Real Estate: The Ultimate Trap
Li Ming walked into the dusty office of a real estate agent like a general walking into battle.
His plan was simple: sink so much money into property that he'd never see it again.
"Something expensive," he told the agent. "Preferably in a location that screams 'financial regret.'"
The agent's eyes sparkled — this was the dream client.
An hour later, they stood in front of a crumbling, two-story building wedged between a funeral shop and a leaking tofu factory. The peeling paint was the color of despair, and the front sign hung at an angle like it was trying to escape.
"This building's been on the market for years," the agent said. "It's… special."
"How much?"
"1.6 million yuan."
Perfect.
Li Ming paid on the spot. No negotiations. No inspection. No second thoughts.
The System pinged:
[Expenditure Approved]: -¥1,600,000. Category: Long-term business asset acquisition.
[Note]: Liquid capital decreased. Net business potential increased.
"Increased?" Li Ming scoffed. "It's next to a funeral shop. No one wants to eat next to death."
Renovation began immediately. Li Ming insisted on using only the most overpriced contractors, with imported marble tiles, Italian chandeliers, and gold-trimmed door handles — all for a burger joint that would serve oily fries and reheated buns.
His logic was flawless: nobody would pay for fast food in such a bizarre, mismatched palace.
Opening day proved him wrong. Again.
Apparently, the strange location became part of the restaurant's mystique. Customers bragged about finding "the secret palace of burgers" hidden next to the funeral shop. The marble floors reflected the chandeliers like a royal hall, and young couples used it as a date spot.
Even the tofu factory leak got spun into marketing:
"Our burgers are so good, you won't even notice the smell."
Two weeks later, a property speculator knocked on his door.
"I'll buy the building," the man said. "2.4 million."
Li Ming nearly choked.
He had just accidentally increased the property value by 50%.
That night, the System chimed smugly:
[Notice]: Asset appreciation detected. Congratulations on your strategic investment skills.]
Li Ming slumped in his chair. "Strategic skills my foot. I just wanted to lose money…"
But if buying one store made him richer, maybe buying ten would finally bankrupt him.