Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 48 (Part 1)
Translated by Pure
Edited by Qing
Chapter 48.1 Lin Jingzhe was still in shock. In a daze, he looked back at him, only to see a pair of shining sharp eyes in the darkness.
For the next hour and a half, Qi Kai sat in a daze.
Lin Jingzhe's sudden relinquishment also puzzled other participants in the auction house.
The drama unfolded without warning and ended unreasonably. This event was so unexpected it overshadowed the two popular north of the city plots auctions following it. New Beginnings Real Estate did not bid again, as if Lin Jingzhe's arrival really was just for the second plot, although he didn't achieve his goal in the end.
However, he didn’t look too saddened at the fact that he did not win the plot. On the other hand, Qi Kai of Dominion Properties, who had successfully won the land, didn't have a happy expression on his face.
The truth hidden behind this deal was truly confusing!
In the front of Qi Kai was Lin Jingzhe’s back. He was talking and laughing happily with the trader who was handling Xiao Chi’s auction handover. Qi Kai was expressionless, while Qi Qing and Jiang Qiaqia, who were sitting next to him, were silent, and did not even dare breathe too loudly.
When they followed Qi Kai's order to join in the auction, they were still filled with the excitement of participating in an unprecedented large project——Qiqing Real Estate had become an official partner with Dominion Properties. Qiqing Real Estate would occupy 20% of the equity in the development of Plot No. 2.
This was the result of many negotiations between the two parties, and surprisingly Qi Kai managed to compromise. Perhaps he had wanted to share the risks, or maybe it was a reward for the couple's dedication to him. In short, this transaction was very in line with Qi Qing's mental expectations—the land in Yan City was too expensive. No matter whether it was through an auction or buyout, it would have been difficult for them to purchase a complete piece of land with the funds they had on hand.
At their initial bid meeting, the couple had set their sights on Plot No. 5. The land was in the west of the city with an area of only 170,000 square meters. However, the 14 million base price of the plot had nearly doubled in less than three minutes. After listening to a detailed analysis before coming, they gave up the unrealistic idea of trying their luck for it.
Jiang Qiaqia was still holding the bidding number plate of Dominion Properties in her hand. The sweat in her palm made her almost unable to hold the slender support rod. The excitement in her heart had been replaced by endless fear the moment Lin Jingzhe conceded his bid.
The trader came to them and smiled politely. "Mr. Qi, congratulations to you and Dominion Properties for winning this land auction. You can now proceed with the handover."
Qi Kai didn't move at all. Countless complicated thoughts churned through his mind at that moment.
After waiting for a while without getting any response, the expression of the trader gradually became a little stiff. After a moment of hesitation, his associate leaned into Qi Kai's ear and said, "Don't think too much, it may just be a bluff."
There was some truth to this statement. The current market valuation of the plot at the foot of Wubao Mountain was only so much; 85 million had immensely exceeded this projection price. The relationship between the two companies was now tense, so it was hard to say whether Lin Jingzhe gave up purposefully, or because he could not compete.
He had behaved so calmly that Qi Kai could not discern whether he had been tricked or if this was just Lin Jingzhe’s way of throwing him off track. He was a paranoid person, so he was often indecisive when faced with such situations.
The trader waited for almost two minutes. Seeing that Qi Kai still hadn't responded, she couldn't help but show some suspicion in her eyes. "Mr. Qi?"
The confrontation-like silence had already attracted the attention of their immediate surroundings, and many businessmen who had not yet left the scene looked over. Qi Kai realized that he had fallen into a trap and that the sole purpose of Lin Jingzhe's elusive attitude was to make him hesitate. Whatever reason the other party had for abandoning the auction for Plot No. 2, Qi Kai had completely lost his confidence after winning this land. After all, he had already already fallen victim to similar methods twice, and the two completely different choices he had made did not save him from the fate of being trapped.
Although he felt very ashamed, he gritted his teeth and under the focused gazes around him, Qi Kai softly asked the question that he never thought he would ask, "What are the consequences if I want to give up this land?"
Jiang Qiaqia and Qi Qing immediately looked at him in astonishment. "Mr. Qi...?"
Was it really what they thought?
The sign was held up by Jiang Qiaqia, so Qi Kai had no patience for her now. He frowned and scolded, "Shut up!"
The trader realized that their internal opinions may have diverged, which was not uncommon in previous auctions. Well experienced in this matter, the smile on her face remained unchanged. "Mr. Qi, as mentioned in the contract signed between the organizer and you before the auction, if you choose to relinquish this land, you only need to pay a penalty fee, service charges, and the difference between the second auction for Plot No. 2 and your bidding price."
She spoke lightly, but Qi Kai's heart became cold the moment he finished listening. Leaving aside the service charge and the high penalty fee, the last ‘price difference’ made his chest tighten. In the auction just now, if Lin Jingzhe had not increased the price, the final bid would have been around 60 million yuan. Generally speaking, in the real estate industry, the second auction of land that had been abandoned for unknown reasons tended to make bidders more cautious. It was possible that the second auction would not even reach this number.
The price difference, plus various service charges and penalty fees, in the end, he may lose tens of millions for nothing!
His face paled in an instant. Qi Kai felt that this situation was like being served two plates of sh*t when he was hungry, and being forced to choose one to fill his stomach. Choosing to pay the penalty fees could be considered a timely stop loss, but it also meant he had given away a tribute bride, and lost his army on top of it [1]. However, if he chose to keep the plot, although it was relatively cost-effective, he would have to bear greater risks.
Still, no one could determine what this land was like. Based on the current situation, the foot of Wubao Mountain may not be worth 80 million yuan, but it was definitely not rubbish.
Countless difficult choices were in front of him, which made Qi Kai's brain hurt from overthinking. Never in his wildest dreams could he have known that by just using a smiling face and three words, Lin Jingzhe would have been able to put him in such a difficult situation.
Qi Qing and Jiang Qiaqia were equally terrified. They also had to bear the consequences of Qi Kai's decision. If he chose to pay liquidated damages, Qiqing Real Estate would also have to pay 20% of the total amount.
At the thought of paying this money, Qi Qing felt as if a piece of flesh had been dug out of him. He glanced towards Lin Jingzhe's direction. The latter had already got up and was about to leave. From beginning to end, he had not even looked at them, and acted extremely calm.
Such an attitude made him overthink everything. However, wasting money felt even worse. Qi Qing couldn't help but nervously move to Qi Kai's side. He then softly persuaded him, "Mr. Qi, calm down and don't fall for his tricks! When you didn't make a move just now, Lin Jingzhe and the other companies were quite enthusiastically competing! I think he didn't even know you would participate. Although he didn't dare to compete with you, he refused to show it, so he tried his best to pretend as if he didn't care, just to make things difficult for you."
As he spoke, he nudged his wife vigorously, but Jiang Qiaqia really did not share her husband’s sentiments. She had a vague premonition in her heart, but she didn't know how to express it. However, with Qi Qing’s constant efforts signaling to her, she chose to stand by her husband. With a forced smile she said, "Yes! No matter how good his New Beginnings Real Estate is, he can't compare to your rich and powerful Dominion Properties. You have called the price to 85 million, how could he possibly compete? The number kept increasing, I’m sure he just didn’t have the money to fork out."
Qi Kai was annoyed by their voices, but felt that what they said was indeed reasonable. After a long time, the stalemate in his heart finally tilted towards one side.
No matter what, the land at the foot of Wubao Mountain was still undeveloped land. Even if he had overpaid and it could only be sold at the 60 million price that was called out earlier, it was more cost-effective to pay now than pay 30 million worth of penalty fees. Moreover, Lin Jingzhe might really be deceiving him. It was possible that the city’s policy would change in a few months, and Wubao Mountain, like the north of the city, would turn into a sweet pastry that everyone wanted a bite of.
Qi Kai clenched his fists and finally stood up. He then said to the trader who had been quietly waiting by his seat, "Let's proceed with the handover."
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Footnote:
[1] given away a tribute bride, but also lost his army on top of it - an idiom meaning to suffer a double loss after trying to trick the enemy
Note from Pure:
Just a refresher in case you didn’t get the sentence:
After all, he had already already fallen victim to similar methods twice, and the two completely different choices he had made did not save him from the fate of being trapped.
Qi Kai is referring to the two times XC tricked him.
First time XC made him buy that Shika lane land that did nothing for him. Then second time, QK didn’t compete for a land XC wanted (thinking he was using the same trick) and then XC profited from it.
Hopefully it makes sense!