Chapter 10: The Old Madam’s Teachings
Morning sunlight bathed the streets in a golden glow as Chen Yan descended from his lodging. He sought out a nearby noodle house, where he indulged in a hearty bowl of Jin Ling Broad Noodles with Crisp Pork Skin. After finishing his meal, he scanned the roadside for a shared bicycle, mounted it, and set forth on his journey.
His destination was a real estate agency not far from his current dwelling. There, he had arranged to meet with a real estate broker.
Upon arrival, he was greeted by a young agent, barely in his early twenties. The man was of average height, his face marred by a constellation of acne, and his thinning hair hinted at premature stress.
His name was Hu Shang Ke.
By coincidence, or perhaps fate, Hu Shang Ke was not merely a broker—he had once been Chen Yan’s university classmate.
Back in their academic days, their dormitories were adjacent. Their relationship was neither too close nor too distant. Four years of casual interactions had proven Hu Shang Ke to be a decent fellow in terms of character. However, their bond never deepened beyond the surface level of camaraderie.
The reason? Chen Yan found one of Hu Shang Ke’s tendencies utterly contemptible.
Hu Shang Ke was what the modern world termed—a bootlicker.
The kind of man who would scrimp and save, laboring through holiday shifts, only to squander his earnings on lavish dinners for his beloved.
To Chen Yan, such behavior was simply laughable.
It must be said that Chen Yan’s views on love were deeply influenced by the Old Madam’s teachings.
Before he left for Jin Ling Prefecture, the Old Madam had imparted to him a piece of wisdom, a doctrine she considered essential for navigating the treacherous waters of romance.
“My good grandson, listen well. If you’re to find a girl in university, you must keep two things in mind.
Either you choose one who loves money dearly, in which case, you pay for her affection.
Or you choose one who doesn’t care for money at all, and in her heart, you may rest your trust completely.
For the first kind, treat it as a transaction—pay for your joy, and leave it at that.
For the second, if fate grants you such fortune, bring her home for this old woman to see.”
At the time, Chen Yan had mused over her words, recognizing the bleak reality of the world. A woman of the latter category was a rare gem, unlikely to cross his path.
As for the former type—well, purchasing happiness didn’t sound so bad.
The issue, however, was glaringly obvious—he had no money.
Beyond matters of love, Chen Yan had been raised with another unshakable belief instilled by the Old Madam:
Begging and groveling would never earn a man what he truly desired.
Once, the Old Madam had taken him to the town’s renowned roast duck stall.
Standing before the fragrant, glistening display of succulent poultry, she had turned to him with an unwavering gaze.
“My good grandson, say you crave one of these ducks, yet you have no money. If you were to bow and scrape before the owner, showering him with flattery and empty words, do you think he would reward you with a duck?”
She shook her head before he could answer, her voice firm as stone.
“Of course not! The man does not wish to give you a duck. Yet, for the sake of appearances, to maintain his reputation before the crowd, he might toss you a few unwanted scraps—a duck’s neck, a shriveled tail—just enough to send you away.”
Her eyes burned with conviction.
“Remember this, my grandson—this is not the stall owner’s fault. These ducks were meant to be sold, not given away. If you cannot afford one, yet expect to trade mere groveling for a full bird, then you are the one who lacks sense.”
It was a lesson Chen Yan never forgot.
Thus, he found Hu Shang Ke’s behavior utterly foolish.
Four years as classmates had shown Chen Yan one thing: Hu Shang Ke’s affections were wasted on women who worshipped wealth.
He had no money, yet he pursued those who demanded it.
He could not afford their love, yet he clung to the delusion that persistence alone would move their hearts.
To Chen Yan, this was the very definition of self-inflicted misery.
When they met, Bootlicker Hu was all enthusiasm, radiating warmth like a well-rehearsed salesman.
Desperation had worn him thin. This year’s autumn job market had been merciless, and Hu Shang Ke, unable to secure other prospects, had resorted to selling properties.
His monthly performance quota still lacked a crucial sale. The previous month had been abysmal, and the agency’s manager had begun looking at him with increasing disapproval.
“Brother, you came to the right place! I’ll find you the best deal—I swear!” Hu Shang Ke declared, sliding over a folder of rental options he had prepared.
The listings contained various small rental units, all within a modest budget—around fifteen hundred a month, mostly shared accommodations.
To his credit, Hu Shang Ke had put in the effort. Some of the options were indeed decent—affordable, with basic furnishings. For a penniless graduate with no local roots, it was the best one could hope for.
Once, Chen Yan would have been tempted.
But today, he simply waved a hand.
“Old Hu, I’m looking for something better.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Hu Shang Ke’s face before it transformed into delight.
“Better? How much better? Tell me what you need!”
Better meant pricier. Pricier meant a higher commission. His spirits soared.
Chen Yan pondered briefly before voicing his requirements.
“Location doesn’t matter—it can be further out.
The place must be spacious, preferably with a large courtyard.
I want as much privacy as possible—neighbors should be distant.
I don’t care about furnishings; even if it’s plain, I’ll manage. As long as it has water, electricity, and internet, that’s enough.”
Hu Shang Ke furrowed his brows in thought.
“A large courtyard, distant neighbors, privacy… Brother, you’re describing a villa!”
Chen Yan chuckled lightly.
“A villa would work.”
It wasn’t luxury he sought.
No, what he truly required was space—a courtyard broad enough to experiment with the formations and arrays recorded in the Old Madam’s manual.
One couldn’t hope to inscribe intricate spiritual formations in a cramped sixty-square-meter apartment.
Thus, a vast, open area was a necessity.
And so, the hunt for the perfect dwelling began.
Hu Shang Ke was bewildered as he looked at Chen Yan with confusion.
“Brother, I’m just saying—renting a villa isn’t cheap!”
Chen Yan shook his head. “My family gave me a sum of money to settle down in Jin Ling Prefecture, and I want to live comfortably.”
Hu Shang Ke, though blunt, was an honest man. “Let me give you some heartfelt advice, brother. If your family really gave you money, don’t waste it. I think the housing prices are still going to dip a little. Get a cheap place for now, and by next year, when the prices stabilize at a low, you can think about buying one. Put down a deposit, and with the way loans are getting easier, it’ll be a solid move. If you want to truly settle in Jin Ling Prefecture, buying a house is the long-term plan. For the future—marriage and everything—”
Chen Yan interrupted, “I have no plans to marry.”
Hu Shang Ke laughed. “Maybe not now, but in the future—”
“Not in the future either,” Chen Yan shook his head.
[With the Sect’s Secret Manual in my grasp, I will step forward in cultivation, mastering countless mystic arts, becoming a great power in the mortal world. By then, wealth will not be a concern. Naturally, I will live life as I please!]
[Marriage? Finding a woman to bind myself down? Have I gone mad?]
Hu Shang Ke waved his hand. “But you’ll at least need to date, right? If you have a house, that’s the only way girls will give you a second look.”
Chen Yan shook his head once more. “I won’t date either.”
“Huh?” Hu Shang Ke laughed. “Brother, are you planning to become a monk?”
Chen Yan gave him a strange look. “Old Hu, if I remember correctly… back in school, when you were single, you ate meat every day in the cafeteria. Sometimes, you even splurged at the small eatery. But after you got a girlfriend, you were practically a vegetarian five days a week, and you didn’t buy new clothes for a whole year. What exactly were you after? Are games not fun? Is liquor not good? Are novels not entertaining?”
Hu Shang Ke was momentarily at a loss for words. He scratched his head awkwardly. “Well… a man has certain obligations…”
Chen Yan glanced at him calmly, then shifted his gaze to the tissue box on the table before looking back at Hu Shang Ke’s hands.
Hu Shang Ke: “……”
Chen Yan sighed and patted his shoulder. “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Just help me look for properties based on my requirements.”
“… What’s your budget?”
Chen Yan replied confidently, “Of course, the cheaper, the better.”
Hu Shang Ke rolled his eyes. “Brother, even cheap places have a price. Give me a number so I can at least narrow it down.”
Chen Yan thought for a moment. The hundred thousand in his account looked substantial, but in truth, it wouldn’t last long. He couldn’t afford to be too extravagant. The Spell Formations he needed to practice didn’t require rare materials, but even mundane components from the mortal world would cost a fair amount.
After roughly estimating what he could afford, he tentatively said, “Under twenty thousand a month.”
“Twenty thousand?!” Hu Shang Ke’s eyes nearly popped out. “Are you crazy? Spending that much on rent?! Listen to me, you—”
Chen Yan simply smiled at him in silence.
Hu Shang Ke, under the pressure of his amused gaze, finally stopped talking. “Fine! It’s your money. If you want a place, I’ll help you look. But…”
Hu Shang Ke paused and thought for a moment. “You want a big courtyard and strong privacy… Generally, that means a standalone villa. Villas like that, with real privacy, fall under the luxury estate category. Monthly rent will be at least forty or fifty thousand.”
Chen Yan frowned. He wasn’t well-versed in this matter. “I checked online, and there are villas in our city renting for a few thousand a month, or even one to two ten-thousand.”
“Those are townhouses, small ones at that. The courtyard is barely big enough for a few flower pots. The one to two ten-thousand range gets you a villa, but they’re compact—neighbors are only three to five meters away. No way you’ll get the level of privacy you want. To have a large courtyard and true seclusion, you need a real luxury estate. Those start at forty to fifty thousand a month.”
Chen Yan fell into deep thought. He could afford it, but it would drain a significant portion of his funds. He needed money to practice his formations, and materials weren’t cheap. If too much went into rent, he’d be strapped for resources later.
[Money… disappears so fast.]
[Should I just find a house in the countryside?]
[A remote warehouse, perhaps?]
[Honestly, I don’t care about material comforts. As long as I have a bed, that’s enough.]
Hu Shang Ke kept trying to persuade him. “With your budget, why fixate on a villa? I can find you a high-end apartment in the city—fully furnished, three bedrooms, two living rooms, right in the center. And it won’t even cost you ten thousand!”
Chen Yan shook his head. “I won’t live in an apartment. I need absolute privacy.”
Privacy…
Hu Shang Ke wanted to spit at him.
[Back in college, we lived in the same dorm! Eight guys in a room, sweating through summer, playing cards shirtless. Who hasn’t seen whose business? And now you’re telling me you need privacy?]
But…
Considering the agency fee…
After flipping through his private property listings for a long while, Hu Shang Ke’s expression turned strange. He looked around, then lowered his voice. “Brother, there is actually one type of house that fits your requirements—cheap, spacious, and extremely private.”
“Oh?”
Hu Shang Ke glanced around warily before leaning in. “Brother… do you mind Haunted Houses?”
“???”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation