Chapter 44: Judging Others by Appearances!

Lin Fan found it hard to believe that a nine-out-of-ten goddess could maintain such purity in this kind of working environment. The more beautiful a woman is, the easier it is for her to fall victim to hidden rules in the workplace, especially in a job like real estate sales that is notorious for such unspoken practices. Either she had just graduated and started working not long ago, or she was specifically hired as a stunning beauty to attract attention and serve as a selling point.

After all, the only people who could afford to buy a villa in Longquan Manor were billionaires.

“I’d like to see the most expensive Villa No. 1 at the top of the mountain,” Lin Fan stated his purpose directly.

Miao Tiantian was momentarily stunned, gave him a once-over, and hesitated, “Sir, we have a rule here—regardless of whether you intend to buy, before viewing the property, we need to verify your assets…”

“It’s just proof of assets, isn’t it? I understand,” Lin Fan said, fully aware of these procedures. Since becoming wealthy, he’d discovered that even the world of the rich was riddled with all sorts of protocols, not least because there were plenty of imposters pretending to be affluent. Especially since the villas in Longquan Manor were priced in the tens of millions.

“Here’s my bank balance. Will this suffice?” Lin Fan took out his phone and opened the China Merchants Bank app. The card’s balance was the cashback from his ‘simp fund’—now totaling twenty-nine million six hundred and ten thousand.

Seeing this, the beautiful saleswoman looked awkward. “Sir, to be honest, the minimum deposit required here is fifty million. Your assets aren’t enough to view Villa No. 1, but you can look at other villas instead. Of course, if you have other assets, you may call your bank or company’s finance department to issue an asset certificate.”

Her tone was gentle and patient, without a trace of impatience or contempt, making Lin Fan feel quite comfortable.

“I see. Thank you for clarifying. I’ll give them a call,” Lin Fan nodded in gratitude.

But the next moment, Zhao Xinshu and Shen Yue appeared before him.

“Lin Fan, I didn’t expect you to be such a poser, using screenshots to fool people!”

“Do you really have that much money? Why have you never flaunted it before? Less than thirty million and you want to see Villa No. 1? Is that a place for someone like you?” Zhao Xinshu launched at Lin Fan with biting sarcasm.

Shen Yue, too, laid into Miao Tiantian. “Miao Tiantian, next time open your eyes and don’t let country bumpkins like him fool you! What were you thinking? You’ve worked here for over two months and haven’t sold a single property. The other girls have at least sold one! Look at you—just passing time!”

Miao Tiantian hung her head, aggrieved, “Manager Shen, my clients were snatched midway by others, not because I didn’t work hard…”

“Hmph! Don’t think I don’t know, you only got this job because Vice President Chen is your cousin! You barely work a few hours a day, then leave. With your looks, you still can’t sell a single property. What a waste of beauty!” Shen Yue’s tone was harsh, dripping with jealousy and resentment.

Miao Tiantian’s complexion paled; she bit her lip, aggrieved and helpless, unable to talk back.

A few other employees watched coldly from afar, seemingly accustomed to Shen Yue’s public rebukes.

“Publicly berating your own staff is unnecessarily cruel,” Lin Fan couldn’t stand it any longer and spoke up for Miao Tiantian.

“My business with my staff is none of yours!”

“And you—better confess what you’re really here for! I just called security; they said you don’t work here! Are you filming videos to scam people online? Let me tell you, I’ve seen your type before. Get out now!” Shen Yue unleashed her full fury.

She was convinced from the start that Lin Fan was a fake influencer, filming videos pretending to be rich for clout, then scamming people.

Zhao Xinshu shook his head in disappointment, “Lin Fan, how have you sunk so low? Couldn’t marry Chen Yanzi, so now you resort to pretending to be rich and scamming people? Why can’t you just find a proper job?”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you—leave before my wife calls the police!”

Lin Fan looked at the eccentric couple in utter bewilderment. They’d just accused him of being narrow-minded, yet they were the ones with petty hearts. More precisely, they simply looked down on the poor.

Just because he dressed plainly, they assumed he was a security guard or a fake influencer making viral videos for clicks? Utterly absurd!

“Zhao Xinshu, what makes you think I’m a scammer? I’ve already explained I’m here to buy a house. Do you see any equipment for filming videos on me?” Lin Fan retorted forcefully, unable to hold back.

“Nowadays, all you need for an influencer video is a phone! Don’t think I’m clueless.”

“Are you really ignorant or just pretending? Figures—you’ve never set foot in the world of the rich and don’t know the rules. The clients who come to Longquan Manor are all tycoons. I’ve never seen one come alone, dressed like you. They always have asset certificates and documentation ready. You have nothing, and still claim you’re not filming videos?”

“Those tycoons drive cars worth millions, even tens of millions. What do you drive—a delivery scooter? Pathetic!”

Zhao Xinshu’s tirade finally made Lin Fan understand his cold attitude. He was simply unprepared and lacked knowledge.

Rich people visiting properties would arrive in luxury cars with chauffeurs, not walk straight into the sales office. Even if they did, there would be a red carpet rolled out.

“I prefer to keep a low profile. As for the asset proof, I’ll have my people send it over,” Lin Fan said, pulling out his phone to send a couple of messages to Zhong Ziting in finance.

Seeing this, Zhao Xinshu pressed on, “Lin Fan, stop pretending! Even if you had fifty million, you still couldn’t afford these houses!”

“Do you understand plain speech? The minimum price here is one hundred million! Even if you pay in installments, the down payment alone is fifty million! Do you even know what fifty million looks like? You probably couldn’t scrape together a million, let alone fifty million!”

“Enough nonsense. Call security and throw him out! There are always oddballs every year, but this year’s especially bad! You’d best stop associating with these old classmates before they cause more trouble for you,” Shen Yue rolled her eyes, glaring at Lin Fan as if he’d done something unforgivable.

“Aren’t you leaving yet? Do I have to physically throw you out?” Zhao Xinshu scowled at Lin Fan, his voice icy.

“No rush, let me sit awhile. I’ll leave on my own soon and won’t be any trouble,” Lin Fan replied calmly.

Zhao Xinshu assumed he was admitting fault and pleading, his face growing ever more smug.