Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Xie put down the microphone again, turning to look at Chen Yang with a puzzled expression.
Chen Yang smiled slightly, picked up the black plastic bag at his feet, and began placing its contents into the cabinet next to the sofa, saying,
"Director Xie, this is just a small token of my appreciation, please don't find it offensive!"
The black plastic bag contained two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes and two bottles of Moutai liquor. Chen Yang had personally gone to Sam's Club last night to buy them, just in case he bought counterfeit goods elsewhere.
Although Chen Yang knew that Guan Weiping had personally intervened, and that even if he came empty-handed, Deputy Director Xie would handle things perfectly, it would still seem like he was being impolite. Even if the deputy director didn't say anything, he might be thinking something! Having more friends meant more opportunities. A little cigarettes and alcohol wasn't worth much, but it would be a good deal to make the acquaintance of a powerful deputy director! Chen Yang, having grown up in a prominent family in his previous life, was intimately familiar with the ins and outs of the business and handled it with ease.
"Oh dear! Xiao Fang! You can't do that!" Seeing this, Deputy Director Xie rushed to Chen Yang, grabbing his hand and saying repeatedly, "Aren't you slapping me, Old Xie, in the face? Oh, even Director Guan's personal call didn't work? I'm accepting your gifts for a small favor? What kind of person would I be?"
Chen Yang gently moved Deputy Director Xie's hand away, put the two bottles of wine back in the cabinet, closed the door, and said with a smile:
"Director Xie, what are you thinking? These are two different things! It's just a small token of my appreciation, it has nothing to do with Brother Guan! I see you're about the same age as my parents, so please consider it..." "I've accepted the gift from a junior to his elder!"
Deputy Director Xie, having clearly seen that the items were all cigarettes and alcohol, with no cash, felt slightly relieved. Chen Yang's words sounded sincere, so he sighed half-heartedly and said with a smile, "You, Little Fang! Now that you've said that, I can't refuse! Alright! I'll make an exception this time, but you can't do this again next time!"
Deputy Director Xie was quite impressed by Chen Yang's experienced manner and demeanor. He didn't seem like a college student at all, but rather someone who had been navigating the complexities of society for many years. However, someone even Guan Weiping had personally called to inquire about—his background couldn't be insignificant. Chen Yang had just addressed Guan Weiping as "Brother Guan," and given his surname Fang, and considering Guan Weiping was Secretary Fang's chief secretary! Could this young man be from the Fang family? No wonder he was so discreet in his words and actions.
The scions of powerful families were indeed different. Thinking of this, Deputy Director Xie's expression became even more enthusiastic. He patted Chen Yang on the shoulder and said,
"Come on, Xiao Fang, I'll go with you to complete the transfer!"
"Ah? Director Xie… You could just have Director Huang accompany me, how could I trouble you to come all this way yourself?" Chen Yang said hesitantly.
"Haha, I haven't had much to do since I just started work, I'll just consider climbing the stairs a bit to stretch my muscles!" Deputy Director Xie said with a hearty laugh.
"Alright then, thank you for your trouble, Director Xie," Chen Yang said with a helpless expression, but a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.
Deputy Director Xie personally led the way, guiding Chen Yang downstairs. Along the way, many staff members respectfully greeted Deputy Director Xie, their curious gazes intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over Chen Yang, secretly wondering who this young man was that Deputy Director Xie valued him so much. The two arrived at the parking area downstairs, where Aunt Zhou and the others were already there. Song Yi was talking to them by the car. Upon seeing Chen Yang, Aunt Zhou and the others quickly came to greet him.
Chen Yang gave them a brief introduction. Deputy Director Xie knew the middle-aged woman in front of him was the seller, but only nodded reservedly. Aunt Zhou, seeing that even the director of the housing management bureau personally accompanied Chen Yang to handle the property transfer, felt even more awe towards him.
Chen Yang smiled and said,
"Director Xie, you'll have to wait a moment. I need to accompany Aunt Zhou to the bank for fund supervision."
Deputy Director Xie reviewed the documents brought by both parties and, seeing that everything was complete, pulled Chen Yang aside and whispered,
"Xiao Fang! I suggest you just transfer the money to the seller directly. Fund supervision incurs a fee and is quite troublesome; you'll also have to go to the bank to unfreeze it after the transfer."
"This…" Chen Yang hesitated for a moment and said, "Director Xie, wouldn't that be unsafe?"
Transferring the funds to Aunt Zhou now, if they deny it before the transfer is complete, would cause another dispute. Although the probability of such a thing happening is low, Chen Yang still had to be cautious. Deputy Director Xie smiled and patted the documents in his hand, saying, "All the documents are here. The landlord has all his documents—his ID card, household registration book—and the purchase contract. Even if the other party doesn't acknowledge it, I can still get the transfer done for you!"
"Okay!" Hearing Deputy Director Xie's words, Chen Yang felt relieved. He walked up to Aunt Zhou and said, "Auntie, let's go to the bank counter first. I'll transfer the remaining payment directly to your account."
Aunt Zhou asked in surprise, "Mr. Fang, didn't you say you wanted to do that...that kind of supervision?"
"It's alright, I trust you!" Chen Yang said with a smile.
"That's great, thank you, Mr. Fang!" Getting the money sooner meant peace of mind, and Aunt Zhou was overjoyed.
So the group went to the bank next door, and Chen Yang readily transferred the remaining 520,000 yuan to Aunt Zhou's account. Aunt Zhou, as required, wrote a receipt on the spot and handed it to Chen Yang. Then Deputy Director Xie led his group back to the transaction center.
The real estate transaction center wasn't open yet, but staff were already in place, and a long line of people had formed at the entrance. Several security guards were maintaining order. Upon seeing Deputy Director Xie arrive, the guards quickly opened the door and let him in. Those in line immediately became dissatisfied.
"Why do we have to queue while they can just go in?"
"Exactly! What's going on! It's already 8:30 and they're still not open!"
"Why are we being treated differently? We're going to complain!"
The security captain glared at them and said arrogantly:
"What are you shouting for? What are you shouting for? This is our bureau leader here to inspect our work! Anyone who dares to make a sound will have you thrown out!"
Those who were complaining immediately shut up. These were the people at the front of the line; they would be able to complete their transactions quickly once the doors opened. There was no point in arguing with the security captain now. Chen Yang maintained a faint smile throughout, while Aunt Zhou was experiencing such treatment for the first time. In the past, she had often been met with disdain when dealing with government departments; the phrase "difficult to enter, unfriendly faces, and difficult to get things done" aptly summarized her experience. Although today's "special treatment" was entirely due to Chen Yang, Aunt Zhou felt honored, and her posture became much straighter as she walked.
Deputy Director Xie led Chen Yang to the outermost window in the lobby on the first floor. He knocked on the glass, and a staff member who was engrossed in playing on his computer immediately stood up with a beaming smile upon seeing him:
"Good morning, Director Xie! What can I do for you?"
His body subtly obscured the computer screen. Deputy Director Xie had already seen the Minesweeper game playing, but pretended not to notice. He handed Chen Yang's file in and said casually:
"Xiao Li, check the records!"
"Yes, sir!" Xiao Li hurriedly took the file, quickly started working on the computer, and printed out the results in a minute or two. He stamped the official seal and handed it out, a fawning smile on his face.
The record check was to investigate the buyer's property ownership status and whether there were any defects in the title of the property to be traded. Normally, this process takes seven working days to get the results, but with Deputy Director Xie personally involved, Xiao Li wouldn't dare keep him waiting, no matter how bold he was! The results were printed out immediately.
"Hmm!" Deputy Director Xie took the materials and nodded noncommittally.
He checked the investigation results and found no problems. He then led Chen Yang and his group to the third floor to process the transfer of the property ownership certificate and land use certificate. With the relevant bureau leader in charge, everything went smoothly. While Deputy Director Xie was on the first floor, the director of the transaction center had already received the news and rushed over to accompany them throughout the entire process.
In less than an hour, not only were the property ownership certificate and land use certificate processed, but even the transfer of water, electricity, and gas utilities was completed—it was incredibly fast.
Chen Yang looked at the brand-new property ownership certificate and land use certificate in his hand, a weight finally lifted from his heart. He shook hands with Deputy Director Xie and Director Liu of the transaction center, saying,
"Director Xie, Director Liu! Today's events were all thanks to you! Otherwise, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly. Thank you very much!"
Deputy Director Xie chuckled and waved his hand, saying,
"Xiao Fang, it's nothing, you're too kind!"
Chen Yang carefully put the property ownership certificate and land use certificate into his bag, then said to Deputy Director Xie,
"Alright, Director Xie, I'll take my leave now. Another time when I'm free, I'll invite Brother Guan out, and we can all get together! Director Xie, you must do me the honor of joining us!"
"Definitely, definitely!" Deputy Director Xie readily agreed, his face flushed with excitement.
Wasn't he working so hard for Chen Yang simply to cultivate a good relationship with Chen Yang and Guan Weiping? It seems the young master of this wealthy family really knows how to handle people; he definitely won't let you work for nothing. He's already reciprocated the favor so quickly.
Deputy Director Xie personally escorted Chen Yang and the others to the entrance of the transaction center before turning back—this time, he was truly going to "inspect the work."
Aunt Zhou received the long-awaited payment for her house. Seeing how smoothly things had gone, she happily left with her relatives, agreeing to meet again in a week to take possession of the property.
On the way back, Song Yi kept talking, appearing very excited. He had witnessed everything. He hadn't expected that Brother Yang, after not seeing him for a while, had not only become so wealthy but also had such powerful social connections, able to get things done in the provincial capital without any obstacles. He was completely different from the poor, dull person he used to be.
While driving, Chen Yang pondered the situation and suddenly said,
"Xiao Yi, I'll sign you up for a class these next few days. Go and study for a while!"