Chapter 64: The Company's Address

After the meeting ended, Xiao Kaitian first sent a message to Jiang Churan, informing her of his itinerary and plans. Jiang Churan didn’t reply—she was probably busy—and he didn’t dwell on it, instead settling into his new life in Haidu.

The company’s finances were extremely tight. The fifty million yuan from Japan had not yet all arrived, and even that sum was a mere drop in the bucket, not enough to patch even the smallest holes. Xiao Kaitian chose to rent a villa in a residential area called Fu’an Community on the outskirts of the city. The monthly rent was thirty thousand, the space over three hundred square meters with four bedrooms and two baths—more than enough for a bachelor like him.

The neighborhood was beautifully maintained, with excellent security and amenities. Each home enjoyed a private garden, separated not by walls but by lush greenery, interspersed with all manner of elegant garden structures: small but exquisite.

Once his living arrangements were settled, the next step was finding an address for Qixi Media Consulting Company. Early the next morning, Lin Xiang drove over with Chen Jingming to pick up Xiao Kaitian.

Having just returned to the country, Xiao Kaitian had neither a car nor much else prepared. Lin Xiang drove Chen Jingming’s old Volkswagen; compared to a luxury vehicle, the difference was immediately apparent—the feel of the seats alone left much to be desired.

Xiao Kaitian was a man of refined tastes, so naturally, he was not pleased. But as they were still in the startup phase, he couldn’t be too demanding. Accelerating the company’s development was, however, inevitable.

Chen Jingming, accustomed to years of scrimping, would have been satisfied with any small, out-of-the-way office, or even a ground-floor shop in a residential building. But Xiao Kaitian resolutely refused; appearances and prestige still mattered. Without them, it would be difficult to conduct future consulting business.

Perhaps because of the promised twenty million film startup fund, Chen Jingming for once didn’t argue. He averted his gaze and sighed—this spendthrift young master was clearly up to something again.

Following Xiao Kaitian’s instructions, the car headed straight for the bustling Pujiang District, the heart of Haidu. The whole city was split in two by the Pu River; the riverside had always been the most prosperous area, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold—the economic core of Haidu.

All the way there, Chen Jingming sat uneasily, scratching here and there as if to quell the storm raging in his heart.

The car finally stopped in front of a tall building—Haidu’s famous commercial office tower, “First Seaview.” The building rose fifty-two floors, not the tallest in Haidu, but built along the Pu River, offering a panoramic view of the city’s most splendid scenery.

While Chen Jingming tried to hide his face in embarrassment, Lin Xiang’s face was glowing with excitement. Whatever Xiao Kaitian decided, he followed without question.

As the three entered the lobby, the manager on duty, Yu Mei, frowned lightly.

The three made quite a sight: the one wearing sunglasses swaggered ahead, clearly the attendant; the young man behind him, dressed in an Hermès suit, exuded an air of wealth; and trailing them, a middle-aged man in a cheap polo shirt—a strange trio by any measure.

Still, professionalism kept her from underestimating them. Maintaining her habitual smile, she stepped forward and bowed slightly. “May I help you with anything?”

Lin Xiang removed his sunglasses, and Yu Mei’s smile faltered—one of his eyes was slightly crooked, giving him a somewhat foolish appearance.

“I saw online that you have offices for rent here,” Xiao Kaitian observed the lobby’s décor—it met his standards. “I’d like some details.”

“Yes, of course,” Yu Mei brightened, though with little real expectation. “You have excellent taste—this location is convenient, with ample parking. Many businesses choose to set up their offices here.”

“Right across the river is the Haidu Center Tower, the tallest building in the city. The environment and surrounding facilities are quite impressive.” Yu Mei spoke smoothly. “I can show you around. Do you have any preferences for floor area or level?”

Xiao Kaitian nodded. He’d done his homework before coming; today was for an in-person look. If satisfied, he would sign immediately—time is money, and he was not one to drag his feet.

Yu Mei, in her professional attire and high heels, led them inside. “Security is top-notch; besides our regular guards, we have emergency alarm systems—and, in fact, members of martial arts clans stationed here long-term. The building is as solid as a fortress.”

“Oh?” Xiao Kaitian’s interest was piqued. “You have martial artists here? Which sect?”

“I’m afraid that’s a commercial secret,” Yu Mei replied with a polite smile. “I’m sorry, I can’t disclose that. But rest assured, security is nothing to worry about.”

“Good. What I want is a space around a thousand square meters, suitable for hosting large meetings and lectures. Bigger is fine—we can partition it later for offices.”

“How much space?” Yu Mei nearly twisted her ankle in surprise, steadying herself against the smooth wall. “How much did you say?”

“He said a thousand square meters. Or more,” Chen Jingming repeated, his face ashen and his heart bleeding.

“Yes, yes, we have that,” Yu Mei said, her voice trembling. She felt almost weightless. This was the most prime location in Haidu, where every inch of space was precious. Usually, foreign trade companies rented much smaller offices—who came asking for a thousand square meters? Did he think he was opening a wholesale market?

But excitement began to surge within her. If she could close this deal, her commission would be substantial. Her heart pounded as she led the three up to the twenty-sixth floor.

“This is it,” she said, finally steadying her breath. “This floor used to be for exhibitions and large press conferences. After the Haidu Center Tower opened across the river, our events business dwindled, so this floor has been idle.”

“The conference hall is twelve hundred square meters. Together with the lounges and office area, the total is just over sixteen hundred square meters,” she recited the figures. “Please take a look.”

Xiao Kaitian focused on the conference room; the chairs were all in place. He asked, “If we rent, are these tables and chairs included?”

“Yes,” Yu Mei nodded. “This is a dedicated exhibition space—the seating is fixed, and can accommodate over five hundred people. Will that be enough?”

Xiao Kaitian nodded. According to his initial plan, it would suffice. “The ventilation isn’t great. Will you handle renovations, or should we?”

“We can discuss the details,” Yu Mei said, her voice now transformed—they were already moving to the contract stage. “Just so you’re aware, the monthly rent for a space like this is about three hundred thousand. Is that acceptable?”

“No problem. Let’s talk specifics,” Xiao Kaitian said, taking the lead and signaling for Yu Mei to show the way. He had made his decision.