Chapter 105: Persuasion

Regarding their decision to leave the capital and return home, Wang Jianfa felt he had no other choice. As a real estate agent, if he failed to close any deals, his base salary was less than two thousand yuan per month, and after deducting lodging and living expenses, there was hardly any money left.

Wang Jianfa and his wife had worked in the capital for several years but saved almost nothing. The passion and dreams they had upon arriving had been completely worn away, and they no longer held any hope of making a fortune.

More importantly, although they had been together for years and were even engaged, they had yet to hold a wedding ceremony. Both were no longer young, and since they came from the same village, gossip was inevitable.

Both sets of parents urged them to marry soon, and naturally, a wedding required a proper home. However, the tiny ten-square-meter rented room they shared in the capital, containing only a bed and a table, with no space for extra furniture, could hardly serve as a marital home.

Even if the couple were indifferent, their parents would never approve. Under mounting pressure from all sides, they ultimately chose to leave the capital and return to their hometown to marry and settle down.

Zhang Wei understood their choice. Without his mind-reading ability, he too might have struggled just to make ends meet and possibly made the same decision. After all, the saying “Grains in Chang’an are expensive, and living there is not easy” was not without reason.

How many dreamers had come to the capital only to leave disheartened?

Wang Min and Wang Jianfa were very different people. Wang Min was restless by nature and might return to the capital to fight for a better life if things didn’t go well at home. Wang Jianfa, however, was easygoing and once he left, he would never come back.

Thus, Zhang Wei resolved to persuade Wang Jianfa that very night. Even if he couldn’t change his mind, he would try to delay his departure. If Wang Jianfa could find reliable clients, Zhang Wei would use his mind-reading skill to help bring them in. Once Wang Jianfa made a sale, he would naturally perceive the immense benefits of this industry and would not want to leave again, no matter how much he was urged to go.

The three of them didn’t go to Jingxuan Studio for dinner as planned but instead chose a kebab restaurant run by a Xinjiang native. The skewers were pricey but made with fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, and unique taste, far superior to street-side lamb skewers.

In truth, Wang Jianfa’s suggestion to dine at Jingxuan Studio was just to tease Zhang Wei. They were close friends, and Wang Jianfa knew well about Zhang Wei’s strained relationship with Murong Xuan; otherwise, Murong Xuan wouldn’t have turned to Guo Bin for smuggling deals.

At the dinner, Zhang Wei employed his silver tongue and even promised to assist Wang Jianfa in bringing clients. He revealed that once Xu Ming became the regional manager, he intended to promote himself as store manager. This finally dispelled Wang Jianfa’s urge to rush back home.

That night, Zhang Wei and Zhao Ting each had three mugs of draft beer, while Wang Jianfa drank most of a large bottle of cola. By the time the dinner ended, Zhang Wei and Zhao Ting were somewhat tipsy, but Wang Jianfa became more alert with every drink, prompting Zhang Wei to silently disdain him.

The Xinjiang kebab restaurant was not far from Yayuan Community. After parting ways, Zhang Wei and Wang Jianfa each took about ten minutes to reach home. Riding the slight buzz, they collapsed into bed and didn’t wake until the sun had risen.

The next morning, Zhang Wei arrived at the Zhongtong store just on time. Other agents were already gathered outside for the morning meeting, causing Su Ning to give him a sharp glance. However, since Zhang Wei was not part of her team and Xu Ming ignored his tardiness, Su Ning refrained from reprimanding him.

The morning meeting followed the usual routine: slogans shouted, a game played, and it wrapped up in about ten minutes. The gathering attracted curious onlookers, including some retired elders who paused to watch.

After the meeting, the agents went about their work. Zhang Wei spent an hour organizing listings, clients, and advertisements, only to find himself with nothing to do again. The prospective buyer client, Li Yun, was still away on a business trip, so he had to start searching for other clients anew.

Since Su Ning’s team had doubled the staff, there were fewer chances to handle front desk reception, leaving Zhang Wei with little to do but promote in the community, hoping to attract clients.

Carrying flyers printed with his phone number, Zhang Wei signed the outbound register at the front desk and was about to leave when Liu Ziqi, who was seated there, called out, “Zhang Wei, where are you going?”

“Community promotion,” Zhang Wei replied, waving the flyers.

“But don’t you have that urgent client looking for a three-bedroom rental? Why aren’t you inside working on owner contacts and listings? Aren’t you afraid of scaring them away?” Liu Ziqi said with a smirk.

Contacting owners was a common method for agents to find listings. Agencies purchased owner information from property management companies and would call to ask if they had properties to rent or sell—commonly known as nuisance calls.

In big cities, property owners often received such calls daily—sometimes just one or two, but occasionally dozens. If one day passed without any, it usually meant the phone was out of service.

Zhang Wei was momentarily confused by Liu Ziqi’s words but smiled inwardly. “It’s like the emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuch is,” he thought. “Whether I make those calls or not is none of her business.”

“I’ll take advantage of the cool morning to do community promotion, then make calls this afternoon,” Zhang Wei said perfunctorily and quickly left the store. He knew Liu Ziqi meant no harm but found her words unreliable.

“That guy’s all talk and no action. Rental deals bring money too, you know? He only chases sales deals and ends up empty-handed,” Liu Ziqi muttered unhappily as she watched him leave.

“Wen Jun, don’t be like him. Find a suitable three-bedroom listing, and when you sign that deal, make Zhang Wei treat us to a meal. Let’s see if he regrets it,” Liu Ziqi said to Fang Wenjun, who was behind her.

“Enough. Focus on your clients. No need for all this chatter,” Fang Wenjun ignored Liu Ziqi, picked up the phone, and began calling owners to find listings.

“Hmph, both of them are ignoring me,” Liu Ziqi rolled her eyes, staring wide-eyed.

After Zhang Wei left the Zhongtong store, Xu Ming was outside smoking. He waved Zhang Wei over and said, “Zhang Wei, go do community promotion.”

“Of course, Xu Ge,” Zhang Wei replied.

“Zhang Wei, have you found that three-bedroom rental yet? Do you want me to ask Li Lin and the others to help you?” Xu Ming asked.

“No need, Xu Ge. I can handle it myself,” Zhang Wei shook his head.

“Zhang Wei, this deal isn’t huge, but it counts as performance. If you don’t close it and a young girl does, it won’t look good for you!” Xu Ming said seriously.

Xu Ming’s insistence stemmed from his own difficulties. Since Su Ning’s team joined the Yayuan store, they had already signed two deals, while Xu Ming’s team had none.

Now Zhang Wei and Fang Wenjun were both handling the same client. If Fang Wenjun signed this deal, Su Ning’s team would have three deals, and Xu Ming, as store manager, would lose face. The higher-ups would surely take note.

With the regional manager position potentially decided at any moment, Xu Ming’s chances were slipping compared to Su Ning’s team. He might even miss the opportunity altogether, so he placed great importance on this deal.

“Got it, Xu Ge. I’ll focus on it,” Zhang Wei nodded.

“I believe in you. You’ll get this deal,” Xu Ming encouraged, patting Zhang Wei’s shoulder.

Had Zhang Wei been inside calling owners like Fang Wenjun, Xu Ming wouldn’t have been so serious. Seeing Zhang Wei out doing community promotion, he worried the deal might be neglected and felt compelled to remind him.

Hearing Xu Ming’s earnest words, Zhang Wei used his mind-reading skill to glimpse his thoughts, understanding why the deal mattered so much. He sighed inwardly, thinking, “This client must be won, or not only will Xu Ge lose face, but his trust in me will also diminish.”