Volume One, Chapter 46: Destroy

"Yes." Lin Zhi forced herself to nod with a smile.

"As long as you can satisfy us, the price is negotiable."

"Then... let's talk in my office. Everyone else, please return to your posts and focus on your work," Jiang Wan decided swiftly, giving instructions to her staff. "Summer, stay here with me."

At those words, the girl standing at the edge of the crowd was startled, pushing up the black-rimmed glasses on her nose in confusion.

She was cute and slightly absent-minded—a recent graduate hired by Jiang Group, and formerly a member of Jiang Wan’s team. At Jiang Wan’s direction, the three of them headed to the CEO's office.

But Lin Zhi didn’t linger. She had come unprepared, with no thoughts about the style of renovation. In the end, the three could only agree on a time to visit the property and discuss things further.

After Lin Zhi was sent off, Jiang Wan watched her departing figure and curled her lips into a mocking smile.

Lin Zhi’s every move only confirmed Jiang Wan’s suspicions.

*

The following afternoon, as agreed, Jiang Wan and Summer went to Imperial View Bay.

Because of strict security and complicated procedures, they were delayed quite a while before obtaining the entry passes.

This was the most exclusive high-rise complex in the whole city, built along the river, with only four towers. The greenery rate was as high as seventy percent, and the roads were spotless except for the occasional fallen leaf.

Summer couldn’t help but marvel, “It’s no wonder the starting price is thirty-six million. Jiang, you get to wake up in a place like this every day—your life must be amazing!”

Jiang Wan smiled without comment.

To her, the marital home held no sense of belonging. The place she used to live, where family and memories resided, was her true home. Even if this place offered four hundred square meters to house her body, her soul remained in that little home of less than seventy square meters.

“Building Four, floor twenty-seven…” Summer read off the information Lin Zhi had provided, and then exclaimed, “Eight hundred square meters! That’s the entire floor—they own the whole thing?”

“At ninety thousand per square meter... that’s seventy-two million in total!” She calculated, her expression growing alarmed as they sat in the elevator.

And this was only one of their properties.

For the first time, Summer grasped the true strength of this much-discussed scion from the capital circle. No wonder so many people paid attention to him...

She muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, the elevator reached the twenty-seventh floor.

Imperial View Bay’s luxury units had one elevator per household—the door opened directly into the home. This super-sized residence had three elevators: one for guests, one for staff, and one for the owners. The entry card provided by property management was for the guest entrance.

As the elevator doors opened, they were greeted by a vast activity area.

The light-toned European décor was lavish. Marble floors were meticulously chosen, crystal chandeliers glittered extravagantly, Roman columns and archways were crafted from premium stone, with exquisite lines and carvings.

The scene before their eyes made them wonder if they’d entered the wrong place.

“This needs renovation?” Summer questioned, swallowing hard. "Isn't it already finished?"

With her professional eye, she estimated this existing décor to cost several million at least.

Summer was puzzled, but Jiang Wan remained calm.

She stepped out of the elevator first, curious to see what Lin Zhi intended.

As the two entered, Lin Zhi, hearing their arrival, came forward proactively.

"You’re here," she said, handing them two bottles of water. "I brought these from the car. There’s nothing prepared here—it’s all leftovers from the previous owner."

"Thank you, Miss Lin," Summer replied, taking the water and swallowing again. "So... are you planning to tear out all the current décor and renovate everything from scratch?"

"Yes," Lin Zhi nodded, her fox-like eyes fixed on Jiang Wan. "Though it’s not a brand-new unit, I want everything here to belong to me alone."

"Wow, that's real extravagance," Summer whispered.

Jiang Wan, through Lin Zhi’s gaze and words, suddenly understood.

Did Lin Zhi know the fact that she was Lu Wenzhou’s former lover?

Even though everything from their relationship had been burned away, it was normal for couples to discuss their pasts. Jiang Wan started to suspect, and Lin Zhi seemed to confirm her suspicions.

"I want to destroy everything that once existed," Lin Zhi said.

On the surface, it sounded like she was talking about the renovation. But Jiang Wan caught the deeper meaning.

She had guessed correctly.

From the start, Lin Zhi’s hostility was targeted at her identity as "Lu Wenzhou’s ex-girlfriend."

Jiang Wan had not misjudged her.

Under Lin Zhi’s meaningful stare, Jiang Wan remained unmoved, responding with a faint smile.

"Since it’s your house, of course you have the final say."

No sooner had Jiang Wan spoken than the distant sound of an elevator opening and closing echoed from elsewhere.

"It’s Wenzhou," Lin Zhi’s expression changed immediately, shifting to a gentle smile and turning to welcome him.

Lu Wenzhou arrived through the owner’s entrance, still some distance away from them.

As they moved toward each other, Lu Wenzhou, noble and imposing, entered with a kingly aura. Against the opulent European backdrop, he appeared even more cool and distinguished.

His gaze was calm, showing no change of emotion as he looked at Jiang Wan.

Summer, walking beside Jiang Wan, was instantly overawed by this illustrious scion from the capital, unable to meet his eyes, intimidated by his presence.

"We meet again, Mr. Lu," Jiang Wan greeted him, not expecting his arrival. Her polite demeanor betrayed nothing unusual.

But the man seemed intent on keeping his distance, his indifferent gaze sliding past her outstretched hand, forcing her to withdraw it awkwardly.

Lin Zhi, at his side, curled her lips in satisfaction.

"I’ll show you around first," she said, inviting Jiang Wan and Summer while asking Lu Wenzhou, "Will you join us, or shall I tell them the results of our discussion?"

"It’s your house—you decide," Lu Wenzhou replied, then headed toward the semi-open balcony, pulling a cigarette from his pocket as he walked.

They split up.

Lin Zhi led the two through the activity area, past the study, tea room, lounge, dining room...

With eight hundred square meters, touring each space took considerable time.

Since Jiang Wan’s right hand hadn't fully healed, Summer was responsible for recording everything.

Lin Zhi shared her ideas with them.

Just as she had said, she intended to demolish all the current décor and layout, not leaving even a single old tile.

"This job is no walk in the park, Jiang," Summer whispered to Jiang Wan halfway through the tour, unable to help complaining.

Jiang Wan smiled softly, replying just as quietly, "Forty thousand design fee—think about your commission."

Suddenly, Summer felt invigorated.

She followed Lin Zhi with renewed enthusiasm, while Jiang Wan, left behind, turned and headed in another direction.