I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 394 "Hey, if you don't lower the price, I don't think you'll be able to sell them."

Zhao Qiong was originally a receptionist at Huacheng Development Company. She voluntarily requested a transfer to the sales department to become a real estate salesperson. During the sales of the first phase of Lakeside Residence, she achieved outstanding results and was promoted to sales manager.

Seeing Zhao Qiong greeting him, Fang Qingye nodded and asked, "How have sales been these past few days?"

"Overall, things are going quite well. There are a lot of people coming to inquire," Zhao Qiong said, glancing at the bustling prospective buyers in the lobby. "There's Nanxinhu Park right across the street, and many people come here to take a look after they've finished visiting the park."

"Are there any shills here that you hired?" Fang Qingye asked in a low voice.

“No, they all came to see the apartments on their own initiative,” Zhao Qiong quickly explained. “Of course, we have a record of their arrival.”

Fang Qingye knew that the so-called registration was just a way to boost popularity by hiring shills once the number of people looking at houses decreased. All real estate developers were doing this now, and Huacheng Development would be no exception.

Hearing Zhao Qiong say this, Fang Qingye asked in a low voice, "How many sets were actually sold?"

"We sold about 50 units in the first three days after opening."

Fang Qingye nodded: "These results are not bad."

“But there’s still a gap compared to the first phase of sales. I remember during the first phase, I signed 13 contracts in one day by myself! I was busy from morning till night,” Zhao Qiong said.

She and Fang Qingye were elementary school classmates and had a personal relationship, so she spoke relatively casually. If Luo Yan were here, she wouldn't have said such a mood-killing thing at this time.

Fang Qingye wasn't angry when she heard this: "The current environment is different from a year ago. The government's regulation is more stringent, so houses are naturally not as easy to sell as they were last year. Therefore, we need to work even harder."

"Don't worry, we will definitely complete the mission," Zhao Qiong quickly said.

Just then, Fang Qingye suddenly heard someone call out to her again: "President Fang".

He looked over at the sound and saw a middle-aged man in his forties wearing glasses, but he didn't recognize him.

Fortunately, the man introduced himself: "I am Zhang Jingtao, a teacher at Qianjin Road Primary School. I work in the same teaching and research office as your mother."

"Hello, Teacher Zhang." Fang Qingye extended her right hand. "Want to come and look at the apartment?"

"I came back from a walk in the park and stopped by to take a look," Zhang Jingtao said.

"Oh, Zhao Qiong, pour Teacher Zhang a glass of water," Fang Qingye instructed.

"You're welcome, it's already been poured." Zhang Jingtao picked up a mug from the coffee table.

Zhao Qiong helped fill the water dispenser with water and poured Fang Qingye a glass. The two then sat on the sofa and started chatting.

"Teacher Zhang, have you found a house you like?" Fang Qingye asked enthusiastically.

"Yes, there are, but Mr. Fang, the prices of your houses are a bit high," said Teacher Zhang.

"This is a high-end residential area. Whether it's the quality of the buildings, the environment, or the surrounding amenities, it's top-notch in Nanxin County," Fang Qingye said with a smile.

"I guess you've seen the sales figures for Phase 1. It sold out within a few days of opening, so you'd better hurry."

Fang Qingye had actually thought it through. If this Teacher Zhang had a house he liked and really wanted to buy it, he might as well ask Zhao Qiong to give him a discount privately. After all, she was his mother's colleague, so he had to give his mother some face.

However, before Fang Qingye could finish speaking, Zhang Jingtao said, "President Fang, look, other real estate projects are all lowering prices, but you're doing the opposite, raising prices by several hundred yuan per square meter on top of last year's prices. How can that be acceptable?"

"Actually, we haven't raised prices much. Look, we have promotional activities, such as free home appliances and a full-payment gift package when you buy a house," Fang Qingye explained patiently.

"Hey, if you don't lower the price, I don't think you'll be able to sell them."

Upon hearing this, Fang Qingye immediately lost interest in continuing the conversation.

This Mr. Zhang wasn't here to buy a house; he was just strolling around and happened to bump into me, so he wanted to share his thoughts.

Zhang Jingtao, seemingly oblivious to Fang Qingye's expression, continued, "President Fang, look at all the control measures that have been introduced one after another since the beginning of this year—the 'Four Measures,' the 'Ten Measures,' the banks raising interest rates and reserve requirement ratios—all aimed at suppressing the housing market. Why aren't you lowering prices? You seem to be missing the point." Holy crap!
You said that in the sales office?!
Fang Qingye had already noticed that the other guests looking at the property were paying attention to them, so he immediately smiled and said, "Teacher Zhang, shall we go to the VIP room to talk? I'd like to hear your insights."

“Okay,” Zhang Jingtao readily stood up and followed Fang Qingye toward the VIP room. Fang Qingye then gave Zhao Qiong, who was following behind, a wink, and she immediately stopped.

The two entered the VIP room and closed the door. Zhang Jingtao then began his long speech. Two minutes later, someone knocked on the door and an employee walked in. He said to Fang Qingye respectfully, "Chairman Fang, the board meeting will begin in ten minutes."

“Okay, I’ll be right there,” Fang Qingye said.

"What, you still have to work on holiday?" Zhang Jingtao asked.

"Yes, businesses are not as leisurely as your administrative and public institutions, Teacher Zhang. Please sit down, I'll go to the company first."

"Okay, Mr. Fang, you go ahead with your work."

As Fang Qingye left the VIP room, she saw Zhao Qiong standing outside.

"Keep an eye on him. If he talks nonsense in the lobby, call security to remove him!" Fang Qingye said in a low voice.

“Okay, Mr. Fang,” Zhao Qiong quickly replied.

Fang Qingye didn't stay any longer and drove straight home from the sales office.

How could I possibly encounter someone like this?

If Fang Qingye hadn't known he was a teacher, she would have suspected he was sent by some developer to cause trouble.

As Fang Qingye approached her residential compound, she received a call from Zhao Qiong.

"Mr. Fang, Zhang Jingtao has already left."

"I know, keep an eye on him if he comes again!"

"Okay, Mr. Fang."

When Fang Qingye returned home, her father wasn't there, and her mother was in the living room eating sunflower seeds and watching TV.

She was a little surprised to see Fang Qingye return: "Xiaoye, why aren't you staying at your grandparents' place at the nursery? Your dad went to his friend's son's wedding at noon today, so I'm not cooking."

I'm so angry...

Fang Qingye was speechless. Was this really her own mother?!

But he was too lazy to argue, so he plopped down on the sofa next to him, picked up an apple, took a bite, and asked, "Mom, do you have a colleague named Zhang Jingtao?"

“Yes, what’s wrong?” Zhang Meili replied.

"Is he a bit of a goofball?"

"what?"

Fang Qingye then told her mother about her chance encounter with Zhang Jingtao at the sales office and their conversation.

Zhang Meili laughed upon hearing this: "That person is just like that, he likes to talk big and discuss national affairs. He doesn't have any bad intentions, but saying these things in front of so many people in the sales office, isn't that just ruining your business?!"

"I'm going to give him a good talking to when I get to work! He's such an idiot!" Zhang Meili said, getting a little angry.

"Forget it, you're in the same office, you'll see each other all the time, don't ruin the harmony," Fang Qingye advised.

“I should still say it!” Zhang Meili replied, then suddenly changed the subject: “Xiao Ye, everyone’s saying houses are hard to sell. Shouldn’t you really lower your prices?”

(End of this chapter)