It wasn't until Han Yong, hinted by Lao Ma, stood up to go back to his room, leaving the living room to the two of them, that Pan Dajun finally got to the point.

The half-hour of small talk before had been insubstantial but not pointless.

With a great deal of deliberation, Pan Dajun made a decision that appeared almost insane in Han Lie's eyes.

"Mr. Han, I have a high-end real estate project called Dream Garden.

"It's on par with Magic Capital's Tomson First Grade and the Deep City Bay No.1 in Shenzhen.

"It is located at the end of the downtown commercial street, with its front gate 800 meters in a straight line from the Fonda Century City, the largest commercial square in Dream City, 1.5 kilometers from the People's Hospital, and the back gate opens to the People's Park, with the Experimental Primary School located 400 meters to the right of the main gate, and the Experimental Middle School further down the road.

"The complex comprises only two high-rise buildings, Building A with 32 floors and Building B with 36 floors, encircling a central lake with water sourced from the People's Park.

"Building A has a lobby on the first floor, a property service center on the second, a members' fitness center on the third, a private club on the fourth, and a total of 28 super-large flats each 588 square meters large from the 5th to the 32nd floor.

"Building B is similar, with a total of 62 large flats each 388 square meters large, as well as two penthouses, 776 square meters each, at the top.

"In total, the complex has 92 residential units, and construction is nearing the top-out without having started sales."

Pan Dajun briefly introduced the overview of the development, and while Han Lie was listening attentively, he couldn't gauge his intention.

In fact, the project could have started pre-sales earlier; it's a project approaching its end.

The reason why it hadn't started sales was clearly due to the nationwide real estate downturn, not wanting to start with a failing firecracker.

One had to admit that Pan Dajun's choice was very bold.

Han Lie had no memory of the specific situation in his previous life and had never understood it.

However, he knew of the existence of Dream Garden—Chen Yanfei's home in Dream City was there, but it seemed like she and her husband mostly lived in the provincial capital.

In any sense, Dream Garden was Dream City's NO.1 in high-end large flats and a landmark development.

But what did any of this have to do with me?

Pan Dajun didn't keep Han Lie waiting too long and soon revealed the answer. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"We set the price for Dream Garden at 40,000 RMB per square meter, on average, with different levels of increase from the lower floors to the higher floors. The penthouses are priced at a lump sum of 38.88 million RMB each.

"The total price for the 92 housing units is around 1.7 billion RMB. The initial expectation was to sell 60 units at the opening and the rest within half a year.

"To recoup 1.65 billion RMB in cash, with sales costs of 50 million RMB, the final profit would be 400 million RMB.

"Unfortunately, plans can't keep up with changes. When I got the pre-sale permit, the country's property market had just turned cold, and here in Dream City, it happened particularly quickly.

"Now, I want to transfer it to you at cost price—1.2 billion RMB in cash, paid in one go, and Dream Garden will be yours."

Holy shit!

Are you out of your mind?!

A bruising fight, however intense, wouldn't usually lead to a peace offering of 400 million RMB right from the start, would it?!

Even Han Lie, no matter how calm or cunning, was caught by surprise by Pan Dajun's bombshell.

Good lord, what kind of operation is this?!

Fortunately, Brother Lie had Level 4 skills in psychology and acting to fall back on; he slightly lowered his eyelids, lifted his cup to drink tea, hiding the shock deep in his pupils, leaving only a calm exterior.

"Why? President Pan, I need a reason."

Pan Dajun clearly knew what Han Lie wanted to hear, so he gave a detailed explanation of his plan.

"Initially, according to our company's internal estimates, the real estate downturn was expected to turn around within four to six months, which was the fundamental reason we decided to delay the sales opening temporarily.

"But in reality, we were too optimistic. This downturn is far stronger than we projected, and it could very well last until the end of this year, or even into the next.

"Moreover, due to the higher-ups imposing restrictive lending on the real estate industry, our 'winter' funds are severely lacking.

"So, I'm left with two options—

"Either cut the price and open sales to quickly recoup funds; or find another financing channel to tough it out."

Han Lie nodded, smiling as if he wasn't smiling, and responded, "I thought that by approaching me, you were opting for the second route."

Pan Dajun gave a wry smile, shook his head, and sighed.

"Before meeting you, indeed, I wanted to take the second route."

"So why the sudden change of heart?"

"I feel that your capabilities are greater than I had anticipated, and you might possibly be able to shell out 1.2 billion in cash."

Han Lie neither confirmed nor denied the figure of 1.2 billion.

All he did was ask lightly, "President Pan doesn't seem like someone so in need of money."

Pan Dajun sipped his tea, carefully turning the teacup in his hands, weighing every word, and gave Han Lie an explanation that was quite shocking.

"A one-time cash transaction is exceptionally different, as I'm sure you understand, and that's just the first reason.

"Secondly, due to the downturn, all the real estate investors in Dream City have been experiencing a retreat in sentiment. Recently, discussions on whether Dream City's housing prices are overheated have filled the streets.

"A city population of 250,000 with an average salary a little over 3,000 RMB, supporting an average housing price of more than 20,000 RMB—deep down, I am very pessimistic.

"Despite having a population of wealthy citizens in Dream City, which seems like they could easily absorb these 92 top-tier large flats, my company's executives are very optimistic. However, I've considered—

"If we start selling at lowered prices, losing the unique prestige of Dream Garden, could we really recoup adequate funds smoothly?

"Thirdly, I urgently need money.

"I've taken a keen interest in a plot of land in the provincial capital, and this year is very likely its lowest price point."