Chapter 135: Balances and Obligations
Upon hearing Yun Zijin's words, suspicion immediately clouded the faces of those around Xia Jiaojiao.
"Isn't she the daughter of the Dijing Xia Group? Why would she owe rent?" they wondered.
It seemed odd. As the eldest daughter, logic suggested she might own a house, rather than rent. Even if the Xia Group was facing difficulties, surely they had the resources to secure a residence for Xia Jiaojiao.
"My mother plans to buy me a house near the school, but it needs renovations first. So, she asked me to temporarily stay by Emerald Lake," Xia Jiaojiao explained, then added, perhaps a bit too pointedly, "I heard my sister is still living in the dormitory. Didn't mom buy her a house?"
This offhand comment was clearly a boast about the house Zhang Yiqun had bought for her, aimed subtly at Yun Zijin.
"Oh, so you're renting my house and you're two months behind on the rent?" Yun Zijin retorted sharply. "How can you afford to buy a house but not pay the rent?"
For Yun Zijin, it was just a house and not a major concern. Her primary interest was in recovering the overdue rent.
"It's just two months' rent. I'll transfer it to you right now," Xia Jiaojiao responded, pulling out her cellphone.
"Stop. For rent issues, you need to speak with Mr. Wang, the property manager at Emerald Lakeside. I only accept rent transferred from the property's official account," Yun Zijin interjected firmly, referencing the lease agreement.
Xia Jiaojiao, snubbed, haughtily led her group away.
"Zijin, when did you buy a house at Emerald Lake?" Qin Sitong asked eagerly once Xia Jiaojiao had departed.
Yun Zijin responded quietly, "It's been a while. I've kept a few for myself. Interested in seeing them after class?"
This revelation made everyone around them perk up. Owning multiple properties in the coveted Emerald Lakeside Community, known for its steep prices and exclusive atmosphere, was no small feat.
"Sure, I'd love to see how the affluent live, especially since outsiders can't just walk in," Qin Sitong said, intrigued by the access Yun Zijin could provide.
"If you want to visit, I'll arrange it with the property management. You can even come when I'm not there, as long as it doesn't disrupt the community operations," Yun Zijin offered, generously extending her influence.
"Really? Wouldn't other residents be upset with that?" Qin Sitong wondered aloud.
"No, I own multiple properties there. If anyone objects, they can discuss it directly with me," Yun Zijin stated confidently, her control over the community evident.
Qin Sitong marveled, not realizing until then that Yun Zijin was effectively the principal owner of the entire development.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere among Xia Jiaojiao and her entourage was far less congenial, marked by tension and unresolved issues.
Initially, everyone had a favorable view of Xia Jiaojiao, but the recent interaction between her and Yun Zijin had cast her in a different light. They realized that Xia Jiaojiao's choice of the hotpot restaurant was a calculated move to preserve her image as a thoughtful, affluent woman. Beneath this facade, however, she harbored disdain for those she considered beneath her, viewing them as poor and shabby. The hypocrisy of her actions was stark, reminiscent of someone pretending virtue while acting contrary to it.
Despite these revelations, they relied on Xia Jiaojiao for potential research funding and couldn't afford to alienate her. Reluctantly, they maintained polite facades and endured the unappetizing meal.
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After her last afternoon class, Yun Zijin received a notification of a bank deposit for two months' rent from the Emerald Lakeside Property. As she checked her phone, Qin Sitong inadvertently caught a glimpse of Yun Zijin's bank balance, which was so large it resembled a phone number.
Shocked by the discovery, Qin Sitong stuttered, "Zi... Zijin... I didn't mean to look, do you believe me?"
Yun Zijin reassured him, "It's okay, I believe you. Remember you mentioned wanting to visit Emerald Lake? Why don't you come over for dinner tonight?"
As upperclassmen, they were not required to live on campus, allowing more flexibility. Yun Zijin knew that many juniors and seniors rented apartments off-campus to ease the demands of internships and late-night work, hindered by the school's strict curfews.
She planned to spend the evening at Emerald Lake, just a short distance away, ensuring a quick commute back to school the next morning. This logistical convenience was likely why Xia Jiaojiao had arranged for someone to find her a rental in the same area.
"Really? Can I really come? Are we going to cook ourselves? Should we buy groceries? There doesn't seem to be a market near our school," Qin Sitong asked, his excitement making him somewhat incoherent.
Yun Zijin smiled, "Of course you can come. We have staff to handle groceries and cooking. Just let me know what you'd like to eat, and I'll have it prepared."
Just then, a student from their elective course, who had overheard the conversation, turned to Yun Zijin with a curious expression. "Student Yun, is it true you have a place at Emerald Lake? With servants and a chef? And those posts about you on the campus site, are they real?"
Yun Zijin, surprised by the inquiry from someone she hadn't met before, paused before responding to the unexpected interest in her personal affairs.
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