Xiao Tang was reluctant. Despite the manager's sharp glare and the clear tension in the room, he still wanted to argue, to salvage what little pride he had left.
But before he could utter another word, the lobby manager's expression twisted into a deep scowl, his brows furrowed like storm clouds gathering. He barked out with authority, "You've seriously damaged our company's image with your behavior. Apologize—now."
Faced with mounting pressure from the crowd, his cousin, and the weight of public shame, Xiao Tang's pride finally cracked. Gritting his teeth, he stepped forward reluctantly, his feet dragging as if they carried lead.
"I'm… sorry," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. "I had a bad attitude earlier."
Yang Mo's expression remained as cold and unreadable as ice. He didn't flinch, didn't soften. His words came out calm, but laced with steel."Apologizing isn't the point," he said. "Understanding your mistake is."
The words struck like a slap.
Xiao Tang's face flushed a deep red, burning with humiliation. His lips trembled, and he stood there awkwardly, looking as though he wanted to disappear. In all his years working sales, he'd never been so thoroughly embarrassed—never called out like this, never forced to swallow his pride in front of an audience.
This is the first time I've hated myself this much, he thought. To be reprimanded… by someone like him?
Just as Xiao Tang was silently seething, the lobby manager took a step forward with a warm, practiced smile plastered on his face. His tone shifted as smoothly as a seasoned politician switching gears.
"Sir, what you said earlier really makes a lot of sense," he said with a respectful nod. "We sincerely appreciate your feedback. It's clear our team still has a lot of room for improvement. Whatever you need, just let us know—we'll do our best to make it right."
Yang Mo studied him. Though he could see the flattery behind the man's eyes, he wasn't the type to hold a grudge unnecessarily.
"Thank you," Yang Mo replied with a nod. "I came here today because I saw a flyer for your properties. The location looked good, and the houses seemed nice. There are just two unit types I'm unsure about."
He pointed at the sales display, indicating the two models in question.
The lobby manager immediately nodded and turned toward a young saleswoman nearby."Yuki, bring the information cards for both units. Let's show this gentleman the differences between them."
"I'm on it," Yuki responded quickly, already hurrying to the back office.
Seeing the crisis subside and the atmosphere begin to ease, Yuki breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She'd been holding her breath since the confrontation began, hoping things wouldn't spiral further.
The crowd, now deprived of the dramatic showdown they'd gathered for, slowly began to disperse. With no more entertainment in sight, they scattered like birds startled from a wire.
Minutes later, Yuki returned, carrying a thick information booklet. She approached Yang Mo politely.
"Sir, may I ask what square footage you're interested in, and which floor you prefer?" she asked. "At first glance, the two units you mentioned might seem similar, but they actually have notable differences due to floor placement and internal layout."
Yang Mo glanced through the pamphlet but didn't bother to inspect every detail. He looked up and said, "Let's go with this property. You're the professional—help me choose the most suitable layout."
Yuki was slightly surprised but nodded graciously.
Not far away, Xiao Tang, who had been stewing in silence, scoffed under his breath. His eyes narrowed with scorn as he took in Yang Mo's plain clothing and relaxed demeanor.
He really thinks he can afford a place like that? Xiao Tang sneered internally. Look at him. Dressed like he just crawled out of a basement and still playing the big shot. This is the King Building we're talking about—
Even wealthy clients in suits hesitate to ask about it, let alone this… street kid. What a joke.
Just wait, he thought, the corner of his mouth curling upward. Sooner or later, he'll have to admit he can't afford it. That'll be my revenge—watching him backpedal in front of everyone.
Around him, a few salespeople began to sidle up with sycophantic smiles.
"Brother Xiao, you're really something. If it were us, we'd already be in trouble with the boss."
"Exactly! But you? You're the manager's cousin—who'd dare punish you?"
"Plus, that guy's clearly bluffing. He talks big, but can he back it up? We'll see."
Xiao Tang's bruised ego slowly began to recover as their words sank in. He chuckled, the fire in his chest reigniting.Let him keep pretending. Poor people like him don't realize how obvious they are. No matter how good he acts, the truth will out.
Meanwhile, Yuki was flipping through the layout plans when the lobby manager interjected, trying to be helpful—or perhaps something else entirely.
"Sir, all the King Building units in our development are designed with top-tier quality in mind. Large square footage. Peaceful, exclusive environments. All follow a one-staircase, two-household design. Every unit exceeds 260 square meters."
As he spoke, the corners of his mouth curled ever so slightly in amusement, as if mocking without words.
A few sharp-eyed onlookers noticed. There it was—that smirk, that faint twist of superiority in his expression. The contempt was subtle but unmistakable.
Clearly, even the lobby manager didn't believe Yang Mo could afford it.
Xiao Tang couldn't hold it in any longer. He burst out laughing from the sidelines.
Only now did he understand his cousin's real play. The earlier scolding had been for show—to maintain professionalism. In truth, the manager was helping him get the last word in.
He's trying to save my face by setting the kid up for a bigger fall. That's real family, Xiao Tang thought gratefully. In the end, blood still runs thicker than water.
As Yang Mo examined the brochure, he raised his head and pointed.
"You mean that one, right there?"
Everyone turned to follow his gaze.
The place Yang Mo indicated stood at the very heart of the entire residential area—a round, elegant building surrounded by lush greenery, with a man-made lake, a rockery, and a small plaza next to it. The landscaping alone gave it an air of seclusion and prestige.
Yang Mo's face showed clear satisfaction.
Yuki beamed beside him. "Yes, sir. That's the King Building. It's our most high-end property. Designed by professionals, with luxury interior finishes, built-in kitchen appliances, and it's fully turnkey. Everything you need is already there."
"If you're interested," she added with a smile, "I can show you the actual unit today."
Yang Mo nodded slightly, still quiet.
The lobby manager, not wanting to lose his momentum, chimed in.
"These units come with oversized terraces and a very competitive price—just around 20,000 yuan per square meter."
He raised his voice significantly when he said the price, ensuring everyone nearby could hear it loud and clear.
A ripple went through the few people still lingering nearby.
"20,000 per square meter?" someone whispered. "That's outrageous!"
"Do the math. That's over five million yuan for one unit!"
"Who on earth could afford that?"
Several turned their heads to look at Yang Mo, their skepticism growing louder in their silence.
Is this guy for real? they wondered. Can someone dressed like that even afford a mortgage, let alone five million yuan outright?
It didn't take long for the crowd's initial sympathy to turn into disbelief and mockery. Whispers filled the air.
So that apology earlier—it wasn't sincere at all, some thought. The manager wasn't trying to make amends. He was setting him up.
And yet, Yang Mo remained unshaken.
He flipped back to the floor plans and said coolly, "It's a good building. But I'm curious—what's the best position for this layout?"
Yuki hesitated for a brief second.
That was when the lobby manager answered for her. "As long as the price is acceptable to you, sir, you can pick any floor you like."
Yuki froze, stunned.
Up until now, the company's sales strategy had been to offload the less desirable units first—lower floors, limited views—before offering the premium floors to serious buyers later. That had always been the protocol.
Why is he breaking that rule now? she thought, realization dawning.
Because he's trying to embarrass him further. He thinks there's no way this guy can afford anything, let alone pick a floor. The more generously he offers, the harder the humiliation will hit when he's exposed.
Yuki's palms started to sweat, a nervous tightness forming in her chest.
Yang Mo, however, simply nodded. "It's a bit expensive," he said, "but if the layout is right… the price is acceptable."