By the time Su Lu had organized a âritualâ process, the sky was becoming dark. A nervous Duran entered, originally intending to address his elder, but seeing the individual next to him, quickly corrected himself: âThe task you assigned has been completed, please follow me!â
The coachman was Wood, silently leading the horses up front.
In the carriage, Duran held out a document to Su Lu, âYour identification⊠has been filed with the police station, it is not subject to scrutiny!â
At this point, he was somewhat heartbroken.
As a gang member who often broke the law and skirted legal boundaries, having access to this type of approach was normal, but the cost was dreadfully high.
Not to mention the favors burned in the process of getting things done.
âVery goodâŠâ
Su Lu looked over the document, his new name was âSean·Beta,â a folklore scholar from Gusta State.
âAs for apartment locations, we have found three places for you as per your requirement. Do you need to inspect them one by one?â
Duran asked: âThe first one is located at 12 Kreber Street, the rent is 7 silver hawks per month, and a three-month deposit is required initially, which is for furniture insurance.â
âThe second one is located in the affluent area, suitable for businessmen and wealthy people to live in, with rooms specifically prepared for maids, as well as dance halls prepared for parties⊠Its price is very high, 5 golden dragons per month.â
âThe last one is closer to the suburbs, but the transportation is very convenient, very close to the public carriage station, and the rent is also the cheapest⊠3 silver hawks per month is enough.â
He covertly glanced at Su Lu, fearing that the latter wanted to live in a mansion in the affluent area, and he and Wood would have to foot the bill⊠that would be unbearable.
âExclude the second one, letâs look at the first and third ones!â Su Lu made his decision quickly.
He was not here for enjoyment, and he had not yet recovered his strength. Keeping a low profile was the best course of action.
âAlright!â
Duranâs voice became noticeably lighter, he called out to Wood outside: âGo to Kreber Street first!â
Black Rose Road.
Su Lu stepped out of the carriage and looked around at his surroundings.
What he saw was a row of houses, all a bit apart from each other, with little gardens in between.
However, at this time, some of these gardens had been converted into vegetable patches by industrious housewives, giving off a pleasant rural vibe.
âThe apartment available for rent is number 13âŠâ
Duranâs voice was somewhat low, 13 was not a good number in this world; it had an ominous implication.
And the apartment appearing before them looked rather similar.
But since Su Lu did not take a liking to the first apartment, they had to come here.
It was a two-story wooden villa, seeming somewhat gloomy in the faint darkness of the night.
âSo itâs you guys who are interested in renting my apartment?â
At the gateway stood a young man who appeared to be waiting for them.
He was likely in his twenties, seemed lethargic, had dark under-eye circles, and was frequently yawning as if he hadnât got a decent sleep in a long time.
âThis is Mr. Owen Dougwille, the owner of the apartment!â
Duran quickly introduced them: âThis is Mr. Sean·Beta who is interested in renting the apartment!â
âHello!â
Su Lu glanced at Owen, realizing he was a commoner, reached out, and shook hands with him.
âLet me show you aroundâŠâ
Owen lazily took out his keys and opened the main door of the apartment: âItâs quite nice hereâŠâ
Upon entering the compound, Su Lu first saw a flower garden filled with a type of green plant. Their strong fragrance wafted in the breeze: âHmm⊠this is⊠wormwood?â
âYes⊠itâs a crop planted by the previous tenant, if you donât like it, you can replace itâŠâ
Owen casually said: âBut I think theyâre pretty good, it tastes lemony when made into teaâŠâ
Although wormwood is a transcendent material, in reality, itâs an ordinary plant used in brewing alcohol. It has attractive colors, is often used as teaching material by floral design teachers, and can also be used to make perfume and repel mosquitoes, etc.
It could be said to be a very economical crop.
âNo⊠I really like it!â
Su Lu walked into the apartment, took a look around, and found that although the furniture was old and worn, the space was large, with many rooms.
The coffee table, cupboard, chairs and tables, and even the paintings on the walls, everything exhibited a certain aesthetic.
âIf youâre too lazy to clean, you can hire a maidâŠâ
Owen lit a candle: âWhat do you think? Nice, right⊠If it wasnât for the previous owner dying here, I wouldnât have cut the rent down so lowâŠâ
âHuh? The previous owner? Died here?â Su Lu was startled.
And Duran turned pale: âSorry⊠Mr. Sean, I didnât knowâŠâ
The other party was in a hurry, and he didnât pay detailed attention to this aspect of the business. It seemed like he got tricked by some agent.
âYes, otherwise I wouldnât ask for only 3 silver hawks per monthâŠâ Owen was honest: âThe previous tenant was Old Mad, a very humorous single elder⊠oh, you donât have to worry, he died of natural causes, it was a peaceful passing, I even attended his funeral.â
âIs it really okay to be this blunt?â
Su Lu sensed that there was nothing dirty or resentful in the apartment and couldnât help but ask.
âIt doesnât matter, you would know sooner or laterâŠâ
Owen yawned: âAnd also, losing this deal wonât really affect me⊠Iâm the owner of all the apartments in this area. After failing my business venture since graduating from college, I slunk back home and inherited these apartments from my old man⊠worth approximately 1000 golden dragons.â
âBeing a landlord was once my most desired lifeâŠâ
Su Lu couldnât help but calculate for him, even using the lowest rate of return, he would still have an income of about 5% to 10% annually, which is 50 to 100 golden dragons. The returns were very stable, sufficient for a family to live comfortably and worry-free at a middle-class or slightly affluent standard.
âJust⊠Are you sure itâs fine to be so frank? Didnât you see that the eyes of Wood and Duran with me are almost glowing?â
Su Lu silently glanced at the landlord: âI plan to live here, initially for one year, two months of rent paid in advance, any problems?â
âNo, no problem, wait for me to draft the contract, of course, I also need your identification!â
Owen chuckled and walked out.
The security in this area is quite good. Moreover, his old man secretly appointed bodyguards, so thereâs nothing to fear.
After another ten or more minutes, he came back in, holding two copies of a contract.
Su Lu took a look at it, confirmed there was no problem, signed the pseudonym Sean, paid the first sum of money, and got the key to the house.
âThen⊠I wish you a pleasant stay, I wonât invite you over for dinner!â
Owen yawned and got on a carriage.
âReally⊠such a carefree rich young masterâŠâ
Duran followed behind Su Lu: âYou can see⊠this job is just his pastime⊠otherwise he could totally have the butler do it.â
âThe world is like this, being envious or jealous is useless.â
Su Lu, on the other hand, was very optimistically looking at the situation.