How can I justify myself as a Magnate if I don't indulge myself?

He was right; typically, families in the countryside who build their own homes take it upon themselves to hire bricklayers, carpenters, and electricians, which does indeed tend to be cheaper than outsourcing everything in one go.

But Gu Heng had never planned to do it that way from the start.

Hiring people was not only troublesome, but the homes built were often not satisfying.

Most importantly, in the countryside, hiring people didn't just mean paying their wages—you also had to throw in favors. For him, money wasn't the issue; favors were much more significant than money, so there was no point in skimping in that area.

"Xiaohua, you might not understand this. Hengzi is now the big boss driving a Bentley; does he care about that small amount of money? "

The bricklayers from our area can manage to build a small house just fine, but if you asked them to build a big villa without professional guidance, they might not be up to it! And hiring people involves giving gifts and buying cigarettes, plus the favors; it doesn't really save any money in the end."

"It's better to just outsource it completely, settle everything once and for all. Not to sound harsh, but later if there's an issue with the house, you can still find someone responsible. If you hire bricklayers to build it yourselves, who are you going to find if there's a problem later?"

Li Feng, having spent all seasons in his hometown, immediately recognized Gu Heng's concerns.

While they were chatting, two men gently knocked on the living room door and then slowly pushed it open and walked in.

"Hello everyone, my last name is Chen, I'm the manager of Wan'an Design and Construction Company, and this gentleman is our company's top designer, Tang Dabing."

It looked like the receptionist had already informed him about Gu Heng's arrival in a Bentley; the manager was very enthusiastic.

Gu Heng also stood up to shake his hand and, after introducing himself briefly, got straight to the point, "Manager Chen, I guess the receptionist already told you, but I have a rural villa construction that I want to contract out. Can you take it on?"

"Of course we can take it on! Mr. Gu, please tell us your requirements."

Seeing Gu Heng's decisive character, Manager Chen did not continue with lengthy pleasantries but sat directly opposite Gu Heng and seriously said,

"I have just two requirements. One is speed; I need all the preparation work done before the end of the year, so construction can immediately start after the seventh day of the new year, and it should ideally be completed within two months.

The second requirement is that it has to be grand! I am not short of money, so you don't need to cut corners on labor or materials, but you must ensure that the villa built is definitely grand. This villa is primarily for my parents to live in; as you know, villagers care a lot about prestige, and I hope you can understand."

Hearing Gu Heng's words, Manager Chen fought down his excitement and quickly responded, "Rest assured Mr. Gu, our Wan'an Design and Construction Company has been established for fifteen years and is the best construction and architectural design contracting company in Qing'an, with almost a zero negative review rate in these fifteen years!

If you entrust us with the project, we will definitely give you a satisfactory answer!"

He truly loved these wealthy clients.

"Mr. Gu, here are some of the successful projects we have contracted over the years; you might want to have a look first."

Tang Dabing timely handed over a portfolio to Gu Heng.

Opening the portfolio, Gu Heng felt a thrill as he looked at the various completed villas...

The designs of these villas were each more luxurious than the last, and any one of them would stand out dramatically against the houses in his hometown, truly the jewel among them!

Suddenly, Gu Heng saw a villa with a somewhat church-like European style and pointed to it, asking Tang Dabing, "Could you tell me more about this villa?"

Although Gu Heng wasn't great at aesthetics, that didn't matter; he only knew that if he could build the house from the picture, his parents would undoubtedly have the proudest standing in the village in the future.

Glancing at the picture, Tang Dabing quickly said, "This is a rather classic design, a French-style private villa house..."

In the next few minutes, Tang Dabing praised the design to the skies...

After hearing his introduction, Gu Heng directly asked, "Can this villa be completed within two months?"

"In theory, it's possible, but this villa covers a large area; I'm just not sure if your family's land is suitable for this model; we really need to send a design team to conduct a site inspection, which is also our responsibility to Mr. Gu."

"You don't need to worry about the land; just tell me if this villa can be completed within two months?"

In the countryside, land was the least of concerns. There was still quite a bit of open land around Gu Heng's home, and although it belonged to the village, it could be bought with money at any moment. Read exclusive adventures at empire

The village's property belonged to all villagers, including the land; as long as the land was sold, everyone would get a share of the money.

An unused plot of land being converted into money would be welcomed by anyone.

Having made his point clear, Manager Chen also didn't hesitate and affirmatively said, "It can be done! As long as the land area at your end is sufficient and doesn't affect construction, I can guarantee it will be built within two months!"

"Then it's settled on this model!"

....

For the next two or three hours, they continued to negotiate prices on labor, materials, and a series of other matters.

Gu Heng didn't understand much about this stuff; instead, it was Li Feng, who had spent years in his hometown, who knew more. Eventually, they tentatively set the cost at 2.4 million, but the specific expense would still depend on the subsequent situation.

After all, 2.4 million was only a budget, and adjustments were definitely expected later on.

After the negotiations, Gu Heng signed his name on the contracting agreement and paid a deposit of 50,000 yuan, finally sealing the deal.

"Mr. Gu, tomorrow, we will send our design team to the address you provided to conduct a field inspection, aiming to provide you with a perfect construction plan within a week."

Gu Heng paid the deposit promptly, and Manager Chen, of course, did not skimp on his service to such a prime client, immediately making that assurance.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gu Heng and his group were seen off by Manager Chen as they left the company's main entrance...

Outside, Gu Heng looked at the silent trio and asked in confusion, "What's with you guys? Why the long faces?"

The three of them simultaneously turned their gaze toward Gu Heng's face...

This trip home had really given the trio quite a shock...

First was the 3.8 million Bentley, and then there was the way he splashed money around at the card table...

Especially now, planning to spend over two million to build a villa for his parents...

If this had happened to someone else, they might merely have been envious or jealous.

But it was happening to their lifelong buddy right before their eyes...

The disparity was just too great...

It was so vast that they were beginning to feel like they hardly knew Gu Heng anymore...

"Nothing's wrong, it's just that you, my boy, have really struck it lucky, and we three are a bit uneasy adjusting..."

After a while, Li Feng finally spoke slowly, his tone full of wonder...

Hearing his words, Gu Heng also grew silent.

He had anticipated this scenario, but he didn't expect it to arrive so soon...

A few seconds later, he put his arms around the three of them and said with a laugh, "Isn't it a good thing that I've made it big?"

"It's good, you're having better days now, and we're all happy for you, but thinking about our own pathetic states, there's this indescribable feeling..."

"If it's indescribable, then don't say it, let's go have dinner first, after that, I'll take you to a great place!"

"What great place?" Li Haibin, always the least sensitive and quickest to recover, couldn't help but ask hearing Gu Heng's words.

"Do you guys remember the Underground Palace?"

"Nonsense! Of course, we do!"

The so-called Underground Palace was a business KTV in Qing'an City.

It was also the largest, most luxurious, and most expensive business KTV in the entire Qing'an.

Every man living around Qing'an wanted to experience it; they would fantasize about taking the gang there for a wild time if anyone ever made money. Now that Gu Heng had money, he certainly wouldn't forget.

"After dinner, it'll be around seven or eight, let's head straight to the Underground Palace! Let's see what it's all about!"

Then, glancing at Li Feng, he said, "Fengzi, you're getting married in a couple of days. Isn't it inappropriate for you to go to such a place? Should I get you a cab to go home first?"

"Shut your damn mouth! Don't even think about ditching me! I'm not married yet, still a bachelor! Pick me up, I can still party!"

Seeing Li Feng so pumped up, everyone couldn't help but burst into loud laughter.

Men, after all, are forever young...