Chapter 58: Moving into the Dream Home
The sound of entertainment news playing on the TV was faint amidst the noisy environment, but it still reached Zhou Xianlin’s ears.
“RuMeng Entertainment Company has been fined 350 million. The owner of RuMeng Entertainment, Meng Xinda…”
Zhou Xianlin’s dull eyes suddenly lit up. How could he have forgotten Meng Jiaqi—perhaps she could help him find a suitable job?
Zhou Xianlin met with Meng Jiaqi in a café.
Looking at Zhou Xianlin, who now seemed dim and lifeless like a stage with the spotlight removed, Meng Jiaqi couldn’t help but reveal some of her disdain.
“What do you want?”
Zhou Xianlin was equally disdainful. So what if she was proud or rich? She still couldn’t get everything she wanted. But since he needed a favor from her now, he didn’t dare act up.
“Old classmate, don’t be so hot-tempered. We were comrades in the same trench once, weren’t we?”
Meng Jiaqi was in a good mood today and had some free time. Since she was already here, she didn’t mind humoring him a little.
“Go ahead, what is it?”
“Can you help me find a job? You know what I’m capable of.”
Meng Jiaqi quickly understood. “You lost your job again?”
Zhou Xianlin felt a pit in his stomach. “You know what happened?” He finally realized that it wasn’t just bad luck—someone was targeting him! No wonder every job he got would go wrong so quickly. Who was doing this to him?
Seeing his confused and furious expression, Meng Jiaqi giggled for a while. “Of course I know.”
Zhou Xianlin struggled to keep his emotions in check. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Stirring her coffee, Meng Jiaqi said casually, “I heard it was someone named Lin Sen. You didn’t know?”
She had gotten the information from a new class group chat, one that neither Zhou Xianlin nor she herself was in. She didn’t care; she just found those classmates laughable and pitiful. Did they really think blocking her meant anything? She had money—if she wanted to know something, plenty of people would sell her information. Money truly is a wonderful thing!
“You knew all along? Why didn’t you tell me?” Zhou Xianlin growled in frustration.
Meng Jiaqi sneered, “And who are you to me? Why should I tell you anything?” To her, Zhou Xianlin was just a pawn.
Zhou Xianlin sneered back. “I’ve still got that recording of you scheming against Mu Lantu.”
“Oh?” Meng Jiaqi’s expression only changed for a second before returning to normal. “That’s too bad. I’ve always dreamed of entering the entertainment industry. That was just me rehearsing lines with someone.”
Zhou Xianlin felt a chill run through him. He had thought he was clever, but Meng Jiaqi had grown up among the wealthy elite. How could she possibly be naïve? Naïve girls only existed in novels and dramas.
“You’re right. In that case, we’ve got nothing more to talk about.” Zhou Xianlin turned to leave, then paused. “By the way, I heard your family’s company was fined 350 million. Is it going bankrupt?”
Meng Jiaqi looked at him like he was already dead. She didn’t get a chance to respond—Zhou Xianlin had already fled.
When Mu Lantu heard that Zhou Xianlin had left the Capital, he had just stepped out of a teahouse.
Five minutes earlier, he had signed a bet agreement with the head of Baile Entertainment Company.
In three months, either RuMeng Company would go bankrupt, or he would pocket 100 million. Either way, he wouldn’t lose.
Xu Huazhang was waiting in the car.
Today, they were going to the Dream Home.
It was both of their first times entering Dream Home through the teleportation hub.
The distance to Times Square kept shrinking. The traffic and crowds grew denser. Their car slowed down more and more, until it was crawling slower than a turtle.
Drivers complained loudly, and nearby residents were equally frustrated.
Mu Lantu had seen posts online about this and bowed his head sheepishly.
He knew he had messed up—really knew it.
But the teleportation hub was already in place—it couldn’t be moved. Moving it even once would cost another 100 million.
He had no money.
[Little Five, how much money do I have now?]
[Host, you currently have 86.52 million!]
[Well done, thank you Little Five!]
[Serving the host is never tiring!]
Mu Lantu sighed, mentally doing the math. Maybe once Huazhang finished building the yacht and released it into the real world, they could sell it for a few tens of millions?
Xu Huazhang asked, “What’s wrong, baby? Why the sigh?”
Mu Lantu scratched his nose. “Nothing. Just hate traffic jams.”
Xu Huazhang looked at the unmoving traffic outside. “Didn’t expect the Dream Home to build the teleportation hub here.”
Mu Lantu asked, “If it were up to you, where would you put it?”
Xu Huazhang replied casually, “Near the airport.”
Mu Lantu secretly took mental notes.
After an hour, their car reached the teleportation hub.
The vehicle drove straight in, and one second later, they had arrived on Dream Home—inside a massive parking garage.
Zhan Peng, Ge Tao, and Zhou Ye were also visiting for the first time, looking around curiously.
Experts had said that the environment—including the atmosphere—was similar to Earth’s, but they had still felt nervous before arriving. Now, they finally relaxed.
The parking lot was filled with people and cars. Thanks to clear signage, everyone headed toward their destinations.
Mu Lantu saw several people live-streaming, all with bright smiles. It seemed the broadcasts were going really well.
They didn’t linger in the parking lot. Their first stop was Mu Lantu’s supermarket near the Rose District.
For simplicity, Mu Lantu had named all residential zones after flowers.
The Rose District was the one closest to the teleportation hub, and practically at the center of the whole settlement. His supermarket occupied the best location—a five-story standalone building with a massive underground warehouse.
The sign was already up: Lantu Supermarket. Checkout counters, shelves, carts—everything was ready.
Bus and subway stops were nearby, and of course, there was a large parking area.
On Dream Home, not just anyone could open a supermarket. When Mu Lantu launched his, he had factored in pedestrian flow, location, and more. Business at each store was unlikely to be bad—unless the operators themselves ran it poorly. That would be their own fault.
After touring the supermarket, Mu Lantu brought Xu Huazhang to a fan-shaped apartment building he had personally designed.
“Huazhang, there’s only one unit on the top floor, with a private elevator. I’ve leased it for 80 years—it’s yours.”
Xu Huazhang looked up, delighted.
“It’s peaceful and has a great view. I love it. Thank you, baby.”
Mu Lantu felt warm inside. “Glad you like it. Want to go take a look?”
Xu Huazhang really loved it. He pulled Mu Lantu along as they discussed how to decorate each room. They stayed over an hour before leaving.
Next, they visited the villa Xu Huazhang had rented.
He also discussed layout ideas with Mu Lantu. But after seeing the courtyard-style home Mu Lantu had “rented,” Xu Huazhang no longer liked his villa as much.
“Baby, let’s just stay in the courtyard house whenever we come to Dream Home.”
Zhan Peng and the other two agreed. The courtyard offered more space, privacy, and open surroundings—perfect for their security needs.
Mu Lantu felt a bit proud. This place had taken the most effort. If it didn’t win over Xu Huazhang, then Xu Huazhang had no taste.
“Alright, we’ll stay in the courtyard.”
Mu Lantu also “rented” the villa Xu Huazhang had built, but they were too busy to visit it right away. Since it was on the water, Mu Lantu thought they could use it for vacations later.
He took time to fully furnish the courtyard house, buying all necessary furniture, appliances, and personal items—ready for move-in anytime.
Zhan Peng, Zhou Ye, and Ge Tao decided to send one person to shop for their daily needs.
With fewer people and cars on Dream Home, wide roads often had just one vehicle. Driving felt fantastic—enough to make even non-drivers fall in love with it.
Of course, there were still traffic lights and cameras. No speeding allowed. Some roads even had speed limit signs.
That was the transportation department’s job, not Mu Lantu’s.
To decide who would shop, the three played rock-paper-scissors. Ge Tao won.
Zhan Peng and Zhou Ye got to work installing surveillance equipment.
These had been prepared in advance by Mu Lantu—only installation was needed.
After lunch, the five of them rode electric scooters along the coastal road for fun.
There wasn’t a soul around. Just them. It felt like the whole world belonged to them—pure freedom and joy.
“Hey, the road ends here!”
Zhou Ye, who was in front, shouted in surprise.
It really did end—like the funds for construction had run out. Beyond the road lay untouched grasslands and distant mountains.
They then noticed a nearby sign that read: “Unexplored Area Ahead.”
Xu Huazhang picked up a rock and threw it forward. It hit an invisible, soft barrier and dropped to the ground.
“Interesting. Boss, want to try bullets?” Ge Tao reached for his gun.
Xu Huazhang nodded. “Try it.”
Zhou Ye quickly added, “Ge Tao, don’t be reckless! Wait till the boss is far away.”
“Got it.”
“Baby, let’s move back.” Xu Huazhang gently tugged Mu Lantu’s scooter.
Once everyone had moved back, Ge Tao attached a silencer and fired.
The bullet dented the barrier, then bounced off and fell to the ground with a thunk.
Zhou Ye asked, “Think a drone could fly over it?”
Zhan Peng said, “Probably not. Otherwise, those streamers’ drones would’ve been swarming the skies.”
“Good point.”
They hung around a bit, enjoying the sea breeze, taking pictures, then rode back.
With Xu Huazhang still on vacation, they stayed at the courtyard house.
Over the next few days, they explored everywhere they could. Then, seemingly struck by inspiration, Xu Huazhang locked himself in his studio, while Mu Lantu got busy managing the supermarket.
During this time, his available funds finally surpassed 100 million. He immediately established a second teleportation hub near the capital airport—primarily for cargo, but open to anyone who didn’t mind the distance.
With the second hub open, the pressure on Times Square was finally relieved.
