Demons Beside You

“Robio, can you help me with something?” Chen Zhao called Robio.

“What?”

“Help me to design a house.”

“Yes. What price are you looking at?” Robio asked.

“Within a million dollars, including the workers.”

Robio gasped, “Are you building a palace?”

What did it mean for the building cost of a house to be a million?

Even the bungalow that Chen Zhao and Fali were staying at would only cost tens of thousands to build.

Of course, their current house was very old. The houses of most middle class people cost about two hundred thousand to build.

In many TV shows, luxurious houses could easily cost tens or hundreds of millions, but it was only because they had the best locations and facilities. Sometimes, a golf course alone would cost more than ten million.

The house itself in fact cost far less than tens of million dollars.

Therefore, a house that cost a million to build was truly deluxe.

“Oh, how much does it cost to build a palace?”

“…” Robio kind of disliked rich people like Chen Zhao, especially when he had earned so much after just half a year in America. Anyway, Robio was Chen Zhao’s friend and also owed him a favor, so he could not reject Chen Zhao’s request.

“When are you free? Bring me to the place. I need to take some photos before being able to design the house.”

Architecture is much more complicated than merely drawing a diagram on a sheet.

The basics include mechanics and material science. In addition, the environment has to be a foil to the building.

In particular, villas and manors need ingenious designs.

An architect without sufficient imagination is not a good architect.

After making an appointment with Robio, Chen Zhao hung up.

However, he immediately received a call from Dell.

“Chen, do you know Rufford? The winner of the Elite League this year. He ran 9.7 seconds for three consecutive 100m sprints.”

“How do you know that I know him?” Chen Zhao was puzzled.

“It’s everywhere on the media, including photos of you entering Rufford’s apartment. Even your identity as an illegal doctor has been exposed.”

“What?!” Chen Zhao was flabbergasted. He did not know about it at all.

“Rufford has no agency or agent now, right?” Dell asked something else.

“Why?”

“Can you help me to make an appointment between Rufford and my company?”

“Your company? Aren’t you just one of the shareholders of CAA? Also, you don’t really manage your company, am I right?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to manage my company, but rather I don’t have sufficient power. If I can get Rufford, my influence in CAA will increase significantly.”

“I can help you to make an appointment with Rufford, but you need to help me too.”

“What?”

“I know a new actor. He’s played some small roles in several films, but he has no agency too. Help me to attach him to your company.”

“What’s his name?”

“Vincent. A TV series called Deep Sea is about to be shown on BBC. He’s the scientist inside.”

“Alright, I’ll pay attention to him. As long as he’s suitable, I can sign him under my company. Do you have his number?”

“I’ll give it to you.”

…

When Chen Zhao returned to his house, he heard Fali making a call.

“Dad, I need money, two hundred thousand. Can you lend me?”

“Yes… I know… Okay.”

Chen Zhao opened the room door and Fali immediately hung up.

“Chen.”

“Fali, you were borrowing money from your family?”

“Chen, you’re building a new house, our home. I want to make some contributions too.”

“Fali, I have enough money, except that I have yet to receive it. You don’t need to borrow from your family.”

“Chen…”

“Believe me, will you?”

“But my dad has already agreed.”

“Then call him again.”

Chen Zhao felt that as a man, he should contribute more. It was only the first day that Fali and he were officially dating, and Fali was already borrowing money from her family. Chen Zhao thought it was a blow to his self-esteem.

He hoped that he could build a house with his own hard work and ability, not with the help of his girlfriend.

In that case, they might as well stay at the current place.

“Regardless of how much we each pay, it’ll still our new home, together.”

“Alright, Chen.”

That night, Fali seemed to be exceptionally passionate. Her endurance had also increased decently.

After a tiring workout, the two slept in each other’s arms.

The next morning, Chen Zhao went to Ethan’s motel directly.

Because of what Fali had done the previous day, Chen Zhao was even more eager to make money.

“Caprice? What a surprise to see you here so early.” Chen Zhao was clearly surprised by Caprice’s presence.

Caprice looked rather energetic and casual. “Chen, I came here to thank you.”

Chen Zhao grabbed the burgers from the counter and started eating.

“For what?”

“I went to see Phillip Quinn just now. From afar, I could already hear his hysterical screams.” Caprice looked rejuvenated, as if she had just slept with ten strong men the previous night. “Chen, half of his body seems to be rotting away. How did you do it?”

“Eh, I didn’t do it. It must be God’s will.”

“Fine. I won’t ask anymore.” Caprice smiled.

Just then, Ethan walked out from the inside and glanced at Caprice. “Why are you still here?”

The last time they met each other, they had the same enemy. However, once it was over, they became completely hostile towards each other again.

“Chen, work with me. I know more people and can offer you more clients.” Caprice tried to steal Chen Zhao away right before Ethan.

“You mean those people from the prison? You sure they won’t cut Chen into slices?”

This former couple started arguing again. Chen Zhao admired the humiliations and curses from the two as he enjoyed his free breakfast.

The cuss words they used were always new, innovative, and never repeating.

Even their son, Robio, became the weapon they used to attack each other.

The innocent Robio was involved for no reason. Chen Zhao wondered how Robio would feel if he knew what was happening.

“Looks like there’s nothing for me here. I’m going to the fitness center.”

After listening to the duo performance for an hour, Chen Zhao already felt rather bored.

However, the moment he left the motel, he saw a woman walk towards him.

“Hi, Mr. Chen, can I interview you please?”

“Are you a reporter?”

“I’m a reporter for the Los Angeles Times.”

“Sorry, I’m busy.”

Chen Zhao turned around and flagged a cab.

However, he realized that the reporter was still following him in her car.