Chapter 661: Chapter 660: The Trouble Brought by the Villa

"Mr. Yan, I’m Jiang Tao, assistant to the president of Binhai University."

"I’m taking the liberty of visiting you today on behalf of the university. We’d like to discuss Villa 27 in the Academician District."

Hearing the man state his purpose so directly, Yan Feifan realized he had guessed wrong. This wasn’t a medical consultation after all.

"Mr. Jiang, is there some paperwork I need to take care of?"

Jiang Tao gave a faint smile. "My purpose for coming isn’t about the villa’s paperwork. Mr. Yan, I’ll be direct..."

"The university wants to reclaim the property rights to Villa 27."

Those words immediately set off Yan Ziruo, who was sitting beside him.

"Reclaim the property rights?"

"Did I hear you right? The deed for the villa hasn’t been issued yet, but we have a signed agreement."

"That agreement clearly states that my Feifan is the owner of the property rights to Villa 27."

"The university wants to reclaim it? On what grounds?"

Jiang Tao shot Yan Ziruo a sidelong glance before returning his gaze to Yan Feifan. He spoke in a slow, unhurried tone, "Mr. Yan, perhaps my use of the word ’reclaim’ was inappropriate."

"The word ’transaction’ would be more fitting."

"Mr. Yan, the university is willing to purchase the property rights to Villa 27 from you at market price."

Yan Feifan disliked Jiang Tao’s somewhat condescending attitude.

He raised a hand to stop his sister from speaking and said softly, "Mr. Jiang, this villa was a gift from the military."

"They just gave it to me a few days ago—I’ve barely had time to settle in—and now the university is already asking to reclaim the property rights."

"If you’re going to do this, you at least owe me a reasonable explanation, don’t you?"

Seeing Yan Feifan bring up the military, and noting his calm, tranquil gaze—as deep and unfathomable as a dark pool—Jiang Tao knew this person would be more difficult to handle than he had anticipated.

He leaned forward slightly toward Yan Feifan and explained, "Mr. Yan, when the military negotiated with us about the villa, the discussions were rather rushed. To be more precise..."

"...it was very urgent, and there was a sense of pressure, as if it were a political directive."

"Under those circumstances, we weren’t able to give it full consideration and hastily agreed to the matter."

"Now, upon reflection, we realize there are many inappropriate aspects to this situation..."

Jiang Tao paused intentionally. Seeing no change in Yan Feifan’s posture or expression, he had no choice but to continue, "The Academician District has a total of thirty-six villas. For the past twenty-one years, the property rights have always belonged to the university."

"For the past twenty-one years, the residents have all been academicians or distinguished senior professors who have made major academic contributions."

"The university has always upheld a ’quality over quantity’ standard for selection. You could say that in all these years, not a single villa resident has ever been publicly questioned by any part of society."

"But today, the property rights to one villa have suddenly been privatized..."

Jiang Tao wore an exaggeratedly regretful expression. "Mr. Yan, you can’t possibly imagine the chain reaction this will cause!"

"If one of the villas can be privately owned, doesn’t that mean the others can be as well?"

"Binhai is one of our country’s leading international metropolises. There is no shortage of influential people with connections that reach the highest levels."

"One after another, they’re coming to the university, using all sorts of connections, wanting to make a deal for a villa in the Academician District."

"Tell me, should the university agree or not?"

Jiang Tao sighed softly. "It’s the kind of thing where you end up offending people no matter what you do."

"Agreeing or not agreeing, we’ll offend someone, and neither outcome is conducive to the university’s future development."

"To put a stop to similar incidents once and for all, we have to solve the problem at its source and not allow this one and only exception to occur."

"Mr. Yan, Bin University is your alma mater, and you now work at its Affiliated Hospital. Please, try to understand your alma mater’s difficult position."

After saying so much in one breath, Jiang Tao’s throat felt a little dry. He gave a soft cough as a hint.

However, the brother and sister in front of him played dumb, and neither got up to pour him some tea or water.

This left Jiang Tao rather speechless.

’What kind of people are this brother and sister? They have no sense of hospitality whatsoever.’

Seeing no sign of Yan Feifan yielding, Jiang Tao continued, "Mr. Yan, I know you are a very outstanding surgeon, known as a genius doctor at the Affiliated Hospital."

"At this rate, it’s very likely you could be elected as a medical academician in another twenty or thirty years."

"It’s just that right now..."

Jiang Tao adopted a grave, heartfelt tone. "Mr. Yan, you have to admit, you’re just too young."

"Mr. Yan, please forgive me for being so blunt, but given your current qualifications and achievements, living in the Academician District is... a bit discordant."

"As a young doctor, you should be more humble."

Jiang Tao advised further, "Mr. Yan, put yourself in their shoes. You’re living in the Academician District, and you’re the only one who owns the property rights. Your situation is even better than that of the senior professors and academicians."

"Envy, jealousy, and resentment... everyone feels a little of that. And every one of them is powerful and influential."

"Mr. Yan, you are still in a period of learning, growth, and development."

"This is a critical stage. If any one of them were to step forward and say a few words—nothing too serious, of course—it could very well delay your progress for several months, or even years."

"Oh, Mr. Yan, a house, money... those are all external things. What you need most right now is a smooth path for your development and studies."

"There’s really no need, at this stage, to add a few inexplicable stumbling blocks and obstacles to your otherwise smooth life journey, all for a villa that’s so closely tied to status and reputation."

It had to be said, this Jiang Tao had the makings of a great persuader. His words had actually started to sway Yan Feifan.

’Chinese people always talk about one’s virtue matching one’s position. If I move into the Academician District, will I really be out of my depth?’

Jiang Tao noticed the change in Yan Feifan’s expression and felt a surge of delight. He pressed on, "Mr. Yan, the university is willing to purchase the property rights for one hundred thousand yuan per square meter."

He quickly added, "I know this price is a bit below market value, but the university’s allocated funds are all earmarked for specific purposes. Our own disposable funds are very tight."

"Mr. Yan, please try your best to be considerate and understanding."

Jiang Tao elaborated further, "The university is willing to provide corresponding compensation in other areas."

"For example, in research cooperation, such as borrowing research materials, data, laboratories, equipment, and personnel."

"Furthermore, if you are interested, Mr. Yan, we could also arrange for the medical school to hire you as a lecturer. With your knowledge and ability, Mr. Yan, you would certainly be more than qualified."

Jiang Tao swallowed dryly and continued, "Of course, if you have any other requests, Mr. Yan, you can bring them up as well."

"The university will do its best to accommodate whatever it can."

Yan Feifan said thoughtfully, "Mr. Jiang, I understand your purpose for coming and the terms you’ve offered."

"This is no small matter."

"I need to consider it carefully before I can make a decision."

Jiang Tao stood up. "I understand this is not a small thing. However, I must ask you to make a decision as soon as possible, Mr. Yan."

"Once word gets out and influential, well-connected people start showing up one after another, it will become very difficult for the university to handle."

"Mr. Yan, while the university has a prestigious name, at higher levels, there are still many influential people who can cause problems for us and put us in a tight spot."

"The university is in a difficult position too. Please, Mr. Yan, try to be understanding..."

Yan Feifan saw Jiang Tao out. He was just about to call Wang Chuan to discuss how to handle the university’s unexpected request when Yu Suye returned from Jingcheng.

She hadn’t come back alone.

Accompanying her was a tall, handsome man with a bright and sunny disposition.

"Feifan, let me introduce you."

"This kid here is my grand-nephew, who’s actually older than me. He’s a clinical Ph.D. from Union Medical College Hospital and a resident at Baining Hospital, Yu Beihua..."

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