Chapter 16: Chapter 016: The Two Hundred Thousand Lafite
The Aston Martin One-77, of which only 77 units were sold worldwide, had a quota of five cars for the entire Hua Country; as of now, all five cars have "found their masters."
The One-77 is equipped with a naturally aspirated 7.3L V12 engine that can sprint from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 354 kilometers per hour.
Of course, as a novice driver, Chu Mo had absolutely no interest in these explosive figures. His only sensation was that even if he drove at a speed of twenty yards all the way, not even matching an electric bike, there were no other vehicles that deliberately came close to make him uncomfortable.
A luxury car worth 47 million RMB is no joke. A mere scratch could lead ninety-nine percent of the drivers on the road to regret beyond measure.
There was about ten meters of space cleared in front and behind the Aston Martin. For Chu Mo, who was driving alone for the first time, this was an incredibly comforting thing.
As for the occasional glances and scrutinizing looks from around him, Chu Mo also gradually learned to ignore them!
Of course, it was also unlikely that someone would be bored enough to provoke a driver in a multimillion-dollar luxury car.
The pudgy Mr. Shen hadn't lied to him. The car hadn't even reached its break-in period yet, with only 1,300 kilometers on the odometer, most of which had been put on for maintenance!
The color of the car was pearl white. Chu Mo always felt that compared to the red Lamborghini Veneno he and Ling Yue had seen together that day, this car still seemed a bit inferior.
It wasn't about performance or design—things Chu Mo, who knew nothing about cars, didn't care about at all.
Ultimately, perhaps it was because Chu Mo, deep down, still felt that the Aston Martin, at 47 million, was far too cheap compared to the Veneno, priced at over 90 million!
To put it simply, Chu Mo, who always wanted the best of everything, looked down on this car a bit!
Just like the previous villa, although he had already purchased Villa Number Eight, Chu Mo still couldn't stop thinking about Villa Number One, and he racked his brains to get his hands on it!
For now, he'd just use this car for practice!
After all, a tycoon ought to have this kind of attitude.
After spending a whole morning, with the personal inquiry of the president of Tianxia Real Estate, Chu Mo successfully acquired Emperor's Mansion Villa Number One. Naturally, the 16 million RMB commission made the president overjoyed.
Chu Mo didn't go back on his word. After getting the property deed, he immediately transferred a red envelope of 5 million RMB to Zhan Bingxue.
Adding the agent's commission, within two days, this regional manager of Tianxia Real Estate had earned tens of millions in hard-earned money.
Chu Mo didn't feel the pinch. It was what they deserved!
It is said that men have a natural sensitivity to cars, and this saying isn't unfounded. From getting acquainted with the car to driving normally, Chu Mo took less than two hours. By the time the sun began to set, Chu Mo already could control the luxury car with ease.
Without heading home, Chu Mo, who had lived in Neon City for three years and was familiar with the nearby roads, parked the car at the entrance of a bar. The wide facade composed entirely of neon lights indicated the bar's large scale.
The pearl white Aston Martin quietly occupied a parking spot, the multicolored overhead lights shining on the body, making even the most clueless of people see the car's extraordinary nature.
No sooner had he closed the car door than someone came to greet him.
"Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?"
Waving his hand, although it wasn't his first time here, this was the first time he was warmly welcomed. Before this, Chu Mo had always entered the bar alone without any fanfare!
The young man in his early twenties didn't show any dissatisfaction with Chu Mo's coldness. On the contrary, he was even more respectful as he led the way:
"Please come this way, sir. Would you prefer a private room or a booth? I'll arrange it for you!"
"I'm alone. A private room would be too quiet. Just a booth on the lower floor will do, preferably near a corner," Chu Mo said, his voice not loud. The attendant behind him immediately nodded and replied:
"Of course, sir. I'll arrange that for you!"
As he walked inside the bar, a strong rhythmic music immediately filled his ears without causing any discomfort. As a man in his twenties, Chu Mo was not unfamiliar with this place.
Deliberately casting a glance at the stage, it was still early, far from the bar's prime time for revelry. The stage was empty, and there were not many customers around.
He sat down in a booth near a corner out of habit. It was Chu Mo's usual spot.
"Sir, what would you like to order?"
"A glass of juice..."
As he spoke reflexively, Chu Mo instantly hesitated.
In the past, Chu Mo's monthly royalties amounted to no more than seven or eight thousand RMB. After deducting rent and necessary expenses, there wasn't much money left for him to spend freely.
If he occasionally went to a cafe for inspiration or visited a bar to relax his mind, he rarely spent over a hundred, so naturally, he always ordered something cheap like juice.
Now…!
It seems there's no need to be so frugal anymore.
"Bring me the most expensive wine you have!"
Chu Mo would never have dared to utter such words in the past, but now they came out so naturally.
A hint of excitement flashed in the eyes of the young man who lowered his head slightly, while speaking in a mysterious tone:
"Certainly, sir. Would you like me to arrange for some ladies to accompany you with your drink?"
Chu Mo waved his hand, and the young man immediately nodded, bowed, took two steps backward, then turned and left.
I didn't come here to drink, just to watch the performance, so there's no need to find company.
As for asking for a bottle of wine subconsciously, it was actually just to experience that feeling of being whimsical and unconstrained!
He pulled out his phone, found his roommate Yang Xuan on WeChat, and sent a message that he would be back later. Her reply came quickly, acknowledging the message.
Chu Mo would go out for a few days every month, and if he came back late, he would send a message to her so that she would grab something to eat outside.
While Chu Mo was sending the message, the young man who had just served Chu Mo had already reached the bar, where, with an excited expression, he said to the man making drinks:
"Zhao Ge, we've got a big spender! He asked for the most expensive wine straight away, what a pity he didn't want any company, or else we definitely could have made a killing tonight!"
At the bar, the middle-aged man mixing drinks smiled slightly and teased:
"The most expensive? Ace of Spades? You're in luck, kid— that bottle is over ten thousand. You'll have enough commission to splurge for a few days! But indeed, it's a shame. With such a customer, if he took a few companions, ordered ten or eight bottles, you'd have made two months' worth!"
As the man finished speaking, an air of determination appeared in the eyes of the young man who suddenly said:
"Zhao Ge, do we still have the Château Lafite that our boss stored here?"
"The 1984 Château Lafite? That's the boss's private stash, wine worth over a hundred thousand. Don't let the potential commission go to your head, kid!"
The middle-aged man frowned, but the young man with his teeth set firmly said:
"The customer arrived in an Aston Martin, I've seen it online, a luxury car worth forty or fifty million RMB. Plus, he is wearing what appears to be a Patek Philippe 5002 on his wrist. Opening a bottle worth over a hundred thousand shouldn't be too much for him, right?
Tell the boss I won't open it right away. I'll take it to test the waters. If he wants it, I'll open it. If he shows any hesitation, I'll say I made a mistake and immediately switch to the Ace of Spades, I absolutely won't let the customer feel embarrassed!"
Though young, the man had a sharp wit.
The bartender hesitated for a moment, knowing that if the wine sold, he too would get a cut of the commission.
After a moment's hesitation, he took out his phone and made a call. A minute later, the middle-aged man hung up and took out a bottle of wine from a locked cabinet!
He instructed cautiously:
"Be smart about this. Such a person is someone even our boss has to nod and bow to—don't cause trouble for yourself!"
The young man nodded, took a deep breath to settle his nerves, and then walked toward the corner!
Meanwhile, Chu Mo had just put away his phone when the young man with the tray came up to him, placed the items on the tray carefully, and said respectfully:
"Sir, this is a prized collection of our boss, not usually sold to ordinary customers. The 1984 Château Lafite, one hundred ninety-nine thousand RMB. Please, enjoy at your leisure!"
After speaking and seeing Chu Mo nod, the young man, who had been holding his breath, carefully opened the wine and respectfully said:
"The juice you ordered just now, along with this fruit plate, is on the house! I wish you a pleasant evening."
After the young man left, Chu Mo picked up the wine glass in front of him, sniffed it, and frowned momentarily.
The taste isn't great at all!
He braced himself and took a small sip, confirming that he indeed didn't like it.
Setting down the glass, he picked up the juice and drank a big mouthful to rinse his mouth, gently shaking his head, Chu Mo then put the nearly two-hundred-thousand wine to the side.
Spending money should be enjoyable; if it makes me feel uncomfortable, there is no need to force myself to indulge, no matter how expensive it is.
As a tycoon, I have the right to be a little picky.
He looked at his wristwatch, where the Patek Philippe, adorned with fifty-five jewels, glowed subtly under the colorful lights.
Seven o'clock sharp. There's still an hour to go before her performance—it seems time is moving slowly.