Chapter 123: Chapter 123 – The Catch Behind Cheap Price
"Good morning, boy. Ah, your name is Max, no? Hahaha, just call me Uncle Sam. You\'re my niece\'s close friend. I already thought of you as my nephew!"
His friendly personality was a little bit too much for Max. He could only laugh at that when Sam patted his back because he was taller than him.
"Ah, hahaha, yes. Can we look at the room, Uncle Sam? If it\'s possible to use it from today onward, that would be really great."
"Sure, sure. You can use it immediately if you\'re okay and we finalize the contract. A moving company under me also offers a fast delivery service. Everything can be done in less than half a day." Sam explained, "Now, now. Let me take you to the room.
Max nodded at him and followed.
Finishing everything from buying to moving in half a day was truly amazing. Was there something like this in his previous life? He didn\'t know as he never even got a chance to rent an apartment. The rest of his teen years was spent in the hospital.
\'It\'s good news that we can finish everything in half a day. I also just need my VR capsule and clothes to be moved here, so maybe we can finish it faster.\'
The apartment he was trying to rent was already fully furnished. The price he got for that was really cheap, so he prepared for any catch that Sam had for him. He didn\'t believe he would get it that cheap just because of Nina.
Arriving on the sixth floor, Sam stopped in front of door number 62.
"Here is the room." He said, opening the door and allowing Max to enter first.
The room was just like what he saw in the VR world, a one-on-one perfect replica. Even the way it placed the potted plant was the exact same.
"How is it?" Sam asked as he stood next to him, "Every piece of furniture here is not new, but they are maintained in good condition. I believe they are still good for the next few years. Ah, but the bed is new. You don\'t need to worry about it."
"I see. Is it okay if I look at the balcony?"
"Feel free to."
Getting permission, Max opened the sliding glass in the living room and stepped outside. The balcony had a space large enough to fit a leaning chair and was decorated with many flowers.
It offered a slightly unobscured view of the city, including the park he often visited when he jogged.
After seeing the place directly, Max was satisfied and finalized his decision. He returned to Sam and smiled.
"I like this place, Uncle Sam. How should we proceed next?"
"That\'s great! I have already prepared the contract. Hahaha, let\'s sit down and finalize it."
Following that, the contract process was going smoothly. There was no trap in the clause either.
"There is a minimum of 6 months\' rent, so that will be a $17,700 down payment, $18,000 including the fee for moving company. After that, the monthly payment will be $3,000. Is that acceptable, Max?" Sam repeated the clause written on the hologram screen and looked at him seriously.
"Yes. I understand everything perfectly."
Once again, it was too cheap. While he understood perfectly that maybe it was cheaper than usual because of the used furniture, it still didn\'t make any sense.
"If you agree to what\'s written in the contract, please sign and write your full name in this area." The older man pointed at an empty space below the contract clause.
Max looked at the contract once more, just to be careful, and signed it after he was sure of it. He also transferred $18,000 to Uncle Sam through the contract. That immediately brought his money down to $9,000.
\'How sad. I spent a lot in just a day.\' He lamented.
Both of them shook hands with a smile on their faces, feeling satisfied with the transaction.
"Hahaha, it\'s nice doing business with you." Sam said, "Cough, if you mention the company name where you got this apartment from in your livestream, I will be really grateful." He added in a low voice.
\'Ah, so it\'s like that.\' Max immediately understood why he got such a cheap price.
A combination of his recent fame, which put him on a billboard, and the fact he was close to Chef Rush and Nina helped. Uncle Sam helped him because of Chef Rush\'s request, but he also knew Max\'s popularity and decided to give him a more discounted price.
\'There is no problem with that. Can I say that I got my first unofficial sponsor now?\' He chuckled as he retracted his hand. \'Well, there is no contract, so it\'s not official. But I will repay his help by mentioning his place.\'
"I will livestream in this apartment after I am free. I will mention Sam\'s Real Estate because uncle has introduced me to such a nice place. Hahaha, I am really grateful."
"Hahaha! I think you will go along with my request like that. I now understand why Rush likes you. Hehe, also, can you give me your autograph? My daughter is your fan, you know? She won\'t stop talking about how jealous she is of my niece to be able to meet you back then."
"Hmm… an autograph, is it?" He hummed.
This was the first time this happened, so he was a bit troubled. However, he just thought of this as a practice and agreed readily.
\'If an autograph is what he needs after he gives me this place for cheap, then…\'
"Where should I sign it?"
"You can do it here. Can you also add \'For Rachel\' on the bottom for me? Hehe, this will be my surprise for her." Uncle Sam asked as he took out a small board and a permanent marker.
Those were popular items sold in the online market, an autograph board. In this age, where streamers were considered celebrities, having an autograph board with you every day was considered normal. No one knew where they would bump into their favorite streamer.
"Alright."
Max took the board and thought for a little. What kind of autograph should he give? After a second, he had an idea.
\'A graffiti-styled autograph might be good.\'
His hand moved and gave the board a good line. He wrote \'Breeze\' in a graffiti style in one stroke with the ink completely connected.
Then, he added \'For Rachel\' on the bottom and #1 on the corner, signifying that it was his first autograph ever.
"Here it is, Uncle Sam. Please tell your daughter that I appreciate her support."
"Sure, sure." Uncle Sam laughed merrily as he took the board back.
"The moving company will arrive soon to pack and get your stuff. We will arrange everything so you just need to relax. Also, good luck in your career, Max. Oh, I won\'t tell her your real name, so don\'t worry about it. Hahaha!"
"Thank you for everything."
"It\'s just a business." The older man grinned.