Grad student housing.
Emma Anderson looked at the message Arden sent and couldn't help laughing.
Are you even speaking like a normal person?
Tired of staying in luxury hotels?
Most people can't even afford to stay in them.
However, given Emma's background, Arden's question, though seemingly outrageous, wasn't without merit.
Since she was very young, Emma had stayed with her parents at five-star hotels costing over $150 a night.
She'd even experienced more expensive ones.
Once when her mom returned to her hometown and her dad was on a business trip, it was summer break, so he took her to stay at the Hilton for half a month straight.
Emma had a lot to say about Arden's troubles.
After all, she'd recently been captivated by Arden's physique, so Emma seriously considered it, organized her thoughts, and typed:
[TheEmmyAwards: Although hotels are luxurious, they're still hotels—lacking a sense of real life. Staying too long can make you feel rootless and empty.]
[WestOfEden: That makes total sense!]
[WestOfEden: In that case, for long-term living, traditional renting is actually the way to go.]
[WestOfEden: But hotels have people handling everything, which is so convenient. That's an advantage renting can't match.]
[TheEmmyAwards: Wait, Arden, are you planning to move off-campus?]
[WestOfEden: Yeah, I've been thinking about it. Just wanted to run it by you first.]
[TheEmmyAwards: Arden's very considerate~ thumbs up]
[WestOfEden: [embarrassed emoji]]
[WestOfEden: By the way, is there possibly a higher-end rental option that also offers hotel services?]
[TheEmmyAwards: What you're describing exists on the market, but the price is quite high. Most students probably can't afford it.]
[WestOfEden: Do I look like an average student?]
[WestOfEden: [Image][Image][Image][Image]]
Arden took the opportunity to send Emma a set of ab photos.
He'd casually taken them in the bathroom earlier.
Had to admit, the body enhancement serum from the system was truly amazing.
The physique it sculpted was even better than a male model's.
[TheEmmyAwards: [blushing emoji]]
[TheEmmyAwards: Why are you sending pics out of nowhere? Save those for your girlfriend, don't be wild with your advisor!]
[WestOfEden: I just thought you'd like to see them. You didn't object to the ones I sent a few days ago.]
[WestOfEden: If you doesn't like them, I won't send anymore.]
[TheEmmyAwards: ...]
[TheEmmyAwards: To be honest, they are indeed good-looking. Arden, you must've put serious effort into that physique, right?]
Emma was someone who loved fitness, so naturally she had strong interest in maintaining excellent physique.
The two chatted about fitness-related topics for a while before returning to the main subject.
[TheEmmyAwards: What you're talking about—a living arrangement combining the homey feel of renting with hotel services—is called a 'serviced apartment.']
[TheEmmyAwards: It originated as a business model abroad and has been operating very successfully in the US in recent years, highly favored by high-end business professionals.]
[TheEmmyAwards: Let me ask upfront—Arden, what's your budget?]
Arden did some calculations.
His current savings were over ten million.
The system said for indulgence spending like rent, he could prepay for maximum one year.
In other words, monthly rent just couldn't exceed one million.
[WestOfEden: Not more than $80k a month, I guess.]
[TheEmmyAwards: ...]
[TheEmmyAwards: [screaming dog meme]]
[TheEmmyAwards: With that budget, you want to live in a palace?]
[WestOfEden: Palace won't work. I heard places like palaces, castles, and historic districts have bad internet, and I like gaming.]
[TheEmmyAwards: [amused dog meme]]
[TheEmmyAwards: Hold on, I'll find you some links. They're all reputable brands with serviced apartments that have locations in Bayside.]
Before long, Emma sent several web links.
Arden looked through them and was immediately satisfied.
A serviced apartment, like a hotel, was a large building independently operated by a brand.
The interior decoration and design resembled high-end, spacious residential homes.
Kitchens, bathrooms, walk-in closets, parking...
All amenities comparable to owning your own home.
But you didn't have to worry about decorating yourself, and there was 24-hour concierge service. Cleaning, repairs—even if you wanted food, you could directly call concierge for help.
Additionally, serviced apartments came with private gyms, pools, Chinese and Western restaurants, leisure clubs, media rooms, bars...
Some even had absurd amenities like golf courses and racetracks.
Of course, pricewise, they were incomparable to regular apartments costing two or three thousand a month.
They started with thousand-square-foot units, and the price for a single night was even higher than the JW Marriott riverview suite Arden had stayed in.
If you wanted a larger unit, it started at $450 per night.
That worked out to $15,000 a month.
Of course, actual contracts were monthly, and booking several months at once got you discounts. If you prepaid a full year, the discount was even steeper.
But no matter the discount, it was still a rental method unimaginable for working people.
For Arden, money wasn't the issue.
The key was quality of living.
Had to be luxurious yet also have an everyday life feel.
After looking at the links Emma sent, Arden had an epiphany: wasn't this basically long-term renting a top-tier luxury apartment in the city center, with a bunch of thoughtful services included?
Choosing the most luxurious serviced apartment and renting for a year would definitely generate several million in cashback.
Once his savings grew more, he'd directly scout out a luxury home in Bayside, acquire it, then slowly decorate according to his own ideas.
Once decoration was done, he'd move into the luxury home.
Arden's thoughts flowed, and he quickly finalized his plan.
[WestOfEden: Thanks. This information is super useful.]
[WestOfEden: I think the 'Ascott' brand looks good. Although it's pricey, there's a location really close to campus, right by the river. The location and view are excellent.]
[TheEmmyAwards: Arden, your taste is excellent. If you don't care about budget, this one's definitely most suitable for students.]
[WestOfEden]: I'm planning to check it out tomorrow. You free tomorrow? Want to come with me?]
Inviting his advisor to go apartment hunting with him?
Bold move, kid.
Emma felt flustered, but that quickly transformed into pleasant, playful mood.
After all, she was a rich girl who'd seen a lot of the world.
She could tell Arden's family was very wealthy, and this formed stark contrast with Arden's simplicity in food, clothing, and daily expenses.
"A low-key rich kid... and his physique is incredible. As expected, there are hidden talents among university students."
Emma murmured to herself, unable to resist opening the pictures Arden had just sent that she'd saved to her phone.
They made her mouth water.
Oh no, I'm gonna drool...
To be honest, Emma was genuinely a little tempted.
She hadn't been in a relationship for so many years. With her family background, she didn't need to gain anything from men through dating—she was a girl who'd grown up with a silver spoon.
However, Emma also disliked flaunting wealth and had always diligently studied, pursued graduate degrees, and worked to improve herself.
She didn't have grand ambitions, but at least she wanted to be a contributing member of society.
She suddenly realized Arden seemed quite similar to her.
Also the low-key wealthy type who lived honestly.
Moreover, Arden had such an incredible physique—he must love fitness, and Emma also loved fitness.
Simply a match made in heaven!
Except for the slightly awkward dynamic where she was his advisor and Arden was a freshman...
Emma shook her head, deciding not to overthink for now, and to just be friends first.
So she immediately accepted Arden's invitation and arranged to view the Ascott apartment together tomorrow morning.