"Zheng Shuai? The young man who manipulated my secretary's computer?" Zhu Fengshan thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "That kid's got guts, outmaneuvering my secretary. Does he have enough experience though?"
"He's been with the bank for three years and has excellent marketing performance. To be frank, he's helped me bring in several million in just these past two weeks."
"Alright, I'll speak with HR. Submit an application on your end as well. This should be easy to arrange," Zhu Fengshan waved his hand. "Any other requests? Feel free to ask."
Lin Qiang understood that Zhu Fengshan's generosity had its reasons. He had just revealed his hundred-million-yuan client and his direct connection with the private banking center. Zhu Fengshan feared Lin Qiang might jump ship. In the stagnant DongjiaoĀ branch, Lin Qiang had become their only hope. However, making too many demands right after being promoted would be inappropriate. It would be better to gradually make requests as performance improved.
"Everyone in our branch is quite good, but they still lack some experience. I'll observe them a bit more," Lin Qiang set aside his desire to promote his subordinates for now.
"Mm, that new student is promising. Train her well," Zhu Fengshan was clearly referring to Lin Xiaozhao. "With her education and image, as long as her work ability is up to par, she has a bright future ahead. However... that Xiao Xiao is really difficult to place."
Zhu Fengshan suddenly remembered someone and asked, "By the way, Zhang Jiaming will likely resign. Don't you need a new account manager on your team?"
Lin Qiang smiled, "Manager Zhu, the new graduates should be arriving this year, right? When the time comes, could I have first pick..."
"You! So cunning!" Zhu Fengshan laughed heartily. "I'll allow you to choose one first, but don't spread it around. The other directors would give me grief!"
That evening, the Longyuan outlet held a grand celebration for Lin Qiang's promotion to director, and incidentally, to celebrate certain people's permanent departure. In the all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant, beer flowed freely, and even the well-behaved Lin Xiaozhao had a bit too much to drink.
Since the branch was closed the next day, everyone went home satisfied after the feast, leaving only Lin Qiang and Lin Xiaozhao to walk back to the dormitory together.
Under the dim streetlights, the two maintained their distance. With the departure of Xiao Xiao, Zheng Shuai, and the others, an awkward shyness settled between them.
Dressed in a white sundress, her face flushed and slightly tipsy, Lin Xiaozhao exuded a unique beauty in the night. The thought of each returning alone to their dormitory rooms after such a joyous evening felt somewhat lonely.
"Manager, I heard from Zheng Shuai that you used to have a girlfriend?" Lin Xiaozhao ventured.
"Ahem..." Lin Qiang coughed awkwardly. "That guy, always gossiping."
"Hehe..." Lin Xiaozhao giggled, covering her mouth. "She must have gotten tired of you bullying her and ran away!"
"Something like that," Lin Qiang shook his head. "Two people with too many thoughts of their own find it hard to be together."
"Too many thoughts?" Lin Xiaozhao bit her lip, speaking absent-mindedly. "I think it's best to just listen to you, Manager. You'll arrange everything well."
"Still calling me Manager?"
"Ah? ...Oh!" Lin Xiaozhao lowered her head, her cheeks turning completely red.
If not "Manager," what should she call him?
Her classmates always said that entering the workplace would bring many complicated situations with male superiors.
She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, feeling conflicted and curious: "You haven't asked me yet..."
"Huh?" Lin Qiang scratched his head. "Should you be calling me Director now?"
"You!!!" Lin Xiaozhao suddenly felt like she'd been toyed with. Her face turned as red as a ripe apple, and she began pummeling Lin Qiang's back.
"Wait! What did I do?"
"You're so mean!!"
"Huh??"
That night, they didn't part ways after all. It seemed too boring to spend such a happy evening alone, so Lin Qiang invited Lin Xiaozhao to his dorm to watch the European Champions League match.
With popcorn and cola bought on the way, Lin Qiang enjoyed the game thoroughly.
"Without Mourinho, they're not the same! The team lacks decisiveness!" Lin Qiang complained, munching on popcorn.
Lin Xiaozhao ate popcorn to vent her frustration. Who invites a girl to watch soccer late at night? More importantly... why did she agree?
"At least they have Ronaldo!"
"..."
"You girls all like Ronaldo, right?"
"Ronaldo who?"
"Oh, let me tell you about him..."
"..."
Having a girl by his side, Lin Qiang enjoyed the match immensely. It had been a long time since he could watch a game so carefree, without worrying about tomorrow's tasks.
Poor Lin Xiaozhao eventually fell asleep, slightly resentful.
Of course, not everywhere was the atmosphere so pleasant.
In a high-end apartment in the Eastern District of Jijing...
The dark brown floor was covered in shattered porcelain, with various decorations smashed all over. The sound of objects being thrown and broken still echoed through the room.
"Not a penny! Not a single penny! Instead, I have to give him money!!!" Wei Wen, disheveled and wild-eyed, smashed another vase against the wall, screaming, "He sold all his properties and assets and donated everything! How is this possible?! Such an obvious trick! Won't the court do anything?!"
"Wenwen, don't worry, we'll appeal," Chen Liang tried to console her through gritted teeth. "Just tell me clearly, where did he donate it? I'll investigate."
"Where? You're asking where?! To your United Bank!" Wei Wen collapsed onto the sofa, clutching her head. "Some damn charity foundation, and the judge actually approved it!!!"
"Our bank?" Chen Liang was suddenly alarmed. "You mean... the United Charity Foundation?!"
"What else could it be?!"
Thud.
Chen Liang also slumped into a chair, wiping his forehead.
"Don't worry, I know about this charity foundation. He'll withdraw the funds sooner or later. We'll drag it out until then, even if it takes years!"
"We can't drag it out anymore... We can't..." Wei Wen leaned her head against the sofa cushion, staring blankly at the ceiling. "This lawsuit... he somehow got so much evidence... I'm at fault... The court has already granted the divorce."
"Evidence?"
"Evidence of us being together." Wei Wen's face was ashen. "How could someone as straightforward as him think of hiring a private investigator... It must be him!! It must be that man!"
"The one who came with Luo Yongsheng to see the lawyer?"
"Yes, him!! He even testified in court today!" Wei Wen turned and gripped Chen Liang's shoulders tightly. "He's also from your United Bank... What was his name? Something Qiang! Do you know him?"
"..."
"Say something?!!"
"...I... don't know him." Chen Liang's face turned pale.
Was he the one who destroyed everything?
How could someone who was right under his nose every day accomplish all this?
"I need to make a call," Chen Liang pushed Wei Wen away forcefully and stood up mechanically.
"Why are you so rough?" Wei Wen grabbed Chen Liang's arm, glaring at him. "Stay with me, I'm feeling terrible right now."
"I'm not feeling any better than you."
"We'll get through this together, right?"
"..."
"We agreed... to emigrate together..."
"I will emigrate," Chen Liang turned his head coldly. "But definitely not with you."
"???"
"You're someone who has nothing but men in your life." Chen Liang shook off Wei Wen's hand as if discarding something dirty. "This is where we end. I hope your appeal is successful."
"Chen Liang?! You're joking, right?"
Chen Liang put on his coat and left resolutely.
Wei Wen collapsed alone on the floor.
The bank card Luo Yongsheng had given her was already closed, and she probably couldn't stay in this apartment anymore.
How did things end up like this?