Maximize Interest, My Money Grows Infinitely-Chapter 13 - Pulling Strings

"Of course, I want to get it done," said Chen Cheng, calm and composed: "My company has been a long-time customer of your bank. Just for that reason, Jingfa Bank is definitely my first choice!"

His earnestness was written all over his face, as he reiterated: "It's just that there are too many people. I've been here for three days in a row and haven't managed to get a number at the front."

After hearing this, Tong Jialu took the document bag back from Chen Cheng's hands.

Right in front of him, she untied the string seal and pulled out a thick stack of documents.

"Your company's qualifications are quite good, and the cash flow is ample." She flipped through quickly: "What do you need the loan for?"

Chen Cheng, sensing an opportunity, said, "To expand the business scope! To make money."

"How much are you thinking?" she asked.

Without hesitation, Chen Cheng announced a figure, "Five million."

Tong Jialu furrowed her brows slightly; for a small and medium-sized enterprise, this was no small amount.

She looked up at Chen Cheng, trying to gauge something from his eyes.

Chen Cheng met her gaze squarely, a hint of confidence playing at the corner of his mouth.

"Manager Tong, my company's operations have always been stable, and the cash flow is sufficient to support the loan. I believe that with this capital, our business can certainly reach new heights."

"I will present your information to the director. However, the approval process may take some time. Additionally, we need to conduct a more in-depth investigation and assessment of your company," Tong Jialu said.

She added, "In the end, we might not be able to give out as much as you're asking for."

Chen Cheng of course knew that a five million loan was an impossible wish for his small company.

So, his strategy was to shoot for the moon to give Jingfa Bank room to negotiate down.

With a slight smile, he displayed an open-minded attitude.

"Manager Tong, I understand. Five million is just an aspirational figure."

Chen Cheng continued, "The specific loan amount, of course, will need to be assessed by your bank based on my company's actual situation and repayment ability. I trust in Jingfa Bank's professionalism and fairness, and I trust that the bank will provide me with a reasonable loan amount."

Hearing Chen Cheng put it that way, Tong Jialu felt that he was not the type who was obsessed with obtaining the maximum loan amount.

"Alright, I'll submit these documents." She packed up the files, "Just make sure to answer your phone, that's all."

"Oh my! Look at this! I really don't want to trouble you so much!" Chen Cheng immediately switched to a more respectful form of address.

Tong Jialu remained her usual cool self, "This isn't nepotism, okay? It's just that our bank doesn't want to miss out on quality customers like you."

"Understood! Understood!"

Chen Cheng then spent a little while talking shop with Tong Jialu before leaving the alley.

Once back in his car, he adjusted his seat, full of hope and said, "If I can get one million, I'll be more than satisfied!"

He glanced at the time; it was just after half-past nine. With time to spare, he thought he'd go to the furniture mall and look for a replacement for that hard-board mattress that was hurting his back.

However, just as Chen Cheng started his car, his phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID showed it was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Chen! It's Tong Jialu!" The voice on the other end was light and urgent.

Chen Cheng had never expected to receive a call from Tong Jialu just five minutes after their parting.

"Manager Tong! What's the matter? Is there a problem with my documents?" he asked.

"No!"

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The sound of high heels tapping hurriedly on the ground came through the phone again; it sounded as if Tong Jialu was running outside.

Chen Cheng was puzzled, "Then what is it?"

"Do you know where I can buy hongzi?" Tong Jialu's voice was back to normal.

Chen Cheng guessed, "Has it escaped?"

"It's dead! I just got back to my office, opened the curtains, and saw that bird lying there lifeless!"

Chen Cheng frowned, "Manager Tong, don't panic right now! I'll handle this."

"Do you have a solution?" Tong Jialu's voice was trembling.

"Yes!" Chen Cheng answered firmly, "Let's add each other on WeChat, and you send me a photo of your red-crested bird."

"Alright, alright, alright!"

Not long after hanging up the phone, as expected, a red dot appeared in Chen Cheng's WeChat friend request.

After acceptance, Tong Jialu sent the photo.

"Mr. Chen! Please take a look, it looks like this!"

Chen Cheng enlarged the picture; the red-crested bird was in good shape, its feathers bright and its body full, clearly well-cared for.

"Manager Tong, wait for my news. Very soon!" he replied.

Tong Jialu: "Alright, alright, alright! Thank you for your trouble!"

Chen Cheng put down his phone, started his car, and headed straight for Chaoyang Park.

...

In Chen Cheng's memory, his grandfather Zhai Tiansheng often came to this park to meet with Jin Baogen.

No matter the weather, Jin Baogen was always steadfast in the pavilion by the lake, lifting cages and arranging birds, or as Uncle Song used to say, "I may be starving, but I cannot let the birds starve."

By the time Chen Cheng arrived at Chaoyang Park, the sun was just right, the lake's surface shimmering, and the early morning exercisers were starting to leave one after another.

He followed the small path along the lake, feeling uneasy, after all, he didn't have Jin Baogen's contact information and wasn't sure if he had come.

"Take a look, sir, this set of walking sticks I carved has a toad's mouth and dragon pattern, made of old wild sour jujube wood."

Before he got close, Chen Cheng heard a robust voice, and his eyebrows unconsciously lifted.

"And look at this red-crested bird perched on my walking stick, it's genuine Henan merchandise, what a crisp and resonating call it has!"

Chen Cheng looked towards the voice and saw Jin Baogen in a gray Zhongshan suit, his hair already graying but his spirit still vigorous.

He held a marsh tit and above the pavilion's beam hung four bird cages; he was enjoying a lively chat with several old friends.

Chen Cheng quickly stepped forward and tentatively called, "Mr. Jin?"

Jin Baogen looked at the young man before him with a hint of puzzlement in his eyes, which then turned to surprise.

"Hey, isn't this Mr. Chen?"

Chen Cheng hurriedly waved his hand, "Mr. Jin, please don't call me that. If you don't want to call me by my full name, Chen Cheng, just call me Xiao Cheng."

"Addressing someone as 'Mr.' is a Beijing way of speaking, it's not about seniority, it's about familiarity."

Jin Baogen paused, "Moreover, calling you Mr. Chen, isn't it a way to remember your family's old man?"

After a few pleasantries, the distance between the two men closed instantly.

Chen Cheng conceded, "You still look so vigorous."

Jin Baogen laughed and patted Chen Cheng's shoulder, "I'm old, not much use anymore. But speaking of it, Mr. Chen, you still look quite spirited!"

Chen Cheng, a little embarrassed, scratched his head, "Mr. Jin, please stop teasing me."

Seeing Chen Cheng's concern in his eyes, Jin Baogen turned to his companions and said, "Gentlemen, I must excuse myself today."

He then took down the bird cage from above and inserted a bamboo pole through it.

Seeing this, Chen Cheng offered, "Mr. Jin, let me do it."

"Alright, let's find a quiet spot for a chat, just the two of us."

Chen Cheng and Jin Baogen set out, Chen Cheng shouldering the bird cages while Jin Baogen still held the not-yet-tame red-crested bird.

The two found a stone bench to sit on not far along the lakeside path.

Jin Baogen took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered one to Chen Cheng.

Although Chen Cheng had decided to quit smoking, he still joined him for this one.

Thin streams of smoke twirled from his nostrils, and then Jin Baogen murmured, "Mr. Chen, it's your turn to speak."