Chapter 49: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole

After Chen Yang reached an agreement with Liu Shijie, he invited Luo Zhikai to Worry-free Residence.

Worry-free Residence is high-end, with excellent service, making it the best place for businesspeople to discuss cooperation.

Of course, more importantly, the fact that he invited Luo Zhikai here will surely reach Zhang Jun's ears.

"Old Luo, did you block me?"

"Chen Yang, we've been classmates for four years; how could I do that? It was just a bad signal back then!"

"Really? Then you should suggest to your superiors to get a better signal booster. If even such an important unit as the bank has poor signal, how can it serve the public?"

"Hehe, I've already suggested that; it will surely improve."

"Let me introduce you; this is Manager Liu of Sunshine Real Estate."

"Hello, Manager Liu, I've long heard your great name; I didn't expect you to be so young!" Luo Zhikai excitedly reached out both hands to shake Manager Liu's hand in respect, but was refused.

Liu Shijie's attitude was very cold; he merely gave a polite nod. This was only out of respect for Chen Yang's face. For any other ordinary bank employee, he wouldn't have bothered.

Luo Zhikai felt embarrassed and resentful, but still put on a smile.

Chen Yang didn't want the atmosphere too awkward, so he had Liu Shijie take them to a private room at Worry-free Residence. He wasn't a member; without Liu Shijie leading the way, the staff wouldn't even attend to them.

However, Chen Yang was stopped at the entrance of Wealthy Garden by a staff member, who said Miss Yexin wanted to see him.

As soon as he arrived, he was watched; Chen Yang strongly suspected that the entrance of Worry-free Residence had surveillance installed.

Following the staff's guidance, Chen Yang came to Yexin's office. She leaned back in a leather executive chair, eyes closed, resting, looking somewhat fatigued.

"Miss Yexin, what do you need?"

"Didn't I tell you not to come again? Why are you here?"

"I'm just discussing something with an important client; I'll leave after we finish."

"An ordinary bank employee becomes an important client—do you think I'm easy to fool?" Yexin slightly opened her eyes, gave Chen Yang a displeased look. "And this Liu Shijie, his standards are dropping; he keeps bringing unreliable people over, treating my place like a restaurant?"

Chen Yang laughed: "Your restaurant isn't cheap—ten million!"

Yexin snorted and said to Chen Yang: "Then eat more, so Lin Xiaotou doesn't think I'm shortchanging her man."

Chen Yang thanked her and was about to leave, but Yexin called him back at the door.

"What's the deal with the thing you called me about this morning?"

"A friend recommended I buy this stock; I know nothing about it and feared being scammed, so I came to ask you."

"Oh, you'd better stay away from that friend. Recommending a stock that's been limit-down for days is really despicable!"

"Okay, I'll cut ties with him when I get back. These days, stockbrokers are also unreliable, just trying to hit their targets by swindling acquaintances. If it weren't for your warning, Miss Yexin, I would have fallen for it."

"Hmm, I'll make an exception for you today, but you're not allowed to come again after this."

Chen Yang nodded repeatedly and quickly left Yexin's office.

Upon returning to Wealthy Garden, Liu Shijie had already ordered the dishes. Luo Zhikai was patiently recommending Xingcheng Bank's loan business to him.

The bank contacts Liu Shijie deals with are at least manager level; he has no interest in a low-level employee like Luo Zhikai. His patience in sitting here is entirely to cooperate with Chen Yang in performing the "Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole" act.

Seeing Chen Yang arrive, Liu Shijie also relaxed, using his gaze to remind Chen Yang to take over quickly.

Chen Yang didn't beat around the bush, directly telling Luo Zhikai: "Old Luo, I plan to partner with Manager Liu on a big project and need some working capital. Just tell Manager Liu directly how much money you can lend us."

As a newcomer to the industry, Luo Zhikai had little influence at Xingcheng Bank. He originally wanted to bring a superior with him, but gave up after hearing Chen Yang say that outsiders couldn't just be brought into Worry-free Residence.

"Manager Liu, how much do you need to borrow?"

Liu Shijie said nothing, merely extending five fingers toward Luo Zhikai.

"Fifty million? No problem!"

"Five hundred million!"

The excitement Luo Zhikai had just sparked was instantly doused. His investment banking department doesn't handle credit business. Fifty million could be settled through leadership connections, but five hundred million would definitely require the credit department's manager or higher to take over—then it would have nothing to do with him.

"Manager Liu, the amount you want is too large; I need to consult my superior." After saying that, Luo Zhikai went outside to call his direct superior.

Liu Shijie looked doubtful and asked Chen Yang: "With just a low-level bank employee like your classmate, can you really lure out the Zhang brothers?"

"Don't worry!" Chen Yang glanced outside, then whispered to Liu Shijie: "Based on my understanding of Zhang Jun, he will definitely go find Luo Zhikai to inquire about our affairs."

Liu Shijie nodded half-believing, half-doubting. His task was to cooperate with the act; since Chen Yang thought it fine, he didn't bother to worry. "What did Miss Yexin want with you?"

"Nothing much, just chatted casually about family matters."

Liu Shijie didn't believe him; he always felt Chen Yang was hiding something from him, but felt awkward asking Yexin directly. That woman has a terrible temper—she'll hit you at the slightest displeasure. He still didn't dare to resist…

Luo Zhikai quickly returned, saying his superior wanted to treat Liu Shijie and Chen Yang to a meal tomorrow to further discuss the five-hundred-million loan business.

Liu Shijie had no objection. If they could really secure a five-hundred-million loan, he still wanted to vie for that project in International New City. Even if they couldn't get the best land, a second-tier plot would be fine. After all, that's a huge piece of fat meat; unless the top-tier domestic developers step in, no real estate firm in Xingcheng could swallow it whole.

After the matter was settled, all that remained was enjoying the complimentary services at Worry-free Residence, which Chen Yang couldn't forget. Luo Zhikai seemed to have opened the door to a new world. When leaving, he still gazed longingly at Worry-free Residence for a long time.

Unfortunately, he also lacked the qualifications to become a regular here. Not to mention five hundred thousand, he didn't even have fifty thousand.

More crucially, even with money, one needs the owner's consent of Worry-free Residence to become a member.

For example, Chen Yang—when Liu Shijie recommended him for membership, Yexin directly vetoed it. Moreover, he now doesn't even have the qualification to tag along with Liu Shijie to enjoy the free services.

It's really too bullying!

Chen Yang and Luo Zhikai left, each with their own regrets. Just as Chen Yang had anticipated, the news of their meal at Worry-free Residence quickly reached Zhang Jun's ears. He angrily smashed a blue-and-white porcelain cup.

"Luo Zhikai, you bastard! I knew he was unreliable. He swore in the daytime to cut ties with Chen Yang, then turned around and hooked up with someone!"

"Tang Kun, starting tomorrow, you watch Luo Zhikai. As soon as you see him together with Chen Yang, report to me immediately!"