Chapter 24

Fang Qingye parked the car below the hall’s steps, rolled down the window, and called out: “Director Xia.”

Xia He immediately descended the steps, got in the car, and sat in the backseat, smiling as she asked.

“Xiao Fang, why are you driving?”

“Teacher Zhang had an urgent matter, so I’m substituting for him to pick you up. Are you going home or back to the office?” Fang Qingye asked as he drove.

“Back to the office—I still have some work to handle.”

“Understood.”

The car left the government compound and headed toward the old district.

On the way, Fang Qingye glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Xia He looked tired; he asked with concern: “Sis Xia, haven’t you been resting well? You look pale. Work is important, but don’t neglect your health.”

“Heh, Xiao Fang, you’re quite thoughtful.” Xia He said, then sighed: “There’s no choice. Before May Day, the city branch ordered us to cut real estate lending and lower non-performing loan ratios. Now that May Day’s barely over, county leaders are demanding all banks increase support for real estate funding—lend as much as possible, support local economy... Who should I listen to?”

“Both sides have valid points, Sis Xia—you can’t ignore either.” Fang Qingye replied with a smile.

“Yes... the county cares about local economic growth, livelihoods, and jobs—they prioritize social benefits. Our city branch cares about profits. If loans go bad, our non-performing loan ratio rises, and we all suffer. Sigh...” Xia He sighed again at the end.

“Actually, solving this problem isn’t that hard.”

Fang Qingye’s words revived Xia He’s interest: “How?”

“There are over a dozen real estate companies in Nanxin, but their quality varies. Pick two or three larger ones with solid operations and lend to them to meet their funding needs. That satisfies the county leaders without directly defying the city branch’s directives—a win-win.”

“Hmm, Xiao Fang, you and I are thinking the same thing. That’s the simplest, most direct solution.” Xia He nodded: “Which real estate companies have the best operations?”

“Kairui Real Estate, Lin Yuan Company, Jianfa Company.” Fang Qinglin named three real estate firms in one breath.

“Kairui?” Xia He suddenly remembered something: “Xiao Fang, I heard you’re very close to Song Qingdong’s second son, and you even call Song Qingdong ‘Uncle’—are you here to lobby for them?”

“Sis Xia, I’m speaking purely on facts.” Fang Qingye drove calmly as he explained.

“These three companies are among the largest in Nanxin’s real estate sector. Kairui Real Estate, in particular, is the industry leader. Its cash flow has had some issues, but overall operations remain decent—lending to them is the safest and most meaningful choice. Of course, personally, I also hope Kairui gets the loan—you said yourself, I call Song Qingdong ‘Uncle.’”

Fang Qingye’s honesty didn’t offend Xia He: “Hmm... that’s more like it. Having personal bias is having personal bias—we’re not saints. Balancing public and private interests is best. But Kairui’s demands are too big—we can’t meet them.”

Think of a way.

Fang Qingye prepared to continue persuading, but noticed the car had turned onto Changle Road—the office was just three minutes away.

Once they reached the office, he couldn’t follow her into her office to discuss this. If he ran into someone reporting work, he’d lose this chance.

Finding another suitable moment to raise this topic would make gaining her agreement far harder.

He had to settle this today!

Thinking this, Fang Qingye had a sudden idea: “Sis Xia, let’s grab a meal before heading to the office? It’s mealtime—I’ll treat you.”

“Fine, but no fancy restaurants—just find a small place to fill our stomachs.” Xia He agreed.

“I know a small restaurant nearby with great food.” Fang Qingye said, kept driving, turned past the intersection near the office, and pulled up outside a modest eatery—the very place where Zhao Wenjun had once treated him.

The owner was still there. Seeing Fang Qingye enter, she recognized the young man who’d dined with Zhao Wenjun before, followed now by a beautiful woman in bank uniform; she hurried over to greet them.

“Boss, do you have a private room? One, please. Bring the menu.” Fang Qingye said.

“Yes, yes.” The owner led them into a private room, handed Fang Qingye the menu, stood beside him as he ordered, and couldn’t help asking: “Where’s Director Zhao? Why hasn’t he come to eat lately?”

“He quit. Heard he went to Shanghai.” Fang Qingye replied casually, handed back the menu after ordering.

Xia He had stayed silent until the owner left, then asked curiously: “Does this owner know Zhao Wenjun?”

“Because Zhao Wenjun used to eat here often.” Fang Qingye paused: “The last time Zhao Wenjun treated me, it was right here.”

Xia He murmured “Oh,” then glanced around the room, lost in thought.

The dishes arrived quickly: white-sauce catfish, iron-plate clams, Wenshan bamboo shoots, plus a soup and two bowls of rice. They began eating, and Fang Qingye brought up the loan issue again.

“Sis Xia, you said earlier in the car that Kairui’s loan amount exceeds our branch’s approval limit—but that’s not hard to solve.”

“Xiao Fang,” Xia He put down her chopsticks and looked at him with a half-smile: “You didn’t just drop me off at the office—you came here to eat, didn’t you? You’re still trying to talk about this.”

“Sis Xia, you’re misjudging me—I genuinely wanted to treat you.” Fang Qingye explained, then smiled: “Of course, I also took the chance to chat about the loan.”

“You... have so many hidden agendas.” Xia He giggled: “Go on, what’s your idea? I’ll warn you now—I won’t agree to splitting the loan into smaller parts—that’s a violation.”

“Sis Xia, why would I get you to break bank rules? It’s simple—submit the documents through proper channels and let the city branch approve them.”

“I’m your senior—I might be swayed, but can you convince City Branch Director Zhang? Impressive.” Xia He smiled sweetly.

“I don’t have that kind of influence—Director Zhang doesn’t even know who I am.” Fang Qingye smiled too: “Sis Xia, this depends on you.”

“On me? Why? Are you asking me to take the loan documents and get scolded by Director Zhang?!” Xia He’s face darkened slightly.

“Of course not—I’d never drag you into trouble. Listen to me carefully.” Fang Qingye looked utterly confident.

“Oh? Go ahead.”

Xia He picked up a piece of fish, half-heartedly.

“Sis Xia, what’s your view on China’s current situation?” Fang Qingye suddenly changed the subject, asking slowly.