Chapter 59: Branch Chief Assistant

What do you want to see Branch Chief Zhang for?

I told Branch Chief Zhang that the employee fidelity insurance was your idea, and also about your crucial role in resolving the loss of Tenglong Industry’s deposits. He’s very interested in you, so he wants to meet you.

“Sis, why say the employee fidelity insurance was my idea? Wouldn’t it be better to say it was yours?” Fang Qingye asked in return.

“No, credit must go to who deserves it. I don’t like taking credit for my subordinates’ achievements.”

“You’ve got a good heart. These days, which boss doesn’t claim all the credit for themselves and dump all the blame on their subordinates?” Fang Qingye muttered.

“That’s not fair to generalize. I’m not like that—at least not with you,” Xia He said calmly.

“Is meeting the city branch chief just about this?” Fang Qingye asked again, recalling what Cao Ting had told him that morning.

“Hmm… there’s more, but I can’t tell you yet. Let’s wait until after you meet Branch Chief Zhang—once you pass this test, I’ll tell you.”

Hearing this, Fang Qingye stopped pressing.

The drive from Nanxin to Jinghai’s urban area took only an hour; after exiting the Shenhai Expressway and entering the city, they followed Xinshiji Avenue, turned left onto Yinhe Road, and arrived at Dongxing Building.

Fang Qingye drove the car straight into the underground parking lot, then they took the elevator upstairs.

Xia He glanced at her wristwatch and said, “It’s nine-twenty now, right on schedule—we’re just in time.”

Fang Qingye followed Xia He up to the sixth floor, knocked on the door marked Branch Chief’s Office, and saw a large office with a massive desk in the center, where a middle-aged man in his early fifties, slightly balding, was reviewing documents.

It was Branch Chief Zhang of the city branch.

He looked up, saw Xia He, and smiled.

“Branch Chief Xia, you’re here? Sit, sit, let me pour you some tea.” He put down the documents and stood up.

“Branch Chief Zhang, let me do it,” Xia He hurried forward two steps, reaching for the thermos on the side table.

“Branch Chief Xia, let me pour,” Fang Qingye said immediately. Xia He stepped aside. Fang Qingye placed tea leaves in two empty cups, then picked up the thermos and poured tea for both of them.

He noticed the branch chief’s insulated cup on the desk was half-full, so he went over and filled it to the top.

“You’re Xiao Fang?” Branch Chief Zhang noticed him.

“Yes, Branch Chief Zhang, I’m Fang Qingye,” Fang Qingye replied.

“Sit down, sit down,” Branch Chief Zhang said, settling into a nearby sofa. “Xiao Fang, Branch Chief Xia told me you’re highly qualified, capable—an exceptional talent.”

“It’s mostly thanks to Branch Chief Xia’s cultivation.”

“Hehe… even the best leadership can’t do it alone—your own effort matters just as much.”

“Branch Chief Zhang is right,” Fang Qingye agreed immediately.

“Xiao Fang, Branch Chief Xia told me you two are alumni?” Branch Chief Zhang asked again.

“Yes, I graduated from Shencai too.”

“Where’s your hometown?”

“Right here in Nanxin—I’m a native of Nanxin.”

Branch Chief Zhang then asked about the work he was responsible for, and Fang Qingye answered truthfully.

He understood clearly.

Xia He had probably already reported all this to Branch Chief Zhang. Given her nature, she’d likely embellished it with plenty of praise for him.

Branch Chief Zhang was just asking again to see how he’d respond.

Be honest, straightforward, even more humble—highlight the leadership’s cultivation…

Fang Qingye had long mastered these tactics for speaking with superiors.

They posed no challenge to him.

Indeed, after their conversation, Branch Chief Zhang said: “You’re humble—unlike some young people today who, after achieving a little, stick their tails in the air and think everyone should know. Branch Chief Xia, this young man is good!”

“If he weren’t an outstanding youth, why would I recommend him to you?” Xia He smiled.

The matter was essentially settled. Xia He told Fang Qingye: “Xiao Fang, wait outside for me—I need to discuss some other work matters with Branch Chief Zhang.”

This was clearly a way to send him away—what followed wasn’t meant for him to hear.

Fang Qingye naturally said nothing, bowed to Branch Chief Zhang, and left the office.

Xia He didn’t make him wait long—less than ten minutes, she emerged, looking relaxed.

“Come on, I’ll take you to meet the other branch chiefs.”

Fang Qingye followed her to visit several deputy branch chiefs, and Xia He naturally praised him again and again.

But before Liu Baosheng, who oversaw discipline and inspection, Xia He spoke far more cautiously.

Liu Baosheng wore a serious expression and brought up the recent case of Sun Jiaming from the Nanxin branch, who illegally diverted customer funds to speculate in stocks and then jumped to his death. He rebuked Xia He, emphasizing that such incidents must never happen again.

Leaders in charge of discipline were always like this—never talking about their own branch, always seizing chances to give you a warning. Xia He was used to it—she accepted the criticism humbly.

After rebuking Xia He, Liu Baosheng’s expression softened as he turned to Fang Qingye.

He was stern with subordinate leaders, but kinder toward ordinary cadres. He asked Fang Qingye several questions, and he answered truthfully.

They didn’t stay long in Liu Baosheng’s office. After leaving, Xia He let out a long breath and whispered to Fang Qingye:

“Ugh… every time I meet Branch Chief Liu, I’m more nervous than when I meet Branch Chief Zhang.”

“But you can’t avoid him,” Fang Qingye joked.

Xia He gave him a look. “This time it’s all for you!”

Alright, for me.

After visiting all the city branch leaders, Xia He didn’t linger at the branch. They left the office building together.

“Sis, back to Nanxin?” Fang Qingye asked.

Xia He checked her watch: “It’s almost lunchtime. Let’s eat first, then head back.”

Fang Qingye had no objections. He drove around until he found a restaurant that looked clean enough. They ate, then drove back to Nanxin—this time, Xia He sat in the front passenger seat.

After the Passat left the city and entered the highway, Xia He said to Fang Qingye: “Xiao Fang, you asked me on the way here why I brought you to see Branch Chief Zhang. Now I’ll tell you—the provincial branch plans to establish a Branch Chief Assistant position in the sub-branches, starting with a pilot in Jinghai.”

Seeing Fang Qingye wasn’t surprised, Xia He asked: “You already knew about this?”

“Mm.”

“Who told you? Oh… probably Cao Ting? Her uncle is a deputy branch chief here.”

Fang Qingye nodded.

“Since you already know, I won’t repeat it,” Xia He continued. “After I heard the news, I approached Branch Chief Zhang and recommended you. He wanted to meet you, so I brought you today. Earlier, when I asked you to leave, I brought up the matter again with him—he’s quite satisfied. This is basically settled.”

“Sis, you’re a bit ahead of the game here,” Fang Qingye said.

“What are you talking about?” Xia He pouted. “You don’t know—several people in the city branch have been calling me, recommending this one or that one. I turned them all down because I believe in you!”

Seeing Fang Qingye silent, Xia He added: “Xiao Fang, be honest—I won’t stay in Nanxin much longer. Within three or five years, I’ll definitely leave. I hope you’ll take my place after I’m gone.”

“Sis, thanks for your kindness, but you know I’m not interested in leadership. I’m lazy—I like things easy,” Fang Qingye laughed.

“You, you… fine, forget the long-term. Just consider this Branch Chief Assistant role—it’s not part of the leadership team, no specific business responsibilities, no department to oversee. It’s just to assist the branch chief, offer advice… basically, you’re already doing this job.”

“Oh come on… sis, so my unofficial advisor role is now official?” Fang Qingye joked.

“Exactly! And you’ll be rid of some of the office clutter!”

“With conditions this good, I guess I can’t refuse?”

“Exactly—you can’t refuse!”

Mm, it just won't work!