Chapter 60: If You Can Do It, Do It; If You Can

Xia He acted quickly; the day after the official document establishing the position of Assistant Branch Manager was issued, she convened a meeting of branch managers and recommended Fang Qingye for the role.

After the meeting approved it, they immediately submitted the recommendation to the municipal branch, which promptly issued formal approval.

This entire process took only one week!

Although some within the branch had reservations, since Zhao Wenjun’s resignation, Xia He had virtually held absolute control over the Nansin Branch; she had recently reshuffled middle management, earning recognition from the municipal level—now who would dare publicly challenge her?

Moreover, Fang Qingye had helped the branch overcome critical challenges during his more than a year of service, and these deeds had gradually become known, his abilities evident to all.

As for winning first prize in the Han character input competition hosted by the municipal branch, that was trivial and not worth mentioning.

“Wang Xiaohong, wipe the desk again! It’s been empty for months—look how dirty it is.” Liu Meili was directing a young girl to clean Fang Qingye’s new office.

This office on the third floor had previously been Zhao Wenjun’s; after he resigned, Su Ming, promoted to branch manager, never moved in, so it remained vacant.

Now that Fang Qingye had been promoted to Assistant Branch Manager, he was assigned to this office, and the General Office was responsible for cleaning it first.

Liu Meili was most eager to handle these tasks—of course, by directing temporary workers to do them.

After hours of work, the office was finally clean; Fang Qingye brought his personal belongings upstairs, organized everything, then sat in the boss’s chair and surveyed his surroundings.

Hmm… it was definitely better than the General Office on the second floor—computer, printer, fax machine, telephone—all the office equipment was complete, and there was even a bookshelf nearby.

Of course, compared to the spacious office he’d had in Shanghai Investment Bank before his rebirth, it was still inferior.

But it was fine—at least now he could openly trade stocks during work hours, unlike in the General Office, where he constantly feared being caught and scolded by Liu Meili.

Fang Qingye was about to turn on his computer when his phone rang; it was Song Dahai calling, so he picked up.

Song Dahai’s voice came through the receiver immediately.

“Manager Fang… congratulations, congratulations.”

“Come on, don’t be sarcastic—I’m just Assistant Branch Manager, not even a manager,” Fang Qingye laughed and scolded. “Did Chen Meimei tell you?”

“Yeah, if it weren’t for Meimei, I wouldn’t have known—you kept such big news secret from your buddy! Tonight you’re treating us—minimum, Chun Du Hotel, and we’re going karaoke!”

“Fine,” Fang Qingye agreed readily—he knew he couldn’t escape it.

“I’ll bring Meimei. You invite Liu Dong and Bi Qiaoqiao. Oh, don’t forget Bai Ou!”

“Whatever you decide,” Fang Qingye said lazily, leaning back in the boss’s chair.

That evening, the six of them dined and drank at Chun Du Grand Hotel, then went karaoke, not returning home until 11 p.m.

Fang Qingye naturally had to take Bai Ou home.

After news of Fang Qingye’s promotion spread, many friends and classmates offered congratulations, some even demanding he treat them—but he politely declined all.

What’s there to celebrate about being an assistant?

Wait till I become branch manager—I’ll treat you then!

Of course, a few close friends couldn’t be avoided; Wang Lei, upon hearing of Fang Qingye’s promotion, specifically took a bus from Panlong Town to the county seat to offer his congratulations.

Relatives and friends were no different; since Fang Qingye’s parents were still traveling in Hulunbuir, his second uncle hosted a family banquet to congratulate him.

Even more absurdly, his second aunt, Liu Ying, told him that Chen Wan—the woman he’d once been set up with—was willing to resume dating him!

Holy shit…

They say a good horse doesn’t eat hay from the same trough—how fast are you turning back?

Fang Qingye firmly refused.

That afternoon, Fang Qingye had just arrived at work, sat down in his office, and brewed himself a cup of tea when his phone rang.

Lately, his calls had increased—many from classmates and friends, plus some business owners he didn’t even know.

Sigh… I’m just an assistant, not a manager. No need to flatter me, and don’t even mention loans.

Fang Qingye unbuttoned his collar, loosened his tie, then picked up the phone on his desk—only to find it was Song Dahai calling.

“Hey… Dahai, what’s up?”

Fang Qingye said lazily.

“Let’s have dinner tonight.”

“Bro, spare me—I’ve been drinking every day for the past few days; I’m sick just smelling alcohol!”

“Then how about this—we eat, no drinking!” Song Dahai laughed over the phone. “A friend of mine is treating us—he wants to meet you.”

“What friend?”

“Tian Zhonggu, owner of Vanguard Courier Co.”

“Dahai, tell me honestly—is Boss Tian treating us because he wants a loan?” Fang Qingye frowned.

“Yes, it’s about a loan.”

“Dahai, you know I’m just an assistant…”

“Ye Zi, let me finish. Boss Tian and I are good friends—he came to me out of desperation. His company wants a 3-million-yuan loan; all required documents have been submitted to your branch and have passed review.”

“Then why hasn’t the loan been approved? Hasn’t it been discussed at the committee yet?” Fang Qingye asked.

According to bank regulations, loan approval procedures are handled by the Credit Department, but all loans must ultimately be reviewed and approved by the Loan Approval Committee.

“Reviewed? What review? Your branch hasn’t even done a site inspection! Boss Tian called several times, but no one from your bank showed up!” Song Dahai said over the phone.

Oh…

Site inspections are a crucial step in the loan approval process—bank staff visit the company to examine its premises, operations, and financial records for compliance.

Only after passing the site inspection can a loan proceed to committee review.

“There are many loan applications lately; the Credit Department is overwhelmed and short-staffed,” Fang Qingye explained, then suddenly realized something.

“Dahai, why didn’t you ask Chen Meimei? She’s in Credit, and she’s your girlfriend.”

“Ugh, don’t mention Meimei… I just realized she’s as rigid and rule-bound as her department head, Zhang Qunying. Forget about getting a loan through her—she won’t even discuss work matters with me. If I ask, she walks out!”

Huh?

So feisty—I didn’t expect that.

“But having principles is good too—if we ever marry, no one will try to use me to pressure her… I actually like that.”

Fuck.

Truly, love makes one see beauty in everything.

Fang Qingye fell silent for a moment, then said: “Dahai, you’re a real friend—Chen Meimei won’t do anything because of her principles, so you came to me?”

“Hehe, what are friends for?” Song Dahai chuckled on the other end. “Ye Zi, I’m not asking you to do anything difficult—just come to dinner, hear him out. It’s just for my sake. If it’s impossible, drop it. No big deal.”

"Ye Zi, I won’t make this hard for you—just come have a meal, hear what he has to say, do me this favor. If it’s too difficult, forget it; if you can’t do it, don’t do it—it’s not a big deal."

“Tonight then—Chun Du Grand Hotel. I’ll text you the room number.”

“Only dinner. No alcohol. No karaoke or sauna!”

“Fine, fine, whatever you say, Manager Fang.”

"Alright, alright, whatever you say, Director Fang."