Chundu Grand Hotel was located in the northeast of the county town. The taxi arrived in just over ten minutes. This was the only five-star hotel in the county, built just two years ago with rather luxurious decor. Most major business owners preferred to host their social engagements and receptions here.
Fang Qingye went straight up to the third floor and pushed open the door of private room 302. The dining table inside was large, but only three people were seated.
One man and two women. The man was around fifty years old, with a slicked-back hairstyle and a square face—this was Song Da Hai’s father, Song Qingdong.
Zhang Qunying had already arrived, but Xia He hadn’t come yet. The other woman was in her thirties, very beautiful, with sharp, intelligent-looking phoenix eyes.
Fang Qingye also knew her—Luo Yan, the deputy general manager of Kerry Real Estate.
This Luo Yan was quite a talent. According to Song Da Hai, she started as a hotel service worker, then applied to Kerry Real Estate as a property salesperson. Skilled at communicating with clients and with outstanding performance, she was quickly promoted to sales supervisor.
Later, Song Qingdong transferred her to the company headquarters as the public relations manager, specializing in dealings with the government, banks, and major clients. Last year, she was promoted again to deputy general manager, becoming Song Qingdong’s right-hand assistant.
Seeing Fang Qingye push the door open and enter, Song Qingdong looked somewhat surprised: “What are you doing here?”
Before Fang Qingye could answer, Zhang Qunying beside him smiled and explained: “Chairman Song, let me introduce him. This is Fang Qingye, an employee at our Dongfang Bank. Director Xia personally requested his attendance.”
“Director Zhang, I’ve known him for a long time. He grew up with my younger son as childhood playmates.” Song Qingdong replied with a smile. Hearing that it was Xia He’s idea, he naturally didn’t press further.
Luo Yan beside him gave Fang Qingye a meaningful glance.
Fang Qingye naturally greeted everyone with a smile before taking a seat at the lower end of the table.
At 6:25, Xia He arrived. She wasn’t wearing her uniform, but instead a white shirt paired with high-waisted wide-leg pants, appearing intellectual and elegant.
“Chairman Song, Manager Luo, my apologies. Some work matters delayed me.” Xia He offered a brief apology upon entering. Song Qingdong naturally didn’t comment further and invited her to take the seat of honor.
With everyone present, dishes were served. Song Qingdong had originally planned to serve Maotai liquor, but Xia He politely declined, citing her limited drinking capacity. Song Qingdong didn’t insist and instead ordered a bottle of Xia Zhu Dry Red Wine.
Though there weren’t many people, there were plenty of dishes, all famous specialties. Song Qingdong was quite attentive, pointing at one dish and saying with a smile: “I heard Director Xia is from Huijin, so I specially asked the chef to prepare a Huijin specialty—Beauty Liver. Please try it and see how it is.”
The so-called Beauty Liver is made from duck pancreas and chicken breast, stir-fried in duck oil.
Xia He didn’t stand on ceremony, picking up a piece with her chopsticks to taste: “Hmm, the flavor is quite good. I didn’t expect Chundu Grand Hotel to make Huijin cuisine so authentically.”
“Hehe, Director Zhang of Chundu Grand Hotel is a friend of mine. Director Xia, you should come here often from now on. Director Zhang will definitely give special instructions to the chef—guaranteed to satisfy you!”
“Thank you.” Xia He picked up her napkin and elegantly dabbed her lips.
After everyone had eaten and drunk for a while, Song Qingdong refilled the wine glasses for Xia He and Zhang Qunying. When he went to pour for Fang Qingye, the young man stopped him with a smile.
“Uncle Song, I’ll help myself.”
Song Qingdong didn’t insist and turned to Xia He: “Director Xia, Director Zhang, the reason I invited you here today is because there’s something I need to trouble you with.”
“Please go ahead, Chairman Song.”
“I have a 24 million yuan loan with your bank that’s about to mature.” Before Song Qingdong could finish speaking, Zhang Qunying interrupted: “Director Song, are you looking to extend the repayment period? I’m afraid—”
Song Qingdong glanced at Zhang Qunying before smiling and saying, “No, Director Zhang. Extending the repayment would affect my company’s credit, making it harder to apply for loans in the future. I wouldn’t take such a step unless absolutely necessary.”
Hearing this, Zhang Qunying breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Xia He, however, shot Zhang Qunying a dissatisfied look.
What’s the rush? Let him finish speaking.
It seemed that when it came to dealing with clients, Zhang Qunying wasn’t as adept as the former credit department head, Su Ming.
But Zhang Qunying had her own strengths—she was diligent and principled, making her less susceptible to being swayed by those with ulterior motives in her role as credit department head.
Of course, she also followed instructions well.
Song Qingdong continued with his point: “My idea is to raise funds from elsewhere to repay the 24 million, but I’d like to request that Director Xia and Director Zhang approve a new 24 million loan for me as soon as possible. We’ve already submitted the relevant loan application documents.”
“Director Song, you’re not planning to use the 24 million loan from us to plug holes elsewhere, are you?” Xia He said, half-jokingly, half-seriously.
Song Qingdong wore a bitter smile. “Director Xia, to be honest, I was indeed considering that. As you well know, the real estate market is sluggish right now. It’s not just us—companies across Jinghai and even the entire Su Province are facing tight cash flow. Many are on the verge of bankruptcy due to broken funding chains.”
“But rest assured, Kerry Real Estate doesn’t have that problem,” Song Qingdong quickly added. “We have properties in Nanxin and Jinghai that are selling well. It’s just a temporary cash flow issue.”
Selling well?
Fang Qingye, seated further down the table, chuckled inwardly.
He wasn’t sure about the property in downtown Jinghai, but Kerry Real Estate’s development in Nanxin, called Shanshui Jiayuan, was indeed bustling—with plenty of people coming to view the properties every day.
But Fang Qingye knew perfectly well that most of them were hired actors, with very few genuine buyers.
Xia He naturally understood this as well. She smiled but didn’t expose the truth, instead pausing thoughtfully before saying:
“Director Song, you’re a long-standing client of our bank, and we’ve always had a good partnership. But as you know, the entire banking industry is taking a cautious approach toward real estate loans. Last week, our city branch called all county and district branch managers to a meeting to relay provincial directives requiring strict control over real estate lending. I assume you’ve heard about this.”
Song Qingdong nodded.
At this point, Zhang Qunying added: “Also, our branch only has the authority to approve loans up to 10 million yuan. For an amount as large as yours, the approval authority lies with the city branch.”
“I’m aware of that. I’m not asking for 24 million—just 10 million. How about it, Director Xia?”
It seemed Song Qingdong was truly desperate.
Xia He didn’t respond directly but instead thought for a moment before saying: “How about this, Director Song—let us review this further and get back to you with a response?”
Song Qingdong looked disappointed and glanced at Fang Qingye, who had remained silent throughout, but still said: “Then I’ll trouble you, Director Xia and Director Zhang. I hope to hear from you soon.”
“Of course.”
After concluding their official business, the group chatted idly for a while, exchanging trivial pleasantries until it was time for Xia He to take her leave. Zhang Qunying and Fang Qingye naturally followed suit.
Song Qingdong and Luo Yan escorted them to the hotel entrance.
“Director Xia, didn’t you bring a car? Let me have my driver take you back,” Song Qingdong offered promptly upon noticing Xia He preparing to walk.
“No need, I’d like to go shopping with Director Zhang,” Xia He declined with a smile.
The three of them left the hotel and, within minutes, reached a crossroads. Xia He turned to Fang Qingye and said, “Xiao Fang, Director Zhang and I plan to browse some clothing stores. What about you?”
“I’ll head home,” Fang Qingye replied immediately.
“Alright, take care on your way back.” With that, Xia He and Zhang Qunying turned toward the town center.
Fang Qingye walked home, though he felt somewhat disgruntled.
It wasn’t because he had remained silent throughout the meal, merely playing the role of an accompanying guest, but rather because he sensed that Xia He had brought him along as a shield!
Several times, Fang Qingye noticed Song Qingdong hesitating to speak, holding back words he seemed unwilling to voice in Fang Qingye’s presence.
After all, Fang Qingye was considered a junior to Song Qingdong, and there were certain things the latter preferred he didn’t overhear.
Fang Qingye had this impression, and Song Qingdong likely felt the same way.