Saturday.
Evening.
Subdistrict Office Family Quarters.
Zhou Yanru called. “Director, I have something to report.”
“What is it?” Dong Xuebing snubbed his cigarette.
“It’s about the advertisement board outside Liu Xiang Neighborhood. The wine factory had gotten someone to put it up again.
Dong Xuebing narrowed his eyes. “Are they putting it up now?”
Zhou Yanru replied. “Yes. Their staff is working on it now. I had sent someone to stop them, but they refused to listen and insisted on completing the work tonight. Do you want me to send more people to stop them?” The Subdistrict Office had ordered to remove the advertisement boards. Still, Song Qingming ignored it and insisted on putting it up again. This made Zhou Yanru mad, as Song Qingming is going against the Subdistrict Office’s orders openly. A businessman is challenging a government department.
“Director Zhou, ask our men to come back.”
“But….” Zhou Yanru is pissed.
“I will handle it. If he wants to put it up, let him be.”
Zhou Yanru paused for a second. What is Director Dong going to do? “Alright.”
Dong Xuebing has been frustrated by today’s events and can’t be bothered to talk to Song Qingming again.
After dinner, Dong Xuebing called Qian Lihua on her mobile phone.
Ring… ring… ring…. “Hello, who is it?”
“Aunt Qian. I am Xiao Dong.”
“Oh, Xiao Bing. Haha…. Is this your mobile number?”
“Yes. This is my number.”
“Ok. I will save it later.”
“How are Sister Yu and Qianqian?”
Qian Lihua smiled. “They are doing well. We had brought back their luggage from Yan Tai County, and they will be living at my place. Meixia’s father and I had taken time off from work to accompany them these two days. I have just finished cooking, and we are about to eat.”
They chatted for a while, and Dong Xuebing suddenly asked. “Aunt Qian, I…. I need a favor from you.”
“You had saved my life and helped my daughter and granddaughter. Let’s not talk about asking favors. Just tell me how I can help you.”
“It’s like this….” Dong Xuebing told Qian Lihua what happened today.
Qian Lihua frowned. “The advertisement board had fallen on someone, and they still dare to put it up again? The boss of this company is too much.”
Dong Xuebing continues. “But our Subdistrict Office is in a bad situation now. Other departments are unwilling to work with us, and we can’t do anything to that wine factory. That’s why I am asking you for help.”
“How can I help?”
“I overheard Song Qingming on the phone, and he seems to be applying for a loan.”
“Loan? Which bank?”
“It’s ICBC bank, and he was talking to Director Tang.”
Qian Lihua thought for a second. “Tang Ming from the Credit department?”
“I am not sure about his full name. I know that the factory is trying to get a loan and might have cash-flow issues. I heard their factory is not doing well recently.”
Qian Lihua laughed. “I seldom take note of loans less than 10 million and will only scan through during the final approval. I had assigned Tang Ming to handle these small and medium enterprises’ loans. Director Tang, you mentioned, should be him. Alright. The factory’s name is Health Wine Factory, right? I will check with my staff. Leave it to me if they apply for a loan with our branch. I know what to do.”
“Thank you, Aunt Qian.”
“Don’t mention it. You are our family’s savior, and this is a small issue.”
Next day.
Sunday morning.
ICBC bank’s Director Tang was having breakfast at home when his phone rang
Director Tang straightened his back when he saw the caller, and he answered. “Manager.”
A middle-aged woman’s voice sounded. “Tang Ming? Where are you now?”
“I am at home and am about to go to the office. Do you have any orders for me?” The person talking to Tang Ming is not the Deputy Branch Manager. She is the City ICBC Bank Branch Manager.
“Are you in charge of the Health Wine Factory’s loan application?”
Tang Ming’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes. The verification process is almost completed, and I am about to show it to you.”
“You don’t need to show me. I heard this wine factory’s advertisement boards have serious problems. Put their application on hold first.”
“Huh?” Tang Ming was shocked. “But….”
“I don’t want to repeat myself.” Qian Lihua hangs up.
Tang Ming’s heart is pounding fast. He didn’t know what went wrong and quickly called Song Qingming.
Song Qingming had arrived at his factory and met with two business partners.
“Mr. Song, your payment is late by one week.” A middle-aged man said.
Song Qingming smiled. “Old Lui, the bank loan is settled, and I will have money before the end of next week. I promise you that once the loan amount is in, I will wire the payment to you.”
The phone rings.
Song Qingming saw the caller ID and told those two men. “Please wait for a minute. I need to answer this call.”
Song Qingming walked out to the corridor and answered the call with a smile. “Brother Tang.” It must be the loan has been approved, and this call is to ask him to go to the bank for the final paperwork.
But Tang Ming’s following sentence stunned Song Qingming.
Tang Ming said. “Your loan application has been put on hold.”
“What?!” Song Qingming is stunned. “Director Tang, are you joking with me? Didn’t you tell me the verification has been completed?”
“Yes, but the Branch Manager called me earlier and asked me to place your factory’s loan on hold. She also mentioned your advertisement board.”
“What has advertisement boards got to do with my loan application?”
“I can’t do anything to help you with the loan now.”
“Wait….” Song Qingming panicked. “My factory is having a serious cash-flow problem now. If I can’t pay my suppliers, I can only shut it down. Our previous loan cannot be repaid, and your bank will also suffer losses. This….”
Tang Ming interrupted. “I’m sorry. I am helpless this time. It is our Branch Manager who wants to put your loan application on hold.”
Tang Ming can still try to negotiate if the Credit Department’s Head, the District Branch Manager, or the City Branch Deputy Manager gave this order. But the one who wants to put this application on hold is the City Branch Manager. She is the Head of the City’s ICBC branch, and the loan will not be approved without her signature.
Song Qingming felt his soul had left his body after he hung up.
Everything was fine yesterday, and why did everything change today? Even the City’s Branch Manager got involved. Song Qingming knows this is impossible as he is a nobody.
I must have offended someone. This is the consequence of offending someone.
Song Qingming immediately thinks of one person.
