Chapter 33: Confidence Is Earned Through One's Own Efforts

In the afternoon, Cheng Shi hitched a ride with Zhang Ziqiang to the bank to deposit some money. Although three counters were open, he headed straight for the one where Sister Wan was stationed. It was as if he had her pegged; no matter how many counters were open, he would rather wait in line than deal with anyone else.

As soon as Sister Wan saw him enter, she wanted to slip away, but Cheng Shi, with his long limbs, reached her counter in a few strides and sat down. Cheng Shi was now a major personal depositor, a significant loan client, and a public figure as well. When he walked in, many people recognized him and pointed, saying, "Hey, isn't that the handsome young man from the news the other day?"

"He’s not just young and handsome; he’s an engineer. I heard he fixed a CNC machine that even the senior engineers at the machinery plant couldn't handle."

"Wow, he’s even more handsome in person than on TV. And so tall."

Seeing the situation, Sister Wan couldn't avoid him. She had to bite the bullet and ask, "How can I help you today?"

Cheng Shi pulled out a stack of cash: "I’d like to make a deposit."

Does your family have a printing press? You come in to deposit thousands every single day. He had already deposited a total of ten thousand, bit by bit. Sister Wan grew increasingly jealous. Pretending to be concerned, she said, "Your current savings are enough to pay off your loan. Would you like to settle it?"

Cheng Shi replied, "No, no. I intend to keep this loan going. Once the six-month term is up, I’ll just roll it over into a long-term one."

Sister Wan deeply regretted being so meddlesome as to help Cheng Shi process that loan in the first place; she was now being tortured daily. With a forced, insincere smile, she said, "Fine. Actually, there’s really no need to keep money in a demand deposit account while carrying a loan. No matter what, the interest on the loan will be higher than the interest on your savings. Unless you have a better investment, it really isn't worth it."

Cheng Shi couldn't be bothered to explain. In the previous timeline, his mother’s illness would flare up within two or three years. He had to save enough money to handle it. Not to mention, he needed to conserve his energy and resources to prepare for the wave of layoffs that was coming. Starting his own company and other endeavors would all require ready cash. True wealthy people use borrowed money to make more money, rather than clutching their meager savings and sitting in a bank all day just to collect interest. After all, no matter how high the bank interest is, it can never outpace inflation.

When Cheng Shi returned home, he found Qian Xiaoying waiting for him again. He wondered how he hadn't noticed before that this woman was so thick-skinned—she was impossible to shake off. The worst part was that she was blocking the stairwell, making it impossible to bypass her.

"What do you want now?" Cheng Shi asked, feeling helpless.

Qian Xiaoying whispered, "Cheng Shi, please help me. I really can't keep this hidden anymore."

"Whatever happens to you has nothing to do with me," Cheng Shi said.

Qian Xiaoying grabbed his arm. "Cheng Shi, are you really this cold-hearted? I gave you everything I had."

Cheng Shi pulled his arm away without a trace of emotion and looked at her with a mocking smile. "If you had only ever kissed or hugged me, I would have cherished you like the apple of my eye. But you use these same tactics on every man you think has utility, and then use them to gaslight me into feeling responsible for you—all I feel now is disgust. You actually have the nerve to say you gave me everything? Have you lied for so long that you’ve started believing it yourself? I’ll say it one more time: don't come and bother me again."

Qian Xiaoying knelt down and hugged his legs. "Cheng Shi, I’m begging you. If you don't help me, I’m going to be fired."

Cheng Shi looked down at her coldly. "Have some self-respect. Don't make a joke out of yourself."

Terrified, Qian Xiaoying retracted her hands and backed away. Cheng Shi didn't look back and strode up the stairs.

***

Before the end of the workday, Director Cao of the credit union returned and announced a short meeting. Even though everyone was resentful, they didn't dare speak up, so they closed the doors and sat in the back office.

Director Cao cleared his throat and said, "According to the spirit of the central government's governance and rectification efforts from the first half of last year, the People's Bank of China is conducting a clean-up of urban credit unions. Those that are poorly managed will be liquidated or merged."

"So, everyone needs to pull themselves together and stop wasting time on crooked dealings. Otherwise, we are all at risk of being shut down during the rectification."

Sister Wan felt like the Director was talking about her, and her face grew hot.

Director Cao continued, "Spend more time soliciting business. Reach out to relatives and friends and have them deposit or take out loans at our credit union. Mainly loans, of course. After all, loans are how our credit union generates profit."

Everyone looked at each other in shock, especially those women who had been gossiping behind people's backs. They couldn't help but glance at Cheng Juan. They had thought Cheng Juan was just trying to anger them that day, but it turned out to be true. Now, everyone began to panic. They were used to wearing sour faces and wishing no customers would come so they could slack off. But now they actually had to solicit business? How could they possibly swallow their pride? And besides, deposit clients were easy to find, but how were they supposed to lure loan clients? Who would willingly pay ten percent interest a year to borrow money for no reason?

As soon as the meeting ended, someone grabbed Cheng Juan. "Juan, let me treat you to dinner tonight."

The middle-aged woman was well-connected and often slacked off with Sister Wan, cracking melon seeds while bad-mouthing Cheng Juan. Cheng Juan knew exactly what she was after and said coolly, "No need. Just say what you need to say, ma'am. I’m really tired."

The woman said, "I’ll get straight to the point. Look, you clearly don't have to worry about clients. Could you have Cheng Shi come to me next time he needs a loan or wants to make a deposit?"

Before Cheng Juan could answer, Sister Wan shoved the woman aside and said, "What do you think you're doing? How can you be so shameless as to poach my clients? Comrade Cheng Shi is clearly a loan client I developed. Have you no shame?"

Cheng Juan silently stepped back several paces. The woman’s face turned bright red, and she shouted, "Who says that just because he processed a loan with you before, he can only deal with you in the future? What if you aren't at the counter next time?"

Sister Wan retorted, "He is still my client."

The woman snapped, "I’m going to steal him anyway."

Sister Wan reached out and shoved her. "You wouldn't dare."

The woman nearly fell, and in a fit of rage, she lunged forward and grabbed Sister Wan’s hair. "You shrew!"

Sister Wan was no pushover; she grabbed the woman’s hair in return. The two of them began brawling, cursing, and rolling on the floor. The others wanted to break them up but feared getting caught in the crossfire, so they could only shout half-heartedly, "Stop fighting!"

Only Cheng Juan stood by the wall, arms folded, watching the spectacle with keen interest. The Director's wife had suddenly come to see her yesterday; someone must have been whispering in her ear. Seeing these two dogs biting each other was truly entertaining.

The manager heard the commotion and came over, roaring, "What is going on?"

By the time everyone looked, they realized Cheng Juan had already left. Sister Wan and the other woman reluctantly let go. They had let that little brat watch a free show for nothing.

Cheng Juan felt incredibly vindicated; even the sunset looked more brilliant than usual. She felt more confident and composed than ever before—a composure she had earned herself, and which Cheng Shi had helped her build.