The next day, early in the morning, Chen Jinyu drove away.
The flagship store's opening was imminent, and he had an important decoration task to complete before the grand opening.
As for Qin Chuan's invitation to join him in cooperation last night, Chen Jinyu neither agreed nor refused, only saying he would consider it.
Qin Chuan did not press him. He watched Chen Jinyu drive away in his van, then turned to Li Ya, who was standing beside him, and said, "Then let's go too! We can't keep them waiting!"
Li Ya's old classmate from the bank had returned, and today was the day they had agreed upon.
Whether the loan could be successfully secured almost determined the future development of both Qin Chuan and Li Ya, making this loan crucial.
"Second Brother, you don't need to go today. I have something else for you to do!"
Qin Chuan said to Qin Gang.
"What is it? Just tell me!"
Qin Gang rubbed his hands together, full of enthusiasm.
He had been following his younger brother for a while now and felt he had gained a lot. He was eager to achieve something tangible soon to restore his dignity as an elder brother.
How could an elder brother be constantly suppressed by his younger brother? It was too embarrassing!
"Your task today is to first visit Dad and Mom at the hospital, and then go to Huangjia Village to check on the villagers' relocation progress."
"If anyone is dragging their feet, find the village chief and figure something out! Make sure the villagers move out quickly!"
"Got it! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
Qin Gang snapped his fingers and turned to leave.
At nine o'clock in the morning, Qin Chuan and Li Ya drove their Santana to the bank.
"Excuse me, is Manager Xue here?"
After they entered, Li Ya asked a staff member.
"Oh, it's Director Li! Our Manager Xue is here, right in his office!"
The staff member recognized Li Ya and replied enthusiastically.
"Thank you!"
Li Ya thanked him and led Qin Chuan to the second floor, knocking on a door labeled "Manager's Office."
"Please come in!"
A deep male voice came from inside.
"Xue Tao, we're here!"
Li Ya pushed the door open, with Qin Chuan following behind.
Inside the office, a man in a suit sitting behind a desk immediately looked up, his expression filled with surprise.
He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, wearing glasses, with his hair parted three-seven, slicked back with pomade, shining brightly. He wore a suit and tie, the attire of a successful person.
However, it made sense. At the age of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, to hold the position of bank manager was indeed a high-caliber talent in any field.
Moreover, Xue Tao was also good-looking, with a fair complexion, definitely a prime candidate in many women's hearts.
"Li Ya, please sit! Sit down!"
Xue Tao came around from behind his desk. Only then did Qin Chuan notice that the man was rather short, only about 1.6 meters tall. This height was normal for a woman, but a bit low for a man.
However, nobody is perfect. Xue Tao had reached the position of bank manager at such a young age, so his height could be overlooked.
As the saying goes, good things come in small packages.
"Hello, Manager Xue. I'm Qin Chuan!"
Qin Chuan proactively extended his hand. Xue Tao then noticed Qin Chuan, who was following Li Ya. Upon clearly seeing Qin Chuan's young and handsome appearance, the smile in his eyes immediately froze, and he asked with disbelief, "Li Ya, is he the one you mentioned who wants a loan?"
"Yes, why?"
Li Ya seemed a little confused.
"It's nothing! It's nothing! I'm just surprised that Mr. Qin Chuan is so young!"
Xue Tao gave a dry laugh, then enthusiastically invited Li Ya to sit down, sitting next to her.
As for Qin Chuan, he could only sit opposite them.
After the three were seated, Xue Tao poured tea.
Li Ya smiled and said, "Xue Tao, has something good happened recently? You look so radiant. Have you been promoted or something?"
"If you keep getting promoted and your salary increases, how are we old classmates supposed to live?"
"Haha!!"
Li Ya's words made Xue Tao laugh heartily. "It's okay. I just went to the city recently for some new training."
"I'm almost exhausted like a dog. How can I compare to a factory director like you?"
While this sounded like modesty, Qin Chuan noticed the pride in Xue Tao's eyes.
"Alas, as a factory director, how can I compare to someone like you in the system? A 'iron rice bowl' is stable and solid. Unlike me, every day I wake up, I have over a hundred employees to worry about. Every second involves huge expenses. I feel like I'm aging from all the stress!"
Li Ya sighed, her beautiful eyes subtly glancing at Qin Chuan, who was sitting opposite her.
Unfortunately, Qin Chuan remained unmoved. Instead, Xue Tao immediately turned his attention to Li Ya, sitting beside him, not hiding his inner affection.
"Old classmate, how are you old? I think you've become even more beautiful and charming lately, with more feminine allure!"
As he spoke, Xue Tao actually reached out to touch Li Ya's fair and tender cheek.
Li Ya quickly leaned her head back, avoiding Xue Tao's fingers, and said playfully, "Xue Tao, what are you doing? Be careful, I'll tell your wife!"
"Manager Xue is already married?"
Qin Chuan exclaimed in surprise, then showed a look of realization. "That's right! For someone as talented and capable as Manager Xue, how could he not be desired by women!"
"Cough cough!!"
Xue Tao seemed unwilling to mention his wife and immediately coughed, sitting up straighter.
"Mr. Qin Chuan, I think you're very young. How did you and Li Ya meet?"
"This… I once helped Sister Li Ya with something, and then we gradually got to know each other!" Qin Chuan explained.
"That's right, Qin Chuan helped me a lot. When he said he wanted a loan, I immediately thought of you. Old classmate, you must help me with this!"
Li Ya said at the opportune moment.
"What kind of great help is worth a loan of two million?"
"Old classmate, you know, this is a huge loan!"
Unexpectedly, Xue Tao was persistent, acting like he wanted to get to the bottom of things, showing great interest in the relationship between Qin Chuan and Li Ya.
Qin Chuan's eyes flickered. Based on his male intuition, he sensed that Xue Tao harbored improper intentions towards Li Ya, especially after that inappropriate gesture earlier.
For a married man to be so undisciplined revealed Xue Tao's character, and Qin Chuan's good impression of this so-called manager plummeted instantly.
At the same time, he began to worry if the loan could be secured smoothly.
While Qin Chuan hesitated, Li Ya said without hesitation, "Qin Chuan pulled my factory back from the brink of death. Do you think that's a big favor?"
Xue Tao's eyes finally widened. He looked directly at Qin Chuan with a curious expression, picked up a cup of tea, and asked while drinking, "I didn't expect Mr. Qin Chuan to be so capable. May I ask where you are currently employed?"
His expression and demeanor seemed to scream provocation, wearing a hypocritical smile.
Perhaps Xue Tao thought he was doing a great job of concealing his feelings, but to a reborn individual like Qin Chuan, with decades of life experience, it was far too naive!
He had crossed more bridges than the other man had walked roads, and eaten more salt than the other man had eaten rice. Such childish pretense made him feel somewhat amused.