But considering that he did need something from the other party today, Qin Chuan’s expression remained unchanged, and he said with a smile, "Me? I'm just doing a little business!"
"Building houses, contracting renovation projects, and so on!"
"Last night, I had dinner with County Mayor Ye from our county. County Mayor Ye gave me the renovation project for the newly built county government building!"
"Cough, cough, cough!!!"
Just as Qin Chuan finished speaking, a violent cough erupted. Xue Tao, for some reason, was choking, his eyes watering and his face turning red.
"Xue Tao, are you okay?"
Li Ya asked with concern, reaching for the tissues on the table and handing them over.
"I'm fine! I'm fine!"
Xue Tao quickly took the tissues and took a while to recover.
"What did you just say? County Mayor Ye gave you the renovation project for the new county government building?"
Qin Chuan nodded, "Yes, just last night. If you don't believe me, you can ask Sister Li Ya, she was there too!"
"Xue Tao, what Qin Chuan said is true!"
Li Ya confirmed.
This time, Xue Tao had no choice but to take Qin Chuan seriously. His heart pounded as he couldn't figure out Qin Chuan's background and influence.
Could he afford to offend someone like this?
A prominent figure like County Mayor Ye was someone even he wanted to curry favor with but had no opportunity. Yet, here he was, having dinner with Qin Chuan.
And regarding the new county government building, he had only recently heard about it. Rumors suggested that the county government was planning a major overhaul and the construction of a new city.
This had caused housing prices and land values to skyrocket in the past few days, within a radius of a few miles around the new county government building site.
The fact that the leadership, headed by Ye Qingping, had been inquiring about land in Huangjia Village had long been known to everyone. Thus, many were aware of the new county government building and the new city project.
It was no longer a secret, and as a result, many renovation companies were desperately trying to get their hands on the county government's renovation project.
No one expected it to fall into the hands of an unknown young man. What was his background?
Xue Tao's mind was restless. Moreover, there was a crucial point: what was the relationship between Li Ya and this Qin Chuan?
No one knew that Li Ya had long been the object of his fantasies. Her outstanding beauty, temperament, and figure had made her his goddess since school. She was so much better than the fat pig at home.
Yet, for Qin Chuan, she was willing to find him as a guarantor, and he was lending two million yuan at an astronomical rate.
The fact that she was willing to make such a significant guarantee for him showed how much Qin Chuan meant to her.
The more Xue Tao thought about it, the more his heart ached, as if a large stone had suddenly blocked his chest, making it hard to breathe.
"I'm sorry, I suddenly feel unwell!"
"We can discuss the loan another day."
Suddenly, Xue Tao stood up from his seat, saying something that greatly shocked Li Ya.
"No, Xue Tao, why are you... "
Li Ya was astonished and also stood up from her seat.
Qin Chuan, however, remained calm. His eyes were serene as he looked deeply at Xue Tao and said, "Alright, since Manager Xue is feeling unwell, we'll discuss it another day!"
As Li Ya tried to say more, Qin Chuan directly took her hand and shook his head.
When Xue Tao saw Qin Chuan shamelessly holding Li Ya's soft hand, and Li Ya showing no reaction, as if she was used to it, his chest felt even more constricted, and his face turned ashen.
"Oh, Xue Tao, are you really feeling unwell? Your face looks so pale!"
Li Ya exclaimed.
Qin Chuan, unsure if Li Ya was acting or genuinely oblivious, quickly said, "Then, Manager Xue, we'll take our leave!"
He then pulled Li Ya's hand and walked out of the office.
After they left the bank and got into the car, Qin Chuan took out a cigarette, rolled down the window, took two deep drags, and exhaled forcefully.
"Qin Chuan, I'm so sorry. I didn't expect Xue Tao to be like this!"
Li Ya, sitting beside him, looked remorseful and self-blaming.
Qin Chuan shook his head and suddenly asked, "Sister, do you know that Xue Tao has feelings for you?"
"I know!"
Li Ya nodded, "But he's already married, and his wife's family has strong connections. His current manager position was thanks to his father-in-law. I didn't think he'd dare, so I never took it seriously!"
"I was careless about this. I didn't expect Xue Tao to become jealous and refuse the loan directly... I'm sorry!"
Qin Chuan smiled, flicked the cigarette butt out of the car window, "It's nothing. This county isn't the only bank. Let's try other banks. If that doesn't work, I'll go find the County Mayor!"
Ye Qingping was Qin Chuan's strongest card at the moment. Qin Chuan was reluctant to use him unless absolutely necessary.
After all, favors were finite, especially important ones that required caution.
"Okay, let's try the Industrial and Commercial Bank. I know someone there too. They're a friend of my father's, and we have a decent relationship!"
Li Ya said.
Soon, the Santana started again, and a few minutes later, they arrived outside the Industrial and Commercial Bank. They walked in together.
To Qin Chuan's surprise, Li Ya's deceased father's friend was the bank manager, named Shang Bingrong.
He appeared to be in his fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair and a ruddy complexion.
Upon seeing Li Ya, he smiled like a doting father, very affectionately, holding Li Ya's hand and asking about her life. Shang Bingrong seemed genuinely saddened when Li Ya mentioned her deceased father.
Qin Chuan, observing them from the side, discreetly assessed Shang Bingrong and found his expression to be sincere. It seemed he truly was a good friend of Li Ya's father.
"Uncle Shang, I'm here today because I need your help with something!"
Shang Bingrong waved his hand generously, "Niece, just say it. If Uncle can help, he will!"
"Thank you, Uncle Shang!"
Li Ya was delighted, and Qin Chuan also quickly expressed his gratitude.
Then, Li Ya briefly explained the loan matter and added, "Please rest assured, Uncle Shang, these property deeds are all legitimate and have no fraudulent elements!"
"Manager Shang, please take a look!"
Qin Chuan timely opened the leather briefcase he had been carrying. Inside lay stacks of red property deeds and thick contractual agreements.
Shang Bingrong picked up a few and examined them. After a few minutes, he asked, "How much do you want to borrow?"
"Two million!"
Li Ya answered first, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Qin Chuan also held his breath, looking at Shang Bingrong with tension.