Chapter 238: Chapter 238 Help?
"Holy shit? Is... is that... could there be money in there?"
Seeing Shi Qiang’s gobsmacked expression, Xia Liang rolled his eyes at him. "Isn’t that obvious? Let’s go to the bank first. Carrying this much cash is too much trouble."
A short while later, they found a random bank and went inside, with Shi Qiang carrying several briefcases. The bank was especially crowded with people conducting various transactions, and long queues snaked from the service windows.
The bank’s patrons only gave Xia Liang and his companion a second glance before losing interest. A handsome delivery guy lugging around several briefcases was a strange sight, but ultimately, he was just an ordinary nobody. After all, a bank serves the entire community. What kind of strange person haven’t they seen?
A lobby employee approached them. "Sir, what can I help you with today?"
Xia Liang calmly touched his chin and said, "I’d like to open an account and make a deposit."
The employee pointed to a ticketing machine in the distance. "Then please take a number over there, fill out a form, and then go to the designated window for your transaction."
This surprised Xia Liang. Shouldn’t a major client like me get some sort of special treatment? But I don’t have a card with this bank yet. Privileges probably come after I make the deposit. It’ll be fine next time.
With that thought, Xia Liang didn’t say anything more. He nodded to show he understood, took a number, filled out the necessary forms, and then quietly joined the back of the queue.
The two of them felt somewhat groggy; the wait was agonizing. Xia Liang was even considering switching to a different bank.
Just then, a portly, middle-aged man in a suit walked in.
"I want to make a deposit."
A bank employee respectfully approached him. "Mr. Liu, you’re here. Please, come inside to handle your transaction."
The portly middle-aged man swaggered off with the employee into a private area of the bank. Seeing this, Xia Liang got to his feet.
"Looks like I should have some privileges, too."
The thin, middle-aged man in line ahead of Xia Liang leaned over to dissuade him. "Hey, kid, he’s using the bank’s VIP express channel. As long as you’re a VIP customer, or if you’re depositing or withdrawing over a million Yuan, you can request to use it too."
So that’s how it works, Xia Liang thought. I had no idea. Then again, it’s not like I’ve ever deposited much money.
He immediately nodded at the man. "Thanks for the heads-up."
The thin man smiled. "It’s no big deal."
As he spoke, an incredible scene unfolded that left the thin man in disbelief. Xia Liang and Shi Qiang walked out of the queue and approached the lobby staff.
"I want to apply for your bank’s VIP express channel."
At his words, all eyes in the bank turned to the man in the yellow delivery uniform, holding several briefcases and accompanied by a chubby friend.
Can’t be helped. That yellow delivery vest is just too tacky. Does a guy like that really have the capital to apply for the VIP channel? everyone wondered.
The bank employee was also bewildered. "Sir, our bank’s VIP express channel requires..."
Xia Liang cut her off impatiently. "I know. Deposit or withdraw a million Yuan in cash, or be a VIP customer. Now, take me there."
A troubled look crossed the employee’s face as she spoke cautiously. "Sir, could I see the funds you wish to deposit, or your bank card, please?"
Xia Liang understood. Is she doubting me?
The lobby staff member was a new female intern, and her heart was pounding with trepidation. She had already been chewed out by her manager for letting in several people who falsely claimed to be VIP customers. So naturally, she had to verify if Xia was telling the truth.
Xia Liang opened one of the briefcases a crack, revealing stacks of red bills inside. "This case alone holds a million Yuan. Is that enough for you?"
Seeing an entire briefcase full of money, everyone in the bank was flabbergasted.
A delivery guy bringing briefcases full of cash to a bank? That’s just surreal! He couldn’t have just robbed another bank, could he? Are delivery guys this hardcore nowadays? A million Yuan isn’t an astronomical sum in Qingyun; pricier houses cost more than that. But in this day and age, who carries that much cash around besides for essential business? Don’t delivery guys use digital payments for everything? Where did he get so much cash? No, no, no... how could a delivery guy earn that much money?
The female intern flushed with embarrassment and apologized profusely. "That’s enough, that’s more than enough! I’m so sorry. I’ll take you to the VIP room right now."
As she spoke, the eager intern offered to help carry the briefcase of cash, but Xia Liang shook his head.
"Just lead the way. I’ll carry it myself."
Her face bright red, the bank intern led Xia Liang into the adjacent VIP channel.
However, just at that moment, someone captured the scene with their phone.
"Holy shit? No way? Is that Xia Liang?"
He wanted to say hello, but Xia Liang had already gone inside. Plus, he had his own business to attend to, so he reluctantly left.
The rest of the people in line continued to wait, heads hanging in dejection, their hearts filled with helplessness.
What can you do when your transactions are so small? What can you do when you’re flat broke? Sigh... we’re even losing out to a delivery guy. What a pathetic existence.
The bank’s VIP room resembled a private lounge, furnished with a set of genuine leather sofas and a tea set.
The young intern seated Xia Liang and his companion on the sofa and then said hesitantly, "Sir, could I ask you for a favor?"
The two men were momentarily stunned, then Xia Liang nodded. "Go ahead. As long as it’s not too difficult, it’s not a problem."
Shi Qiang also nodded. "We’re easy to talk to."
Hearing this, the intern spoke again. "Please, could you not mention that I made you show the money before letting you in? I’ve already made so many mistakes these past few days. If the branch manager finds out about this, I’ll probably be fired before my internship is even over."
Xia Liang waved his hand nonchalantly. "No problem, don’t worry about it. I wasn’t planning to snitch on you anyway."
Hearing Xia Liang’s words, the young intern’s lip trembled. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face as she spoke, her voice choked with sobs. "Then... can I ask you for one more thing?"
Xia Liang’s gaze hardened. This girl is really pushing it. Does she think I’m a pushover? And now she’s crying?
Shi Qiang, who was flustered, having never seen a situation like this, immediately spoke up. "Young lady, please don’t cry. Tell us what’s wrong, and we’ll see if we can help."
Wiping her tears, the intern whispered, "Would you mind accrediting this deposit to my name? I’ve been interning here for three months and haven’t handled a single deposit transaction yet. Please rest assured, I will return all the commission from this transaction to you. I won’t keep a single cent."