“…You’re right, but what does this have to do with Qihang Real Estate’s mortgage loan application?” Xia Xiaolan couldn’t hold back anymore.

Sheng Xuan’s expression remained unchanged. “Those previous words were from a personal standpoint. Now, let’s discuss business. Qihang’s mortgage application isn’t the problem – it’s the previous collateral loan. I believe Director Pan overvalued Qihang’s land. A 23.2-mu plot isn’t worth 16 million yuan.”

No ill intentions? Really?

Xia Xiaolan suppressed her anger. “So what exactly are you suggesting, Director Sheng?”

Sheng Xuan’s expression turned serious. “General Manager Xia, I hope you understand that I’m just doing my job. Director Pan is currently suspended and under investigation. Whether there are any irregularities in Qihang’s collateral loan will depend on the bank’s investigation results.”

Loan irregularities?

The only irregularity was that Xia Xiaolan had invited Director Pan to watch a play.

But as for bribing Director Pan? She had never done that.

There were so many ways to win people over – why resort to bribery? Xia Xiaolan always knew that bribing bank officials with “sugarcoated bullets” would only harm them. In her dealings with Branch Manager Wu and Director Pan, she had avoided gift-giving and focused more on “mutual benefits.”

For Branch Manager Wu’s loans, she didn’t give him kickbacks but instead helped him meet his targets by purchasing government bonds.

Director Pan was initially a connection through Uncle Liu Yong. While Liu Yong certainly treated him to meals, money was out of the question.

She had helped Director Pan by arranging a job for his nephew Pan Weiliang.

Pan Weiliang wasn’t entirely useless. Although his management skills at the new Anjia Building Materials store were lacking, he had brought in considerable business.

If he could make money for the store, there was nothing wrong with making him the store manager!

Xia Xiaolan felt completely justified: “Director Sheng, let me add something – how much loan Qihang could get for the Jinsha Chi land wasn’t just Director Pan’s arbitrary decision. The bank examined Qihang’s qualifications and investigated the land’s value. They lent us 16 million because they believed in our repayment ability.”

This was pushing Director Pan aside while putting on a show of attacking someone else!

Sheng Xuan stood up. “Everything depends on the investigation results. I also hope Qihang truly has the repayment ability because if problems are found with Director Pan, Qihang might face early repayment. General Manager Xia, you should prepare for that! I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t see you out.”

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

So that was it.

The reason for blocking the mortgage procedure was solid. The focus wasn’t on the mortgage paperwork but on “early repayment”… Xia Xiaolan had encountered many opponents, and while some female colleagues could be quite muddle-headed, Sheng Xuan was extremely clear-minded, immediately grasping the key point.

Early repayment?

Sheng Xuan could use this as either a threat or a favor to Xia Xiaolan.

She was waiting to see Xia Xiaolan’s attitude.

Or perhaps just one word from Tang Hongen would make Sheng Xuan back off.

Had Director Pan given Sheng Xuan some leverage?

“Director Sheng, you don’t seem interested in peaceful coexistence. Sometimes I yield to gentleness but not to force, and sometimes I yield to neither. I need to catch a flight, so I’ll take my leave!”

Leaving Sheng Xuan’s office, Xia Xiaolan suppressed her anger.

Anger was the worst emotion – it would make one lose rationality. Xia Xiaolan needed to figure out what had happened with Director Pan.

She had sent Ge Jian to Hong Kong early this morning.

Who could handle this?

Uncle Liu Yong was still in Yangcheng, persuading franchisees to sign contracts – Ying Jinchuan! She should find Ying Jinchuan! He was introduced by Tang Hongen and had always maintained a zen-like attitude.

Logically, even if a plot of land was worth 16 million, the bank couldn’t directly loan that amount to Qihang.

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t expected to get such a large loan at the time. She had originally planned to build mid-range properties. It was only because Ying Jinchuan secured such a large loan, giving them more working capital, that they developed Jinsha Chi to its current standard.

How they managed to mortgage Jinsha Chi for 16 million – Xia Xiaolan hadn’t asked about the details at the time, leaving it to Ying Jinchuan to negotiate.

Now Ying Jinchuan was her only option.

As it happened, Ying Jinchuan was waiting for her, wanting to discuss the same matter:

“Director Pan has been suspended pending investigation. Is someone targeting Qihang?”

Ying Jinchuan had indeed been careless, though the opposing party had been quite subtle. Initially, Director Pan had just been transferred from his position, removing him from loan responsibilities. The suspension and investigation had only happened two days ago, catching everyone off guard.

Was Sheng Xuan targeting Qihang?

It wasn’t that Xia Xiaolan looked down on her, but while Sheng Xuan had taken over Director Pan’s position, she might not have the capability to orchestrate something like this.

“Manager Ying, can I leave this matter to you?”

If she had to worry about everything herself, there was no point in hiring people.

Ying Jinchuan had always maintained a zen-like attitude, and Xia Xiaolan knew he hadn’t shown his full capability.

Since he joined Qihang, Xia Xiaolan had always been respectful, rarely calling him “Manager Ying” and more often “Mr. Ying.” She had given him considerable freedom and hadn’t shortchanged him on compensation. Whether he deserved such courteous treatment from Xia Xiaolan – Ying Jinchuan needed to prove himself with his abilities. Raising an army for a thousand days to use it for one moment – Xia Xiaolan was like a black sesame bun, white outside but black inside. A businessperson’s thinking is always practical!

Nobody’s influence could be relied upon; she needed to see Ying Jinchuan’s capabilities!

Xia Xiaolan’s expression was serious, and Ying Jinchuan considered for a full two minutes.

“Alright, I’ll handle it. General Manager Xia, you can return to Beijing without worry.”

Tang Hongen had asked him to come out of retirement to take his mind off things.

Ying Jinchuan had been doing this job rather casually.

Xia Xiaolan’s forceful presence hadn’t intimidated him, but Ying Jinchuan felt that working at Qihang wasn’t bad – the company’s affairs weren’t too complicated, and colleague relationships weren’t complex… The boss was also truly open-minded, not micromanaging everything.

If Qihang failed, finding another place as comfortable as Qihang wouldn’t be easy. Moreover, since he had negotiated the 16 million loan, now that there were problems and the bank was demanding early repayment, Ying Jinchuan couldn’t face Tang Hongen either.

Trust your people completely – Xia Xiaolan left the matter to Ying Jinchuan and returned to Beijing with peace of mind.

This matter wasn’t shared with other company staff to avoid undermining morale.

Instead, she encouraged them to focus on their responsibilities and stick to the original plan of launching property sales on December 14th!

If it came down to early repayment, Qihang would need to sell the properties even sooner – now, whoever stood in the way of Xia Xiaolan selling houses would truly be an enemy.

…

At the building materials store.

Pan Weiliang wore a dejected expression. “Sister Bai, isn’t General Manager Xia the only one who can save my uncle now? I need to see her!”

Bai Zhenzhu watched Pan Weiliang’s agitation. This fool – what use would seeing Xiaolan be? Could she get Director Pan released immediately?

Pan Weiliang was somewhat afraid of Bai Zhenzhu. A grown man cowering at her glare – he brought shame to the Pan family name.

A thin middle-aged man entered the store. “You’re young Pan, right? Hello, I’m Ying Jinchuan. Let’s talk about Director Pan’s situation. How well do you know your uncle?”