At the end of June, heavy rain fell simultaneously in A City and London, washing away the accumulated dust from both cities like a downpour.
Crystalline dewdrops clung to green leaves, seemingly rolling and moving, occasionally falling to the ground with a crisp “drip” sound.
The moment the details for “The Lost Pearl” preview screenings were finalized, Jiang Shiyan flew back to A City without delay.
Tang Yang had told him in advance that she couldn’t pick him up due to some business. As soon as Jiang Shiyan landed after a trans-continental flight of over ten hours, he rushed straight to the Huishang Building.
Jiang Shiyan was carrying a briefcase, and the receptionist thought he was there for work. Although she found it strange that President Jiang didn’t bring an assistant, she still warmly asked, “President Jiang, may I ask what time your appointment is…”
Before the receptionist could finish, Jiang Shiyan hurriedly said “Thank you” and headed straight for the second-floor conference hall.
Today was Huishang’s public presentation day for unreleased financial products. Managers from all of Huishang’s branch offices were in attendance, filling the 400-seat hall.
Jiang Shiyan quietly pushed open the back door and stood among the crowd at the rear of the hall.
The hall had an arched design with red plush chairs and golden wall beams. All the lights were focused on the main stage.
On stage, a woman wore a knee-length dark green dress and 10-centimeter high heels, her slender calves straight and white. She held a microphone in one hand and a PPT remote in the other. Her first self-introduction was tinged with slight nervousness, which she eased with a smile before beginning.
“For a long period from late May to early June, I was stuck in a dilemma of wanting to do something but not knowing what it was, and naturally not accomplishing anything. After struggling for quite some time, by June, through a chance opportunity, I conceived and began working on this concept,” Tang Yang displayed the design diagram, her voice gradually becoming steady, matching her composed gaze. “Tan Xin Tong: ‘Tan’ is from ‘epiphyllum’ (night-blooming cereus), ‘Xin’ is from ‘credit,’ and ‘Tong’ is from ‘circulation.'”
The audience was silent.
Tang Yang continued unhurriedly: “Since 2010, many joint-stock banks have launched projects to sponsor university students for overseas studies. Taking my university years as an example, the Bank of Communications partnered with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Birmingham for a selection process. The bank would sponsor all expenses for the selected students’ overseas studies, and in return, the students had to work for the bank after graduation, with terms ranging from ten to twenty years…”
“Tan Xin Tong expands the scope of this model. The range of human resource demanders is expanded from Shanghai Jiao Tong University to all enterprises with good credit ratings, while the suppliers change from high-GPA students of prestigious universities to special groups with loan needs who can provide labor…”
Tang Yang’s voice was clear and pleasant, like a gentle breeze in a mountain valley, soft yet distinct.
The spotlight from the ceiling converged on her hands as she demonstrated the publicly available algorithms and structure of this product, then paused for nearly a minute.
“The core of this product lies in its entry conditions. Only special groups and enterprises meeting these conditions are eligible to purchase. For such groups and enterprises, Tan Xin Tong serves as an intermediary. Enterprises can use large amounts of liquid cash to purchase Tan Xin Tong, while individuals can obtain ultra-fast loans from Tan Xin Tong with disbursement as quick as 24 hours, about ten times faster than regular loans. For example, for a borrower who can work as a waiter and has joined Tan Xin Tong, and a lender who needs waiters and has purchased Tan Xin Tong, the system will automatically identify and provide a match.”
“In simple terms,” Tang Yang said, “enterprises can post recruitment needs and provide loans through Tan Xin Tong, while special group users can find jobs and obtain loans through Tan Xin Tong. In this process, enterprises’ liquid cash enjoys loan interest rates far higher than current deposit rates, special groups enjoy credit and security, and the bank gains from the fund gap as well as 5-10 years of user stickiness from Tan Xin Tong…”
“…”
The public presentation had been going on for nearly five hours.
Compared to other conventional products, the Tan Xin Tong concept was novel, but it also had many issues.
After Tang Yang finished her explanation, someone in the front row raised their hand: “Any product needs a target audience to have a market. The special groups in Director Tang’s presentation have three key criteria – ‘lack of credit history,’ ‘future repayment ability,’ and ‘no bad records.’ Meeting one is rare enough, wouldn’t meeting all three be even rarer?”
Tang Yang nodded, indicating she had heard the question. As the branch manager sat down, Tang Yang answered: “From 2005 to last year, among the applications received by Huishang’s credit review department, there were 52,739 individuals who simultaneously met all three conditions. 2,837 were approved, and there were 2,237,823 resubmissions after rejection.” She provided extremely precise data, and then said, “Thank you.”
Many in the audience expressed admiration, but Jiang Shiyan seemed oblivious, his gaze gentle and direct on the woman on stage.
Another person asked: “Director Tang has done very thorough preparatory work, but have you considered that while over fifty thousand cases sound like a lot, compared to the user base of millions for other financial products, isn’t it rather weak?”
Tang Yang remained calm and replied softly: “Other financial products have a minimum purchase amount of 50,000 yuan, with periods mostly ranging from three months to a year. The average loan amount for these 52,739 cases is 132,000 yuan,” Tang Yang said, “but the period is 10-20 years.” This implied that the period for Tan Xin Tong would also be 10 to 20 years.
Time is particularly important in financial products, with options being the most typical example.
Some branch managers who hadn’t received systematic training didn’t understand the point in Tang Yang’s words: “Looking at it this way, the liquidity pool of Tan Xin Tong is still small compared to other products.”
Tang Yang: “It’s meant to be a niche credit product. We could even advertise it as ‘providing a safety net for special groups.'”
Another person, half-serious and half-joking, said: “Director Tang is playing the emotional card very subtly.”
On such an occasion, there was no recording or filming from outside the bank, and even the observers had been strictly screened. Tang Yang said: “Many users who can’t pass bank reviews due to credit issues are forced into high-interest loan markets, such as college student online loans, individual retail black market loans, and groups who have lost stable income sources due to family changes,” Tang Yang scanned the hall, mimicking the half-serious, half-joking tone of the previous speaker, “To put it in extreme terms, Tan Xin Tong can bring high-interest loans and private irregular loans into a legal framework. Its significance lies not in bearing the burden, but in risk avoidance.”
If Zhang Zhilan’s case hadn’t come across her desk, if a high-interest loan with hidden traps had found Zhang Zhilan, Tang Yang instinctively felt that given Zhang Zhilan’s temperament, she would have agreed. Zhang Zhilan had lost both parents, as had Shi Jin. In terms of knowing what they wanted and not caring about others’ opinions, the two were somewhat similar.
After that visit to the Linjiang City Welfare Home, Tang Yang had gone twice more with Qin Yue. She learned from Qin Yue that the winding scar on Shi Jin’s hand came from a high-interest loan shark, from… a computer that had made Qin Yue’s eyes red with anger.
Just as the dark web is far larger than the visible web, the number of underground loans far exceeds the number of normal loans.
Tang Yang’s last words were earth-shattering, revealing ambition, stability, and extreme ambition through complex formulas and rules.
Tang Yang nodded slightly to indicate she had finished.
The hall fell into a silence so profound you could hear a pin drop.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Zhou Zisheng stood up and applauded, and everyone followed suit, rising to their feet with thunderous applause.
Amid the near-deafening sound, Tang Yang bowed at a 90-degree angle. As she straightened up, she saw Jiang Shiyan in the back corner.
Tang Yang looked at Jiang Shiyan, noting his travel-worn appearance.
Jiang Shiyan held up his phone, capturing her standing alone on stage, full of vigor and spirit.
Their gazes intertwined in the air, and all the longing that had been separated by mountains and seas seemed to settle like a weary bird finding its nest.
Tang Yang tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and gave a gentle nod.
Everyone thought Tang Yang was thanking them again, but only Jiang Shiyan knew she was nodding to him.
Jiang Shiyan returned a slight nod. Looking at the outfit she wore, which he had helped choose, and the high heels he had given her, an indescribable warmth spread throughout his body, both wondrous and satisfying.
It was as if a knight had adorned his lady with finery, watching her bloom and receive the cheers of the crowd.
Jiang Shiyan knew his Yang Yang would have such a day, that his Yang Yang would go even further in the future.
And he would always be behind her, beside her.
————
Like the other products presented at this lecture, Tan Xin Tong had passed the preliminary review and was prepared for a pilot launch in A City.
Zhou Zisheng, with his professional background and strong expertise, had many doubts about Tan Xin Tong during the early stages, picking at flaws here and there. But when it came to the recent review meeting, he and the young strategic analyst from the head office, Xiao Qin, almost stood alone in supporting Tang Yang against all odds.
After Tang Yang finished the presentation procedures, Jiang Shiyan left through the back door.
Tang Yang went to the top floor office, where Zhou Zisheng, who had left early, was sitting behind the desk.
“Manager Zhou.” Tang Yang pushed the improved Tan Xin Tong materials onto Zhou Zisheng’s desk.
Zhou Zisheng didn’t look at them, rocking back and forth in his swivel chair with his hand supporting his chin.
“Tang Yang,” Zhou Zisheng chose his words carefully, “Tan Xin Tong is already a niche product, and the scale of the pilot launch will be even smaller. I suggest using the Zhang Zhilan case as a breakthrough point for copy and promotion because it has high heat and is a big topic. Then directly set the first batch of target users as families of martyrs.”
Because families of martyrs undergo strict political vetting during military marriages, it’s equivalent to setting a high bar for Tan Xin Tong’s entry conditions.
Tang Yang agreed as this was also her idea.
The first batch of the pilot launch needed to ensure credit and safety.
Tang Yang’s quick agreement made Zhou Zisheng a bit skeptical. He pondered, “The popularity of ‘The Lost Pearl’ was marketed by Yixiu. If we use the Zhang Zhilan case as a gimmick, it will involve the cooperation of ‘The Lost Pearl’ related popularity,” Zhou Zisheng said diplomatically, “Tang Yang, I know you’re an independent person and don’t want your boyfriend to…”
Tang Yang had been anxious since Zhou Zisheng’s first sentence. She was so anxious that her ear tips turned red, and her eyes couldn’t help but drift towards the door.
Hearing the word “boyfriend” come out of Zhou Zisheng’s mouth, Tang Yang was afraid that Zhou Zisheng would go on and on about marriage and children like last time, while Jiang Shiyan was still waiting outside.
“I’m not,” Tang Yang finally interrupted, “Manager Zhou, can I leave early?”
“Huh?” Zhou Zisheng was stunned for a moment, then pointed to the door, “Sure, sure, we’ll discuss the details next week.”
Tang Yang ran out, and Zhou Zisheng heard the door slam shut, instinctively shrinking back in his swivel chair.
Tang Yang was blushing. And distracted? Interrupting him? And asking to leave early?
Zhou Zisheng rubbed his eyes, doubting whether he was dreaming or if Tang Yang had been secretly replaced by someone else.
It wasn’t like her at all.
————
Inside the manager’s office.
As soon as Tang Yang left, Zhou Zisheng received a phone call: “The cooperating unit for the families of martyrs has been confirmed? 762? The person in charge is coming next week? Don’t worry, we’ll host them well. Tang Yang is a very outstanding young person… The person in charge is also from A City? Breathtaking? Hey, no,” Zhou Zisheng had encountered too many bizarre things today, “Old Li, you’re almost sixty, and all you can say about a major is that his appearance is breathtaking. Okay, I won’t tease you… We’ll play golf together sometime.”
Outside the door.
Tang Yang went out and indeed saw a tall man with long arms and legs, holding a briefcase, leaning against the elevator in an extremely lazy posture.
Tang Yang had run out of the office, but now she walked over, asking coquettishly, “Why didn’t you put your things down?”
His little girlfriend’s eyes were bright and clear, black and shining.
Jiang Shiyan pinched her ear lobe, “I wanted to see you,” his voice was filled with laughter, “I was going crazy with longing.”
Tang Yang’s heart fluttered, and she pushed him with a red face, “What nonsense are you talking about.”
Jiang Shiyan laughed, kissed the top of her head, and naturally put his arm around her waist as they entered the elevator.
The public presentation wasn’t over yet, and it wasn’t quitting time, so there were only two people in the elevator.
Tang Yang leaned lightly against Jiang Shiyan’s chest, tapping the ground with the tip of her exquisite shoe: “When I was presenting just now, did I look very impressive?”
Jiang Shiyan: “Towering and majestic.”
Tang Yang’s voice was soft and gentle: “Then, Mr. Smooth Talker, after we go home and put our things down, where shall we go?” Tang Yang thought of something, “I think Feng Weiran and the others want to welcome you back.”
“We’re not going,” Jiang Shiyan’s hand on Tang Yang’s waist slid up and down a bit, “I need to accompany my wife. Tomorrow’s Saturday, let’s go watch a movie. Last time when I was angry, you coaxed me and promised we’d see World of Warcraft.”
How thick-skinned does this man have to be to say “When I was angry, you coaxed me” with a straight face?
Tang Yang silently grumbled, her delicate earlobes unknowingly heating up: “Okay.”
The elevator descended with a soft whirring sound. Even though they had been dating for so long, when alone together, they could still hear each other’s heartbeats.
Thump, thump, along with their breaths.
Tang Yang searched for a topic: “This is my first time designing a financial product. I feel like my presentation was a bit chaotic, and I’m not sure if I expressed all the points I wanted to.”
Jiang Shiyan: “I understood it.”
My Yang Yang is breathtakingly beautiful.
Tang Yang laughed, “What’s the point of you understanding? Others might not understand.”
Jiang Shiyan: “Mm.”
In Yang Yang’s eyes, he wasn’t just anyone, and he was very happy about that.
Jiang Shiyan wanted the elevator to hurry with every passing second. He wanted to get home quickly to kiss, hug, and cuddle his little girlfriend, but the elevator seemed to be crawling slower than a snail.
“Oh, right,” Tang Yang suddenly thought of something and looked up at him, “The lipstick I’m wearing today is the bullet one you gave me before, from the Dangerous Sisters line,” Tang Yang’s eyelashes fluttered as she asked softly, “Does it look good…”
Her eyelashes were long and delicate, casting elegant fan-shaped shadows on her eye sockets. Her small face was slightly flushed, and she wanted him to compliment her lipstick. She parted her lips slightly; they were small and delicate, with a rich, rosy color.
“Do you mind men wearing lipstick?” Jiang Shiyan’s gaze deepened slightly, but his tone remained light.
This question touched on prejudice, leaving Tang Yang momentarily bewildered. “I don’t… I don’t mind, after all…”
Jiang Shiyan gently grasped her chin, tilting it upward. Unable and unwilling to restrain himself any longer, he lowered his head to kiss her.
He caressed her lips repeatedly, smudging her lipstick as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring the roof of her mouth. In the glass elevator bathed in bright sunlight, their kiss grew passionate, lingering, and uncontrollable.