Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Chaoyang Ladies Watch Baiziwan Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Chaoyang Ladies Watch Baiziwan Chen Cheng returned to the dining table after finishing the call.
“Sorry about that, work stuff.” He sat down with a smile, his eyes landing on Tong Jialu, asking, “Finished eating?”
Tong Jialu packed away her loose powder, her face flushed faintly pink after drinking half a bottle of red wine.
“I’ve eaten well, Brother Cheng.”
Chen Cheng smiled and nodded, “Shall we go then?”
Chen Cheng gestured to the waiter to ask for the bill, but Tong Jialu quickly interjected with a smile, “I’ve already paid.”
“When you went to take the call.”
This outcome greatly surprised Chen Cheng, the meal would cost at least ten thousand yuan, and Tong Jialu had quietly settled the bill, which astonished him.
He laughed awkwardly, “How could I let you pay?
Didn’t we agree that I was going to treat you?”
“Brother Cheng, you helped me meet this month’s loan quota at the bank, and then had me help you with this 2 million yuan commercial bill.”
Tong Jialu gave a slight smile and continued, “Consider this meal a small token of my gratitude and also a celebration of our successful cooperation.”
Chen Cheng knew about the deposit targets in banks, but setting a KPI for loans was new to him.
But then he thought, even with a 3 million yuan corporate loan and a 2 million yuan commercial bill completed, this young lady wouldn’t have earned a bonus of over ten thousand yuan just from these two transactions.
Chen Cheng scrutinized Tong Jialu again; she was young, wealthy, and dressed fashionably but tastefully.
A Mercedes Benz C, GANNI dresses, a Miu Miu bag, and Givanchy loose powder costing 50 yuan per gram – everything indicated that Tong Jialu didn’t rely on a salary to live.
“Xiao Lu, you’re really too polite.”
Chen Cheng said half-jokingly, “Next time, you are not allowed to pay.
If word got out, where would I put my face?”
Tong Jialu smiled sweetly, “No one will know!
It’s our little secret.”
The two left the restaurant, the night was silky, and a gentle breeze was blowing.
After getting in the car, Chen Cheng asked, “Where do you live?”
“Jinmao Mansion,” Tong Jialu, sitting in the passenger seat and holding her unfinished red wine, replied.
Hearing the name, something stirred in Chen Cheng’s heart.
It’s said that to see the fine ladies of Beijing, look to Chaoyang, and to see the fine ladies of Chaoyang, look to Baiziwan.
Of course, these ladies varied, but anyone living in Jinmao Mansion was definitely not ordinary.
But then again, educators also live in Jinmao Mansion, naturally of higher quality than those from Apple Community or Coastal Sailer City.
Foreign teachers could also be found here, an opportunity for men to broaden their horizons.
From Tong Jialu’s current display, clearly, she wasn’t just a teacher but either had money herself or someone providing these things had money.
Chen Cheng grinned, “Seatbelt.”
I forget everything when I drink!”
“I thought just a few hours with me made you forgetful!” joked Chen Cheng.
Tong Jialu covered her mouth and laughed, “Haha, Brother Cheng, you’re really fun!”
The Pamei car steadily headed towards Jinmao Mansion.
Alcohol made it easier to bridge the gap between people, and the conversation flowed freely.
While driving, Chen Cheng asked, “Xiao Lu, is the business at City Commercial Bank doing well?”
The momentum at the City Commercial Bank has been quite good these past few years.”
As Tong Jialu spoke, she turned her gaze towards Chen Cheng, “Brother Cheng, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“Where did you buy that sparrow you gave me?”
Hearing this question, Chen Cheng’s relaxed mind tensed up considerably.
Noticing the innocent expression on Tong Jialu’s face and recalling what Xia Yubing had said in the VIP client room, he immediately suspected there was an issue.
“It was just a friend who helped.” Chen Cheng smiled as he replied, “Why?
It didn’t die again, did it?”
Tong Jialu repeatedly shook her head, “No!
“Why are you asking this then?” Chen Cheng retorted: “Are you thinking of keeping one?
Then the days of blowing shells will be tough for you!”
“Hahaha, Brother Cheng, you’re really funny!”
Tong Jialu leaned back on her chair, “I feel that the bird you gave me is a bit different.”
“It’s very tame, and its call is pleasant,” Tong Jialu said excitedly: “And, it even spits out the shells after peeling them!”
Chen Cheng’s mind raced, “Then you really could consider getting another one.
Think of how much trouble that would save!”
“I’m not fond of keeping birds.
It’s Director Xia who likes these.”
“By the way, Director Xia looks young, how did he get to his position so soon?” Chen Cheng curiously asked.
A barely noticeable flicker crossed the depths of Tong Jialu’s eyes, but her smile quickly returned, “I’ve only been at the bank for half a year, not really clear about Director Xia’s matters.”
Chen Cheng pondered for a while, “Then you’re doing quite well!
See, driving a Mercedes, living in Jinmao Mansion, and at such a young age, you’ve already reached the ceiling.”
Tong Jialu stroked her long hair beside her temples, “It’s all bought by my family.”
Chen Cheng noticed the subtle expression on her face, which did not seem like she was lying.
“You’re really fortunate.” he continued: “You must be the princess of the family.”
“Hahaha, Brother Cheng, stop teasing me,” Tong Jialu laughed several times, “Just an ordinary family, not any princess!”
The car soon arrived at Jinmao Mansion.
After parking, Tong Jialu unbuckled her seatbelt, “I’m going up now, Brother Cheng.”
“Okay, take care,” Chen Cheng nodded.
“I’ll have your bill of exchange ready tomorrow morning, you should be able to get it by noon,” Tong Jialu opened the car door, swinging the bottle of red wine, “Thank you.”
“I should be the one thanking you,” Chen Cheng responded.
Tong Jialu’s smile lingered, “Looks like both of us have poor memory.”
“We said no thanks needed, now why are we thanking again?” she stepped out with her long legs, “Goodbye, Brother Cheng.”
The two exchanged smiles, and Tong Jialu got out of the car.
She walked briskly into the neighborhood, soon disappearing from Chen Cheng’s sight.
Chen Cheng sat in the car, watching the direction Tong Jialu left, filled with puzzlement.
His instinct told him, she definitely had something going on.
“As long as I get the money, it’s fine.”
Chen Cheng restarted the car, calling Xiao Meier on her phone, “Sis Meier, I’m back.
What would you like to eat?”
Standing in the elevator, Tong Jialu kicked off her high heels, standing barefoot straight up.
She stared at the bottle of red wine, the slight buzz from earlier in the car also vanished.
“Chen Cheng’s quite good at reading people!
The elevator door opened.
Tong Jialu bent down to pick up her shoes, walking toward her apartment door.
The sound of fingerprint unlocking chimed in the hallway.
As Tong Jialu opened the door, she immediately saw Xia Yubing sitting in the living room, slightly startled.
Dressed in a silk nightgown, she exuded elegance yet a cold demeanor.
Her slim, cross-legged legs, and the bright red manicured nails, seemed like the perfect final touch to ten beautifully crafted abacus beads.
Tong Jialu placed the red wine on the cabinet by the entrance, tiptoeing over.
A radiant smile reappeared on her face, “Cousin, you haven’t rested yet?!”