Chapter 49: Careless Walking

“This card looks quite extraordinary. Does it have any special functions?” Jiang Hao asked curiously.

Gao Xiaoqin nodded with a smile. “Of course it does. First of all, possessing this card proves you’re an elite client of our bank. That’s not a status just anyone can claim. You should know, in Maple Leaf City, the number of elite clients at Bifeng Bank can be counted on two hands—and now you are one of them. That alone should show you how distinguished this status is!”

“Moreover, this card comes with entirely free services—no service fees whatsoever. That means no charges for deposits or withdrawals, and transfers are free as well.”

“If you exhaust your balance, Mr. Jiang, you can still use the card for overdraft spending.”

“With this card, you are granted unrestricted access to any entertainment venue partnered with Bifeng Bank in Maple Leaf City, and some of these venues offer special services exclusively for our elite clients.”

Gao Xiaoqin spared no detail, and Jiang Hao soon found himself a little overwhelmed by all the privileges.

In short, this Elite Black Card was truly remarkable. Beyond its role as a symbol of status and wealth, it genuinely brought its holder many benefits.

“Very good, I am extremely satisfied with your bank’s service,” Jiang Hao said, nodding with a smile.

It was already afternoon, and Jiang Hao planned to visit the department store near the East Suburb Villas to buy some daily necessities. After all, he had just moved there and was lacking many household items.

So, not intending to linger any longer, he rose and said, “If I need to handle any business in the future, I’ll be sure to come to you.”

“It would be my honor,” Gao Xiaoqin replied, bowing politely with a smile.

Jiang Hao left the general manager's office and entered the bank’s main hall, where he noticed the elderly lady, having finished her business, just about to leave.

She was already quite old, walking with a hesitant, trembling gait, as if she might slip at any moment.

Jiang Hao quickly walked over to steady her. “Ma’am, have you finished your business?”

The old lady glanced up at him, then said in surprise, “Oh, it’s you, young man! Have you finished as well? Are you really a VIP client?”

Jiang Hao nodded, then shook his head and explained, “I’m not a VIP client—I’m an elite client of Bifeng Bank.”

The moment he spoke, the ordinary clients waiting in line around them all gasped, their exclamations filled with astonishment.

“Elite!”

“He’s so young, and already an elite client at Bifeng Bank?”

“How is that possible?”

“It must be fake!”

“He just came down from the second floor—could he really be an elite client? Only elite clients can do business on the second floor!”

“That’s true—even VIP clients aren’t allowed upstairs, only to the VIP window in the main hall!”

People around started whispering, all casting fervent gazes at Jiang Hao. Especially some of the young women who had come to deposit money—their eyes burned with an almost fiery intensity as they looked at him.

Yet many others lowered their heads in shame. These were the same people who had mocked Jiang Hao before. Having jeered and belittled him, they now watched as he proved his financial strength, as if receiving a stinging slap across the face. How could they not feel utterly embarrassed?

“Young man, you’re truly outstanding!” the old lady praised, giving him a thumbs up.

Jiang Hao chuckled and said, “Ma’am, let me walk you out… Is your home far? If it’s not nearby, I can take you back.”

“No need, I live close by. I can walk home myself,” she replied cheerfully.

Earlier, while everyone else mocked Jiang Hao, this old lady had spoken up for him more than once, even kindly advising him. It was precisely because of this that Jiang Hao now treated her so warmly.

That was simply his nature—he repaid kindness with even greater kindness, and repaid malice in kind. In a word, he was a man of clear affections and aversions.

“Young man, are you married? Do you have a girlfriend?” the old lady asked with a kindly smile.

Jiang Hao smiled bitterly, “I’m already married.”

“Married, eh? I was just thinking of introducing you to my granddaughter—maybe you two would have gotten along… Well, since you’re married, never mind.”

Hearing this, Jiang Hao found it both amusing and a little bittersweet. After all, he would soon be divorcing Su Qingli.

Though the topic had come up more than once, a specific date hadn’t been set. Still, anyone could tell that it was only a matter of time before Jiang Hao and Su Qingli separated—it wouldn’t be long now.

They’d been married for only a year, and had started dating back in university. Now, faced with divorce, Jiang Hao couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sorrow.

He shook his head vigorously, refusing to dwell on it—after all, thinking about it wouldn’t change anything.

By this time, he had already escorted the old lady to the bank’s entrance.

Just then, a young couple hurried in, colliding heavily with Jiang Hao and the old lady.

Jiang Hao was unbothered, standing his ground without so much as flinching. But the old lady let out a cry and fell to the floor.

“Ma’am, are you all right?” Jiang Hao quickly squatted down, concern in his voice.

She answered with a trembling voice, “I’m fine… really, I’m fine…”

Suddenly, a surprised voice sounded from the side. “Jiang Hao, it’s you!”

Jiang Hao turned and saw that the person who had knocked the old lady over was none other than Su Tianming, the eldest grandson of the Su family.

Su Tianming wasn’t alone; he had his arm around the waist of a young woman, who clung to him with a seductive air, as alluring as a beautiful serpent.

“Jiang Hao, what are you doing at Bifeng Bank?” Su Tianming asked in astonishment, his face quickly turning cold.

“Why I’m here is none of your business,” Jiang Hao replied calmly. Then he demanded, “Su Tianming, can’t you watch where you’re going? You knocked this old lady over!”

Su Tianming sneered arrogantly. “Yes, I knocked her over—so what? Jiang Hao, why are you meddling in other people’s business? You’ve already got enough problems of your own. Are you planning to stand up for this old hag and teach me a lesson? Go ahead, I dare you—let’s see what you can do!”

Jiang Hao’s brow furrowed sharply.

He had never liked Su Tianming, and his distaste for the man only deepened now.

“Brother Su, who is this? He looks fierce, so scary!” the young beauty clinging to Su Tianming said with disdain.

“He’s the live-in son-in-law of our Su family—Jiang Hao. But he’ll be out of the Su family soon enough!” Su Tianming crowed triumphantly.