Chapter 51: An Unexpected Call

Hearing this, Su Tianming’s expression instantly froze, his face the very picture of awkwardness. Chen Yushan, too, stood there staring blankly at Jiang Hao and Gao Xiaoqin, as if she had turned to stone. But Gao Xiaoqin paid no attention to their reactions. She turned to Jiang Hao and said, “Mr. Jiang, you are our bank’s most esteemed client. Naturally, I will carry out your instructions. You have nothing to worry about.”

Most esteemed client? Jiang Hao is actually the most esteemed client of Bifeng Bank? How could that be possible? To become such a client, one had to have over twenty million in deposits at Bifeng Bank, or had to conduct a single transaction exceeding five million. How could any ordinary person possess such wealth, let alone someone like Jiang Hao, whom they all considered worthless?

Who was Jiang Hao, after all? He was merely the live-in son-in-law of the Su family, renowned throughout Maple Leaf City for living off his wife. If he could qualify as Bifeng Bank’s most esteemed client, then everyone in Maple Leaf City might as well be a millionaire! Impossible! It simply could not be true!

At this moment, Su Tianming’s mind was in turmoil, his hands and feet ice-cold, as if his entire worldview had come crashing down. Chen Yushan, too, found it hard to believe what was unfolding before her eyes.

“That’s right, I’m very satisfied with the service at your bank,” Jiang Hao said to Gao Xiaoqin with a smile. “If I have other business in the future, I’ll be sure to come back.”

Gao Xiaoqin nodded, smiling. Then Jiang Hao released the elderly lady and walked calmly over to Su Tianming and Chen Yushan.

“Do you know what the phrase ‘a frog in a well’ means? If not, I suggest you buy a mirror and take a good look at yourselves. Then you’ll understand.”

With that, Jiang Hao left without another glance, supporting the old lady as they exited the doors of Bifeng Bank. Only then did Su Tianming and Chen Yushan finally snap out of their stupor.

Su Tianming’s face was twisted with anger and resentment, while Chen Yushan, despite her carefully applied makeup, could not conceal her dreadful expression.

“Manager Gao, Jiang Hao is just our family’s live-in son-in-law. How could he possibly be your most esteemed client? There must be some mistake! Surely you’re not going to stop serving us just because of a word from him? I’m the eldest son of the Su family, and my deposits here are nearly ten million!” Su Tianming burst out, rushing to confront Gao Xiaoqin.

Chen Yushan hurried to support him. “Exactly, Manager Gao! How could your bank regard a nobody as a most esteemed client? There must be some error!”

Gao Xiaoqin turned, her gaze cold as she looked at the two of them. “I’ll say this one last time: Mr. Jiang Hao is Bifeng Bank’s most esteemed client. The two of you would do well to show some respect, or you’ll put me in a difficult position.”

“Furthermore, as you’ve already heard, per Mr. Jiang’s instructions, we are to suspend all services for you both. I’m sorry, but if you have any business, please come back tomorrow. Today, the bank will not be receiving either of you.”

With those words, Gao Xiaoqin turned and left without the slightest politeness. Su Tianming and Chen Yushan stood rooted to the spot, as if their souls had left their bodies, unable to recover for a long moment.

Upstairs, on the second floor of the bank, Gao Xiaoqin had just sat down on the sofa when a young female employee approached and set a steaming cup of coffee before her.

“Director Gao, earlier when Jiang Hao asked you to stop serving Su Tianming, wasn’t that against regulations?” the young woman asked with concern.

Anyone who comes to the bank to conduct business is a client. Yet Gao Xiaoqin, in order to appease Jiang Hao—the most esteemed client—had suspended services for Su Tianming, a distinguished client. This was certainly against the rules, as it could potentially have a negative impact and cause the bank to lose clients.

But Gao Xiaoqin answered with conviction, “Rules are made by people. As long as it maximizes the bank’s interests, what harm is there in bending them a little? Su Tianming is merely a distinguished client, but Jiang Hao is our most esteemed client. They are not on the same level. If I’m forced to offend one, I must choose to offend Su Tianming and win over Jiang Hao.”

She paused, then added, “Besides, we’re not stopping service for Su Tianming forever—just giving him the cold shoulder for a day. He’ll understand, and the Su family won’t break ties with us over such a trivial matter. On the other hand, if I had refused Jiang Hao’s request just now, he might have left in anger, and our bank would have lost a most esteemed client forever.”

After listening to Gao Xiaoqin’s explanation, the young employee finally understood her reasoning.

“Director Gao, your decision was so wise! I truly admire you,” the young woman exclaimed, looking up to Gao Xiaoqin as her role model.

Gao Xiaoqin took a sip of her coffee and said calmly, “This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dealing with people. Stick with me, and you’ll encounter plenty of such unexpected situations in the future.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Director Gao! I’ll work hard and never let you down!” the young woman promised, patting her chest with determination.

Jiang Hao escorted the old lady to the entrance of a residential complex in the city center, then left Maple Leaf City and returned to his villa. After resting for a while, he went to a nearby department store to purchase some daily necessities.

From this moment on, he was about to embark on a brand new chapter in his life—a long-awaited return to singlehood. The thought filled Jiang Hao with joy and excitement. Ever since marrying into the Su family, he had spent nearly every day enduring cold words, mockery, and ridicule. But from now on, he would no longer have to cater to anyone’s whims or flatter any soul. This, truly, was one of life’s great pleasures!

He had barely stepped out of the department store with his purchases when his phone rang loudly. Setting down his bags, Jiang Hao checked the caller ID and a smile appeared on his face. The call was from Bai Qiming of the Bai family.

“Hello, is this Mr. Jiang?” Bai Qiming’s voice, tinged with gravity, sounded in Jiang Hao’s ear.

“Yes, it’s me. Is there something you need, Mr. Bai?” Jiang Hao replied with a smile.

Bai Qiming answered at once, “Mr. Jiang, thank you for curing my father’s illness. He has now almost fully recovered.”