Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

Twenty minutes later.

Following a warm welcome from the governor of the China Merchants Bank Jisheng Branch, Gu Heng stepped into the sumptuously decorated private banking section.

"Mr. Gu, welcome!"

"I’m Qian Zhengxing, governor of the CMB Jisheng Branch. We spoke on the phone a few days ago. I’d heard Mr. Gu was a young and brilliant man, and now that I see you in person, you are truly as impressive as they say!"

Qian Zhengxing appeared to be in his fifties. Dressed in a black business suit, he faced Gu Heng—a young man likely not even as old as his own son—and showered him with praise.

"Governor Qian, you’re too kind."

Gu Heng’s feet sank into a light, apricot-colored wool carpet. He took in the walls, which were covered in expensive, matte walnut paneling, and inhaled the faint scent of sandalwood drifting through the air.

This was the kind of environment he had only ever seen in movies and TV shows before.

Furthermore, the middle-aged man smiling and personally attending to him was a VIP—the kind of person he’d never even dreamed of meeting before.

A branch governor!

What kind of status was that?

Within the entire China Merchants Bank system in Ji Province, Qian Zhengxing was at the very top.

Even on a national scale, he was a high-ranking figure within the China Merchants Bank network.

Yet here this man was, personally welcoming him and staying with him for the entire process.

At first, Gu Heng found it a bit surreal.

Only after they spoke did he learn that CMB’s private banking services had clearly defined standards.

Even in the four "super first-tier" cities, which were crawling with millionaires, a single deposit of over 50 million RMB required the personal attention of a sub-branch manager. A single deposit exceeding 100 million RMB, however, demanded the presence of the branch governor.

If that was the standard in the four super-tier cities, it was an even bigger deal for the less-developed Jisheng Branch. Since taking his post, Qian Zhengxing had likely only encountered such a situation a handful of times, and the vast majority of those cases were the result of extensive prior operations on the bank’s part.

As for a client like Gu Heng, who just silently dropped a 100 million RMB deposit out of the blue? He was likely the first one in years.

Under these circumstances, Qian Zhengxing naturally took it extremely seriously.

After all, deposits were the lifeblood of a bank. For a leader like Qian Zhengxing, they were also one of the most direct and crucial metrics for his performance.

Personally escorted by Qian Zhengxing, Gu Heng was quickly shown into a VIP room.

He sat on a white, crescent-shaped fabric settee, surrounded by indigo cushions embroidered with the subtle insignia of China Merchants Bank’s private banking division.

The bone china tea set on the coffee table before him had a cool, glazed sheen, and the golden-yellow tea inside wafted a rich, fragrant aroma.

Qian Zhengxing sat across from Gu Heng, detailing the benefits of becoming one of CMB’s ultra-high-end private banking clients. Meanwhile, Luo Xiwen sat beside Gu Heng, using his phone to help him complete the registration.

Throughout this process, Gu Heng mostly just listened.

Though young, his life experiences had taught him early on that when faced with something unfamiliar, it was better to keep quiet than to pretend you understood.

As Qian Zhengxing explained, Gu Heng began to get a sense of the basic benefits he would enjoy as one of CMB’s ultra-high-end private banking clients.

Exclusive high-value fixed-interest deposits, global stock and bond portfolio solutions, a fast track for corporate financing, unlimited airport VIP lounge access, domestic and international airport chauffeur services, priority access for private jet charters, a 24-hour global concierge, high-end art collection viewing events, entrepreneur salons, and more...

And these were just the basic benefits available to all of CMB’s ultra-high-end private banking clients nationwide. As one of the top depositors in Ji Province, the local perks available to Gu Heng were countless.

With Governor Qian present, it naturally wasn’t Luo Xiwen’s place to speak.

She quietly listened to the two men talk while focusing on helping Gu Heng with the necessary procedures.

However, at that very moment.

DING—

The crisp chime of a text message notification rang out, and Luo Xiwen subconsciously glanced at Gu Heng’s phone.

"Your account ending in 7945 received a deposit of RMB 50,000,000.00 on August 21. Your new balance is RMB 50,000,769.91. [Pudong Development Bank]"

The moment Luo Xiwen read the message, she froze. A tidal wave of shock crashed through her.

’Another fifty million...’

’One hundred fifty million, deposited in the span of a single week.’

Even in her previous role as a key account manager for a major CMB branch, Luo Xiwen had never seen a client with such massive savings. In fact, clients with even a fifth of Gu Heng’s fortune were few and far between.

And the most crucial part was, Gu Heng was only eighteen years old!

At that moment, Luo Xiwen couldn’t help but feel her breath quicken.

"Mr. Gu..."

Waiting for a lull in the conversation between Gu Heng and Governor Qian, Luo Xiwen finally found her chance to interject.

"What is it?"

At the sound of her voice, Gu Heng turned to look at Luo Xiwen curiously. Governor Qian arched an eyebrow; he knew Luo Xiwen wouldn’t interrupt them unless it was something important.

"Mr. Gu, just now, your Pudong Development Bank account..."

"...received a deposit of 50 million yuan."

As she said this, Luo Xiwen snuck a sideways glance at her governor.

Unsurprisingly, the moment Governor Qian heard the news, the beaming smile on his face froze solid. His expression was actually rather comical.

Gu Heng also noticed the change in the governor’s expression. Seeing Governor Qian’s gaze grow somewhat resentful, he couldn’t help but feel a little awkward himself.

[Benefit Reward: Jun Cheng Law Firm Top-Tier VIP Comprehensive Exclusive Legal Aid Service (Two-Year Term), Designated Funds: 50,000,000 RMB]

[Current Progress: In Process (100%)]

[Note: Designated funds have been transferred. Please ensure your phone line remains open, Host.]

Gu Heng glanced at the system notification that had popped up. He hadn’t expected the designated funds for this reward to arrive at this exact moment—and to a different bank, no less.

What was this supposed to be?

’Some kind of alternative NTR?’

’Or a new form of visual assault?’

Gu Heng grumbled internally.

"Ahem..."

"I see. You can continue."

Facing Governor Qian’s somewhat resentful gaze, Gu Heng cleared his throat and gestured for Luo Xiwen to proceed.

"Oh, oh."

"Yes, of course."

Luo Xiwen lowered her head again. Just as she was about to resume her work, she saw Gu Heng’s phone begin to vibrate.

Incoming call: 95528!

Clenched!

Governor Qian’s fists clenched tight!

China Merchants Bank and Pudong Development Bank were the two titans in the top tier of the nation’s joint-stock banks. They had been competing at every level for countless years. How could Governor Qian not recognize that number as the exclusive VIP hotline for Pudong Development Bank’s private banking clients?

’What is the meaning of this?’

’Making a call to Pudong Development Bank right in front of me, the governor of a China Merchants Bank branch?’

’And I’m supposed to just sit here quietly, is that it?’

’Great, great, great!’

’This whole scenario is starting to feel awfully familiar!’