In the president’s office, Steve asked for a cup of coffee to be brewed immediately, then said, “Mr. Li Feng, may I ask what your purpose is for this visit?”
“A loan. What does Steve think I could borrow from Citibank with my Microsoft shares?” Li Feng sat on the sofa, looking at Steve calmly.
“Mr. Li Feng, we can lend as much as you need,” Steve said confidently. With Microsoft shares, Steve had no concerns. With Li Feng’s ten percent stake, there was no worry about repayment. Besides, Citibank’s headquarters would prefer if clients like Li Feng couldn’t repay.
“Ten billion Huaxia dollars, to be credited tomorrow. Any issues?” Li Feng held up one finger.
“Tomorrow?” Steve was taken aback, surprised by the urgency.
“Is there a problem?” Li Feng raised an eyebrow.
Unlike investment banks like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, or Morgan Stanley, Citibank, along with banks like National City Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland, focused on commercial services, not speculation.
Simply put, they followed the traditional banking model, much like Huaxia’s four major banks: ICBC, CCB, ABC, and BOC.
Citibank had a good global reputation, which was why Huaxia chose it. But if a loan of this size couldn’t be arranged quickly, Li Feng would consider investment banks.
“No, no, it’s tight, but not impossible,” Steve said quickly. Li Feng was a major client, and he didn’t want Citibank to lose him.
“As long as Citibank’s service satisfies me, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to cooperate,” Li Feng said.
Steve smiled, “Mr. Li Feng, I’ll have someone handle it now. I recommend our client manager for major clients like you. We provide dedicated service. What do you think?”
“Fine,” Li Feng agreed, thinking of someone. “Steve, your lobby manager, Manager Fu, is quite good. I’d like him as my client manager. Is that possible?”
“Lobby manager?” Steve was stunned. Citibank’s client managers underwent specialised training with high asset management standards. A lobby manager wasn’t qualified. But this was Li Feng’s request, and he couldn’t think of a reason to refuse.
“If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have met you today, and we wouldn’t be cooperating,” Li Feng said with a faint smile, believing in repaying kindness. Manager Fu was decent, and he didn’t mind giving him a chance.
“Alright, as Mr. Li Feng wishes,” Steve nodded.
Half an hour later, Li Feng left Steve’s office with Fu Jun, who was still reeling from the sudden change. From lobby manager to client manager was unthinkable, especially not just any client manager. He now understood Li Feng’s situation: a ten-billion-Huaxia-dollar loan from Citibank, which he would manage.
Moreover, as Li Feng left, Steve issued him a black gold card, Citibank’s highest-tier membership, with only a few dozen in all of Huaxia, a symbol of wealth and status.
Becoming the client manager for a black gold cardholder was a meteoric rise. Fu Jun never imagined a simple choice could change his life.
“Manager Fu,” Li Feng said.
“Yes, Mr. Li, what is it?” Fu Jun replied quickly, not daring to show the slightest neglect.
“Tomorrow, when the ten billion is credited, I need you to quietly acquire a company,” Li Feng said, a glint in his eyes. With this money, Sun Group, hmph, if I don’t take you down, I’m not Li Feng.
“Rest assured, Young Master Feng, I’ll complete the task,” Fu Jun said, recalling Song Zhiyuan’s address and switching to “Young Master Feng.” “I’ll find an excellent team to serve you.”
“Good, but this is in collaboration with Xiangfeng Investment. They’re already clashing with the target. You need to coordinate with them to acquire the company I want,” Li Feng said.
Fu Jun nodded, not asking about Li Feng’s ties to Xiangfeng Investment. To him, the client came first.
As they stepped out of the elevator, they saw Manager Wang and Song Zhiyuan approaching. Seeing Li Feng and Fu Jun, Manager Wang said mockingly, “Isn’t this Manager Fu and some Young Master Feng? What, you didn’t actually go see the president, did you? The president isn’t someone people like you can just meet.”
“Though we’re both from Huaxia, as a friend, I must tell you, know your place,” Song Zhiyuan sneered.
“Manager Fu, does Citibank keep dogs?” Li Feng asked curiously.
“Young Master Feng, Citibank doesn’t keep dogs,” Fu Jun said, stifling a laugh.
“Oh, then why do I hear barking? Did a stray dog get loose?” Li Feng said, feigning confusion.
“You…” Song Zhiyuan fumed.
“Isn’t this Young Master Song? When did you arrive? Look at me, only noticing the dog and not you. Young Master Song, did you see the stray?” Li Feng said, acting surprised as if just seeing him.
Fu Jun couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“Manager Fu, is it that funny?” Manager Wang said coldly, glaring at him.
“Manager Wang, I couldn’t help it,” Fu Jun said, suppressing his amusement at Wang’s livid face.
“Manager Wang, is this how you treat clients? Young Master Song is a VIP. As a lobby manager, do you want to lose your job by offending him?” Manager Wang said icily.
He had just closed a multi-million deal with Song Zhiyuan, feeling confident. If this escalated, the bank wouldn’t side against a VIP like Song.
“Young Master Feng is also a client,” Fu Jun said calmly. Li Feng was a black gold client, far above Song’s VIP status. It was clear who couldn’t be offended. Besides, he was tired of Manager Wang’s arrogance.
“Him?” Manager Wang sneered.
“Indeed,” Fu Jun thought. If Li Feng wasn’t a client, who was? A black gold client, someone most people never even met. Naturally, he would protect such a client, unfazed by Wang’s threats.
“Hmph, Manager Fu, I hope you don’t regret this,” Manager Wang said coldly.
Fu Jun sneered, “I never regret.”
“Someone like him qualifies as a Citibank manager? What standards,” Li Feng said coldly.
Furious, Manager Wang shouted to security, “Get this impostor out of here!”
“Manager Wang, you dare!” Fu Jun snapped. If a black gold client like Li Feng was thrown out, who would trust Citibank? Where would the bank’s reputation stand?
“What don’t I dare?” Manager Wang sneered. He was all in today. A fake rich kid? As a Citibank manager, he wasn’t scared.
With his influence, two security guards approached at his command.
Song Zhiyuan smirked, knowing Manager Wang’s status at Citibank. Offending him could land Li Feng on the bank’s blacklist, though it wouldn’t affect him much. Song just enjoyed seeing Li Feng humiliated.
“Stop! Who dares touch Young Master Feng?” Fu Jun barked, halting the guards. He glared at Manager Wang, “Don’t make trouble for yourself.”
“Trouble? I’m causing trouble, so what?” Manager Wang sneered. Fu Jun was getting too bold. Without a lesson, he wouldn’t know his place.
“Move, or I’m responsible,” Manager Wang told the guards.
“You? Responsible?” A cold voice interrupted.
“Who says I can’t handle it? Nothing at Citibank is beyond me,” Manager Wang sneered, turning to see Secretary Lu.
“Secretary Lu…”
Though a business manager, Wang paled beside Lu, the president’s personal secretary, a vast gap in status.
“Mr. Li is a black gold client. Are you sure you want to throw him out?” Secretary Lu said coldly.
“Black… black gold client?” Manager Wang stammered, staring at Lu in disbelief. As a manager, he knew what that meant. How could Li Feng be a black gold client? How was it possible?
Offending one meant not just a manager but even the CEO could become the bank’s scapegoat.
As the president’s secretary, Lu wouldn’t lie. Wang’s face turned ashen.
“Mr. Li, I’m sorry about today…” Lu quickly apologised. A black gold client’s bad impression could hurt the bank significantly, and even he had to tread carefully.
“Secretary Lu, don’t worry, I won’t take it to heart. But Manager Wang’s attitude might cost Citibank clients,” Li Feng said lightly, glancing at the shocked Song Zhiyuan with a cold smirk before walking out.
Lu paused, then turned to Manager Wang, “Submit your resignation.”
Wang’s face was ashen, filled with despair.
“Can someone tell me what’s going on?” Song Zhiyuan stared at Li Feng’s back, eyes full of disbelief.
