Dasha Talan had already taken the morning flight back to Russia. Before leaving, she had agreed with Gu Bai that she would come to Hua Country to find him after arranging her family matters.
As for Qin Fen and Principal Wang, they were leaning against the hotel-arranged limousine, dozing off with weak bodies. Probably because they were returning to their country, the two went wild for a night and ended up looking quite exhausted the next day.
As for Gu Bai, perhaps due to him sticking close to Dasha Talan for the past few days, he didn’t go too wild last night. Although his current state wasn’t excellent, he was in much better condition compared to the other two.
The return journey seemed more boring than the outgoing trip.
As soon as they got on the plane, Principal Wang and Qin Fen went to their respective bedrooms to rest.
Only Gu Bai was left sitting in the main cabin of the plane, sipping wine while gazing at the clouds outside the window, occasionally exchanging jokes with a few flight attendants.
But that’s as far as it went. Even the healthiest of these flight attendants only scored 80, and although they looked decent, they were far behind Dasha Talan, Qi Man, and even Zhang Yumeng.
The less than 15-hour flight time didn’t seem long.
By the time the Gulfstream G550 returned to Shanghai Pudong Airport, it was already 1 PM.
After a day’s rest, Qin Fen and Principal Wang’s spirits had visibly improved, but they still looked sickly. It seemed they would need to recuperate for a few days after experiencing the pleasures of capitalism.
After getting off the airport’s shuttle, the three didn’t linger and directly exited through the VIP channel.
As soon as they walked out of the VIP channel, Qin Fen and Principal Wang were stunned.
"What’s going on here?"
As the three walked out, a welcoming group of about a dozen people approached them.
"Excuse me, is this Mr. Gu? I am Sheng Lishan, the director of the Shanghai Branch of the Construction Bank. Having received news of your return to our country, I am here to welcome you. Our Chairman Ge has already prepared a banquet in your honor and is awaiting your presence."
Having already reviewed Gu Bai’s basic information, Sheng Lishan knew that this young man in his twenties was the highest asset super VIP among their branch’s private account holders. With a face full of enthusiasm, he greeted him with a smile.
Gu Bai nodded slightly with a look of calm detachment.
He had known about this situation beforehand.
While on the plane, the Construction Bank had communicated with him; the only thing unexpected was their extensive show of grandeur.
Principal Wang roughly guessed the situation but couldn’t help tugging on Gu Bai’s arm and asking softly, "What’s going on here?"
With a nonchalant smile, Gu Bai explained, "My family transferred a sum of money to my account in the Construction Bank. It’s quite a large amount, so I guess this is their way of making a good impression."
"How much money? For them to put on such a display, this is one of the Big Four banks, not just any small bank—isn’t this over the top?"
As the son of a wealthy tycoon, Principal Wang was naturally a VIP at various major banks, but he had never received such treatment before and was curious about how much Gu Bai had deposited at the Construction Bank.
"Not much, just about 20 billion."
Shrugging his shoulders, Gu Bai replied casually.
"How much? 20 billion?!"
Even as calm as he was, Principal Wang couldn’t help but look at Gu Bai in shock.
Standing beside them, Qin Fen, who had been silent, gasped deeply when he heard this.
"You’re not joking, are you?"
Principal Wang wore a face that said, "I refuse to believe this."
What does a 20 billion cash flow mean? Ordinary people might not understand, but at his level, he was well aware that customers with a cash flow of over 1 billion are considered super VIPs by all major banks. After all, assets and cash are two completely different things.
Take his father, Wang Shoufu, as an example.
It would not be difficult for the Wanda Group to come up with 20 billion, but asking Wang Shoufu to produce 20 billion in cash? Sorry, it’s impossible, not even within the next ten years, despite his assets being over 200 billion.
Sheng Lishan, being a high-level manager at the Construction Bank, naturally recognized Principal Wang and overheard their conversation.
If Gu Bai hadn’t indicated, he would never disclose any detail of Gu Bai’s deposit amount at the Construction Bank. But now that Gu Bai had said it himself, Sheng Lishan smilingly explained to Principal Wang, "President Wang, Mr. Gu is telling the truth. His deposits in our branch have exceeded 20 billion, making him our bank’s top-tier client. Currently, no one can match Mr. Gu in personal savings."
In fact, from the moment Gu Bai spoke those words, Principal Wang already believed it; Gu Bai wouldn’t boast about such things in front of bank staff. He just couldn’t accept it instantly, but with Sheng Lishan’s explanation, he had no choice but to accept the fact.
"I’m finding you harder and harder to figure out, kid."
Principal Wang sighed helplessly but inwardly, his estimation of Gu Bai rose several levels, placing him alongside his father, Wang Shoufu, as a great figure.
Although Gu Bai currently held no business ventures, quantity begets quality.
Just with the 20 billion, no one in the country would dare underestimate him.
"Alright, no amount of money influences our friendship."
These words came from Gu Bai’s heart.
The trip to Europe, while not significantly deepening friendships, at least made the three of them recognize one another. Principal Wang’s straightforward and unabashed nature was something Gu Bai genuinely appreciated.
"How about going for a meal together?"
After saying this, Gu Bai smiled and invited Principal Wang and Qin Fen.
Although he himself was an invited guest, bringing a few people over for a meal was completely unnecessary to consider the feelings of Sheng Lishan and Ge Aimin. Guests not bringing guests is just social etiquette placed on an equal footing, but his status with the Construction Bank is completely unequal. Now it is they who beg him to keep the money in their bank.
Sheng Lishan, upon hearing this, didn’t show the slightest displeasure and continued with a bright smile.
Principal Wang, however, shook his head after hearing this: "I won’t go. I’ve been out of the country for a week, and a lot of company matters have piled up, waiting for me to handle them."
Qin Fen also declined with a smile.
Gu Bai did not insist.
"Since you have things to handle, I won’t insist. Let’s gather again in a few days once you’re free."
With that said, the two said their goodbyes to Gu Bai, got into their respective vehicles, and left. Meanwhile, Gu Bai was ushered by several management personnel from the Construction Bank into their car.
The vehicle stopped at the entrance of one of Shanghai’s top hotels, Jinjiang Restaurant.
As soon as the car stopped, Sheng Lishan, the branch director, was the first to open the door for Gu Bai, and they walked together towards the entrance of Jinjiang Restaurant. Sheng Lishan was very particular about his positioning and did not walk side by side with Gu Bai but slightly behind him, which clearly indicated the hierarchy.
Gu Bai noticed this but didn’t say anything, accepting it as a matter of course.
As they stepped through the door, the general manager of Jinjiang Restaurant spotted Sheng Lishan and quickly came forward to greet him.
The general manager wasn’t clear on the specifics, but Ge Aimin had already informed him earlier that they were hosting a very distinguished guest today, now apparently Gu Bai.
Though puzzled at how this young Gu Bai became the esteemed guest mentioned by Ge Aimin, after years of experience in the industry, he knew well not to ask questions that shouldn’t be asked. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽
"Director Sheng, is this the guest of Chairman Ge?"
Sheng Lishan nodded slightly.
"My surname is Deng, and I am currently the general manager of Jinjiang Restaurant. Chairman Ge has already instructed that I personally escort you over. Please, this way..."
"You’re too kind, President Deng."
As he spoke, the Jinjiang Restaurant’s general manager slightly lowered his gaze, not directly looking at Gu Bai’s eyes, offering a sense of reverence, and with a smiling face, made an inviting gesture.
Gu Bai nodded slightly and followed in his footsteps.
The various managers from the Construction Bank followed Gu Bai and Sheng Lishan at a respectful distance behind them.
After Gu Bai and others stepped away, the restaurant’s service staff, seeing such a grand setup and how the rarely seen general manager was so deferential to this young man, began conjuring images of Gu Bai’s identity.
A few minutes later, Gu Bai and his entourage arrived at the largest private room in Jinjiang Restaurant.
The restaurant’s general manager pushed open the private room door but didn’t enter. Instead, he stood at the entrance, slightly bowing and inviting Gu Bai to go inside.
Gu Bai, without hesitation, walked straight into the private room.
After entering, Gu Bai briefly surveyed the room.
The private room area was several hundred square meters, even larger than the restaurant’s hall.
Inside, it was furnished with many antique paintings and calligraphy, exuding a serene elegance.
A large dining table was placed in the center of the hall, and Ge Aimin, whom he’d met once before, was already standing to greet him.
"Mr. Gu, during our first meeting at the bank, I mentioned wanting to invite you for a meal, and it’s now been almost a month. This meal is somewhat belated, so please don’t mind."
Upon seeing Gu Bai, Ge Aimin laughed warmly and spoke enthusiastically.
In terms of age, he was even older than Gu Bai’s father, but his tone carried more respect, as he couldn’t ignore such a significant client with a 20 billion cash flow.
Gu Bai smiled slightly.
"What are you saying, Chairman Ge? As the head of the bank, you’re a very busy person, and it’s my honor to have you accompany me personally."
Although Ge Aimin was the leading figure of the Shanghai Construction Bank, facing Gu Bai at present, he no longer held the previous equal status and had clearly lowered himself a level.
"Mr. Gu, have a seat, please."
Having said that, he personally escorted Gu Bai to the main seat facing the door at the round table, while he took the side seat.
Sheng Lishan also sat on the other side at Ge Aimin’s indication through eye signals.
As for the other attendees, after politely excusing themselves, followed the restaurant general manager out, closing the door behind them.
After all, they were there just to make a show and didn’t have the qualifications to sit at this banquet.