Chapter 10: Personal Bank Cards

The call connected.

Siao Jia's voice rang out, "What? You're not going to see a doctor but have time to call me? Want to beg for mercy?"

"Cut the crap," Xu Ke snapped. "What the hell do you want?"

He was now so furious that he felt capable of murder at any moment.

His family was his Achilles' heel.

Siao Jia laughed sarcastically. "Xu Ke, I won't waste words with you. It's simple."

"First, kneel and apologize to Li Jun. You slandered him the other day, and it's left us feeling very upset."

"Second, leave Tianhai. I don't want to see you ever again."

"Third, give me the other half of the house to compensate me for my youth."

Siao Jia still hadn't forgotten what Xu Ke had said when he left her family's home.

What was that about 'not as good as a young model'? It was a complete slander against Li Jun's love for me.

That's why Siao Jia chose to seek such vicious revenge on Xu Ke.

Hearing these three demands, Xu Ke burst into laughter and mocked her directly. "After all that, you just want the house? What's the matter? Did you find out Li Jun is just toying with you? Are you afraid that once he gets tired of you, you'll be dumped with no money to buy a house, so you're trying to scam your ex-boyfriend out of his first?"

In his fury, Xu Ke's words stabbed straight to the heart.

She immediately roared, "Xu Ke, what nonsense are you spouting? Li Jun genuinely loves me! Don't even think you can drive a wedge between us."

"Heh, you know best whether he truly loves you or not," Xu Ke sneered angrily. "I'm telling you, don't even dream of getting the house, and I'm not leaving Tianhai. What's more, one day I'll make both of you kneel before me."

"Keep trying to mess with me. If you can't kill me, I'll be the one to take you down."

With that, Xu Ke hung up.

"Fine, fine, fine." Staring at the disconnected call, Siao Jia trembled with rage. "Xu Ke, you're dead."

...

With Nie Yuncong gone, Xu Ke was able to get in line quickly. After getting his head bandaged, he left the hospital.

He planned on applying for another credit card. He already had two and didn't want to use new debt to pay off old debt, which could completely wreck his credit. But now, he had no other choice.

Xu Ke searched the map for the nearest bank and headed out directly.

...

「Half-past two in the afternoon.」

Xu Ke had just entered the bank, intending to use his ID to get a queue number.

Just then, a hand blocked the ID card he was about to place on the machine.

"Well, I was wondering who looked so familiar. If it isn't Xu Ke... Nice bandage on your head," a familiar voice remarked.

Yang Qing.

Xu Ke turned to see her, his expression darkening. He had forgotten that Yang Qing was the lobby manager of this bank.

After a glance at her, Xu Ke said flatly, "Let go."

Yang Qing raised her eyebrows. "I won't."

"Do you own this ticket machine?"

Yang Qing scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm just asking what you're doing at the bank."

"Applying for a credit card."

"Oh? Out of money and trying to scam a credit card to pay your debts?"

Xu Ke ignored her and simply tried to push past.

But Yang Qing blocked the machine entirely. "Your financial situation is poor. Our bank will not be issuing you a card."

Xu Ke didn't rush. He took out his phone without even looking up. "Obstructing a customer, terrible attitude... Tell me, Manager Yang, how would you like to handle a formal complaint?"

"You..." Yang Qing's face changed, though she tried to remain defiant. "It's the truth that you have no money. Even if you get a number, you won't be issued a card, so don't waste everyone's time."

Just then, a voice came from the entrance.

"What's going on here?"

A man walked in.

Yang Qing started. "Branch Manager."

The branch manager, who had just arrived for his shift, looked at Xu Ke. "Hello, I am Qi Tianming, the manager of this branch. May I have your name, and how can I assist you?"

"My name is Xu Ke." He glanced at Yang Qing. "Manager Yang is stopping me from taking a number."

Qi Tianming turned to Yang Qing.

She remained composed. "Branch Manager, he's a friend of mine. I know he's here to apply for a credit card."

"However, he just lost his job, has a mortgage, and multiple large debts, which makes him completely ineligible. I didn't want him to waste our colleagues' time and effort. If you don't believe me, ask him yourself if he's heavily in debt."

After speaking, Yang Qing looked smug again.

I'm only stating the facts; he can't deny any of it. Plus, I made it sound like I was being considerate of my colleagues. The branch manager will definitely take my side.

Qi Tianming turned back to Xu Ke. "Mister Xu, is this true?"

"It is," Xu Ke didn't deny it. "But my financial situation doesn't give Manager Yang the right to be so rude or to stop me from taking a number, does it? Or are asset evaluations at this branch done purely by word of mouth?"

He was all in. Even if he couldn't get a card, he was determined to make things difficult for Yang Qing.

Qi Tianming's brow furrowed, a flash of displeasure in his eyes.

He could see that Xu Ke wouldn't be able to get a card no matter what. Wasn't he just openly picking a fight with Yang Qing? More importantly, he was increasing the tellers' workload.

But frustratingly, Xu Ke was completely within his rights.

Qi Tianming looked at Yang Qing. "Manager Yang, apologize to Mister Xu."

Yang Qing's face looked as if she had swallowed something foul.

How can Xu Ke be so infuriating?

But under Qi Tianming's unyielding gaze, she finally lowered her head. "I'm sorry."

Xu Ke said calmly, "Apologize properly. I'm helping you. It'll be for your own good in the long run."

Yang Qing gritted her teeth in fury.

Qi Tianming's brow tightened. "Mister Xu, you may take your number now."

This was his hint for Xu Ke to let it go.

I've seen plenty of young people living off debt. And this one has to be mouthy on top of it all? I really don't appreciate this.

Xu Ke shrugged and placed his ID on the ticket machine.

BEEP.

He was about to take his number when a line of text suddenly appeared on the screen.

Xu Ke's expression changed.

Then, a synthesized electronic voice announced,

"Hello, Mister Xu. Your assets have reached our threshold. You are cordially invited to apply for a private banking card and enjoy our premier VIP services."

As the voice fell silent, Qi Tianming's and Yang Qing's faces instantly froze. They stared, completely dumbfounded.

A private banking card? That requires ten million in assets! Why would Xu Ke qualify?!

In the next moment, a look of dread washed over Qi Tianming's face.

This is big trouble...