Chapter 11 Punishment, Pleas

Qi Tianming knew all too well what kind of rating a private banking card represented. Yet he and Yang Qing had just been looking down on Xu Ke.

If Xu Ke gets angry and transfers his funds, my career as a sub-branch manager will be over.

Qi Tianming carefully turned his head to look at Xu Ke, trying to gauge his mood.

But Xu Ke was also a bit stunned. Is the ticket machine broken? was his first thought. His second was to remember that Wong Qifu had transferred ten million to him yesterday.

As for Yang Qing, she was completely dumbfounded, her gaze fixed and vacant. She felt as if the glaring words on the machine's screen were slapping her across the face, one after another, until it was swollen. Why? How could Xu Ke have assets over ten million? He's a multimillionaire? Impossible! That's impossible!

Yang Qing's eyes widened. She instinctively reached out to touch the ticket machine. "It can't be, this can't be happening... Is the machine malfunctioning?"

Seeing this, Xu Ke frowned. "What are you trying to say?"

Hearing her words, Qi Tianming inhaled sharply and roared, "Yang Qing, what nonsense are you spouting?"

I was just racking my brain on how to salvage my relationship with Xu Ke, and this woman has the gall to question him?

The reprimand snapped Yang Qing back to her senses. Seeing Qi Tianming's uncontrollable rage, a chill ran down her spine and she instinctively tried to explain, "Manager, I..."

"You will take some time off," Qi Tianming declared sternly, his words brusque and harsh. "Someone else will cover your duties for the next few days. I will submit a detailed report on today's incident, and then we will decide what to do."

Yang Qing's face turned deathly pale, as if she had been plunged into an ice cellar. Someone else will cover for me? A detailed report?! I'm done for!

"Manager, please, no! I was just thinking about the bank's interests," Yang Qing pleaded.

Qi Tianming's expression didn't change in the slightest. "Judging by your attitude toward Mister Xu, your professional conduct is unsatisfactory. Reporting this to upper management for review is for your own good."

In this situation, of course, I have to sacrifice a pawn to save the king.

Yang Qing's lips trembled, her heart filled with endless regret. If only I hadn't tried to suck up to Li Jun by planning to humiliate Xu Ke at the bank. What did Li Jun and Siao Jia's feud with Xu Ke have to do with me? If it weren't for that, how could I have ended up in this predicament? I'm not like Siao Jia. Wong Teng's family isn't nearly as influential as Li Jun's; he has no connections to speak of. If I get fired over this, no one will stand up for me.

Faced with this reality, Yang Qing was filled with immense panic. I don't want to lose this hard-won job that I've had for three years. If I get demoted or even fired over something like this, my future in the banking industry will be utterly bleak. What do I do?!

At this thought, Yang Qing turned to look at Xu Ke.

He's the only one who can save me. If he says something, Qi Tianming will definitely take back his decision. He's my last lifeline!

Yang Qing hastily grabbed Xu Ke's arm. "Xu Ke, please, spare me! I'm begging you."

"We were in the same department back in college, remember?"

"We were good friends! You can't be so ungrateful!"

"I even treated you to a meal back then, and I helped you pursue Siao Jia..."

Ungrateful? Xu Ke almost laughed. But when he heard Siao Jia's name, his expression became impassive. "This is an internal matter for your bank. I won't interfere."

As he finished speaking, Yang Qing's world went dark.

Xu Ke isn't going to help. I'm finished. My future is gone!

Yang Qing's body trembled, and she looked as if she was about to collapse.

Seeing that Xu Ke had sealed Yang Qing's fate, Qi Tianming stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Mister Xu, would you like to move to the VIP room? We can also customize your private banking card in there."

He was exceedingly careful and respectful, fearing he might provoke even the slightest displeasure from Xu Ke.

"No need. I'll handle it at the counter," Xu Ke declined.

Qi Tianming guessed that Xu Ke was still angry, so he didn't dare say more. He turned, got a ticket for Xu Ke, and offered it to him. "Alright then. Please take this, Mister Xu."

Xu Ke took it, thanked him, and turned to leave.

Qi Tianming was flattered, repeatedly saying it was no problem at all.

At that moment, Qi Tianming couldn't help but feel a surge of regret as he silently cursed Yang Qing. I could have been having a pleasant chat with Xu Ke, maybe even convinced him to bring more business my way... But because of that fool Yang Qing, not only was the chance ruined, but I've also offended him.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He spun around and shouted at the frozen Yang Qing, "What are you still standing there for? Get back to your desk and prepare your report!"

"I don't want to see your face ever again."

"You're truly more trouble than you're worth."

Humble before Xu Ke, Qi Tianming didn't dare show his resentment. Instead, he unleashed his heightened anger on Yang Qing, heaping even more scorn and humiliation on her with his sarcastic words.

The strong, when enraged, draw their swords against the stronger. The weak, when enraged, draw their swords against the weaker. Such is the way of society.

Qi Tianming's scorn was the final straw.

THUMP.

Her trembling body finally gave out, and she collapsed to the ground, full of regret and remorse.