Chapter 26: All Set

At 9 a.m., Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing arrived at the Bank of China. Director Yang, accompanied by a few bank staff, greeted them at the entrance. Seeing this, the other customers were astonished and began speculating about the identity of this young couple.

"Isn't that Director Yang? Why is he coming out to greet a young man? Who is that young man? He looks so ordinary!"

"Are you blind? The young man may be dressed simply, but did you see the woman with him? Wow! That face and figure, she's the most attractive woman I've ever seen. Any man who can have such a woman willingly by his side can't be ordinary. I bet that young man is the child of some powerful family. Twenty years ago, he would've been the type to be toppled."

"It's enviable! If only I could be rich and powerful like that young man."

"You're dreaming, right? For Director Yang to come out and greet him, that young man must have at least hundreds of thousands, maybe even be a prince from the red walls of Beijing. What could you possibly compare with him?"

Hearing these whispers around him, Zhou Ming shook his head inwardly. He was well aware that he wasn't truly wealthy yet; the money he had was all from loans that he would have to repay soon. Only after completing his business in Hong Kong would he have his first large sum of money that truly belonged to him.

Lin Muqing found the situation amusing. She couldn't help but laugh to herself, thinking how these people would react if they knew Zhou Ming was just an ordinary worker's child and that his family's income might have been lower than theirs just half a month ago.

Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing entered the bank's reception room, where Sister Zheng served them tea, treating them like VIPs.

Director Yang came in with a contract and respectfully sat opposite Zhou Ming. He said, "Mr. Zhou, because the amount of foreign currency you're exchanging is large, our bank's leadership requires us to sign an exchange contract to ensure the process is smooth and orderly. Of course, this contract follows exactly what we agreed upon verbally, and I have not added any additional clauses. Please review it."

Zhou Ming took the contract and carefully read through it. The terms matched what they had discussed in the restaurant the previous day, so Zhou Ming nodded to Director Yang.

"Since Mr. Zhou has no issues, you can sign it. I've already coordinated with the Agricultural Bank. Once you sign, I'll immediately transfer the funds from your account there. As per your request, I've also opened an account in your name at Hong Kong Fenghui Bank, and I'll deposit the exchanged Hong Kong dollars directly into that account," Director Yang explained.

Zhou Ming signed the contract and handed it to Director Yang. "Thank you for the trouble, Director Yang."

"It's no trouble at all. I should be thanking you for supporting our bank's work!" Director Yang replied.

Director Yang signed the contract and stamped it with the Bank of China's branch seal. He handed one copy back to Zhou Ming, who then stood up with Lin Muqing to shake hands with Director Yang, signaling the completion of the transaction.

After signing the contract, Zhou Ming asked Director Yang, "Could I borrow your phone?"

Director Yang nodded and had a staff member bring a phone. Zhou Ming dialed a number, and a crisp female voice answered, "Hello, this is the Nanjing Exit-Entry Administration Office."

Recognizing the voice, Zhou Ming smiled and said, "Ranran, it's me, Zhou Ming."

"Ming-ge, it's you!" Tang Ran said excitedly, but she quickly remembered she was at work and lowered her voice. "Ming-ge, why are you calling me?"

Even though Tang Ran lowered her voice, Zhou Ming could still hear the joy in her tone. He said, "Of course, I'm thinking of our lovely Ranran! Also, how are the passports and visas for me and your Sister Muqing to Hong Kong coming along?"

"All the paperwork has been submitted; they should be ready in a couple of days," Tang Ran replied.

Zhou Ming happily praised Tang Ran before hanging up the phone.

Looking back at Lin Muqing, it was clear she had heard the voice on the phone. She smiled at Zhou Ming and said, "Now everything is ready, just waiting for Ranran to deliver the passports and visas."

Zhou Ming nodded in agreement.

Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing left the Bank of China and took a taxi. As they passed construction sites along the road, Zhou Ming remarked, "Nanjing really lives up to being the forefront of our country's reform and opening-up, just like the pulse of this era—full of vitality."

Lin Muqing tilted her head and looked at Zhou Ming, saying, "So you're saying you were born in the best of times?"

Zhou Ming laughed, but Lin Muqing's next comment caught him off guard. She said, "But I feel like you're racing against time, chasing after something."

Seeing Lin Muqing's puzzled expression, Zhou Ming couldn't help but marvel at a woman's intuition. She was spot on—he was indeed racing against time, trying to catch up with this financial feast.

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and then told Lin Muqing, "I am in a hurry, afraid there isn't enough time!"

Lin Muqing blinked, as if she sensed Zhou Ming was being evasive, but she didn't press the issue.

…

Two days passed quickly, and on the third morning, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing finally received their passports and visas.

"Ming-ge, Sister Muqing, I'm really sorry. I should have given you the passports and visas yesterday, but something came up at work, so they were delayed by a day," Tang Ran apologized.

"It's okay. Getting the passports and visas in just three days is already impressive, especially since Hong Kong is considered abroad. I heard that getting a passport and visa for there usually takes at least a week!" Zhou Ming said.

"But I promised Ming-ge I'd have them ready yesterday," Tang Ran said. "How about this: after you and Sister Muqing return from Hong Kong, I'll treat you to Western food."

Zhou Ming couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, keep your money and buy yourself some nice clothes instead."

Tang Ran exclaimed, "Do you think my clothes are ugly?"

She began to inspect her outfit, and Lin Muqing rolled her eyes at Zhou Ming before comforting Tang Ran. "Of course not. Don't listen to him. Your clothes are very nice. If you want, I can bring you some clothes from Hong Kong."

Tang Ran nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, please! Thank you, Sister Muqing. I'll tell you my size."

Tang Ran then pulled Lin Muqing aside to discuss women's sizes. Zhou Ming, not wanting to join in, opened the passport and visa that Tang Ran had arranged. It was a business visa, valid for six months.

Despite Tang Ran's somewhat naive appearance, she had been diligent and thoughtful. She knew Zhou Ming wasn't just going to Hong Kong for tourism, so she didn't apply for a simple tourist visa but rather the more difficult-to-obtain business visa. This would allow Zhou Ming to invest in Hong Kong. She also extended the visa's duration to six months, giving him plenty of time.

…

Nanhu Port was the land port connecting Hong Kong and Nanjing, and it was also the largest land port in the country. In this era, most foreigners entering the mainland did so through here.

Tang Ran escorted Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing to the outskirts of Nanhu Port. Seeing the armed soldiers guarding the port and the unfamiliar land beyond, Tang Ran suddenly felt emotional and began to cry. "Ming-ge, Sister Muqing, you must be careful over there! If anything goes wrong or you run into trouble, just come back immediately. You won't need to get another visa."

Lin Muqing quickly took out a tissue to wipe Tang Ran's tears. "Why are you crying? We're just going to Hong Kong; it's not far."

"But it's still abroad, and there are scary gangs there," Tang Ran sobbed.

"Don't worry, Ranran. As long as I'm here, no one will dare bully your Sister Muqing!" Zhou Ming assured her.

Tang Ran nodded firmly. Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing then passed through the border check at Nanhu Port and boarded the Hong Kong East Rail Line train as directed by the signs.

As the Nanhu Port checkpoint receded from view through the train window, Zhou Ming remarked, "We've finally arrived in Hong Kong."

When he turned around, he noticed Lin Muqing looking at him with her head tilted. Startled, Zhou Ming asked, "What's the matter, Sister Muqing?"

Lin Muqing replied, "You're really heartless. Ranran likes you so much, and she cried so sadly when she saw you off, afraid something might happen to you in Hong Kong. But all you can think about is making money."

Zhou Ming's heart skipped a beat. He realized how different men's and women's perspectives were. Feeling awkward, Zhou Ming said, "Sister Muqing, don't say that! Ranran is still young, and I think she's more worried about you. After all, you're so beautiful, and your risk factor must be much higher than mine."

Lin Muqing smiled slightly and asked, "Really?"

"Of course! Sister Muqing, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen!" Zhou Ming swore as if taking an oath.

Lin Muqing pouted. "Smooth talker. I bet your little girlfriend will be prettier than me in the future."

This

 remark left Zhou Ming at a loss. In his previous life, he hadn't had much experience with women, so he had no idea what was going on in their minds. He didn't know what to say.

Fortunately, Lin Muqing seemed to notice his discomfort and didn't press the issue. She continued, "But I don't think I'm that dangerous. I may be beautiful, but I'm also a jinx. Anyone who dares to mess with me won't have a good end!"

As Lin Muqing said this, she glanced at Zhou Ming flirtatiously, giving him a chill: Was she warning me not to have any thoughts about her?

Seeing Zhou Ming's awkward expression, Lin Muqing burst into laughter again.