"Mr. Gu, all the special privileges promised to you have been reported to the chairman, but my authority is insufficient. Next, our chairman will personally introduce them to you."
Tian Miaohua explained respectfully to Gu Bai after the call.
After a while, a man in a neatly pressed suit, about fifty or so, pushed the door open and came in. Although his demeanor was amiable, it was clear at a glance that he had held a high position for many years.
Since it was work hours, a position name badge was clipped on the pocket of the middle-aged man's suit.
Ge Aimin, Chairman of the Shanghai Branch.
A name full of a sense of the bygone era.
"You must be Mr. Gu Bai, right?"
Ge Aimin came towards Gu Bai with a big smile, extending both hands as he approached.
Gu Bai also politely got up to shake hands with Ge Aimin.
After shaking hands, Ge Aimin gestured for Gu Bai to sit down and then naturally took the main seat in the meeting room, with Tian Miaohua standing formally behind him.
"First of all, thank you, Mr. Gu, for trusting our Construction Bank and entrusting us with safeguarding such a large sum of money."
Ge Aimin's eyes gleamed with a friendly smile as he made polite small talk.
To be honest, Ge Aimin was the person of the highest social status that Gu Bai had ever interacted with in his two lifetimes. Although Gu Bai felt a little restrained talking to such a person, he was not overwhelmed; instead, he remained quite composed.
The reason for the restraint was because Gu Bai lived his previous life as an ordinary person, someone he'd likely only learn about from online news.
As for why he wasn't overwhelmed, it was even simpler.
Since his rebirth and the arrival of the system, Gu Bai was no longer an ordinary person. Holding vast sums of money, it was the Construction Bank that needed him to deposit the money, not the other way around. In other words, Gu Bai and Ge Aimin were on entirely equal footing, perhaps with Gu Bai even holding a higher status.
"Chairman Ge, you're too kind."
Gu Bai didn't say much more. Knowing it was small talk, there was no need to delve deeper into the topic.
Seeing this, Ge Aimin smiled and continued, "Regarding the privileges Mr. Gu can enjoy at our Construction Bank, I believe Manager Tian has already explained them to you in detail. I'll just briefly add two more."
Gu Bai nodded, signaling for Ge Aimin to continue.
"First, we plan to invite you to become a private banking client with us. Our private banking offers exclusive high-end services for clients who meet our standards. Becoming a private banking client means you can enjoy personal wealth management and a dedicated professional team, it's a direct symbol of your esteemed status.
Secondly, understanding from the earlier discussion with Manager Tian that your daily consumption needs might be high, we can apply for a Construction Bank Black Gold Card with a limit of ten million for you, so as not to affect your savings yield. As for the privileges of the Black Gold Card, I won't introduce them one by one. As a top VIP of our bank, all enterprises that cooperate with us will have your basic information stored, allowing you to enjoy the most premium services at any time."
Zhang Yumeng was completely numb.
Gu Bai squinted his eyes slightly.
"Since Chairman Ge has thought so thoroughly, it would seem ungrateful of me not to accept. Of course, I promise that any future financial matters will prioritize cooperation with your bank."
Upon hearing this, the smile on Ge Aimin's face deepened by three degrees.
Offering so many benefits, Ge Aimin was aiming for this line from Gu Bai. Having received the most satisfactory response, what more could he ask for?
For Gu Bai, it was no big deal.
Money is money wherever it's kept, isn't it?
If they are showing such courtesy, why shouldn't he reciprocate?
With the deal settled, Ge Aimin immediately instructed Tian Miaohua to handle these matters while he stayed and chatted with Gu Bai.
"Mr. Gu, are you still a student?"
"?"
Gu Bai looked at him with puzzlement.
Ge Aimin chuckled and explained, "Mr. Gu, don't misunderstand. I had seen the information you left at the bank before. I didn't expect someone so young like you, Mr. Gu, to have such substantial wealth, truly confirming the old saying: Heroes come from youths."
No wonder he's a seasoned talker; he's very articulate.
Though he knew well that such a large sum could only be family-given, not once did he mention Gu Bai's family background, only praising Gu Bai.
Gu Bai almost couldn't resist rolling his eyes; is that how the phrase 'heroes come from youths' is used?
Fortunately, Ge Aimin didn't continue to flatter but switched the topic instead.
"In a few days, our bank is hosting a golf event. I wonder if you are interested in attending? Quite a few local celebrities from Shanghai are expected to join."
Gu Bai felt a bit tempted but still gracefully declined.
The temptation was to experience such gatherings, potentially boosting his Confidence Value. The refusal stemmed from considering what he could do at such a gathering?
When others discuss how much they made in a month or when their company will go public, what could he say?
Saying the system gave him billions in a dream fund?
His wealth was entirely system-given with no foundation.
Undeniably, his wealth surpassed most domestically, but sometimes just having money isn't enough.
True Divine Riches require not just money, but also social status matching one's wealth.
This was what Gu Bai was currently striving to enhance.
By the time Tian Miaohua finished handling everything, it was already past five in the afternoon.
Ge Aimin glanced at the time, stood up, and with a big smile, invited, "Time has flown, and it's already dinner time. I wonder if Mr. Gu has time to join me for a casual meal tonight?"
Although his own age might be older than Gu Bai's father, he still placed Gu Bai on an equal footing, not just as a courtesy, but to maintain Construction Bank's good reputation with clients, which was part of his job.
Gu Bai shook his head with a smile.
"Chairman Ge, you're too kind. I already have plans for tonight. Let's arrange something next time when I'm free, and I'll personally invite you."
It wasn't that Gu Bai was deliberately finding an excuse to refuse; he really did have plans. Li Zhun had already sent him several WeChat messages that afternoon.
"Then I'll eagerly await your invitation."
Ge Aimin didn't insist but continued smiling as he walked alongside Gu Bai out of the bank.
He walked Gu Bai all the way to the bank's front door before stopping.
"Since Mr. Gu is busy, I won't insist. If you face any issues in the future, please don't hesitate to communicate with us immediately. We'll resolve them as quickly as possible."
"Of course, of course."
................
Back in the car, Zhang Yumeng finally spoke.
"I came here to handle some business last time too. It took me a few days to get it all done."
There was a tinge of complaint in Zhang Yumeng's voice.
Gu Bai chuckled.
"That's because you didn't deposit enough money. If you did, you'd receive the same service as me, with the chairman personally seeing you off."
"Better forget it. I doubt I have any hope of that in this lifetime."
Actually, after receiving Tian Miaohua's call, Gu Bai had a rough idea of what would happen here, and the reason he brought Zhang Yumeng was to show off in front of her.
Trying to play the deep-hearted role with a girl like Zhang Yumeng, who has started stepping into society, is pointless. They already have their own complete value systems, and Gu Bai was well aware of Zhang Yumeng's value system.
Love and money.
Zhang Yumeng would definitely pick money.
Since that's the case, he needed to address it directly. So far, it seems to be working; just a little more temptation, and he could seal the deal.
He didn't rush to start the car but dialed a call to Li Zhun from the driver's seat.
"Brother Zhun, what do you want?"
There was quite a bit of noise on the other end of the line, but after a moment, it gradually quieted down, probably because Li Zhun found a quieter place.
"Where are you now?"
"Just came out of Construction Bank. What's up?"
"You asked me to find out about any limited edition watches available, and coincidentally, I received an invitation today. There's a small auction at House of Time in Shanghai tonight. Just wanted to see if you're interested."
"House of Time?"
Gu Bai was a little confused.
"It's a private venue run by a watch collector, usually not open to the public, but occasionally holds auctions and such. It's hard to explain over the phone. If you have time, come on over."
"Alright, send me the address; I'll head over now."
Soon, Gu Bai received Li Zhun's shared map location.
Putting it away, Gu Bai smiled while looking into Zhang Yumeng's eyes, "Are you hungry?"
"I'm okay."
Feeling a bit awkward under Gu Bai's gaze, Zhang Yumeng answered in a small voice.
"If you're not hungry, accompany me for a bit more. I'll treat you to a big meal afterward."
Initially, he planned to take her for a big meal. Although Zhang Yumeng seemed a bit pretentious, her profile indicated she was still pure, making it worth putting in some effort.
As for someone like Luo Yaqian, apart from some physical attraction, Gu Bai wouldn't bother.
"We don't have much of a relationship, so isn't it inappropriate to take me to all sorts of places..."
Zhang Yumeng started performing her basic tea art act.
Gu Bai teased along with her words, "Would you like to have some kind of relation then?"
Zhang Yumeng immediately displayed a shy expression and deliberately put a little distance between herself and Gu Bai.
"We've only known each other for two days. Isn't that too fast..."
"Did I say 'be my girlfriend'? Isn't a friendship a kind of relationship?"
"Huh?"
Gu Bai laughed heartily and revved the engine of the supercar.
Seeing that Gu Bai no longer paid her any attention, Zhang Yumeng sat back sulkily but secretly thought to herself whether she was overdoing the tea act.
After an afternoon apart, Zhang Yumeng's fondness for Gu Bai skyrocketed.
Rather than starting to like Gu Bai himself, it was more about liking Gu Bai's lifestyle. Just like what she said to Gu Bai at the 4S dealership: if there was truly a rich, young, and handsome guy to choose from, she wouldn't refuse.
Isn't the Gu Bai in front of her such a guy?