Lin Feng stepped out of the seal engraving shop, a small bag clutched in his hand.
Just as he had expected, they had completed the seals in a single day.
He pulled them out and examined each one carefully, turning them over in his fingers. Satisfied, he tucked them back into the bag.
Now all that's left is opening a business bank account.
He checked the time on his phone. It was still early - he had just finished up his deliveries. If he hurried, he could probably handle the bank account and still make it back in time for his coding lesson with Zhang Wei.
He decided to try his luck at the local branch.
...
Lin Feng pushed through the bank's entrance doors.
The interior was quiet, only a handful of customers scattered about. He made his way to the counter and found himself face to face with a teller.
"Good morning," he said, then recited his account number.
The teller typed it in. Her fingers paused over the keyboard.
Then, just like before, she reached for the phone.
"Someone will be with you shortly, sir."
She said with a polite smile after the call.
Within seconds, a woman in professional attire appeared at his side.
"Please follow me."
Lin Feng trailed behind her as they ascended the stairs to the upper floor.
He wondered if he'd ever get used to this feeling.
Every time, there was that nagging sensation in the back of his mind - the worry that at any moment, they might suddenly realize he was a fraud and lock him up or something.
They arrived at the VIP room. The woman bowed and departed just as the door swung open from the other side.
The manager rushed in, his face breaking into a wide smile the moment he spotted Lin Feng.
"Sir Lin Feng! What a pleasure to see you again!"
Lin Feng blinked, unsure how to react to such enthusiasm.
"Just Lin Feng is fine..."
The manager paused mid-stride, then let out an embarrassed laugh.
"Ah, where are my manners! I completely forgot to introduce myself last time." He straightened his posture and cleared his throat. "I'm Chen Zhiyuan, the branch manager here. Please, have a seat."
He gestured toward the chairs arranged around a polished coffee table.
As they settled into their seats, the woman from earlier returned carrying a tray of drinks. She set them down quietly and withdrew.
Manager Chen gestured toward Lin Feng's cup.
"Please, help yourself."
He took a sip of his own drink and let out a satisfied breath as he relaxed into his chair.
"So," he said, his tone shifting to business, "what brings you to our humble establishment this time?"
Lin Feng reached for his cup and took a slow, measured sip.
The misunderstanding is already there. Might as well go along with it and act the part.
He set the cup down gently.
"I've been thinking of returning to the investment market," he said, his voice calm and unhurried. "So I'm planning to create a holdings account to manage my assets."
He reached into his bag and retrieved a stack of documents, sliding them across the table.
"I already have all the paperwork ready. Now all that's left is opening a business bank account."
Manager Chen picked up the papers and glanced at them.
Then his gaze lifted to Lin Feng's face.
Return to the market?
He studied the young man before him. Lin Feng didn't look old at all - twenty-five at most if they're pushing it, certainly no older. Yet here he was, talking about "returning" to the market as if it had been years since he'd last participated.
Just when exactly was he in the market?
"So, what do you think?"
Lin Feng's voice cut through his thoughts.
Manager Chen blinked, realizing his composure had slipped.
"Ah, umm..."
He quickly picked up the documents and tapped them against the table to align the edges. He flipped through a few pages, scanning the contents.
"Everything looks perfectly in order to me." He looked up with a reassuring smile. "I'll get that processed for you right away."
"How long will that take?" Lin Feng asked.
"Right away, sir. If you could just give me thirty…" He caught himself. "No, ten minutes."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Ten minutes? Won't you have to verify my finances?"
Manager Chen shook his head.
"Not at all, sir. That verification process is only for... ordinary customers." He chose his words carefully. "For someone like yourself, with such a special account... the very existence of your account is proof enough."
Lin Feng held his gaze for a moment.
"Well, alright then."
He leaned back into his chair, crossing one leg over the other.
"Yes, just give me a few minutes," the manager said, rising from his seat. "I'll have everything ready shortly."
He gathered the documents and hurried out of the room.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Lin Feng sat alone in the VIP room.
It seems I still have much to learn.
…
A while later, Lin Feng stepped out of the bank branch.
It really had taken just a few minutes.
He'd had to fill out some forms, but it wasn't nearly as much as he had expected. The whole process had been streamlined thanks to Manager Chen's assistance.
He was about to walk away when he suddenly remembered something.
He turned around and went back inside.
The manager was still standing in the lobby, having just escorted him out. He looked up with a surprised expression as Lin Feng approached.
"Lin Feng? Did you forget something?"
Lin Feng reached into his pocket and pulled out a hundred-yuan note. He held it out to the manager.
"This is..." Manager Chen began, confusion flickering across his face.
"It's from last time," Lin Feng said simply. "Thanks."
Before the manager could respond, he turned and walked out the door.
Manager Chen stood there, staring at the note in his hand.
Then he smiled.
He had almost entirely forgotten about giving Lin Feng that money. But it seemed that to Lin Feng, it was a matter of principle.
He folded the note carefully and tucked it into his breast pocket.
...
Outside, Lin Feng wore a faint smile as he walked.
Well, at least I won't be charged for thievery if I'm found out. Since I returned it.
He looked ahead at the road stretching before him.
Now everything is complete on my end.
All that remained was waiting for Yu Shen's and the others' business registrations to be approved. Since he hadn't received any notification yet, it probably wasn't going to happen today. Tomorrow was Sunday too, so his best bet would be Monday or Tuesday.
The temporary restraining order issued against the head of the incubator program would last until the hearing - about fourteen days from now. They should have enough time to complete their registration before then.
That being said, he would be a key witness in the hearing.
And if things didn't go their way...
He would be in deep trouble.
While the man wouldn't openly retaliate against him, he would definitely cause problems for him behind the scenes. Just like he had tried to do with that request to cease all operations.
Lin Feng let out a sigh.
Have I made a mistake?
His expression twisted with uncertainty.
Then it hardened.
No.
He needed to be more resolute. Since he had decided to take this step, he was going to see it through to the end.
Instead of worrying about what might happen if they failed, he needed to make sure they didn't.