002 This Is a Setup

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Tenglong Industrial publicly claimed that, without the company’s knowledge, 20 million yuan from a special account was transferred by Dongfang Bank’s Nanxin Branch into a margin deposit account. This was used for acceptance bill transactions involving a company called Zhilian Technology in Zhejiang Province, which had no affiliation or business dealings with Tenglong Industrial.

This incident caused quite a stir in Nanxin and became well-known throughout the entire Jinghai City banking system. However, the outcome was unexpected.

Fang Qingye, having nearly finished entering most of the data, was in no rush and decided to rest for a moment. He picked up the teacup on his desk, took a sip, and stood by the window to gaze at the scenery outside.

It was spring, bright and beautiful. The peach tree in the bank courtyard bloomed with splendid flowers.

At that moment, Fang Qingye suddenly noticed a man and a woman, both dressed in bank uniforms, descending the stairs and entering the courtyard as if to welcome some guests.

The man was about forty, wearing a sharp suit. The woman appeared younger, under thirty, slender, with her hair neatly pinned in a bun at the back of her head, exuding efficiency. She wore the bank’s gray-black OL skirt suit, giving off an aura of uniform allure.

Xia He and Zhao Wenjun!

They were the two deputy branch managers of Nanxin Branch.

Because Branch Manager Zhang had been on medical leave at home for over a year due to health reasons, Xia He was in charge of the branch.

The actual top two leaders of the branch showing up together—could it be that they were expecting some important visitors?

Sure enough, a black Audi slowly drove into the courtyard, followed by a black Passat.

When the Audi stopped, Xia He quickly went over to open the door. A man about fifty years old climbed out and shook hands with the two waiting officials.

It was indeed the municipal investigation team!

The man seemed to be Liu Baosheng, deputy director of the municipal branch in charge of disciplinary inspection.

Fang Qingye had some impression of him.

This man was quite famous in the Jinghai City banking system, known for his upright and incorruptible character. He had sent two branch managers to prison and was nicknamed “Liu Bao Gong” because of his stern demeanor and dark complexion.

It seemed the municipal branch investigation team had truly arrived and Nanxin Branch was about to become lively for a while.

But this matter had nothing to do with him, so he would just be a bystander for now.

Fang Qingye raised his teacup and leisurely took another sip.

At noon, after work at twelve, Fang Qingye naturally did not go home. The cafeteria served quite a variety of dishes—for example, today’s lunch included fried fish, braised taro with flat beans, a three-flavor mixed dish, cold jellyfish salad, and a bowl of Western-style bean and river shrimp soup.

Fang Qingye served himself and turned to find a seat when Zhang Rong waved him over. He sat down beside him.

“Hey, did you hear? Chen Meimei has been transferred to the city investigation team as a liaison officer!” Zhang Rong whispered.

“A liaison officer? Isn’t that just running errands and doing odd jobs for others?” Fang Qingye smiled.

“Running errands is good too. It means you get to meet the city leaders and make a name for yourself. Chen Meimei is really lucky!” Zhang Rong’s tone was a mix of envy and jealousy.

Fang Qingye glanced at him. In his memory, Zhang Rong was diligent and capable at work, but also quite opportunistic and strongly driven by personal gain.

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While eating, Fang Qingye said, “Why don’t you tell Director Xia to swap you in? You’re pretty capable, and didn’t Director Xia praise you at the staff meeting?”

“Forget it, I don’t dare to jinx it,” Zhang Rong quickly waved his hand.

“You don’t know, Director Xia was in a terrible mood today. This morning, Liu Li from our office brought her some documents with a typo. When she found it, she scolded her harshly. Liu Li came back crying,” Zhang Rong said.

Fang Qingye sighed inwardly.

As a manager, Xia He still lacked some polish.

A true leader’s emotions never show on their face—you could never guess their thoughts by their expression.

But it was understandable—Xia He was still young.

After graduating with a graduate degree in finance from Shen Cai University, she had worked at the provincial branch for a year before being parachuted directly to Nanxin Branch as deputy manager in charge.

Her career had been smooth sailing so far, but a critical mistake at this key juncture had unsettled her mindset.

Moreover, this was a trap set by others specifically for her!

If she could break through the trap and overcome the crisis, she would ascend smoothly.

If not, she would lose a valuable opportunity and be forced to leave Nanxin.

Historically, her fate had been the latter.

Clearly, unless something changed this time, the result would be the same.

A pity, indeed.

Fang Qingye remembered that during his time at Nanxin, Xia He had treated him fairly well.

After all, they were both Shen Cai graduates, and she was his senior.

Thinking of this, Fang Qingye shook his head.

“Hey, Fang Qingye, why are you shaking your head?” Zhang Rong asked curiously.

“Nothing. Just eating. We shouldn’t waste energy on things that don’t concern us,” Fang Qingye replied, focusing on his meal.

Zhang Rong looked somewhat unconvinced.

Fang Qingye seemed far too detached.

After finishing lunch, Fang Qingye didn’t go home but wandered the streets for a while before returning to the office to continue working in the afternoon.

The tasks were the same as always, nothing difficult, so he took his time.

The bank closed at five. He packed up the materials on his desk, went downstairs, retrieved his scooter from the bike shed, and hummed a tune as he strolled out of the gate, leisurely riding home, leaving the bank’s myriad troubles far behind.

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At that moment, the sound of a Phoenix Legend song drifted from a street CD store.

“Under the endless green mountains, flowers are blooming…”

“What kind of rhythm is the most swinging?”

“What kind of song is the most joyful?”

...

...

...

“The Most Dazzling Ethnic Style”

I used to think this song was cheesy, but now it felt especially warm and familiar. I restrained myself from singing along.

Walking and singing along the way—that’s the real freedom.

If we sing, then sing with all our heart...

As his scooter sped through a red light turning from yellow at an intersection, he passed by a place called Shijia Ba Market. Many people were coming and going from the market, and street vendors occasionally occupied the sidewalks.

Their sworn enemies—the urban management officers in wide-brimmed hats and blue-black uniforms—were not far behind.

Sure enough, Fang Qingye saw two uniformed officers arguing with an old man selling strawberries.

The old man appeared honest and simple, not a seasoned street vendor. The strawberries were probably homegrown.

Without a fixed stall, he was simply occupying public space, prompting the officers to shout and drive him off.

Such scenes happened daily in small towns. No one cared unless a physical altercation broke out, which would quickly draw a crowd and then appear online.

The usual headline would be: “Urban management officers beat someone!”

But today, no such incident occurred; the atmosphere remained relatively calm.

Fang Qingye slowed down, ready to pass, but seeing a burly young urban management officer, he smiled.

“Brother.”