Chapter 39: Priceless Value

"President Su, I think I should reconsider. After all, our cooperation hasn’t been easy to come by."

"Yes, yes, I need to think it over carefully as well. Suddenly terminating our cooperation after all these years will affect both parties."

"We hope you can reconsider, President Su. Even if you can’t reduce the interest by ten points, lowering it by one or two would be acceptable to us."

The major clients, their earlier arrogance gone, began to negotiate with Su Qingxue.

Su Qingxue remained silent. Lin Feng leaned in close and whispered a few suggestions in her ear.

After a brief pause, Su Qingxue spoke decisively, "There will be no reduction in interest rates. In fact, I’ve decided that from now on, the interest rate for your loans will be the same as that of other banks."

"What? President Su, didn’t you always promise that our loan rates would be lower than other banks’?"

"If the rates are the same, your bank loses all its advantages," Zheng Guangcai exclaimed in panic.

The other major clients looked equally alarmed.

If things went as Su Qingxue said, then they would be the real losers in this dispute. Previously, at Su’s Bank, they enjoyed interest rates three or four points lower than elsewhere. If rates rose now, they’d never find such good terms again.

"It doesn’t matter if we lose our advantage. We can always offer lower rates to new clients and replace you. However, if you still want to enjoy your preferential rates, it’s not impossible," Su Qingxue said with a smile. After a slight pause, she continued, her tone growing stern, "You simply need to tell me the real reason you caused trouble today. Who put you up to this? Do that, and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened."

"What? This..." Zheng Guangcai’s eyes darted anxiously, hesitating for a long moment.

Seeing their reluctance, Su Qingxue sneered, "Since you don’t wish to talk, I’ll announce that the new interest rate policy will take effect as of today—"

"Wait, wait! President Su, I’ll talk! The truth is, your grandmother sent us here to stir up trouble," Zheng Guangcai blurted out in a panic.

After his confession, all the clients lowered their heads in shame.

"What did you say? My grandmother?" Su Qingxue was stunned.

"Yes, it was her. She came up with the whole plan, telling us that if we threatened you with talk of lower interest rates, you’d cave in for sure," Zheng Guangcai explained. "She even promised us extra benefits. That’s why we came."

The other major clients nodded vigorously, confirming his words.

Su Qingxue’s brows knit tightly, her fists clenching in anger.

She could hardly believe that the person trying to sabotage Su’s Bank was her own grandmother. Why would she do such a thing?

Lin Feng, having learned the truth, also grew cold. He thought to himself that the old woman clearly hadn’t changed her ways, and he’d have to find an opportunity to teach her a lesson.

"Are you sure you’re not lying to me?" Su Qingxue asked sternly after a pause.

"Yes, if we’re lying, may we be struck by lightning the moment we step out the door," Zheng Guangcai swore, leading the others.

"Fine, I’ll trust you this once. But if I find out you’ve lied, I won’t let you off lightly." Su Qingxue scolded them severely, then prepared to let them go.

But just then, Lin Feng suddenly smiled and called them back. "Wait a moment. Before you leave, I need you all to sign a guarantee."

"What guarantee?" Zheng Guangcai asked curiously.

"A confidentiality agreement, of course. You’re not to mention today’s failed scheme to anyone, especially not to Old Madam Su. If anyone leaks a word, don’t blame President Su for raising your rates," Lin Feng said, handing each of them a sheet of paper.

They each wrote their guarantee, pressed their fingerprints to it, and only then did Lin Feng let them leave.

Su Qingxue, quite curious, walked up and asked, "Lin Feng, why did you have them sign that?"

"Heh, this is evidence against your grandmother. If she ever tries to deny what she did, this will come in handy," Lin Feng replied with a grin.

"Well... I suppose you’ve thought it through," Su Qingxue said, pouting. In her view, the guarantee was unnecessary; she refused to believe her own grandmother would actually target her this way.

Someone must have misled her!

But Lin Feng suspected there was more to Old Madam Su’s actions. After all, she never cared for Su Qingxue and was capable of anything against her. As for her true motives, Lin Feng still had no idea.

"Excuse me, is Divine Doctor Lin here?"

Just as the major clients left, a man with a brush mustache and a suit entered, asking respectfully.

Lin Feng turned to the stranger, curious. "That’s me. What do you want?"

"Greetings, Divine Doctor Lin. I’m the steward of the Bai family. Chairman Bai has sent me with gifts to honor you, and he sincerely hopes you’ll come to the Bai estate to treat Young Master Bai," the steward said, bowing deeply. At his signal, several servants entered, bearing several large chests.

They set the gifts down and opened them at the steward’s command, revealing precious jewels, antiques, jade artifacts, and calligraphy.

Lin Feng could tell at a glance how valuable these items were. Clearly, the Bai family was sparing no expense to cure Bai Tianjiao.

"Divine Doctor Lin, these are all gifts from our master. Please, accept them," the steward pleaded earnestly.

Lin Feng stroked his chin, studying the treasures with interest.

"Take these things away. Lin Feng won’t agree to treat Young Master Bai," Su Qingxue suddenly interjected with disdain.

She knew Lin Feng cared nothing for wealth, and besides, the Bai family were his enemies. He would never treat Bai Tianjiao for the sake of a few jewels.

"Ah? Well..." The steward was dumbfounded, lost for words.

But the next moment, Lin Feng’s eyes widened. He quickly covered Su Qingxue’s mouth and said cheerfully, "Don’t listen to her. I never said I wouldn’t treat Bai Tianjiao."

"Go tell your master that I’ll get ready and come over shortly."

"Thank you, thank you! We’re deeply grateful for your help, Divine Doctor Lin. I’ll return at once to inform my master," the steward said, overjoyed, and hurried away.

Lin Feng let go of Su Qingxue, who glared at him in exasperation. "Why did you stop me? I thought you hated dealing with the Bai family. Why agree to help them this time? Don’t tell me you want Bai Tianjiao to start harassing me again!"

"What are you talking about? Of course not. Don’t you see, there are a few items among these treasures that I need," Lin Feng replied gleefully, rummaging through the chests and picking out several jade artifacts.