The Beautiful CEO's Personal Mad Doctor

Chapter 343: Chapter 343: What Face Do You Have?

Cheng Yuan showed Xu Ke great respect, also raising his glass and draining it in one gulp.

Xu Ke hesitated, pursing his lips, unsure how to begin.

Cheng Yuan knew Xu Ke well. Seeing his friend’s hesitation, he knew something was wrong. He asked with a gentle smile, ”Xu Ke, did you run into some trouble? Tell me about it. I’ll help you solve it.”

The people at Table Six gave bitter smiles.

’Cheng Yuan’s tone was brimming with confidence. How could anyone think he’s incapable of getting things done?’

’It looks like he just didn’t want to help them, that’s all!’

In that moment, everyone at Table Six was filled with regret.

’When Cheng Yuan was down on his luck back then, why hadn’t they extended a helping hand?’

Xu Ke glanced at Xiao Ziqiang. There were some things he couldn’t say in front of him. If Xiao Ziqiang found out his funding was about to dry up, he would definitely demand payment for the project.

”I have some business to attend to, so I’ll excuse myself. A toast to everyone.”

After speaking, Cheng Yuan raised his glass and drained it, then led Xu Ke to an empty table.

”So, what’s the trouble?”

”Brother Yuan, I never knew how hard it was to be the developer until I became one! I didn’t have enough experience and overextended myself. Now, my funding is a little tight.”

Cheng Yuan smiled. ”I was worried it was something worse. How much do you need? I can spot you some cash.”

Xu Ke said with great seriousness, ”Brother Yuan, entrusting me to develop that land was the ultimate show of faith! I couldn’t possibly ask you for money on top of that. You’re well-connected. Could you put in a good word for me with a bank? As long as I can secure the loan, I can pull through this.”

Cheng Yuan frowned. ”Theoretically, that plot of land is a prime asset. The banks should approve a loan without any issue, right? Haven’t you tried asking them yourself?”

Xu Ke gave a bitter smile.

Pan Gang, who was standing nearby, explained, ”Under normal circumstances, Old Xu would have gotten the loan easily. But... he just got a new girlfriend.”

Cheng Yuan was baffled. ”What does getting a girlfriend have to do with a loan?”

”Old Xu’s girlfriend’s ex is Lei Hua, the son of ICBC Vice Governor Lei Yunping. He’s put the word out, and now no bank in Luocheng dares to give Old Xu a loan.”

Cheng Yuan frowned. ”A single vice governor can hold that much sway?”

”We’re not sure if there’s more to it than that.”

”Alright, I get it. I’ll look into it and give you an answer before dark.”

”Thank you so much, Brother Yuan! I’ll head back and wait for your news!”

Xu Ke and Pan Gang left. Cheng Yuan pulled out his phone and dialed Zhang Guoqiang, the Director of the Administration for Industry and Commerce. The call connected instantly, and Zhang Guoqiang’s slightly ingratiating voice came through the line. ”Young Master Cheng, what are your instructions?”

”Director Zhang, I want to know about ICBC’s Vice Governor, Lei Yunping. What’s his background? How can he have so much power over the banking sector in Luocheng?”

Zhang Guoqiang clearly knew about Lei Yunping’s background. His voice grew solemn. ”Young Master Cheng, Lei Yunping is from the Lei Family of Central Sea. In Central Sea, the Lei Family is considered second-tier, but here in Luocheng, they’re an absolute behemoth.”

”So you’re saying no one in Luocheng’s banking community can afford to cross Lei Yunping?”

”Not necessarily. The ICBC Governor, Zhou Yadong, is from the Zhou Family in Beijing. In his eyes, Lei Yunping is nothing. However, Zhou Yadong is very laid-back and doesn’t like to get involved in management.”

”Director Zhang, could you arrange an introduction to Governor Zhou for me?”

”Of course. Governor Zhou and I are on good terms. We often play chess together.”

...

To Cheng Yuan’s surprise, Zhou Yadong actually lived in Villa 8 of the Long Lake District, making them neighbors.

Zhang Guoqiang hadn’t been exaggerating. His relationship with Zhou Yadong was clearly excellent. Zhou Yadong personally came to the main gate to welcome them, greeting Zhang Guoqiang with a warm hug.

”Old Zhang, it’s been days! We absolutely must have a proper match today.”

Zhang Guoqiang frowned, however. ”Old Zhou, it’s only been a few days. Why do you look so awful? You need to get some rest!”

Zhou Yadong laughed. ”Old Zhang, you worry too much. I’m only forty-three, still in my prime. I even run and exercise every day. I’m fine.”

Cheng Yuan, standing to the side, frowned. ’There’s something not right about this Zhou Yadong.’

Cheng Yuan activated his Double Pupil and saw faint traces of Evil Qi within Zhou Yadong’s body.

Cheng Yuan’s gaze sharpened as he looked toward Villa 8. Inside, he saw an incredibly dense cloud of Evil Qi!

Zhou Yadong looked at Cheng Yuan with interest. ”And whose family does this young man belong to? He seems quite sharp.”

”Old Zhou, this is the Young Master Cheng I mentioned to you before.”

Zhou Yadong froze for a second, then quickly realized who Cheng Yuan was. ’Ah, so he’s Shen Jiangnan’s frontman?’

’When Shen Jiangnan was still around, he might have shown Cheng Yuan some respect. But with Shen Jiangnan gone, who the hell was this kid?’

Zhou Yadong’s demeanor became slightly aloof and haughty. ”Young Master Cheng, what brings you to me?”

Cheng Yuan didn’t mince words and got straight to the point. ”Governor Zhou, a friend of mine needs a loan. I’m hoping you can do me this favor. Consider it a personal debt owed to you by me, Cheng Yuan.”

Zhou Yadong curled his lip in disdain. ’You’re just someone else’s frontman. What ”favor” are you worth? Do you really think you’re somebody special?’

However, with Zhang Guoqiang present, Zhou Yadong remained outwardly polite.

”Mr. Cheng, regarding the loan, have your friend go directly to ICBC and follow the proper procedure. If your friend’s qualifications are in order, he will certainly get the money. If there’s an issue with his qualifications, then my hands are tied. After all, I can’t compromise on matters of principle.”

Cheng Yuan knew Zhou Yadong was feigning ignorance. His voice deepened. ”Governor Zhou, let’s speak plainly. My friend has had a small misunderstanding with Lei Yunping. Without your approval, no one in Luocheng will dare grant my friend a loan.”

”Then all the more reason I can’t get involved. I don’t make a habit of offending people.”

Zhang Guoqiang quickly interjected, ”Old Zhou, you’re the governor and Lei Yunping is just the vice governor. Are you saying you can’t afford to cross him? A favor from Young Master Cheng isn’t something just anyone can get. You can’t let this opportunity pass you by!”

”Old Zhang, if this were a month ago, a pissant like Lei Yunping wouldn’t even register as an ant to me. But just last month, his younger brother, Lei Yunhai, became a Martial King! Our entire Dongshan Martial Dao Community has only one Martial King. Even including the Battle Department, there are only five in total. I have no desire to needlessly offend a Martial King.”

A Martial King?

Zhang Guoqiang’s brow furrowed deeply. His relationship with Zhou Yadong was indeed excellent, but it seemed utterly powerless in the face of a Martial King.

Zhang Guoqiang turned to Cheng Yuan with a questioning look. ”Young Master Cheng, since Lei Yunping’s brother has become a Martial King, I’m afraid no one in Luocheng will dare to approve this loan. Perhaps you could try the Provincial City or another city?”

Cheng Yuan said calmly, ”It’s just one Martial King. I’m not going anywhere. I’m confident Governor Zhou will approve the loan.”