C3 He Met in the Mall

Lin Shuyu wasn't particularly concerned about Xia Ming's claim. "Do as you wish," she said dismissively, doubting that Xia Ming could secure fifty million yuan in investment. The Lin family had once funded the high school and college tuition of a young man found unconscious beside a trash heap. They had expended considerable effort to uncover Xia Ming's true identity.

It was clear, however, that the Lin family's reach did not extend to the echelons of the Xia family. After Xia Ming was ostracized, his family had already orchestrated a cover for his background, leaving only one known fact to the outside world: he was an abandoned orphan.

After parting ways with Shuyu, Elder Pang's call came through. "Young Master, is everything resolved on your end? Are you unharmed?"

"I'm fine, Elder Pang. Thank you for your covert protection over these years," Xia Ming gratefully responded over the phone.

Despite the family's edict prohibiting Xia Ming from any contact or reliance on the family's resources after his departure, his grandfather had covertly dispatched Elder Pang, a loyal confidant, to the southwest. Elder Pang had been secretly stationed in River City, safeguarding Xia Ming.

Initially unaware, Xia Ming eventually connected the dots when the Pang Group suddenly emerged as a powerful entity in River City.

"Young Master, it's my pleasure to see you safe and well," Elder Pang said, pausing before adding, "Liu Tianxiong from God Eagle Security Company has expressed a sincere desire to host you for a meal. Would you consider meeting with him?"

After a moment's thought, Xia Ming replied, "Let's meet. Gather everyone from the Southwest Guard Station."

The Xia family, as the most formidable on Earth, commanded thirty-six guard stations and seventy-two vassal families, with the Southwest Eight Provinces falling under the jurisdiction of the Southwest Guard Station.

Now that he was back with the family, it was important to avoid friendly fire; meetings were necessary.

Elder Pang's voice held a note of excitement, "Excellent, Young Master. Your consideration for us is deeply appreciated. I'll make the arrangements immediately. How about I pick you up at seven o'clock tonight for the dinner at the River City Imperial Hotel?"

Xia Ming declined, "There's no need. I'll take a car and come on my own."

Currently, it's best not to draw too much attention. The Xia family has quite a few eyes on me. "By the way, Elder Pang, what's the current limit on the financial resources I can access?"

"The head of the family has authorized a temporary limit of ten billion for you. As you pass each assessment, the limit will be increased. Your funds have been transferred to the River City Bank branch. You just need to activate your account at River City Bank, and then you can use the funds as you please," Elder Pang explained.

Xia Ming nodded in agreement. Ten billion should be sufficient for his needs at the moment.

"Elder Pang, I need your assistance with a couple of things. My wife's company is facing some issues. Could you arrange an investment of fifty million under the name of a classmate of mine? Please provide me with an account number; I'll transfer the funds to you shortly..."

"Of course, Young Master! That's an easy task. Anything else?" Elder Pang inquired.

Xia Ming glanced back at the Diamond KTV behind him, a smirk crossing his face. "Help me purchase the Diamond KTV. I'd like to keep working there!"

"Understood!"

...

Half an hour later.

Xia Ming waited his turn in line, following protocol. When it was finally his turn, he addressed the teller with composure, "Hello, I'd like to make a withdrawal."

"Sure, how much would you like to withdraw?"

"Fifty-two million."

Xia Ming maintained his cool demeanor, but the teller behind the counter gave him an odd look. "Sir, please don't joke. The River City Mental Health Facility is just across the street!"

Mistaken for a psychiatric patient!

Xia Ming felt a bit exasperated. "I'm serious. I'll use my fingerprint."

What?

Wang Hui, the teller, paused in surprise. Normally, customers used a bank card for withdrawals – those were the regular clients. But those who used biometric identification like iris scans or fingerprints were definitely the ultra-wealthy.

Wang Hui had been single for years, holding out for a wealthy partner. Could this be her chance?

"Alright, sir. Please verify your fingerprint," Wang Hui said, her voice dripping with sweetness. As she worked on the computer, she stole glances at Xia Ming. He was quite attractive, which made the situation even better.

"Beep. Fingerprint verification successful!"

Simultaneously, a line of red text flashed on the computer screen: "Top secret client, you are not authorized to operate!"

'Oh my goodness!'

As the supervisor, Wang Hui had the highest level of clearance, allowing her to handle transactions up to a billion dollars. But now, the screen indicated that Xia Ming was a top secret client, suggesting his worth was well over ten billion dollars.

Suppressing the excitement bubbling within her, Wang Hui offered a beaming smile and said, "Mr. Xia, please come with me!"

...

Inside the bank's most secure vault, the branch manager Zhao Zhong respectfully showed Xia Ming around. "Young Master, here we have two billion U.S. dollars, one billion British pounds, two billion in cash, and these are kilogram gold bars, twenty per box, totaling one hundred boxes..."

Xia Ming surveyed the vast array of cash and gold bars without a hint of excitement. "That's fine, no need for all this fuss. Just transfer fifty million dollars into this bank card, and two million into the other one."

"Right away, Young Master!"

Exiting the bank, Wang Hui had followed him all the way to the entrance. "Mr. Xia, I apologize for earlier... May I invite you to dinner? Here's my phone number..."

From her hopeful expression, Xia Ming could easily infer Wang Hui's intentions.

"No need!" Xia Ming said with a light smile, gracefully departing.

Having resolved the issues with Lin Shuyu's company, Xia Ming reflected on the care she had shown him over the years. He murmured to himself, "Well, I might as well go to River City Commercial Trading and buy Shuyu a couple of outfits. She's always so focused on the company that she never treats herself to new clothes. It's really commendable."

Upon reaching River City Merchant Firm and taking the elevator to the third floor, Xia Ming was surprised to spot a familiar figure at the cashier's desk of a jade shop.

Lin Shuyu?

What was she doing here?

From a distance, Lin Shuyu appeared to be in a heated argument with a young man. "Lin Feng, that's totally unfair. I saw that bracelet first; why are you trying to take it from me?"

A young man in a blue shirt retorted with a smirk, "Unfair? You've already missed the reservation period. I bought the bracelet, so what's the issue? Tomorrow is Grandma's birthday, and you're just now buying a gift? Clearly, you don't prioritize her at all!"

"You... you're nothing but a sycophantic bastard..." Lin Shuyu fumed, her chest heaving with frustration, yet she felt powerless to change the situation.

Lin Feng, with a shake of his leg, retorted, "And what of it? Grandma prefers me over you! My dear sister, you run such a large company. Aren't you incredibly wealthy? There's a pair of earrings over there for a million dollars. Why don't you go buy those instead of squabbling with me over a two-hundred-thousand-dollar bracelet?"

At that moment, Xia Ming realized what had happened. Lin Shuyu had reserved a bracelet but missed the deadline to pick it up, and Lin Feng had swooped in first.

Lin Feng was nothing more than a do-nothing heir who excelled at brown-nosing, especially with Grandma...

One million? I can afford that!

Xia Ming strode forward, confidently wrapping an arm around Lin Shuyu's slender waist, and with a smile, he said to the sales associate, "One million? Please wrap it up for me. I'll take it!"