Wandering in the vast darkness

Chapter 52 The Agreement That Couldn't Be Signed

This time, Xiao Yu flew back to Hangzhou with President Wang.

When they arrived at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, it was already past 7 p.m. Mr. Wang said to the driver, "Go to Xinkaiyuan."

Then, General Manager Wang turned to Xiao Yu and said, "Xiao Yu, we need to do our work, but we also need to eat. Let's go eat first."

Although Mr. Ma and Mr. Wang had instructed Mr. Wang to conduct his business strictly and not to be overly polite or offer any entertainment when their people arrived in Hangzhou, Mr. Wang felt that since they had come all this way, it would be unreasonable not to treat them well.

Fortunately, Xiao Yu was different from the two people who came to inspect the project last time. Perhaps it was because he had met with General Manager Wang more often and was familiar with him, but he didn't refuse. He just smiled and said:

"Thank you, Mr. Wang!"

After the two finished their meal at the New Kaiyuan Hotel, Mr. Wang checked the time and said to Xiao Yu, "Work officially starts tomorrow, so you should relax tonight."

Xiao Yu just smiled.

The driver took Mr. Wang and Xiao Yu to Huayang Nianhua KTV, a long-established KTV in Hangzhou that has been open for over 20 years and has been renovated many times. Mr. Wang is a regular customer here, so he doesn't need to book a private room in advance. When he arrives, a hostess comes over, knowing that Mr. Wang is here to complete a task for her.

Xiao Yu said, "Brother, I can give you a definite answer: there's absolutely no possibility. Even if you go to our General Manager Li, there's nothing he can do."

Mr. Wang and Xiao Yu entered the private room. The madam led in a row of waitresses, and Mr. Wang and Xiao Yu each ordered one. Then everyone sang and played dice together. It ended at 1 a.m., and Mr. Wang said, "Let's go for a late-night snack."

Why?

"Brother, I have something to tell you."

Although the business deal fell through, Mr. Wang still took Xiao Yu to the Huayang Nianhua nightclub that evening. Two different girls were there today, but the whole process was the same. After they finished their late-night snack and arrived at the Haihua Hotel, Xiao Yu thought for a moment, seemingly having made up his mind. He said to Mr. Wang:

Xiao Yu shook his head and said, "No, our agreements have all been approved by the compliance department and the legal department, and they cannot be changed."

He returned after a while, shaking his head at General Manager Wang. General Manager Wang's heart sank, and he quickly asked, "What's wrong, Manager?"

During dinner, Mr. Wang became worried. He asked Xiao Yu, "Brother, tell me the truth, have you ever successfully completed a business like this?"

The bank manager looked at Xiao Yu and spoke very politely, saying, "It's not that there's a problem, but rather that it exceeds our authority. You see, the main point is this."

After the bank manager said that, General Manager Wang also realized the implication. The bank manager glanced at Xiao Yu and then said to General Manager Wang:

The next day, Mr. Wang got up early and left around 7:00 AM. He went home to change his clothes and then went to the company. Around 9:00 AM, Mr. Wang and his driver went to the Haihua Hotel to pick up Xiao Yu and take her to the bank.

Mr. Wang frowned, realizing that getting the money out wasn't as simple as he had imagined.

The bank manager, the same person who called him from Beijing yesterday, called him again before leaving the company today. He was waiting for them in his office.

Mr. Wang nodded, thinking that was true. Even large companies like CIC still have higher-ups. He knew that it was impossible for them to set a precedent for such an insignificant private company as him.

After finishing their late-night snack, without Mr. Wang's instructions, the driver took them to the Haihua Hotel. Their company was a contracted partner there, and the driver had already booked rooms. Mr. Wang and Xiao Yu each led a young woman into their rooms.

"The local banks already have business relationships with you, they should know your company's situation very well, what do they have to worry about?" Mr. Ma then lowered his voice and said, "Our money all goes out this way, Mr. Wang, haven't you done your job properly? Try harder."

"See this sentence? When the loan matures, Party A, which is our bank, is responsible for supervising the repayment of funds. Doesn't this mean that our bank is being asked to assume a guarantee obligation in the middle? How can we do that?"

The bank president said, "Generally speaking, third-party supervision contracts like these are based on our bank's standard contract format. I just discussed it, and it's not impossible to use the funding party's contract, but the content of the contract cannot conflict with our bank's contract."

After introductions, Xiao Yu handed his business card to the bank manager, who exclaimed upon seeing it, "China Investment Corporation! A big shot!"

Mr. Wang turned to Xiao Yu and asked, "Brother, can this be removed?"

"This agreement was approved and filed with the higher authorities. Anyone who dares to change it will lose their job," Xiao Yu said.

Mr. Wang quickly asked, "Where is the problem with this agreement?"

Of course they'll sign. The local government's own companies are the urban investment companies, and those local city banks are also their own banks. Even if they sign, they're essentially guaranteeing their own debts. What's there to worry about? Can their own companies compare to those urban investment companies?

He walked out by himself.

Mommy nodded, understanding.

"Brother, let me ask you again, is there absolutely no possibility of amending this agreement?"

"If we can remove this clause, and everything else is fine, we can sign it."

Mr. Wang handed the third-party supervision agreement drafted by Xiao Yu and his team to the bank manager. After carefully reviewing it, the bank manager felt somewhat uncertain. He stood up, waved to Mr. Wang, and said, "Old Wang, please sit down. I'll be right back."

The situation reached a stalemate, with neither the bank nor Xiao Yu's group willing to back down.

In the afternoon, they went to another bank, and that bank also raised objections to this clause, giving the same reason as the bank manager in the morning: that they could process the transaction if this clause was removed.

Mr. Wang called Mr. Ma, who did not deny that there was a guarantee involved. He said, "Mr. Wang, with such a large amount of money going out, we can't possibly have no guarantee measures at all, nor can we send someone to your company's finance department to keep an eye on how you use this debt."

Xiao Yu said sincerely, "Of course there are, but those that are successful are all clients with particularly good relationships with banks, especially those local government financing vehicles (LGFVs). The banks practically sign them with their eyes closed."

Xiao Yu smiled.

The bank president smiled and said, "We also have a compliance and legal department, as well as a risk control department. Even if I agree to it and submit the agreement, they won't agree to it. Our bank will not allow itself to become a guarantor."

Mr. Wang told the two young women to go upstairs first, while he took Xiao Yu's hand and went to the lobby bar.

The lobby bar had long since closed by then, and it was pitch black inside. The two of them found a table and sat down in the dim light.

No matter how hard Mr. Wang tried, the bank manager still wouldn't budge. Helpless, Mr. Wang could only take his leave with Xiao Yu.

The driver was waiting downstairs and took them to the seafood market in Jinjiang. The two young women naturally went with them. When it was time for late-night snacks, Xiao Yu stopped calling him "Boss Wang" and started calling him "Brother Wang." He used his northern accent to address him affectionately, making it sound particularly warm and friendly.

The bank manager opened the agreement, pointed to the text on it, and said to General Manager Wang: