Ninety-One: Deliberate Display

“Junior seems quite young. Is he still in school?” Xiao Yao asked.

“I earned my master’s degree last year and have been working for nearly two years now.” Ji Jun was not pleased that Xiao Yao addressed him by name alone. “Is Young Xiao still studying, or have you already started working as well?”

“So that is a rather novel way to address me. You are the first person to call me that. Some call me Mr. Xiao, some call me Brother Xiao; elders and strangers usually just use my name. You have certainly made me sound younger. That is a rather unusual experience.” Xiao Yao’s tone remained flat, yet the look he turned on Ji Jun brought an immense, almost crushing pressure.

“I just graduated this year, so I suppose I count as being in the working world too. With such an impressive degree, where are you employed, Ji Jun?” Though clearly still very young, Xiao Yao carried an overpowering presence that could not be ignored. It was only a casual question, yet it felt as though a superior were questioning a subordinate, or an elder showing concern for a junior. The sense of condescension was unmistakable.

Ji Jun disliked that tone of looking down on others, and with an air that seemed humble but was in fact full of display, he said, “A master’s degree from Capital University is hardly anything extraordinary. I studied finance, so that credential is still a bit low for the field, which is why my workplace is only so-so. I was merely fortunate enough to be hired by the headquarters of Brilliant Bank.”

Whether it was a master’s degree from Capital University or a position at Brilliant Bank’s headquarters, both were accomplishments worth boasting about.

After hearing Ji Jun’s introduction, the people at the table truly began to look at him in a new light. Compared with Ji Jun’s excellence, few of the children in attendance could hope to match him.

The lady sitting beside Yang Xuemei said enviously, “Goodness, that really is remarkable! So Ji Jun is a master’s graduate from Capital University, and he even got into Brilliant Bank’s headquarters. His future prospects go without saying. With such a high education, he will sooner or later become an executive at Brilliant Bank. We have a branch of Brilliant Bank right here in our province too. If Ji Jun can return here to work later on, I think even becoming a provincial branch president or vice president would be well within reach.”

“How could he possibly have that kind of ability? I heard that Brilliant Bank may be going public in no more than half a year. People in the industry are extremely optimistic about its future. A bank that large is never short of talent. My Ji Hui is only an ordinary staff member in the financial markets department. If he wants a promotion, I’m afraid he’ll still need to work hard for several more years before it becomes possible.” When speaking of her son, Yang Xuemei was filled with pride. In her eyes, her son was unquestionably the finest in the world, beyond comparison with any of his peers.

The lady beside Director Yang continued, “So your Ji Jun is in the financial markets department? I hear that department is not easy to get into. You have to graduate from a top university and possess very strong personal ability. Since Ji Jun managed to get into that department, the future is surely bright. Having such an outstanding son is truly enviable. Director Yang, you are being far too modest.”

“Today’s young people cannot be praised too much, or they’ll start to get a big head. Our Ji Jun does have ability, but he still lacks experience at work. He needs more tempering,” Director Yang said with obvious delight.

“Mom, my education and ability are fairly ordinary within the department. With so many excellent colleagues around me, I would never dare get a big head. You can rest assured of that. My colleagues are all in the capital, so setting them aside for the moment, among the three young people here today, Miss Xin is so radiant, elegant, and generous that anyone can tell she is a rare and outstanding talent.”

Ji Jun’s gaze shifted to Xiao Yao. “As for Young Xiao, it’s obvious at a glance that you are no ordinary person. Whether it is education or your workplace, you’re certainly better than me, aren’t you, Young Xiao?”

“My education really is not as good as yours. I’m just a rather ordinary graduate from an ordinary second-tier university.”

Seeing a hint of pride appear in Ji Jun’s eyes, Xiao Yao changed the subject. “As for work, what a coincidence today is. This lady beside me, Mrs. Bai, I wonder whether you know her?”

Xiao Yao’s sudden shift surprised Ji Jun. “Could it be that your mother also works in a bank?”

“Coincidentally, my mother not only works in a bank, she works for Brilliant Bank as well. In that sense, she’s practically your colleague.” Xiao Yao said.

“That really is quite the coincidence. I never expected that even after returning to my hometown, I’d run into a colleague. Auntie, if you ever have the chance to visit the capital headquarters, be sure to call me. I do have a few friends there, so while I may not be able to help with anything major, I might still be able to assist with small matters.” Ji Jun said, somewhat reservedly.

“I’m not very familiar with the work of the financial markets department. If I go to the capital headquarters next time, I’ll definitely make time to visit your department and learn a few things.” Bai Yuzhen’s manners were certainly better than Xiao Yao’s, and she had no intention of making Ji Jun look bad on the spot.

“Our department has some major moves planned for this period, so outsiders are not usually allowed to come in and visit. If Auntie has the chance to come to headquarters, give me a call in advance, and I’ll see whether I can ask the department head for a favor.” Ji Jun said, pretending to be generous.

Bai Yuzhen found Ji Jun’s deliberate posturing a little tiresome and said indifferently, “There’s no need to trouble you with that. I know Department Head Chen. I can just greet him directly.”

“I haven’t heard anything about major moves in the financial markets department recently. Mom, do you know what’s going on?” Xiao Yao asked.

“I haven’t heard anything either. The Chen family has been acting all mysterious about it. No one knows what they’re up to.” Bai Yuzhen glanced up at Ji Jun.

By this point, everyone was rather surprised.

Yu Shan was the closest to Bai Yuzhen, and she was the first to ask, “Yuzhen, are you hiding something from us? From the way you put it, your position at Brilliant Bank must be fairly high, right?”

“I wasn’t intentionally hiding anything from everyone. I used to work in the finance department. After being transferred to the bank, I naturally had to get familiar with the work first. My position was only officially decided last week. I am now the deputy president of Brilliant Bank’s provincial branch, in charge of lending.” Since everyone here was an old friend, there was naturally nothing to hide. Bai Yuzhen also took this opportunity to introduce her new role to everyone.

“You’re now the vice president of Brilliant Bank’s provincial branch?” Bai Yuzhen’s change in status was simply too dramatic. Yu Shan could hardly believe it. “Such a huge thing, and you didn’t even tell me in time. Tonight you must drink a few extra cups as punishment, or our friendship is over!”

“It was only finalized last week. It’s not too late to say it today, is it? I accept the punishment drinks, but ending our friendship is absolutely out of the question.” Bai Yuzhen hurriedly begged for mercy with sincere earnestness.