The male colleagues could only look on with envy, while the female colleagues stared after Lin Fan's retreating figure, their eyes sparkling.
Who didn't like rich men?
Who didn't dream of marrying into wealth overnight?
But these fantasies had nothing to do with them.
Just then, a pretty young woman nervously clutched her chest and turned to Xu Xiaoxiao, her voice soft and hopeful.
> "Xiaoxiao… you just signed with that handsome guy, right? Can you… give me his contact info?"
That one voice broke the silence, and like a spark in dry grass, it lit up a frenzy.
> "Right! Share it with us too!"
"Come on, Xiaoxiao, we're colleagues!"
"You already have a boyfriend—we don't! Give us a shot at happiness!"
Xu Xiaoxiao blinked, stunned.
Was Lin Fan that attractive? Just one visit, and he had the whole office stirred up?
She smiled bitterly.
> "Sorry, I can't. That's private customer information. I can't just give it out. You know how the rules work."
With that, she clutched her documents tightly and walked away. She didn't want to linger.
She and Lin Fan had barely spoken during college. Now, with their social standings worlds apart, they truly had no fate to cross paths again.
---
After leaving Green Forest Manor, Lin Fan didn't go home.
He went straight to Huahai Bank—one of Shanghai's most prestigious banks.
It was a place that symbolized his past humiliation.
After leaving the orphanage, Lin Fan had lived frugally. Like many others, he relied on a credit card just to survive. But the debts piled up.
Today was the final deadline.
If he didn't pay off his overdue card, it would permanently damage his credit.
Now that he had the money, it was time to settle old scores.
The grand marble entrance of Huahai Bank gleamed in the sunlight, more like a five-star hotel than a financial institution. Two security guards stood at the entrance, bowing respectfully.
> "Welcome, esteemed guest!"
Lin Fan chuckled—a self-deprecating laugh.
These were the same guards who used to mock him, make him wait outside, and treat him like trash.
They would always say:
> "Poor people have to wait outside. We'll let you in when we're ready."
The humiliation he'd swallowed here could fill a book.
Now, he was dressed in a sleek designer suit, a luxury watch on his wrist, and confidence in every step.
He stopped in front of the guards, smiling.
> "So, can I go straight in now? Or do I still need your permission like before?"
The two guards froze.
One of them, bald and paunchy, plastered on a flattering smile:
> "Sir, you can of course go right in. You're very welcome!"
The other quickly chimed in:
> "Right, right! There's no need to wait. You're clearly an honored guest."
They glanced at each other in confusion.
Why did this guy seem so familiar?
So many rich folks came and went—they couldn't remember them all.
Lin Fan saw their puzzled faces and chuckled again.
Clothes really do make the man.
> "Forget it," he said lazily. "Maybe you should still go inside and report it. That's how you always treated me before, right?"
The guards stiffened.
Now they were looking closely.
And then… the realization hit them.
> "W-wait… you're… that poor kid from before?"
The bald one snarled, his fake politeness vanishing like smoke:
> "So it is you! Where did you steal that fake Armani suit from? Trying to look rich now?"
The other pulled out his collapsible baton, threatening:
> "You think putting on a suit makes you someone important? Beat it before we call the cops!"
Lin Fan's eyes narrowed, his smile fading.
He wasn't here to fight. He was here to pay his debt.
But these two thugs were dragging him back to the past.
Just when he was about to lose patience, a sharp voice rang out.
> "What's all this racket?! Don't you know this could damage the bank's image?!"
A chubby man in a bank uniform waddled over, every inch of exposed skin shiny with oil. Just looking at him made Lin Fan feel greasy.
It was none other than:
> Xiao Sanhai.
Branch Manager.
Former college classmate.
Professional humiliation artist.
He had laughed at Lin Fan back then—and humiliated him every time he came to the bank.
The guards immediately bowed to him, fawning:
> "Manager Xiao, it's not our fault. This guy came to cause trouble again!"
"Yeah, yeah! We tried to kick him out before he scared the real customers!"
Xiao Sanhai pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and smirked.
> "Old classmate, back again to pay off your little debt?"
He walked in a slow circle around Lin Fan, then suddenly reached out to pat his shoulder, his tone full of mockery:
> "Where'd you get this fake outfit? Honestly, it's not bad quality."
"But let's be real here. You're not here to show off. You're here to beg."
Then, Xiao Sanhai suddenly pointed to the ground in front of the bank entrance.
> "Since we're old classmates, I'll give you a chance."
> "Kneel."
"Kowtow to me a few times. If I'm satisfied, I'll let you in."
> "Deal?"