"Oh my, the pocket version of Zheng Chan is even cuter."

Jinzi teased.

"Forget it, being a macho man suits my vibe better. I'm off."

Liu Zheng took off like a scoundrel, leaving Jinzi and a mess behind.

When he drove to the Beijing Building, the delivery time had already passed by half an hour.

"This isn't good."

He frowned as he looked at the towering skyscraper.

This Beijing Building is at least three to four hundred meters high; in reality, it would count as a super-tall building.

Plus, with that eye-piercing all-glass façade, the building is imposing.

In Liu Zheng's experience, no matter how much hidden depth there is in Metropolis's buildings, outwardly, they still appear quite modest or old-fashioned.

And with such a flashy exterior, the inside of this Beijing Building surely won't be simple.

"Better ask around first."

Though there wasn't much delivery time left, sharpening the axe does not delay chopping firewood; effective intel could actually save more time.

His previous tendency to charge in head-on was due to lack of options; now that he's painstakingly built a network, not using it would be like drinking too much from the Underwater River and damaging his brain.

"Who to ask?"

Liu Zheng pondered for a moment, then called 4399.

"Brother 4399, do you know the Beijing Building?"

The call went through, and he asked directly.

"Yes. It's owned by Citizen Bank; the bank's headquarters and many financial institutions are in that building."

4399 replied.

"Wasn't it said that office buildings are all owned by Peacock?"

"Just most of them; Peacock hasn't quite reached the level of overshadowing everyone. Are you delivering to the Beijing Building?"

4399 asked.

"Yeah, when I saw such a tall building, I felt something was off, so I called you."

Liu Zheng said.

"You'd better not force your way in. Banks are the traditional strongholds of the Immortal Species; they're not exactly friendly to us."

4399 reminded him.

"Got it. So, is Citizen Bank state-owned or private?"

"Private, but the Ministry of Finance also holds some shares, don't know exactly how much."

4399 said.

"Understood, thanks Brother 4399."

He hung up the phone.

If force won't work, then it has to be strategy.

Recalling 4399 mentioned that there are many financial institutions in the Beijing Building, he suddenly had an idea.

"President Yuan, do any of the Five Families Outside the Pass have financial businesses?"

Liu Zheng called Yuan Baoer.

"Yes, our Yuan Family has pawnshops and also lends money. If you're short on cash, just say so, I have some personal savings here."

Yuan Baoer said.

"Oh, I'm not short on cash. Here's the thing, I need to get into the Beijing Building, do you have an office there?"

"No. The financial industry is the personal domain of those local tyrants; we're new in the city and not quite established, only doing minor business."

Yuan Baoer shook her head.

"Do you know any financial institutions with offices in there?"

He asked.

"Let me think."

Yuan Baoer was silent for a few minutes before speaking again.

"Actually, there is one. When I was raising funds to buy back the 'Gaga-Shuang' bathhouse, a trust company approached me to offer a loan, and their office location seems to be inside the Beijing Building."

"Xiao Li, find the phone number of Dajinfa Trust."

"Found it? Tell Mr. Liu."

She handed the phone to Secretary Li.

"Hello, Mr. Liu."

"Hello, Secretary Li, congratulations on turning back into a human form."

Liu Zheng laughed.

"Thank you, Mr. Liu. Please note this number, it's Manager Zhong from Dajinfa Trust."

Secretary Li recited a series of digits.

"Got it, I've noted it down."

He promptly hung up the call and dialed the newly noted number.

"Hello, who is this?"

The call connected, a male voice sounded.

"Is this Manager Zhong?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Yes, who are you?"

Upon hearing his name, Manager Zhong's voice turned friendlier.

"My surname is Liu, recommended to you by President Yuan."

Liu Zheng replied.

"President Yuan from Yuan Baoer?"

"That's right. You have a good memory, Manager Zhong, remembering so quickly."

He complimented.

"Haha, in our line of work, remembering clients' info is basic. Plus, the surname Yuan is quite rare, and President Yuan is unforgettable herself."

Manager Zhong laughed.

"Indeed. Since you remember, let me get straight to the point; I recently need funds to tide over and hope you can help."

Liu Zheng said.

"That's no problem, our company's motto is to assist people like Mr. Liu in solving financial troubles. How much do you need?"

Manager Zhong asked.

"About ten million."

He thought for a bit and said.

"...No problem. What borrowing method does Mr. Liu prefer?"

Though Manager Zhong pretended to be calm, Liu Zheng caught the excitement in his tone.

"Collateral loan."

"What does Mr. Liu plan to use as collateral?"

Manager Zhong was even more pleased to hear that.

Collateral loans are trust companies' favorite type of loan, high flow, low risk, and highly operable.

"Have you heard of Du Kang Wine Workshop?"

Liu Zheng inquired.

"Of course, it's the most famous winery in Metropolis, each bottle produced there is a rare treasure."

"What I'm mortgaging is a purchase quota of ten million from Du Kang Wine Workshop."

He said.

"Huh?"

Manager Zhong was taken aback.

"What? Is this not acceptable for collateral?"

"No, no, it's just that no one's ever used this for collateral before, so I was momentarily unsure."

Manager Zhong quickly said.

"No problem, if this doesn't work, I have other options. If you have time, can we meet and discuss?"

"Sure, when is Mr. Liu available?"

Manager Zhong asked.

"Now."

Liu Zheng said.

"Alright, shall I come to you or will you come to my office?"

"I'll come to your office."

He replied.

"Will you drive yourself here, or should I send a car for you?"

Manager Zhong added.

"Just meet me at the entrance; I'm right outside the Beijing Building."

"Ah? Okay, I'll come down right now."

Manager Zhong was a bit surprised but only a bit.

After all, being anxious is normal when it comes to needing collateral loans.

Shortly, an Alien Insect dressed in a sharp suit that looked like a Golden Beetle emerged from the building.

It immediately spotted the eye-catching spirit car and Liu Zheng, who was munching on dried fish by the car.

"Are you Mr. Liu?"

The Golden Beetle quickly walked over and asked.

"That's me, you're Manager Zhong, right?"

"Yes, yes. Mr. Liu works for the Bloody Restaurant?"

The Golden Beetle squinted at his uniform with a sharp look.

"Does your company have a rule against lending to employees of Bloody Restaurant?"

Liu Zheng retorted.

"Of course not, our company deals with matters over people, any person conforming to borrowing qualifications is our prized customer."

"Looks like Mr. Liu hasn't eaten yet, there's a wonderful private kitchen nearby, can I treat you to a meal while we talk?"

The Golden Beetle blinked its small eyes as it spoke.

"Manager Zhong is worried that I'm trying to sneak into the building under the guise of borrowing, right?"

He exposed the Golden Beetle's thoughts.

"Why would you think that, Mr. Liu, you're overthinking it."

Insincerely, the Golden Beetle replied.

"I'm frank, and I don't have much time. To be honest, I do want to get inside the building, but the borrowing is real too."

Liu Zheng took out the card 4399 gave him, along with two bottles of Du Kang Wine Workshop's liquor.

"If you don't believe me, you can test this card."

He said.

"No, I trust what you're saying."

The Golden Beetle said, its side lips trembling involuntarily.

"It's not all; here."

Liu Zheng also took out the Memorial Medal.

"Even if I fail to deliver this time, I won't die, but I think they won't be too thrilled to see their money almost go to waste either."

"Right? Manager Zhong?"