Discerning

"Quit? I bet you're reluctant to leave because of the pay here," Lin Qiang walked over and placed an energy drink on Xiao Xiao's desk, smiling. "I heard you were transferred from a downtown outlet because you liked to challenge the leadership?"

Xiao Xiao was initially annoyed, but seeing it was Lin Qiang, she laughed. "Yeah, same as you, right?"

Lin Qiang was taken aback. His reputation had spread far; never underestimate the power of gossip.

He then asked, "Aren't you afraid of being transferred to an even worse place?"

"Transfer then. I already make so little every month; it can't get worse," Xiao Xiao replied nonchalantly. "That's how it is for us tellers. The work is the same everywhere."

"Don't say that. Working in a better place means higher income," Lin Qiang lowered his voice and asked, "Has Hao Wei always been like this?"

"Humph, when there's something to do, he's nowhere to be found. When something happens, he hides. Today, I don't know what got into him to get so angry," Xiao Xiao complained. "Probably his precious son caused trouble again."

"Son?"

"Yeah, he sent his son to study abroad, but the kid isn't well-behaved. Always spending money and causing trouble. It's driving him crazy!"

"I see. So he's really strapped for cash."

"Isn't it obvious?" Xiao Xiao said with a hint of schadenfreude. "We earn in RMB, but they spend in dollars. Even an outlet manager can't handle that."

Lin Qiang felt like crying. There was something even more unbearable to handle: a mortgage. He suppressed his complaints and asked, "What about Zhang Jiaming? Is he short on cash too?"

"That, I don't know. He rarely talks about his family. He's married but lives alone in the dorm," Xiao Xiao shook her head. She was a sharp one and had noticed the direction of Lin Qiang's questioning. Leaning in close, she whispered conspiratorially, "Brother Qiang, are you planning a coup? Count me in."

"Your perfume is too strong," Lin Qiang, overwhelmed by the scent, leaned back and laughed. "You're too outspoken. Even if I were planning something, I wouldn't dare include you."

"Psh, you underestimate my value?" Xiao Xiao raised her head proudly and whispered, "As a teller, a lot of transactions go through me. It wouldn't be hard to catch something shady."

"Oh?" Lin Qiang's interest was piqued. If he could catch Hao Wei in something dirty, forcing him to transfer would be ideal. However, given his unstable position, even if he ousted Hao Wei, someone else would likely take his place. Besides, if Xiao Xiao could catch it, it probably wasn't serious enough to bring Hao Wei down.

It wasn't time to act yet. Stirring things up would be pointless; a decisive strike was what he needed.

With that in mind, Lin Qiang decided to keep Xiao Xiao around for now.

He stood up and patted her shoulder. "Just do your job well. I'll keep pushing for the credit card issue."

Xiao Xiao had expected him to ask more questions, so she was slightly displeased when he turned to leave. "Don't you want to know more?"

"Hehe, no rush." Lin Qiang said, starting to walk away.

Xiao Xiao bit her lip and called out, "Tomorrow's a rest day for the branch. Since we have nothing to do, you and Zheng Shuai should come to our dorm to play cards."

"Late at night, all girls, isn't that inappropriate?"

"Nothing inappropriate about it. We get bored too," Xiao Xiao challenged. "We're not scared, what are you worried about? Or do you have a date with Xiaozhao? I noticed something between you two!"

"..."

"No answer means yes. See you tonight," Xiao Xiao loudly announced. "Brother Qiang and Zheng Shuai are coming to our dorm tonight. Get ready to make them lose everything!"

Hearing about the card game, the other girls got excited.

"Really?"

"Then I won't go home tonight!"

Lin Qiang reluctantly agreed, curious about what kind of card game could make someone lose everything.

After gathering some information, Lin Qiang joined the others in the lobby to help.

Once the initial rush of customers settled, Zheng Shuai and Lin Xiaozhao, both grinning mischievously, approached Lin Qiang as if they were up to something.

"Huh?" Lin Qiang asked, puzzled. "Aren't you going to market to the customers at the counter?"

Zheng Shuai sighed, "We tried, but they all refused."

"Same here… It's not as easy as I thought," Lin Xiaozhao admitted shyly.

"These things take time. Keep trying with reliable leads. Going crazy on every person is just insane," Lin Qiang reassured them, leaning against the wall to rest.

"Hey, Boss," Zheng Shuai began, rubbing his hands. "You've got a sharp eye. How do you do it? Xiaozhao told me you suggested that elderly customer to her yesterday."

Lin Xiaozhao nodded eagerly, wanting to learn from her senior.

Lin Qiang realized that these two were seeking a mentor to learn from. Zheng Shuai, with limited experience in grassroots operations and having mainly focused on administrative work, might be feeling a bit unsure in his new marketing role.

Of course, Lin Qiang couldn't reveal his GoldenEye that allowed him to see people's assets directly. However, having worked in this field for so long, he had honed his basic skills in judging people. Since they were sincerely asking for advice, he decided to share some of his insights.

He scanned the waiting area and zeroed in on a slender, bespectacled man in his thirties.

"Take a look at him and guess his profession and financial situation," Lin Qiang instructed, pointing towards the man.

"Hmm…" Zheng Shuai observed for a few seconds before responding, "He's dark and thin, probably not a local. Most likely a migrant worker, playing with his phone, so probably an IT guy."

Lin Xiaozhao thought for a moment and added, "I think so too. No marketing opportunities here. But why would he be at the bank early on a weekday morning?"

Lin Qiang spread his arms and smiled, "Shuai, you're still too green. Xiaozhao is already sharper than you."

"Well… girls are always sharper," Zheng Shuai urged, "Stop teasing and tell us already."

"Alright." Lin Qiang cleared his throat, ready for his Lin's teaching session.

"Judging people isn't just about appearances. Anyone can do that. You need to combine three key elements."

"Three key elements? Sounds impressive?" Zheng Shuai's eyes sparkled, almost ready to take notes.

Lin Qiang felt a bit embarrassed, seeing his enthusiasm but continued "Time, place, and character…"

"This…"

"Just listen." Lin Qiang continued, "First, today is Thursday, a workday. Normally, a young person wouldn't come to the bank early in the morning. Here lies the contradiction: he looks around 30 years old. Why isn't he at work?"

"Why indeed?" Zheng Shuai stared dumbly at Lin Qiang.

"Why are you looking at me? How would I know?" Lin Qiang waved dismissively, pointing at the bespectacled man. "Notice, he's using neither an Apple nor a Samsung phone but a BlackBerry. This indicates he's a stubborn techie. His expression is both anxious and irritated, likely due to something troublesome on his phone."

"Combining these observations, we can roughly conclude—" Lin Qiang cleared his throat again, "He's either unemployed or doesn't work a nine-to-five job. He stubbornly uses a BlackBerry and is urgently focused on a vexing matter."

"And then?" Zheng Shuai eagerly asked.

Lin Qiang looked at the electronic clock on the lobby wall. "It's 9:15. Think about what annoying thing is happening soon."

"9:15…" Zheng Shuai scratched his head, confused.

Lin Xiaozhao suddenly had an epiphany and shouted, "The stock market opens!!"

"Haha, Xiaozhao learns quickly," Lin Qiang said, satisfied. "It's likely that. In my long time working in frontline roles, most people who come early with that kind of expression, staring at their phones, are stock traders."

"I see." Zheng Shuai followed the logic. "A stock trader… stubborn… doesn't work a fixed schedule… He must insist on managing his assets himself. No marketing opportunity here."

"Exactly, so leave him to Zhang Jiaming." Lin Qiang chuckled.

"I learned something. As expected of the supervisor." Lin Xiaozhao showed a look of admiration.

Lin Qiang waved his hand dismissively and pointed to a middle-aged woman who was looking around anxiously. "As for her, you can give it a try. She seems to have plenty of free time and doesn't need to work. She's looking around, very bored. Approaching her should be easy. Judging by her attire, she probably has some spare cash."

Lin Qiang patted Zheng Shuai. "You give it a shot."

"Huh?" Zheng Shuai wasn't ready for his first task. "Why not let Xiaozhao…"

"Xiaozhao deals with men. You deal with women."

"…Isn't she a bit old? She's already quite ripe."

"Is she older than the female boss who grabbed your thigh?"

"Screw you!" Zheng Shuai cursed and reluctantly approached the woman.

"Haha, you guys are really something," Lin Xiaozhao laughed and then, seemingly making a decision, puffed up her cheeks and earnestly said, "Supervisor, I'll follow you from now on."

Lin Qiang sensed a hint of commitment in her tone and quickly declined, "It's just work."

"It's different," Lin Xiaozhao said, fidgeting with her skirt, looking both shy and determined. "I've been working here for a while now, and you're the first person to seriously teach me something. Following you, I'll definitely work hard."

As she spoke, she clenched her small fists and added, "I thought about it. The deal yesterday should be credited to you, supervisor. I'll go change it at noon."

"No, no, no! It's your hard-earned success." Lin Qiang sternly refused. "Assigning customers is my job. The credit belongs to you."

"But… from start to finish, it was all your help."

"Xiaozhao, when you encounter clients you can't handle, I'll step in. Your performance is tied to my bonus. If you do well, I benefit too." Lin Qiang placed a hand on her shoulder and sighed, "Do you know what I hate the most?"

"What is it?"

Lin Qiang pointed a finger downwards, then upwards, and angrily declared—

"Subordinates' achievements are always credited to their superiors."

Then, he pointed down again.

"And the superiors' mistakes are blamed on the subordinates."

Lin Xiaozhao nodded thoughtfully. She could somewhat understand Lin Qiang's feelings. This seemingly strong person must have endured a lot.

But she smiled, saying, "It's okay. My boss isn't like that!"

Seeing Xiaozhao's smile, Lin Qiang also smiled, feeling relieved.