Insight

On the other side, Lin Xiaozhao was making her final attempt.

"It's okay, Grandpa. Even a small pension can be managed well. The more turbulent the economy, the more important it is to manage your finances to ensure your money doesn't lose value."

The elderly man glanced at her. "Oh? My pension is only 3,000 yuan. I spend over 2,000 a month. I can't save much in a year. Is it really necessary to manage it?"

"Yes, let me do the math for you," Lin Xiaozhao said carefully. "A three-year deposit has a 4.2% interest rate, but our one-year principal-protected financial product has an expected return of 5.05%. With compound interest over three years, you'd end up with a 16% return compared to less than 13% from a three-year deposit."

"Is it really that good?" Zhou Ren, accustomed to sales pitches, just smiled. "People always say the good stuff, never mentioning what happens if it loses money."

"This product guarantees no loss. The minimum annual return is over 4%. We've been selling it for three years, and the annual return has never been below 4.8%, sometimes reaching nearly 6%!" Lin Xiaozhao continued. "Additionally, this product has six-month and three-month terms, making it flexible if you need to use the money, unlike a three-year deposit where withdrawing early means losing most of the interest."

"Hmm... A one-year term does sound more convenient," Zhou Ren finally seemed to waver. "If my son needs money for his business, it would help."

Lin Xiaozhao was overjoyed. "Exactly! You're well-off now, enjoying your retirement without further income increases. But with financial products, your savings can grow faster. Given your situation, you shouldn't invest in risky products, just ensure your savings don't shrink."

"Yes, that's true. My wife insisted on investing in stocks back then... She lost all her money!" Zhou Ren seemed to recall a painful memory. "Luckily, I didn't let her touch my money, or we'd have no retirement funds. It's important to be realistic and not chase quick fortunes."

"Don't worry, I would never recommend stock-based products to you," Lin Xiaozhao smiled sweetly.

"Girl, I understand your point. But look..." Zhou Ren sighed. "I only have less than 1,000 yuan spare each month. Even if I buy this product, after three years, I'd only make 3% more than a deposit, about 30 yuan. Is it worth the trouble?"

"That's not the way to look at it. If you invest 10,000 yuan annually, it would be 300 yuan over three years," Lin Xiaozhao said, her face lighting up. "300 yuan isn't a small amount!"

Zhou Ren couldn't help but laugh at her expression, feeling a bit fond of her. "Even I, an old man, don't think 300 yuan is worth saving, and you're worried about it?"

"Money is saved bit by bit!"

"Ah... I can't argue with you..." Zhou Ren seemed conflicted. "Let me think..."

Lin Xiaozhao pulled out a calculator she had prepared. "Let me help you."

"Well... Let's just say hypothetically... Just hypothetically..." Zhou Ren made a mysterious face. "If I had 1 million yuan, how much more would it be after three years?"

Without thinking, Lin Xiaozhao's eyes sparkled, "30,000 yuan!"

"That's quite a sum..." Zhou Ren raised his eyebrows, then his face turned serious again. "I wish I had 1 million yuan."

"..."

Lin Xiaozhao felt a chill.

Was she really being fooled by Lin Qiang?

Zhou Ren picked up his newspaper again and apologized, "Girl, I'm old and don't like to fuss. If I had 1 million yuan in liquid assets, I'd definitely help you."

Just as Lin Xiaozhao felt her last bit of hope collapse, she heard the rustling sound of a suit behind her.

Lin Qiang approached swiftly, bringing a gust of wind, and angrily scolded, "Why are you slacking off again? There are still things to clean up!"

"Ah?" Lin Xiaozhao was startled and quickly stood up. She thought Lin Qiang was being too harsh, adding insult to injury. Feeling wronged and saddened, tears welled up in her eyes. "Yes, Supervisor... I'll go back now..."

But Zhou Ren frowned, showing a hint of anger as he looked at Lin Qiang.

"This girl is promoting a product. Isn't that her job? Why are you scolding her?" Zhou Ren said, displeased.

Lin Qiang gave a fake, disdainful smile. "Sir, sorry to bother you. She's too dumb to sell anything."

He then gave Zhou Ren a condescending look. "Besides, her judgment is poor. No offense."

With that, he pushed Lin Xiaozhao hard, making her stumble.

Tears were about to fall from Lin Xiaozhao's eyes.

"Enough!" Zhou Ren couldn't bear it anymore and slammed his hand on the chair, standing up angrily. "Who said this girl is dumb?! She's convinced me. I'll buy!"

In the distance, Hao Wei and Zhang Jiaming were shocked.

They had thought Lin Qiang was stepping in to pull Lin Xiaozhao away.

But this result was unexpected.

Lin Qiang... used such a clever tactic?

Meanwhile, Lin Qiang maintained a slightly embarrassed look. "Alright... it's just a small order of a few hundred yuan anyway."

He nudged Lin Xiaozhao again. "Go ahead. Finish the order and come back quickly."

"A small order?" Zhou Ren picked up his cane and stared at Lin Qiang. "1.5 million yuan. Please help me withdraw 1.5 million yuan from my fixed deposit and transfer it to this financial product!"

Boom!!

Everyone present was stunned.

This old man had been playing it low, and now he was calling out such a large amount!

Zhang Jiaming's face almost hit the floor. "Manager... 1.5 million yuan... How can this old man have so much spare money?"

"It's not spare; it's from a fixed deposit..." Hao Wei was astonished. "He's willing to sacrifice the fixed deposit interest to buy the financial product Lin Xiaozhao recommended..."

"How can an old man make such an irrational decision? How could it be so coincidental that Lin Xiaozhao approached him?" Zhang Jiaming couldn't figure it out.

"Lin Qiang..." Hao Wei's face twitched. He murmured, "Lin Qiang... really... not to be underestimated."

In the waiting area, Lin Qiang's demeanor shifted instantly. He went to support Zhou Ren.

"Oh, I've failed to recognize your great presence... Please, let's discuss this further in the client area..."

"I don't need you!" Zhou Ren pushed Lin Qiang away and walked over to Lin Xiaozhao. "Girl, let's go."

"Yes... Yes..." Lin Xiaozhao, overjoyed, helped Zhou Ren to the client discussion room. She turned back to give Lin Qiang a grateful look.

Lin Qiang spread his arms and silently applauded for Lin Xiaozhao.

"Huh? Huh? What did I miss?" Zheng Shuai had just finished his tasks and came out, seeing Lin Xiaozhao helping the old man inside. He was confused.

Lin Qiang smiled, "A big order. Go help organize the materials and contracts."

"??" Zheng Shuai followed, baffled. "Good fortune comes suddenly?"

After the elderly man went inside, Lin Qiang swaggered over to Zhang Jiaming and Hao Wei, enjoying their expressions.

"Manager, see, I was right. We needed a female salesperson."

"Indeed, the results are clear," Hao Wei had to admit, "Share her current tasks among everyone and we'll announce it in tomorrow's meeting."

"Manager, you have great insight," Lin Qiang said cheekily, watching Hao Wei leave. For Hao Wei, having a strong sales force was beneficial, so he didn't face much resistance.

But for Zhang Jiaming, having Zheng Shuai and Lin Xiaozhao suddenly join the sales team was a disaster.

He was in a bad mood, but couldn't resist asking out of jealousy, "Supervisor, what product did she sell?"

"I guess it's 'Flexible Profit.'"

"Oh... that's good... I mean, that's unfortunate..." Zhang Jiaming felt slightly relieved, then corrected himself. "That product... the bank's profit margin is low, so it counts less towards our performance. What a pity. It would've been great if it was a large fund."

"Who knows?" Lin Qiang smiled. "They're discussing it now. As far as I know, Xiaozhao is quite talented. She might suggest a diversified investment plan with high, medium, and low-risk products, plus small insurance policies. There are many ways to mix 1.5 million yuan."

"..." Zhang Jiaming swallowed, feeling both resentful and envious.

The biggest deal since Longyuan Outlet opened was only 150,000 yuan.

And Lin Xiaozhao, on her first marketing attempt, closed a 1.5 million yuan deal. How could he hold his head high now?

Even with a 0.5% commission for 'Flexible Profit,' 1.5 million yuan would bring in 7,500 yuan! His monthly bonus for this period was less than 2,000 yuan...

Thank goodness... he could still rely on credit card and e-banking bonuses...

With that thought, Zhang Jiaming felt a bit better. Such big deals weren't daily occurrences. Maybe Lin Xiaozhao just got lucky this time and wouldn't close another big deal for a long time.

"Supervisor, you have sharp eyes," Zhang Jiaming forced a smile.

"Yes, I don't only have an eye for talent, but also for pigs," Lin Qiang replied coolly, walking away.

Zhang Jiaming stood there, puzzled, not quite understanding Lin Qiang's parting words but feeling they were strange.