I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 749 Arriving with anticipation, fleeing in panic

Leaving Shanghai?

Whether Zhang Dongwen's departure from Goldman Sachs was voluntary or forced, Fang Qingye believed it was something that was expected.

Attempting to trap Jinghai Bank with a meticulously designed and complex financial product, only to be exposed and extorted by Fang Qingye, such a failure certainly requires someone to take responsibility. Zhang Dongwen, as the main designer of the product and without any background in the financial industry, is naturally the best scapegoat.

However, to Fang Qingye's surprise, why did Zhang Dongwen want to leave Shanghai and return to her hometown? At worst, she could just find a job at a bank or investment institution; with her abilities, she could easily find a very respectable job.

After a few seconds of silence, Fang Qingye replied, "Okay, I don't have anything important to do today."

"The train departs at 2 PM, from Shanghai Hongqiao Station."

"Ok."

Since they were going back to Shanghai, Fang Qingye called Hu Lingling over, made some simple work arrangements, and then had Yue Kai drive them there.

After having lunch at the villa, we checked the time and headed to Shanghai Railway Station.

By this time, Zhang Dongwen had finished packing. She gently closed the door of the small house where she had lived for three years, handed the key to the landlady, and, amidst the landlady's sigh, carried her suitcase downstairs. She hailed a taxi on the street and headed straight for the station.

As the taxi drove onto the elevated road, through the left window, the Huangpu River shimmered with tiny golden lights in the afternoon sun.

Across the river, the buildings of Lujiazui stand tall in the thin mist—the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai Center, so close together, like a forest cast from metal and glass.

Zhang Dongwen pressed her forehead against the cool car window.

Just two days ago she was in that building, and the view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Goldman Sachs office is what she sees right now.

The HR conversation lasted only fifteen minutes; the other party's tone was gentle yet authoritative, like deleting a faulty piece of code.

Lin Wei gently pushed a document in front of her, her tone calm and utterly unwavering: "Dongwen, after a comprehensive evaluation, the company's risk control committee believes that the financial structure you led the design of has serious flaws, potentially causing losses to our partner, Jinghai Bank, and also severely damaging the company's reputation. The company has the right to unilaterally terminate your employment contract. In order to protect your personal professional reputation, we suggest that you choose to leave gracefully—resigning voluntarily is currently the most advantageous option for you."

She finally understood that she was the scapegoat!

It's ridiculous that I was still fantasizing about getting a promotion.

Without further hesitation, she cleaned her desk, putting the graduation photo frame and the door card with her name on it into a cardboard box.

The Bund's collection of international buildings receded into the distance, having witnessed countless comings and goings. She recalled standing on the Bund for the first time 11 years ago after being admitted to Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, looking at the lights on the opposite bank and vowing to establish herself here.

Three years ago, her wish came true.

But now I have to leave, my suitcase is in the trunk, and my train ticket is on my phone.

The taxi drove off the elevated road, and Lujiazui gradually receded into the distance, completely obscured by the city's skyscrapers. Zhang Dongwen sighed softly and looked ahead.

Fang Qingye had arrived at the plaza of Shanghai South Railway Station. He saw Liu Shuai standing near the entrance. He walked over, and the two suddenly fell silent.

After a while, Liu Shuai spoke up: "I only found out this morning. An employee from Goldman Sachs' investment department came to our office to hand in some documents. When I asked about Zhang Dongwen's situation, I learned that she had resigned the day before yesterday."

"So I called her to ask what was going on, but she was vague and finally told me that she was leaving today to go back to her hometown and would not be coming back."

"The complex financial structure behind that investment plan was designed by her."

Upon hearing Fang Qingye's answer, Liu Shuai suddenly understood and didn't say anything more, only letting out a deep sigh after a while.

Fang Qingye didn't say anything. Looking at the bright sunshine, he suddenly remembered that summer 11 years ago, during graduation season, when he and Liu Shuai had also seen their classmates off from this city.

Things have changed. "She's here."

Liu Shuai's reminder snapped Fang Qingye out of her reverie. She saw a girl dragging a suitcase toward the entrance, so the two of them went to meet her.

Zhang Dongwen was stunned when she saw the two classmates who appeared, especially when she saw Fang Qingye, her expression became complicated.

"Here, let me help you with your luggage." Fang Qingye offered to lift the suitcase.

"I'm sorry, Qingye, I designed the financial structure behind that wealth management product, but I didn't intend to harm your Jinghai Bank. The reference entities for the CDS I designed were not those American real estate companies that were about to collapse! I originally designed Hengda and Country Garden in China, but President Lin forced me to change them at the last minute!" Zhang Dongwen hurriedly explained.

"Actually, how much difference is there?" Fang Qingye sighed inwardly, but said aloud, "I think so too. After all, we're classmates. You wouldn't hurt me. Your CEO Lin is a ruthless character."

At this moment, Liu Shuai interjected: "What's past is past, Dongwen. Even if you resign from Goldman Sachs, you might not leave Shanghai. With your abilities, it wouldn't be difficult to find a job at another bank. Even if you go to Jinghai Bank, do you think Qingye would want you?"

“If you come, I welcome you. I’ll hire you as an investment analyst at Jinghai Bank,” Fang Qingye immediately said.

Zhang Dongwen shook her head: "Thanks, but if I go to your Jinghai Bank, your President Chen, President Gao, and others may not say anything, but they will definitely resent me in their hearts because they have also paid the price for it."

At this point, Zhang Dongwen smiled and said, "As you all know, I was initially determined to work in investment banking and live a glamorous life. But after working for a few years, I realized that I'm not suited for it at all. It's not about overtime. I'm not afraid of overtime or hard work, but I can't stand the backstabbing and ruthless tactics. I don't want to become a woman like President Lin, and I'm afraid of becoming one."

Fang Qingye and Liu Shuai looked at each other speechlessly.

"Dongwen, what are you going back to your hometown for?" Liu Shuai changed the subject.

“Teaching.” Zhang Dongwen smiled. “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go back and get a teaching certificate first, then take the civil service exam. I’ll teach quietly, either in middle school or elementary school, just like Li Ye.”

李烨
They were such a perfect couple back then.

Fang Qingye sighed inwardly again.

"Alright, I wish you all the best," Fang Qingye said with a smile.

"After returning to my hometown, we'll keep in touch whenever we have time. WeChat and QQ are very convenient these days," Liu Shuai said.

"Okay, goodbye! Welcome to visit my Yimeng Mountain area! We're famous for hawthorns, which are delicious when made into candied hawthorn skewers," Zhang Dongwen said with a smile.

"We'll definitely go if we have the chance."

"goodbye!"

"Bye-Bye."

Zhang Dongwen picked up her suitcase, waved to the two of them, and entered the waiting room. She quickly passed through the ticket gate and boarded the G154 high-speed train bound for Linyi North.

The high-speed train slowly left the station, its speed increasing. Zhang Dongwen sat by the window, watching the skyscrapers rushing past.

She recalled a similar afternoon when she was eighteen, sitting on a green train to Shanghai, clutching her university acceptance letter and dreaming of a bright future.

She recalled that when her first project after starting work was approved, she stayed in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in Lujiazui until late at night, watching the lights like a galaxy, thinking that she had finally grasped the light.

But now they are fleeing in panic.

Farewell, my Shanghai; farewell, my youth.

Zhang Dongwen couldn't help but let her tears flow silently.

(End of this chapter)