After breaking up with my boyfriend, I made a fortune and rose rapidly in my career.

The provincial party committee's internal reference document is more effective than an urgent document.

The moment those eight words of approval came out, things immediately became unsettled in Nanzhou High-tech Zone.

Hu Jinshan did not come to the office for two consecutive days.

Chen Ping's internal investigation team was surprisingly efficient. Finance Director Liu Guangming was extremely cooperative this time, providing all the necessary accounts and transaction records without any delay.

That afternoon, Chen Ping was looking at a payment voucher for a construction project when the red landline on his desk rang.

He picked up the receiver.

"Is this Director Chen? I'm Wang Wansheng from Wansheng Real Estate!" A very enthusiastic male voice came through, his tone full of businessman's politeness. "Oh, Director Chen, I've heard so much about you! We business people really admire your style of doing things!"

Chen Ping's expression didn't change much.

Wang Wansheng is the owner of Wansheng Real Estate and the older brother of Wang Wanda, the legal representative of Nanzhou Hongsheng Trading.

I finally couldn't sit still any longer.

"Mr. Wang, you're too kind." Chen Pingfang's tone was very calm.

"Director Chen, I know there might have been a small misunderstanding between us recently because of the Xinhuo Industrial Park land," Wang Wansheng said with a hearty laugh. "I just found out about my brother's company situation. That kid's been messing around outside, I'll definitely deal with him when I get back! But business is business, we can't let this little thing affect the friendship between our High-tech Zone and Wansheng Real Estate!"

Wang Wansheng paused, then his tone became more sincere: "I'll treat everyone to dinner tonight at Jinghuxuan. I want to apologize to Director Chen in person and also discuss Wansheng's future investment plans in the High-tech Zone. Don't worry, it's a private dinner, just the two of us, to make friends."

Chen Ping thought to himself, this meal is not that simple.

"Mr. Wang, you're too kind. An apology would be too much." Chen Ping's voice was devoid of emotion. "Since Mr. Wang is so sincere, then I won't stand on ceremony."

"Great! That's a good idea! Director Chen, then let's meet at Jinghu Pavilion at 7 PM!"

After hanging up the phone, Chen Ping leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

He took out his phone, found a name he hadn't contacted in a long time in his contacts, and dialed it.

"Hey, third brother, it's me."

A steady voice came from the other end of the phone: "What a rare guest! What brings you, such a busy person, to call me?"

"Are you free tonight? Since you're in Nanzhou, I'll treat you and the brothers to dinner."

"Oh? You've been transferred to Nanzhou? Great! Our department has a case there right now, and I'm free tonight. Send me the address."

"Call me when you arrive at Jinghu Pavilion," Chen Pingfang added. "I might have something to take care of here, so I'll be a little late. You guys eat first. Put it on my tab."

"Don't be so polite with me."

7 PM, Jinghu Pavilion.

This is a very high-end Chinese-style club in Nanzhou. It has a good environment and strict security, and it is a place where businessmen and officials like to discuss business.

Wang Wansheng was already waiting at the entrance of the "Tingtao Pavilion" private room. He was about fifty years old, a little overweight, wearing a custom-made suit, and the Patek Philippe in his hand was dazzling under the lights.

Seeing Chen Ping walk over alone, Wang Wansheng immediately greeted him with a big smile.

"Director Chen, your presence is such an honor for me, Wang!" He warmly shook Chen Pingfang's hand, gripping it tightly.

"You're too kind, Mr. Wang." Chen Ping withdrew his hand.

The private room was decorated in an antique style, and a table full of dishes had already been served.

"Come, Director Chen, please take a seat." Wang Wansheng personally pulled out a chair for Chen Pingfang.

The two ate and chatted.

Wang Wansheng never mentioned the Xinhuo Industrial Park, but instead rambled on about all sorts of things, from the local customs of the provincial capital to the international economic situation. He was subtly implying which provincial leader he had a good relationship with and which department head he was a friend of.

He's demonstrating his abilities.

Chen Pingfang listened quietly with a smile, only occasionally saying a few words, like a young man who had just entered officialdom and found everything new and exciting.

Looking at Chen Pingfang's expression, Wang Wansheng felt even more confident.

They were still too young. A few polite words and a glass of Moutai made them lose their bearings.

He felt the time was right, put down his wine glass, leaned forward, and lowered his voice: "Director Chen, I know you've just arrived in the High-tech Zone and want to make some achievements. The mess at the Corefire Industrial Park is very complicated, and Hu Jinshan and his gang are not easy to deal with."

Chen Ping raised his eyes and looked at him.

"But," Wang Wansheng changed the subject, a confident smile on his face, "with me, Wang Wansheng, here, there's nothing in Nanzhou that can't be resolved. I'll handle the connections in the provincial capital for you. I'll keep Hu Jinshan in check for you. How far your investigation team goes, and when to stop, isn't it all just a matter of a word from you?"

He took a velvet box out of his handbag and gently pushed it in front of Chen Pingfang.

"I just love making friends," Wang Wansheng said enticingly. "This is a small villa in 'Cloud Top Mountain Residence.' The environment is nice, and the air is fresh. If you come over, sister-in-law, you'll have a comfortable stay. It's just a small token, please don't mind."

The box was opened, revealing a property ownership certificate and an access card.

The homeowner's name field on the property certificate is blank.

Villas worth tens of millions of yuan are given away with ownership rights directly.

That's quite a generous gesture.

Chen Ping picked up the access card, tossed it in his hand, and then smiled.

"Mr. Wang, you are bribing a state official."

Wang Wansheng paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, as if he had heard a joke: "Director Chen, you're really joking. What bribery nonsense! It's awful. Giving gifts between friends is perfectly normal!"

He was certain that Chen Pingfang wouldn't dare to turn against him.

If we accept it, we're all in the same boat.

If we don't accept it, it's disrespectful. Once he leaves this door, we'll find ways to make sure he can't stay in Nanzhou.

Chen Ping's smile remained unchanged. He put the access card back in the box, then slowly took out his phone from his pocket, unlocked the screen, and pressed the stop button.

A red recording timer bar is clearly displayed on the screen.

Wang Wansheng's smile froze instantly, and his eyes widened in shock.

"Director Chen, you..."

"President Wang, please don't misunderstand." Chen Ping put his phone back in his pocket, his tone still calm. "It's a work habit; I like to record important conversations."

Wang Wansheng's face had begun to turn pale. He stared intently at Chen Pingfang, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He then realized that he had fallen into the young man's trap from the very beginning.

"It's quite a coincidence," Chen Pingfang glanced at his watch, as if suddenly remembering something. "I also have dinner plans with some old classmates tonight, right next door. They just came from the provincial capital on a case, and my dinner is almost over. How about... I introduce them to Boss Wang?"

Before Wang Wansheng could react, Chen Pingfang had already stood up, walked over and opened the door to the private room.

Just then, the door of the "Guanlan Pavilion" next door opened, and several men in casual clothes came out, each with a straight posture and a calm demeanor.

The leader saw Chen Pingfang and greeted him with a smile: "Pingfang, are you finally done? We've been waiting for you for ages."

Wang Wansheng's gaze swept over the corner of the work ID card peeking out of the chest pockets of those people. The red national emblem and the words "Disciplinary Inspection" made his mind go blank.

Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection!

He froze on the spot.

This is a trap! A trap that was set up for him from the moment he made the phone call!

Chen Ping turned around, smiled, picked up the velvet box on the table, gently closed it, and pushed it back to Wang Wansheng.

"Mr. Wang," he said, looking at Wang Wansheng's pale face, a slight smile playing on his lips, "this villa is too expensive, I'm not used to living here."

Chen Ping pointed to his table, then to the table in the next corridor where he was chatting and laughing with his classmates.

"But I'll have to trouble you to pay for this meal as well."