The game of power begins with the police officers at the local police station.

Chen Shi had been busy for a week, rested for two days, and called Gu Jia on Monday when he returned to work.

Chen County

"Mr. Gu, where are you?"

"Missing me?"

"There's something I need to discuss with you in person."

"I'm in Yizhou, I'll be going back to Mingzhou this afternoon, come to Mingzhou."

"I'll be in Mingzhou this afternoon to treat you to dinner."

"What's so great about food? I want to eat you."

"President Gu, you can't just say such vulgar things."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi began his new week's work. At four o'clock in the afternoon, Chen Shi did not take Xie Shanquan with him. Instead, he asked Yang Bin to drive him to Mingzhou.

Upon arriving in Mingzhou, Yang Bin asked, "Chen County, where are we going?"

Chen Shi checked the time; it was 5:40. "Let's go to the Water Cube."

Upon arriving at the Water Cube, Chen Shi booked a private room, ordered the food, and then called Gu Jia.

Chen County

"Mr. Gu, have you arrived in Mingzhou yet?"

"I'm in Minnesota, where are you going to take me to eat?"

"I'll be waiting for you at the Water Cube"

"The Water Cube isn't exactly a pleasant place; it's a one-stop shop for all your needs. You've been there quite a few times, haven't you?"

"Don't joke around, I'm here at the Water Cube to have a proper meal, nothing else."

"How many of you men actually eat at the Water Cube? Don't pretend, I know."

Chen Shi didn't want to talk about these things with Gu Jia: "President Gu, I'll send you the private room number."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi sent Gu Jia the private room number and ordered a bottle of good wine, waiting for Gu Jia's arrival.

Half an hour later, Gu Jia pushed open the door and walked in: "Chen County, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I have a lot of things to deal with back at the company, and I'm not finished yet. I have to continue tomorrow."

Chen Shi stood up to greet him: "I'm sorry to have disturbed Mr. Gu's work."

"Are you complaining that I'm late?"

"No, it was indeed me who disturbed your work."

Gu Jia sat down, and Chen Shi called the waiter to serve the dishes, picked up the wine bottle, and poured wine for Gu Jia.

Gu Jia looked at Chen Shi: "County Chief Chen, you didn't bring your secretary. Aren't you afraid I'll do something to you?"

"Chunyang County is a small place, and everyone knows me wherever I go. Mingzhou is different; nobody knows me there."

Gu Jia smiled sweetly: "Does tonight give me a chance?"

"Mr. Gu, please stop joking. Let me toast you."

"He's serious, he's not joking with you." Gu Jia picked up her wine glass, clinked it against Chen Shi's, and whispered, "I've always wanted to sleep with you, this feeling has been very strong lately."

Gu Jia downed her drink in one gulp. Chen Shi suddenly had a feeling that men also need to protect themselves when they're out in the world. When women get aroused, men have nothing to do with it.

The two ate and chatted, and after drinking quite a bit, Gu Jia's cheeks flushed. She looked at Chen Shi and said, "If you have something you want to discuss with me in person, come to my house later, and we can talk about it slowly in bed."

Chen Shi said seriously, "President Gu, this matter is very important. Your Mingzhou Jiajia Development Co., Ltd. is investing in Chunyang to build a highway, and I can agree to the two conditions attached. However, this cannot be discussed openly, and it cannot be reflected in the cooperation agreement. Once the highway is built, I will fulfill my promise."

Gu Jia's smile faded, and she said seriously, "County Chief Chen, if the cooperation agreement doesn't reflect this, who will protect our legal rights? The highway is built, and you're refusing to acknowledge it. Who are we supposed to turn to?"

Chen Shi looked at Gu Jia: "President Gu, the two additional conditions are against the rules. Once they are reflected in the cooperation agreement, they will be irrefutable evidence. My political enemies will report me afterwards. My position as executive deputy county head is over. I might even face imprisonment. The additional conditions will be invalidated by the next leader. You will get nothing."

My safety is what's best for you.

Gu Jia thought for a moment: "County Chief Chen, now that you say so, I need to reassess the risks of investing in building a highway in Chunyang."

"There are risks involved in making the cooperation agreement public, and there are also risks if it's not made public. This is an investment of over 10 billion yuan, and it's related to whether I can maintain my foothold in the group."

Gu Jia looked at Chen Shi: "County Chief Chen, you can't just consider your own risks without considering the risks we have to bear. We've invested over 10 billion yuan; how will our legal rights be protected?"

Chen Shi was prepared: "I will protect your legal rights. The cooperation agreement cannot include any additional conditions. Privately, I can represent the county government to sign a confidentiality agreement with you, in which the additional conditions will be included."

Gu Jia is weighing the pros and cons. Investing is gambling, and there is always a risk involved. If Chunyang wants to develop, it must attract investment.

A good reputation is crucial for attracting investment; a bad reputation will deter any company from investing. Chen Shi is a decisive leader, and Gu Jia has a good eye for talent. Chen Shi is young and ambitious, and he won't jeopardize his reputation.

Gu Jia stared at Chen Shi: "Chen Shi, can I trust you?"

"You can trust me," Chen Shi said confidently.

Gu Jia poured herself a glass of wine and picked it up: "Have a drink."

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Gu Jia put down her wine glass: "I've been in Yizhou for the past few days, at the group headquarters. I privately persuaded several shareholders to agree to invest in building a highway in Chunyang County."

As you said, let's sign a confidentiality agreement privately, and include the two additional conditions in the agreement.

The expert group's investment risk assessment report has been released. The risk of investing in the construction of the expressway in Chunyang County is 20%, which is too high. If the risk reaches 30%, the investment will be abandoned.

The president is very optimistic about this investment. The land acquisition for the highway needs to be completed as soon as possible; otherwise, things may change. We need to sign the cooperation agreement quickly. If any shareholder wants to back out, it will be too late.

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Chen Shi thought for a moment: "Land acquisition will begin in April and be completed in two or three months. At the latest, the cooperation agreement should be formally signed by July."

Gu Jia looked at Chen Shi: "Now it's up to you. Don't keep me waiting too long."

Chen Shi picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said, "You can rest assured about what I do."

The two chatted for a while, then Gu Jia checked the time—it was almost ten o'clock—and asked, "Where are you staying tonight?"

"I'll stay here."

Gu Jia smiled and said, "You still say you're here for a proper meal?"

Chen Shi smiled and said, "I'm eating and sleeping properly, and I don't have the energy to think about anything else. It seems I'll have to find a different place in the future."

"No need to change locations. Just stay at my place in Mingzhou." Gu Jia took out the key from her bag and placed it in front of Chen Shi.

"Mr. Gu, are you planning to keep me as a sugar daddy?"

"I've had that idea, but I can't afford to keep a sugar daddy. We're both adults, but we can at least have some fun, right?"

The conversation was getting increasingly ambiguous, and Chen Shi was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself. Gu Jia, who was very good at teasing men, quickly changed the subject: "Mr. Gu, let's not talk about feelings, let's talk business and be pure business partners."

Gu Jia looked at Chen Shi. No man could resist her temptation, but Chen Shi was the exception, giving her no chance at all.

He stood up, picked up the keys on the table, and smiled wryly: "County Chief Chen, you're really boring. I won't try anything with you again; this is your loss."

Gu Jia quickly left the private room. Chen Shi watched her departing figure but did not try to stop her. This woman was cunning; he absolutely could not sleep with her.

Chen Shi had a hunch that sleeping with Gu Jia would bring him enormous trouble.

I like the game of power, starting with the police officers at the local police station.