Please, mature women, have some self-respect. I just want a raise and a promotion.

After obtaining leverage over Lin Jingshun, Lin Zheng was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night.

With this, projects that have hit a dead end can be restarted.

The next morning, Lin Zheng took a cold shower, changed into his dark gray suit, put the USB drive in his inner pocket, and took a taxi straight to the district.

The Planning Bureau is located on the sixth floor of the district government building.

When Lin Zheng arrived, it was only 8:30, and there were already several staff members walking around in the corridor. He walked to the door of the director's office and knocked.

"Come in."

Lin Jingshun's indifferent voice came from inside.

Lin Zheng pushed open the door and entered. Lin Jingshun was sitting behind his desk reading documents, wearing those gold-rimmed glasses, his hair neatly combed.

On the table sat a cup of freshly brewed tea, steaming hot, and next to it was an opened box of special-supply cigarettes.

Upon seeing that it was Lin Zheng, Lin Jingshun immediately frowned.

"Why are you here again?"

"Director Lin, I've come to bring you something to take a look at."

Lin Zheng walked to the opposite side of him and sat down without waiting for him to offer him a seat.

Lin Jingshun's face darkened, and he leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over them condescendingly.

"Manager Lin, I made myself very clear last time."

"Your project's paperwork is incomplete. Go back and resubmit it for approval, following the proper procedures."

"Running around all day won't help, even if you break your legs."

Lin Zheng didn't reply, but took out a USB drive from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Director Lin, please take a look at this first before deciding whether you want to talk to me."

Lin Jingshun glanced at the USB drive and curled his lips downwards.

"What is it?"

"The surveillance footage from room 308 of the Golden Splendor Hotel last night."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingshun's expression immediately changed.

His hand stopped on the table, his fingers trembling slightly. His lips moved, and it took him a long time to squeeze out a sentence.

"What...what do you mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything."

"I just wanted to help Director Lin recall the wonderful time last night."

As Lin Zheng spoke, he leaned back in his chair, took out a cigarette, lit it, and slowly took a puff.

"Director Lin, nothing stays hidden forever. I filmed what happened between you and Xiaoya at the Golden Splendor last night."

"This includes your promise to arrange a job for her brother in the planning bureau, every word of which is clear and unambiguous."

Lin Jingshun's face was ashen as he stared intently at Lin Zheng.

"You dare threaten me?"

Lin Zheng flicked his cigarette ash and met his gaze.

"How dare someone as insignificant as me threaten Director Lin?"

"I was just reminding Director Lin to be careful in his actions."

"The district is cracking down hard, so Director Lin should avoid going to those kinds of places during this period."

"Besides, Director Lin is a veteran cadre, he should know better than me what the consequences would be if these videos were leaked."

"as a result of?"

Lin Jingshun looked at Lin Zheng and suddenly laughed, his face full of wrinkles.

"Lin Zheng, you think you can control me by making a video? You're too naive."

He stood up, braced his hands on the desk, leaned forward, and glared at me like a knife.

"Let me tell you, no one can stop me, Lin Jingshun, from doing what I want to do."

"You think that USB drive in your hand can threaten me?"

"I can easily come up with an excuse and say the video is fake."

"I can easily find a connection and get you in there. You believe me?"

Lin Zheng didn't move or speak; he just watched him quietly.

Lin Jingshun was thoroughly enraged by his unhurried demeanor. He walked around the desk and stood in front of him, looking down at him.

"Who do you think you are?"

"What the hell does a lowly project manager like you think you can act tough in front of me?"

"Zhang Wenshan is working on a sewing machine in jail. Do you know who conspired to get him there?"

Lin Zheng remained unhurried.

"What does Zhang Wenshan's matter have to do with you?"

Whether it matters or not is none of your business.

Lin Jingshun sneered and said, "I'll just tell you this: no one who opposes me in Dianhai Town has ever had a good ending."

"If you know what's good for you, hand over the USB drive and go back to doing your paperwork properly. If you don't, then..."

He paused, then pointed his finger at Lin Zheng's chest.

"I'll make you regret this."

The atmosphere in the office was extremely tense.

Lin Zheng stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and stood facing Lin Jingshun.

The two were less than half a meter apart, and they could both see the coldness in each other's eyes.

"Director Lin, I'm not here today to oppose you."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I need the approval document."

Lin Zheng said, enunciating each word clearly, "Once the project is approved, I'll leave. You can continue as your bureau chief, and we'll keep to ourselves."

"If the project isn't approved, I can't leave, and you won't have an easy time either."

"You...you fucking..."

Lin Jingshun's face turned ashen; he hadn't expected Lin Zheng to dare to confront him head-on.

"I'm the kind of person who has nothing to lose and nothing to fear."

Lin Zheng interrupted Lin Jingshun.

"You have a house, a car, and status in Dianhai Town, while I have nothing."

"If you push me too far, I'll post the video online, in the city, and in the province."

"At that time, your future, your family, everything you have will be ruined."

Lin Jingshun's face was ashen, and his lips trembled as he was unable to speak.

Lin Zheng's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Lin Jingshun's heart.

The two stared at each other, neither willing to give in.

A full minute passed before Lin Jingshun finally spoke.

"Lin Zheng, do you think you can scare me like this?"

"Let me tell you, the video you have is nothing at all."

"I can easily find any excuse to get the disciplinary committee to investigate you."

"Do you believe it or not?"

"letter."

Lin Zheng nodded, "But I believe even more that you wouldn't dare."

Why?

"Because you know better than anyone that once an investigation begins, you have far more to do than I do."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingshun fell silent.

He walked to the window, turned his back to Lin Zheng, lit a cigarette, and took a few deep drags.

The office was quiet, with only the sound of their heartbeats.

After a long while, Lin Jingshun turned around.

"Lin Zheng, you've won."

Lin Zheng was secretly delighted, but his face remained expressionless.

"Director Lin, what you mean is..."

"I can sign the permit for you, but on one condition."

"Please speak."

"Delete the video and give me the USB drive."

Lin Zheng shook his head: "No, I'll delete it as soon as I get the approval. Not now."

"You don't trust me?"

"It's not that I don't trust them, it's that I can't be too careful."

"Director Lin, I haven't forgotten how you made things difficult for me before."

"So, let's stick to the rules."

"You sign, I delete the video. It's a fair trade, and neither of us loses out."

Lin Jingshun stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.

"Lin Zheng, you really have guts."

"No wonder he was able to maintain his position after Zhang Wenshan's incident."

"Director Lin, we're in the same boat."

"but……"

Lin Jingshun abruptly changed the subject, his smile vanishing instantly.

"You think getting the approval is the end of it?"

"Can you handle things with Cai Mingsheng and Chen Guowen?"

"Without their signature, your project still can't start."

"That's my business, Director Lin doesn't need to worry about it."

Lin Jingshun walked back behind his desk, sat down, and crossed his legs.

"Lin Zheng, how about we make a deal?"

"What kind of deal?"

"I'll take care of Cai Mingsheng and Chen Guowen for you. Delete the video, then give it to me..."

He held up three fingers.

Three million.

Lin Zheng frowned: "Director Lin, you're asking for an exorbitant amount."

"Three million for three licenses, not expensive."

Lin Jingshun laughed and said, "Think about it yourself. Your project has an investment of over 100 million. What's three million?"

"Besides, without my help, you simply can't handle Cai Mingsheng and Chen Guowen. Those two are even harder to deal with than I am."

Lin Zheng was silent for a moment before saying, "Three million is too much; I can't come up with that."

"How much can you take?"

"At most 30,000, that's all I have."

"Thirty thousand?"

Lin Jingshun laughed, a very sarcastic laugh.

"Lin Zheng, are you trying to fob me off like a beggar?"

"Thirty thousand, and you want me to help you get two people?"

"Director Lin, I really can't come up with it."

"If you insist on three million, then I'll have to find a way myself."

"Figure it out yourself?"

Lin Jingshun leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning Lin Zheng up and down.

"Fine, figure it out yourself."

"I'd like to see what you can do."

He waved his hand and said, "You can go now. We'll talk about the permit later."

Lin Zheng didn't move and said, "I can't leave. I need to get your approval document today."