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

Zhang Wanquan thought for a moment, then said, "I had a business reception today, in a private room at the Huaiyang Hotel, and I think I heard your voice."

"Old Zhang, are you drunk?"

"I didn't leave the house all day, how could you hear my voice in the hotel?"

He didn't say anything, but simply placed the phone on the table and slowly pushed it back in front of Lin Xiaoyu.

Why didn't you tell me sooner that Liu Kaishan was harassing you?

"I don't want you to overthink it."

"You've been under so much work pressure lately, I'm worried it will distract you."

"Besides, I think he's the vice president after all, and if things escalate, it won't be good for any of us."

When did he ask you out?

"Last Wednesday, and before that there was another time, also about work, but I didn't go that time."

Zhang Wanquan gritted his teeth and took a deep breath.

He recalled the arrogant tone Liu Kaishan had used on the phone that night, saying, "I've slept with your wife long ago."

If what Lin Xiaoyu said is true, then what Liu Kaishan said on the phone tonight was deliberately meant to provoke him.

It's the kind of reaction where someone gets angry and bites back after being rejected.

But what if Lin Xiaoyu is lying?

Thinking of this, he opened his eyes and his gaze returned to Lin Xiaoyu's face.

Lin Xiaoyu's expression seemed flawless, like someone who had been wronged but didn't want her husband to worry.

"Are you sure there's nothing between you and Liu Kaishan?"

"I'm sure. If you don't believe me, I can confront him face to face."

"A face-to-face confrontation is unnecessary."

Zhang Wanquan picked up his phone, took pictures of the chat history, and then returned the phone to her.

"Don't worry about this, I'll handle it."

Lin Xiaoyu took the phone and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"If he harasses you again, just tell me directly."

"What good would it do if I told you? He's the group's vice president, your level. What can you do?"

"There are many ways; he didn't do anything before because he was afraid of the trouble."

"That old bastard dared to make a move on you, I will never let him get away with it."

After finishing his soup, Zhang Wanquan leaned back in his chair, as if he had just figured something out, and suddenly asked, "Have you been in contact with Lin Zheng recently?"

Lin Xiaoyu paused, her expression shifting slightly, but she quickly concealed her nervousness.

"We haven't had much contact. What's wrong?"

"Are you aware of the rising material costs for his project?"

"I've heard some things. Zhou Haimin is holding onto his sand and gravel materials; the price has tripled, and his project is on the verge of collapse."

"But I'm not sure if that's the case."

Zhang Wanquan nodded: "That's right. Liu Kaishan wants to force Lin Zheng out and pocket all the benefits of the project for himself."

"He wanted to take all the credit, but I refused to let him have his way."

"This time I have to help Lin Zheng and ruin all his plans."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaoyu was secretly delighted.

Just now, he was still thinking about how to get Zhang Wanquan to help Lin Zheng.

Now, things are much better; without her even asking, Zhang Wanquan is offering his help.

However, Lin Xiaoyu wasn't stupid; she knew that Zhang Wanquan's help to Lin Zheng was definitely not just a simple attempt to cause trouble.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiaoyu asked, "Old Zhang, you're helping Lin Zheng not just to sabotage the project, are you?"

"Then what do you think I'm doing this for?"

"You want to use Lin Zheng to fight against Liu Kaishan, and after you get rid of Liu Kaishan, you can take back the project. Am I right?"

Zhang Wanquan did not deny it, saying, "It's true that he used Lin Zheng, but he also benefited from it."

"Even though Liu Kaishan has fallen ill, I still put him in charge of the second phase of the project."

"If he lacks ability and gets ruined by Liu Kaishan, then he can only blame his own bad luck."

"If Liu Kaishan dares to touch you, I will make him pay the price."

Zhang Wanquan spoke with righteous indignation, completely forgetting how he had done things to Liu Kaishan's wife, Zhou Yu.

Lin Xiaoyu frowned, thinking that Zhang Wanquan wasn't a good person either.

If she hadn't sounded out him, she would have really thought that Zhang Wanquan was genuinely helping Lin Zheng.

For Lin Zheng's safety, she had to tell him this news.

At this moment, Zhang Wanquan's voice came again.

Do you know what Liu Kaishan wants most right now?

"He wants control of the second phase of the project, and he wants to kick Lin Zheng out and replace him with his own people."

"If Lin Zheng's project succeeds, Liu Kaishan won't be able to get involved."

"So I have to help Lin Zheng make the project a success."

"Liu Kaishan wanted to block the materials, so I helped him open up the channels for materials."

"When his approval was delayed, I went to the district government to coordinate things for him."

"You're going to such lengths to help Lin Zheng?" Lin Xiaoyu asked deliberately.

"I'm helping him because of that project he's working on; it'll help me deal with Liu Kaishan."

Lin Xiaoyu nodded: "You're right."

"Then help me arrange a date with him."

"Tomorrow at noon, you invite Lin Zheng out for lunch. I'll talk to him."

"good."

Lin Xiaoyu turned around and walked back to the dining table to clear the dishes, then picked up two bowls and went into the kitchen.

She turned on the tap, and the water washed away the grease on the dishes, the sound of which masked the uncontrollable smile on her lips.

She took out her phone and sent a message to Lin Zheng.

"It's settled. Zhang Wanquan will come to see you tomorrow at noon. Get ready."

Less than a minute after the message was sent, Lin Zheng replied with two words: "Received."

Lin Xiaoyu put her phone away and walked out of the kitchen.

Zhang Wanquan was still standing by the window, the cigarette in his hand almost burning down to the filter.

But he didn't put it out; he let it burn while he thought about a plan to deal with Liu Kaishan.

...............

The next day at noon, in a private room on the second floor of the Huaihai Hotel.

When Zhang Wanquan arrived, Lin Zheng was already sitting inside.

On the table was a pot of tea and several plates of cold dishes. In front of Lin Zheng was a blueprint, and next to him was a notebook that was half-read.

Seeing Zhang Wanquan enter, Lin Zheng closed his notebook, stood up, and extended his hand to him: "Mr. Zhang."

"Sit down." Zhang Wanquan shook hands with him, pulled out a chair and sat down, without exchanging pleasantries or formalities, and spoke directly.

"Where is the project at now?"

"The first phase of foundation work is complete, and the main frame is under construction, but the supply of materials is stalled."

Lin Zheng didn't hide anything, flipped the blueprint to the page marked with the progress, and pushed it in front of him.

"The original plan was to complete the first phase of the main structure by the end of this month, but now the cost of materials has tripled, and the original budget simply cannot cover it. Work has already been suspended for two days."

Zhang Wanquan glanced at the blueprints, then looked at the materials list and price comparison table provided by Lin Zheng, and frowned slightly.

"Have you spoken with Liu Xueyi about Cheng Yuan's earthwork?"

"We've discussed it; she's willing to supply goods at the original price, but the legal representative is currently changing, so she can't make the decision."

"Change of legal representative? Who will handle this?"

"Zhang Tianhu."

Zhang Wanquan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down. "Zhang Tianhu is Liu Kaishan's man. Since he's the legal representative, you won't be able to get the materials at the original price."

That's why I stopped work.

"Waiting for someone who can pull strings."

Zhang Wanquan took a business card out of his pocket, pushed it onto the table, and pressed his fingertips along the edge of the card as he pushed it.

"Old Zhou from the District Development and Reform Commission is Zhou Haimin's cousin."

"Zhou Haimin was able to become this deputy director entirely thanks to his help in making the connection."