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

"Manager Lin, are you sure you're not joking with me?"

Chen Musheng's expression was uncertain. He closed the door again and returned to his seat.

Although Lin Zheng spoke with great conviction, he remained skeptical.

After all, Lin Zheng was just a junior manager in a state-owned enterprise. What made him qualified to be the director?

"Director Chen, do you think I would joke about something like this with you? Do you want to lose my mind?"

Lin Zheng spoke frankly, and there was no flaw in his expression.

"Manager Lin's words are not enough. I can't gamble my future just because of a few words from you."

"Besides, District Chief Liu alone doesn't have the ability to promote me to the position of bureau chief."

"Who said I asked District Chief Liu to push you to the position of bureau chief?"

"If it's not District Chief Liu, then who could it be?"

"Secretary Deng, does he carry that weight?"

"Would I dare say this to you without his support?"

Secretary Deng?

Chen Musheng's face stiffened, and he stared intently at Lin Zheng, trying to discern the truth of his words from his expression.

Lin Zheng's expression remained calm. Chen Musheng stared at him for a while but did not see any change in Lin Zheng's expression, which showed no sign of panic.

"I'll think about it some more."

Chen Musheng didn't beat around the bush and gave his answer directly.

The conditions Lin Zheng offered were indeed tempting, but whether they could be fulfilled was another matter entirely.

If Lin Zheng had been capable, he wouldn't have been held hostage by Zhou Haimin recently.

But to say that Lin Zheng has no background would mean he always gets away scot-free.

Chen Musheng couldn't see through the truth and falsehood in this matter, so he dared not make a decision lightly.

Chen Musheng had to consider it, but Lin Zhengke didn't have time to wait.

These three days are crucial; if we miss this window, the situation will change again.

If Chen Musheng is not captured, then the subsequent plans will be meaningless.

Chen Musheng's indecisiveness stemmed from his failure to demonstrate the strength necessary to secure his position as bureau chief.

Chen Musheng was no fool to have risen to such a position in the branch office; he wouldn't have left so easily without something substantial to show for it.

But Lin Zheng simply couldn't produce it.

They couldn't very well tell Chen Musheng that he knew about Zhou Guangrong's secret, and then use the leverage they had to make a deal with Deng Jianfeng.

If that's the case, Chen Musheng would probably turn around and leave without hesitation.

After a moment's thought, Lin Zheng said, "Director Chen, I know what you're considering."

"Here's what we'll do. I have a card here with 800,000 in it."

"If I fail to get you into the position of bureau chief within a month, this card is yours."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zheng took out a card without hesitation and pushed it in front of Chen Musheng.

This card was compensation Chen Ligang had given him before, which he divided into several parts.

This 800,000 is one of them.

Now that there's a deposit of 800,000, Lin Zheng believes Chen Musheng should be tempted.

Sure enough, Chen Musheng's expression relaxed the moment he saw Lin Zheng push out the card.

"Manager Lin, I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Musheng accepted the card without any hesitation.

He won't lose out no matter how this deal ends.

Eight hundred thousand is no small sum, and it's worth the risk for him.

Lin Zheng smiled and said, "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

"But Director Chen, let me make this clear from the start: let's not play any underhanded tricks behind our backs."

"Don't worry, I, Chen Musheng, am not that kind of person."

"I'll head back now if there's nothing else."

Chen Musheng got up and left the private room.

After the door closed, Liu Xueyi looked puzzled.

"Lin Zheng, there's something I don't understand."

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, and said, "Go on."

"Why did you go to such great lengths to win over Benny Chan?"

"Because he is an indispensable part of my plan."

"So, it's true that he was made the bureau chief?" Liu Xueyi continued to ask.

"It depends on whether he listens or not."

Upon hearing this answer, Liu Xueyi did not press the matter further.

She was a smart woman and knew that Lin Zheng must have a backup plan for daring to say such a thing.

Lin Zheng's methods, which allowed him to influence a bureau chief, were beyond her comprehension.

However, Liu Xueyi was too lazy to think about these things; the stronger Lin Zheng became, the better for her.

She understood that women sometimes cause trouble by talking too much, and as long as she served Lin Zheng well, everything would be fine; she shouldn't ask questions she shouldn't ask.

After finishing discussing business, the atmosphere in the private room suddenly became ambiguous.

Liu Xueyi turned around and held onto the chair.

Seeing Liu Xueyi's action, Lin Zheng knew what to do next.

Soon, Liu Xueyi's comfortable moans could be heard from inside the private room.

An hour later, the two finished.

Lin Zheng bid farewell to Liu Xueyi and hurriedly returned to Dianhai Town.

Three days was a very tight timeframe, and he dared not linger for even a quarter of an hour.

Upon returning to Dianhai Town, Lin Zheng immediately dialed Lin Hai's number.

To bring down Wang Jianguo, you have to start with his closest relatives.

Lin Hai can be considered Wang Jianguo's right-hand man.

If they can take him down, Wang Jianguo will lose his say in the public security system of Dianhai Town.

Of course, Lin Hai wasn't stupid.

He wouldn't betray Wang Jianguo without sufficient benefits.

Lin Hai absolutely couldn't refuse a deal involving the position of branch captain.

There's a world of difference between the town and the district; which official doesn't want to climb the ranks?

By transferring Lin Hai away and replacing him with one of their own, Deng Hong's position was consolidated.

This is why Lin Zheng was willing to pay a high price to win over Chen Musheng.

After a few rings, Lin Hai's voice came through.

"Brother Lin Zheng, you have so much free time today, what made you think of calling me?"

"Director Lin, are you free? How about we grab a couple of drinks?"

"I'm off duty today, come to my place, I'll cook some simple dishes, and we can have a good drink together."

"Sure, as long as Director Lin doesn't mind me bothering you."

After ending the call, Lin Zheng received the address from Lin Hai.

He drove to buy two cartons of good cigarettes and a basket of fruit before heading to Lin Hai's home.

Lin Hai lives in an old apartment building, and the apartment is a standard 90 square meters.

Lin Zheng knew that this was just a facade.

Li Zhengang had investigated Lin Hai and found that he owned several properties, all registered under his brother-in-law's name.

Arriving at Lin Hai's door, Lin Zheng raised his hand and knocked.

The woman who opened the door was a beautiful woman in her early thirties, dressed in casual clothes and wearing a cooking apron, but her stunning figure made Lin Zheng's heart flutter.

The woman's breasts were enormous; even wearing an apron, they still stretched out very high.

Seeing Lin Zheng's gaze lingering on her body, the beautiful woman blushed and moved away.

"Are you Lin Zheng?"

Lin Zheng nodded.

"Hello, I am Lin Hai's wife, Zhang Kexin."

"Come in quickly, my husband is waiting for you in the study."

Lin Zheng was stunned. He didn't expect that Lin Hai, who was over fifty years old, would have such a young wife. It was like an old cow eating young grass.

Zhang Kexin's place is so big, it seems Lin Hai has put in a lot of effort.

After entering, Lin Zheng placed cigarettes and a fruit basket on the table in the hall.

"Brother Lin Zheng, what are you doing? You came all this way, but you had to pull this stunt. Don't do this again next time."

As Lin Hai spoke, he took out a cigarette and handed it to Lin Zheng.

Lin Zheng took the cigarette, lit it, took a few puffs, and said, "Chief Lin, may I speak to you in private?"

Seeing Lin Zheng's serious expression, Lin Hai also stopped smiling.

"Come with me."

Lin Hai walked into the study as he spoke.

Lin Zheng followed him inside.

"Lin Zheng, what's wrong? Why do you look so serious?"

"Wang Jianguo is trying to get us."

Lin Zheng's opening remarks were a bombshell.

Upon hearing this, Lin Hai frowned, a flash of anger crossing his face.

"Lin Zheng, are you drunk?"