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

"Have you noticed who's watching the show from behind?" Lin Zheng asked after a moment's thought.

Zhang Xiaoli paused for a moment, then thought carefully: "It seems... Zhou Zheming and Li Zhengguang haven't shown up, and the head of the investigation team from the head office is Liu Kaishan's man."

Liu Kaishan!

Lin Zheng was startled. Why was it him again?

The person Zhang Wenshan secretly talked to in the documents is him, and now the investigation team is also his people.

Could it be that the infighting between Zhang Wenhai and Chen Kexin was also orchestrated by him?

He wants to disrupt the subsidiary and then take the opportunity to install his own people to completely control the lucrative project department.

"Keep an eye on Zhang Wenhai's movements and let me know immediately if there's any news," Lin Zheng instructed.

Zhang Xiaoli nodded, then couldn't help but move closer to Lin Zheng.

"Lin Zheng, I'm so scared right now."

"If Zhang Wenhai exposes me, I'll be in big trouble too."

As she spoke, she leaned gently against Lin Zheng, her soft chest pressed against his arm, her eyes filled with dependence and allure.

Lin Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and just as he was about to speak, his phone suddenly rang.

It's Lin Xiaoyu.

He immediately got up, went to the window, and answered the phone.

"Lin Zheng, you know about the subsidiary's situation, right?"

"Old Zhang asked me to tell you that it was all Liu Kaishan's doing."

"He wanted to hurt Zhang Wenhai and Chen Kexin badly so that he could promote his own people to the top. He also wanted to get involved in the Nanshan project."

Lin Zheng said, "I understand."

Things turned out the way he expected, but for him, it might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Lin Xiaoyu's voice suddenly became soft.

I didn't sleep well last night after I got home; I kept thinking about you.

"I want to see you again tonight, at my house. Old Zhang is going to a meeting at head office tonight and won't be back all night."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zheng's heart raced.

Go to her house again?

This is so exciting!

"Okay, I'll come over tonight."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng felt both nervous and expectant.

He had just turned around when he saw Zhang Xiaoli standing behind him, her eyes filled with a hint of jealousy.

"Which woman is it? Is she prettier than me?"

Lin Zheng smiled and reached out to pinch her cheek.

"Don't overthink it, get on with the project."

Zhang Xiaoli snorted, but then took the initiative to hug his waist.

"Then will you stay with me tonight? I don't want to go home alone."

"Tonight won't work, I really have something to take care of," Lin Zheng said.

Zhang Xiaoli was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this, but she did not press the matter further.

..........

At night, the upscale villa area was completely silent.

Lin Zheng parked his car in a small alley outside the villa area, put on a baseball cap and a mask, crouched down and crossed the green belt, quietly arriving at Lin Xiaoyu's villa.

Only the second-floor bedroom in the entire villa had its lights on, with the curtains drawn tightly, letting in an ambiguous warm light.

He went around to the backyard and, following Lin Xiaoyu's instructions, entered through the small side door.

The side door wasn't locked; it opened with a gentle push.

The villa was very quiet, with only the ticking of the wall clock.

Lin Zheng tiptoed up the stairs. As soon as he reached the second-floor corridor, he saw that the bedroom door was ajar, and he could hear Lin Xiaoyu's soft voice coming from inside.

"Is this Lin Zheng? Come in quickly."

He pushed open the door and instantly held his breath.

Lin Xiaoyu was wearing a white silk nightgown with a short hem that revealed her fair and slender calves. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, and she wore light makeup. Her eyes were moist and filled with obvious longing.

The air was filled with a faint scent of perfume and the fresh fragrance of a bath.

Lin Xiaoyu walked quickly to him, hugged his waist, and pressed her cheek against his chest.

"Why are you so late? I've been waiting for you for ages."

With her soft body pressed against his, Lin Zheng felt a surge of heat throughout his body. He reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, then lowered his head and kissed her.

This kiss, suppressed for so long, was filled with a frantic longing and the thrill of forbidden passion.

Lin Xiaoyu responded enthusiastically, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, standing on tiptoe, and pressing her body completely against his.

The silk nightgowns were light and smooth, and the two of them couldn't help but tremble slightly the moment their skin touched.

Lin Zheng pinned her against the bedroom wall, his large hand slowly moving upwards along her waist, touching her delicate skin.

Lin Xiaoyu felt weak all over, let out a suppressed groan, and her eyes were glazed over.

"No...not here, go to bed..."

She murmured softly, her voice trembling with tears.

Lin Zheng picked her up, walked to the bedside, and gently put her down.

Lin Xiaoyu lay on the bed, her eyes alluring, and took the initiative to reach out and unbutton his shirt.

The warm fingertips brushed against his firm chest muscles, making Lin Zheng stiffen.

A forbidden pleasure swept over them; they both knew they were dancing on a knife's edge.

Zhang Wanquan could return at any time, and once discovered, everything will be over.

But the more dangerous it is, the more it makes people succumb.

Just as the two were about to cross the final line, unable to restrain themselves, a loud bang suddenly came from downstairs.

It sounded like a door being pushed open forcefully.

Immediately following was Zhang Wanquan's familiar roar.

"Lin Xiaoyu, get down here!"

Lin Zheng and Lin Xiaoyu turned deathly pale instantly, their blood seemingly freezing in their veins.

Zhang Wanquan is back!

Didn't he say he wouldn't be back all night?

"It's over... it's over..."

"Why did he suddenly come back?"

Lin Xiaoyu was so frightened that she trembled all over, and tears were about to come out.

Lin Zheng's mind raced as he whispered, "You go and keep him calm, I'll hide in the closet."

There was only one large wardrobe in the bedroom, which was the only place to hide.

Lin Xiaoyu nodded hurriedly, frantically tidying her nightgown and hair, her face as pale as paper.

Lin Zheng quickly crawled into the wardrobe, gently closed the door, leaving only a crack, and held his breath, not daring to make a sound.

The closet was filled with Lin Xiaoyu's perfume scent. He could clearly hear his own rapid heartbeat and the approaching footsteps of Zhang Wanquan downstairs.

"What were you doing upstairs just now? Why was the door locked?"

Zhang Wanquan's voice was filled with anger as he reached the bedroom door.

Lin Xiaoyu forced herself to remain calm: "I...I just took a shower and am changing clothes, what's wrong?"

"Didn't you say you weren't coming back?"

"The head office meeting was canceled at the last minute. I came back to get a document."

Zhang Wanquan glanced around the bedroom and said coldly, "I think I heard a man's voice upstairs just now when I was downstairs."

Lin Zheng hid in the closet, his heart nearly leaping out of his throat.

Lin Xiaoyu stiffened, then quickly laughed and said, "You misheard. It was just me. It was probably the TV. Have you been tired lately? You're always so suspicious."

Zhang Wanquan clearly didn't believe it. His gaze fell on the messy bed and the scattered men's leather shoes on the floor, which Lin Zheng had dropped in his panic.

Lin Zheng saw the pair of leather shoes through the gap in the wardrobe, and his whole body instantly turned ice-cold.

Oh no, we're going to be found out this time!

Zhang Wanquan's gaze was fixed on the leather shoes, his face instantly darkening as he walked step by step toward the bed.

Lin Xiaoyu also saw the leather shoes, her face turned pale, and she was so frightened that she almost jumped out of her skin.