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

Hearing this, Deng Hong became excited and asked, "What method?"

"Yang Wanshan," Lin Zheng said, uttering three words.

Deng Hong was taken aback at first, then her face lit up with surprise.

"Do you know Mayor Yang?"

"We just met yesterday, and we've already agreed on a collaboration."

Lin Zheng briefly recounted what happened at the dinner party, but did not mention Qiu Xiuqin's matter.

Upon hearing this, Deng Hong was so excited she almost jumped up.

"With Mayor Yang's help, I'm 70% confident of winning this election."

Lin Zheng stubbed out the cigarette in his hand.

"Seventy percent isn't enough, I want one hundred percent."

"There are a few things you need to do before the election."

"What is it?"

"First, win over all the village representatives who are at odds with Liu Shanhai and promise them the benefits after the project is completed."

"Second, spread the word in the village that Liu Shanhai embezzled the land requisition funds. Don't name names, just say that someone in the village committee took the money and did nothing."

"Third, find those who were suppressed by Liu Shanhai back then and make them stand up and speak on election day."

After listening, Deng Hong nodded repeatedly: "I'll take care of these things right away."

"However, I'm worried that Liu Shanhai might resort to desperate measures."

Lin Zheng waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about using extraordinary measures, I will handle it."

"Just follow the plan, and leave the rest to me."

Deng Hong looked at Lin Zheng with eyes full of trust and reliance.

Although the man was young, he was calm and decisive in his actions, which gave her a sense of security.

"Lin Zheng, thank you," Deng Hong said softly.

"Don't thank me. What kind of relationship do we have now? Helping you is also helping myself," Lin Zheng said.

The two discussed some more details, and the discussion didn't end until noon.

After Deng Hong left, Lin Zheng took out his phone and dialed Yang Wanshan's number.

"Mayor Yang, this is Lin Zheng. I need your help with something."

"What is it? Tell me."

"I would like to ask you to help coordinate the election for the Zhuangdong Village Committee."

"We need Deng Hong to be elected as the village committee secretary so that the project can proceed smoothly."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone before Yang Wanshan's voice came through.

"This is a bit tricky."

"Wang Jianguo is the deputy mayor in charge of village committee work, and he has a close relationship with Liu Shanhaiguan."

"If I intervene directly, it would be a slap in the face to Wang Jianguo, and other leaders in the town would have objections."

Lin Zheng understood the implication in Yang Wanshan's words: he was still asking for a price.

"Mayor Yang, as long as Deng Hong is elected and the project progresses smoothly, you will have achieved a political achievement."

"Sister Liu will speak up for you with the district leaders when the time comes."

Yang Wanshan was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, I'll give it a try."

"But you'll have to handle Wang Jianguo's side yourself."

"As long as I don't publicly oppose it, the rest is up to you."

Lin Zheng hung up the phone, pondering how to win over Wang Jianguo.

He doesn't know this person, and making contact rashly could easily alert him.

The best solution would be to arrange a private meeting through Yang Wanshan.

Just then, my phone rang in my pocket. It was Qiu Xiuqin calling.

"Manager Lin, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner."

Lin Zheng was taken aback, remembering Liu Rong's reminder.

He initially wanted to refuse, but then he thought that Qiu Xiuqin was Yang Wanshan's wife and had extensive connections in Dianhai Town, so she might be able to help.

"When you have time, sister-in-law, please decide on a place."

"Then let's go to the Blue Ocean Hotel, 7 PM, see you there."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng sent Liu Rong a text message, telling her about having dinner with Qiu Xiuqin that evening.

Liu Rong quickly replied: Be careful, don't let her get you into a trap.

At 7 p.m., Lin Zheng arrived at the Blue Ocean Hotel on time.

Qiu Xiuqin was already there. She had changed into a burgundy long dress and had put on exquisite makeup, making her look even more radiant and beautiful than yesterday.

"Manager Lin, please have a seat." Qiu Xiuqin gestured to the seat opposite her.

Lin Zheng sat down, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Qiu Xiuqin's collar.

This time she wore underwear, and the neckline was very tight, so nothing could be seen.

Lin Zheng breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little disappointed.

"Sister-in-law, why didn't Mayor Yang come tonight?" he asked casually.

"He has something to do tonight, so he asked me to treat you to dinner on his behalf to thank you for driving us home last night."

As Qiu Xiuqin spoke, she poured Lin Zheng a glass of red wine.

"It was nothing, sister-in-law, you're too kind." Lin Zheng raised his wine glass.

The two clinked glasses and each took a sip.

"Manager Lin, are you in charge of that unfinished project at Zhuangdong Village Committee?" Qiu Xiuqin asked directly.

"Yes, Tenghua Group has restarted the abandoned Nanshan project, and I am the regional manager."

Qiu Xiuqin said with a half-smile, "This project won't be easy, will it?"

"I heard that Liu Shanhai doesn't want you to make progress smoothly."

Lin Zheng's heart skipped a beat; Qiu Xiuqin was testing him.

"It's not easy to handle, so we need Mayor Yang's help."

Qiu Xiuqin put down her wine glass: "Old Yang can only help you so much."

"The one who can truly help you is me."

Lin Zheng feigned confusion and asked, "What do you mean by that, sister-in-law?"

Qiu Xiuqin stated frankly, "I have been operating in Dianhai Town for more than ten years, and I know everyone in all the departments of the town well."

"I can also help you make connections with Wang Jianguo."

"You've helped me so much, what do you want in return?" Lin Zheng asked directly.

Qiu Xiuqin stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.

"Manager Lin is indeed a smart man, so I won't beat around the bush."

"After the project is completed, I want two shops. They don't need to be too big, just in a good location."

"Also, my younger brother is in the building materials business. Please take care of his project procurement."

After listening, Lin Zheng understood the situation.

Qiu Xiuqin was acting in her own self-interest, and it had nothing to do with Yang Wanshan.

Lin Zheng thought for a moment, then raised his glass: "Deal."

Qiu Xiuqin smiled with satisfaction, raised her wine glass and clinked it against his.

After a few rounds of drinks, the two became increasingly congenial.

After drinking, Qiu Xiuqin's cheeks flushed and her eyes became glazed.

She took off her coat, revealing her fair arms and shoulders, which gleamed alluringly under the light.

"Manager Lin, are you married?" she suddenly asked.

"No," Lin Zheng answered truthfully.

Do you have a girlfriend?

"No, not at all."

Qiu Xiuqin's eyes lit up immediately.

"How come a man as outstanding as you doesn't have a girlfriend?"

"I'm too busy with work to talk," Lin Zheng made up an excuse.

"That's true, for men, career is more important."

Qiu Xiuqin sighed, "No matter how busy I am, I still need someone to keep me company, otherwise I'll be so lonely at night."

Lin Zheng understood the implication in her words, and his heart skipped a beat, but he didn't respond.

The two drank a few more cups, and Qiu Xiuqin's face grew increasingly red, and her speech began to become slurred.

"Manager Lin, I...I feel a little dizzy, could you take me home?"

Lin Zheng nodded and helped her out of the hotel.

Qiu Xiuqin leaned half her body against him, her soft chest pressed against his arm, her warm breath spraying onto his neck.