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

The next day, as soon as Lin Zheng arrived at his office, his cell phone rang.

The caller ID showed an unknown number.

"Manager Lin, this is Liu Shanhai."

As soon as the call connected, Liu Shanhai's somewhat polite voice came from the other end.

"Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner, partly to welcome you back, and partly to discuss the project."

You can't sit still anymore?

Lin Zheng sneered inwardly and replied, "Secretary Liu, you're too kind. I should be the one treating you."

"Not at all, you're the guest and I'm the host, this meal must be on me."

Liu Shanhai spoke warmly, as if he were an old friend he hadn't seen for many years.

"At six o'clock tonight, I'll send someone to pick you up at Wangjiang Tower in town."

"No need to trouble yourself, I can go by myself."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair.

Liu Shanhai's move was a trap.

He thought for a moment, then took out his phone and called Chen Li.

"Do me a favor tonight."

"What is it?"

"Wait for me at the back gate of Wangjiang Tower around eight o'clock. I will send you a message then."

Chen Li didn't ask any further questions and agreed.

At 6 p.m., Lin Zheng arrived at Wangjiang Tower on time.

This is an antique-style building with blue bricks and gray tiles, and many luxury cars are parked in front of it.

Liu Shanhai was already waiting in the lobby, with a woman in her early thirties standing beside him.

The woman wore a beige cheongsam, had a plump figure, long hair, and light makeup, with a hint of worldliness in her eyes and brows.

"Manager Lin, welcome, welcome."

Liu Shanhai greeted him with a smile and warmly shook Lin Zheng's hand.

"This is Li Qiuping, the village's women's director. I specially invited her to accompany us today."

Women's Director?

Lin Zheng looked Li Qiuping up and down, then smiled and extended his hand: "Hello, Director Li."

Li Qiuping's hands were soft and warm. As they shook hands, her fingertips lightly brushed against Lin Zheng's palm, carrying a hint of provocation.

"Manager Lin is so young and handsome."

Li Qiuping's voice was soft, her gaze lingering on Lin Zheng.

"Director Li, you flatter me."

Lin, the politician, angrily withdrew his hand and followed Liu Shanhai upstairs.

The private rooms on the third floor are luxuriously decorated, with mahogany tables and chairs, crystal chandeliers, and calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hanging on the walls.

Cold dishes were already laid out on the table, and the Moutai liquor had been opened, its aroma filling the air.

"Please have a seat, Manager Lin."

Liu Shanhai led Lin Zheng to the seat next to the head of the table, and sat in the head seat himself, while Li Qiuping sat next to Lin Zheng.

"Just the three of us?" Lin Zheng asked deliberately.

"It's just the three of us today; it's inconvenient to talk if there are too many people."

Liu Shanhai picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for Lin Zheng.

"Manager Lin, this glass of wine is for you. Welcome to invest in Dianhai Town."

Lin Zheng picked up his wine glass, clinked it with Liu Shanhai's, and drank it all in one gulp.

The wine was good, smooth and mellow, but Lin Zheng dared not drink too much.

He knew there was something fishy about the wine tonight.

Liu Shanhai clearly saw his concerns and said with a smile, "Manager Lin, don't worry, this wine is from my personal collection, there's absolutely no problem with it."

"Of course I trust Secretary Liu's wine," Lin Zheng replied with a smile.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, Liu Shanhai got down to business.

"Manager Lin, what are Tenghua Group's plans for the Nanshan project?"

"First, solve the demolition problem, then build roads, and finally build the market," Lin Zheng said simply.

"Demolition is difficult. Those few households are asking for too much money, and the town has tried to mediate several times without success."

Liu Shanhai sighed, looking worried.

"That's why we need Secretary Liu's help. You have a high reputation in the village, and your word is more effective than us running around like crazy," Lin Zheng flattered.

Liu Shanhai waved his hand: "I'm just a gofer; the real decision-makers are the town."

The two chatted for over an hour, taking turns talking.

Lin Zheng had drunk quite a bit of alcohol; his face was flushed, and his speech became slurred.

"Secretary Liu... I... I can't go on, I'll get drunk if I drink any more."

He waved his hand and swayed slightly.

Li Qiuping quickly helped him up: "Manager Lin, are you alright?"

"No...it's nothing, I'm just a little dizzy."

Lin Zheng leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-open and half-closed.

Seeing this, Liu Shanhai gave Li Qiuping a wink.

"Qiuping, help Manager Lin upstairs to the lounge to lie down for a while. I'll go ask the waiter to make some hangover soup."

"Okay, Secretary Liu." Li Qiuping helped Lin Zheng up and walked towards the door.

Lin Zheng leaned half his body against her, and a faint scent of perfume and the unique fragrance of a woman wafted from his nose.

Li Qiuping's cheongsam was very thin, and you could feel the warmth of her body through the fabric.

The two left the private room and followed the corridor to a room at the end.

Li Qiuping pushed open the door and helped Lin Zheng inside.

The room wasn't big; it had a bed, a wardrobe, and a private bathroom.

Li Qiuping helped Lin Zheng sit down on the bed, then turned around and closed the door.

"Manager Lin, please lie down for a while. I'll go get you a glass of water."

She walked to the table to pour water, her back to Lin Zheng, her cheongsam outlining her slender waist and full hips.

Lin Zheng leaned against the bed, squinting at her.

He knew that the main event of the night was about to begin.

Li Qiuping walked over with a water glass, sat down on the edge of the bed, and handed the water to Lin Zheng.

"Manager Lin, have some water."

Lin Zheng took the water glass, took a sip, and then placed the glass on the bedside table.

"Director Li, how long have you been working in this village?"

"It's been more than three years."

As Li Qiuping spoke, she leaned closer to Lin Zheng.

"Manager Lin, what do you think of me?"

"He's very good, polite, and warm-hearted," Lin Zheng said casually.

"So...do you like me?"

Li Qiuping suddenly asked this question, her gaze fixed on Lin Zheng.

Lin Zheng knew that the widow was about to take action.

"Director Li, you've had too much to drink."

"I didn't drink too much."

Li Qiuping shook her head and reached out to grab Lin Zheng's hand.

"Manager Lin, I liked you from the first moment I saw you."

Her voice was soft, with a slight tremor.

Lin Zheng looked at her without saying a word.

Li Qiuping bit her lip, slowly stood up, and reached for the zipper of her cheongsam.

Her cheongsam slipped down, revealing her fair shoulders and full chest.

She was only wearing a black lace bra underneath, with very little fabric.

"Manager Lin, how about I keep you company tonight?"

Li Qiuping's voice was seductive as she slowly moved closer to Lin Zheng.

Lin Zheng's heart raced, and his blood rushed to his head.

He knew this was a trap set by Liu Shanhai.

Whenever he had a relationship with Li Qiuping, people would rush in to take pictures.

When the time comes, Liu Shanhai will use these photos to threaten him, and he will have no choice but to obey.

Lin Zheng took a deep breath and suppressed the impulse in his heart.

"Director Li, you did this at Liu Shanhai's behest, didn't you?"

Li Qiuping's body stiffened, and her expression changed instantly.

"What...what did you say?"

Stop pretending.

Lin Zheng sat up straight and looked directly at her.

"How much money did Liu Shanhai pay you to seduce me?"

Li Qiuping's face was deathly pale, and her lips trembled as she was unable to speak.

"Ten thousand? Twenty thousand?" Lin Zheng continued to press.

Li Qiuping lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Manager Lin, I... I was forced into it."

"Forced? Who forced you?"

"Liu Shanhai".

Li Qiuping finally spoke, her voice trembling with tears.

"He has something on me."

"If I don't listen to him, he'll make those things public."

"What leverage?"

Li Qiuping gritted her teeth, as if she were having a fierce internal struggle.

Several seconds later, she looked up.

"Three years ago, after my husband passed away, I was raising my child alone, and life was very difficult."

"Liu Shanhai said he could help me by making me the women's director in the village and even arranging a job for me."

"I thought he was a good person, so...so I got together with him."

"Later I found out that he wasn't genuinely trying to help me; he just wanted to take advantage of me."

"He has photos of me and him."

"If I don't listen to him, he'll publish the photos and make it impossible for me to stay in the village."

As Li Qiuping spoke, tears finally streamed down her face.

Lin Zheng was furious after hearing this.

Liu Shanhai is a beast; he is not only corrupt, but he also abuses his power to bully widows.

"What did he ask you to do tonight?"

"Let me take you to this room, and...let me sleep with you."