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

Lin Zheng immediately nodded: "That's a good idea, I'll arrange it right away."

Yang Wanshan waved his hand: "No rush, there's one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Liu Shanhai also arranged for people to participate in the election."

"This man is Zhang Zhicheng. He is a member of the village committee and also a confidant of Liu Shanhai."

"If something happens to Liu Shanhai, Zhang Zhicheng is his backup plan."

Lin Zheng frowned deeply: "Does Mayor Yang mean that Liu Shanhai will push Zhang Zhicheng to take over?"

"That's right."

Yang Wanshan nodded: "Liu Shanhai knows that his reputation is not good and that there may be problems in this election, so he made preparations in advance."

"Even if he doesn't get elected himself, we should make Zhang Zhicheng take his place to ensure that his people still have the final say in the village."

Deng Hong's expression changed: "This Zhang Zhicheng is no good either. He's done a lot of bad things with Liu Shanhai."

"So, you not only have to bring down Liu Shanhai, but also Zhang Zhicheng."

As Yang Wanshan spoke, he took a document from the drawer and pushed it in front of Lin Zheng.

"These are Zhang Zhicheng's materials, take a look."

Lin Zheng took the document, opened it, and found it was full of Zhang Zhicheng's dirty secrets over the years.

He embezzled, accepted bribes, and oppressed the villagers—he did it all.

"Mayor Yang, where did you get these materials from?"

"Don't worry about where I got it from, as long as it's useful."

"Tomorrow is the election. You not only have to expose Liu Shanhai, but also reveal all these things."

"I will be on stage to preside over the event. As long as you produce the evidence, I will announce the disqualification of Zhang Zhicheng from running for office on the spot."

Lin Zheng and Deng Hong exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes.

With Yang Wanshan's support, their chances of winning this election have increased even further.

"Mayor Yang, thank you."

"Don't thank me, I'm doing this for the development of Dianhai Town."

"Liu Shanhai has been operating in Dianhai Town for more than ten years, turning Zhuangdong Village Committee into a mess."

"I've wanted to get to him for a long time, but I just haven't had the chance."

"Now that you're here, you can do me this favor."

Lin Zheng understood the meaning behind Yang Wanshan's words.

This is telling him that they are all in the same boat.

"Mayor Yang, rest assured, we will definitely not let you down."

Yang Wanshan turned around and patted Lin Zheng on the shoulder.

"Do a good job, and I won't treat you unfairly after it's done."

The two left the town government building after 9 p.m.

Deng Hong drove Lin Zheng back to the hotel, and the two did not speak to each other on the way.

When they arrived at the hotel entrance, Deng Hong stopped the car and looked at Lin Zheng.

"Lin Zheng, do you think we can win this election?"

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, and said, "As long as we follow the plan, we will definitely win."

Deng Hong nodded, then suddenly reached out and grasped Lin Zheng's hand.

"Lin Zheng, thank you."

"Don't thank me, we're in the same boat now."

Lin Zheng patted the back of her hand.

"Go back and rest early, there's a tough battle to fight tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Liu Shanhai is also preparing for tomorrow's election.

He gathered a few trusted confidants at home to discuss countermeasures for tomorrow.

"Secretary Liu, Deng Hong has been making quite a few moves lately, winning over several village representatives."

Zhang Zhicheng said, his face showing worry.

Liu Shanhai waved his hand: "They're just a few village representatives; they can't cause any big trouble."

"I've been operating in the village for so many years, and my roots are much deeper than hers."

"As long as those village chiefs stand on our side, we will win the election."

Zhang Zhicheng was still somewhat worried.

"Lin Zheng and Deng Hong are very close. I've heard that this person is not simple."

"not simple?"

Liu Shanhai scoffed, "He's just a pawn that Tenghua Group has abandoned."

"I've already taken care of things in town; no one can cause any trouble."

Several trusted confidants nodded in agreement, praising Liu Shanhai's wisdom.

Liu Shanhai waved his hand, dismissing the crowd.

He and a woman were left alone in the room.

The woman, wearing a nightgown, had a voluptuous figure; she was the one who had been with him in the private room last night.

"Secretary Liu, don't think about those worries anymore, get some rest."

The woman walked over and put her arms around Liu Shanhai's neck.

Liu Shanhai put his arm around her waist and slipped his hand inside her nightgown.

"You're so kind, you know how to care about me."

The woman chuckled and lay down on the bed.

Liu Shanhai pressed down on him, and the two became entangled.

......

The next morning, the Zhuangdong Village Committee Square became lively.

The election was held in the village committee meeting room, with representatives from both the town and district governments coming down to supervise.

Yang Wanshan personally presided over the event, and Wang Jianguo, the deputy mayor in charge, also attended.

Liu Shanhai, along with Zhang Zhicheng and others, arrived at the venue early and greeted the familiar village representatives.

Deng Hong, accompanied by several village representatives who supported her, sat on the other side of the meeting room.

Lin Zheng stood in the corner, his gaze sweeping across the meeting room; everything was proceeding according to plan.

The election officially began at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting room was full of people. Yang Wanshan, Wang Jianguo, and the supervisors sent by the district were sitting on the stage.

Liu Shanhai sat in the first row below the stage, with Zhang Zhicheng and several other confidants beside him.

Deng Hong sat on the other side, surrounded by several village representatives who supported her.

Lin Zheng stood at the very back, his gaze sweeping across the hall.

Yang Wanshan cleared his throat and announced the start of the election.

"Today we are electing the village committee secretary of Zhuangdong Village. According to procedure, the candidates will first give campaign speeches, and then the village representatives will vote."

"Now, please welcome our first candidate, Comrade Liu Shanhai, to the stage."

Liu Shanhai stood up, straightened his suit, and strode onto the stage.

He stood in front of the microphone, his gaze sweeping across the audience, a confident smile on his face.

"Distinguished leaders, honored representatives, good afternoon."

"I am Liu Shanhai, and I have served as the Party Secretary of Zhuangdong Village for twelve years."

"Over the past twelve years, I've done a lot for the village: repairing roads, building schools, attracting businesses..."

"Of course, I also know that some people have opinions about me, saying that I embezzled the village's money and that I bullied the people."

"These are all rumors; someone is deliberately trying to smear me."

"I'm standing here today to tell everyone that I, Liu Shanhai, am upright and honest, and I have nothing to fear from anyone who might slander me."

"If you trust me, please continue to support me. I will live up to your expectations, lead the team well, and build the sixteen villages under the jurisdiction of Zhuangdong Village Committee into even better communities."

Sparse applause rang out from the audience, mostly from Liu Shanhai's people.

Wang Jianguo led the applause, a smile on his face.

Yang Wanshan remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping over Liu Shanhai without saying a word.

"Please welcome our second candidate, Comrade Deng Hong, to the stage."

Deng Hong stood up, took a deep breath, and walked onto the stage.

She was wearing a business suit, her hair was up, and she had light makeup on, making her look very capable.

"Distinguished leaders, honored representatives, good afternoon."

"I am Deng Hong, and I have served as the village committee director in Zhuangdong Village for eight years."

"I am standing here today to run for secretary, not for power, but to make Zhuangdong Village Committee better."

"The village has encountered many problems over the years. Land expropriation funds have been misappropriated, projects have been halted, and the villagers are full of complaints."

"What is the root cause of these problems? It is that some people are corrupt and abuse their power for personal gain."

As Deng Hong spoke, her gaze fell upon Liu Shanhai.

Liu Shanhai's face darkened, but he remained silent.

"I promise here today that if I am elected secretary, the first thing I will do is to recover the misappropriated land expropriation funds, restart the stalled projects, and give the people an explanation."

A round of applause erupted from the audience, much more enthusiastic than the applause Liu Shanhai had given earlier.

Liu Shanhai's expression turned even uglier.

Yang Wanshan's lips curled up slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Now, delegates, please vote."

Voting began, and the meeting room fell silent.

The delegates took turns going up on stage and casting their ballots into the ballot box.

Lin Zheng stood behind, his eyes fixed on Liu Shanhai's direction.

Liu Shanhai looked very calm, as if victory was assured.

Zhang Zhicheng and the others also looked relaxed, occasionally whispering to each other.

Deng Hong sat in the audience, her hands clenched tightly, her palms sweaty.