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

Lin Zheng could no longer control himself and picked her up, carrying her into the lounge of the private room.

The door closed, and the two fell onto the bed.

Qiu Xiuqin seemed like a different person, proactive and wild, making Lin Zheng almost unable to handle her.

She has practiced yoga and has excellent flexibility, enabling her to perform various challenging poses.

After more than an hour of fussing, Qiu Xiuqin finally collapsed into his arms, her face flushed with satisfaction.

"Lin Zheng, you're amazing," she said softly, drawing circles on his chest with her finger.

"Sister-in-law, you're not bad either." Lin Zheng lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

Qiu Xiuqin smiled and looked up at him.

"Don't call me sister-in-law anymore, call me Xiuqin."

"Okay." Lin Zheng nodded.

After a short while of tenderness, Qiu Xiuqin got up and dressed.

"I will take care of what you just mentioned."

"The person in charge of engineering projects in the town is Qian Kun, who is one of Wang Jianguo's men and has a good relationship with Li Ting."

"However, I have some connections with him, so I'll go talk to him tomorrow."

Lin Zheng was secretly delighted: "Thank you, Sister Xiuqin."

"Don't thank me. You've made me feel so comfortable, it's only right that I help you."

Qiu Xiuqin kissed him: "But you must remember, you can't let Lao Yang know about this."

"Don't worry, I'm very tight-lipped."

Qiu Xiuqin smiled with satisfaction, straightened her clothes, and left the private room.

Lin Zheng lay in bed, his mind a jumbled mess.

He had a relationship with Qiu Xiuqin. How will he face Yang Wanshan afterward?

But then I thought, what's done is done, and there's no use in regretting it.

The most important thing now is to get that money back and move the project forward.

We'll talk about other things later.

...............

The next afternoon, Qiu Xiuqin arranged to meet Qian Kun at Wangjiang Tower.

Qian Kun was in his early forties, tall and thin, and wore gold-rimmed glasses, giving him a refined appearance.

He was wearing a white shirt with the cuffs rolled up to his elbows, and an expensive watch on his wrist.

"Sister-in-law, it's been a long time."

Qian Kun greeted her with a smile, his gaze lingering on Qiu Xiuqin for a few seconds.

Qiu Xiuqin got straight to the point: "Director Qian, I asked you out today because I need your help with something."

"Sister-in-law, you said you would help me if it's within my power."

"You know about that abandoned Nanshan project of Tenghua Group, right?"

Qian Kun nodded: "I know, what's wrong?"

"The project manager, Lin Zheng, is the younger brother of a friend of mine, and he's running into some trouble now."

"What's the trouble?"

"Tianlong Engineering Company embezzled 14 million yuan of project funds and is now refusing to return them."

"Without this money, the project can't move forward."

Qian Kun frowned: "Sister-in-law, this is not a good matter."

"You know Li Ting, he has powerful backers, and it's not something I can resolve with just a few words."

"Of course I know it won't be easy, that's why I came to you."

Qiu Xiuqin poured him a cup of tea.

"Director Qian, you've been in charge of engineering projects in Dianhai Town for so many years, and you've cooperated with Tianlong Company more than once or twice."

"If you just ask, Li Ting will give you some face."

Qian Kun remained silent for a moment, then picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Sister-in-law, may I ask, what exactly is your relationship with this Lin Zheng?"

"He deserves your help."

Qiu Xiuqin smiled and said, "Like I said, he's my friend's younger brother."

"If Director Qian doesn't believe me, he can go and check."

"I believe it, of course I believe it."

Qian Kun put down his teacup and glanced at Qiu Xiuqin.

"Sister-in-law, I can help with this, but on one condition."

"What are the conditions?"

"After Liu Shanhai fell from grace, several positions became vacant at the Zhuangdong Village Committee."

"I want to arrange for someone to go in."

Qiu Xiuqin frowned: "Director Qian, you're taking advantage of my misfortune."

"Sister-in-law, don't say that. This is called mutual benefit."

"You help me arrange people, and I'll help you persuade Li Ting."

"It benefits everyone, so why not?"

Qiu Xiuqin thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, I promise you."

"But let me make this clear from the start: if the people you send don't do anything clean, don't blame me for turning against you."

Qian Kun smiled and said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law, my men know what they're doing."

The two chatted for a few more minutes before Qian Kun got up to take his leave.

As he reached the door, he suddenly turned back.

"Sister-in-law, is that Lin Zheng really just your friend's younger brother?"

Qiu Xiuqin remained unfazed: "Otherwise what?"

Qian Kun smiled, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Qiu Xiuqin sat in the private room, picked up her teacup and took a sip, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

She took out her phone and sent a message to Lin Zheng.

"It's all settled. Qian Kun agreed to help, and he'll talk to Li Ting tomorrow."

Lin Zheng quickly replied, "Thank you, Sister Xiuqin."

"Don't thank me, just treat me to dinner tonight."

"it is good."

The next morning, Qian Kun arrived at Tianlong Engineering Company.

Li Ting was working on documents in his office when he saw Qian Kun enter, and he quickly got up to greet him.

"Director Qian, what brings you here?"

"Mr. Li, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Qian Kun sat down and accepted the cigarettes that Li Ting offered him.

"What is it?"

"Do you know about that abandoned project in Zhuangdong Village?"

Li Ting nodded: "I know, people from Tenghua Group came to see me yesterday."

"They want that payment for the project back."

Qian Kun exhaled a puff of smoke: "So what are you planning to do?"

Li Ting smiled and said, "Director Qian, I didn't take that money all by myself."

"People from the town, the district, and the senior management of Tenghua Group have all received their share."

"It's not fair that you make me throw up all by myself, is it?"

Qian Kun nodded: "I know, but these are special times."

"Liu Shanhai just fell from grace, and the higher-ups are keeping a close eye on Dianhai Town."

"If this matter escalates, it will benefit no one."

Li Ting frowned: "Director Qian means I should return the money?"

"Not all of it will be returned; we'll return a portion first to appease Lin Zheng."

"Take it slow, we'll talk about it after things calm down."

Li Ting paused for a moment, then asked, "How much is 'partial'?"

Five million.

"Five million?"

Li Ting's face darkened. "Director Qian, are you trying to kill me?"

"I don't have that much cash on hand right now."

Qian Kun waved his hand: "Mr. Li, don't try to play the poor card with me."

"You've worked in Dianhai Town for so many years, you should be able to come up with five million."

"If you really can't come up with the money, I can help you think of a way."

"What method?" Li Ting asked.

"There's a construction project in town that's going to be put out to tender next month. I can put in a good word for you."

"If you can secure this project, you can earn back the five million very quickly."

Li Ting's eyes lit up: "Director Qian, are you serious?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Li Ting thought for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, I promise you."

"But let me make this clear from the start: I can pay back five million, but if Lin Zheng tries to collect the rest, you'll have to protect me."

Qian Kun smiled: "Don't worry, Mr. Li, as long as you stay in Dianhai Town, I won't let you suffer any losses."

The two reached an agreement, and Qian Kun left satisfied.

Li Ting sat in his office, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

Five million, though a lot, is nothing to him.

What he was really worried about was Lin Zheng himself.