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

Lin Zheng is young, but he has many tricks up his sleeve.

First, he brought down Liu Shanhai, then he got on Yang Wanshan's good side, and now even Qian Kun is speaking up for him.

If he continues like this, my position in Dianhai Town will be in jeopardy sooner or later.

Li Ting thought for a moment, then picked up the phone and dialed Wang Jianguo's number.

"Mayor Wang, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner."

"Okay, Wangjiang Tower, see you at seven."

The day passed quickly, and as soon as Li Ting got off work, he arranged for people to prepare.

Seven o'clock, Wangjiang Tower.

Li Ting booked a large private room and ordered a table full of dishes.

Besides Wang Jianguo, he also invited several town officials, all of whom were people he had a good relationship with.

After a few rounds of drinks, Li Ting raised his glass and looked at Wang Jianguo.

"Mayor Wang, I've invited you here today because there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Wang Jianguo put down his chopsticks.

"Lin Zheng from Tenghua Group has been causing a lot of trouble in Dianhai Town lately."

"First they took down Liu Shanhai, and then they got in touch with Yang Wanshan."

"Even Qian Kun came to see me today, asking me to pay back the money."

Wang Jianguo frowned: "What money?"

"The project payment from Zhuangdong Village Committee."

He wants me to pay back five million.

Wang Jianguo's face darkened: "Five million? What makes him think he can compete?"

"That amount of money wasn't something he could decide on his own."

Li Ting sighed: "That's what I said too."

"But Qian Kun said that in these special times, we need to stabilize Lin Zheng."

"Otherwise, if things escalate, it won't benefit anyone."

Wang Jianguo remained silent for a moment, then picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Does Lin Zheng really think Dianhai Town is his home?"

"Mr. Li, don't worry, I'll handle this."

"I'll find an opportunity to talk to Lin Zheng tomorrow."

Hearing this, Li Ting was overjoyed: "Then I'll have to trouble Mayor Wang."

The two clinked glasses and each drank it all.

The following afternoon, Lin Zheng, who was waiting for news in his office, received a call from Wang Jianguo.

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

Lin Zheng was taken aback, not expecting Wang Jianguo to take the initiative to contact him.

"Mayor Wang, 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."

"6 PM, Wangjiang Tower, see you there."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng felt a little puzzled.

Wang Jianguo is Liu Shanhai's immediate superior.

Logically speaking, now that Liu Shanhai has fallen, he should hate himself.

Why are you suddenly inviting me to dinner?

Could this be a trap?

Lin Zheng thought for a moment and then sent a message to Qiu Xiuqin.

"Wang Jianguo invited me to dinner tonight. What do you think he's up to?"

Qiu Xiuqin quickly replied, "It must be Li Ting asking him for help, trying to test you."

"Be careful, don't let them lead you astray."

"understood."

After Lin Zheng replied, he lit a cigarette and smoked it quietly, pondering how to deal with Wang Jianguo.

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

The private room was already full of people.

Besides Wang Jianguo, there were also Li Ting, Qian Kun, and several town officials.

The scene was bigger than he had imagined.

"Manager Lin, please have a seat," Wang Jianguo greeted him with a smile.

Lin Zheng sat down and glanced at everyone.

Li Ting sat next to Wang Jianguo, a cigarette between his fingers, a half-smile on his face.

Qian Kun sat on the other side and nodded at him.

"Manager Lin, I've invited you here today to discuss the Nanshan project."

Wang Jianguo got straight to the point, "General Manager Li told me that you went to Tianlong Company yesterday and asked him to return that project payment."

Is that true?

"Yes." Lin Zheng nodded.

"That money was pledged by Zhang Wenshan to the Zhuangdong Village Committee. After the project was suspended, the money was taken away by Tianlong Company."

"Now that the project has restarted, this money must be repaid."

Li Ting smiled and said, "Manager Lin, you're right."

"That money should indeed be repaid, but the company is currently facing a cash crunch and cannot come up with it in the short term."

Could you give me a few more days?

Lin Zheng shook his head: "President Li, the project can't wait."

"Without money, the project can't move forward, and I won't be able to explain it to the group."

Wang Jianguo interjected, "Manager Lin, don't be in such a hurry."

"Mr. Li said that the money will definitely be repaid, it just takes time."

"Could you give me a specific time?" Lin Zheng asked.

Li Ting thought for a moment and said, "Three months. I will definitely pay it back within three months."

Three months later, the daylily buds were all too cold.

Lin Zheng refused on the spot.

"Mr. Li, three months is too long, I can't wait."

Li Ting frowned, and his face darkened.

"How long do you want to last?"

"One week is the maximum timeframe I can accept."

Li Ting shook his head: "A week is impossible; the company's cash flow is indeed tight."

"If you insist on a week, then I really can't help you."

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

Wang Jianguo smoothed things over, saying, "Manager Lin, General Manager Li, please don't be in a hurry."

"This matter is negotiable; there's no need to ruin our relationship."

Qian Kun also spoke up: "Yes, everyone should take a step back."

"Mr. Li, can you pay it off within ten days?"

Li Ting thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, ten days."

"But I have one condition."

"What are the conditions?" Lin Zheng asked.

"After the project restarts, Tianlong Company will be given priority for earthwork and building materials."

Lin Zheng shook his head: "President Li, I cannot agree to this condition."

"Project procurement must go through a bidding process; it's not something I can decide on my own."

Li Ting's face darkened: "Manager Lin, you're not giving me any face."

Wang Jianguo also looked at him: "Manager Lin, President Li has already conceded, you should also concede a little."

"This matter is beneficial to everyone, why make things so tense?"

Lin Zheng paused for a moment and said, "President Li, I can promise you that, under the same conditions, I will give priority to Tianlong Company."

"But this must be done through proper procedures; it cannot be done behind closed doors."

Li Ting thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, it's settled then."

"Come on, everyone, let's have a drink and wish the project a great success."

Everyone raised their glasses and took a sip.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere eased considerably.

Wang Jianguo suddenly asked, "Manager Lin, are you very familiar with Mayor Yang?"

Lin Zheng put down his wine glass, pondered for a moment, and shook his head, saying, "We're not very familiar with each other, just some contact at work."

Wang Jianguo nodded: "Mayor Yang is very capable, but sometimes he is too radical."

"Be careful when you cooperate with him."

Lin Zheng sensed the provocation in Wang Jianguo's words and smiled, "Thank you for the reminder, Mayor Wang. I will be careful."

Li Ting also spoke up: "Manager Lin, you work in Dianhai Town, so please don't hesitate to ask if you need any help."

"We're all friends, so helping each other out is only natural."

Lin Zheng nodded: "Then thank you very much, Mr. Li."

The dinner lasted for more than two hours, ending at 9 p.m.

Lin Zheng walked out of Wangjiang Tower and let out a long sigh of relief.

Tonight's dinner party, ostensibly to discuss business, is actually a test and a show of force.

Wang Jianguo and Li Ting wanted him to back down and stop pursuing the money.

But he cannot back down, for if he does, he will never be able to stand up again.

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

Li Ting promised to repay the money within ten days, but who knows if he will change his mind then.

We must find a way to prevent him from defaulting on his debt.