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

Lin Zheng was not intimidated and met Liu Biao's gaze.

"Your father's problems are his own doing, they have nothing to do with me."

"If you want to settle accounts, I'm ready anytime."

"But I'm warning you, don't get yourself involved too."

Liu Biao's face darkened: "You fucking threaten me?"

Lin Zheng did not answer, rolled up the car window, and told Deng Hong to drive.

Deng Hong glanced at the black car blocking the road, gritted her teeth, and slammed on the gas pedal.

The car sped straight past, and the driver of the unlicensed taxi was so frightened that he quickly swerved the steering wheel, and the two cars narrowly missed each other.

In the rearview mirror, Liu Biao stood still, his face ashen.

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

"Sister Deng, drive faster, we're heading back to town."

…………

There was no further news from Liu Biao for the next few days.

It's unclear whether Yang Wanshan exerted pressure or was making other plans.

Lin Zheng wasn't concerned about Liu Biao's situation; instead, he was thinking about getting back the money that had been embezzled.

Now that half of the ten-day period has passed, there has been no movement from Li Ting's side.

Lin Zheng called every day to urge him, but Wang Lin always answered the phone.

Wang Lin was very enthusiastic, always saying that President Li was raising funds and it would be done soon, but not a single penny had arrived.

Lin Zheng knew that Li Ting was stalling until he couldn't withstand the pressure and gave up on his own, and in the end, the money was left unresolved.

However, he also made two preparations, having Deng Hong sue Tianlong Engineering Company in the name of the village committee.

As soon as Deng Hong started the procedures, Li Ting received the news.

That afternoon, Lin Zheng was looking at engineering drawings in his office when his cell phone rang.

"Manager Lin, are you free tonight?"

"I'd like to invite you to dinner, firstly to apologize, and secondly to discuss that money."

The voice on the other end of the phone was Li Ting's, tinged with politeness.

Lin Zheng knew that the lawsuit had worked.

He replied casually, "Mr. Li, you're too kind. When?"

"Six o'clock tonight, Wangjiang Tower, I'll send someone to pick you up."

"No need, I'll go myself."

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

Li Ting had booked the most luxurious private room on the third floor, and a bodyguard in a black suit was standing at the door.

Upon seeing Lin Zheng, he nodded slightly and pushed open the door.

The private room was very large, about 50 square meters, and luxuriously decorated.

The table was already covered with cold dishes, and the Moutai liquor had been opened, its aroma filling the air.

Li Ting sat in the main seat, next to a woman who looked to be around thirty years old.

The woman wore a bright red halter dress with a very low neckline, revealing a patch of snow-white skin and a deep cleavage.

The skirt was very short, only reaching the upper thighs, and her fair legs were crossed, with red high heels of more than ten centimeters on her feet.

She leaned against Li Ting, her hand on his arm, her eyes languid yet alluring.

"Manager Lin, please have a seat."

Li Ting stood up with a smile and pointed to the seat opposite him.

Lin Zheng sat down, his gaze sweeping over the woman.

The woman was also sizing him up, her eyes filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

"Who is this?" Lin Zheng asked.

"My friend, Xiaoman."

"Xiaoman, pour Manager Lin some wine."

Li Ting smiled and didn't elaborate further.

Xiaoman stood up, walked to Lin Zheng's side, bent down and poured him a drink.

The neckline of her sundress opened as she bent over, revealing everything underneath.

Lin Zheng glanced at her; the black lace lingerie hugged her full curves, almost bursting out.

"Manager Lin, please."

Xiaoman's voice was soft and magnetic. After pouring the wine, she didn't leave immediately but stood beside him for a while.

The faint scent of perfume wafted into Lin Zheng's nostrils, causing his heart to race, but his face remained impassive.

"Mr. Li, you called me here today, isn't it to talk about that money?" Lin Zheng got straight to the point.

Li Ting smiled and said, "Manager Lin, don't rush. Let's eat first and talk while we eat."

He raised his glass, and Lin Zheng also raised his glass. The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, Xiaoman became increasingly lively.

She kept pouring and toasting Lin Zheng, getting closer and closer to him.

"Manager Lin, let me toast you."

Xiaoman picked up her wine glass and pressed her body against Lin Zheng's, her soft chest brushing against his arm.

Lin Zheng froze, barely suppressing his impulse, and raised his glass to clink with hers.

After Xiaoman finished her drink, she didn't immediately leave. Instead, she leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Manager Lin, you're so handsome."

Warm breath sprayed on his ear, and Lin Zheng's heart raced. He quickly moved to the side.

Li Ting saw this and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Manager Lin, Xiaoman is a famous beauty in our town. So many people want to invite her to dinner but can't get her to come."

"Mr. Li, you flatter me too much."

Xiaoman giggled and gently patted Lin Zheng's leg.

"It's truly impressive that Manager Lin became a manager at such a young age."

Her hand didn't move away, but remained on her thigh, her fingertips gently drawing circles.

Lin Zheng felt a chill run down his spine; this woman's methods were even more ruthless than Wang Lin's.

"Manager Lin, I'd like to discuss that money with you."

Li Ting finally got to the point.

Lin Zheng put down his chopsticks: "Please speak, Mr. Li."

"I can come up with five million, but I have one condition."

Li Ting lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and then said, "After the project is completed, I will take care of the market's property management."

Lin Zheng frowned: "President Li, regarding property management, the group has regulations that require a bidding process."

Li Ting exhaled a puff of smoke: "I know, that's why I was talking about privately."

"I'll collect the property management fees, and I'll give you 30% of the shares."

Thirty percent of the shares is no small amount.

After the Nanshan Market was built, the annual property management fees alone amounted to over one million yuan, and 30% of that would be 300,000 yuan.

Lin Zheng was silent for a moment: "President Li, I cannot agree to this condition."

Li Ting's face darkened: "Why?"

"This is against the rules."

"I won't do something like walking a tightrope over a cliff."

Li Ting's face turned cold upon hearing this.

"Manager Lin, you're not giving me any face."

Lin Zheng looked at Li Ting and said, "President Li, face is something we give each other."

"If you really want to pay back the money, then pay it back on time. If you don't want to pay it back, then we'll take legal action."

Li Ting's face was ashen, and the cigarette trembled between his fingers.

Xiaoman quickly smoothed things over: "Oh dear, Manager Lin, don't be angry. President Li meant well."

She stood up, reached out and grabbed Lin Zheng's arm, pressing her soft chest against his.

"Manager Lin, let's have another drink and talk things over."

Lin Zheng looked at Xiao Man, then at Li Ting, and sat down again.

Xiaoman poured him a full glass of wine, then poured one for herself and clinked glasses with him.

After finishing her drink, she didn't return to her own seat, but instead sat next to Lin Zheng, pressing her body tightly against him.

"Manager Lin, you know what? I felt an instant connection with you the moment I met you."

Xiaoman's voice was seductive as she gently stroked his thigh.

Lin Zheng grabbed her hand: "Xiaoman, don't be like this."

"What else?"

Xiaoman deliberately leaned closer, her lips almost touching his ear.

"Manager Lin, do you not like me?"

"no."

"Then why don't you dare look at me?"

As Xiaoman spoke, she reached out and cupped his face, making him turn to look at her.

Their faces were inches apart. Xiaoman's eyes were glazed over, her lips were slightly parted, and her breath carried the scent of wine and perfume.

Lin Zheng's heart was pounding, but reason told him to keep his pants on tight.

Li Ting stood up: "I'm going to the restroom. You two can continue your conversation."

After saying that, he walked out of the private room and closed the door behind him.

Only Lin Zheng and Xiao Man remained in the private room.

Xiaoman immediately took action, slowly pulling up the shoulder straps of her sundress.

The shoulder strap slipped down, and the skirt slid down as well, revealing her fair shoulders and full breasts.

The black lace lingerie hugged her stunning curves, gleaming alluringly under the light.

"Manager Lin, how about I keep you company tonight?" Xiaoman's voice was soft and seductive as she hooked her fingers around the edge of her bra and slowly pulled it down.