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

As Lin Zheng walked out of the head office building, his face was ashen.

Within a month, the money arrived, and construction began.

This is simply an impossible task.

But he couldn't refuse.

If he doesn't agree, Ma Cuihua can make him leave right now.

I agreed; I have at least a month to figure out a way to negotiate.

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and pondered how to break the deadlock.

We can't wait any longer with Li Ting; we need to find a way to make him obediently pay back the money.

For project permits, you need to contact Yang Wanshan.

Deng Hong also needs to discuss the demolition compensation as soon as possible, and see if she can talk to those households about installment payments first.

The easiest breakthrough point at present is Zhou Hailong.

He's been having an affair with Ma Cuihua for a long time, so he must know a lot about her.

If we can find a way to get through him, we might be able to control Ma Cuihua.

After thinking about it, Lin Zheng decided to have a talk with Lin Xiaoyu.

Lin Xiaoyu worked in the group's administration department and knew many people.

Moreover, she and Zhou Hailong were classmates and had a good relationship.

If we can get Zhou Hailong's background information out of Lin Xiaoyu, we might find a breakthrough.

After finishing a cigarette, Lin Zheng took out his phone and dialed Lin Xiaoyu's number.

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

"My dear husband, you finally remembered to call me."

On the other end of the phone, Lin Xiaoyu's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"I miss you, is that not allowed?"

"Stop being so cheeky, do you need something from me?"

Lin Zheng smiled and said, "You can see through everything. There is something I'd like to ask for your help with."

"What is it? Tell me."

"It's not convenient to talk on the phone, let's meet tonight to chat."

"Okay, come to my place tonight. Old Zhang is here too, we can have dinner together."

Hearing this, Lin Zheng's heart skipped a beat.

Go to her house?

Is Zhang Wanquan there too?

Last time, Zhang Wanquan almost caught him at the villa. Is he going to go again this time?

Lin Zheng thought for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, what time?"

"Six o'clock."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng took a deep breath.

Let's go, it's not like it's the first time.

At 6 p.m., Lin Zheng arrived at Zhang Wanquan's house on time.

Lin Zheng rang the doorbell, and Lin Xiaoyu quickly came to open the door.

Today she wore a beige loungewear dress; the soft, form-fitting fabric accentuated her curvaceous figure.

Her hair was loosely tied back, with a few wisps falling beside her ears. She wore light makeup and looked gentle and domestic.

"Come in quickly, Old Zhang is reading the newspaper in the living room."

Lin Xiaoyu stepped aside to let him in, her gaze lingering on him for a few seconds.

Lin Zheng walked into the living room, where Zhang Wanquan was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper, wearing reading glasses and looking focused.

"Mr. Zhang, I'm sorry to bother you," Lin Zhengyi greeted him irritably.

Zhang Wanquan looked up and smiled: "You're here? Sit down. Xiaoyu, go cook, let's chat."

Lin Zheng sat down and accepted the cigarettes Zhang Wanquan offered him.

The two smoked cigarettes and chatted idly.

Lin Xiaoyu was busy in the kitchen, the sounds of pots and pans clattering and the sizzling of cooking oil filling the air.

Lin Zheng sat for a while, then stood up: "Mr. Zhang, I'll go to the kitchen to see if there's anything I can help with."

"Go ahead, Xiaoyu can't handle it all by herself." Zhang Wanquan said without even looking up.

Lin Zheng walked into the kitchen. Lin Xiaoyu was chopping vegetables. She turned around and glanced at him when she heard footsteps.

"How did you get in?"

"Come help."

"Can you cook?"

"I know a little."

Lin Zheng walked to her side and took the kitchen knife from her hand.

Their hands touched, and Lin Xiaoyu trembled slightly but did not pull away.

"Go wash the vegetables, I'll chop them," Lin Zheng said in a low voice.

Lin Xiaoyu nodded and walked to the sink to wash the vegetables.

The kitchen wasn't big; it felt a bit cramped for two people to stand inside.

As Lin Xiaoyu bent over to wash the vegetables, her skirt slipped up a bit, revealing her fair calves.

Lin Zheng's gaze swept over the area, and his heart raced.

"Xiaoyu, you know Zhou Hailong, right?" he asked in a low voice.

Lin Xiaoyu was taken aback: "I know him, so what?"

"He is Ma Cuihua's assistant, and I want to find out more about him."

"Why are you asking him that?"

"Ma Cuihua set a trap for me. She said that if the money wasn't in place within a month, the road construction wouldn't start, and she would have to let me go."

"I want to find a breakthrough by dealing with Zhou Hailong."

Lin Xiaoyu was silent for a moment: "Zhou Hailong is not a easy person to deal with."

"He was my college classmate. His family wasn't well-off, but he climbed to where he is today through his own hard work."

"He is very smart and cautious, so it's not easy to find fault with him."

"but......"

Lin Xiaoyu paused for a moment: "He has a weakness."

"What weakness?"

"He's a gambler."

"I liked gambling in college, and I haven't changed it after graduation."

"It's said he owes a lot of gambling debts and has been trying to find a way to pay them off."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zheng's eyes lit up immediately.

"Whom does he owe gambling debts to?"

"I don't know about that, you can look it up."

"He has several regular gambling dens in Haidong City. You should be able to find out if you ask around there."

"Okay, I'll check it out tomorrow." Lin Zheng nodded.

As they talked, their bodies unconsciously drew closer and closer.

After washing the vegetables, Lin Xiaoyu turned around and found Lin Zheng standing right behind her, the two of them very close.

She could smell the tobacco and faint masculine scent on him, and her heart suddenly raced.

"Lin Zheng..."

She spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Lin Zheng looked at her, his gaze lingering on her lips.

Lin Xiaoyu's lips were full, painted with light pink lipstick, and gleamed alluringly under the light.

"Xiaoyu, your dress looks really nice today," Lin Zheng said softly.

Lin Xiaoyu blushed and patted his chest.

"Stop talking nonsense, Old Zhang is outside."

"I know."

Lin Zheng didn't back away; instead, he took half a step forward, his body almost touching hers.

Lin Xiaoyu felt weak all over, wanting to push him away but unable to bear it.

"You...you stay away from me, Old Zhang will see."

"No, he's reading the newspaper."

As Lin Zheng spoke, he reached out and gently embraced her waist.

Lin Xiaoyu stiffened, biting her lip, and looked through the kitchen door into the living room.

Zhang Wanquan was still sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, not even glancing this way.

"Lin Zheng...you've gone mad..."

Her voice trembled, but she did not struggle.

Lin Zheng lowered his head and kissed her neck, his warm lips pressed against her delicate skin.

Lin Xiaoyu trembled and let out a suppressed groan.

She tried to push Lin Zheng away, but her hands involuntarily wrapped around his neck.

"No...not here..."

"Where is it?"

Lin Zheng's hand moved up from her waist and touched the neckline of her house dress.

Lin Xiaoyu bit her lip, her eyes unfocused.

"Go...go to the storage room..."