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

Two hours after the battle ended, Qiu Xiuqin drove Lin Zheng back.

The car drove through the night, and the interior was quiet, with only the low rumble of the engine.

Qiu Xiuqin held the steering wheel with one hand and rested the other hand on the gear lever, her fingertips tapping lightly.

Lin Zheng leaned back in the passenger seat, his mind filled with the images from the private room.

Qiu Xiuqin squatted by the window, looking up at his eyes, and at her...

He shook his head, not daring to think about it anymore.

"What's wrong?" Qiu Xiuqin glanced at him.

"It's nothing." Lin Zheng sat up straight.

Qiu Xiuqin smiled but didn't say anything.

The car stopped at a red light, and she turned to look at Lin Zheng.

"Lin Zheng, remember two things when you talk to Wang Jianguo."

"First, don't mention Li Zhengang to him. Just say you want to cooperate with him."

"Second, don't bring up conditions yourself; let him speak for himself."

Lin Zheng nodded: "I've got it."

When the red light turned green, Qiu Xiuqin stepped on the gas, and the car continued to move forward.

After a while, she spoke again: "Lin Zheng, to be honest, what do you think of me?"

Lin Zheng was taken aback: "Sister Xiuqin, you're very kind."

"Where is it good?" Qiu Xiuqin pressed.

Lin Zheng thought for a moment: "She's beautiful, has a good temperament, and is reliable."

"Anything else?"

"And..." Lin Zheng didn't know what to say.

Qiu Xiuqin laughed: "You don't dare to say it?"

"There's nothing I'm afraid to say," Lin Zheng said through gritted teeth.

"Sister Xiuqin, you're really good at flirting, your technique is top-notch."

Qiu Xiuqin laughed out loud: "So, did I manage to flirt with you?"

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette and smoked it, without answering.

Qiu Xiuqin didn't press further, already understanding Lin Zheng's meaning.

She parked her car at the entrance of a residential complex.

"arrive."

Lin Zheng paused for a moment and looked out the window.

This is not where he lives; it is Qiu Xiuqin's home.

"Sister Xiuqin, isn't this...?"

"I know." Qiu Xiuqin turned off the engine and turned to look at him.

"I don't want to go back alone, will you come with me?"

Lin Zheng's heart raced, and he opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Qiu Xiuqin reached out and stroked his face, her fingertips gently tracing his lips.

"Lin Zheng, do you know that Lao Yang hasn't touched me for months?"

"He's busy outside all day, and when he gets home he just collapses into bed."

"I'm all alone in that big house, and I feel really lonely."

Lin Zheng looked at her, and a feeling of pity welled up in his heart.

"Sister Xiuqin..."

Qiu Xiuqin interrupted him: "Don't talk, kiss me."

As she spoke, she leaned in and kissed his lips.

Lin Zheng did not dodge and responded to her kiss.

The two kissed in the car for a long time until they were out of breath before they separated.

Qiu Xiuqin pressed her forehead against his, her breathing rapid.

"Lin Zheng, will you come up with me?"

Looking at the expectation in her eyes, Lin Zheng finally nodded.

The two got out of the car and walked into the residential area.

Qiu Xiuqin's home is on the fifth floor. It's a three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment, decorated very warmly.

Hanging in the living room is her wedding photo with Yang Wanshan. The two of them look very young in the photo and are smiling happily.

"Would you like some water?" Qiu Xiuqin asked.

"No need," Lin Zheng shook his head.

Qiu Xiuqin walked up to him and reached out to unbutton his shirt.

One, two, three...

Lin Zheng grabbed her hand: "Sister Xiuqin, are you sure?"

"Confirmed." Qiu Xiuqin nodded.

"Lin Zheng, I want you."

Lin Zheng could no longer control himself, picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.

The two fell onto the bed and became entangled together.

Qiu Xiuqin's suspender dress was pushed up, and her fair legs gleamed in the dim light.

She bit her lip, her eyes glazed over, and her arms were wrapped around Lin Zheng's neck.

"Lin Zheng, hurry up..."

Lin Zheng leaned down and kissed her neck.

Qiu Xiuqin tilted her head back, biting her lip tightly, not daring to make a loud sound.

After more than half an hour of fussing, Qiu Xiuqin finally collapsed into Lin Zheng's arms, her face flushed with satisfaction.

"You're amazing," she whispered.

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette and took a deep drag: "Sister Xiuqin, you're amazing too."

Qiu Xiuqin smiled and drew circles on his chest with her finger.

The two lingered for a while longer before Qiu Xiuqin checked the time.

"You should go now, Old Yang will be back soon."

Lin Zheng nodded, got up, and dressed.

As he reached the door, Qiu Xiuqin suddenly grabbed him.

"Lin Zheng, you're having dinner with Wang Jianguo the day after tomorrow. I'll go with you."

"Okay." Lin Zheng nodded.

Qiu Xiuqin tiptoed and kissed him on the lips: "Be careful on the road."

Lin Zheng walked out of the residential area, the night breeze blowing on his face, dispelling the heat from his body.

He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and his mind was filled with the scene from earlier.

Qiu Xiuqin is too dangerous.

When he was with her, he always found himself falling for her without realizing it.

But he couldn't leave her, because she had too many connections in Dianhai Town.

Lin Zheng shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and hailed a taxi to go back to his residence.

…………

Two days later, Wang Jianguo returned from his business trip.

Qiu Xiuqin called Lin Zheng and invited him to have dinner with Wang Jianguo at Wangjianglou that evening.

"Remember what I told you, don't bring up any conditions yourself, let him bring it up himself," Qiu Xiuqin reminded her again over the phone.

"I've got it." Lin Zheng nodded.

Six o'clock in the evening, at Wangjiang Tower.

Lin Zheng arrived early, and Qiu Xiuqin was already waiting in the private room.

Today she wore a dark blue long dress with a white blazer over it, her hair was styled in an updo, and her makeup was exquisite, making her look dignified and elegant.

"Wang Jianguo will be here soon," Qiu Xiuqin said.

Lin Zheng nodded and sat down next to her.

A moment later, the door to the private room was pushed open, and Wang Jianguo walked in.

"Sister-in-law, it's been a long time." Wang Jianguo greeted Qiu Xiuqin with a smile.

"Mayor Wang, please have a seat." Qiu Xiuqin stood up and pulled out a chair for him.

Wang Jianguo sat down, his gaze sweeping over Lin Zheng with some surprise: "Manager Lin, you're here too?"

"Hello, Mayor Wang." Lin Zheng stood up and extended his hand.

Wang Jianguo shook hands with him.

"Manager Lin is young and promising. Your wife doesn't just bring people out to dinner casually."

"I have a collaboration with Sister Qiu," Lin Zheng explained with a smile.

Wang Jianguo smiled, his gaze lingering on Qiu Xiuqin for a few seconds, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips.

"Sister-in-law, you invited me to dinner today, is there something you need?"

Qiu Xiuqin poured him a cup of tea.

"Mayor Wang, Manager Lin has run into some trouble recently and would like to ask for your help."

"What trouble?" Wang Jianguo picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Lin Zheng continued, "Mayor Wang, the project requires a large amount of sand, gravel, and cement. I'd like to collaborate with Li Zhengang."

"But the conditions he offered were too high, I couldn't accept them."

Wang Jianguo put down his teacup and looked at Lin Zheng: "What conditions did Li Zhengang offer?"

"400,000, plus exclusive supply of sand and soil."

Wang Jianguo frowned: "Four hundred thousand? That's outrageous!"

"I think so too," Lin Zheng nodded.

"So I would like to ask Mayor Wang to help make a connection and talk to Li Zhengang again."

Wang Jianguo was silent for a moment: "Manager Lin, Li Zhengang has quite an appetite."

"But he has been operating in Dianhai Town for so many years, so he is indeed very powerful."

"You won't lose out by cooperating with him."

"As for the terms, I can help you negotiate, but I can't guarantee he'll compromise."

Lin Zheng was secretly delighted: "Then I'll have to trouble Mayor Wang."

Wang Jianguo waved his hand: "Don't mention it, it's all for the development of Dianhai Town."

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.

Wang Jianguo spoke eloquently about the development plan for Dianhai Town.

Lin Zheng occasionally chimed in with a few words, while Qiu Xiuqin poured wine and served food to her.

Halfway through the dinner, Wang Jianguo's phone rang, and he got up to answer it.

Only Lin Zheng and Qiu Xiuqin remained in the private room.

Qiu Xiuqin looked at Lin Zheng, a smile playing on her lips.

"Good performance."

Lin Zheng smiled and said, "It's all thanks to Sister Xiuqin's excellent teaching."

Qiu Xiuqin didn't say anything, but reached under the table and placed her hand on Lin Zheng's thigh.

Lin Zheng stiffened and turned to look at her.

Qiu Xiuqin remained expressionless, but her hand gently stroked his thigh.

"Sister Xiuqin..." Lin Zheng lowered his voice.

"Don't talk," Qiu Xiuqin whispered in his ear.

Her hand moved up from her thigh and touched the belt.