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

Lin Zheng gasped, his whole body jolted, and a tingling sensation spread throughout his body.

Qiu Xiuqin's hands were very nimble; she unbuckled his belt and reached inside.

Lin Zheng gritted his teeth, not daring to make a sound.

Wang Jianguo could return at any time, and the feeling of being discovered at any moment sent his adrenaline soaring.

Qiu Xiuqin moved her hands, but her face remained nonchalant as she picked up her wine glass and took a sip.

Lin Zheng's heart raced, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

A few minutes later, Wang Jianguo came back through the door.

Qiu Xiuqin withdrew her hand, picked up her wine glass, and did so naturally.

"Mayor Wang, come, let me toast you."

Lin Zheng took a deep breath, quickly straightened his trousers, and picked up his wine glass.

"Mayor Wang, I'd like to propose a toast to you as well."

Wang Jianguo noticed nothing amiss and smiled as he clinked glasses with them.

Lin Zheng felt extremely uncomfortable at the subsequent dinner.

Qiu Xiuqin's hand would occasionally reach out and tease him.

His anger was getting increasingly agitated, but he dared not show it and could only suppress it.

After the dinner ended, Wang Jianguo got up to say goodbye.

"Sister-in-law, Manager Lin, I'm leaving now."

"I'll talk to Li Zhengang tomorrow."

"Thank you, Mayor Wang." Lin Zheng stood up and saw him to the door.

After Wang Jianguo left, only Lin Zheng and Qiu Xiuqin remained in the private room.

Lin Zhengzhang breathed a long sigh of relief and turned to look at Qiu Xiuqin.

"Sister Xiuqin, you went too far just now."

Qiu Xiuqin laughed: "Is that going too far? You seem to be enjoying it."

Lin Zheng blushed and remained silent.

Qiu Xiuqin walked up to him and reached out to stroke his face.

"Lin Zheng, are you feeling very unwell?"

Lin Zheng nodded: "I feel terrible, you've really stirred up all my anger."

Qiu Xiuqin laughed and whispered in his ear, "Now, I'll help you solve it."

After she finished speaking, she squatted down.

Half an hour later, Lin Zheng pulled up his pants with satisfaction.

Qiu Xiuqin's face was flushed, with a satisfied smile on her face.

For the next two days, there was no further news from Li Zhengang.

Lin Zheng was a little anxious and made several phone calls to Qiu Xiuqin.

Qiu Xiuqin said that Wang Jianguo was still talking to Li Zhengang and told him to wait a little longer.

On the afternoon of the third day, Lin Zheng was looking at documents in his office when his phone suddenly rang.

It was Li Zhengang calling.

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

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

Lin Zheng was secretly pleased, knowing that the matter had been settled.

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

"Okay, I'll definitely be there."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng called Deng Hong and asked her to come with him that evening.

"Li Zhengang took the initiative to invite us to dinner, so there must be a result," Deng Hong said.

Lin Zheng nodded: "I hope it will be a good outcome."

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

Li Zhengang booked a private room on the second floor, which was smaller than the third floor room, but the decoration was still very luxurious.

When Lin Zheng and Deng Hong arrived, Li Zhengang was already there.

Cold dishes and red wine were laid out on the table, and the air was filled with smoke. Li Zhengang had a cigarette between his fingers and a smile on his face.

"Manager Lin, Secretary Deng, please have a seat."

There was only Li Zhengang.

"Boss Li, where's Mayor Wang? Isn't he coming?" Lin Zheng asked.

"Mayor Wang has something to do tonight, so he asked me to represent him."

Li Zhengang poured drinks for the two of them. "Come on, have a drink first."

The three clinked glasses and each took a sip.

After a few rounds of drinks, Li Zhengang put down his glass and looked at Lin Zheng.

"Manager Lin, Mayor Wang spoke with me, and I agree to your terms."

"You don't need to repay the 400,000 in interest, you only need to repay the 100,000 principal."

"For sand and soil supply, we don't need a monopoly, just give us priority."

"Secretary Deng doesn't need to have dinner with me anymore."

Lin Zheng breathed a sigh of relief, but didn't show it on his face.

"Boss Li, it's good that you've thought it through."

Li Zhengang smiled and said, "It's not that I've figured it out, it's that Mayor Wang has spoken, and I can't refuse him."

"However, Manager Lin, I also have a condition."

Lin Zheng raised an eyebrow: "What are the conditions?"

"I can waive the interest on Zhou Hailong's debt."

"But you must make him come to me in person to talk to me and take back the IOU."

"I, Li Zhengang, have been in Dianhai Town for so many years, and I've never been played like this before."

"He owes me money and has been hiding for months, not even showing his face."

"This debt cannot be left unresolved."

Lin Zheng frowned: "Boss Li, what do you want to see him for?"

"Don't worry, I won't do anything to him."

"I just want him to know that it's only right to pay back debts."

"From now on, if you see me, Li Zhengang, in Dianhai Town, take a detour."

Lin Zheng thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, I'll have him come to see you."

After the two agreed on the terms, Lin Zheng shared his thoughts.

Li Zhengang pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

The next morning, Li Zhengang sent people to Tenghua Group to intercept Zhou Hailong.

They also threatened that if the money wasn't returned within a week, Zhou Hailong's mother would go on a trip.

Upon receiving the news, Zhou Hailong was terrified and completely lost his composure.

He tried to borrow money from everyone he could, but these days it's not easy for anyone, and no one dared to lend him any.

In the afternoon, Li Zheng called Lin Zheng to say that the matter had been settled.

At the same time, he reminded Lin Zheng not to forget the terms of the cooperation.

After Lin Zheng replied to Lin Zhengang, he called Lin Xiaoyu and asked her to arrange a meeting with Zhou Hailong.

Lin Xiaoyu called Zhou Hailong to tell him that someone was willing to settle his gambling debts.

Tell him to come to Wangjiang Tower tonight so we can meet and discuss things in detail.

Although Zhou Hailong was puzzled, he agreed.

At this point, he was at his wit's end.

He had to seize the opportunity that someone was willing to pay off his gambling debts.

Zhou Hailong felt like he was living through an entire afternoon.

After getting off work, he hurriedly hailed a taxi and rushed to Wangjiang Tower.

Wangjiang Tower, third floor, small private room.

Lin Xiaoyu and Lin Zheng arrived early and ordered a sumptuous seafood feast.

Zhou Hailong was taken aback when he came in, not expecting there to be a strange man there.

He had heard of Lin Zheng's case regarding Zhang Wenshan, but had never met him.

Lin Xiaoyu introduced: "Hailong, this is Manager Lin, Zhang Wenshan's former secretary."

"He is now the development manager of the subsidiary and the person in charge of the Nanshan project."

Zhou Hailong glanced at Lin Zheng, nodded, and said nothing.

Lin Zheng poured him a cup of tea: "Assistant Zhou, the reason I asked you to come out today is to talk to you about Li Zhengang's matter."

Zhou Hailong's expression changed, and his eyes became wary.

"How...how did you know about this?"

"Never mind how I know."

"I'll only ask you one question: do you want to settle this debt?"

Zhou Hailong nodded: "Of course I want to. Does Manager Lin have a solution?"

"Yes." Lin Zheng nodded.

"But you have to do one thing for me."

"What is it?" Zhou Hailong asked.

"I need Ma Cuihua's secret in exchange."

Zhou Hailong's expression changed again: "You...you want me to deal with Boss Ma?"

"It's not about dealing with you, I just want you to tell me some things."

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette: "You should know some of Ma Cuihua's secrets."

"I need these secrets to open a gap in the project."

"If you're willing to ask, I'll help you pay off Li Zhengang's debts."

Zhou Hailong pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

"Manager Lin, I can't do that."

"Ms. Ma has been kind to me, and I cannot betray her."

"Has Mr. Ma done you a favor?"

Lin Zheng exhaled a puff of smoke, his face full of mockery.

"Assistant Zhou, everyone looks out for themselves."

"Five hundred thousand, will Mr. Ma help you pay it back?"

"Ultimately, don't you know what your relationship is?"

"Why did she make you her assistant? Wasn't it simply because you made her feel comfortable?"

"If one day you can't satisfy her, see if she'll kick you to the curb."

Zhou Hailong's face was extremely grim: "Manager Lin, you don't need to say anything more."

"I will not betray Mr. Ma."

After he finished speaking, he stood up and was about to leave.

Lin Zheng didn't stop him, but simply said, "Assistant Zhou, I'll give you a day to consider it."

"If you still don't agree after one day, I won't interfere with Li Zhengang's side."

"When you get fired from your company and are chased by creditors, don't blame me for not giving you a chance."

Zhou Hailong stiffened, but without turning around, he strode out of the private room.

Lin Xiaoyu watched his retreating figure and sighed.

"Lin Zheng, do you think he'll agree?"

"Yes." Lin Zheng stubbed out his cigarette, his face full of confidence.

"He's a smart man; he knows how to choose."

"Moreover, he was driven to a dead end and had no other choice."