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

The next morning, Lin Zheng called Deng Hong, Chen Li, and Yang Zhian to the village committee office.

A thick stack of documents lay on the table; they were all lists of procedures to be completed for restarting the project.

"Take a look at these documents, everyone. The money from Tianlong Engineering Company will be in place soon."

"We need a detailed plan, so that when the project restarts, everyone won't be in a panic."

Deng Hong flipped through the documents, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"The Transportation Bureau needs to issue a road construction permit, and the Road Administration Bureau needs to approve the road occupation permit."

"The power supply station needs to provide temporary electricity, and the water bureau needs to issue a water usage permit..."

"This doesn't even include the town's planning permit and the district's environmental impact assessment approval."

Chen Li chimed in, "I looked at these documents yesterday. If we go to each department, it will take at least two or three months."

"This does not include the approval from the heads of various departments and the subsequent approval from the leaders."

"Two or three months?"

"Does this not yet include the approval from department heads and the subsequent review by higher-ups?"

Yang Zhian, like a green recruit, gaped open after hearing this.

"When will that project be able to start?"

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette, leaned back in his chair, and didn't say anything.

Deng Hong glanced at him and said, "Lin Zheng, do you even know what you're doing?"

"There are quite a few."

Lin Zheng nodded, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said, "I have the idea, but it's difficult to execute."

"What method?"

Chen Li turned her gaze to Lin Zheng and couldn't help but ask.

"Skip the process and talk to the department head directly."

Deng Hong frowned after hearing this and said, "Those who can become leaders are all ruthless and greedy; they won't discuss anything without personal gain."

"I've dealt with them a few times, and they're all incredibly arrogant, never even giving people a second glance."

Lin Zheng stubbed out his cigarette and said, "It's not that I'm arrogant, it's that I'm afraid of having no demand."

"We can talk as long as they have a need."

Chen Li seemed thoughtful, then said, "You mean... use the project as a bargaining chip?"

Lin Zheng corrected, "It's not a transaction, it's a collaboration."

"Once the project is completed, it will benefit both Dianhai Town and the district."

"By helping us, they are also helping themselves."

"Officials need to achieve political results, and it would be even better if they could secretly gain some benefits as well."

"Why is Li Ting so influential in Dianhai Town? Do you think he's really only successful because of Ma Cuihua?"

Yang Zhian scratched his head and said, "Manager Lin, what you said is too convoluted, I didn't understand."

You'll understand in time.

Lin Zheng smiled and didn't explain further.

Deng Hong put the materials away, understanding the meaning behind Lin Zheng's words.

"Lin Zheng, tell me first, which department do you plan to contact first?"

"Transportation Bureau".

"Road access is the primary condition for our project to reopen."

"If the road is blocked, everything else is useless."

Chen Li said, "I had business dealings and contact with Xiao Yugang, the director of the Transportation Bureau, when I was at the head office."

"It's the project of the bridge in Tonglanhe Town, Beiqu District. Zhang Mingyang was the one who led the talks with him. This guy is not easy to talk to."

Lin Zheng stood up and said, "Even if it's difficult to say, you have to say it."

"If the road is blocked, the project can't proceed."

"Road construction requires approval from the Transportation Bureau, and road occupation requires approval from the Road Administration Bureau. You have to get approval from both departments."

"What about the power supply station?"

"I'll ask someone at the power supply station to see if we can go through the green channel."

"Use water?"

"The village committee can handle the water issue; there's no rush."

The group discussed it for a while and went through the procedures that needed to be completed.

Lin Zheng checked the time and began assigning tasks to everyone.

It wasn't until the afternoon that the group finalized their plan.

Deng Hong saw Lin Zheng to the door and reminded him, "Lin Zheng, be careful. Those leaders are not easy to deal with. Don't offend them if you can't reach an agreement."

"I know." Lin Zheng nodded and hailed a taxi to leave.

The car hadn't gone far when Lin Zheng's phone rang.

It was Li Ting calling.

"Manager Lin, are you free tonight?"

"I've booked a private room at Mingxuan Hotel. There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Lin Zheng was taken aback. It was quite unusual for Li Ting to take the initiative to invite him.

"Okay, what time?"

"6:30."

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment.

Li Ting contacted him at this time, so it definitely wasn't about the money.

The money was transferred to the designated account yesterday, 14 million, not a penny less.

What else could he possibly be doing?

Lin Zheng couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it.

Back at his lodgings, he took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and drove to Mingxuan Hotel.

Mingxuan Hotel is located in the center of town. It is a five-story building with a rather grand interior.

Lin Zheng parked the car and walked into the hall.

The receptionist asked for his private room number and led him to the third floor.

The private room was small but elegant, with a landscape painting hanging on the wall and several plates of cold dishes on the table.

Li Ting had already arrived and was sitting in the main seat smoking.

Seeing Lin Zheng enter, he stood up, smiled, and extended his hand.

"Manager Lin, you're here? Please have a seat."

Lin Zheng shook hands with him and sat down opposite him.

Li Ting poured him a cup of tea and offered him a cigarette.

"Manager Lin, there's something I wanted to talk to you about today."

"What is it?"

Li Ting remained silent for a moment, then flicked off his cigarette ash.

"Do you know why I paid the money back so quickly?"

Lin Zheng looked at him: "Wasn't it the court putting pressure on us?"

"Pressure is one aspect, but not the main reason."

Li Ting shook his head and said, "The real reason is that I don't want to be Wang Jianguo's pawn anymore."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zheng's eyelids twitched.

"Mr. Li, what do you mean by that?"

Li Ting sighed and stubbed out his cigarette.

"Manager Lin, you're a smart man, so I won't beat around the bush with you."

"Wang Jianguo has been using the two of us."

"Use it?" Lin Zheng frowned.

"right."

Li Ting nodded and said, "I've wanted to pay back this 14 million for a long time, but he told me to delay paying it back, forcing you to take action."

"Once you intervened, he used the excuse of helping you settle things to get benefits from you."

"If I keep delaying the return, he'll have an excuse to take the shop from you."

"If you sue me, he can get more projects from me again."

"The fiercer we fight, the more benefits he gets."

Lin Zheng frowned, his expression turning grim.

He knew Wang Jianguo was using him, but he never expected that Wang Jianguo was also using Li Ting.

That old fox is a real double-dealer; he's practically a vampire.

However, Lin Zheng didn't completely believe Li Ting's words. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Mr. Li, do you have any evidence for what you're saying?"

"Yes." Li Ting took a document out of his bag and pushed it in front of Lin Zheng.

"This is what he sent me, telling me to delay for another month."

"The condition was that he helped me secure a construction project in the town."

Lin Zheng opened the document; inside was a handwritten note.

The handwriting is messy, but you can make out the general meaning.

"Mr. Li, don't rush the money issue. Let's postpone it for another month."

"I'll reserve the town's projects for you when the time comes."

There was no signature, but Lin Zheng recognized the handwriting.

Wang Jianguo signed the memorandum last time.

"Was this written by Wang Jianguo?" Lin Zheng looked up and asked.

Li Ting nodded and said, "I had someone compare the handwriting, and it was written by him."

Lin Zheng remained silent for a moment, then carefully put the document away.

"Mr. Li, tell me all this, what do you want?"

"cooperate."

"cooperate?"

Li Ting said, "I don't want to be Wang Jianguo's pawn anymore, and I can tell you don't want to be either."

"So we work together to get rid of him."

Lin Zheng thought for a moment: "How can we cooperate?"

"On the surface, we continue to fight."

"Continue the fight?"

"right."

Li Ting nodded and said, "If we let Wang Jianguo think we're still fighting, he'll continue to take advantage of us."

"But in reality, we worked together privately to get the project done."

"Once the deed is done, he won't be able to interfere."

Lin Zheng leaned back in his chair, looking at Li Ting.

This person is not simple. Proposing cooperation may be a win-win situation, but it could also be a trap.