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

The next morning, Lin Zheng had just arrived at his office when his phone rang.

It was Wang Jianguo calling.

"Manager Lin, did you know that the court has summoned Li Ting?"

"Yes, I know. The court called me yesterday and said that Li Ting's money has been received."

"This is all due to the pressure that Dean Qin and I put on us."

"Manager Lin, how are the preparations for the shop coming along?"

Wang Jianguo's voice was tinged with laughter.

The pressure you're putting on us?

Lin Zheng held his phone, wanting to curse under his breath.

I understand that Wang Jianguo is definitely after something in return.

He took a deep breath and suppressed his anger.

"The project isn't finished yet, so there's no rush to get the shops."

"How can we not be in a hurry?"

Wang Jianguo said with some displeasure, "What if you deny responsibility after the project is completed?"

"Mayor Wang, I, Lin Zheng, keep my word and will not renege on my promise."

"That's good."

"However, I still think we should sign an agreement."

"What agreement?"

"If you clearly write down the location and size of the shop, I'll feel more at ease."

Lin Zheng held his phone, inwardly cursing.

That old fox is testing him again.

"Okay, I'll have someone prepare the materials and give them to you in a couple of days."

"Okay, I'll wait for your news."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng's face turned ashen.

Wang Jianguo is forcing him.

If he doesn't sign the agreement, he'll suspect that he has ulterior motives.

If you sign it, it's like handing him leverage over your weaknesses.

Dilemma.

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

I need to find a way to avoid arousing Wang Jianguo's suspicion while also preventing myself from getting too involved.

He thought for a moment, then picked up his phone and dialed Deng Hong's number.

"Sister Deng, you should discuss the shop matter with the village committee."

"What are you discussing?"

"Wang Jianguo wants three shops, and I want to sign an agreement with him in the name of the village committee."

"In the name of the village committee?"

"right."

Lin Zheng nodded, "That way, even if something goes wrong, it's the village committee's responsibility, not mine."

Deng Hong paused for a moment, then said, "This is a good idea, but will Wang Jianguo agree to it?"

"He has no choice but to agree."

"The shop is village property, not mine."

"I don't have the authority to handle this; only the village committee does."

"What if he insists you sign it?"

"Then I'll just drag it out until the project is completed."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette.

Wang Jianguo, you think you can control me? Not so easy.

In the afternoon, Lin Zheng was reviewing documents in his office when he received a text message from Li Ting.

"The money has been received. Please check."

Lin Zheng logged into his online banking and saw that it was 14 million, not a penny less.

He breathed a sigh of relief and returned Li Ting's call.

"Mr. Li, the money has been received."

"That's good."

"Manager Lin, what are your thoughts on the property management matter?"

"I've thought it through."

"So when will we sign the contract?"

"You decide."

"Let's meet tonight at Mingxuan Hotel, the usual place."

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng picked up the documents on the table and flipped through them.

He has already had Chen Li draft the property management contract.

The terms and conditions were all in accordance with the formal bidding process, and there were no violations whatsoever.

Even if Wang Jianguo investigates, he won't find anything wrong.

6:30 p.m., Mingxuan Hotel.

When Lin Zheng arrived, Li Ting was already waiting in the private room.

Several plates of cold dishes were laid out on the table, and a bottle of Moutai had already been opened.

"Manager Lin, please have a seat," Li Ting said with a smile.

Lin Zheng sat down, took out the contract from his bag, and pushed it in front of Li Ting.

"Mr. Li, please take a look and see if there are any problems."

Li Ting took the contract and flipped through it page by page.

After reading it, he nodded: "No problem, I'll sign it now."

He picked up a pen, signed his name on the contract, and stamped it with the company seal.

Lin Zheng also signed the contract and put it away.

"Mr. Li, it's a pleasure doing business with you."

"It's a pleasure working with you."

The two raised their glasses, clinked them together, and drank them down in one gulp.

After several rounds of drinks, Li Ting put down his wine cup and looked at Lin Zheng.

"Manager Lin, what do you think of my suggestion from last time?"

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and looked back at Li Ting's face.

"I am very interested in what you mentioned last time, and I would be happy to cooperate with you, Mr. Li."

"We are all the same kind of people. If we want to truly get rid of the coils around our necks, we must cooperate sincerely."

"Besides, I'm a person who holds grudges, so I hope you won't be two-faced, Mr. Li."

Upon hearing this, Li Ting immediately extended his right hand.

"Manager Lin, you can rest assured."

"Our cooperation is a win-win situation, and I have no reason to shoot myself in the foot."

Lin Zheng reached out and shook hands with Li Ting.

The collaboration with Li Ting has officially begun.

But he knew in his heart that Li Ting was no pushover either.

This person has been able to stay in Dianhai Town for so many years; he must have his own plans.

But at present, cooperating with Li Ting is the best option.

After reaching an agreement, Lin Zheng returned to his residence.

He took a shower and lay in bed, his mind replaying Li Ting's words.

"Wang Jianguo is using us."

"He wants to drain us dry and then kick us aside."

"Just like we treated Zhang Wenshan."

How did Zhang Wenshan fall from grace?

He was reported, investigated, and sent to jail.

Did Wang Jianguo have something on Zhang Wenshan at that time?

What about yourself?

Does Wang Jianguo have any dirt on him?

Lin Zheng sat up abruptly, his back covered in a cold sweat.

memorandum.

The memorandum he signed with Wang Jianguo is his biggest weakness.

It said that he promised to give Wang Jianguo two shops.

Although it was signed in the name of the village committee, it was he who signed it.

If Wang Jianguo uses this as an excuse, he will have no way to defend himself.

We need to find a way to get that memo back.

Lin Zheng picked up his phone and checked the time; it was almost eleven o'clock.

Calling Wang Jianguo at this time is inappropriate.

We'll talk about it tomorrow.

He lay back down on the bed, closed his eyes, but couldn't fall asleep no matter what.

When I close my eyes, I see Zhang Wenshan's image.

The once-glorious project manager is now in jail, working on a sewing machine.

If I'm not careful, he could be next.

The next morning, after getting up, Lin Zheng called Wang Jianguo.

"Mayor Wang, I've discussed the shop matter with the village committee."

"How so?"

"The village committee has agreed to give you three shops, but you need to sign an agreement."

"What agreement?"

"A formal cooperation agreement, in the name of the village committee."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Manager Lin, I need your signature, not the village committee's."

"Mayor Wang, the shops are village assets, I have no authority to dispose of them."

Only the village committee has this power.

"You are the project manager, you have the authority."

"I don't."

"The project belongs to the village committee; I'm just managing it on behalf of the village."

"If you insist that I sign, then I'll have to tell the village committee that I won't give it to you."

Wang Jianguo remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.

"Okay, the village committee will sign it."

"But the terms of the agreement must be as I request."

"What are your requirements?"

"The location and size of the shop must be clearly stated."

"Also, your signature is required on the agreement."

Lin Zheng frowned: "Mayor Wang, what's the use of my signature?"

"Prove that you were aware of this."

"I can be aware of the situation, but I will not take responsibility for it."

"OK."

"Then it's settled."

Lin Zheng breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone.

Wang Jianguo conceded.

Although he still needs to sign the agreement, at least he is not the only one responsible.

With the village committee backing him up, even if something goes wrong, he won't be entirely blamed.