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

Lin Zheng felt a chill run down his spine and almost couldn't hold back.

He used the motion of holding the water cup to lean forward and avoid Qiu Xiuqin's hand.

Qiu Xiuqin's lips curled up slightly, and she reached out again, this time placing her hand directly on his inner thigh.

Lin Zheng gasped, squeezed his legs together, and trapped her hands.

Qiu Xiuqin couldn't pull her hand away, so she simply stopped moving and let him hold her.

The two men wrestled with each other in the gap between the sofa, their faces showing nonchalant expressions.

Yang Wanshan was completely unaware and continued talking about the project.

"Lin Zheng, let me tell you, there are a few things you need to pay attention to after the project starts."

"First and foremost, safety cannot be compromised."

"Secondly, there can be no quality issues."

"Third, there can be no problems with funding."

"If any one of these three points goes wrong, you'll be in deep trouble."

Lin Zheng nodded: "Mayor Yang, don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on it."

"That's good."

Yang Wanshan checked the time. "It's getting late. Let's call it a day."

"I'll call the road administration bureau and the power supply station for you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Mayor Yang." Lin Zheng stood up, preparing to take his leave.

Qiu Xiuqin also stood up and saw him to the door.

"Be careful on the road."

As she spoke, she gently pinched his waist.

Lin Zheng trembled and almost lost his footing.

He took a deep breath and strode out the door.

The elevator doors closed, and Lin Zheng leaned against the wall, letting out a long sigh of relief.

Yang Wanshan almost discovered us just now.

Qiu Xiuqin is too dangerous.

But the more dangerous it is, the more fascinating it becomes.

Shortly after arriving at work the next day, Lin Zheng's cell phone, which he had left in his office, rang.

It was Yang Wanshan who called.

"Lin Zheng, I've already put in a good word with the Road Administration Bureau for you. Director Zhang is in his office today; you can go directly to him."

"I've already told the power supply station; Director Liu wants you to go there this afternoon."

Lin Zheng was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you, Mayor Yang."

"Don't thank me, let's talk about it after the job is done."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng tidied up and took a taxi straight to the district.

The Road Administration Bureau is located in a small building next to the district government.

When Lin Zheng arrived, Director Zhang Huaihai was in his office reading documents.

"Hello Director Zhang, I am Lin Zheng from Tenghua Group."

Lin Zheng walked up to him, took a box of tea out of his bag, and placed it on the table.

"This is a good tea given to me by a friend. I don't know much about tea, so Director Zhang, could you please try it for me?"

Zhang Huaihai glanced at the tea leaves, smiled, and nodded.

"Manager Lin, you're too kind."

"Of course."

Lin Zheng sat down and handed over the road planning proposal for the project.

Zhang Huaihai flipped through the pages, his brows furrowing slightly.

"This road will have to block the provincial highway?"

"Yes, the project is located next to a provincial highway, so an entrance is required for access."

"Has the transportation bureau approved your request?"

"Director Xiao has agreed, and the process is underway."

Zhang Huaihai nodded and put down the materials.

"Since Mayor Yang has given the order, I won't make things difficult for you."

"But you have to make sure that the location and size of the opening meet safety standards."

"Of course." Lin Zheng nodded.

The two chatted for a while longer, and then Zhang Huaihai signed the approval form.

"Alright, here you go."

"Thank you, Director Zhang."

Lin Zheng took the approval form and put it in his bag.

After leaving the road administration bureau, Lin Zheng checked the time; it was not yet eleven o'clock.

The power supply station is located in the east of the town, not far from the district.

Lin Zheng flagged down a car and headed straight for the power supply station.

The power supply station was a three-story building. Lin Zheng found the director's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Liu Zhenyang was a man in his forties, tall and thin, wearing black-rimmed glasses.

"Hello, Director Liu, I am Lin Zheng from Tenghua Group. Mayor Yang asked me to come and see you."

Liu Zhenyang raised his head and looked him up and down.

"Mayor Yang told me to sit down."

Lin Zheng sat down and handed over the project's electricity plan.

Liu Zhenyang flipped through the pages, his brows furrowing.

"Your project consumes a lot of electricity."

"Yes, that's why I'd like to ask Director Liu for help in getting the temporary power connected as soon as possible."

"As soon as possible?"

Liu Zhenyang leaned back in his chair, looking at him. "Manager Lin, do you realize how heavy the tasks are for the power supply station right now?"

"We were responsible for the entire power line renovation project in Dianhai Town."

"It's not that your project isn't important, but it has to wait in line."

Lin Zheng's heart sank, and he asked, "Director Liu, how long will the wait be?"

"At least one month."

"Can you hurry up? The project is waiting to start; we can't afford to delay."

Liu Zhenyang was silent for a moment, then said, "We can do it faster, but it will cost extra."

"How much?"

"The installation fee for temporary electricity is normally 50,000 yuan, but if you want it expedited, it will cost 100,000 yuan."

Lin Zheng frowned; this was blatantly an attempt to take advantage.

"Director Liu, 100,000 is too much. Could you reduce the amount?"

"cannot."

Liu Zhenyang shook his head and said, "These are the rules, there's nothing I can do about it."

Lin Zheng took a deep breath and suppressed his anger.

"Okay, 100,000 it is."

"But there's one condition: the electricity must be connected within a week."

"A week?"

Liu Zhenyang thought for a moment, "Okay, I'll try my best."

"Not as much as possible, but definitely."

Liu Zhenyang looked at Lin Zheng and smiled: "Manager Lin, I can't guarantee that."

"Okay, I'll help you expedite it and try to get it done within a week."

"But you have to pay the money first."

Lin Zheng took a card out of his bag and placed it on the table.

"There are 100,000 here, and the password is six zeros."

Liu Zhenyang didn't stand on ceremony and simply put the card away, then signed the approval form.

"Alright, here you go."

Lin Zheng took the approval form and put it in his bag.

After leaving the power supply station, he lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

100,000 yuan to buy a week's time.

Is it worth it?

It's worth it, and it's not worth it.

It's worth it because the project can start as soon as possible.

It's not worth it because these people have an ever-growing appetite.

Lin Zheng thought for a moment, then picked up his phone and dialed Qiu Xiuqin's number.

"Sister Xiuqin, the issues with the road administration bureau and the power supply station have been resolved."

"So fast?"

"Mayor Yang put in a good word for them, so they didn't make things difficult for us."

"That's good."

"Sister Xiuqin, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to dinner, thank you."

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

"Okay, come to my house tonight. Old Yang isn't home."

Lin Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and he excitedly replied, "Okay."

That evening, Lin Zheng bought a bottle of red wine and took a taxi to Qiu Xiuqin's house.

The door opened, and Qiu Xiuqin appeared wearing a black halter dress with a sheer cardigan over it, her long hair loose, and light makeup.

"Come in."

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

Lin Zheng walked into the living room and placed the red wine on the table.

Qiu Xiuqin closed the door, walked up to him, and put her arms around his neck.

"Lin Zheng, have you missed me?"

"I've thought about it."

"You got me all smitten last night."

Lin Zheng put his arm around her waist and lowered his head to kiss her.

Qiu Xiuqin responded, moving her hand down from his waist.

The two became entangled and moved from the living room to the sofa.

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

She bit her lip, her eyes glazed over.

"Lin Zheng, hurry up..."