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

The next day, Lin Zheng came to the village committee and convened another meeting with Deng Hong, Chen Li, and the others.

If we can successfully negotiate with the three bureau chiefs today, the project can officially begin.

He needed to explain every aspect of workplace safety to Deng Hong and others.

In order to get things done as quickly as possible, Lin Zheng spent the entire day in the meeting room.

It wasn't until 5 p.m. that he finished arranging everything and took a taxi to Wangjiang Tower.

The private room we booked at Wangjianglou was on the fifth floor, and it was the most luxurious room in the entire hotel.

Lin Zheng stood by the window smoking, looking at the river view outside, his mind replaying the things he needed to discuss that evening.

Lin Jingshun from the Planning Bureau, Cai Mingsheng from the Tax Bureau, and Chen Guowen from the Environmental Protection Bureau.

These three approvals were the final three hurdles before the project could begin.

As long as they agree, the project can proceed smoothly.

If they don't budge, all our previous efforts will have been in vain.

Lin Zheng stubbed out his cigarette and walked to the dining table to check it over.

The food was top-of-the-line, the liquor was Moutai, and the cigarettes were specially supplied.

Each seat had a box of high-end cigarettes in front of it, and behind each seat was a small gift—a valuable watch.

These were all things that Yang Wanshan taught him to prepare.

"These people don't lack money, they lack face."

"You have to give them enough face before they'll do things properly."

Lin Zheng took a deep breath, sat back in his chair, and waited for the three bureau chiefs to arrive.

At six o'clock sharp, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Yang Wanshan walked in first, followed by three men in their fifties.

Leading the way was Lin Jingshun, the director of the planning bureau. He was tall and thin, wore gold-rimmed glasses, and looked very refined, but his eyes revealed a shrewdness.

He was wearing a dark jacket, carrying a briefcase, and walking at a leisurely pace.

Following behind was Cai Mingsheng, the director of the tax bureau. He was short and stout with a round face. When he smiled, he looked like a Maitreya Buddha, and his belly stretched his shirt tightly.

As soon as he entered, he smiled and looked around the furnishings in the private room, his gaze lingering on the wine and cigarettes for a few seconds.

The last person to enter was Chen Guowen, the director of the Environmental Protection Bureau. He had gray hair, a serious expression, and a businesslike demeanor.

He glanced at the furnishings in the private room and nodded slightly.

"Manager Lin, you already know these three, so I won't go into details."

Yang Wanshan smiled and walked to the head seat, patting the seat next to him.

"Please sit down, don't be shy."

Lin Zheng stood up and greeted him with a smile.

"Director Lin, Director Cai, Director Chen, please have a seat."

The three sat down, and Lin Zheng poured each of them a cup of tea and offered them cigarettes.

Lin Jingshun took the cigarette, glanced at the brand, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Manager Lin, it's just a simple meal for everyone, thank you for spending the money."

"Of course, of course."

Lin Zheng smiled and took out a lighter to light it for him.

Cai Mingsheng leaned back in his chair, exhaled a puff of smoke, and glanced around the table.

"Mayor Yang, your friend is quite capable."

Yang Wanshan smiled and said, "Xiao Lin is indeed a capable person."

"That's why I helped him make the connection and treated everyone to a meal."

Chen Guowen didn't speak, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked Lin Zheng up and down.

Lin Zheng's heart tightened, but he remained calm on the surface and said with a smile, "The three bureau chiefs are usually very busy with their work and rarely have time."

"I invited you all here today because I wanted to take advantage of Mayor Yang's influence to get to know the three of you. I hope you will give me your support in the future regarding the project."

"Of course, of course."

Cai Mingsheng waved his hand with a smile.

"Manager Lin, I've heard about your project. It's a vital project for people's livelihood. Our tax bureau will definitely help if we can."

"Thank you, Director Cai." Lin Zheng was secretly pleased and looked at Lin Jingshun and Chen Guowen.

Lin Jingshun flicked his cigarette ash and said slowly, "As long as your paperwork is complete, there won't be any problem with the Planning Bureau."

Chen Guowen put down his teacup and finally spoke.

"The environmental impact assessment report from the Environmental Protection Bureau must be done well and cannot be taken lightly."

"Rest assured, all the procedures are in order, and the environmental impact assessment report has been prepared by a professional company."

As Lin Zheng spoke, he called the waiter to serve the dishes.

The dishes were served quickly, a table full of delicacies from land and sea.

Lin Zheng opened the Moutai, poured a glass for everyone, and picked up his glass.

"Directors, Mayor Yang, let me first raise a toast to everyone to thank you for joining us."

"Of course, of course." Cai Mingsheng picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Lin Jingshun and Chen Guowen also drank, put down their glasses, and started eating.

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

Cai Mingsheng put down his chopsticks and looked at Lin Zheng.

"Manager Lin, just eating and drinking isn't very interesting, is it?"

Lin Zheng was taken aback and asked, "What does Director Cai mean?"

"Let's find a place to sing."

"Just eating is so boring."

Lin Zheng understood his meaning and looked at Yang Wanshan.

Yang Wanshan nodded slightly, indicating that he agreed.

"Okay, I'll make the arrangements after we finish eating," Lin Zheng said with a smile.

"No need to wait until after dinner, we can do it now."

Lin Jingshun took over the conversation, his gaze sweeping around the private room.

"This private room is big enough. We should have a karaoke machine delivered, and find a few girls to keep us company. We can eat and sing at the same time, wouldn't that be great?"

Lin Zheng's heart sank; they were trying to pull some tricks right under his nose.

But he couldn't refuse, so he could only nod.

"Okay, I'll have someone arrange it."

He picked up his phone, walked to the window, and sent a message to Qiu Xiuqin.

He asked her to arrange for a few reliable women to come over, and specifically instructed her to bring cameras.

Qiu Xiuqin replied quickly, "Okay, I'll be there in half an hour."

Lin Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and returned to his seat.

"Manager Lin, you're quite good at handling things."

Lin Jingshun looked at him with a smile on his lips.

"As long as the three bureau chiefs are happy."

Lin Zheng picked up his wine glass.

"Come, let me toast the three of you again."

The group drank another glass, and Lin Jingshun's face began to flush, and he became more talkative.

"Manager Lin, this project of yours must require a considerable investment, right?"

"It's estimated to cost over 100 million," Lin Zheng said truthfully.

Cai Mingsheng exclaimed, "Over one hundred million, that's a huge sum!"

"This is considered a major project in Dianhai Town."

"Therefore, we need the support of the three bureau chiefs," Lin Zheng said with a smile.

"Support is fine, but you have to make us happy."

Lin Jingshun put down his wine glass and leaned back in his chair.

"If you don't enjoy this meal today, then let's not talk about anything else."

Lin Zheng's heart tightened, but he smiled and said, "Don't worry, Director Lin, I'll make sure you're happy."

Half an hour later, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Chen Haizhen walked in with three young women, each carrying a bag and wearing matching cheongsams with high slits, their fair thighs partially visible as they walked.

"Manager Lin, the person has arrived," Chen Haizhen said with a smile.

Lin Zheng nodded and pointed to Lin Jingshun and the other two.

"These three are honored guests, please take good care of them."

Chen Haizhen understood and led the three women to sit down next to the three men.