Siheyuan (courtyard house): My father, Li Yunlong!

After a long while, he exhaled a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and patted Li Zhenhua's shoulder heavily, his voice hoarse.

"Alright! Kid! I trust you this time! Old Ding... Old Ding's matter is in your hands! Just tell me if you need me to do anything!"

Kong Jie also breathed a sigh of relief and sincerely praised him.

"Old Li, you have a good son! He's thoughtful, considerate, and always thinks about the bigger picture—much better than us two old folks!"

Having persuaded his father and Kong Jie, Li Zhenhua felt no sense of relief.

Appeasing Li Yunlong was only the first step; the real challenge was figuring out how to approach Lin Jingyue.

This was no different from a meticulously planned diplomatic negotiation, where every word, every expression, and even the choice of timing were crucial.

He needs time to plan carefully.

After reassuring Li Yunlong a few more times and instructing him to keep it absolutely secret and wait for news, Li Zhenhua left home, citing important matters at the factory.

He knew that Li Yunlong needed time to process and calm down.

Back in the jeep, Li Zhenhua rubbed his temples.

The situation with her father has been stabilized for the time being, but the meeting with Bai Manli that evening, and how to bring up Ding Wei's matter with Lin Jingyue afterwards, are two heavy burdens on her shoulders.

He took a deep breath, his eyes regaining their sharpness and composure.

Having chosen this path, we must continue to walk it step by step.

He instructed the driver, "Back to the factory."

He needed some quiet time to prepare for the treacherous banquet that evening.

As dusk settles, the city of Beijing sheds its daytime hustle and bustle, taking on a hazy and mysterious hue.

Hongbinlou, a time-honored restaurant, with its flying eaves and bracket sets, looks even more magnificent at night.

Li Zhenhua, dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit, calmly entered the reserved private room "Tingyuxuan".

The private room was decorated in an antique style, with mahogany furniture, calligraphy and paintings by famous people, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of sandalwood and tea.

He had just arrived when the door to the private room was gently pushed open, and Bai Manli gracefully walked in.

She changed out of the slightly formal style she had on the phone, and wore a dark green brocade cheongsam with subtle patterns, over which she wore a long woolen overcoat of the same color. The jade brooch at her neckline shimmered with a warm luster under the light.

Her jet-black hair was styled into an elegant bun, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.

Her face was lightly made up, and her languidness and shrewdness blended perfectly in her eyes. Every glance she made exuded charm, yet she also carried the aura of a powerful businesswoman that could not be underestimated.

"Director Li is a punctual gentleman, Manli admires him."

Bai Manli smiled before speaking, her voice still clear and melodious. She reached out and gently shook hands with Li Zhenhua, her fingertips slightly cool.

"Since Miss Bai has invited me, how could I dare to be negligent?"

Li Zhenhua smiled slightly and politely invited her to take a seat.

After exchanging pleasantries and taking their seats, exquisite dishes were served in a continuous stream, along with the finest Moutai liquor.

Bai Manli was clearly very good at socializing. During the meal, she chatted and laughed, talking fluently about everything from the local customs and culture of Beijing to the current economic situation and the changing international landscape. She was able to talk about everything with great insight, keeping the atmosphere lively without prying into people's privacy. She had a perfect sense of proportion.

She skillfully elevated Li Zhenhua's recent "righteous act" of stabilizing grain prices to a level that benefits the country and its people, her words filled with admiration.

Li Zhenhua remained humble and vigilant, listening quietly most of the time, occasionally interjecting with meaningful remarks, displaying composure and competence.

He knew perfectly well that this warm-up before the dinner was just a prelude to the main event.

Sure enough, after a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, Bai Manli gently put down her wine glass, wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief, and subtly changed the subject. Her smile remained bright, but her eyes sharpened slightly.

"Director Li is young and promising, with extraordinary abilities. It's truly amazing that he has made such a difference in Beijing in such a short time. To be honest, my father also has a lot of praise for you. He often says that young cadres like you, who are both capable and responsible, are extremely rare these days."

"President Bai and Miss Bai are too kind."

Li Zhenhua remained calm and composed.

"I was just doing my duty and trying to improve the factory and its employees' well-being. I don't deserve such high praise."

"Director Li is too modest."

Bai Manli leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice, and got to the point.

"Let's not beat around the bush. Director Li, the supply channels you control are incredibly powerful. These days, there are very few suppliers who can reliably and in large quantities provide high-quality grain and other scarce commodities. Our Shanxi Merchants Association has a history of hundreds of years. I dare not say about other things, but our trade routes, post stations, and personal networks are quite well-established throughout the country. From Mohe in the north to Qiongzhou in the south, from the Pamir Mountains in the west to Haikou in the east, there is almost no place that our association's reach doesn't extend to."

She stared intently at Li Zhenhua.

"In other words, however much goods you, Director Li, have, our Shanxi Chamber of Commerce can handle them all, and we can safely and efficiently transport them to any place you specify. You must understand the profits and influence involved better than I do."

See the picture poorly.

Li Zhenhua sneered inwardly. As expected, they were after the almost unlimited resources that his "system" could provide.

The logistics network controlled by the Shanxi Merchants Association is indeed very attractive. If they can cooperate, their resources can be transformed into wealth and influence more quickly and widely.

But this is tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin. The Bai family's power is deeply entrenched, and once they figure out their secrets or become dependent on them, the consequences will be unimaginable.

He pretended to ponder, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table.

"Miss Bai is straightforward. I have long heard of your esteemed chamber of commerce's strength, and it is indeed enticing. However, cooperation requires mutual benefit. I wonder, if I were to provide goods, what would your chamber of commerce offer me? Or rather, what would I, Li Zhenhua, gain?"

Bai Manli smiled sweetly, as if she had expected this question, and began to offer a series of tempting conditions.

"Director Li is a straightforward person. The terms are naturally very favorable. First, the price is absolutely the best, at least 30% higher than the market price! Payment methods include gold, foreign exchange, and domestic bills—the choice is yours. Second, regarding security, you don't need to worry about any transportation or warehousing; our chamber of commerce will handle everything, ensuring a clean and trouble-free process. Furthermore…"

She paused, her voice full of seduction.

"Personally, in addition to your rightful share of profits, our Chamber of Commerce is willing to offer you a stake, making you a core partner. Furthermore, for any 'support' you need in Beijing or at a higher level, whether it's networking or information channels, our Bai family will spare no effort."

She carefully observed Li Zhenhua's expression and continued to increase the stakes.

"Director Li has lofty ambitions. This small steel rolling mill is probably not your final destination. On the road ahead, you will inevitably need more… support. Our Shanxi Chamber of Commerce is willing to be your strongest backing. Financial, material, and human resources are at your disposal. Even…"

Her eyes sparkled, carrying a hint of ambiguity.

"My father once said that it was a pity that Mr. Li and Miss Lin were so in love. Otherwise, it would have been a beautiful story to marry my daughter to you and make a good match for her."

These words were a combination of kindness and pressure, offering both incentives and hinting at marriage as the most secure form of binding, effectively blocking all avenues for Li Zhenhua to politely decline.

If it were an ordinary person, they would probably have already been moved and swayed.

However, Li Zhenhua listened quietly, his face calm and composed. Only after Bai Manli finished speaking did he slowly pick up his teacup, take a sip, and look at her calmly, as if what he had just heard was just a string of insignificant numbers.

"Miss Bai,"

He spoke, his voice perfectly steady without a ripple.

"The terms you offered are indeed very generous and enough to entice anyone."

Bai Manli wore a confident smile, believing victory was assured.

But Li Zhenhua's next words instantly froze the smile on her face.

"but,"

Li Zhenhua's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

"Money, shares, and even so-called political support are not the most important things to me. I, Li Zhenhua, have my own rules and bottom line in my actions."

Bai Manli frowned slightly.

"So, what does Factory Director Li mean?"

Li Zhenhua put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, looked directly into Bai Manli's beautiful eyes, and spoke clearly, word by word.

"Cooperation is possible. But I have one condition, and it's my only condition."

"I want you, Bai Manli, to be my mistress."

After he finished speaking, the private room fell into a deathly silence.

You could hear a pin drop.

The color drained from Bai Manli's face at a visible speed, and her beautiful eyes, which always carried a lazy smile, were instantly replaced by shock, disbelief, and raging anger!

She could hardly believe her ears!

"What...what did you say?"

Her voice trembled slightly with extreme anger, and her hands on the table were clenched into fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms.

Li Zhenhua, however, seemed to be stating a simple fact, repeating it over and over.

"I said, the premise of cooperation is that you, Bai Manli, secretly become my woman. Not my lawfully wedded wife, but my mistress who cannot be seen in the light of day."

"Li Zhenhua!"

Bai Manli suddenly stood up, her eyebrows furrowed, her chest heaving violently. All her elegance and composure vanished, replaced by a furious rage born of extreme humiliation.

"How dare you! Do you know what you're saying? Do you know who I am?!"

She pointed at Li Zhenhua, her voice shrill.

"I, Bai Manli, am the daughter of the president of the Shanxi Merchants Association! Even if you were a prince from a royal family in the capital, or the daughter of a military general, or a high-ranking official, you'd have to see if I'm willing to marry you! You, a mere deputy director of a steel mill, dare... dare to humiliate me like this! Make me your mistress? Are you worthy?"

Faced with Bai Manli's fury, Li Zhenhua remained calm and composed, even managing a faint, almost mocking smile.

"Miss Bai, please calm down. I am aware of your identity, and it is precisely because I know this that I have made this request."

He spoke slowly and deliberately.

"You're right, marriage is the best way to solidify cooperation. But a formal marriage is impossible. I'm already engaged to General Lin Jingyue's daughter. So, you can only be a mistress."

"you!"

Bai Manli was so angry that she trembled all over, and her pretty face turned deathly pale.

Li Zhenhua's words were tantamount to saying...

You, Bai Manli, are only fit to be my concubine; you don't even have the right to be my equal!

This was an unprecedented and humiliating disgrace for her, who was proud and arrogant and looked down on all men!

"Li Zhenhua! You've gone too far!"

Bai Manli suddenly swept the wine glass in front of her to the ground, making a crisp shattering sound.

"You think you can do whatever you want just because you have the Lin family as your backer? Let me tell you, the Bai family isn't to be trifled with either! I'll remember this humiliation! Cooperation? Keep dreaming! We'll see!"

After saying that, she could no longer bear the extreme humiliation. She grabbed her handbag, turned around, and staggered out of the private room, forgetting even to take her coat.

Li Zhenhua watched her figure disappear through the door, his face expressionless.

He had expected this outcome.

The Bai family now controls most of the country's trade routes and is indeed at the height of its power.

However, Li Zhenhua, who is familiar with history, knows this.

Just a few more years.

The Shanxi merchants, with their centuries-old traditions, will all vanish under the iron fist.

I suppose that when the time comes, it will be the time for this Miss Bai to beg me.

He calmly picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of the slightly cooled braised sea cucumber with scallions, and savored it.

It was as if the tense negotiation that had just taken place had never happened.

After finishing his meal, Li Zhenhua paid the bill and left Hongbinlou Restaurant; it was already late at night.

He glanced at his watch, estimated the time, and said to the driver.

"Go to the Municipal Public Security Bureau."

The car was parked not far from the entrance of the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Lin Taotao, dressed in a smart police uniform and looking dashing, walked out of the gate.

Upon seeing Li Zhenhua's car, a delighted smile appeared on her face, and she quickly walked over.

"Why are you here? Didn't you say you had a business dinner tonight?"

Lin Taotao opened the car door and got in, a faint, sweet fragrance wafting out.

"I'm done with my social engagements, so I'm just picking you up from get off work on my way."

Li Zhenhua smiled slightly and naturally took her hand.

"Have you got a meal yet?"

"I've already eaten in the cafeteria."

Lin Taotao felt the warmth from his palm and felt a sweet warmth in her heart, but she keenly noticed a hint of fatigue between Li Zhenhua's brows.

"You look a bit tired. Did your social engagement not go well?"

"Fortunately, we discussed some business matters, but there were some disagreements."

Li Zhenhua said it casually, then changed the subject.

"Tao Tao, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Hmm? You go ahead."

Lin Taotao looked at him.

Li Zhenhua pondered for a moment, then said.

"I'd like to visit Uncle Lin now. I have some work-related matters I'd like to ask him for advice on. Is that convenient for you?"

He didn't mention Ding Wei directly, but used work as an excuse, which was more natural and gave Lin Taotao and the Lin family some breathing room.

Lin Taotao was somewhat surprised.

"Right now? My dad's probably still in his study looking at documents. But... why did you suddenly decide to discuss work tonight?"

She was somewhat doubtful, but trusting Li Zhenhua, she nodded.

"If you're in a hurry, then go ahead. My dad was talking about you the other day, saying that the supply chain you've been working on recently has solved a big problem."

"it is good."

Li Zhenhua nodded and said to the driver.

"Let's go."

The car drove toward the heavily guarded compound.

Li Zhenhua leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, but his mind was racing, processing every detail and every possibility of his upcoming conversation with Lin Jingyue.

Ding Wei's matter is complex and multifaceted, and it is also related to his future plans.

He felt Lin Taotao leaning gently on his shoulder, conveying silent support and warmth.

He opened his eyes, gave her a reassuring smile, and made his decision.

No matter what lies ahead, he must keep going.