Right path to power

"Hello Director Luo, this is Lin Xiao. Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner to thank you for your support and assistance to Fuchuan County."

After several seconds of silence, a voice came from the other end of the phone: "Okay, County Chief Lin, you're too kind."

Lin Xiao quickly booked a private restaurant and then notified Wei Wenjuan.

Around five o'clock, Lin Xiao and Wei Wenjuan went to the city center together.

"County Magistrate, I've prepared a few envelopes..." Before Wei Wenjuan could finish speaking, Lin Xiao's cold gaze fell upon her.

"Put it away. I feel that if we use this, things will definitely not be handled reliably, and there may even be uncontrollable results."

Wei Wenjuan's face turned red instantly.

These past few days, she's been thinking it over and over, but she just can't figure out why she can't get the money she asks for from the Municipal Finance Bureau every time, especially since she's always been very respectful. That's why she's thinking about the reason being "lack of courtesy".

"I'm sorry, I misunderstood something in a moment of impulse."

"Yes, I understand your feelings, but I don't approve of your actions."

Around six o'clock, Luo Jinlian arrived, followed by two other people.

The woman in particular surprised Lin Xiao—Shen Xueying.

Today, she was dressed quite seductively, with her bright red lips looking absolutely gorgeous.

There was also a middle-aged man who was a bit overweight, wearing designer clothes and carrying a designer handbag under his arm; he looked like a nouveau riche who was involved in construction.

Lin Xiao frowned slightly.

These two people came uninvited; they must have had something important to ask for.

Shen Xueying needs no introduction; she's always wanted to make a fortune in Fuchuan, and her last statement, "I've got you cornered," didn't sound like a joke.

As for the middle-aged man, if he really was in the construction business, his purpose would be self-evident.

Luo Jinlian brought these two people without prior notice, and her intentions were quite clear.

"Excuse me, County Chief Lin, Mr. Shen and Mr. Xia are my friends. They heard that I was having dinner with you tonight, so they came along. Mr. Shen said that you are old friends, and Mr. Xia also wanted to get to know you, so he came without prior notice. I hope you won't mind."

Luo Jinlian offered an explanation, but Lin Xiao knew she had done it intentionally.

I can't refuse right now, mainly because I haven't yet learned the information I wanted to get on this trip.

So, we can only wait and see what tricks these three are up to.

"Director Luo, you're too kind. Everyone here is a friend. Please take a seat."

Luo Jinlian then introduced the middle-aged man—Xia Yingjie, the owner of Jianhong Construction Company, whose business involves engineering construction and engineering vehicle rental.

"County Magistrate Lin, President Xia has mentioned to me many times that he is very optimistic about the development of Fuchuan and is willing to contribute to the construction of Fuchuan. He asked me to help him get in touch with County Magistrate Lin, but I always said that County Magistrate Lin is very busy and may not have time. It's just the right opportunity today for us to make friends," Luo Jinlian said with a smile.

Sure enough, they came here to "make money".

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Director Luo, rest assured, Fuchuan welcomes friends from all over the world to invest and build factories. We will definitely provide excellent service."

As the dinner progressed, Lin Xiao gradually lost hope for the meal. He had originally wanted to use this dinner to find out what the city's intentions were in withholding agricultural subsidies, but the arrival of Shen Xueying and Xia Yingjie made that idea unrealistic.

At the dinner table, there was basically nothing besides wine and dishes.

Fortunately, Lin Xiao didn't drink much alcohol after the meal.

After seeing Luo Jinlian off, Lin Xiao turned around and saw that Shen Xueying had already gotten into the car.

"I'm staying at the Emperor Hotel, County Chief Lin, would you mind giving me a ride? Is that alright?" Shen Xueying blushed, her eyes were like water, her chest rose and fell slightly, and she looked at Lin Xiao with a smile.

Lin Xiao didn't answer. He glanced at Wei Wenjuan, then got into the passenger seat and instructed Ji Jianghua to drive to the Emperor Hotel.

"What? County Magistrate Lin, are you that afraid I'll eat you up? Why don't you dare sit in the back?"

Lin Xiao sneered: "I'm just afraid you're overthinking it."

"Don't you want to?"

"What am I thinking?"

"You miss me."

Lin Xiao was speechless, while Wei Wenjuan, standing to the side, looked somewhat embarrassed.

It was her first time meeting Shen Xueying, so she naturally didn't know what kind of person she was. But from the drinking session just now and her series of words and actions, she could guess that the charming woman next to her was not someone to be trifled with.

Moreover, Lin Xiao had already secretly told her about Shen Xueying's identity and warned her to be careful.

Soon, we arrived at the Emperor Hotel.

"Mr. Shen, we've arrived."

Shen Xueying, her eyes glazed and her expression languid, glanced out the window: "Why so fast? Did you come to the wrong place? Come help me, I really can't stand up. You guys made me drink so much tonight, were you up to something...?"

Lin Xiao said coldly, "Alright, get out of the car."

"I don't care, I can't walk anymore. You either need to help me or carry me inside."

Lin Xiao's face darkened. After thinking for a few seconds, he opened the car door, paused, glanced at the back door, and then walked straight to the hotel lobby, where he spoke with a lobby manager.

A short while later, Lin Xiao returned to the car with the hotel lobby manager, two female waitresses, and a wheelchair.

At this moment, Wei Wenjuan, who had already gotten out of the car, promptly opened the back door.

Lin Xiaochao nodded slightly to her, then turned to Shen Xueying and said coldly, "President Shen, you are a VIP customer of the hotel. They will take care of getting you safely back to your room."

After he finished speaking, he and Wei Wenjuan walked to the side.

Somewhat exasperated, Shen Xueying wanted to say something more, but seeing the hotel staff staring at her with wide eyes, she had no choice but to get out of the car reluctantly, glare at Lin Xiao angrily, and then walk into the hotel on her own.

When she walked into the lobby and looked back, the car had already started and slowly drove away from the hotel.

Shen Xueying stood there for a few seconds before returning to her room.

This was the first time she had ever felt so defeated in front of a man.

"County Magistrate, she..."

"She's a vicious woman, but she's too confident, thinking all men will fall at her feet. As for her father, I think if he's not careful, he might be dragged down by his children."

In fact, Lin Xiao had something else he didn't say aloud—such a honey trap wouldn't work on me, because my wife is a woman more beautiful than a fairy.

"Looks like I'll have to be careful if we have any contact with them in the future."

Lin Xiao nodded: "Tonight's dinner is probably a waste of time. Contact the Municipal Finance Bureau again tomorrow to see when the funds can be disbursed. If that still doesn't work, I will ask Secretary Zhu to intervene."

Luo Jinlian and Han Chengdong are classmates, and Zhu Lishu and Han Chengdong are close, so there shouldn't be much of a problem.

If that doesn't work, then we'll go directly to Mayor Ma.

He wasn't afraid of this matter escalating anywhere, since the Municipal Finance Bureau was in the wrong anyway.

Of course, it's best to avoid falling out if possible.

"Yes, County Head."

In fact, Wei Wenjuan had been secretly observing Lin Xiao all along.

Although he promoted her, she was not familiar with Lin Xiao.

However, after getting to know him closely tonight, she discovered why this junior, who was even younger than her, was able to become the acting county magistrate before he was even thirty—he possessed certain qualities.

As for the rumors about powerful backers and connections, she didn't think much of it. After all, anyone with a promising career must have such a foundation.

Therefore, her attitude towards Lin Xiao changed from initial unfamiliarity to curiosity about why he chose her, and now to some admiration.

Just then, a rapid ringing of the telephone startled Lin Xiao, who had been resting with her eyes closed.

Upon seeing the caller ID, he smiled and answered the call.

"Have you gone back to your residence?" Song Wanqing asked sweetly.

"I just finished hosting a dinner party in the city and I'm heading back to the county. Are you home? Hmm, who's that voice next to me?"

"Are you super-hearing? You can hear the slightest sound. By the way, have you been drinking? Remember to drink plenty of water when you get back to your place. Did you try the hangover soup I taught you to make last time?"

"I don't need any hangover soup today; I drank very little. By the way, who exactly is next to you?"

"Don't worry, you know her too, she's your college classmate, Zhong Xue. Come on, Sister Xue, tell Lin Xiao, otherwise he'll think I'm hiding someone in my room... Lin Xiao, I'm Zhong Xue..."

Upon hearing this voice, Lin Xiao's mind went blank.

How did they end up together?

"You wouldn't believe it, would you?" Song Wanqing's voice came from behind. "We just had dinner together, and Sister Xiaoxue told me a lot about your university life."

Lin Xiao laughed and said, "Does that mean I'm academically excellent, upright, and handsome...?"

"Stop! How come I didn't realize you were so vain? You're even more vain than that... that Zhou Yunsong!"

Lin Xiao asked疑惑地, "I don't want to compare myself to him. But why did you suddenly bring him up?"

"That's all because of that guy. I taught him a lesson tonight. That toad trying to eat swan meat, daring to pester Sister Xiaoxue. So, I... I smashed a bottle over his head..."

"What? Are you injured?"

Lin Xiao couldn't imagine the delicate Miss Song swinging a wine bottle at someone, but he was certain that Zhou Yunsong must have done something outrageous to make his fiancée so angry.