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

After receiving Liu Rong's promise, Lin Jingshun began making arrangements early the next morning.

He sat in his office, lit a cigarette, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his mind racing with thoughts of how to drag Cai Mingsheng and Chen Guowen into this mess.

He had worked with these two people for many years, and he knew their weaknesses better than anyone else.

Cai Mingsheng was a womanizer, especially fond of young and beautiful women; his meager salary from the tax bureau was simply not enough for him to squander.

Over the years, he has used his power to take many benefits from companies.

The reason he wouldn't let go of Lin Zheng's project was partly to vent Ma Cuihua's anger, and partly to squeeze more money out of Lin Zheng.

Chen Guowen is afraid of his wife, yet he can't control his own sexual desires.

Zhao Yali, a junior staff member at the Environmental Protection Bureau, had been with him for three years, and everyone in the bureau knew about her.

His wife, Liu Guihua, is a notorious shrew; if she knew about this, she would skin Chen Guowen alive.

After finishing a cigarette, Lin Jingshun picked up the phone on the table and dialed Cai Mingsheng's number.

"Old Cai, are you free tonight?"

"I got two bottles of good wine, want to have some together?"

Cai Mingsheng's cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Okay, where?"

"The usual place, resplendent in gold, room 888."

"Okay, what time?"

"Six o'clock."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Jingshun dialed Chen Guowen's number again.

"Old Chen, it's so magnificent tonight. Old Cai's coming too, want to join us?"

Chen Guowen was silent for a few seconds: "Okay, I'll be there at six."

Lin Jingshun put down the phone, leaned back in his chair, and a smile appeared on his lips.

He's been in Dianhai Town for so many years, and the reason he's gotten to where he is today isn't because of his abilities, but because of his methods.

Helping Lin Zheng to meet with people was just the first step; the real show was yet to come.

At 5 p.m., Lin Jingshun arrived at Jinbihuihuang ahead of schedule.

He booked the innermost private room on the third floor, which was far from the stairwell, had good soundproofing, and was suitable for discussing business.

The waiter brought over several plates of cold dishes, but Lin Jingshun waved for her to leave. He then took a small voice recorder from his briefcase and slipped it into the crevice of the sofa cushion.

He bought this online; it can record continuously for eight hours with clear sound quality, even through clothes.

He took out two packets of medicine powder from his bag, poured them into the teapot, and gently shook it.

It is colorless and odorless. Drinking it will not make you unconscious, but it will make you relax your vigilance and become more talkative.

Having navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for years, he had long since learned one thing: always leave yourself a backup plan.

He knew perfectly well what Cai Mingsheng and Chen Guowen had done over the years.

But knowing something is one thing, without evidence, it's all just empty talk.

Today, he's going to get his hands on the evidence.

At six o'clock sharp, Cai Mingsheng pushed open the door and came in.

He was wearing a gray jacket, the zipper bulging from his belly, and his round face sported his signature smile.

"Old Lin, what's the occasion today that makes you so generous?"

"On what days can't you drink alcohol?"

Lin Jingshun smiled and invited him to sit down, pouring him a cup of tea.

Cai Mingsheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and smacked his lips. "This tea is good. Where did you get it?"

"A friend gave it to me. I like it. I'll pack two boxes for you in a bit."

"Then I won't be polite."

As the two were talking, Chen Guowen arrived.

He was wearing a dark coat, his hair was gray, and his face still had that businesslike expression, but when he entered the private room, his eyes swept around as if to make sure no one else was there.

"Old Chen, have a seat." Lin Jingshun pointed to the seat next to Cai Mingsheng.

Chen Guowen sat down, took the tea Lin Jingshun offered, took a sip, and said nothing.

Lin Jingshun opened a bottle of Moutai and poured it for the two of them.

"Come on, have a drink first."

The three clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

After a few rounds of drinks, Cai Mingsheng became more talkative.

"Old Lin, that Lin Zheng, did he come to see you again yesterday?"

Lin Jingshun picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and said slowly, "I found it."

"Did you sign the permit for him?"

"Not signed."

Cai Mingsheng put down his wine glass and frowned: "It was the right thing not to sign. That kid is too arrogant. He needs to be taught a lesson."

Chen Guowen also spoke up, saying, "The project can't be rushed."

Cai Mingsheng chimed in, "Old Chen is right, we have to take it slow."

"But what if that kid has something on us?"

"Any information leaked from the Discipline Inspection Commission regarding Ma Cuihua's matter, Lao Lin? Why don't you try asking around?"

Lin Jingshun glanced at him and said, "What are you asking about? All he knows is about Ma Cuihua's affairs with men; it has nothing to do with us."

"Besides, Ma Cuihua has been in there for so long, she has said everything she could say, and she doesn't dare to say anything she shouldn't."

"Our relationship with Ma Cuihua is at most that of classmates, fellow villagers, and cousins. What could he possibly make a fuss about with that?"

Chen Guowen nodded: "Old Lin is right. We don't have any direct financial dealings with Ma Cuihua, so he won't be able to find anything."

Cai Mingsheng breathed a sigh of relief and picked up his wine glass: "That's good, that's good."

The three of them drank a few more glasses, and when Lin Jingshun saw that the time was right, he gave the waiter a wink.

The waiter understood and quickly brought in two young women.

Both women were in their early twenties, tall and slender, wearing matching cheongsams with high slits that revealed glimpses of their fair thighs as they walked.

"Director Cai, this is Xiaoyu."

Lin Jingshun pointed to one of the round-faced girls.

"She's from your hometown and has always wanted to meet you."

Cai Mingsheng's eyes lit up immediately, and his gaze swept over Xiaoyu.

"Old Lin, you're too kind."

"Of course, of course."

Lin Jingshun smiled and pointed to another girl with a long face.

"This is Xiao Qing, Lao Chen, let her have a couple of drinks with you."

Chen Guowen frowned, about to refuse, when Xiao Qing walked over and sat down next to him, gently placing her hand on his arm.

"Director Chen, let me toast you."

Her voice was soft and gentle, with a hint of timidity.

Chen Guowen glanced at her, said nothing, and raised his wine glass to clink with hers.

Lin Jingshun saw this and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

He knew Chen Guowen's temperament; the more he refused, the more guilty he must be.

Once this initial step is taken, the rest will be much easier.

After a few drinks, Chen Guowen became more talkative.

Xiao Qing leaned against him, gently stroking his chest, and whispered something.

Chen Guowen's expression gradually softened, and he placed his hand on her leg.

On the other side, Cai Mingsheng had already put his arm around Xiaoyu's waist, and the two were feeding each other wine mouth to mouth, their actions becoming increasingly unrestrained.

Lin Jingshun sat to the side, slowly sipping his wine and watching all of this.

He took out his phone, secretly took a few photos, and recorded a video.

But that wasn't enough; he wanted something even more exciting.

Another half hour passed, and Cai Mingsheng had completely let go.

He held Xiaoyu in his arms, his hands roaming freely over her body, uttering vulgar and offensive words.

"Xiaoyu, will you stay with me tonight?"

Xiaoyu nestled in his arms, her voice sweet and gentle.

"Director Cai, aren't you afraid your wife will find out?"

"So what if she knows?"

"What can she do to me?"

Cai Mingsheng was drunk and speaking without thinking.

"If she dares to control me, I'll divorce her."

"Anyway, I've saved enough money over the years at the tax bureau to last a lifetime."

Lin Jingshun was secretly delighted; these words were now a handle against him.