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

"What is it?" Liu Qiuping asked.

"On election day, in front of everyone, you will recount what Liu Shanhai has done over the years."

Li Qiuping's expression changed, and her body began to tremble.

"Manager Lin, this...this won't do."

"If I tell anyone, he'll definitely retaliate."

"Don't worry, I will protect you."

"On election day, leaders from both the town and the district will be present."

"As long as you tell them about Liu Shanhai's crimes, even if he wants to take revenge on you, he won't dare to do it openly."

"Furthermore, I will arrange a way out for you, so that you and your child can leave here and live in a new place."

Li Qiuping pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Okay, I promise."

"Manager Lin, I believe in you."

Lin Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and poured Li Qiuping a glass of wine.

"Director Li, thank you."

"Don't call me Director Li, just call me Qiuping."

Li Qiuping picked up her wine glass and clinked it against Lin Zheng's.

They each took a sip, and the atmosphere eased considerably.

"Manager Lin, how old are you this year?" Li Qiuping suddenly asked.

"Twenty-six."

"So young."

Li Qiuping sighed, "I'm several years older than you."

"Women are more attractive when they're a bit older," Lin Zheng said casually.

Li Qiuping blushed and lowered her head without saying a word.

The private room fell silent, with only the sound of their breathing remaining.

After a while, Li Qiuping raised her head and looked at Lin Zheng.

"Manager Lin, do you...do you think I'm pretty?"

"Beautiful," Lin Zheng said truthfully.

"So...do you like me?"

Li Qiuping asked the same question she had asked last night.

This time, there was no calculation in her eyes, only sincerity.

Lin Zheng looked at her, his heart stirred.

This is a pitiful woman.

She was bullied by Liu Shanhai for three years, living in fear and humiliation.

She wanted to resist, but she was powerless to do so.

She wanted to run away, but had nowhere to go.

She needs someone to lend her a hand and give her hope.

"Qiuping, you are a good woman."

Lin Zheng took her hand.

"Once this is over, you will definitely be able to live a normal life."

Li Qiuping's eyes reddened, and she nodded vigorously.

"Manager Lin, thank you."

"Don't call me Manager Lin, just call me Lin Zheng."

"Lin Zheng..."

As Li Qiuping read this name, a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

The two chatted for a while longer before Li Qiuping got up to say goodbye.

As she reached the door, she suddenly turned around, hugged Lin Zheng, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Lin Zheng, you must be careful. Liu Shanhai is a very treacherous person."

"I know, you are too."

Lin Zheng patted her on the shoulder and saw her off.

Back in his room, Lin Zheng lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and forced himself to calm down.

The evidence provided by Li Qiuping is enough to ruin Liu Shanhai's reputation.

But that's not enough; you also need someone who can speak up at crucial moments.

Lin Zheng took out his phone and dialed Yang Wanshan's number.

"Mayor Yang, I have some things that I'm sure you'll be interested in."

"What is it?"

"Evidence of Liu Shanhai's embezzlement and bribery over the years, as well as photos of his corrupt conduct."

Yang Wanshan was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Where are you? I'm coming right away."

"Wangjiang Tower, Room 502."

Half an hour later, Yang Wanshan arrived.

Lin Zheng handed him the materials that Li Qiuping had provided.

Yang Wanshan flipped through the documents one by one, his expression growing increasingly grim.

"This Liu Shanhai is incredibly audacious."

"Mayor Yang, are these things enough to force him to step down?"

Yang Wanshan was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's enough, but we need the right opportunity."

"Election day will be the best time."

Lin Zheng said, "The town and district leaders will be present at the time."

"Let the whistleblower state Liu Shanhai's crimes on stage, and he won't be able to deny them even if he wants to."

Yang Wanshan thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "This method is feasible, but it needs to be arranged carefully to avoid any mistakes."

"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements," Lin Zheng said.

Upon hearing this, Yang Wanshan turned his gaze back to Lin Zheng, his eyes showing a hint of appreciation.

"Manager Lin, you're no ordinary person."

"To be able to obtain this evidence against Liu Shanhai in such a short time."

"Mayor Yang, you flatter me. I was just lucky."

Yang Wanshan smiled but didn't say anything more.

The two discussed some more details, and the discussion didn't end until evening.

After Yang Wanshan left, Lin Zheng stood by the window, looking at the night outside.

Election Day is in three days, and everything hinges on this one moment.

If he wins, the project can proceed smoothly, and he can secure his position.

If he loses, not only will Deng Hong not become the Party Secretary, but he will also be unable to stay in Dianhai Town.

…………

Two days later, on the eve of the election, Yang Wanshan met with Lin Zheng and Deng Hong in the town government office.

The office is small and simply decorated, with a desk, a row of bookshelves, and a few wooden chairs.

A map of Dianhai Town and several brocade banners were hanging on the wall.

Yang Wanshan sat in the main seat, a document spread out in front of him, a cigarette between his fingers, his gaze sweeping over the two men.

"Please sit down."

He put down the cigarette in his hand, pointed to the chair opposite him, and said.

Lin Zheng and Deng Hong sat down, waiting for Yang Wanshan to speak.

"The election is tomorrow. How are your preparations going?" Yang Wanshan asked bluntly.

Deng Hong looked at Lin Zheng, who then spoke.

"Everything is ready."

Yang Wanshan nodded: "What about Liu Shanhai? Any movement from him?"

Lin Zheng said, "He's still trying to win over those wavering village representatives, and he's given gifts to quite a few of them."

"However, we are prepared to deal with it. If he dares to tamper with the election, we will expose him on the spot."

Yang Wanshan remained silent for a moment, then gently tapped his fingers on the table.

"Liu Shanhai has been operating in the village for so many years, and his roots are very deep."

"You may have evidence, but evidence alone is not enough to bring him down in the election."

Lin Zheng frowned: "What does Mayor Yang mean?"

Yang Wanshan stubbed out his cigarette and said coldly, "Strike the snake at its vital point."

"Liu Shanhai's weakness is not how much money he embezzled, but how many people he offended."

"What you need to do is not to confront him head-on, but to make him reveal his true colors."

Deng Hong seemed thoughtful: "Does Mayor Yang mean we should force him to take action?"

"That's right."

Yang Wanshan nodded. "Liu Shanhai's biggest flaw is that he is too arrogant."

"He thought he was all-powerful in the village and no one dared to oppose him."

"If you just provoke him a little during the election, he'll jump out on his own."

Lin Zheng suddenly realized, and his admiration for Yang Wanshan grew even stronger.

He truly is a cunning old fox in officialdom; his perspective on issues is indeed unique.

"Mayor Yang, how exactly do we do it?" Lin Zheng asked.

Yang Wanshan said, "Before the election starts tomorrow, have Li Qiuping wait outside the venue and don't rush in."

"If Liu Shanhai sees her, he will definitely become suspicious and send someone to question her."

"Then Li Qiuping will say that you forced her to come and testify, that she didn't want to come, but she didn't dare not to."

"If Liu Shanhai hears this, he will definitely think that you don't have any real evidence and are just bluffing."

"He will then lower his guard and reveal his weaknesses in the election."

After listening, Lin Zheng secretly admired Yang Wanshan's shrewdness.

This tactic of luring the snake out of its hole not only made Liu Shanhai underestimate his opponent, but also led him into the trap.