258

even opened my mouth before she ran off! Hmph, she's climbed a big tree now, so her value has skyrocketed. She looks down on us shrimp soldiers and crab generals!"Gao Xi was startled and frowned. "Wha...Lin Meng felt a little down.

"Am I really so useless!" she pouted. "I feel like I can't help you with anything!"

He was astonished, a shock that ran through him!

Apart from his mother, this was the first time a woman had come forward to help him. Especially, now that he had reached such heights, there was still such a woman who dared to speak like this.

He looked at Lin Meng, his mood fluctuating for a moment.

This woman, can she please not be so cute!

The longer he spent with her, the more he felt like he was being drowned.

"Sleep!"

Overwhelmed with emotion, he didn't know what to say. He could only choose to lull her to sleep.

She still had something to say. "What if...I mean, what if, anything happens to you, be sure to tell me right away, okay"

He boldly walked over and sealed her lips shut. She was kissed into a daze and released, naturally falling silent.

"Don't worry about things in City B. Just stay here, like I said. Once I take care of things over there, I'll come and get you. Just wait for me!"

What's most crucial is that B city is now in turmoil. If she returns, it'll be like stepping into a cesspool. The media is somewhat out of his control, clearly manipulated by other forces behind the scenes. If she goes back, she'll definitely be harmed. He doesn't want all this nonsense to bother her, nor does he want her to see those baseless reports.

So, she just stayed put there until he cleaned up over there!

Lin Meng had no other choice but to fall asleep. And so, one night passed. Before dawn broke, she quietly got out of bed, changed into her own clothes, and slipped back into her bedroom.

Next, the tough fight between Guangda and Sen Gong left Guangda completely humiliated. Sen Gong, with their connections, set prices arbitrarily. Besides rejecting most of Guangda's proposed conditions, they even drove down the acquisition price to an outrageous level - only 10% higher than Lin Meng's offer!

This is simply outrageous!

Nuan Chenghui was provoked, a smile on his face, gritting his teeth, he requested to temporarily halt the negotiations, stating that their Guangda side still needed further discussion.

Sen Gong agreed over there and sent someone to lead Ruan Chenghui's group into a nearby room. As soon as Ruan Chenghui entered, he couldn't help but take out cigarettes and smoke frantically. The face that always seemed somewhat carefree and flirtatious with a smile was now dark and gloomy, almost as terrifying as the sky on the eve of a summer storm. Lin Meng sat down on the sofa beside him, also with furrowed brows, bearing both worry and frustration.

It's such a shame to have all her previous efforts go to waste, she wouldn't accept that!

It's frustrating, but there's no one on their side powerful enough to stand up to Senko!

Then, after a while, someone from the forestry department came over and called Lin Meng out. He wanted to talk to her. Ruan Chenghui stubbed out his cigarette and was about to follow, but the female secretary smiled gently but firmly refused him. Lin Meng thought to herself that it wasn't like the forestry director would eat her, she could just refuse everything he said anyway. She didn't think much of it and went with him alone.

It's just that the facts didn't align with her expectations. She had anticipated facing a negotiation team from Senko, but to her surprise, she only saw Secretary Li alone. Furthermore, this room wasn't the conference room where the representatives from Senko and Kogyo had been engaged in a verbal sparring match just moments ago.

What on earth does this Li Shuji want to talk to her about!

Lin Meng was puzzled and curious!

But because Li Shujì had an official position, she had to smile and be polite, and respectfully address him with honorifics.

"Secretary Li, so it's you looking for me. Hehe, may I ask what brings you to me"

Li Shuji is a seasoned old hand. People like him are good at speaking official jargon, saying one thing after another, but those words are mostly superficial and it's hard to grasp the core of what he wants to convey. For example, what he's saying now is similar to what he said at the negotiating table before – talking about how Lin Meng should cooperate, how to carry the spirit forward to support state-owned enterprises, and even pointing out the potential disadvantages if SenGong continues to be dominated by private interests...

Lin Meng was incredibly impatient! She had heard this kind of talk countless times. (..tw no pop-up ads) It wasn't that she didn't understand, or that she didn't love her country, or that she didn't know about giving back to the nation. But everyone here was a businessman, doing business. They couldn't operate at a loss, they couldn't make money to pay their employees! The country wasn't in dire straits right now, there was no need to cut off the livelihood of businessmen!

She found such people hypocritical and was truly unwilling to interact with them too much! Moreover, she always felt that Mr. Li seemed to have something unspoken, and his attitude, compared to before at the negotiating table, strangely seemed a bit more eager! Later on, when Mr. Li repeatedly steered the conversation towards her, and his smile sometimes looked rather strange, she felt a little uneasy inside.

“Mr. Li, you see, I can't make these decisions on my own. This is a company-wide matter. You see, I can't represent the company and give you an answer in my personal capacity. So, let's continue to have the representatives from both sides talk for now!”

Secretary Li let out a chuckle, the kind of laugh common among officials.

"Lin Meng, you are being too humble! Hehehe, we all know that this stock acquisition was entirely your doing. So in this matter, you can completely represent your company as one person. At such a young age, to achieve such results is truly remarkable! And besides, you're so beautiful, that's even more remarkable! Hehehe, both talent and beauty, it really makes people look at you with admiration!"

Lin Meng felt awkward being praised, so she could only smile awkwardly and repeatedly say, "You're too kind, you're too kind..."

"Oh, don't be modest!" Li Secretary suddenly raised his body slightly, shifting his buttocks closer to Lin Meng's pillow, and quickly and accurately grabbed Lin Meng's hand with a firm grip, like a superior naturally holding onto it. His other hand gently patted her shoulder as if comforting her.

"A woman like you, both beautiful and capable, is rare indeed. I see great potential in you, young one. Hmph, hmph!"

As he spoke, he kept a firm hold of Lin Meng's hand and wouldn't let go!

Lin Meng was truly disgusted. Moreover, the way this person was acting now was unbecoming of his status. He should just speak and not resort to such physical gestures! She tried to pull her hand away, but Li Shujing's grip was surprisingly tight, and she couldn't free herself in one go.

“Actually, when it comes to the price, there's still room for negotiation!” Li Shuji chuckled, and those eyes that had seemed so imposing at first now shone with a completely different light. There was a fervent heat in them, not without a hint of sleaziness. At the same time, his fingers moved slightly, suggestively pinching Lin Meng's delicate hand.

"As for the final outcome of this negotiation, I'll be the one overseeing it, heh heh. There are many things, Lin Meng, that you can discuss with me!"

He looked rather smug, to be blunt, a bit full of himself. Those eyes were no longer hiding his intentions towards Lin Meng.

This person naturally has the means to get into this position. Furthermore, under normal circumstances, the common people do not fight with officials, so even if this official is known for his misconduct, as long as those above do not deal with him, the ordinary people are powerless against such a person. Li Shugi, this man, is quite lustful. He has had a smooth journey in his official career. While he has been protected by those above, he has also taken advantage of his position to take advantage of women.

In this country, for a woman to succeed in her career and not be subject to unspoken rules, it's incredibly difficult! When it comes to these unspoken rules, women often have to sacrifice their bodies.

Secretary Li has made his point clear. Previously, Rong Ling had intended to give Lin Meng a lesson and had his subordinates deliberately make things difficult for him. So, given that this had just happened not long ago, Lin Meng was extremely sensitive to such matters.

Suddenly, her face changed.

Secretary Li looked at her, squinting and smiling, his rather plump hands still ambiguously caressing Lin Meng's small hand. Falling into Lin Meng's eyes, she felt that this hand was as swollen and disgusting as a pig's hoof.

She furrowed her brows, gritted her teeth, and yanked her hand out. ( ..tw)

Li Shuji was used to this. Women, after all, always put up a little resistance at first. It’s how they get a better price. He thought Lin Meng was beautiful enough. He had seen many women in his life and had never seen anything like her. So even though Lin Meng was being a little difficult and playing hard to get, he didn't mind. Besides, he thought he looked good himself. He wasn’t the type of man who repelled women. They say that men are most charming at forty, and Li Shuji was in his early forties. Right now, he felt pretty good about himself.

"Don't overthink it, I just want to help you! If it weren't for you today, I wouldn't have said these words. This is a rare opportunity, so think about it carefully. Rest assured, you won't lose out!"

This person's words are becoming increasingly shameless!

Lin Meng was indeed young, as Rong Ling had said. She hadn't gone through too much of the harshness of the business world, so in some ways, she was quite naive. She couldn't bear it anymore and suddenly stood up, looking at Li Shujing, her eyes sharp as needles.

"Secretary Li, please control yourself!" The voice was slightly sharp, laced with her suppressed shame.

Everyone fend for themselves when it comes to meals. This person, who is being paid by taxpayers, has what qualifications to feel so good and say such shameless words!

Secretary Li saw that Lin Meng was resisting, and his expression of joy immediately subsided. He warned in a low voice: "Lin Meng, this is a rare opportunity. Don't be so foolish as to miss it. I genuinely want to elevate you. Think about it carefully, you should understand that what you gain will far outweigh what you lose!"

"Shameless!"

Lin Meng blushed with shame and glared at him angrily before turning around and leaving!

To her surprise, she was caught by the arm once again by Li's secretary, who rushed towards her.

"You know, what will you face if you step out of this door!"

"Let go!"

Li, the secretary, refused to stop and continued speaking to himself. “What you’ve lost is not just this negotiation. For Guangda to develop, you need to take care of everything on all sides. Let me tell you straight up, if you think it through and understand, I guarantee Guangda will have a smooth journey. As for those who cause trouble in various ways, they won't bother you anymore!”

This is a threat, a blatant threat!

When inducement fails, then coercion follows!

Such a shameless person, yet he sits in such a high position. Lin Meng feels sorrow for the people under his rule!

Not everyone can be as shameless as you!

Lin Meng sneered, not even bothering with a polite smile. She directly mocked, "You're just a mere city party secretary. You really think you're number one! If you want power to reach the heavens, first weigh how much you actually weigh!"

Secretary Li's face changed, and he immediately became displeased. He had never been so ridiculed by such a small person!

"You young people have no sense of proportion!" he thundered, putting on an airs of authority. "Just because you've had a taste of foreign ways doesn't mean you're not from z country. As long as your feet are on this soil, don't be so presumptuous. Keep acting like this ignorantly, and one day you'll surely get your head cracked open!"

Lin Meng narrowed her eyes, her gaze icy, and countered with a sneer. "I don't know if that day will ever come for me, but you will definitely have a day when you are brought to justice!"

"You――" he roared with fury.

She flung her arm with force, twisting around and striding away.

He scowled, his eyes glinting with menace, and roared, "Then just wait and see! If it's not enough, I'm a generous man. If you change your mind, I'll still give you one last chance!"

He smugly thought to himself, he had people above him. To bring him down, one would have to uproot his entire faction. Otherwise, what could a mere Light-Great Chairman's wife do to him! He seethed with malice, thinking about how this woman would suffer and regret it later. He vowed that this woman would beg him on her knees!

When that time comes, I'll make sure she regrets it!

He responded with a sinister and smug expression. The sound of the door being slammed open by Lin Meng, then banging against the wall, was like a clap of thunder that echoed in the silence, declaring a kind of tearing!

Lin Meng returned to the temporary break room with a grim face, her anger palpable. As she forcefully pushed open the door, several pairs of concerned eyes met hers. She narrowed her brows and snorted angrily.

That's it!

The grim faces of those present immediately made everyone feel that something had definitely happened, and it was probably not a good thing.

"What's wrong!" Ruan Chenhui took the cigarette out of his mouth and frowned.

"Just don't ask anymore, let's go!" Lin Meng was like someone had lit a firecracker under her. Her entire being was filled with a fiery energy, and the words she spoke were impulsive and hasty.

"What's going on!" asked Ruan Chenghui. This negotiation wasn't some children's play, how could they just say no to it! Especially, the other party was both the secretary of the municipal committee and the provincial committee! Although he was also annoyed that Sen Gong was too arrogant, after he had a phone call with Ruan Chengyi, they reached a unified opinion: they still had to grind against Sen Gong's side. For some things, there was no way out, so they could only bow their heads!

Lin Mengke didn't care how Ruan Chenghui felt. She glared at him gloomily, gritted her teeth and said angrily, "Leave!"

He didn't have many people under him, not with that kind of power. He could only watch helplessly as Ruan Chenghui and Lin Meng faced each other, waiting for the two big bosses to decide the outcome.

Ruan Chenghui sensed that Lin Meng was off. He frowned, stubbed out his cigarette, and directly ordered the few people accompanying him to go out first. These people were quick-witted and rushed out, with the last one even kindly closing the room's door.

"Come on, what's going on! What did Mori-san say just now that got you so riled up!"

He watched as Lin Meng bit her lip, her pretty face flushing red one moment, white the next, and then black. Looking at her tightly clenched fist, he felt that this woman seemed on the verge of being driven mad.

"There's nothing to say!" Lin Meng stubbornly turned her head, snorting coldly. "Just do what I say. Let's go!"

She was strong, yet there was a vulnerability about her that made people feel sorry for her. Ruan Chenghui's heart skipped a beat as he watched Lin Meng for a while, then walked towards her.

"Dreamy!" He reached out and boldly pressed his hands on her small shoulders. "Tell me, what happened!"

Her soft voice, like fine wine, was intoxicatingly alluring.

Lin Meng, however, was not intoxicated by this, nor did his body soften. He remained tense.

"Ruan Chenghui, do you hear me!" She gritted her teeth, glaring at him fiercely. At this moment, she had already forgotten to care about Ruan Chenghui's affectionate call for her!

They were so close, their faces separated by a mere centimeter. Too close. Close enough for him to see every detail of her expression. In any other situation, he would have been captivated by her beauty, lost in her allure. But right now, as he gazed at the blush on her face, the shame in her eyes, and the restless energy radiating from her body language, inspiration struck him like lightning. He had a sudden epiphany.

"Was someone threatening you!"

Her eyelashes fluttered suddenly.

"Want to touch me!" The raised voice struck again with heavy force.

She froze!

Ruan Chenghui was furious, beyond angry!

He must have reached such a conclusion because he had been in relationships for a long time and encountered similar situations before. What he didn't expect was that the experience he gained in this area would be used to speculate about Lin Meng!

Damn it!

"Who the hell is it!" he demanded, gripping her shoulders so tightly they ached.

She frowned, averted her face in shame, gritting her teeth, only managing to utter a single word.

"Go!"

After finishing, he looked at Ruan Cheng Hui with blazing eyes.

阮 Cheng-hui glared back at her, furious. He was angry that she treated him like an outsider and didn't tell him anything!

Lin Meng misunderstood, thinking that she was ultimately inferior to the benefits Guangda wanted. She thought that even if she was bullied, Ruan Chenghui wouldn't stand up for her against Sen Gong.

"You don't want to leave, it's okay. But I have to go, let me go!" she said harshly.

Nuan Cheng Hui's face twisted slightly, and her heart ached. In her eyes, was he such a pathetic person

"Let's go! All of us, let's get out of here!"

He snorted in anger, let her go, walked to the door, pulled it open, and called several of his companions inside.

"Pack up everything right away, we're leaving now!"

Some people were clueless and still don't know what happened. But seeing even Ruan Cheng Hui become like Lin Meng, they didn't dare to make a sound. They quickly gathered the scattered information, organized it, took it with them, and followed Ruan Cheng Hui closely.

Nuan Chenghui grabbed Lin Meng's arm, her face cold, and strode out.

The movement of these people naturally caught the attention of the forestry workers. Song Lian came out, expressing his confusion and loudly asking Ruan Chenghui while taking large strides towards him, trying to stop him.

"Vice President Ruan, what are you doing!"

Ruan Cheng hui didn't reply, and just took his group of people toward the elevator.

Also at this time, the door to Li Shuji's office opened.

Song Lian saw Li Shujishi, just as he had seen a heavyweight savior. He turned his head to Li Shujishi and said, "Li Shujishi, look at this! What on earth is going on What is Ruan, the vice-general manager, trying to do! The negotiations haven't even ended!"

阮 Cheng-hui finally stopped and turned his head, staring straight at Li Shuji. Li Shuji couldn't figure out what shameful thing he had done before. Now, seeing Ruan Cheng-hui and his group like this, he thought Lin Meng had explained the situation, and he was very unhappy in his heart. In his experience, a woman with a little intelligence would swallow her anger if she encountered such a thing, no matter how unwilling she was. She wouldn't tell others about it. He didn't even think that if she denied it outright, would people believe her! Or would they believe him, the official! In the end, it would be her who lost face inside and out!

Now, he didn't know whether this Lin Meng was a fool or something else. He had actually exposed the matter directly. It was one thing for him to do those shameless things behind people's backs with familiarity; naturally, he wouldn't be nervous. But being exposed and watched by so many people, no matter what, he felt a little guilty. So, at this moment, his fake grace, kindness, and skillful maneuvering were all ineffective. He only showed the sullen reaction of someone in power who was looked down upon and despised.

He remained silent, staring at Lin Meng and his companions, his expression resembling that of a strange being from the bell tower.

Nguyen Cheng Huy immediately confirmed, that shameless bastard, was Li Shujie!

Glaring angrily at Li Shujing, Ruan Chenghui endured the moment. As the elevator doors opened with a hiss, he abruptly pulled Lin Meng into the elevator, and the others followed suit.

Li Shujì's brow jumped, a sinister smile played on his lips, and he said in a cold, mocking tone, "You Guangda are truly impressive with your grand airs! You say you come, so you come. You say you leave, so you leave!"

The resentment and threat veiled in those words were unmistakable!

It's a pity that there are always some people in this world who would rather die than submit.阮承輝 would never kowtow like a lapdog, groveling at his feet just to survive. So, the cold elevator doors shut firmly, unmoved by external factors. They separated both parties, and also planted the seeds of mutual hatred!

Song Lian's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't stop the person from taking the elevator, so he could only turn his gaze to Li Shuji.

"Mr. Li, what do you think!"

Secretary Li let out a cold snort. Years of experience in the political arena allowed him to say something that sounded reasonable yet carried the maximum impact.

"It seems that Guangda has no sincerity at all! Dealing with such a selfish and unpatriotic private company, I think we don't need to be too polite. Perhaps, the higher-ups should send an investigation team to thoroughly investigate Guangda. After all, companies like this, whose CEOs live abroad for long periods, we always have to guard against them secretly doing things that harm state assets!"

This statement is very serious!

Even if Guangda is clean, if it's really slandered and tossed around like that, it would be seriously injured!

Song Lian's face showed no change, but a shadow of worry had fallen over his heart.. "Brother Jiang, you just sit here for a bit!""Don't you treat me like an outsider!"Lin Meng felt a little embarrassed and didn't try to stop him. After a while, smoke started coming from the grill....