Looking at the hypocritical Lin Cong across from him, Li Xiuwen felt a wave of nausea.

For the sake of the greater good, he did not expose it on the spot.

It's infuriating that such a treacherous person has become a leader!

However, Huo Xiao had already told him beforehand not to act rashly at any time, and to get things done first.

As soon as the dinner began, Huo Xiao had already placed the tape recorder in a hidden spot, just waiting for Lin Cong to fall into the trap they had dug.

Lin Cong had no idea that his words would be recorded; he assumed they were just like everyone else, asking him for a favor.

"After all that talk, let me get straight to the point: give me 20,000 yuan, and I guarantee I'll get land approved for your factory."

"It's all public land, so it doesn't matter who gets it, right?"

When the meal was almost over, Huo Xiao didn't mention money at all, so Lin Cong simply spoke frankly.

Huo Xiao pretended to be in a difficult position.

"Twenty thousand yuan is no small amount, and it will be difficult to explain to the finance department. Is it really necessary to take that much?"

"What's the point of talking if you can't produce the land? That land is under my control; I can give it to whomever I want!"

"Money makes things much easier." Lin Cong spoke with an air of authority, appearing to be in complete control.

Huo Xiao had no choice but to wave his hand at Li Xiuwen, telling him to take out 20,000 yuan.

Li Xiuwen was extremely unhappy. Back then, Xiuwu used medicinal herbs to curry favor with the leaders, and now he had to give him money. Where was the justice?

"Director Lin, please accept this 20,000 yuan." He had no choice but to grit his teeth and bow and scrape.

Lin Cong took the money, expertly stuffed it into the inner pocket of his coat, and grinned crookedly.

"Okay, wait for my good news!"

Then, he took a toothpick, picked his teeth, and walked out of the private room.

Huo Xiao quickly took the cassette tape out of the tape recorder and put it away.

Lin Cong walked out of Donglaishun and looked to the side, where he found a new hot pot restaurant. Coincidentally, Lin Xiaocui was at the door attracting customers, and their eyes met.

"Xiao Cui?" Lin Cong opened his mouth wide in surprise.

Seeing that Lin Xiaocui had already noticed him, he had no choice but to walk over, touch his nose, and say, "Why have you come to the capital too?"

"Oh, if Big Brother can come, why can't I?" Lin Xiaocui nodded to the customers, gesturing for them to walk into the shop, while giving Lin Cong a perfunctory answer.

To be honest, she had fantasized about what she would say to Lin Cong when she met him.

He's still my brother, after all!

But Lin Cong's disdainful attitude made her very unhappy.

Lin Cong took out a hundred yuan from his pocket, stuffed it into her hand, and casually said, "You must be having a hard time working as a waitress in Beijing. Why don't you ask me for help?"

I've already eaten today, so I won't go to your restaurant again. I'll come back to support you next time.

If you encounter any difficulties in the future, remember to come to me!

His condescending tone disgusted her.

She returned the money: "No, you should keep it for yourself!"

That sounds nice, but they don't even mention that his house faces east or west. How are we supposed to find him?

Besides, she really doesn't care about his little bit of money!

After Lin Cong left, Huo Xiao went into Xiao Cui's hot pot restaurant, where Lu Wanqing was waiting for him in a private room.

Henry Fok had already arrived and was exchanging pleasantries with her, while several children were already playing and making a ruckus on the side.

Even the most aloof child will be melted by a baby younger than themselves. Ququ playfully teased two-year-old Huo Jie and they had a great time.

Huo Xiao handed the tape to Lu Wanqing, who then turned to ask Huo Yingdong.

"Where should I submit the evidence to when I report Lin Cong for soliciting bribes?"

Having spent many years in the officialdom, Fok Ying-tung naturally knew the ins and outs of it.

"Are you sure you want to take this step? After all, the waters here are very deep, and even I can't handle them." Fok Ying-tung didn't say it explicitly.

Lu Wanqing then stopped mentioning the matter and started talking about the Dong'an Market.

More than half of the shops have already been rented out, and she plans to stock them up as soon as possible and hold an opening ceremony.

"Now the market is yours, you call the shots!" Fok Ying-tung took a sip of Moutai.

With his words, Lu Wanqing could finally get started.

She plans to hire a team of models to put on a fashion show on opening day.

The clothes worn by the models are the latest styles that each merchant mainly sells.

She will also provide various conveniences for merchants to increase their confidence in the market.

She entrusted the modeling performance to Yu Meng, who had been in charge of the design department at the factory during this period. She was very dedicated and had achieved outstanding results.

Several of her designs became bestsellers, selling out as soon as they were released.

"Alright, it's settled then. I hope Minister Huo can take some time out of his busy schedule to attend the opening ceremony."

Lu Wanqing raised her glass and touched it to his cup just below the rim, then drank it all in one gulp.

Henry Fok also finished his drink.

After a few drinks, when everyone was slightly tipsy, Lin Ye came to pick up Lu Wanqing and took her and her child back home.

Everyone else dispersed and went home.

Chun Tao was tidying up the private room when she realized that Huo Yingdong hadn't taken his briefcase. She quickly chased after him out of the restaurant and brought it to him.

He held Huo Jie in one arm and Huo Tong in the other, his face slightly flushed, and he tucked his purse under his armpit with a hint of embarrassment.

It was the first time Chun Tao had seen a man after drinking, and she thought he was quite cute.

If only he didn't have two children, he would be a great marriage prospect.

Lu Wanqing took Lin Ye's hand and walked in the moonlight, with the three little ones skipping and jumping behind them.

It's been a long time since I've had such a pleasant stroll.

Encouraged by the alcohol, she even secretly pinched Lin Ye's firm buttocks.

Lin Ye's mind immediately wandered, and he secretly kissed her several times, feeling that the road home was a bit long.

After finally settling the three children, the two couldn't wait to hug each other.

All tasks are proceeding in an orderly manner.

That day, Lu Wanqing received a call from Lin Ye, reminding her to attend Luo Chunlei and Han Xue's wedding at noon.

"Oh dear, if you hadn't reminded me, I would have forgotten again. What gift should we buy?"

Luo Chunlei is a rare friend of Lin Ye's from his hometown, and Han Xue is the eldest daughter of the Han family. From any perspective, they should be given a generous gift.

"Weren't all their wedding dresses and suits designed by your store? You don't need to buy anything else, right?" Lin Ye didn't feel that anything was missing.

Come to think of it, their weddings were all so grand, while he hadn't been able to give her one.

"Honey, how about we have a wedding in our villa after it's finished?" Lin Ye suddenly said, cupping her face in his hands.

Lu Wanqing blushed and scolded him for being indecent, saying that the child was already so big and he was still thinking about the wedding.

It was noon soon, and Lin Ye went to the factory to pick up Lu Wanqing and take her to the wedding venue.

Surprisingly, Luo Hao also appeared at the wedding, accepting congratulatory gifts and red envelopes as a relative of the groom.

On the woman's side, Han Xue asked Lin Xiaocui and Luo Hao to take charge of the registration work.

Lin Chunhua and Meng Hui attended the wedding together. When they saw Luo Hao, they were both surprised and delighted, and stood there stunned.