The specifics of the situation were not far off from Song Guanchao's speculation.

Song Guanchao asked, "How long has Chu Yue been in contact with Mayor Zheng?"

"I'm not sure."

Tang Zhengqiang shook his head, "I happened to see him coming to Lingjiang, so I followed the trail and discovered this situation. But the exact duration of their contact, I don't know. After all, they don't know that we're also in Lingjiang."

"But normally, the length of contact mainly depends on the local leader's intelligence."

"If they're not very smart, they might be easily deceived, taking as little as ten days to half a month to get things done."

"But most head officials of local governments aren't easily fooled, considering the city government deals with corporate executives daily and constantly seeks investment."

"Ordinary con artists find it hard to keep up their act in front of a local head official."

"So I guess the duration of the contact between Chu Yue's team and Mayor Zheng won't be less than six months."

"And based on the information I've gathered, Chu Yue's team has already successfully gained Mayor Zheng's trust and has begun to take action, even setting up a company."

"If nothing unexpected happens, in as quick as half a month, or as long as one to two months, they'll secure a loan from the bank and then vanish without a trace."

"And this time, they're going big. They promised Mayor Zheng an initial investment of 7 billion, and they'll at least extract 2 to 3 billion from the bank."

Tang Zhengqiang smiled, "Boss, for this piece of information, I'm only asking for ten million, which shouldn't be too much, right?"

"Not too much."

Without Tang Zhengqiang, no one in Lingjiang City would have known that the mayor was being deceived so thoroughly.

Having said what needed to be said, Tang Zhengqiang extended his hand, "Pleasure doing business."

After shaking hands, just as he stood up to leave, he suddenly heard Song Guanchao say, "Mr. Tang, how many companions do you have?"

Tang Zhengqiang's figure stiffened, but he maintained his smile, "Boss, our collaboration has already ended."

Song Guanchao shook his head, "No, our collaboration has just begun."

Tang Zhengqiang felt a bad premonition rising in his heart.

"Boss, you..."

"Mr. Tang, have a seat."

Tang Zhengqiang hesitated for a moment and sat back down.

However, inside, he felt a bit uneasy.

Before coming, he was already prepared for the worst.

When Song Guanchao transferred the money directly without hesitation, he felt relieved and thought he might have been overthinking.

But now, he was not allowed to leave.

Tang Zhengqiang didn't quite understand what he intended to do.

The money was given, yet he wanted to keep him, what was the point?

"Mr. Tang, let's talk, how many companions do you have?"

"Boss..."

"Mr. Tang also said, this matter would take at least half a month, or a month or two to conclude."

Song Guanchao said, "But now, I've paid the money. How do I ensure that Mr. Tang won't sell this information to Chu Yue?"

Tang Zhengqiang said seriously, "Boss, we have our professional ethics."

"But I don't trust you," Song Guanchao said bluntly.

Tang Zhengqiang's expression became a bit unpleasant.

Song Guanchao said, "As you said, if I hadn't spent this money, you'd go to Chu Yue to sell the information. Because this is how you make money."

"I understand, so I'm willing to pay to buy it."

"But similarly, I'm also worried that you might leak the information to Chu Yue and sell it from both sides."

"So I hope Mr. Tang can also understand me."

Tang Zhengqiang asked, "What does the boss want me to do?"

Song Guanchao said, "It's simple, before Chu Yue and his team's con succeeds, I need to monitor you."

Tang Zhengqiang asked, "What if I disagree?"

Under the mask, Song Guanchao's eyes narrowed, "I suggest you take this advice."

"If you listen to advice, you'll only be monitored. Once the matter ends, you can go wherever you want. I won't take the ten million back either."

"If you don't take advice, I can also find your companions and monitor you all. But I think doing so would affect our relationship."

"So, I advise you to take this advice."

Tang Zhengqiang was silent.

He felt like he had boarded a pirate ship.

He thought he shouldn't have harbored any illusions.

He shouldn't have come in the first place.

Had he known, he should have sold this information to Chu Yue!

Though he probably wouldn't have gotten as much money, at least he wouldn't be threatened by Song Guanchao like this.

Song Guanchao didn't hurry him, letting him ponder over it.

About two minutes later, Tang Zhengqiang squeezed out a bitter smile, "I live in Baima Lanshan."

He ended up compromising.

Not that he wanted to, but he had no choice.

Agreeing or refusing wouldn't change the outcome of being monitored by Song Guanchao.

Since that's the case, why resist?

Now, he was worried about whether Song Guanchao would keep his promise.

He was worried that after the matter concluded, Song Guanchao might hand him and his companions over.

But no matter how much he worried, it would be futile.

The matter had already happened, and all he could do was wait anxiously.

Song Guanchao nodded and told Lu Feng, "You handle it."

Then he left.

After leaving the club, he casually tossed his mask into the trash can.

Upon returning to the City Committee, Song Guanchao was surprised to find Zeng Li had come over.

"Why are you here?" he asked in a subdued voice.

Zeng Li had changed into her everyday business attire.

For the past two days, she had alternated between nightgowns and cheongsams with stockings. Suddenly seeing her in such serious clothing, Song Guanchao found it a bit unfamiliar.

"Came to work," Zeng Li said, her eyes twinkling mischievously, deliberately undoing an extra button on her shirt.

Underneath was a seamless dark gray undergarment, accentuating her curves, white and deep.

She deliberately slipped the pen into her mouth, twirling her small tongue around the pen barrel twice.

Her lips, glossed and shiny, left a glistening trail of saliva on the pen as her tongue moved.

With just a few simple actions, Song Guanchao was completely seduced.

He quickly averted his gaze, walked over, and sat down, planning to compose himself before heading to the office to report.

But just after he sat down, Zeng Li reached over, gently fiddling with his bulging pants and whispered, "Guess what color I'm wearing today?"

Song Guanchao's temple throbbed, "Black?"

"Wrong guess." Her eyes crinkled into crescents, her small hand teasingly on his trousers, whispering hotly into his ear, "Actually, I'm not wearing anything."

As soon as she said that, she felt Song Guanchao's pants tense even further.

This discovery made Zeng Li laugh even more happily.

She continued to tease, "Shall we go to the bathroom? I'll help you."

Oh, come on!

Song Guanchao immediately got up and went over to the window to light a cigarette.

Zeng Li sat in the chair, laughing non-stop.

After finishing a cigarette, Song Guanchao finally calmed down.

He dared not delay and quickly went into the office, afraid that this vixen would seduce him again, making it hard for him to work properly.