Chapter 1185: What wind blew you here?

An hour later, Han Rui suddenly knocked open the door to the Planning Division. She stood at the entrance and called out for Zhao Desan. Perhaps because he was preoccupied, or perhaps because he was too engrossed in his work, Zhao Desan didn't hear her calling him even after she shouted twice. It wasn't until Han Rui glared at him in annoyance, bit her lip, walked up, and gave his shoulder a heavy pat that Zhao Desan jolted violently, finally snapping back to reality. He tilted his head to see Han Rui standing behind him and, feigning delight, said, "Oh! Director Han, what wind blew you here?"

Han Rui had just been ignored by him, which made her, having joined the unit earlier than Zhao Desan, feel she had lost face. Still simmering with residual anger, she glared at him and said unpleasantly, "Don't try to get chummy with me! Where's the key?" As she spoke, she extended her delicate palm.

Zhao Desan didn't react for a moment and asked in confusion, "What key?"

"What key?" Han Rui repeated his words, then continued, "The warehouse key!"

Zhao Desan had a sudden realization and let out an "oh." He hurriedly fished the key from his trouser pocket and gently pressed it into Han Rui's fair palm. Taking the opportunity to stroke her hand and take advantage of her, he said with a mischievous grin, "Here you go."

Han Rui's heart rate accelerated instantly due to his unexpected move, and a faint, unnatural flush rose to her face. She gave him a coquettish glare, then, without another word, turned and walked out of the Planning Division office, feeling a strange, inexplicable flutter in her heart.

Fortunately, she hadn't taken the key before noon; otherwise, he really wouldn't have been able to "handle" Deputy Director He. Thinking about how he had successfully "handled" He Liping, that personal plaything of Zheng Tulu, in the warehouse at noon, Zhao Desan felt a sense of great satisfaction. This feeling was built largely on his revenge against Zheng Tulu for possessing Lan Mei.

Another hour passed, and he heard a "buzzing" sound like flies dancing, coming from somewhere unknown. Zhao Desan looked up and scanned his surroundings, but saw no flies. Listening more carefully, he realized the sound was coming from the Comprehensive Office not far away. He walked out to the doorway and saw that two workers were drilling holes in the wall, with a brand-new cabinet air conditioner standing to one side. Han Rui was directing the workers to move it into the office.

Zhao Desan finally understood why Han Rui had come to get the warehouse key earlier; it turned out the batch of air conditioners Ma Debang had purchased was being replaced. It seemed Zheng Tulu was truly in a hurry to dispose of those purchased items "in accordance with public opinion" so he could skim some money off the top.

Throughout the afternoon, the sound of electric drills echoed everywhere in the office building. Everyone stopped working properly and began gathering in twos and threes to discuss how the air conditioners could be replaced so quickly—it must have been the power of democracy sparked by Zhao Desan the day before. For a moment, everyone felt like a democratic fighter. Only Zhao Desan, listening while wearing a sly smile, knew that this victory of public opinion wasn't a true victory, and that the real beneficiaries were Zheng Tulu and He Liping.

To share the joy of pulling out Ma Debang, this thorn in his side, and taking the opportunity to skim some profit from the procurement project he was in charge of, Zheng Tulu took a short nap, then got up and went to knock on the door of He Liping's office next door.

"Old Zheng, what's up? Nothing to do?" He Liping leaned back in her boss's chair, blinking at him with a charming smile on her face.

Zheng Tulu smiled triumphantly, walked over to the sofa, sat down, crossed his legs, and said cheerfully, "Liping, you did a beautiful job with this!"

He Liping didn't react for a moment and asked, "Old Zheng, what are you talking about?"

"The procurement thing, of course." Zheng Tulu fished a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and continued, "I didn't expect that kid Comrade Xiao Zhao to be so obedient; he really did stir up the people below. This afternoon, I already arranged for the office to find workers to start replacing the air conditioners. I've contacted the supplier; once everyone leaves after work, they'll come over to take back the excess, refunding the money at the original price. We can each get about seventy or eighty thousand. It's not much, but it's basically like picking up free money."

He Liping blinked her dark, crystalline eyes and said with a seductive smile, "Isn't that all thanks to your idea, Old Zheng? If it weren't for your plan, I wouldn't have been able to pull it off."

Zheng Tulu took a puff of his cigarette, a smug smile on his face, and said, "Ma Debang wanted to play games with me, but he still got kicked out by me, and we're the ones who got the benefits." After saying this, he laughed uncontrollably.

He Liping got up from her chair, walked around the desk, and sat down next to Zheng Tulu. Looking at him with her bright, almond-shaped eyes and a seductive smile on her lips, she said tenderly, "Old Zheng, now that I'm here to assist you, you don't have to worry about anyone going against you anymore." Although He Liping's words were extremely sweet, she had stopped trusting him ever since she saw the photos of him and a woman in bed on Zhao Desan's phone in the warehouse. However, having just been promoted, she still had to be cautious and pretend they were working together.

Zheng Tulu blew a smoke ring, smiled triumphantly at He Liping, and said, "Liping, how did you trick Comrade Xiao Zhao yesterday? That guy is very cunning."

He Liping blinked her beautiful eyes, a faint, seductive smile on her lips, and said with a hint of pride, "No matter how cunning he is, he still lacks experience in officialdom. Tricking him is no different than tricking a child."

Zheng Tulu reached out and patted He Liping's shoulder lightly, saying with a smile, "In the end, it's because you have the ability, Liping. It's easier for a woman to trick a man, haha."

He Liping said coquettishly, "Old Zheng, I didn't trick you."

Zheng Tulu's smile gradually became somewhat lecherous as he said, "You certainly wouldn't trick me. I might not know others, but I know you, Liping. You've been with me for so many years; you've long been my confidante." As he spoke, he placed his hand on her rounded thigh and began to caress it.