Chapter 1203

To tell the truth, Zhao Desan had been in Xijing for half a year. Now that Zhao Xue and her mother had returned to their hometown in Yuyang City to scrape by, and Zhao Xue had quit her iron rice bowl at the Public Security Bureau, it would be quite difficult to find another job. This 50,000 yuan could be used to win Zhao Xue's heart. But considering this money was illicit, if he accepted it and left evidence in the hands of He Liping and Old Zheng, wouldn't he be led by the nose like a donkey? Zhao Desan hesitated for a while and said, "I... I think I'd better not take it!"

He Liping understood he was a bit worried, so she leaned back in her chair and said nonchalantly, "What are you afraid of? If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, who would know?"

"Director Zheng would know!" Zhao Desan blurted out without thinking.

He Liping let out a scoff, looked at him bewitchingly, and said in a slightly mocking tone, "In the end, you're still afraid of Old Zheng!"

Zhao Desan pursed his lips, deliberately pretending to be nonchalant, puffed out his chest, and said, "I am a dignified man of seven feet; would I be afraid of him? I'm worried that if I take your money, Sister He, and he finds out, you won't have a way to explain it." Zhao Desan kicked the ball back to He Liping.

He Liping smiled nonchalantly and said, "Don't worry. If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, no one will know."

Zhao Desan glanced sideways at the wall connecting to Old Zheng's office and said, "Sister He, walls have ears, you know."

He Liping laughed and said, "Don't worry. Old Zheng went out to handle some business this morning; there's no one next door."

Upon hearing that Old Zheng was not there, Zhao Desan breathed a sigh of relief. His attitude became presumptuous, and he asked with a wicked smile, "Sister He, I want to ask you something."

"What is it?" He Liping leaned back in her chair, looking up at him.

"Yesterday in the warehouse, I forced myself on you. Are you going to hold a grudge against me?" Zhao Desan asked with a devilish smile.

This question immediately hit the mark for He Liping. While she had been forced to submit to him, the process had actually given her a thrill. She certainly wouldn't hold a grudge, but if she accepted it so calmly, He Liping was afraid she wouldn't be able to control this guy. She put on a stern face and scolded, "Zhao Desan! I already warned you yesterday. Just act like yesterday's events never happened. Do you have a bad memory or what?"

Zhao Desan chuckled, winked, and said, "I know. I just wanted to ask, how did it feel, Sister He?"

He Liping blushed. She felt that if she continued to dwell on this issue, she would completely lose the dignity and prestige a deputy director should have in front of him. She changed the subject and asked, "Are you going to take this 50,000 yuan or not?"

Just as they were talking, someone suddenly knocked on He Liping's office door, and at the same time, Han Rui's voice came through: "Deputy Director He, are you in?"

He Liping replied, "I'm in," while signaling to Zhao Desan and whispering, "Hurry up and put the money away."

In his haste, Zhao Desan didn't think much and grabbed the 50,000 yuan from the desk to stuff into his trouser pocket. He Liping got up herself to open the door.

Because his pockets were really too small, Zhao Desan hadn't finished stuffing the money into his pocket when He Liping opened the door. He had to hide both hands behind his back. Immediately after, Han Rui stood at the door. Seeing him in He Liping's office, she looked somewhat surprised and slightly widened her eyes.

"Xiao Han, what is it?" He Liping asked in a stern tone. As a newly appointed official, she deliberately put on a very dignified appearance in front of her subordinates in the new unit, attempting to establish her authority.

"Deputy Director He, there is a personnel form here that you need to fill out." Han Rui respectfully presented a piece of paper and said.

He Liping took the paper from her hand, walked to the desk, sat down, took a pen from the pen holder, and quickly filled it out. Han Rui, standing at the door, shifted her gaze to the unsettled Zhao Desan. Zhao Desan, holding the 50,000 yuan, felt somewhat at a loss under her gaze, as if what he was holding wasn't 50,000 yuan but a hot potato. He smiled at Han Rui very uncomfortably.

He Liping quickly finished filling out the form and handed it to Han Rui. Han Rui hurriedly walked up and took it with both hands. At the same time, Zhao Desan nervously held the hot potato and turned as she moved.

After Han Rui left, He Liping said, "Since the money is already in your hands, just act like you don't know anything. As long as you can keep this secret for us, I will definitely prioritize you for any benefits in the future, including your career prospects."

After a "war of words" with He Liping, Zhao Desan understood her meaning quite well. It seemed there wouldn't be any trouble if he accepted this money. Even if she wanted to frame him, there was no evidence; who would dare say he violated organizational regulations? Besides, He Liping had just arrived at the Provincial Construction Commission; perhaps she wanted to use this money to build relationships. "Since Sister He thinks so highly of me, it would be a bit unreasonable if I were to decline again. Then I, Xiao Zhao, will respectfully obey." Zhao Desan said with a chuckle while distributing the 50,000 yuan into his pockets.