Chapter 1891: Criticism

Hearing Hu Tao say this, Zheng Tulu knew that this guy was making excuses for Li Fang, so he raised his head, stared at him with a chilling gaze, and said calmly, "Manager Hu, you have to let Xiao Li express her own opinion on this." As he spoke, he shifted his gaze to Li Fang and asked, "Xiao Li, what do you think? I personally feel that you are the only one who can handle this heavy responsibility."

"She definitely can't, right? Isn't that so? Li Fang." Hu Tao immediately looked at Li Fang very nervously, winking at her while laughing and saying.

All of Hu Tao's actions fell into Zheng Tulu's eyes. He saw that although he was still smiling peacefully, the smile was a bit cold, and the look he gave Hu Tao also emitted a sinister light. He said calmly, "Manager Hu, don't be so certain yet. Let Xiao Li decide for herself. I personally feel that Xiao Li is very suitable for this heavy responsibility. I believe Xiao Li will definitely be able to complete this task. Xiao Li, what do you say?"

Hu Tao, being looked at by Zheng Tulu with that kind of gaze—because of business relations, the municipal projects managed by the Construction Committee were things Hu Tao could only get by relying on Zheng Tulu's connection. It could be said that Zheng Tulu was his god of wealth. Hu Tao didn't dare to offend him at all. Although he was very worried that Li Fang would take on this heavy responsibility, he didn't dare to say anything more. He looked nervous and uneasy, his expression extremely awkward, and his heart felt like it was filled with seven or eight rabbits jumping up and down, waiting for Li Fang to express her stance.

Although she was Hu Tao's lover, Li Fang also had a scale in her heart. In front of Hu Tao and this lord Zheng Tulu, she didn't know who to follow. If she followed Hu Tao's intention and refused Zheng Tulu, she knew the old guy's methods; she was afraid that not only would she offend him, but Hu Tao would also be implicated. By then, if Hu Tao wanted to smoothly get municipal projects, it probably wouldn't be so easy. If she followed the old guy, Hu Tao would definitely be unhappy; after all, she was Hu Tao's favorite outside of his wife.

Li Fang pondered carefully, weighed it well in her heart, and finally hardened her heart, making a decision that surprised and disappointed Hu Tao. She looked at the anxious Hu Tao with an apologetic gaze, then looked at Zheng Tulu with a straight face, nodded very seriously, and said, "Director Zheng, I agree. No matter what I, Li Fang, do, I will see it through to the end. Since Director Zheng feels that this matter is not secure, then I will handle it in a way that makes Director Zheng feel at ease!"

Seeing that Li Fang had agreed, Zheng Tulu didn't show any excitement. He held his ground firmly, still maintaining that gentle appearance, chuckling as he said, "Good, Li Fang, I didn't misjudge you. You are indeed a heroine among women. With your words, I can rest easy. As long as you know what to do, this matter will be a double insurance. That brat Zhao Desan won't be able to renege on his debt even if he wants to! As long as this matter is handled well, Xiao Li, if you and Manager Hu have any matters in the future, just come to me!" To appease Hu Tao's extremely unbalanced mentality, Zheng Tulu added another comforting sentence, saying, "Manager Hu, you should be very fortunate to have such a capable woman like Xiao Li under you. In the future, if there are any municipal projects below, I will be the first to let you take them!"

Although Hu Tao felt extremely uncomfortable, he couldn't ignore Zheng Tulu's face. Although his expression was awkward, he still forced a smile and said, "Then I thank you, Director Zheng."

Li Fang saw Hu Tao's bitter smile and knew he must be very angry, so she picked up a glass of wine and said, "Come, Director Zheng, I toast you and our Manager Hu."

"Good, good, good, come." Director Zheng picked up his wine glass with a smile.

Only Hu Tao looked reluctant and hesitated for a while before slowly picking up his wine glass, his face full of resentment. Seeing this, Zheng Tulu simply opened the skylight and spoke plainly. He said calmly to Hu Tao, "Manager Hu, I see that you are very unwilling for Xiao Li to handle this matter. But Manager Hu, you have to consider the consequences. If Zhao Desan refuses to acknowledge these notes, even with signatures and thumbprints, we have no way out. If we investigate further, Manager Hu, the Tianqiao project was done by you, and I'm afraid you won't be able to avoid responsibility. By then, if your company's qualifications are canceled, the losses will be huge!"

Upon hearing Zheng Tulu's subtext, Hu Tao became a bit timid. Businessmen pursue profit as their greatest goal. Between profit and a woman, Hu Tao naturally leaned toward the former. Thus, he suddenly had a feeling of enlightenment, his mind turned around, and he finally revealed a smile, chuckling, "Director Zheng, I know, I know. Since you think highly of Li Fang, and Li Fang herself is willing to do it, then let her do it." As he spoke, Hu Tao glanced at Li Fang, and although his expression was peaceful, a hint of dissatisfaction inevitably leaked from his eyes.

Li Fang, a woman who was straightforward and quick-spoken, held her glass and said, "Alright, since Director Zheng thinks highly of me, I will definitely do my best to handle this matter well. Come, let's have a drink." As she spoke, she was the first to raise her glass, tilted her head back, and downed the glass of wine in one gulp.

Seeing this, Hu Tao and Zheng Tulu also each downed a glass of wine. After putting down their glasses, Zheng Tulu lit a cigarette, squinted at Li Fang, his face flushed, looking a bit lecherous, but more of a depth that made people unable to fathom. He exhaled a wisp of smoke, which slowly drifted over his eyes, then coughed twice and said to Li Fang, "Xiao Li, do you know what I want you to do?"

Li Fang had been with Hu Tao for so long that she was a smart person. She thought: Isn't your meaning just to let me sell my charms for once to seduce that Zhao Desan? Thinking this, she nodded and said, "I understand."

It was also because Li Fang had a bit of a good impression of a tall, handsome young man like Zhao Desan that she wouldn't have easily done such a thing if it were another man. But things were just like that; as long as it was something she was willing to do, it would become very simple.

Zheng Tulu took a puff of his cigarette and chuckled, "As long as you understand. As long as you do this, it will be double insurance. That brat Zhao Desan won't be able to deny it even if he wants to! After the matter is accomplished, I will definitely not treat you, Xiao Li, unfairly."

Li Fang glanced at Hu Tao, who was unhappy in his heart, and asked Zheng Tulu, "Then when is the best time to handle this matter?"

"There is no time like the present, the sooner the better, to avoid long nights and many dreams. It's best to strike while the iron is hot—tonight." Zheng Tulu suggested a time to Li Fang. He didn't want to drag it out too long, lest Zhao Desan find out Li Fang's background and expose him; if the conflict intensified, it wouldn't be good for him either.

"Then... then okay." Li Fang hardened her heart and decided to take action tonight.

Zheng Tulu saw that although Hu Tao had a smile on his face, the smile was filled with depression, and his eyes emitted a light of dissatisfaction with Li Fang doing this. So, the old guy said this just right: "Manager Hu, don't blame Li Fang for agreeing to this matter. Li Fang is your capable general, and I know your relationship is very close. But as far as I know, Manager Hu, you don't seem to be that honest..." Zheng Tulu didn't say it very explicitly, but instead told Hu Tao euphemistically that he had full control over his colorful affairs.

Seeing Zheng Tulu say this, Hu Tao quickly glanced at Li Fang vigilantly, winked at Zheng Tulu, and poured a glass of wine, chuckling, "Come, come, let's drink. We've been so busy talking that the food is getting cold. Let's eat and drink, come, Director Zheng."

Seeing Hu Tao begging for mercy, Zheng Tulu smiled tacitly, accompanied him for a drink, and shifted the topic to other things.

At this time, Zheng Tulu's mobile phone rang on the table. The old guy, who had had three rounds of drinks and five flavors of food, was flushed. While cursing, he picked up his phone and looked at it. His expression immediately became nervous. He pressed the answer button, put it to his ear, and a smile piled up on his face, respectfully saying "Hello."

The call was from Li Changping. On the other end of the phone, his tone sounded obviously high-pitched, almost shouting, "Old Zheng, come out for a drink!"

"Drinking? Old Li, where are you?" Zheng Tulu heard that Li Changping's voice was a bit off, and his voice became even softer.

"Prince Hotel, hurry up and get over here, keep me company for a couple of drinks!" Li Changping urged loudly. One could tell he had had quite a bit to drink.

"Then... then okay, I'll head over right now." Hearing that Li Changping was in a bad mood, Zheng Tulu quickly agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Tulu said to Hu Tao and Li Fang, "Manager Hu, Xiao Li, I have an engagement right now, it's an engagement with Deputy Minister Li of the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department. I can't keep you company anymore. Let's drink together next time when we have time. I'm leaving." As he spoke, he picked up his briefcase, pulled back his chair, and was about to leave.