At the entrance of the County Committee office.
Luo Zhijun sat in the car, face dark as he smoked, feeling quite displeased yet unable to vent his frustration.
He made two phone calls, but Lin Hao didn't give him the respect he expected; instead, it was Su Muyu who called and managed to settle the matter with this guy, which infuriated him at the mere thought.
However, now wasn't the time for him to act out, so he chose to hold back. When he saw Lin Hao coming out, he immediately put on a happy, pleasant smile.
"Director Lin, working late, huh? Tough job, come on, let's talk in the car."
"Can't be helped! Secretary Li's orders, can't leave until the work's done!"
Lin Hao squeezed into the back seat, finding Su Muyu already waiting inside.
"Brother-in-law, why did you come back after dinner? I'm starving." Su Muyu complained.
"It's my bad, let's go." Lin Hao had no choice but to smile along.
"Lin Hao, you said you won't go to Four Seas Hotel yesterday, so where are we dining tonight?" Luo Zhijun asked.
"Let's go to Ju Yuan Mei Private Kitchen, you notify Shen Sihai." Lin Hao responded.
"Alright, I'll send him the location and book a private room."
Luo Zhijun immediately sent the address to Shen Sihai and casually called to book a private room.
Upon receiving the news, Shen Sihai promptly called Ju Yuan Mei Private Kitchen to reserve a seat, pondering how to win over this National Development and Reform Commission Director?
Treating with a meal has deep implications, and Shen Sihai, seasoned in the social scene, knew that the leaders at the county committee would more or less show him face, at least they wouldn't dare offend him openly.
Of course, he was arrogant and overbearing mostly because someone backed him, otherwise he wouldn't dare act so audaciously.
Since he used his mistress to get Zhang Jianming sent to the Discipline Inspection Commission, people viewed him as dangerous as a viper, fearing being targeted by him; this was why Su Dingfang opposed Luo Zhijun associating with him.
Lin Hao originally didn't want to go, but to figure out this guy's scheme, he decided to check it out.
In Ju Yuan Mei Private Kitchen's luxurious room, Shen Sihai came alone, setting up a feast.
The matters discussed today were highly confidential, so naturally no entourage was brought, and he came secretly to highlight the priority of safety.
Lin Hao used to be a nobody, but now unexpectedly he's become a close aide to Secretary Li, catching Shen Sihai off guard.
Previously, to frame Zhang Jianming, Shen Sihai brought out ten gold bars and even involved his own mistress.
However, to complete the task from his backer, he had to bite the bullet and sacrifice.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Jianming proved to be fierce, refusing to confess and ultimately jumped off a building to commit suicide.
Lin Hao followed Luo Zhijun into the luxurious private room, Shen Sihai immediately stood up.
"Welcome, welcome, Director Lin!" Shen Sihai quickly stepped forward to shake Lin Hao's hand.
"President Shen, too kind." Lin Hao smiled in response.
"Director Lin, it's been a while since we last met. When you were with Secretary Zhang, we met many times; we're quite familiar." Shen Sihai laughed heartily.
"Yes, quite unexpected that Secretary Zhang was reported by you, caused him..."
Lin Hao was cut off by Luo Zhijun, who interjected, "Brother-in-law, let's not talk about the past, it's all behind us."
"Right, those are old matters now. I never thought that wretch Wu Man Ni would actually report Secretary Zhang by name, I've already fired her." Shen Sihai quickly added.
"Just firing her? Secretary Zhang ended up dead!" Lin Hao said coldly.
Shen Sihai's face slightly darkened, his heart burning with anger, yet unable to act out.
"Regarding Secretary Zhang, I sincerely apologize and feel remorseful, but the incident has already occurred, and Four Seas Group has suffered losses because of it. It's really troubling!" Shen Sihai feigned helplessness.
"Ha ha ha... President Shen invited me for dinner, surely not to report me right?" Lin Hao sneered repeatedly.
"Director Lin, your words! Last time was truly an accident, today I've come alone, definitely won't stir up trouble, plus, this place was chosen by Director Lin, it should be fine." Shen Sihai was embarrassed to the point of wanting to dig a hole to hide.
If it wasn't to secure some projects, he wouldn't come to embarrass himself here.
Honestly, ever since Four Seas Group's Wu Man Ni filed the report against Zhang Jianming, other leaders have avoided Shen Sihai, fearing being noticed by him.
Not to mention inviting Lin Hao to dinner, even inviting others wouldn't yield any guests.
Lin Hao came over naturally with the intent of avenging Zhang Jianming, so he didn't show Shen Sihai any courtesy upon arrival.
"Director Lin, you can rest assured, if anything happens, I'll take the blow for you." Luo Zhijun quickly stepped in to mediate.
"So, does this mean President Shen set me up? Are there cameras around? Is there a recording?" Lin Hao glanced around as if searching for hidden cameras.
"There's nothing like that, absolutely nothing." Shen Sihai truly wanted to cry without tears.
Luo Zhijun, this fool, only messed things up more?
There aren't any cameras, after all the place was picked by you!
"If not, then never mind, it's no big deal anyway. So tell me, President Shen, why did you call me here?" Lin Hao asked directly.
"Director Lin, please sit, we can chat while we eat!" Shen Sihai's expression softened slightly.
Su Muyu watched Lin Hao's demeanor pressuring Shen Sihai like he'd swallowed a fly, feeling quite amused inside.
Shen Sihai looked at Su Muyu, greeting, "President Su, haven't seen you for a few days, you're looking prettier."
"President Shen, I love chatting with someone as sweet-tongued as you, it's pleasing, hehe..." Su Muyu giggled.
Shen Sihai gestured invitingly, "Please have a seat, you two!"
Lin Hao wasn't shy, taking the main seat in the center, Su Muyu sat beside him.
Shen Sihai sat down next to him after they took their seats.
The server quickly laid out the sumptuous feast, Shen Sihai brought out a box of Wuliangye, clearly prepared.
"Just the four of us?" Lin Hao casually asked.
"Yes, today is especially for Director Lin, no one else was invited." Shen Sihai smiled in reply.
"Isn't that too much trouble?" Lin Hao replied politely.
"Director Lin, President Su, Vice County Magistrate Luo, happy weekend everyone! Let me toast to you all." Shen Sihai initiated a toast.
"Then we must thank President Shen for the hospitality." Su Muyu accepted the conversation, smiling.
"President Su, you're too modest, here, Director Lin, let's drink." Shen Sihai smiled, raising his glass towards the three.