"Are you fucking with me?"
Having seen the photos, Mei Shikang was instantly enraged.
He roared at Zhao Shoujiang.
Zhao Shoujiang remained calm.
He smiled and said, "Director Mei, what are you talking about? When did I ever force you at gunpoint to go play? Besides, from what I see in the photos and videos, you seemed to be quite enjoying yourself with those two girls. Your interaction was very enthusiastic. How can you say that I'm fucking with you?"
"You..."
For a moment, Mei Shikang found himself at a loss for words.
He struggled to contain his anxiousness and asked, "Spit it out, what do you want?"
"That's the spirit! I always like dealing with smart people, and Director Mei, you're one of them."
"Get to the point, and let it out if you have to."
Mei Shikang said impatiently.
Zhao Shoujiang wasn't offended and casually said, "Two things. First thing, on Monday next week, the Municipal Party Committee is going to hold a meeting to confirm the candidate for the county head position. I've heard that Sun Shenru's appointment as the county head is pretty much a done deal."
"So, you want to take over Sun Shenru's position as the Deputy County Magistrate?"
Mei Shikang asked.
Zhao Shoujiang replied, "Director Mei, you know I, Zhao Shoujiang, have made it this far through my own efforts. Deputy Magistrate is my ceiling. To take a step further, without someone giving me a leg up, it's impossible. Vice Chairman Mei Jun has connections in the city from his lifelong career; if..."
He trailed off, playing coy.
But Mei Shikang got the hint.
He paused and asked, "So, you want my dad to use his connections to get you promoted?"
"Heh, I think this shouldn't be difficult for Director Mei. As far as I know, you're the only child, and your parents adore you. If you ask them, they will definitely do their best."
"What if I don't help you?"
Mei Shikang inquired.
Zhao Shoujiang let out a cold laugh.
He said, "In that case, the outcome might not be so pleasant. It doesn't matter much if I don't get to be Deputy County Magistrate, but as for Director Mei's career... it's probably going to come to an end."
"Zhao Shoujiang!"
Mei Shikang had just cried out.
Zhao Shoujiang cut him off.
He said, "Director Mei, doing this for me comes with benefits too. Just think about it, once I become the Deputy County Magistrate, you'd naturally have a partner here in Changming County. I will return the favor and won't let Director Mei down either."
This condition.
Made Mei Shikang calm down a bit.
After all, politics is all about the exchange of interests and resources.
Essentially, it's a transaction.
He pondered for a while.
And asked, "What's the second thing?"
"The second thing is, I need you to tie up Chen Fang for me," Zhao Shoujiang said.
"I did what you asked during our last drinking session," Mei Shikang said.
Zhao Shoujiang gave a faint smile and replied, "You did, but it wasn't enough. Chen Fang hasn't made a move, so I need to trouble Director Mei to give him a 'booster shot.'"
"If he doesn't act, you can't expect me to hold a knife to his throat to force him, can you?"
"Of course not, but that doesn't mean there's no other way. Director Mei can issue a document in his name to cut off the water and electricity to Tiancheng Garden's construction site. By then, even if he doesn't go looking for Zhang Cheng, I'm afraid Zhang Cheng will seek him out. What do you think?"
Mei Shikang was already displeased with Chen Fang.
And was eager to take him down.
But forging a document made him hesitate.
After pondering for a while, he said, "Fine, I'll take care of both matters for you, but the benefits are still a bit scant for me. I have one more condition. If you agree to it, I'll handle these two matters for you flawlessly."
"Name it, as long as it's within my capability."
Seeing Mei Shikang agree, Zhao Shoujiang kept a composed expression, but inside he was thrilled.
"I want to sleep with Zhao Xixi," Mei Shikang declared, looking at Zhao Shoujiang.
A look of annoyance flashed across Zhao Shoujiang's face.
Just as he was about to speak, Mei Shikang said, "Deputy County Magistrate Zhao, rest assured, I'll only sleep with her, I won't harm her. Plus, your daughter is a 'she-devil', and not many men dare to touch her. By doing this, I'm merely shaming Chen Fang, that's all. If you can agree to this, I assure you that you'll clinch the position of Deputy County Magistrate."
On one side was his only daughter.
On the other, the much-coveted position of Deputy County Magistrate.
The scales in Zhao Shoujiang's mind finally tipped at the last moment.
He hesitated for a while.
Then he said, "Fine, I agree."
"Haha, Deputy County Magistrate Zhao, you really are a good father. It seems that in your eyes, your daughter is less important than your career," Mei Shikang said mockingly.
Zhao Shoujiang let out a cold laugh and said, "When you reach my position, you'll understand my choice today. Enough, once the matter is settled, whether it's the negatives or the video, I will give them to you."
After he finished speaking.
He opened the car door and got out.
He returned to his own car.
Zhao Shoujiang punched the seat hard.
Muttering to himself, he said, "Mei Shikang, just you wait. Once I secure the position of Deputy County Magistrate, I'll make sure you're done for!"
After venting his rage in private.
He said to his driver, "To the Hilton Hotel!"
The car started.
He dialed Luo Lan's phone.
Saying, "Get your ass to our usual spot, immediately."
Twenty minutes later.
Zhao Shoujiang was already sitting on the sofa of the large private room.
When Luo Lan walked in, trembling, he had already smoked three or four cigarettes consecutively.
"Take off your clothes," Zhao Shoujiang said emotionlessly.
He had just been angered by Mei Shikang, and he needed to vent immediately, with Luo Lan the chosen target.
Luo Lan didn't dare resist.
She directly unbuttoned her clothes, letting them fall to the floor.
She didn't know what had happened, but she had a premonition that she was going to suffer tonight.
"May I take a shower first?" Luo Lan asked.
Zhao Shoujiang glanced at her coldly and said, "You have five minutes."
Luo Lan immediately rushed into the bathroom and examined her body in the mirror.
The scars that had finally healed were likely to be reopened tonight.
She didn't know where the courage came from.
Her hands trembling, she hurriedly took out her phone from her bag and sent a text message.
This text was her hope.
If no one came to save her, then she would have to endure it.
In less than five minutes.
Luo Lan walked out naked.
By that time, Zhao Shoujiang had already stripped himself bare.
Pointing at a chair in the living room, he said, "Sit down on it!"
Just like before, Luo Lan obediently sat down.
Zhao Shoujiang opened a nearby cupboard and took out a long rope.
Next.
He tied the naked Luo Lan and the chair together with the rope, intentionally spreading her legs wide and securing them with the rope.
After he finished all this.
Zhao Shoujiang now had a whip in his hand.