Secretary Yang pushed open the door.

Jiang Yiren and Huang Tingting entered the office one after the other.

Director Feng was wearing glasses, slightly overweight, but still looked decent.

Upon seeing Jiang Yiren, Director Feng hid his amazement in his eyes.

"Director Jiang, I really apologize, I just finished a phone call."

Director Feng began with an explanation, making it hard for Jiang Yiren to say anything harsh.

The other party was a dignified director, especially in a major department like the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, giving a section chief such importance. If you hold onto it too hard, it would be impolite and show a lack of understanding of hierarchy.

Jiang Yiren said, "Director Feng, I am now in charge of the civil city creation work. I hope the Industrial and Commercial Bureau can cooperate with us in doing some promotional work."

Director Feng picked up a cigarette and lit it, frowning, he asked, "Do you need money?"

Jiang Yiren also frowned, "We definitely need some office funds, all departments do, not just the Industrial and Commercial Bureau."

Director Feng smoked half the cigarette and asked again, "Besides office funds, what other requests do you have?"

Jiang Yiren's mind suddenly went blank for a bit.

She had been busy contacting various departments lately, and although she had set work guidelines, those were general directions.

She hadn't thought of specific tasks yet.

Huang Tingting promptly said, "Director Feng, we are still waiting for further instructions from the Office of Civilized City Creation regarding the specific tasks."

Director Feng understood, "Office funds cannot be approved without a reason. Here's the deal, first, you should write down what needs to be done specifically, then submit it to the office. Once it's approved by our office, the finance department can approve it."

Jiang Yiren felt there was nothing wrong with what he said and was about to nod and leave when Huang Tingting said, "Director Feng, do you have time this evening? If you do, our Director Jiang would like to invite you to dinner, would that be convenient?"

Jiang Yiren glanced at her, not understanding why she suddenly made such a request.

Director Feng frowned again, "Tonight... alright, I'll contact you after work."

Huang Tingting said, "Okay, then Director Jiang and I will wait for you outside."

With that, they left with Jiang Yiren.

After leaving the office, Jiang Yiren asked, "Why did you arrange dinner with Director Feng?"

Huang Tingting whispered, "Director Jiang, didn't you notice?"

"Notice what?"

"Director Feng is clearly brushing us off."

Huang Tingting said, "He's just looking for an excuse to dismiss us; next time we apply for office funds, he'll surely continue to delay."

Jiang Yiren really hadn't noticed, but hearing her words, it did seem quite possible.

Huang Tingting said, "So we need to drink with Director Feng tonight. If he's happy, the office funds could be settled with just a word from him."

Jiang Yiren looked at her in surprise, "I didn't expect you to know about these things."

Huang Tingting cutely stuck out her tongue, "I've attended a few such dinners with the previous director."

"I'll go book a room. When Director Feng gets off work, you can come over directly with him."

"Alright."

Leaving the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, Jiang Yiren drove to a rather upscale restaurant, booked a private room, ordered dishes in advance, and arranged for Moutai to be served.

7:50 PM.

Huang Tingting and Director Feng arrived at the private room.

Director Feng didn't bring his secretary, he came alone.

Looking at the table full of dishes and Moutai, Director Feng smiled wryly, "Director Jiang, your arrangements are too extravagant, I dare not touch anything."

Jiang Yiren hadn't organized such a dinner before, and there were only three people.

Facing Director Feng's comment, she didn't know how to respond.

Huang Tingting promptly saved the situation, "This is all paid for by our Director Jiang out of her own pocket, not with public funds, so feel free to eat, Director Feng."

Jiang Yiren nodded, "Yes, it's my own money."

Director Feng made an 'oh' sound, at ease now, and added, "Actually, there's no need to spend so much, a street food stall would suffice."

Although he said so, his expression clearly showed he was quite satisfied with Jiang Yiren's arrangements.

With Huang Tingting there, the meal was not awkward.

One bottle of wine among the three, Director Feng drank a lot, most of it with Huang Tingting, as Jiang Yiren didn't drink much.

Director Feng, a bit tipsy, became more casual in his tone.

"Jiang, to be honest, this office fund is not easy to approve."

Jiang Yiren hurriedly asked, "Why not?"

Director Feng said, "Why else, there's no money."

"It's not just our unit, the whole of Lingjiang is out of funds."

"So it's not about not wanting to help, there's simply no way to help."

Jiang Yiren frowned, this wasn't the answer she wanted.

Huang Tingting gave her a look.

The two made an excuse to go to the bathroom, leaving the room.

Huang Tingting whispered, "Director Jiang, did you prepare a gift?"

"What gift?"

"Director Jiang, you don't understand anything?"

Probably a little drunk, Huang Tingting showed a slightly reproachful expression, making Jiang Yiren feel a bit embarrassed.

But she genuinely didn't understand what gift Huang Tingting meant.

Huang Tingting said, "Director Feng's meaning is obvious, the bureau isn't actually out of money, he's intentionally saying that to make you feel it's difficult."

"In other words, he hopes we can offer him some benefits."

Jiang Yiren suddenly realized, showing a look of disgust, "I definitely won't give any gifts!"

Such behavior, what's the difference from bribery!

Moreover, the funds should be given.

Why hold back on it?

Seeing Jiang Yiren's stubbornness, Huang Tingting knew persuading was useless, and suddenly clutched her stomach, "My stomach hurts a bit, Director Jiang, you go ahead."

After Jiang Yiren left, Huang Tingting removed her hand, took out her phone, and sent a message.

Shortly after, a serene, elegant, and graceful young woman, around thirty, came out of the adjacent room.

Huang Tingting respectfully said, "Miss Zhu."

Zhu Qiushui smiled, took out a bulging envelope to give her, whispered a few words, and returned to the neighboring room.

After she left, Huang Tingting did not immediately enter the room but stood by the door waiting.

Returning to the room, Jiang Yiren looked at Director Feng with more disgust.

This bastard actually wants to take advantage of the situation!

Suddenly, she remembered what Song Guanchao had told her – if she encountered trouble, she should contact him.

Jiang Yiren, stubborn as ever, refused to contact him, perhaps due to the drinks tonight, she immediately took out her phone and sent a message to Song Guanchao, telling him that Director Feng was asking for benefits.

Song Guanchao replied quickly, "Did you invite him to dinner?"

"My own money, didn't use public funds."

"....." This girl has issues, who asked you that?

Song Guanchao, "How many people?"

"Me, Huang Tingting, Director Feng."

"Did you drink?"

"We did."

"Did he ask for money directly?"

"No, but he came for the dinner and didn't explicitly offer funds; isn't that asking for benefits, what else could it be?"

This reasoning was flawless.

"Ask him how much office funds he can actually give."

Jiang Yiren looked up, "Director Feng, how much office fund can you give me?"

Director Feng was taken aback, looking at her; even when upset, her pretty little face incited a mischievous spark in him.

"Being able to sit and drink together is fate; I will definitely fight for your office funds."

After speaking, he lifted his glass, "Come, Director Jiang, let's have a drink."

Jiang Yiren shook her head, "I'm not good with alcohol."

Director Feng's face turned stern, pretending to be angry, "Director Jiang, that's not okay. I just said I'll help with the funds, and you won't even have a drink. That's quite a quick change of face, isn't it?"

Jiang Yiren hesitated but picked up her glass to drink with him.

However, with the first glass, there's always another.

Director Feng, an old hand in officialdom, had an arsenal of rhetoric; Jiang Yiren stood no chance.

Handling Director Feng on one hand, she reported to Song Guanchao.

Seeing the texts, Song Guanchao immediately understood, Director Feng was deliberately getting her drunk.

Damn, what a foolish woman.

After getting the restaurant's address, Song Guanchao grabbed his coat and headed out.

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