Chapter 20: Director Tang’s Seduction Scheme

Lin Hao looked at the person before him in surprise. He had only been staying at the guesthouse for two days, yet someone had already come knocking on his door.

It seemed the Urban Development Bureau staff were no longer idle; they had started working hard, though their efforts were misdirected, all aimed at him.

Indeed, many people were tainted and sought a breakthrough through the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, but that would naturally require some effort.

Lin Hao found it somewhat laughable. Every year, countless cases of missing children yielded few results, yet these people could find out where he was staying in less than a day.

"Secretary Lin is so busy that I couldn’t reach you by phone. I had no choice but to visit in person. Since I’ve come, would you care for a drink?" Tang Simin shook the two bottles of liquor and some marinated dishes she was carrying, her tone slightly teasing, almost coquettish.

A faint smile curved Lin Hao’s lips. Tang Simin truly thought of him as a dish to be served. Repeating old tricks, as if he were some naive child who had never seen the world.

"Director Tang left so abruptly last time; I still can’t forget it. That time, I had no interest in drinking. Director Tang, forget it, you should go back." With that, Lin Hao turned to leave.

Tang Simin was momentarily stunned, surprised that her charm no longer worked. She quickly ran to Lin Hao’s side, looking at him with a pleading expression.

"Secretary Lin, last time was my fault. This time, I beg you to give me a chance. I promise, you won’t leave disappointed."

She blinked, her eyes shimmering with a touch of vulnerability. A woman in her thirties adopting such a delicate pose did not seem pretentious but rather held a unique allure.

Lin Hao instinctively wanted to refuse, but suddenly he felt something glint across his face. Turning his head, he saw a black Audi parked not far away, its windows obscured.

"What’s wrong?" Tang Simin grew tense the moment she noticed Lin Hao looking in that direction.

Lin Hao immediately understood the situation and changed his words mid-sentence.

"It’s nothing. Since Director Tang insists, I can’t be unreasonable. Director Tang, please." With that, Lin Hao led Tang Simin into the guesthouse.

He already had an inkling of her purpose in coming.

Inside, Tang Simin surveyed the room. It was small, furnished only with a single sofa and a small tea table.

The sofa barely fit two people. Tang Simin sat down gracefully on one side.

Lin Hao naturally sat beside her, the faint scent of gardenia lingering in the air.

Tang Simin elegantly opened a bottle of amber-colored liquor and poured it into the glasses.

* * *

The glasses clinked sharply.

They began chatting casually, ranging from national policies to workplace gossip, probing each other’s intentions beneath a veneer of cordiality.

“Secretary Lin,” Tang Simin suddenly leaned toward him, closing the gap between them. Her warm breath, tinged with alcohol, whispered in his ear, “I heard the Discipline Inspection Commission is investigating the Urban Development Bureau’s projects. Isn’t Wu Bo’s case already backed by solid evidence? Why hasn’t it been closed yet?”

The fox’s tail was finally revealed—she was fishing for information.

“Director Tang, who exactly are you trying to get information for?” Lin Hao asked bluntly.

“W-what? Secretary Lin, you’re mistaken. I’m just asking, nothing more,” Tang Simin flustered, as if her true intentions had been exposed.

Lin Hao regarded her coolly. “Director Tang, I dislike beating around the bush. You have only one chance. Speak now or never.”

Hearing this, Tang Simin bit her lip and finally placed a bank card on the table.

“Secretary Lin, you also worked at the Urban Development Bureau, so you know how those projects operate. Taking money is routine, but it’s all proportional, not embezzlement or cutting corners. At worst, it’s deducting project funds under other names—not too serious.”

Listening to her explanation, Lin Hao found it laughable.

A routine? Corruption and embezzlement forming legal norms? Taking money proportionally? Might as well have the Urban Development Bureau write their own disciplinary rules.

Her words were meant to avoid leaving any leverage behind. To put it plainly, she sought his favor but feared betrayal.

Seeing Lin Hao remain silent, Tang Simin cautiously moved closer.

Their eyes met, breaths mingling. Lin Hao could even see the delicate makeup on her face.

“Secretary Lin,” Tang Simin’s voice softened further, one hand resting naturally on his shoulder—partly testing, partly soothing. “Please show mercy. I know many former colleagues at the Urban Development Bureau have offended you. Now they sincerely regret it and want to apologize. Afraid of disturbing or annoying you by coming unannounced, they asked me to ask if you would grant me this favor?”

She watched Lin Hao’s reaction closely.

Lin Hao smiled faintly. “Oh? I wonder what favor Director Tang intends to offer me in exchange for such a big favor?”

He felt a certain irony. A few days ago, he was still scolded as useless at work, yet now, those who offended him were so cautious they had to send someone to tiptoe around and apologize.

* * *

Tang Simin was momentarily stunned, then moved even closer.

“Secretary Lin, don’t you already know what I can offer?”

With that, she gently tore her stockings, the soft ripping sound spreading through the quiet air, stirring the heart.

“Secretary Lin, whatever you want today, I’m willing.”

Tang Simin gazed into Lin Hao’s eyes, full of deep emotion.

Lin Hao felt a surge of amusement. Is this what it means to be hunted by power?

Even without formal status, she was willing to give herself willingly. Power truly is seductive. He believed such scenes would only increase in the future.

“Director Tang, enough.” Lin Hao pushed her away, but Tang Simin was persistent and leaned in again.

“I said, enough.”

The single phrase stopped Tang Simin dead in her tracks; she dared not move further.

She obediently got off Lin Hao and half-kneeling, avoided his gaze.

“Director Tang, think carefully about what you can truly offer before coming to me again. It’s late; you should go back.”

Tang Simin’s expression froze instantly, filled with grievance as she looked at Lin Hao.

“Secretary Lin…” She lifted her head, eyes brimming with tears, “Do you despise me for being dirty?”

Her tearful, pitiful look was heart-wrenching.

A woman so alluring yet so humble in her plea for a moment’s tenderness—no man could directly refuse such a sight.