He Xiaoman contemplated briefly before she suggested. “Why don’t we find out more about the secretary? He suddenly took interest in our company, so it doesn’t seem right if we don’t show our sincerity.”


  He Xiaoman’s husband turned to look at her sideways and seemed to be considering her suggestion.

  Since they were speaking loudly, Lu Xia could hear a part of their conversation with a glass of water in hand.

  A bid? The mayor’s secretary?

  Lu Xia leaned against the kitchen cabinet as she went into a brief daze.

  She could vaguely recall that in her past life, the Lu Corporation wanted to expand into the real estate industry. They took part in the bidding of a government project involving the old city district but did not win it.

  Also, some problems arose within the municipal administration. A high-ranking government official fell ill, so the old city district project was held back. The Lu Corporation had invested a lot of funds into the project but ended up losing every dime.

  “Why are you standing there in a daze?” Lu Ziming had just finished his homework and was coming downstairs when he saw Lu Xia in deep thought and could not help asking her.

  Lu Xia snapped out of her daze. She glanced at Lu Ziming before she straightened herself and headed to the living room without answering him.

  She sat on the couch with her glass before she asked them with a straight face. “Mum, Dad, is the company bidding for a project?”


  Since He Xiaoman was in a rather good mood, all her anger towards Lu Xia had dissipated, so she acknowledged her gently. “Lu Corporation wants to expand into real estate. If we win the bid, it will help us with those plans.”


  Lu Xia automatically rubbed her water glass. After some time, she pretended to ask curiously. “What are our chances?”


  “If everything goes smoothly, we might just win it.” Although her father did not phrase it with certainty, he seemed to be confident. He made it sound as though they had already won the bid.

  Lu Xia’s lips parted as she looked at her father. She wanted to speak, but He Xiaoman had turned around to carry on with the subject. Since they were chatting intently, she did not get the chance to interrupt again.

  “Why don’t you buy your government contact some dinner and find out more about this secretary? I will ask some friends of mine who are married to government officials as well. We should do our best to improve our chances for the bid,” said He Xiaoman.

  Her husband uncrossed his legs and nodded. “I was just thinking the same thing. These are important times for the company. Now that the opportunity is knocking on our doors, we must grasp it firmly in our hands.”


  “Yes. Regardless of how much money we have to spend, we must win the bid.” He Xiaoman’s eyes were filled with a desire for power and reputation. After all, people always wanted more.

  Lu Xia frowned as she listened to their conversation. Even though she should not have butt in, she could not resist saying. “I don’t think we should bribe him. To begin with, it’s not easy to win a government bid. Also, this is the old district we are talking about, so our chances of winning the bid are even slimmer. After all, there are plenty of other companies with……”


  Before she finished her sentence, her father interrupted her. “What would a kid like you know about business? Stop sharing your unsolicited opinion.”


  Her father was a little annoyed. His daughter had ruined his good mood entirely, so he failed to notice anything amiss when she let it slip that it was a government bid for the old district.