82: Chapter 82 Li Chang invited Shen Muli to the hotel

At exactly seven o'clock, an old black Passat stopped in front of the restaurant, and Li Chang got out of the driver's seat.

He had also made a conscious effort to dress up today, wearing an ill-fitting striped shirt, his hair combed slick and shiny, with a briefcase tucked under his arm, looking every bit the hypocrite.

Seeing Shen Muli waiting at the door, his eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over to meet her.

"Xiao Shen, you're right on time! Have you been waiting long? Let's go in; I've already booked a private room." Li Chang smiled, naturally trying to reach out and put his arm around Shen Muli's waist.

Shen Muli's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, then she slightly turned her body, skillfully avoiding his hand, and said submissively, "Hello, Principal Li. I just arrived as well. Thank you for your generosity."

"Oh, why are you being so polite with me!" Li Chang withdrew his hand somewhat awkwardly, but the smile on his face grew even wider as he led Shen Muli into the restaurant.

Across the street, Cao Kun wore headphones, staring intently at the restaurant entrance.

Clear sounds of footsteps, ambient noise, and Li Chang's disgusting pleasantries came through the headphones.

The private room was at the very back of the second floor, and it was indeed very quiet.

After taking their seats, Li Chang attentively asked Shen Muli to order, but she demurred, saying she didn't know what to pick and asked Li Chang to decide.

Li Chang didn't stand on ceremony either, ordering several signature dishes and a bottle of Baijiu.

"Xiao Shen, come, have some tea first." Li Chang personally poured tea for Shen Muli, his eyes constantly scanning her body, his gaze like a slimy insect.

"Look at you, you must not have slept well these past few days, right? You look haggard. But still, you're just as beautiful as ever."

"Principal Li, you must be joking." Shen Muli lowered her head, holding the teacup, acting nervous and uneasy.

The dishes were soon served.

Li Chang began to talk grandiosely, boasting about his connections and achievements in the education sector.

He talked about how the County First Primary School was doing under his leadership and hinted that he had connections in high places, making his word influential within the Yang County education system.

Shen Muli only chimed in at appropriate moments, praising his capabilities.

After three rounds of drinks, Li Chang's face began to flush, he talked even more, and his guard seemed to have dropped significantly.

Sensing the right moment, Shen Muli followed the script Cao Kun had taught her and began to carefully lead the conversation toward the main topic.

"Principal Li, you're so powerful; surely no one in the school dares to disobey you?" Shen Muli filled his glass, her voice soft.

"Of course!" Li Chang proudly tilted his head back and drained the glass. "In school, I am the law! When I say one, no one dares say two!"

"As for those disobedient teachers, hmph, I have plenty of ways to deal with them!"

"Like that Teacher Wang who used to teach Chinese; he relied on his seniority and dared to contradict me in a meeting. And the result? He failed his evaluations for three consecutive years and finally had to slink away and apply for a transfer to the countryside!"

"And that Wang Dynasty Hui who always loved to report me. Vice-principal? Bullshit! I made him worth less than a doorman!"

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, seemingly enjoying showing off his power in front of a woman.

Shen Muli felt utter disgust in her heart, but her face showed just the right amount of 'admiration' and 'fear.' "Principal Li, you really have your ways... Then... for parents like us with no background, wouldn't we have to listen to you even more?"

"I heard... there were parents before who weren't very sensible, and then their children at school..."

"Hmph! Not sensible? That's just being ungrateful!" Li Chang sneered, lowering his voice, yet filled with a sense of boasting.

"Xiao Shen, let me tell you, in this Yang County, if I want a child to enter the First Primary School, they can."

"If I want a child to be unable to stay, they won't be able to stay!"

"The year before last, there was a parent in business, quite arrogant, thought having a bit of money was a big deal and didn't show me any respect."

"The result?"

"His son was isolated in class, bullied by classmates, and his homework was always marked as failing. Eventually, he developed psychological issues and transferred schools on his own!"

"All of this was manipulated by me behind the scenes."

Li Chang said this intentionally.

On one hand, he could show off in front of Shen Muli; on the other, he was pressuring her, letting her know that if she wanted her child to attend school, she had to submit to him.

In the car across the street, Cao Kun listened to Li Chang's unscrupulous boasting through the headphones, his fists clenched tight.

But he knew this wasn't enough; he needed more direct evidence, especially regarding the blackmail against Shen Muli herself.

Shen Muli realized this as well.

She pretended to shrink back in fear, her voice sounding tearful. "Principal Li, you... don't scare me."

"I... I know I was wrong. Xiaoxiao's schooling depends entirely on you. Just say... what you want me to do, and I'll listen to you..."

Seeing Shen Muli's weak, helpless, and vulnerable state, Li Chang's vanity and desire for conquest were greatly satisfied.

He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, his alcoholic breath blowing into Shen Muli's face.

"Xiao Shen, wouldn't it have been better if you were this well-behaved from the start? Don't worry, as long as you 'serve' me well, not only will Xiaoxiao be able to attend the County First Primary School, but I can also arrange the best class and the best teachers for her!"

"In the future, being named a 'Three-Good Student' or being recommended for middle school will all be easy to arrange!"

"Principal Li, what do you mean by 'serve'? I don't quite understand."

Shen Muli intentionally played dumb.

"Hehehehe..."

Li Chang let out a lewd laugh, the lustful glint in his eyes intensifying. "How to 'serve' me... It's not convenient to talk here. I know a hotel nearby with a great environment and lots of privacy. Shall we go there to 'talk in depth' about Xiaoxiao's schooling?"

Finally, it was coming!

Shen Muli's heart pounded wildly. According to the plan, she should agree and then go to the hotel room to continue coaxing information out of him.

Suppressing her disgust, she lowered her head and said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, "I... I'll follow Principal Li's arrangements."

Overjoyed, Li Chang immediately called the waiter to settle the bill and then impatiently led Shen Muli out of the restaurant.

Seeing this, Cao Kun immediately started his car and followed the Passat from a distance.

Li Chang's excited chatter and Shen Muli's occasional low responses came through the headphones.

The car drove for less than ten minutes before stopping in front of a mid-range business hotel.

...