After my divorce at thirty, I developed an intelligence network.

Gong Yuelong's expression remained unchanged:

"A few thugs came and caused trouble, smashing our tools. They pushed people first, and our people defended themselves, resulting in a minor conflict and some minor injuries. We are cooperating with the investigation and will pay what we are owed."

Fu Mingde listened without much change on his face, but his nonchalance subsided slightly.

This answer is somewhat methodical; it's not a mere excuse or a simple cry of injustice.

"Calling the police is right, but we must abide by the law." Fu Mingde's tone was a bit harsher. "But you newcomers, communicate more when things happen, and don't escalate. Fighting doesn't do any good; turning small things into big ones is bad for you and for the district."

This is both a warning and a demarcation.

Gong Yuelong paused for two seconds before speaking: "Director Fu, we want to work peacefully, but when others come to bully us, we can't just back down. You're right, we need to be careful about how we handle things. From now on, we'll strengthen our management, call the police immediately if anything happens, trust the government, and trust the law. We'll also ensure safety under your guidance."

Neither too soft nor too hard, he accepted the conversation but also offered a way out. Fu Mingde's eyes flickered; this kid wasn't entirely naive.

"It's good that you think that way." Fu Mingde's smile became more genuine.

"We understand that businesses are facing difficulties. If there's a need for coordination regarding security, you can contact the local police station, or have Mr. Jiang relay the message. We'll help with anything legal and compliant. We all share the same goal: to improve the business environment."

These words, though seemingly gentle, were actually a warning to Gong Yuelong not to be a troublemaker, and also an implication that things shouldn't escalate, as doing so would be bad for everyone, including me.

Jiang Yan listened quietly from the side, but inwardly she was worried for Gong Yuelong, and also felt a little expectant.

Fu Mingde's reprimand was quite forceful.

Gong Yuelong was silent for two seconds, as if he was carefully considering Fu Mingde's words.

Then he said, "Director Fu, I understand what you mean. We come out to do this for money and for stability; we never want to cause trouble."

But sometimes, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. We are working diligently on the construction site, and others are bullying us, trying to take away our livelihood. If we keep backing down, it will probably be even harder for us to establish ourselves in the future.

He then changed the subject, saying, "Of course, Director Fu's reminder is correct; we need to pay attention to the methods and approaches. In the future, we will definitely strengthen our internal management and report similar situations immediately. We are also willing to do a good job in security and stability maintenance under Director Fu's guidance, so as not to cause trouble for the district."

Fu Mingde's eyes flickered slightly as he looked Gong Yuelong over again.

This kid doesn't seem like a reckless fool who only knows how to act blindly.

The response was well-chosen, both expressing the unavoidable situation and giving oneself a way out, while also implying a willingness to abide by the rules and even cooperate with the work.

His initial slight impatience and disdain had faded considerably by now.

"It's great that Boss Gong thinks that way." Fu Mingde chuckled. "We will definitely support anything that can be made more convenient, as long as it is legal and compliant."

Everyone shares the same goal: to develop the high-tech zone well and improve its environment!

These words can be considered a preliminary promise: as long as you play within the rules and don't cause any major trouble, I can make some concessions, and even turn a blind eye to the friction between you and Wu Jinshui to a certain extent.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan felt a weight lifted from her heart, and a hint of admiration flashed in her eyes.

Gong Yuelong's response today was extremely precise, exceeding her expectations.

Not only did he not mess things up, but he may have even made Fu Mingde have a different opinion of him.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Fu Mingde got up.

After seeing him to the door, he turned back to Gong Yuelong and said, "Construction site security needs to be standardized, or employees need training. The branch office has services to facilitate businesses, and we can connect you with those."

"Thank you, Director Fu. I will definitely coordinate." Gong Yuelong said.

The person is gone.

Jiang Yan sat back down, took a sip of her iced tea, and looked at Gong Yuelong: "Not bad. I was worried you wouldn't be able to handle this kind of seasoned bureaucrat. I didn't expect you to be even better at playing the game than him. Fu Mingde's last few words were not something he often said to others."

Gong Yuelong also relaxed: "I'll follow the path you've shown me. It seems that what Director Fu wants—stability—and what we need—space—can perhaps overlap."

"Bump?" Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow. "He drew a circle around you; it's safe inside the circle."

"Mm," Gong Yuelong replied. He understood.

Fu Mingde's support came with conditions and costs.

But today at least one thing has been confirmed: at the official level, he is not completely isolated and helpless, and Wu Jinshui is not all-powerful.

If used properly, this thin thread might actually help him stabilize his position at a crucial moment, or even... lend him some support.

……

After Fu Mingde left, the air in the tea room seemed to relax a bit.

Just as Jiang Yan poured out the cooled tea and was about to replace it with fresh tea leaves, a waiter knocked on the door: "Ms. Jiang, Sister Yang is here."

Jiang Yan paused, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Gong Yuelong: "She certainly knows how to pick her timing."

The door was pushed open before the words were even finished.

Yang Ruyan walked in.

Today she wore a smoky gray cashmere dress, her long hair loosely tied back, looking less sophisticated and worldly than usual, and more casual and homey.

She nodded to Jiang Yan first, then her gaze fell on Gong Yuelong, looking him up and down with a smile on her lips.

"Did I interrupt your business conversation?"

"Just saw Director Fu off." Jiang Yan reheated the cup, her tone casual. "You're quite well-informed."

"I saw Director Fu's car as soon as it left the alley."

Yang Ruyan took the new tea that Jiang Yan handed her, smelled it, but didn't drink it. She looked up at Gong Yuelong and said, "Boss Gong, Director Fu... must be difficult to deal with?"

Gong Yuelong, unaware of her purpose, succinctly stated, "Director Fu is reasonable."

"Reasonable?" Yang Ruyan chuckled lightly.

"That guy, all the logic is in his mouth, but he always knows when to advance or retreat."

Talking to him is like walking a tightrope; too light and you seem insignificant, too heavy and you risk stepping on the lines he's drawn.

She paused, then looked at Gong Yuelong, "But judging from Boss Gong's calm and collected demeanor, is he walking this tightrope quite steadily?"

Jiang Yan also looked at Gong Yuelong and chimed in, "It's more than just stable. Fu Mingde even proactively offered to provide convenient services for businesses. This isn't some kind of favor he gives to just anyone."

A hint of surprise flashed across Yang Ruyan's eyes.

"Oh?"

"How did Boss Gong handle that? I'm curious."

Fu Mingde is a master at using grand principles to entangle people, and then subtly placing responsibility and rules on them.

Many people, after being spoken to by him in just a few words, either became trembling with fear or rushed to pledge their loyalty, thus falling out of his notice.

Gong Yuelong thought for a moment and then simply reiterated the key points of the conversation without embellishment.

Yang Ruyan listened quietly. After he finished speaking, she was silent for a moment, then suddenly shook her head. It wasn't a denial, but a sigh filled with emotion.

"Sister Jiang, have you noticed?" She turned to Jiang Yan, her tone somewhat subtle.

"The men we've met before, those with some ability, were either arrogant and conceited, sticking their necks out in front of someone like Fu Mingde, only to end up with broken heads."

Either you're too calculating and always trying to please others, or you'll be looked down upon and seen as spineless and unreliable.

Her gaze returned to Gong Yuelong's face. "Boss Gong's words just now sounded simple, without a single fancy word, but it is precisely this simplicity that is most effective against Mingde."

He neither evaded the issue nor exaggerated his grievances; he acknowledged his rules but also upheld his own bottom line.

That last sentence, "Under your guidance," was... wow, a perfectly timed way of offering a way out, giving the other person face without making oneself look too low.

As she spoke, she chuckled again, this time with a subtle hint of mockery:

"Men, sometimes they just fall for that."

You're too tough; he feels you're hard to handle.

You're too soft, and he thinks you're useless.

You have to be like Boss Gong, making him feel that you know the rules, are resilient, capable, and... worry-free.