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

Jiang Yan also laughed, this time a laugh of deep empathy.

She poured Yang Ruyan more tea, saying, "Ruyan sees things clearly. I was just thinking about it too; Gong Yuelong's response today was a bit too clever for his own good."

He seemed to know exactly how to respond to and defuse Fu Mingde's approach. This isn't something that can be achieved simply by being bold.

The two women chatted back and forth, as if appraising a piece of jade.

Gong Yuelong sat there, listening to these intricate details that he would never normally think about, and felt a strange unease in his heart.

Yang Ruyan finally picked up her teacup and gestured to Gong Yuelong.

"Boss Gong, it seems Sister Jiang made the right choice. You not only dare to wade into the waters of the High-tech Zone, but you also seem to know how to do it. Perhaps we'll have even bigger opportunities for cooperation in the future."

She paused, then added, "After all, there aren't many men who can be recommended by Sister Jiang and are also considered useful and not troublesome by someone like Fu Mingde."

Gong Yuelong listened to the two ladies' comments and simply nodded.

"Thank you both. Without your help, I wouldn't know where to turn with Director Fu."

He picked up the teacup, but didn't drink it; he just held it.

Today's scene may seem like just a casual tea party, but in reality, every step is fraught with danger.

Every word Fu Mingde uttered was both pointed and pointed.

If I answer even half a question incorrectly, or show any weakness, my future in the High-tech Zone will likely be even more difficult.

Thankfully, I caught it.

Fortunately, the intelligence system had already thoroughly investigated Wu Jinshui's affairs, allowing him to be aware of the possible attitudes of the authorities.

It's thanks to the keen eye I've developed over the years from traveling around and interacting with all sorts of people.

He didn't back down when he needed to, and he didn't hesitate to offer a step when he needed to.

Looking back now, kicking Wu San's leg off was a risky move, but it was also the quickest way to establish authority.

If I had tolerated it back then, or only made a small fuss, I probably wouldn't even have been reprimanded by Fu Mingde today.

Some rules have to be drawn with blood to be remembered.

He weighed the pros and cons in his heart:

"Wu Jinshui isn't dead. His next counterattack will definitely involve more than just sending a few thugs. Fu Mingde is a useful contact, but not a lifeline. The real battle will depend on our own weapons and brothers."

He put down his teacup and looked at the tea leaves floating in the tea soup.

"I just don't know what Wu Jinshui's biggest reliance is. Besides those shady dealings, whose interests are tied to him?"

This is a problem that the intelligence system probably needs to investigate further.

……

Lao Zhang Hot Pot Restaurant in the High-tech Zone. It wasn't mealtime, so the restaurant was almost empty, except for the largest booth in the corner, which was separated by a screen.

The red broth in the pot was boiling, and the aroma of chili peppers and butter was rising.

Wang Biao's left foot was in a cast, propped up on a chair nearby. His face was pale, whether from pain or anger, it was hard to tell. He held a wine glass in his hand, but didn't drink.

Wu Jinshui sat opposite him, slowly and methodically rinsing a piece of tripe in the broth, dipping it in the sauce several times before putting it in his mouth.

His face was expressionless, even calmer than usual, except for the occasional glance at Wang Biao, when a cold glint flashed deep in his eyes.

"How are your legs?" Wu Jinshui swallowed the tripe and asked.

"The bone is fractured." Wang Biao's voice was filled with suppressed anger. "Boss, that guy surnamed Gong..."

Wu Jinshui raised his hand to stop him from speaking.

He put down his chopsticks and took a tissue to wipe his mouth.

"I've heard several versions of what happened that night," Wu Jinshui said, looking at the bubbling red soup.

"Some say Gong Yuelong brought more than a dozen people, others say he was carrying an iron rod. The most outlandish rumor is that he took you down all by himself, empty-handed."

Wang Biao's face darkened further. He wanted to argue, but the truth... was pretty much the same.

"Now everyone's saying that my best swordsman, Wu Jinshui's best fighter, was kicked and broken by a nobody who just started out in the countryside."

Wu Jinshui's tone was unreadable, "Biaozi, tell me, where do I put my face?"

Cold sweat beaded on Wang Biao's forehead: "Boss, it was my carelessness! That kid doesn't follow the rules, he's ruthless..."

"Carelessness?" Wu Jinshui interrupted him, finally raising his eyes.

"You took five people, smashed some tools, tried to scare them, and ended up breaking one person's leg and making them sign an IOU? Did you take your brain or tofu with you when you went out that night?"

Wang Biao lowered his head, not daring to utter a sound, his injured leg throbbing with pain.

Wu Jinshui picked up his chopsticks again, took a piece of tofu, and slowly cooked it in the pot.

"The matter of those steel bars almost leaked out. Wu San is in the hospital, so he's keeping his mouth shut. But your revelation is like telling everyone that the hand I, Wu Jinshui, extended has been chopped off."

He paused for a moment, then said, "This Gong Yuelong is no fool. Breaking Wu San's leg was a warning, paying the old man who looked after the place was justified, probing your mother's background was to get your weak spot, and today... I'm afraid he's even gotten in touch with Fu Mingde."

Wang Biao looked up abruptly, his face filled with astonishment: "Director Fu? He can get involved?"

"Jiang Yan led the way," Wu Jinshui said calmly. "That woman is very shrewd. She saw that this guy surnamed Gong had the guts to bite, and wanted to use his teeth to test how hard my bones are."

"Then we..." Wang Biao's eyes sharpened, "Should we strike first? I'll get someone..."

"Looking for someone?" Wu Jinshui glanced at him. "Or are you looking for someone even more reckless, someone who'd blow up the construction site right in front of Director Fu?"

Wang Biao was speechless, his chest heaving.

"stupid!"

"They did this before because nobody dared to say anything, and the higher-ups turned a blind eye. But now? That kid surnamed Gong has smeared blood on his face and brought the matter to the forefront! Fu Mingde is keeping a close eye on things. If he takes action now, isn't he slapping Gong in the face? He's slapping the faces of everyone watching!"

Wang Biao gritted his teeth: "Boss, I won't swallow this!"

"Can't swallow it?" Wu Jinshui suddenly laughed, a somewhat chilling laugh. "Then let him be unable to swallow it either, let him choke to death."

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers slowly tapping on the table:

"Doesn't he like to make a big deal out of things? Breaking a leg, recording it, signing IOUs, and even getting involved with Fu Mingde... How impressive. Okay, let's play along with him and make it big."

Wang Biao's eyes narrowed.

"However, not now." Wu Jinshui's voice was low, but each word was heavy with conviction. "If we act now, it will be provocation, it will be retaliation. We have to wait..."

Wu Jinshui didn't finish speaking; he simply touched his wine glass lightly to the one in front of Wang Biao.

"When the time comes, he'll pay back exactly how you broke your leg, with interest."

After calmly finishing his sentence, Wu Jinshui tilted his head back and downed the liquor in one gulp, the spiciness causing him to squint.

"But now, you'd better swallow your anger and keep it bottled up. We'll watch him build a tall building and entertain his guests..."

Wang Biao stared at the eldest brother, then looked down at his own leg, which was in a cast.

He got it.

The boss doesn't want a quick fix; he wants to eradicate the Gong family from the root and ensure their death is justified.

He also picked up his glass, and after a long pause, he squeezed out three words through gritted teeth: "I'll wait."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank it down.