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

"Of course not." Jiang Yan turned the steering wheel, and the car turned onto a road with denser tree foliage.

"But that's something to worry about tomorrow. Today, let's have a good time first. Even soldiers need a break during a battle, especially since you just won a brilliant victory."

She glanced at Gong Yuelong sideways: "What? You're not even afraid to drink a celebratory drink? Afraid I'll force you to drink?"

Gong Yuelong chuckled and shook his head: "No. I just didn't expect President Jiang to be like this..."

"What? So down-to-earth?" Jiang Yan chimed in, her smile deepening.

"I'm human too. Winning makes me happy, and wanting a couple of drinks is perfectly normal. Besides,"

Her tone was casual, yet pointed: "Drinking with you is much more comfortable than drinking with those scheming old foxes."

……

……

Watching Gong Yuelong get into Jiang Yan's car and leave, Zheng Shu's face was so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.

He yanked open the car door and sat in the back seat.

Zheng Tao followed closely behind and climbed into the passenger seat, slamming the car door shut with a deafening bang.

The air pressure inside the car was frighteningly low.

"Dad!" Zheng Tao's eyes were bloodshot.

"You're just going to let it go like that?! That bastard surnamed Gong, and that bitch Jiang Yan! They teamed up to mess with us! In front of so many people! We've both lost face!"

He slammed his fist hard against the interior of the car door, making a dull thud.

Zheng Shu closed his eyes, leaned back in the leather seat, and pinched his brow hard with his fingers, his temples throbbing.

He didn't speak immediately, letting his son vent his anger.

After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes:

"You lose face because of your own actions, not because someone else gave it to you."

"I told you before, the High-tech Zone isn't our backyard. Do you think we can just send a few people and quote a few similar prices and we'll be able to secure the project?"

Do you think the bidding committee members are idiots? Do you think General Manager Li is just a figurehead? Do you think that woman Jiang Yan is invisible?

Zheng Tao stiffened his neck after being scolded, but he was still unconvinced: "Then...why does that guy surnamed Gong have the right? His lousy company, his low prices..."

"Just because he can get President Li's approval, get Jiang Yan to invest in him, and produce a proposal that the judges can't find fault with, along with a price that's just right around the reasonable profit margin!"

Zheng Shu interrupted him, his tone becoming more forceful, "Because he didn't wear his desire for the bid on his sleeve like you did, resorting to underhanded tactics instead! Losing to someone like that is no wonder!"

"I……"

Seeing him like this, Zheng Shu realized he was still his own son, and his heart softened a little.

"Alright, one loss is nothing. In business, there's no such thing as only winning and never losing. You may lose face today, but you can make it back tomorrow."

Zheng Tao lowered his head: "How can we earn that? That guy surnamed Gong is riding high right now, and he has Jiang Yan backing him up..."

Zheng Shu sneered.

"I just got the news. The city has already decided on the scale of the supporting project for the urban renewal in the eastern area. It's even bigger than previously rumored, and the first batch of start-up funds is almost approved. This is the real big prize."

Zheng Tao suddenly looked up. "Dad, you mean...?"

He looked at his son and said, "If we get that project, it'll be enough for you to live on for five years, and enough for you to truly establish yourself in the High-tech Zone. By then, who will remember this little mess we have today? Gong Yuelong? Even if he builds a magnificent factory, he'll only earn a meager living. He's not on our level."

These words quickly restored color to Zheng Tao's ashen face, and his eyes brightened. Yes, what does the new champion matter? The East Division is the future! As long as we take down the East Division, what does this humiliation matter?

"Dad, I understand!" He nodded emphatically. "This time I'll definitely work hard with you! I won't let you down again!"

Seeing his son cheer up again, Zheng Shu finally felt a little better.

He closed his eyes and waved his hand: "Okay. Go home first. Take these next few days to sort out your own mess. The East Project will be moving soon."

……

……

Inside the quiet room, in a small air-conditioned room.

Jiang Yan's face was slightly flushed from the alcohol, her eyes filled with tears, and she poured herself and Gong Yuelong another glass of wine.

"I really enjoyed the drink today. Seeing Zheng Tao's face turn pale with anger was more satisfying than anything else."

She raised her glass in a gesture of "One more!"

Her gesture of raising the glass was casual; she slightly raised her wrist, revealing her fair and shapely arm.

Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, or perhaps it was because she was in a truly pleasant mood, but she exuded a languid and relaxed charm.

With a gentle glance, she looked at Gong Yuelong with a smile, waiting for him to clink glasses.

Gong Yuelong smiled and clinked glasses with Gong Yuelong. The cool liquor went down his throat, bringing a brief moment of comfort.

Slightly tipsy and with the atmosphere just right, his desire to repay the favor became increasingly clear.

Jiang Yan's assistance was not just empty talk; it involved real risks and resource investment.

Some things can't be thanked enough with just words.

After a few rounds of drinks, Jiang Yan got up to go to the restroom.

Gong Yuelong was the only one left in the private room for the time being.

What does Jiang Yan need? It's not just winning one or two projects.

What she values ​​most is information, a basis for judgment that allows her to be one step ahead of others.

So, what information can bring her the greatest value?

Gong Yuelong's mind raced.

What are the risks and consequences of Zheng Shu and his son's defeat today? What are Wu Jinshui's possible reactions? These are all immediate risks.

But Jiang Yan's vision extends beyond this. She mentioned the eastern region, which represents the grander future strategy.

He steadied himself and mentally issued a command to the deep blue expanse:

[Intelligence focuses on the core trends in the future planning of the eastern part of the High-tech Zone, as well as Zheng Shufang's recent key moves and potential loopholes.]

A few seconds later:

[Analysis Focus: Eastern Area of ​​the High-tech Zone.]

[Key development confirmed: The planning for the industrial integration demonstration zone in the eastern part of the city government's new town has been approved in principle.]

[Zheng Shufang's strategy: to form a joint bidding consortium. Its core advantage lies in local government and business connections, but the internal distribution plan within the consortium is disputed and has not yet been finalized.]

Gong Yuelong slowly opened his eyes, already having a plan in mind.

At this moment, Jiang Yan pushed the door open and came back.

She sat back down opposite her and laughed, "What's up? Thinking about some stunning beauty?"

Gong Yuelong smiled, his expression becoming more serious. "I'm thinking about how to say something useful to you."

Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That doesn't sound like just a polite remark."

"Zheng Shu won't let this go easily, but their focus has shifted."

Gong Yuelong spoke up, "They're eyeing the eastern area, the real new city plan, a huge project, and the start-up capital is coming in soon."

Zheng Shu is trying to form a consortium with large companies like Dingsheng Construction and the Third Construction Company of the Provincial Construction Corps to take a share of this business.

Jiang Yan's eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward slightly: "Is the news true?"

"I'm 90% sure. Besides, their alliance, though it looks strong, has cracks inside."

"How so?"

"The Vice President Zhou from Dingsheng who's in charge of this matter has a dirty hand."

Gong Yuelong paused for a moment, then continued, "Also, you've met Zheng Tao yourself; he's impatient. He probably wants to make some money for himself first, using his own small company to try and get some early subcontracting work, which could easily lead to procedural problems."

Jiang Yan didn't speak. Her eyes went from surprise to deep thought, and then to a glimmer of light.

This information is so specific and targeted.

"Your return gift carries considerable weight."

"The movements of the East, the inside story of the alliance, the incriminating evidence against key figures... these kinds of information, when given the right time, can be extremely useful."

"You gave me the opportunity first," Gong Yuelong emphasized again. "Without the stepping stone of becoming a new scholar, I wouldn't have been qualified to know about these things later, much less to ponder them."

Jiang Yan nodded and stopped asking about the source of the information.

Some things are better left unsaid. She raised her glass: "Then this toast is to the useful information, and also to... our increasingly interesting collaboration."