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

Old Yu put down his cup, his voice muffled:

"The deadline is fast approaching, and the teacher is urging me in the group chat... I still have several wages that haven't been settled yet, and they're stuck here."

He raised his head and looked at Gong Yuelong.

"Brother Gong...you've been through a lot and have a good mind. Help me think of a reason to talk to the teacher and ask for a few more days?"

I...I'm not good with words, I'm afraid I'll say something wrong and make the teacher think our family doesn't care, which will then affect the child..."

The table fell silent.

Widow Qin sighed softly, said nothing, and placed a piece of meat into Yu Qin's bowl.

Old Niu's hand, which reached out to pat Yu Qin's shoulder, paused in mid-air before finally falling heavily and then rising again, unsure of what to say.

Sending their children to private high schools is a burden beyond their daily imagination in this community; the pressure is so immense that just hearing about it makes one feel breathless.

Several gazes, some open and some hidden, all focused on Gong Yuelong.

He is now recognized in the hospital as someone who has recovered and has connections, and he seems to know better how to deal with people in higher positions.

Gong Yuelong slowly put down his chopsticks, neither agreeing nor refusing immediately.

Looking at the familiar anxiety on Yu Qin's face, he seemed to see himself not long ago—brainstorming for the next debt due, his dignity crushed into the dust.

I definitely have to help. But how? Simply making up an excuse to delay is like trying to put out a fire with a pot of boiling water—what about next time? Besides, that's too passive; it's not his style.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke:

"Old Yu, there's a trick to communicating with the school teachers. We can't drag it out indefinitely, or it'll make us seem untrustworthy; but we can't reveal all our cards either, or they'll look down on us."

He changed the subject and got to the heart of the matter:

"When the school urges us, is it by issuing an official notice with a red stamp, or is the teacher just sending a reminder in the group chat?"

Is the fee a fixed amount that must be paid in one lump sum, or can it be negotiated to be paid in installments?

Besides tuition, are there any other miscellaneous fees that can be paid later?

This surprised Yu Qin, who quickly thought back carefully and answered one by one.

The others at the table listened quietly, watching Gong Yuelong ask his questions in a clear and analytical manner.

The atmosphere changed silently.

I feel that this Gong Yuelong is really different from the down-and-out man who used to just bury himself in his work and remain silent about the trivial matters around him.

He was no longer just recovering; it seemed as if he had truly taken something back into his own hands.

I gave Lao Yu a few suggestions, but whether they work remains to be seen.

But Gong Yuelong felt differently; a sense of ease, both extremely unfamiliar and incredibly familiar, welled up in his heart.

It felt unfamiliar because he hadn't experienced it in a long time.

Since going bankrupt, every thought I have had has been blocked by the word "no money".

He was familiar with the process because he analyzed situations, broke down problems, and found solutions. This way of thinking had helped him rise from a small foreman to General Manager Gong.

Something core to him, something that belonged to Gong Yuelong, that he had deeply felt, had returned.

……

……

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, the table was a mess of cups and plates.

Gong Yuelong got up to tidy up, but was stopped by Widow Qin and Old Niu's wife.

"We can't just leave it lying around like this; we're not going to let you treat everyone and do the dishes all at the same time!"

Widow Qin quickly began stacking the plates, and Old Yu's wife smiled and chimed in, the two of them efficiently tidying up.

The bulk liquor was strong when you drank it, but it had a powerful aftereffect; a gust of wind would bring out the effects of the alcohol.

With his worries somewhat relieved and grateful for Gong Yuelong's advice, Lao Yu drank the most heavily. By now, his eyelids were drooping, and he was still mumbling incoherently:

"Brother Gong...you're a true friend...thanks so much for the child's situation..."

"Look at them, a few sips of horse piss and they've lost their bearings!"

Old Niu laughed heartily, swaying a bit himself, but he and Gong Yuelong, one on each side, helped up Old Yu, who had slumped like a limp rag, and carried him back to his little hut.

As soon as Lao Yu's head hit the pillow, he started snoring.

Once everyone was settled, the courtyard, which had been bustling all night, fell silent in an instant.

The night breeze carried a coolness, dispelling the smells of food and alcohol in the air and refreshing one's mind.

Widow Qin didn't rush back to her house. She went to her room to get something and then came back.

"Here you go." She handed me the cup. "I boiled it with some licorice and rock sugar. It helps with hangovers and soothes the stomach. After eating something greasy tonight, this will make you feel better."

Gong Yuelong was somewhat surprised, but he accepted it. "Thank you, Sister Qin, thank you for your trouble."

"No need for trouble, we're neighbors." Widow Qin waved her hand, her voice gentle, and even in the lamplight, a touch of delicate beauty could still be seen.

"You were a huge help to Lao Yu today. You not only gave him advice, but you also put his mind at ease."

"It's not easy for anyone in this community. If you can stand up for yourself, everyone will feel a glimmer of hope."

She changed the subject slightly, "I heard from Lao Niu that several people collapsed from the heat at the construction site where they work a couple of days ago and had to be sent directly to the hospital."

"Those of you who are out there running around need to be even more careful. You can never earn enough money, but if you ruin your health, no amount of money will be enough to pay for it all."

These words revealed the caring spirit of an older sister. For those struggling at the bottom of society, the greatest fear is illness—that's a true bottomless pit.

Gong Yuelong lowered his head and took a sip. It was slightly sweet with a hint of bitterness—a taste he had never experienced before. He smiled.

"Hey, I can't compare to you office workers. You accountants, you're sheltered from the wind and rain, the money just comes in safely in your air-conditioned rooms."

He said this half-jokingly. He knew that Widow Qin's husband had died early, and she had been holding on alone until now, so she must have a lot of stories to tell.

Widow Qin's lips curved into a smile at his words, and the smile made her face much more lively.

She raised her hand and tucked the unruly strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a section of her fair neck, exuding gentleness and grace.

She shook her head. "It's just a job of keeping accounts and distributing money. It looks easy, but it's mentally exhausting. Unlike you men, you get paid exactly what you do, it's real and honest."

Widow Qin suddenly remembered something, stood up and said,

"I passed by a pharmacy a couple of days ago and there was a discount on Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, so I bought a few boxes. It's for relieving summer heat, and I don't need that many."

As she spoke, she turned and went inside, but soon returned, her eyes now filled with a hint of allure.

Gong Yuelong thanked him, and since it was getting late, they each went back to their rooms.

Back in his little hut, he noticed that the licorice water Widow Qin had given him tasted different.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, without lying down immediately. He began the day's inventory.

Today's income and expenditure summary:

Income: Settlement from Jiang Yan (personal income) + 2080 yuan.

Expenses: Treating guests and buying vegetables and meat - 186 yuan, gas - 80 yuan, miscellaneous - 15 yuan.

Balance: Net increase of 1799 yuan.

After doing all this, he finally calmed down, closed his eyes slightly, and let his mind settle down.