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

Gong Yuelong stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and went home.

The courtyard must have already quieted down by now.

When he got home, he closed the door behind him and hastily wiped his face and neck with the water in the basin that had long since cooled down.

The cold water made him shiver, but it also washed away the last bit of his fatigue.

He sat down on the wooden bed, but didn't lie down immediately. His body was relaxed, but his mind was still awake.

Tomorrow is a crucial step.

Chen's phone is in his pocket; whether Zhao's call brings good fortune or misfortune is up to him to decide.

The name of our hometown in Shannan has been widely known, but we haven't gathered everyone yet.

The labor market is full of unskilled workers; you have to be selective, negotiate prices, and watch out for being robbed halfway through the process…

There were a lot of things to deal with, but after being burdened by debt for so long, he had long since gotten used to sorting out this mess and finding a path that he could steadily move forward on.

He let out a long breath, closed his eyes, and concentrated.

In my mind, the pale blue light screen appeared precisely on time.

[Today's information has been updated]

[Information: Zhao, the production manager of the sports center project, has a habit of drinking a cold drink at the construction site entrance every afternoon at 3 PM, and dislikes being disturbed at that time.]

[Tip: You'll have very little time to talk to him, so be well-prepared, speak directly, and don't be long-winded.]

Gong Yuelong's heart tightened.

Wow, this information is incredibly detailed! Time, place, temperament, likes and dislikes—everything is included.

This is much more reliable than making a rash phone call or blocking the office door during work hours.

Instead of quitting immediately, he tried asking the system in his mind, following the methods he had learned over the past few days.

[System, please take a look at these important people I've been in contact with lately. What's their situation? Who's reliable and who needs to be guarded against? What are the advantages and disadvantages? I need to have a clear understanding of the situation.]

The light curtain rippled gently.

What you want to know is: the background and relationships of the key figures around you.

[Scanning for related targets: Engineer Chen, Jiang Yan, Widow Qin, Lao Niu, Lao Yu, the girl at the convenience store (Li Qian)...]

[Thinking...]

Old Niu, the system quickly provided the result: [Family-oriented, responsible, wife gone, debts accumulated, drinking stems from inner bitterness. Current trust level with you: Quite high.]

Old Yu is a bit more complicated: He is under a lot of pressure because he hopes his son will be successful. He is hardworking but also cares about his image and needs others to respect him. The family is short of money.

His current level of trust in you is average. He'll trust you more if you genuinely help him.

The system took a little too long to think about Widow Qin's situation:

She is shrewd, knows how to read people's expressions, and is good at handling things. Her background is a bit unclear. The man who died seems to be related to a troublesome incident at a construction site in her early years.

It's good that they're paying more and more attention to you, but I'm not entirely sure why.

As for Engineer Chen, tonight's events have clearly refreshed the information: [He is a minor leader in charge of a bunch of things at the construction site. He has some power but also has to deal with people above and below him. Recently, his daughter and the things happening at the construction site have been bothering him a lot.]

I think your Shannan gang is honest and capable. I'm betting on you by introducing Engineer Zhao. I'm waiting to see what you can do.

Current relationship: We're just temporary partners. You have to do a good job for the relationship to be stable.

What he was most concerned about was Jiang Yan:

This person is dangerous, but the chances are also high.

She's in the building materials business, lends money, knows a lot of people, and is ruthless, but she also admires people who dare to do things just like her.

She thought you were somewhat useful after the steel bar incident.

She's keeping an eye on you right now. Next time you interact with her, either make her feel you're more useful, or give her some new incentive; otherwise, she might come back demanding repayment.

hum.

The light screen trembled slightly, stabilized, and listed a few simple conclusions.

Gong Yuelong read it word by word, and the previously vague map of interpersonal relationships in his mind suddenly became much clearer.

Who can you rely on, who should you guard against, what do you care about, and who shouldn't you mess with... The information not only provides clarity, but also gives you the confidence to think three steps ahead.

"To turn your life around in this world is like walking a tightrope; you can't afford to make a single mistake."

He inexplicably recalled this phrase, and when applied to himself, it really did seem somewhat fitting.

Struggling on this road full of pitfalls, the intelligence system is his guide stick, helping him see whether what lies ahead is a road or a cliff.

After weighing the job at the sports center in his mind several times, the string that had been taut for many years in Gong Yuelong's mind automatically plucked the note of safety.

He had personally witnessed scaffolding malfunction, resulting in people falling from the sixth floor, planks and all.

Not to mention electric shocks, falls, and foundation pit collapses... behind each of these incidents lies the shattering of several or even dozens of families.

In good years, some bosses may say "safety first," but in their hearts they are calculating costs. They cut corners on safety measures and make do with the best protective equipment, always hoping for the best.

Ke Gong said that the dragon never did.

In the six months since his bankruptcy, he has been doing odd jobs at the bottom of society and has witnessed far too many scenes where safety is treated as a joke in order to save a few dollars or for quick results.

"Proceed cautiously, step by step; prudence is paramount!"

hum.

A thought subtly stirred within me.

[The intelligence system, based on the continuous pouring of large-volume concrete for the foundation slab of the sports center project, shows me the most likely specific safety hazards and key points for avoidance.]

This wasn't about seeking wealth; it was about saving his life, and even more so, about preserving the nascent hope that had just begun to emerge.

Ripples of light gently spread across the screen.

[Item under investigation: Safety risk assessment for specific operations]

[Related variables: working environment (open-air, deep foundation pit), working mode (continuous 72 hours, easy personnel fatigue), equipment use (vibrator, pump truck), material properties (temperature control of large-volume concrete)...]

[Currently considering... Requires six hours.]

He needs a system to help him identify and fill in the gaps, and to uncover the subtle risks that he might have overlooked in his years of experience.

This isn't about distrusting one's own experience; it's about adding an extra layer of insurance.

Human life is at stake; no amount of caution is too much.

The rain gradually subsided, and the thunder faded into the distance.

Before going to sleep, I blinked habitually.

The light screen quietly disappeared.

He slowly lay down, the hard bedboard pressing against his back, yet he felt a strange sense of security.

Tomorrow, I'll first go to the labor market to find some fellow villagers, and then in the afternoon, I'll go to the entrance of the sports center project department.

He focused his mind on the preparations and plans he had made for their meeting the next day, and his breathing gradually became even.

Take it one step at a time.

Prioritize stability before speed.

……

……

the next day.

The rain had stopped just as dawn was breaking.

Upon waking up, Gong Yuelong's first action was to immerse himself in thought.

A pale blue light screen unfolded in my consciousness, displaying clear and specific entries.

[Item under investigation: Safety risk assessment for specific operations]

[After careful consideration, the main risks are summarized as follows...]

He examined it closely, his mind churning with thoughts:

"Sure enough, after the rain, the biggest enemy of construction is still collapse."

The system's most prominent warnings all point in this direction.

After being soaked by rain overnight, the soil on the slope of the foundation pit became saturated with water, increasing its own weight and decreasing its shear strength.

Originally stable slopes may quietly creep or partially collapse, especially under the influence of external forces such as vibrations from heavy equipment and frequent foot traffic.

These are not just empty words.