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

He wasn't unfamiliar with contracts; the formal subcontracting contracts for the project could be stacked up to a person's height.

But it's the first time a foreman of a temporary work group has taken the initiative to produce such a simple agreement focusing on specific quality requirements.

This thing is unconventional, even a bit old-fashioned, but it's well-organized and gets straight to the point—how to get paid, how to do the work, and who to contact if problems arise.

His lips twitched slightly, whether from finding it funny or from surprise, it was hard to tell.

"Wow, that's interesting. You've done a pretty thorough job. Usually nobody wants this kind of thing; it's just talk, and they keep a record of the work."

He looked up and sized up Gong Yuelong again. "What, are you afraid I'll renege on my debt? Or are you afraid your men won't obey you?"

Gong Yuelong frankly said, "The main purpose is to reassure the brothers. They're afraid that after working hard for several days, they'll end up arguing when it comes to getting paid."

With this, they knew I couldn't run away, and they also knew what kind of work I had to do to be worth the wages.

For you, management is also much easier, as the requirements are clearly written down, and if anyone fails to comply, just follow the rules.

"A reassurance?" Engineer Zhao scoffed.

"Alright! For your willingness to think of your subordinates and to set your own quality requirements as a strict guide, and for the reputation of your Nanshan team, I'll sign this!"

He acted swiftly and decisively, and after speaking, he picked up the phone: "Xiao Liu! Bring the project department's site management stamp!"

Soon, a young data clerk ran out and handed over a flat, round red stamp.

Zhao took the agreement, glanced at it, and without hesitation, stamped the seal neatly on the client's signature page. He then picked up a pen and signed his name in the responsible person column.

"Using the company's official contract stamp is too much trouble, and we can't afford to wait."

As Zhao handed one of the signed agreements to Gong Yuelong, he casually explained, as if this were a perfectly normal procedure.

"Use the on-site management stamp from our sports center project department."

The finance department will recognize this stamp during settlement. It's for speed and to ensure both parties understand.

He picked up another unopened bottle of ice water from the table, unscrewed it, took a swig, and then pointed at Gong Yuelong:

"Men, bring all your tools and report to Foreman Liu at the edge of the foundation pit in the East District at 7:00 AM tomorrow. He'll check you out, and he'll also check the equipment you brought."

He slammed the water bottle down on the table with a dull thud. "Gong... Yuelong, right? It's expected that you did a good job. If you messed it up, or if someone causes any trouble..."

He didn't finish speaking, but instead pointed heavily with his thick fingers to the section on the second party's responsibilities in the agreement.

"Don't worry, Manager Zhao. I'll be there on time at seven o'clock tomorrow, and I'll definitely do the job to your satisfaction." Gong Yuelong immediately agreed, folded the agreement in half, and put it in his bag.

After leaving the project site and getting back into the stuffy pickup truck, Gong Yuelong didn't start the engine but turned the air conditioning up to the maximum. He felt cool for a while.

It became.

They not only secured the opportunity, but also obtained the necessary credentials.

These two thin pages are worth more than a thousand words:

For Cao Dayong and his fellow villagers who had doubts, this was the strongest reassurance and a guarantee of quality.

He took out his phone, took two photos of the contract, and sent them to Cao Dayong.

Before I could finish my cigarette, the phone rang.

It's Cao Dayong's number.

Gong Yuelong glanced at the incoming call, smiled slightly, answered, and said calmly, "Brother Dayong."

"Feed?! Yue Long! Brother Gong! No, no, no—President Gong!!"

"Sports Center Project Department! My goodness...you really closed the deal?! And...and it's even in writing and stamped?!"

His way of addressing her changed from the habitual "Yue Long" to the more intimate yet casual "Brother Gong," and finally jumped to the respectful "President Gong."

This change was so natural.

"Yes, I just signed it," Gong Yuelong said calmly.

"My goodness! Mr. Gong, this...this really is something!" Cao Dayong seemed to be giving a thumbs up.

"The job at the sports center is urgent and strict; it's impossible for an ordinary person to get a word in! Not only did you manage to get a word in, you also got a document back!"

It even has a stamp on it! The guys were passing it around, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets!

He took a breath and spoke rapidly: "Just now, there were a few guys from the Yicheng Gang making sarcastic remarks, saying that your Nanshan County has no one left, so they're sending a debtor to take the lead..."

I shoved the photo right in their faces! Damn, it had the project department's official stamp! They didn't utter a sound, their faces turned green! Hahaha!

Cao Dayong laughed heartily, and then said, "General Manager Gong, don't say anything more! I'll go and find out the most skilled and honest people in our county right now!"

"Anyone who dares not to come, I, Lao Cao, will be the first to object! This job, the Nanshan Gang is sticking with you!"

"Okay. Report to the sports center at 7:00 AM sharp tomorrow," Gong Yuelong said casually.

"Alright! Mr. Gong, you go ahead with your work! I'll go get the people right away!"

Cao Dayong hung up the phone excitedly.

A busy signal sounded.

The carriage returned to silence, with only the sound of the air conditioner humming.

Gong Yuelong slowly put down his phone, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Laughed.

laughing out loud.

comfortable.

...That's fucking awesome, that feels great.

—It's like carrying a bag of cement under the scorching sun for half a day, finally being able to put down the load, chugging a mouthful of cold water from the tap, and then wiping your face with it—that feeling that seeps into your very bones.

The feeling of coming back to life.

……

……

By the time Gong Yuelong returned to the courtyard where the characters were being dismantled, it was already dark.

He was carrying a plastic bag containing several popsicles he had bought at a roadside convenience store for one yuan each.

I was thinking of sharing the spoils with everyone in the courtyard when I got back, as a small celebration for the deal that was done this afternoon.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Old Niu spotted him and immediately stood up. "...You! You're back!"

Yu Qin opened his mouth, but didn't say anything, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Widow Qin stopped what she was doing and looked at him.

Gong Yuelong nodded and handed over the plastic bag first: "It's hot, so I brought a few popsicles. Share them with everyone."

Old Niu took the popsicle but didn't share it immediately. He gulped down, "Changmin Road... Changmin Road over there, that municipal ditch, you were right... it collapsed!"

He paused, then continued, "In the afternoon, I saw people still going down into the ditch from a distance... then a huge crash! Half of the earthen wall collapsed! I heard... four people were buried on the spot!"

Widow Qin gasped. Yu Qin's face also turned pale, and he muttered something under his breath.

Gong Yuelong unwrapped an ice pop and slowly took a bite. He asked, "And then? What happened to the person?"

"What else can we do?" Old Niu's voice was low. "It's all gone, all gone."

He tore open an ice pop and stuffed it into his mouth, sucking hard twice, seemingly trying to calm himself with the coolness, then continued indistinctly:

"On my way back, I heard from the people who ran back first that... the project team and the people from higher up are already in talks."

Old Niu lowered his voice even further: "From what I heard in private... one person, sixty in compensation."

No government intermediaries, no insurance, cash only, a confidentiality agreement signed, family members put their fingerprints on the document, and they receive the money and leave.