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

Liu Heita wiped the grease from his mouth: "Old Niu? You mean that wine jar in the yard?"

"Yes." Zhao Si nodded. "We don't need to do anything. We'll just make him back on his own. If he's smart enough to back out, it'll save face for everyone."

Liu Heita sneered, "That's easy. Scaring an old geezer is a piece of cake."

Zhao Siyan continued, "This is the first step. If Lao Niu chickens out, he can go back and whisper it to Gong Yuelong, and Gong Yuelong will know that someone is marking the road."

If he were smart, he would understand that some meat is too much for one person to eat.

"What if he's not smart?" Liu Heita asked.

Zhao Si's eyes darkened, and his voice lowered even further: "Then he'll have to suffer a little."

I've heard that he has a daughter who lives with his ex-wife.

His ex-wife is now with a government official; she's usually busy, so it's usually his sister-in-law who picks up the kids from school.

"Sister-in-law?" Liu Heita raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm, I heard she's young and pretty!" Zhao Si said casually. "Find someone you don't recognize, and when the kids get out of school and the sister-in-law comes to pick them up... hehe!"

He paused, looking at Liu Heita: "No need to touch the child, and no need to really scare the woman."

That made her realize something was wrong, so she went home and relayed the message.

How can a mother remain calm when she hears that her child might be being targeted?

"Once things get chaotic on Gong Yuelong's end, let's see how much energy he still has to contend with us on the construction site."

Liu Heita pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded: "First, put pressure on the lackeys, then target his home. Four-Eyes, your tactics are getting better and better."

Zhao Siyan picked up his wine glass and took a small sip:

"We're after money, not risking our lives. It would be best if he backed down and gave us the way. Making a scene like this won't benefit anyone."

The two looked at each other, their glasses clinked lightly, the muffled sound swallowed up by the surrounding noise.

The crackling charcoal fire illuminated two faces, each lost in their own thoughts.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the distant clamor seemed to be separated by an invisible membrane.

……

In the courtyard where characters were being dismantled, the wine bottles were empty and the dishes were bare.

The old ox let out a loud burp, patted its belly, and looked completely satisfied.

"This ice-cold beer...so refreshing! On a hot day like this, all I need is a sip!"

Widow Qin smiled upon hearing this: "Look at your pathetic self. But then again, in this life, being able to sit down peacefully, drink a cold beer, and eat a hot meal is a blessing."

Yu Qin nodded, his eyes darting around, as if he had remembered something:

"Yes... Gong Yuelong has it tough. I heard... the woman before him was really beautiful."

He paused, then lowered his voice, "His sister-in-law is even more... stunning. Her looks, her figure, tsk tsk."

Old Niu perked up and leaned closer: "I vaguely remember seeing him once! It's Jun!"

However, I heard that... Brother Gong's divorce was also related to his sister-in-law.

"Did you dislike your brother-in-law because he was already in debt and had no ambition? You often spoke ill of him behind his back?"

Widow Qin glanced at them: "That's old news, why bring it up?"

Everyone has their own path and their own difficulties. It's understandable that his ex-wife chose to stay with someone who had a stable job, seeking peace and security.

The younger sister-in-law sided with her older sister, wanting her to have a better life, but perhaps she said something too harsh... Isn't that how people are?

Yu Qin sighed, "That's true. In this world, if you don't have money, you can't stand tall. No matter how beautiful a woman is, will she starve if she follows you?"

Old Niu waved his hand and said, "If you ask me, no matter how beautiful his ex-wife is or how pretty his sister-in-law is, that's all in the past!"

Look at him now, hasn't Brother Gong gotten back on his feet? He's got the job at the sports center, and he has connections with Engineer Chen and Engineer Zhao! Most importantly—"

He sighed deeply:

"They got up, but they didn't abandon this shabby yard of ours. They're still sitting here drinking and chatting with us, aren't they? That's what you call... what's it again? Their nature hasn't changed!"

Widow Qin straightened up, her figure fully revealed, her eyes flickering, and looked towards Gong Yuelong's small room, softly replying:

"Yes. The road ahead is long. We'll see how things turn out for him, and we'll just have to share in his good fortune and hope he does well too."

He drank two bottles of beer and left; I don't know what he was busy with.

No one responded.

The courtyard quieted down, with only the evening breeze blowing.

The individuals had different thoughts.

Some were thinking about how to get more work tomorrow, while others were wondering how much tuition they still needed.

Some people just felt that in these uncertain times, having such an evening, with a good meal and drinks, and a leader who seemed to be getting more and more reliable, made them feel inexplicably more at ease.

……

Gong Yuelong didn't go to the construction site, but instead went to the office where Jiang Yan often stayed.

The connection between Jiang Yan and Engineer Zhao was probably significant, especially considering the time they met at the sports center project site the day before yesterday. Their subsequent conversation, which went beyond politeness to heartfelt confiding, suggests that Jiang Yan is involved in some way.

When it comes to relationships, if you've benefited from them, you can't pretend to be oblivious.

Even if the other party may not care about your gratitude, you still have to make the gesture.

He went into a convenience store and came out with a small paper bag containing two boxes of pretty-looking ice cream, which he figured women would like.

When he got near the inconspicuous little building, he took out his phone and dialed the number.

The phone rang several times before it connected.

"Speak," Jiang Yan's voice came through the background, which was a bit noisy, as if she were outside.

"Boss Jiang, this is Gong Yuelong. I have something I'd like to discuss with you in person. Would it be convenient for you? I'm right downstairs from your office building."

There was a pause on the other end of the phone, but the voice remained calm: "I'm talking about something outside, it'll take a while. You can wait if you want."

"Okay, I'm not in a hurry," Gong Yuelong replied.

The phone hangs up.

He walked to the shady steps on the side of the building, took out a cigarette, lit it, and waited patiently.

He estimated that about twenty minutes had passed, and several groups of people had come and gone from the building, but no one had given him a second glance.

A fine layer of water droplets gradually condensed on the outside of the ice cream box in his hand. He switched hands to hold it, afraid that the paper bag would become soggy.

I waited, but I wasn't anxious. When it's time to wait, you have to be patient.

Although the rope is thin now, it is one of the few things he can reach and grab onto.

If you polish it a bit, it might become stronger.

After finishing another cigarette, he stubbed it out and remained standing quietly.

……

On the other side, in a private room at Haiyue Restaurant.

Jiang Yan picked up her small white porcelain cup and gestured to the people seated there.

"Director Wang, Section Chief Li, General Manager Sun, I must excuse myself now, I have a small matter to attend to."

Thank you all for coming today. I'll host another gathering another day so we can have a proper get-together.

She had just drunk a few glasses of baijiu, and her face was flushed, which made her skin appear even whiter.

Several middle-aged men repeatedly said that Boss Jiang was too polite and that business should be the priority, but their gazes lingered on her bright face for a moment longer.

Stepping out of the private room and closing the door, the cool air in the corridor outside made her breathe a sigh of relief.

She rubbed her temples; she wasn't heavily intoxicated, but it was enough to relax her nerves a bit.

Her phone vibrated again, but she didn't look at it.

As I went downstairs, the phone call I had just received—from Gong Yuelong—came back into my mind.

What could be wrong so late at night? Trouble at the construction site? Or some trivial matter concerning those ten tons of steel bars?

She subconsciously didn't want to see them and just wanted to find a quiet place to rest for a while.

As I approached the restaurant entrance, a night breeze blew, dispelling some of the effects of the alcohol, but also stirring up other thoughts.

That kid... he was quite composed at the sports center the day before yesterday.

She knew Fatty Zhao well; he wasn't the type to praise people easily. For him to nod and use a stranger's face was unusual in itself.

And... he actually came looking for me afterwards, not by phone, but by waiting downstairs.

This kind of rule is rare among people who have risen from poverty to success.

She paused as she passed a mirror. The woman in the mirror regained her clear and sharp eyes, but the blush on her cheeks remained.

"It wouldn't hurt to meet."

The thought crossed her mind; she couldn't tell if it was more curiosity or her assessment of potential suitors that prevailed.

Anyway, it won't take much effort.

From afar, she could see the flickering cigarette butt beside the steps on the side of the building, and a silent figure.

He was indeed still waiting.

As she gazed at that figure, the slight ripple in her heart caused by the disturbance gradually subsided.

Perhaps, meeting him tonight might not be a bad deal after all.