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

Even after dealing with the potential hazard of the pump truck's outriggers, Gong Yuelong remained vigilant.

He looked up at the sky; the sun was blazing, its blinding rays striking the steel formwork and making him dizzy.

"Engineer Liu, there's only about a hundred cubic meters left..." Gong Yuelong walked over to the beautiful Xiao Liu and handed her a bottle of water.

Xiao Liu unscrewed the cap and took a sip. "What, worried about the heat?"

"Hmm." Gong Yuelong nodded, speaking directly, "It's too hot, and the concrete slump is reduced quickly. The biggest concern is that the supply can't keep up, leaving cold joints."

It's not outwardly apparent, but the damage is deep inside. Our first shot has failed miserably.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Liu said decisively, "You've hit the nail on the head. Here's what we'll do: I'll personally check with the concrete plant again right away, keep a close eye on the departure intervals, and ensure a continuous and uninterrupted supply."

"On-site, let's work a little harder and go over the coordination of each step again. Make sure all personnel, machinery, and materials are in place. It's better to have plenty of stock than to have any shortages."

Gong Yuelong wanted this reaction: "Success. Supply is the source; only when the source is stable can we breathe a sigh of relief on site."

I had Dayong and the others double-check the pump pipes and vibrating equipment, and also made sure the manpower was allocated so that we could start production immediately once the concrete arrived.

"Okay!" Xiao Liu replied swiftly, immediately taking out his phone.

"I'll contact them right away. I know the concrete plant well; I'll have them prioritize this last batch of materials. Master Gong, we're counting on you for on-site coordination."

Thanks.

Gong Yuelong knew that although this matter was small, it required the construction worker to coordinate and schedule it, which would take a lot of personal connections and effort.

"You're the one who should thank me," Xiao Liu smiled. "It's a hundred times better to point out potential problems beforehand than to try to fix them afterward."

With this matter settled, the second knot in Gong Yuelong's heart was finally untied.

He turned and walked towards the pouring surface, where he found Cao Dayong.

Gong Yuelong walked over, offered him a cigarette, and lit one for himself.

"Dayong, we've been working hard for days on end, you've had a tough time."

Cao Dayong wiped his face, his smile a little tired. "What are you saying, Brother Long? Having work to do and money to earn makes me feel at ease."

"My arms and legs get a bit unresponsive in the afternoon, especially when it comes to delicate tasks like finishing dough; I'm afraid my hands will shake."

"It's good to be afraid." Gong Yuelong exhaled a puff of smoke. "Only when you know you're tired will you know how to conserve your energy. This last bit of apprehension makes me worry about others."

He paused, then looked at Cao Dayong: "In the evening, when you're cleaning up the ash, you personally lead two people onto the flour collection machine and make this last battle a success."

He might have had some doubts at first: At the last minute, is Brother Long worried about us?

But upon hearing this arrangement, it wasn't that I was worried; it was that the division of labor was clear and the responsibilities were well-defined. This was taking responsibility, not supervising.

"As for the other brothers," Gong Yuelong continued, "the ones who are tamping and spreading out have been divided into groups, and their work doesn't overlap. Each person is in charge of a section."

"You need to have a clear understanding of who is doing what, and to what standard they are expected to achieve."

Amidst the swirling smoke, Cao Dayong slowly savored the flavor.

This arrangement is not just empty talk; it is all about specific people and specific tasks.

Placing him in a key and challenging position is both a sign of trust and a heavy responsibility.

Clearly dividing up the tasks for others helps everyone know where to focus their efforts, preventing chaos from erupting at the last minute.

It's not about telling you what to do, but about telling you why to do it and your position on the chessboard.

Cao Dayong stubbed out his cigarette and grinned, "Alright. I feel more at ease with your arrangement, Brother Long. Leave the east end to me; I guarantee the flatness error will be no more than three millimeters."

There was no rousing mobilization, only a final confirmation before the battle.

When Cao Dayong turned to call out to his brothers, his voice was steady:

"You all heard that! Get ready according to Brother Long's plan! We, the Nanshan Gang, must strike this final blow!"

Gong Yuelong walked to the side and looked around the scene again.

He knew perfectly well that management was neither about bestowing favors nor establishing authority, but about acting decisively at the most crucial moments.

Put the most suitable person in the most suitable position, give them clear instructions and sufficient support.

This allows him to focus wholeheartedly on using his full abilities.

Cao Dayong's reaction told him that he had made the right move.

……

I had just finished handing over my work when my phone vibrated. It was Lao Niu.

He walked to a quieter spot to answer the call.

"Hey, Brother Niu."

"Brother Gong..." Old Niu's voice was low, the background noise was chaotic, it didn't sound like he was in the courtyard, "Is it... convenient for you to talk over there?"

"It's convenient, go ahead." Gong Yuelong's eyebrows twitched slightly; Old Niu's tone was a bit off.

"It's that Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita... They asked me to pass on a message that they want to get to know you, saying they want to discuss the Gold Coast waste matter."

Gong Yuelong narrowed his eyes; he had long heard of the infamous reputations of Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita.

To be honest, I have no interest in dealing with people who specialize in using underhanded tactics.

"Old Niu, what do you think they want to talk to me about?" Gong Yuelong asked calmly.

Old Niu stammered:

"They said... I should pass on a message, asking when you, Brother Gong, have some free time to sit down and have a cup of tea."

Gong Yuelong did not respond immediately.

Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita. Waste from the Gold Coast? That little bit of profit isn't worth them actively seeking out to negotiate with?

His mind raced. "Brother Niu, they stopped you, but they didn't give you any trouble, did they?"

"No, not at all! They were very polite, they even offered me a cigarette," Old Niu quickly replied.

"They also said... they have acquaintances at the sports center, so they can help each other out when there's more work to be done."

Mutual assistance? Gong Yuelong sneered inwardly.

When this phrase comes out of the mouth of someone like this, it's almost always a prelude to a show of politeness before resorting to force.

Stopping Lao Niu to deliver the message was both a test and a warning—we know where you, Gong Yuelong, work, and we also know who your subordinates are.

"Brother Niu, you don't need to worry about this."

Old Niu visibly relaxed on the other end of the phone: "Hey, I understand, I understand! I knew this was strange... Well, I'll head back to the hospital now?"

"Go back. Drive carefully." Gong Yuelong paused, then added, "These next few days, try to hitch a ride with other fellow villagers."

Gong Yuelong stood there, watching the lights gradually illuminate the construction site.

Zhao Siyan, Liu Heita... they're well-informed and quick to act.

The foundation of the sports center had just been laid, and the waste from Gold Coast had barely been cleared when they came swarming around, drawn by the smell.

To negotiate? Perhaps they see that they've just established themselves and want to mark a path, get a share of the pie, or simply test the waters to see if this newly emerged territory is rocky or sandy underneath.

He took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a drag.

Jiang Yan's words still echoed in my ears: In this industry, you have to take things one step at a time to avoid choking. You need to know whose plate you've touched.

Now, as soon as the plate was picked up, people gathered around the table.

That's fine. We'll see what they're made of eventually.

We'll have to drink this tea sooner or later.

But not now, and certainly not at their pace.

The most important thing right now is to finish this job properly and thoroughly.

As for the others, we'll deal with them as they come.