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

He leaned back in his chair.

The deal with the sports center is done. The money's been split, the accounts are settled. Cao Dayong's "next time" is still lying in his phone.

What's the next step?

We can't stop. If we stop, the creditors will start calling, the eyes in the courtyard will dim, and the little bit of warmth we've just built up will dissipate in an instant.

But you can't just wander around aimlessly. I used to rush things and spread myself too thin, and I tripped and fell, never to get up again.

One fall like that is enough for a lifetime.

He needs to think things through. With his current resources—a little over 20,000 yuan, a beat-up pickup truck, Cao Dayong's group of willing brothers, Zhao Gong's connections which are barely negligible, and the few paths Jiang Yan pointed out that he doesn't know if they'll work—what kind of work can he take?

You have to stand on your tiptoes to reach it.

It couldn't be the kind of thing where the foundation slab of a sports center is poured; that was luck, it was because Engineer Zhao needed a new face to balance things out, and it was because Jiang Yan did him a favor.

This kind of opportunity is once in a lifetime.

It can't be the kind of place that hauls waste on the Gold Coast; the profits are meager, the barriers to entry are low, and local thugs like Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita swarm in as soon as they smell it.

It's not worth getting bogged down in their mud for such petty gains; it only tarnishes your reputation.

He needs to find jobs that big companies find troublesome, have low profit margins, but require high technical skills and are in a bind for their schedules or face.

I went over Jiang Yan's words from last night in my mind.

"To join the fire department."

Which construction site doesn't have unexpected situations? A rush to finish a pouring section might happen, only to have the work team abandon the project, or a quality defect might occur requiring urgent repairs.

This kind of work requires quick reactions, a capable and efficient team, and the ability to complete the task flawlessly without leaving any future problems.

The money is paid quickly, and the profit is relatively high.

Most importantly, you helped the project manager out of the predicament at this time, and he will remember your kindness.

Cao Dayong and his fellow villagers from Nanshan are skilled at concrete work, hardworking, and obedient.

The battle at the sports center has proven that they can fight tough battles. This is Gong Yuelong's most valuable asset right now.

"Dealing with trouble."

It's not the kind of shady work like Zhao Siyan's. It's the real trouble on the construction site, like construction waste piling up like a mountain due to stalled paperwork, affecting the acceptance process;

Or, special waste materials cannot be disposed of in a compliant manner.

This kind of work requires connections, knowledge of the rules, and above all, a tight-lipped approach.

If done well, it clears obstacles for the project, and the client will appreciate it.

He doesn't have much experience with this yet. But Jiang Yan might be able to point him in the right direction; the intelligence system... might be able to help him see where this trouble lies and the compliant path to resolve it.

This can be considered a direction that needs to be developed gradually.

"Resource exchange".

This is his biggest weakness.

He had neither money nor connections.

But the sports center as a model, coupled with the possible evaluation from Engineer Zhao, has given us some soft power.

If I see Jiang Yan next time, I can bring her the progress of the sports center project and Mr. Zhao's attitude.

Perhaps I can get some more specific information from her, or an opportunity to meet someone.

He sifted through these thoughts in his mind, like sifting through a sieve.

Remove those that are too risky, too risky, or require large upfront investments.

What remains is:

Our main focus recently has been to lead Cao Dayong and his team to establish the reputation of our concrete emergency response team, capable of handling tough challenges, within several major construction sites in Zibo.

Don't be greedy. Take one order, close one order, and spread the word.

Money should be earned cleanly and settled quickly.

At the same time, he kept a close eye on people, chatting with Lao Niu La Huo and Cao Dayong, as well as the few connections he had deliberately maintained.

Keep an eye out for legitimate street cleaning jobs. If you have the opportunity, try them cautiously.

As for Jiang Yan's storyline, it should be maintained, but not relied upon.

Every time we meet, there must be tangible progress or something of substance to exchange; we can't go empty-handed.

My thoughts gradually became clearer, like the fog before my eyes being cleared.

We can't rush it. We have to be like laying a foundation, hammering away one blow at a time, making sure it's solid.

Every penny earned must be earned honestly and securely, enough to allow you to sleep soundly at night.

My phone vibrated; it was the weather forecast, indicating high temperatures tomorrow.

Once my thoughts were clear, the weight that had been hanging over me finally lifted.

Gong Yuelong didn't return to the hospital; it was only then that the hunger pangs in his stomach surfaced.

He remembered a well-established mutton soup restaurant nearby that had been open for over ten years, known for its authentic taste and generous portions.

After turning two corners, the sign is right in front of you.

The shop is red with white lettering and is called Lao Liu's Shanxian Lamb Soup. It's not a big shop.

He pushed open the door and went in. The air conditioning was on full blast, instantly extinguishing the summer heat.

There weren't many people in the shop, so he found a seat at the back.

"Boss, a big bowl of mutton soup, with plenty of scallions and cilantro. And three yuan's worth of fried dough sticks, too."

"Alright! Fifteen plus three, that's eighteen yuan." The proprietress quickly announced the number and called out to the kitchen.

Gong Yuelong scanned the code to pay. Eighteen yuan—in the past, he would have had to think twice before spending it, but now he spent it without hesitation.

A short while later, the soup was served.

Hot. Fresh.

The air conditioner was blowing loudly, the sweat dried, and I felt calm.

He ate slowly, taking a sip of soup, a bite of bread, and a bite of meat.

My stomach gradually filled up, and that feeling of comfort and fullness spread from my belly to my limbs.

This feeling is more real than any amount of money I've earned.

He dipped the last piece of fried dough into the soup and ate it all, soup and dough. Only a few crumbs and drops of oil remained at the bottom of the bowl.

He took a tissue to wipe his mouth, then sat there without moving.

He took out his phone and checked the time.

I glanced at Cao Dayong's text message again, and at the small but clear balance in the bank app.

Then he stood up and pushed open the glass door.

The celebration is over.

I should go back and think about how I'm going to be part of that fire brigade tomorrow.

……

When Gong Yuelong pushed open the door of the Chaizi Courtyard, it was already completely dark.

Widow Qin was squatting by the pool in the corner washing clothes, while Old Yu sat on his small stool.

Why do widows with the surname Qin always love to do laundry?

"You're back?" Widow Qin heard the noise first, shook the soap off her hands, straightened up, and smiled. "Have you eaten? I still have some vegetables!"

"I've already eaten. I had a bowl of noodles outside."

Gong Yuelong responded and glanced around the courtyard.

At this time of day, Lao Niu would either be squatting at the door smoking and bragging, or he would be eating peanuts and drinking a little wine early in the morning.

But he was nowhere to be seen in the courtyard.

"Where's Brother Niu? Hasn't he come back yet?" he asked casually.

Widow Qin casually said, "Old Niu, he went out this afternoon. He said... there might be some odd jobs on the Gold Coast, and he's going to check it out to see if he can pick up anything else on the side."

She spoke fluently, but her eyes didn't meet Gong Yuelong's. She turned around to hang up the clothes. "People, once they taste the sweetness, they can't sit still. They become more diligent than anyone else."