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

She sized up Gong Yuelong.

He was tall and straight, with a calm gaze.

In such a short time, to climb back to the surface from the abyss, and to take such a solid first step...

Jiang Yan's vague judgment gradually became clearer.

She suddenly smiled. Was he a management genius?

She immediately dismissed the thought that had just popped into her mind.

There are no geniuses in this industry, only people who can do the job well.

Regardless of whether someone is a genius or not, anyone who can accomplish something can't be lacking in ability.

He must have his reasons for wanting to borrow it.

What you do with that two thousand yuan is not important.

Importantly, through this contact, she confirmed that the asset's net value had recently increased, and he seemed to know very well where to invest next.

This is something she should continue to pay attention to, and consider whether to make an additional investment at the appropriate time.

Jiang Yan looked away, smiled, picked up her phone, and transferred two thousand yuan to Gong Yuelong.

……

When Gong Yuelong returned to the demolition compound, it was already completely dark.

He didn't rush into the house. Instead, he stood in the small open space in the middle of the yard, took off his coat, and threw it aside.

He took a deep breath, slid his feet lightly, assumed a fighting stance, clenched his fists, and began to strike in the air.

Left thrust, right straight, sway, slide... the movements were smoother and the power was generated more easily than in the previous days.

Sweat quickly soaked through my vest, sticking to my skin and feeling cool, but I felt inexplicably more relaxed.

This fist, this body, is still my own; it can still obey my commands and still deliver force. That's enough.

After finishing several sets in one go, he stopped, slightly out of breath, and wiped the sweat from his face.

Just as I was about to bend down to pick up my coat, I heard very light footsteps coming from the shadows beside me.

Widow Qin came out, carrying a clean towel and a bottle of water.

Without saying a word, she handed over the towel and water.

Gong Yuelong took the water bottle, wiped his sweat, and took a few sips. "Thanks, Sister Qin. Still awake?"

"I heard a noise, so I came out to check."

Widow Qin took a half step forward, pulled a small paper packet from her bosom, and stuffed it into Gong Yuelong's hand.

Slightly heavy to start with.

"Here's five thousand. The money from earlier... I'm afraid it won't be enough for you. I figured you suddenly need the money because you've got something important to do. I can't afford more, so please take this and don't refuse."

"Sister Qin, this..."

"Let me finish," Widow Qin interrupted him. "Take the money and use it as needed."

But remember this: don't flaunt your wealth.

Especially now that you've just woken up, there are a lot of people watching you.

When you spend money to get things done, be discreet and don't let people immediately see through your background, nor give the impression that you've suddenly become wealthy.

She paused, her voice carrying a hint of wistful reflection from someone who had been through it all:

"In this world, if you are poor, people will step on you. If you suddenly become rich, you will be hated and schemed against."

I've seen it all, I've been through it all. You, Gong Yuelong, are capable, I believe you can succeed.

On the road to success, stability is paramount. Don't let money cause you to fail.

She spoke bluntly, even a bit roughly.

Gong Yuelong looked into Widow Qin's clear eyes in the light; the protectiveness in them was undeniable.

"Sister Qin, this money..."

"Take it."

The usual tenderness returned to Widow Qin's eyes, and her voice softened.

"I remember the help you gave me back then. I'm happy that you can use it now. Consider it... consider it a ballast stone from me, so you can walk more steadily."

After she finished speaking, she seemed to realize that she had said too much. Without waiting for Gong Yuelong to respond, she turned around and walked into her room, her waist swaying as she drew a light arc in the night.

Reaching the door, he turned back and added, his voice returning to normal: "Get some rest, don't overdo it. You still have work to do tomorrow."

The door closed gently.

The courtyard returned to silence.

He bent down to pick up his coat, draped it over his shoulder, picked up the half-full bottle of water, and walked back to his room.

Inside the house, Widow Qin's words, "Don't flaunt your wealth" and "Don't stumble over money," were still echoing in his ears.

Yes, flaunting poverty invites criticism, while flaunting wealth invites hatred.

He understood this principle all too well.

He recalled the days when the company was doing well, when everyone at the dinner table was like brothers, as if friends were everywhere.

Later, the company collapsed, and creditors blocked the door. Those friends all disappeared faster than anyone else, refusing to answer the phone or meet with anyone.

That's when he realized there was no such thing as true friendship; it was all about judging people based on whether there was meat in their bowls.

Now, just as he had a spoonful of bland porridge in his bowl, the scheming people surrounded him.

Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita are wolves who have come openly. What about those who haven't shown themselves yet?

It seems there are only two sets of rules in this world.

A set of principles written in the open, called integrity, rules, and dignity.

The other set of rules is hidden underneath: it's about treating people differently based on their status, bullying the weak and fearing the strong, and letting the timid starve while the bold thrive.

You'd say following Jiang Yan's lead is the right path, right? But what is Jiang Yan after in helping you?

Is it that Gong Yuelong is a person worth helping, or is it his current value as a firefighter? How much of this help is out of kindness, and how much is out of calculation?

And then there's Widow Qin, Old Yu, Old Niu... It's true that these people in the courtyard are sticking together for warmth, but isn't that cautiousness and fear of causing trouble also a result of being trampled by this world?

Gong Yuelong twitched the corners of his mouth, but didn't laugh.

Thinking about these things is useless.

He'd had enough of the cannibalistic nature of this world.

He closed his eyes, his breathing slowed, and his consciousness sank:

[Check this out: If we go after Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita now and take action, what will happen?]

Blue light ripples, characters appear:

[Investigation Focus: Predicted Outcome of the Conflict]

[Thinking...]

[Analysis: Combat is possible. The opponent's normal defenses are insufficient; Liu Heita possesses brute strength, while Zhao Siyan is cunning but hesitant in close combat. Our side's physical condition is improving, and our basic fighting skills remain intact. A surprise attack may allow us to control the situation.]

[Key Reminder: Avoid fatalities and prevent escalation.]

We are ready to fight.

As long as they don't kill them.

The blue light faded, and another line of text quietly appeared, as if it had already foreseen the deeper question in his heart:

[Intelligence, tell me whether Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita harbor any real ill will towards me and what their subsequent actions may be?]

[Investigation Focus: Intent and Threat Assessment]

[Thinking Results:]

Zhao Siyan is a shrewd and calculating man who sees you as an unexpected variable. He intends to pressure Lao Niu into making concessions in negotiations, with the goal of securing a share of the sports center's subsequent construction projects and gradually bringing you under his control.

[Liu Heita is a ruthless and aggressive man who views you as a challenger to his authority. His next plan is to create safety hazards, preventing you from carrying out your construction work normally.]

[Comprehensive assessment: Malice is clear; the operation has been initiated, with the objective of seizing your existing resources and channels.]

……

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