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

The words are cold and analytical, laying bare the other party's scheming and ruthlessness in one's mind.

Gong Yuelong leaned against the headboard. Outside the window, rumbling thunder rolled by, bringing with it a gust of hot wind carrying the smell of earth.

The malicious intent is clear.

The operation has been launched.

It's not about arguing over trivial matters.

They want to cut off the path he's just paved, snatch the food from his bowl, and force him back into the mud, or turn him into a dog tethered to their chain of interests.

The old ox's injuries and the damaged car are both a warning and an appetizer.

The others were drawn by the reputation of the sports center, by the manpower and credibility he had just built up, and by the possibility of getting the next job.

They didn't care how much debt he owed; they only cared whether he could continue to earn money and whether they could share some of that money with him in the future.

If not, destroy it.

Gong Yuelong grinned silently in the darkness.

They're blocking my path to wealth.

Zhao Siyan wanted to cut it off.

Liu Heita wants to smash it.

Gong Yuelong closed his eyes, took a deep breath of the hot, humid air, and then slowly exhaled.

"You're blocking my path to wealth..."

He repeated it in a low voice.

Then, he opened his eyes.

"...I should die."

The night was so stuffy there wasn't a breath of wind.

Gong Yuelong pushed open the door, walked to the room where Lao Niu lived, and knocked.

There was no movement inside.

He tapped it twice more, this time harder.

"Who, who is it?" Old Niu's voice was muffled.

"I am Gong Yuelong."

There was a rustling sound inside, the door opened a crack, and Old Niu poked half his body out. "Brother Gong? So late... what's up?"

"Get dressed and come out with me." Gong Yuelong said in a casual tone.

Old Niu froze, his sleepiness instantly gone, fear rising in his eyes: "Where...where are you going? In the middle of the night..."

"Daodong, Qiaojiao Beef Barbecue Stall," Gong Yuelong said.

Old Niu took half a step back. "Where are you going?! Brother Gong, you...you're not thinking of doing something rash!"

That place was where Zhao Siyan, Liu Heita, and their gang often gathered!

"Aren't we just offering ourselves up?! My arm is still..."

"I'm not going to deliver it," Gong Yuelong interrupted him. "I'm going to settle things."

Old Niu got anxious, "Finished? How so?"

Is there any point in arguing with them? Do they even understand reason?

Brother Gong, please listen to me and bear with it! I'm begging you!

I've taken the beating, the car's been smashed, I accept it! Just don't...

Before he could finish speaking, the lights in the other rooms in the courtyard began to come on one after another.

Old Yu coughed and pushed open the window, sticking his head out: "What's all the noise about in the middle of the night, Old Niu?"

The commotion is too big.

Gong Yuelong glanced at the now-lit window, raised his voice, and no longer spoke only to the old ox:

"Perfect timing, everyone's awake. Let's get ready and go together."

"Go together?!" Old Niu almost jumped up.

Widow Qin opened the door and came out, her hair a little disheveled. "Where have you been? What happened?"

Old Yu also came out, slipping on his shoes.

Gong Yuelong stood in the middle of the courtyard, looking at the group of people who had gathered around: "Go to the barbecue stall in Daodong. Look for Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita."

As soon as she finished speaking, Widow Qin gasped, and Old Yu woke up completely, his eyes wide open.

Old Niu looked completely defeated, covered his face, and squatted down.

"That won't do!" Old Yu exclaimed hastily. "Those people are not to be trifled with! Old Niu is a prime example!"

"We have to go because they're not to be trifled with."

Gong Yuelong's gaze swept over them. "Old Niu got beaten up and his car was smashed. It's all because of me."

If this isn't resolved, they'll smash our car today, block our gate tomorrow, and make it impossible for us to work on the construction site the day after.

Are we still going to eat this bowl of rice or not?

He paused, then looked at Widow Qin: "Sister Qin, some things can't be kept secret."

You need to let people know that your things are untouchable. If they are, there needs to be a reason.

Widow Qin's lips moved, but she didn't say anything, looking at him with a complicated expression.

"If I go alone, it will make me seem lonely," Gong Yuelong continued.

"Let's all go together and stand by. You don't need to do anything or say anything. Just go and see, and be witnesses."

He looked at the old ox squatting on the ground, then at Lao Yu and Widow Qin:

"My reputation can't be earned just by working. Sometimes, I also need you guys to spread the word."

"What are you spreading?" Old Yu asked instinctively.

"I am Gong Yuelong, not someone you can easily bully."

Those who follow me cannot be moved lightly. Anyone who tries to block my path will have to think twice.

The courtyard was deathly silent, with only the faint rumble of thunder in the distance.

Old Niu slowly raised his head and looked at Gong Yuelong.

Under the moonlight, Gong Yuelong stood straight, his face showing no fierceness, but with a kind of steadiness that sent chills down one's spine.

He remembered that day at the entrance of the health center, when Gong Yuelong said that this matter was not over.

It wasn't just something said in anger.

Widow Qin suddenly spoke, her voice soft but resolute:

"I'll go."

She didn't look at Lao Niu, only at Gong Yuelong, "I'll go with you. I'll stand in the back and watch."

Old Yu rubbed his face and stomped his foot:

"Alright! I'll go too! Having another old man like that will make things more impressive!"

Old Niu looked at this and that, but when he looked into Gong Yuelong's calm eyes...

Finally, he gritted his teeth and slowly stood up:

"Let's go... let's go! Damn it, I... I'm going too! At worst... at worst I'll get another beating! Anyway... anyway, I've already gotten one!"

Gong Yuelong nodded, said nothing encouraging, and turned to walk out of the courtyard.

The car was parked at the entrance of the alley.

The group silently got into the car.

Widow Qin sat in the passenger seat, while Lao Niu and Lao Yu squeezed into the back seat.

Gong Yuelong started the car and drove towards the east side of the road.

In the distance, dark clouds piled up on the horizon, with flashes of lightning occasionally streaking across the sky.

It's going to rain heavily.

……

Gong Yuelong's car was parked across from the barbecue stall.

Sitting around the stainless steel table were Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita's gang, their faces flushed from drinking, their voices rough and hoarse, particularly jarring in the night.

Old Niu tensed up the moment he saw the scene.

"Brother Gong... how about... we think about it again?"

Gong Yuelong didn't answer, but pushed open the car door and got out.

Widow Qin and Old Yu exchanged a glance and silently followed.

Old Niu froze in the car for a few seconds, then gritted his teeth and got out, following far behind.

Gong Yuelong walked straight toward the table, his steps unhurried.

One of the sharp-eyed thugs at the table spotted him first and nudged Liu Heita next to him with his elbow.

Liu Heita, his face greasy, looked up and saw Gong Yuelong. He paused for a moment, then grinned, revealing teeth stained yellow from smoking, and sneered.

"Oh? Who do we have here? Isn't this Boss Gong? What, you've come to a change of heart? Here to discuss things?"

Zhao Siyan put down his wine glass, slowly turned around, narrowed his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses, and sized up Gong Yuelong.

He glanced at the timid old ox and the other two men and women not far behind him, and a knowing smile appeared on his lips.

He didn't say anything, just took a bite of meat and waited to see what would happen.