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

The pickup truck drove through the puddles and slowly came to a stop at its usual spot outside the demolition compound.

The rain hadn't stopped, but it had changed from torrential to a steady drizzle.

Four people went together and returned together.

Gong Yuelong got out of the car, completely soaked.

He didn't wait for the people behind him, but went straight to the courtyard gate and pushed it open.

The three people followed Gong Yuelong into the courtyard.

The lights in the yard were still on, illuminating the wet ground and their still-shaken faces.

Neither of them spoke first.

Widow Qin hurried into her house and soon came out again, carrying an aluminum pot with steam rising from it.

She placed the pot on the old wooden table in the yard, picked up a spoon, scooped out several bowls, first handing one bowl to Old Yu, and then handing one bowl to Old Niu, who was shakily moving over.

Finally, he carried a bowl and walked up to Gong Yuelong, who was wringing out water from his trouser legs.

"Have something to drink." Her voice was a little hoarse.

Gong Yuelong took the bowl; it was warm.

He glanced up at Widow Qin.

She turned her face away from him, but her eyes were a little red, whether from being frightened earlier or something else, it was hard to tell.

"Drinking this in the summer is more refreshing than ginger soup."

Old Yu took a sip, forced an awkward smile, and tried to say something to break the suffocating silence, "Sister Qin... is thoughtful."

Widow Qin didn't reply. She poured herself a bowl and sipped it, but her eyes kept glancing at Gong Yuelong, as if she were seeing this handsome man for the first time.

Old Niu held the bowl, took a few sips, and finally managed to utter a sentence that sounded like a sob:

"Brother Gong...you...you really...their hands and legs...?"

"It's broken." Gong Yuelong took a sip of mung bean soup, his tone casual.

"Even if you catch it well, you'll still be crippled. With Liu Heita's skill, even carrying a bowl used to be a struggle."

"Glug." Old Yu swallowed a mouthful of mung bean soup, then choked and coughed.

Old Niu almost dropped the bowl in his hand.

Widow Qin closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again, and suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Serves them right! Let them be arrogant again! Let them smash cars again! Let them beat people again!"

But after she finished speaking, her voice weakened further, "But...but what if they...call the police? Or...find someone even more powerful to take revenge? People like them have such deep connections..."

"No," Gong Yuelong interrupted her.

"They themselves are not clean."

When the police are called, the first thing they investigate is whether the individuals are causing trouble or extorting money.

Severed limbs? That's a matter for the underworld; they're more afraid of the light of day.

He paused, then looked at the three still-shaken individuals.

"Don't worry, we've taken the money, they've been hurt, and we've made our promise. For the time being, they won't have the guts or the energy to cause trouble again."

His words were not meant to comfort, but to state a judgment.

The fear in the old ox's eyes hadn't dissipated.

Old Yu sighed and shook his head: "Master Gong, you... that was too risky. And too... ruthless."

"Not ruthless," Gong Yuelong wiped his mouth.

"When they cut off our source of income, they left us no room for maneuver."

Showing them leniency is being cruel to ourselves.

He spoke bluntly and coldly.

The courtyard fell silent again, with only the sound of rain and the soft rustling of a few people drinking soup.

Widow Qin suddenly slammed the bowl down on the table, looked at Gong Yuelong, and her voice hardened:

"Next time... next time something like this happens, you're not allowed to rush forward alone!"

We...we can't help you, but just standing there...we can give you courage!

Old Yu nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, more people...that gives them more momentum."

Old Niu didn't speak, but nodded vigorously, his hand holding the bowl seemed to become a little steadier.

Gong Yuelong looked at them, said nothing, and simply nodded.

He knew that after this incident, the people in the courtyard were even more closely bound to him.

I was afraid, truly afraid. But a kind of trust forged through shared hardship had quietly taken root.

"We're all tired, let's tidy up and go to bed early," Gong Yuelong said finally.

"The sun will rise tomorrow, and life will go on as usual. Old Niu, I'll figure out a way to get the cart. Sister Qin, Uncle Yu, just keep track of the hauling work and the tasks you need to do."

After he finished speaking, he said no more and turned to go into his room.

He closed the door, didn't turn on the light, groped his way to the bedside, sat down, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

Blue light appeared in my consciousness.

[Investigate the possibility of further retaliation from Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita, and the current biggest threat to my personal safety.]

Blue light spread silently, and characters coalesced:

[Investigation Focus: Risk Assessment of the Conflict's Aftermath]

[Thinking...]

[Thinking time: Approximately ten minutes]

[Thinking Results:]

[1. Regarding Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita: Both will require at least three months of bed rest due to their injuries. The probability of effective retaliation from their organization is less than 5%. They harbor a long-term desire for revenge, but need to reorganize resources and manpower, and are wary of the decisive methods you have demonstrated; the probability of them actually taking action is low to medium.]

[2. The greatest threat to your personal safety at present: an immediate threat without a clear target.]

[Overall Assessment: You have successfully established initial deterrence through this demonstration of violence, clearing away the lowest level of competitive obstacles. In the short term, the security risks to you and your associates have been significantly reduced.]

Gong Yuelong slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

Controllable.

This is enough.

He doesn't want absolute security; that's impossible.

What he needs is a window of opportunity that allows him to catch his breath and continue moving forward.

In retrospect, he pried open a crack in this window using the most brutal method.

The price was that I completely offended two people and incurred their wrath in the shadows.

But compared to their attempt to cut off his source of income and drag him back into the mud, this price is worth it.

The rain was still falling, drizzling down.

We've passed this hurdle.

He knew this wasn't a long-term solution. The path Jiang Yan pointed out was the right one.

But sometimes, on the road to the right path, you need the strength and determination to smash the stumbling blocks.

The stone is now temporarily broken.

……

He took out his phone, found Jiang Yan's account, and paused for a moment on the virtual keyboard.

Then, start typing.

Transfer amount: 2200.00

Postscript: A loan of two thousand, with interest of two hundred. Thank you, Boss Jiang, for the loan.

Confirm, password, fingerprint.

Transfer successful.

He didn't wait and dialed Jiang Yan's number directly. He guessed she was still awake at this hour.

The phone rang three times before being answered. The background was quiet, unlike what one would expect at a social gathering.

"Speak," came Jiang Yan's voice, devoid of emotion.

"Boss Jiang, did I disturb your rest?" Gong Yuelong asked, his tone as usual.

"No. I saw the money." Jiang Yan paused for a moment. "There's two hundred more than expected."

"Of course. Emergency funds shouldn't be wasted," Gong Yuelong said naturally. "Also, there's a small matter I'd like to ask Boss Jiang to pass on a message to."

"Pass a message? To whom?"

"The guy behind Zhao Siyan and Liu Heita. Boss Jiang, could you please treat him to breakfast? His men have had their arms and legs broken."

On the phone, Jiang Yan's breathing seemed to pause slightly.

She didn't answer immediately.