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

3:30 p.m.

Gong Yuelong opened Jiang Yan's WeChat and, without any preamble, began typing:

Mr. Jiang, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner. You can choose the place: Dongcheng Laozhao Hot Pot, or the newly opened Yu Xiaoxian in Nanxiang.

He put his phone on the passenger seat, lit a cigarette, and didn't look at it again.

He knew she would see it, and he knew what she would think.

The old-fashioned hot pot restaurant is bustling and filled with the aroma of smoke; people there discuss business openly and without reservation, which is the business bureau.

Yu Xiaoxian... He passed by several times. The windows were bright and clean, the lights inside were warm yellow, the seats were booths, private, and the name itself exuded a sense of leisure.

Which one you choose is a matter of attitude.

I was halfway through smoking when my phone screen lit up.

Yu Xiaoxian. 6:30.

It was concise and to the point, without asking why or saying anything else.

Gong Yuelong stubbed out his cigarette, and his lips twitched slightly. Just as expected.

He knew she fell for that.

It wasn't deliberate flattery, but rather a proactive approach with a sense of propriety.

A woman in her position has seen too many invitations with blatant ulterior motives.

This subtle way of passing the choice over, while implying that I understand you may have different needs in different situations, actually made her feel like she had a choice.

He arrived at Yu Xiaoxian half an hour early.

The store was well-air-conditioned, and the background music was soothing guitar music.

He didn't want a private room, but chose a booth at the back. This spot was quiet, and unlike a private room, it didn't feel cramped.

He ordered a pot of lemonade, poured himself a glass, and slowly sipped it, watching the warm lights gradually illuminate the signs in the alley outside the window.

At 6:25, a beautiful figure pushed open the glass door.

Jiang Yan has arrived.

A beautiful woman who arrives on time makes one feel comfortable.

Her hair was loosely tied up, revealing her fair and beautiful neck. She glanced around the store briefly before walking straight toward Gong Yuelong.

"You're here so early?" Jiang Yan sat down opposite him and casually placed a small handbag aside.

"I just arrived a little while ago." Gong Yuelong stood up, picked up the warm lemon water pitcher on the table, and filled her empty glass to about seven-tenths full.

"It's hot, let's drink something cold to relieve our fatigue."

Jiang Yan took the cup, her fingertips touching the slightly cool rim. She looked up at him, said nothing, and took a small sip.

"This place is nice, quiet." She looked around.

"I just passed by and thought it was alright, but I've never been here before. I figured you might not like it too noisy." Gong Yuelong pushed the menu over.

"What would you like to eat? Their signature dishes are sour fish soup and a few stir-fries."

The two ordered their food, and while waiting, the atmosphere relaxed. Jiang Yan casually responded, chatting about trivial matters in the industry.

When the first dish of stir-fried vegetables arrived, Jiang Yan picked up a piece with her chopsticks, then suddenly seemed to remember something and looked up at him:

"Lately, besides keeping an eye on those small, miscellaneous tasks, have you been putting any effort into working for state-owned enterprises?"

Gong Yuelong's heart skipped a beat; he knew the real show was about to begin.

He put down his chopsticks. "A state-owned enterprise? The threshold is too high. With my limited resources and qualifications, I can't even figure out which way their project office door faces, let alone find someone to offer me a cigarette."

Jiang Yan smiled softly, a hint of superiority in her smile.

"The threshold is high, but it's not a monolithic entity."

"Especially in the last two years, with the higher authorities imposing tasks and ensuring growth, some state-owned enterprises have too much work on hand, and the deadlines are very tight."

They might release their own teams if they can't deploy their own personnel, but they could do auxiliary projects that aren't too technically demanding, or temporary labor subcontracting...

Gong Yuelong listened carefully, his brows furrowing slightly:

"Even if a scrap of that meat fell off, it wouldn't be my turn, would it? There are so many well-connected companies eyeing it."

"Many people are watching, but everyone has their own agenda," Jiang Yan said calmly, as if analyzing a market report.

"Large companies find this kind of work fragmented, with low profit margins and high management costs, so they don't find it appealing."

Small companies either lack complete qualifications or don't have enough upfront funding, so people don't trust them. And…”

She paused, then looked at Gong Yuelong: "These kinds of subcontracting often don't go through open bidding. It's just a matter of the project manager saying one thing and finding a team that they know well, are comfortable with, and won't mess things up. What they need is someone who is obedient, easy to work with, and can handle blitzes."

Gong Yuelong instantly grasped the key words.

Obedient, worry-free, and capable of quick responses.

This sounds like... exactly the qualities he and Cao Dayong and his group displayed at the sports center, doesn't it?

"Does Boss Jiang mean... that you have connections to get in touch with this kind of thing?" he asked directly.

Jiang Yan didn't answer immediately. She slowly scooped a spoonful of soup from the sour fish soup, blew on it, and drank it.

The spicy flavor made her squint her eyes in satisfaction before looking at him again.

"As for pathways, they're made by people walking on them."

"I heard they have a project in the west of Zibo City in the third quarter."

Gong Yuelong took a deep breath. "There's not a single word about this kind of news outside."

"Of course not." Jiang Yan picked up her water glass, her gaze calm.

"Such a small opportunity might just be a topic of discussion at a regular meeting within their organization, decided in a single sentence."

By the time word gets out, she'll already be taken. Even if they find out, most people can't even get the project manager's office phone number, so what chance do they have?

Gong Yuelong suddenly realized: "So it's an internal recommendation, they treat people differently based on their connections."

Jiang Yan nodded: "So those who can be recommended are either extremely well-connected or exceptionally reliable, obedient, and capable of stepping up in crucial moments."

Gong Yuelong understood the meaning behind those words.

She's laying the groundwork for the long term, looking for someone to share the burden, not just a one-off thug.

"I understand." Gong Yuelong put down his chopsticks, his tone calm and firm.

"I will abide by the rules and shoulder the pressure when I have this opportunity. I will slowly save up the initial investment, and I will definitely manage the team to be an unbreakable unit."

I treat the standards set by the central government as military orders. I dare not boast about anything else, but I can deliver on my promises of solid work and reliability.

Upon hearing his statement, a hint of satisfaction flashed across Jiang Yan's eyes.

That's the kind of clarity and drive she needs.

"It's good that you know what you're doing." Her tone softened a bit.

"But remember, I value you not because you have strong fists."

That kind of thing is only good for emergencies; it's not suitable for formal occasions.

To establish yourself in this industry, you need brains, a good reputation, and a foundation of trustworthiness. Don't live like a henchman; that's a waste of your potential.

"I understand, Sister Jiang," Gong Yuelong replied solemnly. "Before, there was no way to go. Now that there is, I know which foot to take."

She looked at Gong Yuelong and said, "I'm not telling you this so you can go and bang on the door right now. I'm telling you that it's possible."

But if you want to encounter this possibility, you can't rely on this current haphazard approach.

"We need to let people know that there's someone like me who can step up in crucial moments," Gong Yuelong replied calmly.

"Hmm." Jiang Yan nodded, acknowledging his comprehension.

"The sports center is a good start, but it's not substantial enough."

You need an opportunity, even a very small one, to show your face to someone within the state-owned enterprise system, and you have to make a good impression.