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

Zhao Hongyuan broke the silence and said with a wry smile:

"We're here talking about qualifications, connections, and sticking together for mutual support... Meanwhile, over there, they've already paved the way in the most direct way."

Liu Jing said softly:

"But this kind of path can't last long. This time it's Zhao Siyan, but what about next time? In this line of work, you can't survive just by being ruthless."

Lin Wei slowly shook her head, her eyes somewhat dazed:

"Not necessarily... Haven't you noticed?"

He beat someone up, took the money, and is still sitting here eating with us. There's been absolutely no follow-up from Zhao Siyan's side.

She paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"This guy isn't just ruthless. He can also get away with things after he's done being ruthless."

The three fell silent again.

The table was covered with leftover food, but no one touched their chopsticks.

……

……

After leaving the restaurant, Gong Yuelong didn't get into the car; instead, he lit a cigarette at the alley entrance.

A gust of wind brought back all the things that had been said at the dinner table.

Lin Wei said, "Without the qualifications, you can't even get in through the back door."

He felt a tightness in his chest.

A sense of urgency arose.

Before, I only thought about making money to pay off my debts and gain a foothold. Now I realize that to gain a foothold, I need to have a legitimate status first.

Labor service qualification is this title.

Without this title, you'll always be a day laborer begging for food on someone else's land; you might have work today, but you could be let go tomorrow.

Even if Zhao Siyan falls, Zhang Siyan and Li Siyan will emerge.

As long as you're barefoot in the mud, there will always be someone who wants to step on you.

But this title is not easy to obtain.

Money, certificates, people, connections... you have to be careful with everything.

He stubbed out his cigarette and opened the car door.

There's no time left.

The higher-ups are demanding a thorough investigation, and the lower-ups are urging them on; the opportunity is right in front of them. Ahead lies a hurdle, behind lies a quagmire; he's stuck in the middle.

Jiang Yan chimed in, "If you want to take on legitimate projects, you need to be a company, not a team."

the company.

Team.

A single word can make all the difference.

He had fought, risked his life, and taken on jobs, but he was still a long way from truly becoming a company.

This step is about qualifications.

As the car drove toward the courtyard where the characters for "demolition" were displayed, several construction workers who had just finished their shifts walked by the roadside.

Gong Yuelong glanced at it, and his heart tightened even more.

This cannot continue.

We can't let our own people be stuck here tomorrow, being picked over and discarded, and then not even get a piece of paper if something happens.

It needs a shell.

No matter how thin, brittle, or inconspicuous it may be.

He gripped the steering wheel tightly.

That's what we'll do.

No matter how difficult it is, you have to spend money, run errands, and pull strings.

This stumble is inevitable. Only by falling down can one grow back from the mud.

When he arrived at the entrance of the alleyway where the characters for "demolition" were displayed, he turned off the engine and sat in the darkness for a while.

That's it.

Labor service qualification.

Back inside, Gong Yuelong closed the door and sat down in the darkness.

As consciousness sinks in, a blue light illuminates.

[Check how quickly it would take to obtain a labor service qualification if I apply now.]

[Item searched: Time limit for labor service qualification processing]

[Thinking...]

【result:……】

What should I do? Who should I contact?

[Recommended path...]

Where's the money?

【suggestion……】

【…】

[Item searched: Success rate of labor service qualification processing]

Overall success rate: 100%.

The blue light faded.

Gong Yuelong opened his eyes and lit a cigarette in the dark.

The Mars flared and faded in the darkness.

It became.

He slowly exhaled the smoke, and the breath that had been stuck in his chest dissipated.

I felt a sense of lightness throughout my body.

……

……

Two weeks later, in the morning, in the courtyard where the characters were being dismantled.

Old Niu, with his arm in a sling, was brushing his teeth by the pool when he looked up and saw Gong Yuelong coming out. His eyes lit up.

"Hey, Mr. Gong! You look really energetic today!"

Gong Yuelong had a short haircut and was carrying a file folder. He smiled:

"Brother Niu, is your arm feeling better?"

"Much better!" Old Niu wiped his mouth and leaned closer, looking him up and down.

"I told you something's been off with you these past few days—you've been incredibly energetic, walking with such a straight back!"

He pointed to the file folder:

"He carries this bag with him every day, and on the phone he's either Manager Wang or Engineer Li, acting all professional!"

Yesterday, when I saw you standing at the door, the way you looked—back straight, eyes fixed—you really resembled a big boss!

Widow Qin, who was hanging up the laundry, turned her head and smiled:

"That's true. Our brother Gong used to be so energetic, and these past few days he's been full of vigor, his eyes are practically sparkling."

I overheard him on the phone the day before yesterday, talking about qualifications and expedited processing. He didn't say much, but every word he uttered was to the point.

Old Niu nodded vigorously:

"That's the idea! Before, General Gong was steady; now he's steady because he knows what's going on!"

Everyone in the office sees you leaving early and returning late every day, and your file folder getting fuller and fuller, which makes them feel at ease!

He lowered his voice, a smile playing on his lips:

"I was just telling Lao Yu, 'Boss Gong is really making a name for himself! Look at his energy and spirit, he's nothing like the guy who used to wait for work at the labor market. He's got the air of a boss now!'"

Widow Qin came over after hanging up the laundry:

"Brother Niu is absolutely right. Brother Gong, you've changed—your eyes are brighter, your voice is more confident, and even your laughter has more conviction. Everyone who sees you rising in rank feels a sense of relief."

She added with a smile:

"If you ever become a big boss, don't forget the food from our little courtyard, it'll be all you can eat."

Old Niu laughed heartily:

"No way! President Gong isn't that kind of person!"

Gong Yuelong had been listening intently before finally speaking:

"The road ahead is long. But once we have a direction, we have to keep pushing forward."

He weighed the file bag in his hand:

"The bricks here are all laid in a forward arch, one by one."

He nodded after speaking, then turned and left the hospital.

Old Niu and Widow Qin watched from the yard.

After a while, the old ox whispered:

"Did you see that? President Gong's very obvious determination is written all over the back of his head."

Widow Qin smiled and patted him on the shoulder:

"You talk too much. Hurry up and get ready, it's time to go out and earn some money."

……

……

When Gong Yuelong arrived at the district construction committee building with the last document, he happened to run into Zhou Guopeng on the steps at the entrance.

Zhou Guopeng, briefcase in hand, was about to get into the car when he glanced back and saw him. He paused, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"Hey, Boss Gong, here on business again? You've been coming here quite often lately."

Gong Yuelong stopped, his attitude as usual: "Section Chief Zhou, the formalities are almost finished, just need to get a stamp."

"Labor service qualification?" Zhou Guopeng raised an eyebrow. "You've moved quickly. Looks like you've received a lot of guidance from General Manager Jiang."

This sounds like a compliment, but it actually points out that I know who you rely on.

Gong Yuelong didn't respond to that, only saying, "Follow the rules, and you'll get what you're entitled to."

Zhou Guopeng chuckled twice and took two steps closer:

"Having qualifications is a good thing. But Xiao Gong, in this industry, having a certificate isn't enough; you also need connections."

He patted Gong Yuelong's arm. "Do a good job and don't cause trouble. Some things... are in the past."

Gong Yuelong nodded: "Understood. Thank you for the guidance, Zhou Ke."

"Okay, then you go ahead with your work." Zhou Guopeng waved his hand and turned to walk towards the black car.

After Gong Yuelong had walked away, Old Ma, who had been following Zhou Guopeng, approached and whispered:

"Zhou Ke, that kid's really making waves lately. The labor service qualification is coming through so quickly, he must have pulled some strings behind the scenes."

Zhou Guopeng got into the car, loosened his collar, and chuckled:

Whether he exerts effort or not is his business. As long as he doesn't cause any trouble with me.

He paused, then suddenly asked, "By the way, what's been happening with Yu Lili lately?"