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

In the sweltering summer, clothes will smell bad if left out overnight after being changed.

He had only intended to do a quick scrub this morning. Unexpectedly…

The clothes were hung neatly on the line, with even spacing between the hangers, showing how careful the person drying them was.

Gong Yuelong stood there for a while, without saying a word. The morning light was a bit dazzling.

He reached out, took off his shirt and trousers, and went back into the house, the faint fragrance of his clothes lingering in the air.

He recalled that before the bankruptcy, there were always freshly washed clothes drying on the balcony of his home, sometimes smelling of a different, milder laundry detergent that his ex-wife used.

Later, he was left with only his work clothes, soaked with sweat and smelling of construction dust.

Sister Qin is so thoughtful. He thought to himself.

He put on a shirt, buttoning it up one by one. The slightly damp fabric clung to his skin, bringing a brief coolness.

Pushing open the door, a wave of heat hit me again.

He glanced at Widow Qin's room; the door was closed, so she had probably already left.

He tugged at the hem of his shirt and tucked it into his trousers with a swift motion.

……

In the sweltering heat of July, the construction site was even drier than the daytime.

The labor market was dusty and bustling with people, more so than in previous years.

"Heard? Steel reinforcement costs have gone up by thirty again!" In the shade, Old Sun puffed on his cigarette, his eyes squinting.

"The logistics park in the south urgently needs scaffolders, this is the price." He held up three fingers and waved them.

The squatting day laborers whispered among themselves, their faces less anxious than before.

Jobs kept popping up one after another, and although it was still about earning money through hard work, at least there were some to choose from.

"You also have to follow the right person." Someone gestured with their chin, pointing to another neatly dressed group on the other side.

"After Cao Dayong and his gang from Nanshan started working for Boss Gong, they probably look down on all the odd jobs now. They only take on jobs like those at the sports center that have a certain reputation."

Old Sun, the plasterer, was discussing things with his apprentice:

"Working haphazardly is exhausting and won't save you any money. It's better to inquire about projects with long lead times and stricter inspections. Stricter inspections are better; they showcase your skills, and the pay will be more competitive."

The small business owner holding up the sign was a bit more polite in his asking price than usual.

People waiting for jobs gathered in twos and threes, weighing and comparing their options.

On his way to Jiang Yan's office, Gong Yuelong took out his phone, found Cao Dayong's number, and dialed it.

The phone was answered after two rings.

"Hey, Brother Long!"

Gong Yuelong: "At the construction site? How's it been these past few days?"

Cao Dayong spoke quickly, "Five new people joined yesterday, all from Nanshan. We know them well, and they have work to do. We split them into two groups today."

"Hmm." Gong Yuelong listened, "How many people can you spare now?"

I mean, if there's an urgent job, a three-to-five-day deadline, and we need a full complement of people who can be deployed immediately.

Cao Dayong paused for a moment, seemingly doing mental calculations: "There are twelve or thirteen people who are now working with us regularly, and they are all reliable."

There are seven or eight fellow villagers I can call on temporarily, and they're all quite capable. All the equipment is ready, Brother Long, do you have a direction now?

"Let's ask first," Gong Yuelong said without elaborating.

"A reputation is earned through hard work, but also carefully protected. Keep a close eye on things and avoid any mishaps."

"Don't worry, everything will be done according to the rules..." Cao Dayong replied readily.

Gong Yuelong interrupted, "By the way, check the tools that need repairing, and double-check the safety helmets and reflective vests, and replace any that are missing. When we take on jobs in the future, these tools will also be a sign of our strength."

"Understood! I'll get it done this afternoon," Cao Dayong replied without hesitation.

"Okay, you go ahead and get busy." Gong Yuelong hung up the phone.

……

Passing by the Gold Coast, I was reminded of the little girl at the convenience store near the entrance.

He stopped the car and went inside.

The girl behind the counter looked up, her eyes lighting up: "It's you!"

Gong Yuelong smiled. A month ago, he had written a story about helping a father for six boxes of white cigarettes here.

He was also taken aback. The girl's face had lost its student-like reserve, and now she had a more womanly air about her. Did she have a boyfriend?

"What do you want today?" the girl asked.

Gong Yuelong snapped out of his daze and glanced at the top shelf—Zhonghua, Yuxi, and Furongwang cigarettes.

"Two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes."

The girl was stunned.

Last time, he had to explain for ages even to buy a few extra packs of Bai Jiang cigarettes, but now he just wants the most expensive ones.

She tiptoed to reach the cigarette, her movements still clumsy.

He paused for a moment, then looked towards the freezer: "Get two more boxes of ice cream, but not vanilla."

A crisp, clean beep sounded indicating successful payment via QR code.

The girl packed the cigarettes and ice cream into a bag, then stuffed it into a gold lighter: "This is for you."

Then she asked, "Brother, are you... in engineering?"

Gong Yuelong took the cigarette, opened it, pulled out one, put it in his mouth, and mumbled, "Yeah, just trying to make a living."

"So... when you take on projects, if someone introduces you to work, how much do you usually pay... you know, the referral fee?" the girl asked tentatively.

Gong Yuelong looked up at her: "It depends on the size of the project and how strong your connections are. The market price is three to ten percent, but it can be higher."

The girl nodded, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

Gong Yuelong looked at her and smirked, "What, girl, do you have connections? If you can introduce me to someone, I'll give you... an extra ten percent." His tone was teasing.

The girl blushed slightly and said reproachfully, "What are you saying, brother! I was just asking..."

She lowered her head to tidy the counter, paused, and said, "Um... I'll come here often to buy cigarettes in the future."

Gong Yuelong casually asked, "What's your name?"

The girl raised her head:

"My surname is Yang. Yang as in willow. Yang Ruyan."

"Oh, what a nice name."

After saying that, he didn't say anything more. When he walked out the door, he was carrying a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes in his left hand and an ice cream bag in his right.

He remembered the white cigarette box that had been squeezed out of shape a month ago, and the half-smoked cigarette that Jiang Yan had taken from his mouth and thrown on the ground.

……

When Gong Yuelong pushed open the door to Jiang Yan's office, she was standing by the window, frowning.

He walked over with the ice cream bag in his hand and placed it on the corner of her table.

Jiang Yan raised her eyes, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, but she didn't say anything.

"I was just passing by and saw they have a new flavor. It's not vanilla, it's sea salt caramel hazelnut." Gong Yuelong paused. "I remember you said last time that you didn't have an appetite because of the heat."

Jiang Yan glanced at the paper bag, then looked up at Gong Yuelong.

She reached out, opened the paper bag, picked up a scoop, and scooped out a small amount, putting it into her mouth.

The cool and delicate texture melts instantly, the slight saltiness of the sea salt perfectly complements the rich sweetness of the caramel, and the hazelnut pieces add a satisfying chewiness.

The flavor was layered and distinct, sweet but not cloying, exactly the kind of complex yet restrained taste she had been craving lately—she seemed to have only mentioned it casually once to him, saying that vanilla was too sweet.

The coolness of the ice cream went down my throat, and it seemed to suppress even the slight restlessness in my heart.

"How is it?" Gong Yuelong asked, his voice not loud.

Jiang Yan didn't answer immediately. She took another bite before putting down her spoon and wiping her mouth with a tissue.

She leaned back into the large leather chair, her slightly furrowed brows relaxing, and a look of relief spreading across her face.

"Mmm," she responded, "That's exactly the flavor I've been craving lately. Better than vanilla."