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

Gong Yuelong also put down his chopsticks, thought for a moment, and said:

"For this project in the High-tech Zone, I had my own people handle the civil engineering. I also found professional subcontractors for the water and electricity installation."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Next time I encounter a similar project, I'll be able to judge for myself which subcontractor is reliable and which环节 (link/stage) is prone to problems. Even... once the team is mature, I can train a few professional foremen myself and take over those jobs as well."

As Jiang Yan listened, her eyes grew brighter and brighter.

After Gong Yuelong finished speaking, she couldn't help but laugh: "You're not doing a project, you're building a system."

"Pretty much." Gong Yuelong smiled as well. "I don't want to rely on others forever. Today I rely on this subcontractor, tomorrow I rely on that boss. I want one day to be able to handle an entire project from digging to delivery."

Jiang Yan stared at him for a long time.

Then she picked up the teapot and poured him another cup of tea.

"Gong Yuelong, you know what? I suddenly realized just now that I might have underestimated you."

She paused, her tone becoming very serious:

"I helped you before because I thought you were hardworking, loyal, and worth giving a hand. But now I've discovered that you're more than just hardworking—you're intelligent, insightful, and have a plan."

"Someone like you will eventually rise to the top as long as you don't do anything stupid."

Gong Yuelong picked up his teacup: "Thank you for your kind words, General Manager Jiang."

"It's not just auspicious talk, it's the truth." Jiang Yan also raised her glass. "Come, let's toast you with tea instead of wine. To your intelligence and your patience."

The two clinked glasses.

The tea was warm, and it warmed me from my throat all the way down to my stomach.

Over a meal, the conversation ranged from projects to management, from technology to interpersonal relationships.

Jiang Yan talked about many of the pitfalls she had encountered and the lessons she had learned over the years, some of which were practical tips she had never shared with outsiders before.

Gong Yuelong mostly listened, occasionally asking a few questions, but they were always to the point.

When we had almost finished eating, we had been served tea several times.

Jiang Yan glanced at the time; it was almost nine o'clock.

She suddenly laughed: "After talking to you for so long, I almost forgot the important matter."

She took a business card out of her purse and pushed it over:

"This man is Liu Zhiyuan. He started out in fire protection engineering and now has several professional installation teams. He's reliable and highly skilled. If you want to learn this, you can contact him. Just say I recommended him, and he'll give you a fair price."

Gong Yuelong took the business card, looked at it, and carefully put it away: "Thank you, General Manager Jiang."

"Saying thank you again." Jiang Yan shook her head, then suddenly laughed:

"Let me tell you something funny. Last week I went to meet a client, and that boss was really interesting—the walls of the conference room were covered with plaques that said 'Honesty wins the world,' but when it came to negotiating the price, he wouldn't budge an inch."

She took a sip of her drink, a teasing glint in her eyes: "I just asked him: 'Is what's hanging on the wall and what's being discussed on the table two different systems?'"

Gong Yuelong laughed too: "What did he say?"

He said in a serious tone: "Mr. Jiang, honesty means I won't lie to you, and virtue means I won't cheat you. But the money I'm owed, not a penny less."

Jiang Yan imitated the person's tone perfectly, "I almost couldn't hold back my laughter."

Gong Yuelong raised his glass: "A toast to this honest and ethical boss."

The two clinked glasses and both smiled.

The atmosphere lightened.

Jiang Yan then recounted several bizarre clients and suppliers she had recently encountered. Some of the stories seemed so absurd they were fabricated, yet they were all true. Gong Yuelong also shared some interesting anecdotes from construction sites—for example, there was an experienced craftsman who could weave various lifelike small animals out of steel rebar scraps.

"Really?" Jiang Yan's eyes lit up. "Take me to see it another day. I want a little dog made of steel bars."

"Okay, I'll have the master craftsman braid one for you." Gong Yuelong readily agreed.

As they chatted, a bottle of red wine was emptied.

Jiang Yan ordered another bottle.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she became more talkative: "Gong Yuelong, do you know why I'm willing to help you?"

Gong Yuelong looked at her without saying a word.

"It's not because you're capable—there are plenty of capable people." Jiang Yan poured herself a full glass. "It's because you're genuine. You don't play games, you don't beat around the bush, you're just being yourself."

She held up her wine glass, her eyes slightly unfocused.

"There are too many hypocrites in this industry. They say one thing to one person and another to another, and you never know which of their words are true. Dealing with you... is so much easier."

She took another big gulp.

Gong Yuelong looked at her and felt that she was a little different tonight.

Jiang Yan is usually shrewd and capable, always in control. But now she seems a bit... too relaxed.

"Mr. Jiang, drink less," he reminded him.

"It's nothing," Jiang Yan waved her hand. "I'm happy today. Really happy."

She paused, looked at Gong Yuelong, and suddenly said very seriously, "Seeing you take each step steadily makes me happier than closing a big project. Do you believe me?"

"I believe you." Gong Yuelong nodded.

When Jiang Yan had drunk half of the second bottle of wine, her speech started to become a little slurred.

She recounted some embarrassing moments from when she first entered the industry.

Gong Yuelong had heard of some things, but not others.

He listened quietly, occasionally refilling her tea.

"So..." Jiang Yan rested her chin on her hand, her eyes slightly unfocused, "Seeing you like this now is like seeing myself back then. Step by step, firmly and steadily... It's so good."

After she finished speaking, she lay down on the table and stopped moving.

"President Jiang?" Gong Yuelong called softly.

no response.

He got up and went over to check on her. Jiang Yan's breathing was steady; she seemed to be asleep.

Gong Yuelong sighed.

He took out his phone, intending to call Jiang Yan's driver, but then put it down after thinking about it.

Helping Jiang Yan to her feet, she cooperated fairly well, though her steps were a little unsteady.

"I'll take you home," Gong Yuelong said.

"Hmm..." Jiang Yan responded vaguely, leaning half of her body against him.

Gong Yuelong helped Jiang Yan into the back seat and sat down next to her.

The car was driven very smoothly. Jiang Yan leaned against the car window, her eyes closed, her eyelashes trembling slightly in the shadows of the streetlights.

Upon arriving at the residential complex, Gong Yuelong helped her out of the car, upstairs, and opened the door.

Jiang Yan's house was large and exquisitely decorated, but it felt somewhat deserted. He helped Jiang Yan to the bedroom bed, took off her shoes, and covered her with a blanket.

Just as he was about to leave, Jiang Yan suddenly grabbed his wrist, her eyes still closed, and mumbled, "Don't go... stay with me a little longer..."

He has quite a bit of strength.

Gong Yuelong paused for a moment, then said softly, "Okay, I won't leave. You go to sleep."

He sat by the bed for a while, and only gently withdrew his hand after Jiang Yan's breathing had completely stabilized.

Walk into another bedroom,

Today's meal... is different from before.

It's not just about discussing business, nor is it just about giving instructions.

Jiang Yan drank too much and said many things she wouldn't normally say, revealing many expressions she wouldn't normally show.

Like a real person who gets tired, sad, and happy.

He opened his eyes and looked in the direction of the bedroom.

But let's leave it at that for tonight.

He adjusted his position and sank into the soft, comfortable bed.

Outside the window, the city lights flickered on and off.