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

There is a newly opened creative restaurant on the east side of the High-tech Zone.

The storefront is small and hidden behind greenery; you have to look carefully to see the sign.

The decor is minimalist, with gray walls, wooden tables, and warm yellow lighting. There weren't many customers at lunchtime on a weekday.

When Yu Lili pushed the door open and came in, Li Shida was already sitting in the seat by the window.

His hair was neatly combed today, making him look a few years younger than usual.

"Brother-in-law." Yu Lili walked over.

Li Shida looked up, a gentle smile on his face: "Lily's here. Have a seat."

Yu Lili sat down opposite him and placed her handbag on the empty chair next to her.

She dressed up specially today—light makeup, a beige dress, and her hair loosely tied up, which looked both elegant and effortless.

She knew that people like Li Shida, who worked in government offices, valued propriety above all else.

The waiter came over to pour water and hand over the menu.

Li Shida pushed the menu towards Yu Lili: "Take a look and see what you want to eat. Order whatever you like, don't be shy."

After ordering and waiting for the waiter to leave, Li Shida got down to business: "Lily, you mentioned last time that you wanted to take on a big project... Now there's an opportunity."

Yu Lili's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Hmm." Li Shida nodded, picked up his water glass and took a sip. "China Railway 14th Bureau has a project that needs to be subcontracted. It's a municipal pipeline renovation project, with material procurement costing over 20 million yuan."

Yu Lili's heart skipped a beat.

China Railway.

State-owned enterprises.

More than 20 million.

This was the opportunity she had always dreamed of—to collaborate with a state-owned enterprise, even if it was just supplying some materials. It would be enough to brag about in the industry for half a year. In the future, when she went to discuss business, she could say, "I've worked with China Railway," and her status would instantly change.

But she didn't immediately reveal her answer; instead, she asked, "Brother-in-law, is this project... reliable?"

Li Shida laughed, "How could any project with a 'China' prefix be unreliable? They're all national projects, payments are guaranteed, and the risk is low."

He paused, then lowered his voice even further: "The key is that I've dealt with the management of this project. If things go well, winning it shouldn't be a problem."

Yu Lili secretly clenched her skirt under the table.

It's working properly.

She understood those three words. They meant needing to bribe officials, needing connections, needing... money.

"How much...does it need to operate?" she asked directly.

Li Shida held up three fingers: "Three hundred thousand."

Three hundred thousand.

Yu Lili quickly calculated in her mind—this was about the amount of cash she could use. If she invested it all…

"However, there's something I need to make clear beforehand," Li Shida said, his tone becoming serious.

"Projects involving state-owned enterprises have many rules. According to their procedures, you need to advance funds to get started, and they will only release progress payments after a certain stage of progress has been achieved. The initial investment is approximately... 1.5 million yuan."

Yu Lili's expression changed slightly.

One million five hundred thousand.

She couldn't produce it.

"So many?" Her voice was a little strained.

"That's how it is with all state-owned enterprises," Li Shida said casually.

"They are large and their processes are slow, but you will definitely get a lot of money."

Moreover, the profit margin for these municipal engineering projects is higher than that of ordinary projects after final acceptance and settlement. I've calculated that the gross profit for this project could reach over 20%.

Twenty points.

Twenty percent of more than twenty million is more than four million.

Yu Lili's breathing became a little rapid.

"But about the advance payment..." she hesitated.

"You can find partners," Li Shida suggested. "You provide the connections, and I'll help you win the bid; your partners provide the capital, and we'll do it together. You'll have a clean share and split the profits. This way, the risk is lower, and you won't have to put in as much money."

That sounds reasonable.

Yu Lili's mind raced: she would provide the connections, others would provide the money, and she would get shares for free. Once the project was successful, she would not only receive a share of the profits but also accumulate credit and open the door to state-owned enterprises.

It's like a windfall.

The dishes are here.

The aroma was enticing, and there were several exquisite and creative dishes. Li Shida picked up his chopsticks, gesturing for her to eat: "Don't rush, think it over slowly. This is a rare opportunity; you might miss it."

Yu Lili picked up a spoon and scooped up a spoonful of fried rice, but she didn't have much of an appetite.

She recalled offending Li Qianghua at the last dinner party, Lin Wei's subsequent coldness towards her, and her awkward position in this circle.

She needs a big project to turn things around.

I need to prove myself.

She needs to show those who look down on her that she, Yu Lili, can also take on jobs for state-owned enterprises.

"Brother-in-law," she looked up, her eyes hardening, "I want to do this project."

Li Shida smiled, and a fleeting, almost imperceptible glint flashed in that smile, so quick it was impossible to catch.

"That's decisive," he praised. "Here's what you'll do: prepare 300,000 for operating expenses. I'll start making the arrangements."

He raised his water glass: "I'll use water instead of wine to wish you a successful collaboration."

Yu Lili also picked up her glass and clinked it with his.

The glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.

Like the sound of a trap being activated.

What Yu Lili didn't know was that some state-owned projects, while seemingly glamorous on the surface, were actually quite murky inside.

The money that was put in is like throwing it into a deep pool; it makes no sound.

That 1.5 million yuan funding hole could drain all the savings she's accumulated over the years.

But Li Shida wouldn't say these things.

Yu Lili wouldn't ask either.

She only saw the prestigious name of the state-owned enterprise, the contract value of over 20 million, and the profit margin of 20%.

It's like a fish that sees the bait but can't see the hook underwater.

We've almost finished eating.

Li Shida wiped his mouth and asked casually, "By the way, how's your sister doing lately?"

Yu Lili was in high spirits and casually replied, "It's pretty good. It's just busy, running around to projects all day."

"Hmm." Li Shida nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

When it came time to pay the bill, Yu Lili insisted on paying, but Li Shida stopped her, saying, "I'll pay. You can treat me to something nice after your project is done."

The two walked out of the restaurant; the afternoon sun was a bit too bright.

"Wait for my news," Li Shida said. "Prepare the operating funds as soon as possible."

"Okay!" Yu Lili nodded vigorously.

She stood at the restaurant entrance, watching Li Shida's car drive away, still feeling excited.

China Railway Project.

The character "中" (zhong) begins with "中".

The chance to turn things around has arrived.

She took out her phone, intending to call her sister to share the good news, but then put it down after thinking about it.

Tell her in person.

Give my sister a surprise.

My brother-in-law has changed!

She walked briskly towards her car in her high heels.

……

On the other side, Li Shida's eyes were cold and brooding inside the car.

The image of Yu Lili's excited, radiant face flashed through his mind, only to be superimposed on Yu Yue's somewhat impatient eyes.

"Li Shida, when are you going to amount to anything?"

"Look at Gong Yuelong, he wasn't as good as you back then, but look at him now!"

Oh.

My older sister looks down on me, so why does my younger sister dare to try and take advantage of me?

Do you really think I'm some ladder that you can use at will, and that you'll have to greet with a smile when the time comes?

He knew better than anyone how complicated this China Railway project was.

He carefully selected terms such as "operating costs" and "advance investment."

Three hundred thousand is just the beginning; the real bottomless pit is the one million and a half million hole.

Once this brainless woman has poured all her money in, she'll be stuck in mid-air, unable to move forward or backward...