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

Juxian Pavilion, the same quiet tea room.

The tea smoke curled upwards.

Jiang Yan didn't touch her teacup, but placed her hands folded on the table, looking at Gong Yuelong.

"Did you really do that to Wu San's leg?"

"Yes," Gong Yuelong answered crisply, without uttering a single extra word.

"Why choose him? Why is he the one with a broken leg?" She went straight to the heart of the matter.

"He's blocking the way, gossiping, and his hands and feet aren't clean either. Breaking his leg will bring peace and quiet, and it will also make my attitude clear." Gong Yuelong met her gaze.

Jiang Yan was silent for a few seconds, then let out a long breath.

You probably only know the basics about who Wu Jinshui is.

She lowered her voice, "He has been rooted in the High-tech Zone for ten years. No one knows what he was burdened with in his early years."

They may seem to be in the building materials business now, but none of the people they employ are easy to deal with.

That scarred Wang Biao was his sharpest weapon; he was ruthless and vicious.

They have no bottom line. If you break the leg of one of their henchmen today, tomorrow he'll...

She paused for a moment, then said, "To be honest, even I, Gong Yuelong, have to be polite to Wu Jinshui when I see him in this area. I try to avoid conflict if possible."

It's not that I'm afraid of him, it's that getting entangled with this kind of person is too costly; even if you win, you'll end up covered in mud, it's not worth it.

"But you..." She looked at Gong Yuelong, her eyes filled with admiration.

"You just happened to choose the most direct, and also the most dangerous, path."

No negotiation, no roundabout approach, just go up and knock off his outstretched claws.

"Your ruthlessness and decisiveness... I haven't seen this kind of person in this industry for a long time."

Her voice sounded like a confirmation:

"Most people, including many who have been around for years and have some connections, when faced with a local tyrant like Wu Jinshui, think about how to compromise, how to make exchanges, and how to survive in the cracks."

You went and flipped the table. That's reckless, so reckless it's nerve-wracking. But behind that recklessness…

She looked at Gong Yuelong with piercing eyes, as if trying to see into his very bones:

"It's also a kind of confidence in my own abilities, a confidence that I can withstand the counterattack, and a confidence that I can get through the dangerous path I've chosen."

Many people lack this kind of faith, or it has long since faded away.

She leaned back, shook her head, but this time there was less helplessness and more of a sigh:

"The risks are enormous."

Wu Jinshui won't let you off the hook. That old man at the Xinke construction site was just the beginning. The troubles that follow will be endless, both overt and covert, impossible to guard against.

Then, she looked at Gong Yuelong and said, "But then again, if you want to truly establish yourself in the High-tech Zone and take on bigger projects in the future without being manipulated by these evil spirits, you'll have to get through this hurdle sooner or later."

Some people choose to take it slow, paving the way with money and trading time for space.

You chose to carve out your path in the most painful and fastest way.

Different methods, but the same goal...

She finally picked up the now-cold teacup, took a sip, and said, "I called you here today to lay all this out on the table, not to persuade you to give up."

Judging from your expression, I can't persuade you otherwise.

It's to let you see clearly the true nature of your chosen opponent and the extent of the hornet's nest you've stirred up. As for praising you...

She smiled and said, "He has courage, the ability to execute, and his own set of principles."

I noticed these points.

In this industry, this is more valuable than a lot of superficial cleverness.

But precisely because it's valuable, don't break it easily.

She waved her hand, indicating that the conversation should end there.

"You chose this path yourself, so you have to bear the consequences yourself."

If you need information, or encounter some... intractable problems, feel free to contact me again.

But remember, I can only give so much, don't expect too much.

After Jiang Yan finished speaking, the tea room fell silent.

Gong Yuelong took a sip of tea slowly, then put down the cup.

"President Jiang, I had probably thought about all of what you've said—Wu Jinshui's background, risks, consequences…—before I broke Wu San's legs."

Jiang Yan's eyebrows twitched slightly, but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I knew he was a tough nut to crack, I knew he would retaliate, and I knew there would be a lot of trouble to come."

"But I've also considered another factor—what would happen if I didn't stop this leg?"

"Even if I humble myself and spend money to make Wu San stop for the time being, will Wu Jinshui be satisfied with just this small amount of money?"

He'll think I'm easy to manipulate, and next time he'll demand more and hold me even tighter.

He paused, "By then, I won't be entangled with Wu San anymore; I'll be slowly drained of my life by the greed of the entire Wu Jinshui system until the project's profits are completely eaten up, or until I'm cornered with nowhere to retreat."

The prospect of dying from slow, chronic blood loss is more unbearable for me than the risk of losing a leg right now.

Jiang Yan listened quietly, her interlaced fingers loosening slightly.

Gong Yuelong concluded, "So, I chose this path. The risks are brought forward, and the conflicts are intensified. The price is that it will immediately invite Wu Jinshui's retaliation, but the advantage is that the game is clear in advance."

He looked at Jiang Yan, his tone softening, "President Jiang, I acknowledge all the risks you've pointed out."

But this path wasn't a spur-of-the-moment choice; it was one I weighed carefully and felt was relatively acceptable. As for your point about being able to fight not solving everything…”

He gave a very slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. "I know. That's why I need information, I need connections and insight like yours to help me see those blind spots that are beyond the reach of my fists."

After saying that, he said no more and just quietly looked at Jiang Yan.

The atmosphere in the tea room had completely changed.

Gong Yuelong did not deny Jiang Yan's warning. Instead, he incorporated it into his decision-making framework and explained it, clearly outlining his strategies and needs.

He acknowledged the risks, but demonstrated even more his proactive planning for the situation and his determination to bear the costs.

Jiang Yan remained silent for an even longer time.

She looked at Gong Yuelong again, this time with a more complex expression in her eyes.

The man before me possessed not only ruthlessness and decisiveness, but also a clear mind and the ability to plan ahead.

He can see three moves ahead and is willing to take huge risks for the best possible outcome.

"Oh……"

She suddenly scoffed and shook her head. "Looks like I worried for nothing. You know better than I did."

She relaxed, leaned back in her chair, and resumed her usual slightly languid sitting posture.

"Alright, since you've already figured it out, there's no point in me saying anything more."

Like I said before, contact me if you need anything... After all, I already said you're mine...

She picked up her teacup, smiled—a beautiful, gentle smile—and gestured to Gong Yuelong. "I'm rather curious, how do you plan to deal with Wu Jinshui?"

Good luck, Boss Gong.

"Thank you for your kind words, President Jiang." Gong Yuelong raised his cup, clinked it against hers lightly, and drank the tea in his cup.

Inside the car after leaving Juxian Pavilion.

Gong Yuelong lit a cigarette but didn't leave immediately.

Jiang Yan spoke firmly, saying that she would always give him some leeway and that he shouldn't expect anything from her.

But if she really wanted to think that way, why bother meeting him alone to discuss these things? Wouldn't it have been enough to just say a few harsh words over the phone?

She revealed Wu's background and hinted that he could contact her for certain matters. This went beyond what a normal business partner should say.

She might not directly step in to fight Wu Laoda on his behalf, but seeing him go and confront Wu Laoda, this tough nut, she seemed... happy to see it happen.

It's even possible that, when he's really about to be crushed, he might consider lending a hand.

Of course, the premise is that you don't drag her into it too.

This woman is cunning. She talks about the risks, but she probably secretly hopes he'll stir things up.

Despite the pressure, Gong Yuelong felt a bit more at ease.

He knew at least that his unconventional actions had not only failed to make Jiang Yan completely distance herself from him, but had instead aroused her interest in some way.

This interest is the bargaining chip.

He started the car.

I forged my own path, but as I was forging it, I noticed someone on the building next door watching from the window. They didn't yell to stop me, nor did they cheer me on; they just watched.

This feeling is better than being completely alone.