Lin Tao followed Li Jin for a year, during which Li Jin increasingly realized Lin Tao's exceptional talent in the real estate field. Whether it was his keen insight into market trends or his precise grasp of project details, he demonstrated extraordinary comprehension. Moreover, Lin Tao always eagerly sought out relevant knowledge, a passion and focus that deeply pleased Li Jin.

However, Lin Tao was still young and inexperienced, lacking sufficient understanding of the complexities and dangers of the outside world. During an industry exchange event, a competitor realized Lin Tao's importance in Li Jin's team and attempted to exploit his naivety by using a honey trap.

On the evening of the event, the brightly lit banquet hall was bustling with people, glasses clinking. A woman dressed in a flamboyant manner approached Lin Tao, her smile alluring and her eyes revealing charm and seduction. "Mr. Lin, I've long admired your reputation and heard that you have unique insights into real estate. May I ask you for some advice?" the woman said sweetly.

Lin Tao was naive by nature, and faced with such a warm and proactive woman, he didn't think much of it. He politely answered her questions, and before they knew it, they were having a pleasant conversation. The woman listened attentively, occasionally offering admiring glances and words of praise, which greatly satisfied Lin Tao's vanity.

As the conversation deepened, the woman began to subtly steer the conversation, attempting to extract key information about Li Jin's real estate project from Lin Tao. "Mr. Lin, I've heard that Mr. Li's soon-to-be-completed project is quite ingenious. I'm sure you were involved in a lot of the creative ideas, right? Could you tell me a little about it so I can broaden my horizons?" A sly glint flashed in the woman's eyes, but Lin Tao, engrossed in the pleasant conversation, ignored it.

Just as Lin Tao was about to speak, Li Jin happened to walk over from a distance. She keenly sensed the unusual atmosphere and, seeing Lin Tao's intimate conversation with the woman, immediately became alarmed. Based on her years of business experience, she instantly realized this might be a trap set by her rival.

Li Jin walked forward calmly, smiling, and said, "Lin Tao, so you're here. I've been looking for you. Some important business partners here want to get to know you." As she spoke, she subtly pulled Lin Tao away from the woman.

After leaving the banquet hall, Li Jin said seriously to Lin Tao, "Lin Tao, that woman was suspicious. She was probably sent by a competitor. In the future, you must be vigilant in these kinds of situations and never easily reveal project information to strangers. The business world is like a battlefield; a slight mistake can lead to total defeat."

Lin Tao suddenly realized what was happening, feeling both annoyed and frightened. He said with a face full of shame, "Sister, I was wrong. I didn't expect them to use such methods. I almost caused you trouble."

Li Jin patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Take this as a lesson. Be more careful in the future. You have talent, but the world is dangerous. You must learn to protect yourself and our project."

This incident made Lin Tao more cautious. He knew he couldn't afford to make another mistake due to momentary carelessness and betray Li Jin's trust and expectations. In his subsequent work, he not only studied professional knowledge more diligently but also carefully researched the ways of survival in the business world, constantly reminding himself to remain vigilant to avoid repeating the same mistake. Li Jin, in turn, mentored him even more carefully, guiding him steadily forward in the real estate industry, together embracing more opportunities and challenges.

Meanwhile, Li Jin's real estate project was successfully completed. With its unique design, excellent quality, and precise market positioning, the development was met with enthusiastic market response upon its launch. The sales office was bustling with people, and homebuyers praised the project highly. Seeing the project's success, Li Jin was filled with joy and pride, but she was not complacent. Instead, she set her sights on the more distant future, considering the planning and layout of her next project.

In Beijing, Xiao Pingping successfully helped Li Jin acquire several prime retail locations. After intensive preparations, the new clothing stores opened one after another. The novel styles and comfortable shopping environment attracted numerous customers, and business was booming. In managing the stores, Xiao Pingping fully utilized her business acumen, continuously optimizing marketing strategies, which led to a steady increase in the clothing stores' brand awareness and sales.

While serving in the military, Gong Moze made significant progress in studying real estate in his spare time. He not only gained a deep understanding of the macro trends in the real estate market but also provided Li Jin with unique insights from a strategic perspective. The two frequently exchanged letters, and Gong Moze's suggestions always brought Li Jin new ideas and inspiration. Although they were separated by distance, their hearts were closely connected, and their mutual support and encouragement became the driving force for each other's progress.

Chief Fu, along with Grandpa Yu and Grandpa Gong, still frequently gathered. They watched their children make steady progress in their respective fields, their hearts filled with joy. The elderly men sipped tea, discussing their children's achievements and expressing their high hopes for the future. "Seeing them doing so well now, we old folks can finally relax," Chief Fu said with a smile. Grandpa Yu and Grandpa Gong nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with satisfaction. In this era of change and opportunity, they witnessed the rise of the younger generation, as if they could see an infinitely bright future ahead.