A life of success begins with being a landlord.

"Don't hesitate, this is the only way out for you and Amei!"

I patted Awen on the head: "There are still three months until the college entrance exam. Hang in there for these three months, you guys, you'll be fine, right?"

Ah Wen glanced at Ah Mei and smiled bitterly.

"What are you laughing at?"

I glared at him: "And you call yourself a great poet? Su Dongpo once wrote, 'If two people are meant to be together forever, why should they be concerned with...morning and evening, day and night?'"

Awen chuckled: "It was written by Qin Shaoyou, Su Dongpo's brother-in-law. 'If love between two people lasts forever, why should they be together day and night?'"

Ah Mei smiled too.

I rubbed my face: "Anyway, that's the gist of it."

Amei looked at Awen: "Go back to school, Awen. Listen to Brother Zu. It seems to be the only way right now."

"Can you go back to school now? Your face..." Awen asked back.

"I can learn at home and wait for Brother Zu to use a folk remedy to remove my scars." Amei's eyes immediately dimmed.

"Okay, I'll go back to school then." Awen finally nodded.

I breathed a sigh of relief and took Ah Wen and Ah Mei downstairs for dinner.

There were restaurants outside the park, and I asked for a small private room.

During the meal, Awen sighed repeatedly, worried that he wouldn't pass the college entrance exam.

I gave Awen another suggestion: "Choose humanities, and memorize Chinese, history, and English by rote. Don't worry about math. You should be able to get into a humanities-related college without any problems."

Amei also encouraged Awen: "Yes, Awen, your Chinese grades are very good. Keep up the good work on history and politics, and you'll definitely do well too."

I coaxed and lied, "Once you get into college, you can focus on being a writer. Liu Haomei's editor is a very famous writer; let her mentor you."

"Yes, Liu Haomei said last time that she would take me to meet her writer teacher." Awen's eyes lit up.

"No problem, I'll arrange for you to meet."

I raised my glass: "Once you publish articles in newspapers and magazines and receive your royalties, Amei's parents will look at you in a completely different light."

Ah Mei kept nodding, giving Ah Wen confidence.

"Okay, I'll listen to Brother Zu." Awen picked up his wine glass.

"You two, come have a drink with me."

With an air of maturity, I sighed, "At my age, I've worried myself sick over your affairs!"

"Shameless, and you're already so old?" Ah Mei finally laughed: "You said last time that you wanted to learn Cantonese from me. I'm your teacher, and I'm the one who's so old."

Ah Wen, being honest and kind, stood up with his wine glass in hand: "I'll stand up to offer a toast, okay?"

The three of us ate and chatted, enjoying a relaxed and pleasant time.

At 2 p.m., Awen and Amei said their goodbyes with reluctance.

I took Amei and drove her home.

Director Song and his wife happened to be at home, or perhaps they were waiting for me there specifically, and invited me for tea.

In the living room, I told the truth: "Director Song, Aunt Lan, Amei and Awen have all promised me that I can go back to school and study, and then go to university."

Director Song frowned slightly: "Did Amei see Awen?"

"It was my arrangement," I confessed frankly. "Preventing them from meeting won't solve the problem. It's better for them to meet and talk things out."

Aunt Lan nodded: "It's better to guide than to suppress young people's relationship problems. As long as Amei agrees to study and go to university, that's progress."

Director Song frowned and remained silent.

"Director Song," I said in a low voice, glancing around.

"Amei and Wen definitely won't go to the same university. Once they're in university, it's like they'll be separated. Besides, university is a different environment, and everyone changes a lot. It's highly likely they'll break up completely."

Director Song's face gradually brightened, and he nodded repeatedly.

Aunt Lan smiled broadly and said in a low voice, "Xiao Wang's analysis is spot on and shows a long-term perspective."

Director Song smiled, then sighed, "But there are still three months left. What can Amei possibly learn?"

Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I remembered someone: "Director Song, Aunt Lan, I have a friend, a girl from the Northwest, who has excellent grades. Last year, she missed the college entrance exam by only one point, and now she's studying on her own to repeat the year... If it's convenient for you, I can have her come over and keep Amei company while she studies."

If Xue Meiying could come over and accompany Amei in her studies, that would be the best of both worlds.

Director Song was very interested and inquired about the specifics.

I recounted the entire story of the Xue sisters, including Xue Meiying.

"Sure, as long as Amei agrees, I completely approve. I'll give her a thousand yuan a month, and all her food, lodging, and other expenses will be covered by me," Director Song stated.

"I told Ah Mei."

I stood up and went upstairs to find Amei.

At first, Amei was unwilling and refused.

I could only try to persuade her, "Amei, Xue Meiying is very pitiful. If you're willing to let her come and study with you, it will also fulfill her life's purpose. She can indeed help you with your studies. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement, a matter of fate. You can consider it. I'll ask Xue Meiying what she thinks when I get back."

Amei might not be willing, and Xue Meiying might not be willing either.

I'm caught in the middle, having to persuade both sides – it's more tiring than being a pimp!

Amei is kind-hearted by nature, and after hearing what I said, she wavered a little and nodded slightly: "Brother Zu, I'll think about it and call you tonight."

I nodded and went downstairs to explain the situation to Director Song and his wife.

Aunt Lan said, "Don't worry, Xiao Wang, I'll try to persuade Amei slowly."

"Aunt Lan, let Amei make her own decision. Don't pressure her." I said goodbye, "It's getting late, I have to go back."

Director Song personally saw me to the door and asked, "Has Sang Kun from Heng Street given you any trouble?"

"Thank you for your concern, Director Song, but no." I shook my head.

It's not Sang Kun who's causing me trouble now, it's Nan Batian who's challenging me to a flying knife contest and wants to kill me!

But I can't say it, it wouldn't make a difference anyway.

If Director Song can really suppress Sang Kun, Nan Batian won't dare to come after me.

"That's good. If anything happens, just let me know." Director Song nodded, then asked, "The scar on Amei's face..."

"Let me know when Amei stops taking her medication in ten days."

"Alright, take care, Xiao Wang. Once Amei's face is healed, I'll definitely thank you properly." Director Song promised me a great deal.

I nodded and smiled, then rode off on my bike.

Since it was still early, I went to the bank and withdrew 20,000 yuan in cash.

Back in Sanlichuan, I parked my motorcycle and went to find the Xue sisters.

Xue Meihua took her sister to change her dressing and just returned.

"Xue Meiying, how is your wound healing?" I asked.

"Thank you, Brother Zu. The doctor said I'm recovering very well and the stitches can be removed in ten days." Xue Meiying was very happy.

I nodded and brought up Amei's matter, asking Xue Meiying to accompany her in her studies.

Xue Meiying was startled and hurriedly waved her hands: "No, Brother Zu, I'm from the countryside, I've never seen the world... If I go, I'll embarrass you..."

Xue Meihua smiled wryly and said in a low voice, "Yes, we've never seen the world, and we've never been maids or nannies before. I'm afraid we'll mess things up."

"Meihua and Meiying, if you consider me your elder brother, then listen to me."

I put on a stern face: "You know who I am. Would I harm you?"