A life of success begins with being a landlord.

"No way, they paid 50,000 yuan in compensation? They paid it voluntarily?" Dao Zixiong was quite surprised.

I nodded.

"This...how is this possible? They..."

Dao Zixiong hesitated for a moment, then asked again, "Why did they voluntarily pay compensation? How did you handle it?"

I didn't want to explain anymore, so I smiled at Qian Yuhuai and said, "Brother Qian, why don't you talk to Brother Xiong about it?"

Qian Yuhuai immediately perked up, embellishing the story with exaggerated detail and spittle flying as he recounted what had just happened to Dao Zixiong.

The others nodded in agreement, occasionally adding a comment.

In everyone's mouth, I became a great hero who descended from the sky and turned the tide!

I lit a cigarette and listened quietly, trying to be a good-looking, quiet man.

As Dao Zixiong listened, he was repeatedly shocked, his expression incredulous as he looked at me in astonishment.

After a long while, Old Man Qian finally finished speaking.

"Holy crap, bro, you're not kidding me, are you? You downed four pounds of vodka in one go?"

Dao Zixiong still couldn't believe it, and grabbed my shoulder: "I didn't think you could drink this much. You've never been this good at drinking before."

"I really can't drink, but I have to drink today."

I sighed and asked, "Brother Xiong, what's the background of those guys?"

Dao Zixiong shook his head and pulled me into the office to the side.

I laughed and said, "If it's inconvenient, then there's no need to say it."

"It's hard to say outside."

Dao Zixiong sighed and lowered his voice: "That pretty boy today is Mei Hongju, the son of Old Mei, the second-in-command of Dongguan City. He's nicknamed Prince Mei, or Prince Mei by some. I really can't afford to offend him. I never expected that the Prince would come to a small place like Sanlichuan!"

Holy crap, this is a big shot.

I deliberately asked, "Brother Xiong is very famous in Dongguan. Mei Hongju should know him. You own Jin Sangzi, right?"

"In front of these spoiled brats, this is who I am."

Dao Zai Xiong held up his little finger and said with a wry smile, "I'm just a minor hoodlum, how could I possibly mess with him?"

That's incredibly humble.

This is the first time I've seen Dao Zai Xiong so low-key, even calling himself a small-time hoodlum!

I found it quite funny.

Dao Zixiong was still worried about Mei Hongju's retaliation, so he pressed me for more details.

I thought for a moment and said hesitantly, "I think Mei Hongju's 50,000 yuan compensation was given voluntarily, not out of spite. If he really comes to retaliate, Xiong Ge, I'll take full responsibility for my actions."

"You've got some nerve, hitting Mei Hongju's men and then forcing him to apologize."

Dao Zai Xiong sighed: "But Mei Hongju voluntarily gave the compensation, so he must have been shocked by you, and might even... want to befriend you. Let's not worry about it for now and wait and see."

I nodded: "Understood, Xiong Ge."

Dao Zixiong then inspected the damage to the private rooms, gave instructions on the "post-disaster reconstruction" work, and left with Tiger and the others.

I saw him to the door and asked, "Brother Xiong, I gave Shen Yuerong and the others the money for the medicine, is that alright?"

"This is a small matter, you can make the decision."

Dao Zixiong waved his hand: "Once this matter is over, when we settle your wages, I'll give you an extra 50,000 yuan as a bonus."

"Thank you, Brother Xiong." I expressed my gratitude.

After Dao Zixiong left, I returned to the lobby.

The supervisor, waiters, and security guards were all looking at me.

I asked, "Why are you all looking at me like that? Get back to work."

"Brother Zu, you're awesome!"

Suddenly, several security guards rushed up and surrounded me.

The supervisors and waiters swarmed over, lifted me up like a pig, and tossed me into the air.

Then they caught me, tossed me up again, and did this three times.

"Damn it, let me go! You've ruined me!" I yelled.

After a long commotion, the crowd finally let me go.

I clasped my hands in a fist and smiled, saying, "Brothers and sisters, we're all in the same boat. Your problems are my problems. I hope everyone works hard and makes lots of money!"

"Brother Zu, you're awesome!" everyone shouted in unison.

I waved my hand and instructed Qian Yuhuai, "Brother Qian, I've already spoken to Xiong Ge. You can distribute the money for the medicine to Shen Yuerong and the others."

Qian Yuhuai nodded, took out the compensation money from the gigolo, and distributed it to Shen Yuerong and the others.

"Wait!" Shen Yuerong shouted, waving her hand.

"We can't take all 3,500 for the medicine. Five thousand each for the four of us will do. The rest, ten thousand for Brother Zu. And the remaining five thousand, for all the brothers and sisters, and for Yin Meiduo's brothers and sisters, tonight for a midnight snack!"

Shen Yuerong was a smart woman; she knew that as part of a group, she couldn't monopolize all the benefits.

If everyone gets something in return, then you'll have someone to help you next time you encounter a problem.

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered.

I waved my hand and said loudly, "I don't want a single penny. The remaining 15,000 yuan will all be used for late-night snacks. Consider it our... group activity!"

Ten thousand yuan, I'm not really interested in that right now.

Moreover, Dao Zixiong has already promised to give me an extra 50,000 yuan bonus when it's time to settle my wages.

"Brother Zu is so generous, thank you!"

The crowd cheered and applauded again.

I smiled and told everyone to take their places, ready to welcome the evening's peak passenger flow.

Although something unpleasant happened in the afternoon, business still needs to go on.

Everyone obeyed and went to work.

I then instructed Shen Yuerong, "Sister Rong, you've all been frightened, so you don't need to come to work. Go back and rest."

Shen Yuerong shook her head and smiled, "It's alright, Brother Zu. We're just lowly. As long as we don't die, we'll keep going to work."

That's so heartbreaking.

I sighed, went to my office on the fifth floor, and continued reading my book.

He Tiantian and Teacher Yu had finished preparing the medicinal wine and left 302, returning to school.

Shen Yuerong was worried that I might have problems after drinking four jin of liquor, so she would call me every now and then to check on me.

"Sister Rong, I'm really fine."

I was somewhat moved, so I decided to stop reading and go for a stroll, then went to check out the Ginmeido and the arcade.

I drifted along methodically until 2 a.m., without feeling any discomfort in my body.

The secret recipe my second uncle gave me is amazing.

Jin Sangzi and Yin Meiduo are both empty, and the arcade is closed.

I told everyone to leave work, and then invited Yin Meiduo's group to go out for a late-night snack together.

Shen Yuerong volunteered to drink for me: "Brother Zu drank four catties of wine this afternoon. Tonight, no one is allowed to toast Brother Zu."

A waitress named Bingbing thoughtfully instructed the seafood restaurant chef to make me some soup to soothe my stomach.

I patted Bingbing's bottom and said, "Bingbing is so thoughtful, you can give me private care from now on."

Xie Xia said with a mischievous smile, "I'm afraid that with Bingbing's treatments, Brother Zu will get even thinner!"

Everyone laughed.

While I was eating, I received a call from Liu Haomei, asking if I had finished get off work yet.

"I just got off work, sis, where are you?" I asked.

"I'm in room 505. I've been waiting for you all night and haven't slept."

Liu Haomei's tone was somewhat resentful: "Brother Zu, you work at a KTV, surrounded by so many beautiful women, have you forgotten about me?"

"No, sis, I'm just busy."

I quickly apologized, feeling somewhat guilty as well.

I haven't contacted Liu Haomei in the past few days, nor have I talked to her or offered her any comfort.

I was her first man. She always considered me her boyfriend…

And I, in the end, let her down.

Liu Haomei then asked, "Are you coming or not? If not, I'm going to sleep."

"I'm coming, I'm coming right away."

I hung up the phone and waved to Shen Yuerong and the others: "Have fun, everyone. I'm going back to sleep now."

Bingbing laughed and said, "Brother Zu, do you have anyone to keep you company while you sleep? Do you want me to bring a few of my girlfriends to keep you company?"

Two waiters grabbed my arms, one on each side: "Brother Zu, take us to sleep. I'm scared, I'm afraid to sleep alone..."