A life of success begins with being a landlord.

"Of course, Sister Xiang." I nodded and bowed, then tried to get closer to her: "Sister Xiang, have you been playing mahjong lately? You must have won quite a bit, right?"

"Win my ass, you lose every day."

Ah Xiang rolled her eyes: "Your older sister left, and she won't play mahjong with me anymore."

I chuckled and said, "My older sister said she suspects some gossipy woman is cheating, always winning money from her."

"Who does she suspect?" Ah Xiang's expression changed.

"Don't take it personally, Sister Xiang. I wasn't talking about you."

I quickly explained, "I heard from Sister Li that there's someone named A Ping who wins every day."

Ah Xiang snorted, grabbed the wolfhound, and left: "I'm leaving first. Wang Yaozu, you'd better handle things here properly, or I won't let you off the hook!"

"I'll handle it well, Xiang-jie, don't worry." I saw Xiang-jie out the door: "Take care, Xiang-jie."

Ah Xiang was very satisfied and turned around to wave at me.

I turned around, offered cigarettes to a few young men with blond hair, and chatted about everyday things.

A few minutes later, sirens suddenly blared.

The few blond-haired kids weren't afraid at all; instead, they went out to watch the commotion.

Two police cars stopped in front of the arcade, and several men in hats jumped out: "Who's causing trouble?"

I pointed at a few young men with blond hair: "It was them! They smashed up the arcade and tried to extort money from us!"

The blond-haired men's expressions changed drastically, and their mouths gaped open.

"Take it down!"

At the leader's command, the group of young men with blond hair were handcuffed and stuffed into the car.

I clasped my hands in thanks.

The police car sped away.

Xu Erbao stared in disbelief: "Brother Zu, won't this make things worse?"

"It's okay, I'll handle it!"

I instructed Xu Erbao, "The arcade is closed now, no need to clean it. Wait for Daozai Xiong to come and check on it tonight. If Ah Xiang comes to cause trouble again, just ignore her!"

Xu Erbao sighed: "I reckon Ah Xiang will be here soon."

"It's no use her coming. Close the door, ignore her, and let her do whatever she wants!"

I sneered, got into the car, and drove back to Hongxing Village with Gao Jianfeng and the old squad leader.

I then asked Gao Jianfeng to call Ye Xiaotian and ask him to go to Hongxing Village as well.

As for Ah Xiang, let her whine and complain all she wants. She can cry injustice naked and run all over the streets. I'm not afraid!

We returned to Hongxing Village, and soon Ye Xiaotian arrived as well.

However, Ye Xiaotian's expression was not good, probably because he was a little scared.

"Brother Zu, have I gotten into trouble?" Ye Xiaotian asked in a low voice.

No, you did a great job.

I tossed Ye Xiaotian a cigarette: "Next time something like this happens, do it the same way. If the sky falls, I'll hold it up!"

Ye Xiaotian breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Brother Zu."

Erxia was still a little worried and asked, "You didn't give Ah Xiang face today, won't Daozai Xiong be angry?"

"If I listen to Ah Heung today, Dao Zai Xiong will really get angry!"

I sneered, "Ah Xiang doesn't even consider that her cousin wrecked Dao Zai Xiong's place, and yet she dares to demand compensation from him. Dao Zai Xiong has had his fill of playing with Ah Xiang; I think this time, Ah Xiang is in deep trouble herself!"

I can see Daozaixiong's attitude towards Ah Xiang.

In Dao Zai Xiong's eyes, Ah Xiang was just a plaything, not a concubine at all.

Unfortunately, Ah Xiang lacked common sense and angered Dao Zai Xiong without realizing it.

After having a cup of tea, I took Ye Xiaotian and Gao Jianfeng to Director Song's house to deliver some documents.

Because there are local specialties in the briefcase, I must bring two bodyguards.

What if something happens on the road without bodyguards?

Director Song didn't come to work today; I heard he spent the whole day fishing and just got back.

"Yaozu, you've come at just the right time. We're in for a treat tonight."

Director Song laughed and pointed to the bucket in the yard: "Look, I caught a really big carp and a snakehead fish today. Your Aunt Lan's fish-cooking skills are comparable to those of the chef at the State Guesthouse. Let's have a good drink tonight."

"Wow, Director Song is quite the fishing expert."

I quickly flattered her: "This fish is so fresh, it's still jumping around. I'm staying tonight to try Aunt Lan's cooking."

Aunt Lan had already put on her apron, rolled up her sleeves, and said with a smile, "Yaozu, you and Lao Song have tea and chat, I'll cook the fish."

"No, no, no, I can't cook fish, but I can kill it."

I tried to be helpful, working like a monkey to help Aunt Lan kill fish.

Actually, Lao Song has a professional cook at home, so I don't need to worry about anything.

I'm doing this to show my loyalty.

Aunt Lan watched from the side and smiled, "Amei is working harder and harder now. She's busy studying all day long and hardly ever goes downstairs except to eat. Xiaoying also said that Amei is making rapid progress and might even be able to get a bachelor's degree."

"Even if you only get a junior college diploma, that's fine. You can always take the postgraduate entrance exam later."

I am genuinely happy, for Ah Mei, and for myself.

Because Ah Mei's transformation is thanks to me.

By saving Amei, I also saved Director Song's family.

Aunt Lan nodded, then pondered for a moment and said:

"It's about Xue Meiying, there's some trouble. She can't take the college entrance exam here, she has to go back to her hometown. I asked Xue Meiying, and she doesn't want to go back now, she wants to continue to stay with Amei... So, she can only take the college entrance exam next year."

"It's alright, Aunt Lan. Xue Meiying will take the exam next year, so she'll be more confident," I comforted Aunt Lan.

Actually, I understand that neither Lao Song nor Aunt Lan wants to let Xue Meiying go.

Once Xue Meiying leaves, Amei's current study habits will be altered, which will have an impact on her.

Aunt Lan nodded:

"Old Song and I have discussed it. If Amei gets into a good school this year, we'll find a school for Xue Meiying to attend temporarily. We'll cover her tuition and living expenses. Next May or June, Xue Meiying can go home to prepare for the exam. Ideally, we'll also let Xue Meiying apply to universities in the south, so we can take care of her in the future."

"Aunt Lan, you and Director Song are my benefactors, and also Xue Meiying's benefactors." I nodded repeatedly, "No matter whether Xue Meiying passes the exam or not, she will never forget you."

Aunt Lan's arrangements just now were more than enough.

What else can I say besides thank you?

Amei and Xue Meiying came downstairs for dinner.

I raised an eyebrow at Amei: "Sister Mei, you're working so hard. If you rise to great heights in the future, don't forget your country bumpkin friend!"

Amei rolled her eyes: "After I graduate from university, I'll work for your company. By then, you'll be a big entrepreneur, so don't turn me away!"

I chuckled and said, "Don't worry, the position of general manager of the company is reserved for you."

Xue Meiying is quite active now, asking me, "Can I go watch the gate?"

The company is nowhere to be found, but the general manager and security guards are already here!

Aunt Lan laughed and said, "I really envy you young people who can imagine your future lives. When we get to this age, we're just like salted fish; we can never turn our lives around."

Old Song, displeased with his wife's words, waved his hand and said, "There's no salted fish today, only fresh fish. Let's eat."

Aunt Lan's fish-cooking skills are indeed excellent.

We ate and chatted, exchanging trivial remarks.

The main issue is that Ah Mei and Xue Meiying are here, and there are some topics that are inappropriate for children to discuss.

After Ah Mei and Xue Meiying finished eating, they waved goodbye and went upstairs to study.

I then spoke, pointing to the briefcase I had brought: "Director Song, Qiao Mingtai from Chengfeng Electronics asked me to deliver a document and this briefcase, saying it's... a local specialty."