A life of success begins with being a landlord.

"I'm not angry, why are you crying?"

I got even more annoyed, got up, went to the balcony, and lit a cigarette.

Chunyan wiped away her tears, followed me to the balcony, looked at me, and didn't dare to say anything.

Her timid demeanor was completely different from when she was mischievous.

When Chunyan gets naughty, she'll say "ge laozi" (a vulgar expression), and even curse me as a "fairy board" (a derogatory term for someone who is unruly), using me as a punching bag and unleashing a series of "Pegasus Meteor Fist" (another vulgar expression for someone who is unruly).

Liu Haomei paused for a moment, packed her things, and said in a low voice, "Brother Wang, Chunyan, I'm going to 508... I won't disturb you."

I wanted to have some peace and quiet, so I instructed Chunyan, "Chunyan, take Liu Haomei over there."

"Um."

Chunyan agreed and went out the door with Liu Haomei.

I smoked one cigarette, then lit another, and stared blankly at the night view outside the balcony.

Knock, knock, knock. Someone is knocking on the door.

I opened the door and was taken aback: "Auntie, what brings you here?"

Outside stood Chunyan's mother, Xuan Yuling, carrying a bag of bananas.

"I just got back from get off work and heard from Lao Xia that you found Chunyan a job, so I came here specifically to thank you."

"You're too kind, Auntie."

I stepped aside and let Chunyan's mother in: "Chunyan just went to 508 with Liu Haomei. Liu Haomei used to work for Bobo, but she quit and will be working with Chunyan from now on..."

I explained it to her, but I don't know if Chunyan's mother understood.

"Oh, is that so?"

Chunyan's mother nodded, put down the banana, and stammered with a blush, "Xiao Wang, you and Chunyan... are still young, and there are some things you might not understand. I brought you something; it's in the bag."

What is that?

I opened the bag of bananas and found a pink box inside.

The box had two little figures drawn on it, which made me blush.

Is it that...condom?

I blushed too, holding the box at a loss, unsure whether to put it down or keep it.

Chunyan's mother blushed even more, pointing to the box: "This...you know how to use it, right? Chunyan is still young, you can't...let her get pregnant. You're older than Chunyan, you should know how to take care of her..."

"I...I...have never used it."

I panicked, shaking my head and nodding repeatedly: "I understand, Auntie, I... I should be able to use it. No, no, I probably won't need it."

To be honest, I've never used this thing. I've always been a good kid!

No, I used that when I was little; I used it to blow up balloons.

Chunyan's mother frowned: "You don't need it? You don't like wearing it..."

"No, no, that's not what I meant..."

My head was spinning, as if a ton of paste had been forcibly pumped into it by a high-pressure pump: "I... I'm not... not together yet."

Chunyan's mother smiled and said, "It's alright, Yaozu, don't be nervous. I understand you young people; I was young once too. Just be good to Chunyan from now on."

That sounds a bit old-fashioned.

Actually, I think Chunyan's mother is quite young.

Chunyan told me that her mother married her father when she was sixteen and gave birth to her the following year.

By calculation, Chunyan's mother is only sixteen years older than Chunyan, and this year... she's thirty-three? Or thirty-four, at most thirty-five!

But I couldn't argue, so I nodded and changed the subject: "Auntie, would you like some water? I'll get you some."

In just a few days since I arrived in Dongguan, I've already learned how to find topics to talk about and ease awkwardness. That's really impressive.

Chunyan's mother nodded and sat down on the sofa: "Alright, I'll tell Chunyan when she gets back."

I poured Chunyan's mother a glass of water and started a conversation about Chunyan's job, the environment of Sihai Printing Factory, and Chunyan's bright future.

I'm becoming more and more comfortable with chatting. I feel like I'll be able to work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a while.

Chunyan's mother was very satisfied, nodding with a smile, occasionally interjecting with a question or two.

Tap tap tap, that must be the swallows returning.

I went over and opened the door, and sure enough, it was Chunyan.

"Old Wang..."

Chunyan threw herself into my arms: "I'll sleep with you tonight, I'll give you anything, please don't be angry anymore, okay?"

I was startled: "Chunyan, your mother..."

Boo!

Chunyan hooked her arm around my neck, stood on tiptoe, tilted her head back, and covered my mouth with her tongue.

I quickly turned my head away and whispered, "Chunyan, your mother is here! Aunt Xuan is here!"

"Ah, my mother..."

Chunyan's face flushed red, and she quickly let go of her hands and covered her face.

"Cough cough."

Chunyan's mother sat in the living room coughing, indicating that she hadn't seen, heard, or known anything.

I grinned mischievously at Chunyan and gestured for her to go find her mother.

Chunyan dawdled into the living room: "Mom, what brings you here?"

"Can't I come to see you?" Chunyan's mother smiled at her daughter.

"Auntie, you and Chunyan chat. I still have two rent payments to make, and I need to calculate them."

I went into the small bedroom, closed the door, and left the living room to Chunyan and her daughter. That way, I wouldn't feel awkward if they talked about intimate topics.

I can guess a little bit what they're talking about outside.

After a short while, Chunyan's mother said from outside, "I'm leaving, Yaozu. You and Chunyan should go to bed early too."

I opened the door: "Auntie, let me take you home."

Chunyan said, "Old Wang, you really have to see my mom off. Liu Haomei and I just went downstairs, and that fat bastard Kuai Dafa stopped us and talked nonsense again. I scolded him."

Damn it, that bastard Kuai Dafa still dares to harass Chunyan?

I was both angry and furious: "It's okay, I'll take Auntie home and teach Kuai Dafa a lesson while I'm at it!"

Chunyan thought for a moment: "Old Wang, can you take my mom home by yourself? I'm too tired to run anymore. I just took Liu Haomei up to the fifth floor..."

"OK!"

I nodded and went out with Chunyan's mother.

After exiting the building, I looked around but didn't see Kuai Dafa.

As we entered the second stairwell, Chunyan's mother suddenly pulled me aside: "Yaozu, slow down. Walking so fast will hurt your wound."

I nodded and slowed my pace.

In the quiet stairwell, only the sound of my footsteps and Chunyan's mother's footsteps could be heard.

When I got to room 404, I listened carefully, but there was no sound inside.

Clang, clang!

I was furious, so I kicked the iron gate twice more and yelled at it, "You fatso, are you home or not?"

"Yaozu, forget it."

Chunyan's mother stopped me, holding my left hand: "It's the middle of the night, don't disturb the neighbors."

I had no choice but to endure it and go upstairs with Chunyan's mother.

When I arrived at room 604, I suddenly remembered that Chunyan's mother and I had been holding hands the whole way from the fourth floor to the sixth floor.

I panicked and tried to pull my hand away.

But Chunyan's mother held my hand even tighter, squeezed it in my palm, and whispered, "I've already told Chunyan everything."

"Auntie, what...did you say?" I was taken aback.

Chunyan's mother was also taken aback, then smiled and whispered in my ear, "It's about that matter. I taught Chunyan, and she will teach you. Just listen to her..."

I blushed instantly, feeling incredibly embarrassed.

Chunyan's mother was afraid I couldn't hear her clearly, so she kept talking in my ear for a long time.

"Auntie, I understand, thank you..."

Didn't I already tell Chunyan? Why do I need to explain it to you so clearly?

Chunyan's mother was still worried, so she squeezed my hand again: "Remember, you can't touch cold water, drink cold water, or take a bath within an hour."