A life of success begins with being a landlord.

Big event?

I felt a little uneasy, and even regretted the boast I had just made.

But the words were already spoken and couldn't be taken back, so he said, "Brother Xiong, I'm having dinner at Changhong Restaurant. When are you coming over?"

"Half an hour, wait for me." Dao Zixiong hung up the phone.

I held my phone, somewhat lost in thought.

I don't know whether the big event Dao Zixiong mentioned will be a good or bad omen for me.

The phone rang again; it was Sister Li calling.

"Sister Li."

"Little brother, I'll be back in three days. Have you missed me?" Sister Li laughed on the phone.

"Sister Li, need I say more? I think about you every day."

"Do you think of me every day, or every night?"

"I miss you, Sister Li. I've lost over ten pounds."

"Great, your sweet talk is getting better and better. When I come back, I'll bring you something nice to eat."

Sister Li laughed heartily and asked, "Do you want me to bring you something back from the Hong Kong government?"

I thought for a moment and said, "Sister Li, could you please bring me back a 'donkey back'?"

"Donkey's back" is a joke in my hometown.

If you go to the market and buy something and carry it back, it's called "donkey back," which is an insult implying that you're a donkey.

"You brat, you're the donkey!"

Sister Li laughed and scolded for a while, chatted for a few more minutes, and then hung up the phone.

Ding Zhili looked at me cautiously and asked, "Brother Zu, I heard that Brother Xiong from Sanlichuan is very capable. He just said he's coming over. Could you introduce him to me?"

"No way." I rolled my eyes. "Xiong-ge just said he has something important to discuss, didn't you hear him?"

Ding Zhili, showing some self-awareness, said, "Then I'll pay the bill and leave first."

I accompanied Ding Zhili downstairs and waited for Dao Zixiong at the entrance.

Ding Zhili had just left when I saw Kuai Dafa again.

This fatso is arguing with Sister Ju, the owner of the Wencheng Hair Salon.

Sister Ju's surname is Zhang. She's from the province next to mine. She's pretending to be from Wencheng and using the Wencheng hair salon name. I heard she's been working here for over a year.

Sister Ju's business is better than Bobo's; she must be making a lot of money, with a constant stream of customers every day.

At that moment, Sister Ju grabbed Kuai Dafa, preventing him from leaving, and shouted, "You already owe me 1,200 yuan, and you're still trying to get on credit? Don't I need to eat?"

Kuai Dafa retorted confidently, "Ask anyone on this street, who has I ever owed money to? I'll pay you back in a couple of days, what are you afraid of!"

Seeing Kuai Dafa really gets me excited.

So I swaggered over and kicked Kuai Dafa: "You fatso, you didn't pay for the hair wash?"

"None of your business!" Kuai Dafa glared.

boom!

I kicked again, this time harder.

"Ouch... the landlord hit me and broke my leg."

Kuai Dafa squatted down, hugging his calf: "Wang Yaozu, you broke my leg, you have to pay me compensation."

"You want to pay me back, huh?" I chuckled coldly. "Is the bathroom in room 404 fixed yet?"

"You hit me, how am I supposed to fix it?" Kuai Dafa started acting like a scoundrel again.

Damn it, I didn't hit you the other day, and you still didn't fix it!

Sister Ju looked at me and said, "Xiao Wang, this fatso is a big liar, a bastard, he doesn't tell a single truth."

"I know." I nodded, pointing at Kuai Dafa:

"You fatso, I'll lock your door from the outside tonight, and I'll lock your motorcycle too. Don't even think about leaving the house tomorrow, and don't even think about touching your motorcycle. Just you wait!"

Kuai Dafa jumped up, turned and ran: "You're always doing this, it's no fun. I'll fix it for you tomorrow, I'll definitely fix it properly..."

Just a moment ago he was saying he had a broken leg, but now he's running faster than anyone else!

Ju-jie and I exchanged a smile and shook our heads.

I don't care. Anyway, I've already taken away Kuai Dafa's business, which is equivalent to digging up his ancestral grave.

Sister Ju's 1200 yuan is probably going to go down the drain, hehe.

"Xiao Wang, come in and have a seat." Sister Ju looked at me and smiled, "I know you're an upright person, so I won't arrange any maids for you."

I shook my head: "No, Sister Ju, I'm waiting for someone here."

Sister Ju brought a stool from inside the house and sat down with me in front of the door to chat, gossiping about how Gold Tooth Guy got stabbed yesterday.

I asked, "Has the woman who stabbed the gold-toothed guy been caught?"

"They've run away, how can we catch them?" Sister Ju shook her head and chuckled softly.

"That gold-toothed guy is a monster. Eight out of ten women living in Building 26 have been harmed by him. She got stabbed last night; it was his retribution."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

I don't know why, but I feel sorry for that woman last night.

Sister Ju added, "I heard that Gold Tooth was rescued and probably won't die."

"Really?" I was quite disappointed.

The doctors in Dongguan are really nosy.

Why bother saving such a scumbag?

Sister Ju continued chatting with me, talking about the bustling prosperity of Dongguan City, as well as the hidden dangers lurking there.

As we were talking, I saw three cars parked downstairs at Changhong Restaurant, which I guessed meant Daozaixiong had arrived.

"Sister Ju, let's talk next time!"

I waved goodbye and went to Changhong Restaurant.

Six people got out of those three cars.

Dao Zixiong, Director Tang of the Subdistrict Office, Director Hong of the New District, Director Liu of Building No. 3, and Director Nie.

There was also a man wearing glasses, about forty years old, whom I had never seen before.

"Brother Xiong, I'm here."

I walked over and greeted them one by one: "Director Nie, Director Tang..."

"Brother, let's go upstairs and talk."

Dao Zixiong interrupted me, grabbed me, and we went upstairs together.

I'm not used to them being so affectionate!

The owner had already arranged the best private room, but no food or drinks had been served yet.

Everyone sat down, while Daozai Xiong and I stood.

Dao Zixiong stared at me with a complicated expression, as if he didn't recognize me.

"Brother Xiong, what's wrong? You seem to be in a hurry..."

"It's nothing, just a small matter." Dao Zixiong lit a cigarette and looked at me. "Brother, do you really know how to turn an empty basin into a snake?"

"It's just street magic, what's the big deal?"

I was a little surprised and laughed, "Is it like taking a basin, turning it upside down on the ground or table, then lighting a paper talisman and stuffing it inside, and then pulling a snake out of it?"

Director Nie and the others exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

Dao Zixiong slapped his thigh: "Absolutely right, that's exactly it. Tell me, where did that snake come from?"

"This trick has been around for a hundred years, it's nothing new."

I breathed a sigh of relief, shook my head, and laughed, "Most of the tricks that conjure up creatures from nothing are pigeons or snakes. Because those two things are very docile, fun to play with, and won't kill you. There are two kinds of tricks to turning an empty basin into a snake. One is the magic trick of the Three Immortals Returning to Their Cave; the other is a specially made basin with a hidden mechanism."

Director Tang was very excited and stood up to ask, "Brother, can you conjure one up?"

I shook my head: "Not tonight. I've had wine and meat, so my magic won't work. I'll fast for a day tomorrow, and then I can perform for you tonight."

The crowd was skeptical.

Director Nie frowned and asked, "Brother, weren't you just talking about magic? Why are you talking about spells now?"

"Director Nie's eyes are sharp as lightning, and his blade draws blood with a single stroke."

I gave a thumbs up and laughed, "Those so-called masters just use the same excuse as me. When they're not prepared, they'll say they broke their vows by drinking and eating meat and can't perform. I was just joking with you guys, because I wasn't prepared tonight and can't perform."

Director Nie beamed with joy when I lifted him up like that.

Dao Zai Xiong flattered, "Chief Nie has handled countless cases and has sharp eyes; naturally, his insights are spot on."

I nodded and looked at everyone: "However, I can perform the Three Immortals Returning to the Cave to explain the principle of the empty basin turning into a snake."

Dao Zixiong was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, "Great, brother, let's all see it!"

I instructed Boss Hong to bring three large bowls and a bowl of small tangerines.

The magic trick of "Three Immortals Returning to the Cave" is not difficult. When my second uncle taught me, I learned it in no time. After practicing for a few days in my spare time, I became very skilled.

After the performance ended, everyone cheered and applauded.

I laughed and said, "Come here for a moment and write a word on the orange with a pen."

Each person stepped forward in turn, found an orange, and wrote down a character.

I'm starting my second round of performance.

The first large bowl was uncovered, and there were no oranges; the second large bowl was also empty.

Director Tang laughed and said, "Then it must be in the third bowl!"

I didn't say anything, and opened the third bowl.

The third bowl didn't contain any oranges, but it did contain a portable mobile phone!

Everyone exclaimed in surprise, "How come there's a cell phone?"

I pointed to the phone and said, "Everyone, take a look, whose phone is lost?"

Director Tang was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed, "Holy crap, how did you manage to conjure up my phone?!"

I waved my hand and said, "Everyone come and take a closer look. Is it a real phone? Is it Director Tang's?"

Unaware of the trap, the crowd went forward to investigate.

Director Tang checked his phone and laughed, "It's definitely my phone. Brother, how did you manage to make my phone appear in the bowl?"

I didn't explain, but looked at everyone and said, "The phone has appeared, but do you know where the oranges you were writing on are?"

Everyone looked left and right, shaking their heads repeatedly.

I revealed the answer: "It's in your pockets, feel around."