Chapter 3: Has Lawyer Fang's Iron Tree Bloomed? _1

"I understand."

Lin Shu replied noncommittally and then she headed upstairs.

She didn't have much luggage, and in less than an hour she had packed.

She had two suitcases, one with her everyday clothes and the other with her favorite books and teaching materials.

As she opened the door with her luggage, her stepmother quickly followed her, carrying a calculator in her hand.

"Xiao Xiao, I've calculated it out. A normal marriage needs a gold-and-silver betrothal gift. I've thought it over, and we still need to add your name to the house. If you're too embarrassed to ask, auntie will ask for you."

Lin's father chimed in with his agreement, "Yes, you can rely on your auntie!"

Lin Shu never knew her father loved money so much. As far as she knew, he never really cared about it.

He always used to say: If I run out of money, I can always earn more. But I can't let my child suffer...

She thought about it. It had been a long time since his father last said that, probably around when her stepmother refused to buy her a tape recorder for studying English and instead bought her half brother an expensive game console.

Back then, her stepmother said, "Daughters ultimately get married and leave. But her sons are the ones who support her in her old age. Invest more in him now, and later on, when our son is successful, we can enjoy the fruits of our labor."

After that, Lin Shu dared not easily ask her family for money anymore. Her father also stopped secretly giving her extra pocket money. Her father would still say that a child should not be made to suffer, but the child he referred to no longer included her.

"Dad, Aunt, he is out of money after buying the house, and he is still paying off the loan. My salary is also low, and it is my personal matter. I know how to handle it, so do not interfere."

"How can I not interfere? If I don't step in, others will say I'm an incompetent stepmother."

"I have class in the afternoon, so I'll leave first. I'll come back to see you in a couple of days."

Without leaving room for the two of them to respond, Lin Shu dragged her suitcases down the stairs. The ride-sharing driver she had called was already waiting downstairs. The driver helped her load her luggage into the car and she hopped into the passenger seat. She left her father's home and headed towards an unfamiliar new one.

Half an hour later, a security guard at Fuchun Garden stopped their car.

"Sir, we're moving in. My house is at…" Lin Shu awkwardly read from her phone, "Building 8, Unit 6, Apartment 803."

"803?" The security guard immediately responded, "Mr. Fang's house?"

"Yes, do you know Fang Zhi?" Lin Shu asked, puzzled.

The security guard twitched his mouth. How could he not know? Fuchun Garden was a real estate project developed by the Fang Group. Everyone in the community knew that Apartment 803 in Building 8, Unit 6 was the house that old Mr. Fang had specially reserved for his grandson, Fang Zhi.

But what about this young lady who was clueless about everything and about to move into Mr. Fang's apartment?

Would there be any problems?

After some thought, the security guard cautiously said, "Miss, it would be better if you give Mr. Fang a call."

"Alright."

Lin Shu begrudgingly agreed, surprised at the high level of security in the community.

While contemplating this, Lin Shu dialed Fang Zhi's number.

At that moment, Fang Zhi was in a meeting with his employer. His phone rang, and he instinctively picked it up and hung up. It was only then that he saw that the call was from "Lin Shu".

His fine brows furrowed slightly, and Fang Zhi sighed. He'd almost forgotten that he'd just gotten married that morning and was now a married man.

Out of a sense of responsibility as a newlywed husband, Fang Zhi politely excused himself from his client and sent Lin Shu a message.

"With a client, can't talk."

Almost immediately, a message came from Lin Shu.

"I'm at Fuchun Garden. Security won't let me in. They asked me to call you."

Fang Zhi apologized and stood up, took his phone and left the meeting room. He then called Lin Shu.

"Hand the phone to the security guard."

His voice sounded a bit annoyed and forceful.

"Okay."

Lin Shu, aware that she was the one who had interrupted his work, obediently handed the phone to the security guard.

"Hello, I'm..."

"I am Fang Zhi. Let her in. From now on, do not stop her."

Fang Zhi's tone was cold and distant. He hung up without waiting for the security guard to respond.

When he looked up, he realized that his assistant He Mo was standing right next to him, looking on curiously, "Who was that? Who had the power to make you leave a client to answer the phone?"

"Do you have too much spare time?" Fang Zhi shot him a cold glance.

He Mo laughed awkwardly, "Just curious. What if you've finally softened up? Then I can congratulate you in advance."

"Seems like you are idle. Your paycheck doesn't match your workload." Fang Zhi coldly warned, and He Mo shrunk back and put his focus back on work. He was only curious about who could make Fang Zhi break his longtime rule of not being disturbed at work, twice.

The Fang family was a wealthy, influential one with numerous enterprises, including a law firm. It's just that Fang Zhi didn't care for any of the other businesses. His hands controlled countless secrets of many wealthy clients, which is why there was a rumor saying: better to offend Master Zhang, than Lawyer Fang.

And He Mo was merely a small assistant.

On the other end, under the respectful guidance of the security guard, Lin Shu finally entered Fang Zhi's house.

Before moving in, Lin Shu had considered many possibilities.

Perhaps, since Fang Zhi might not cook much, the kitchen may lack utensils. Or since Fang Zhi was not home often, the house may be covered in dust...

What she never expected was that in a large three-bedroom apartment (one with an integrated study room), there would be only a bed in the master bedroom, basic toiletries in the bathroom, and identical black suits and white shirts hanging on the balcony ...

Other than that, there was nothing!

Lin Shu felt that if she shouted, her voice would echo in the room.

In the kitchen, not only were there no utensils, but there wasn't even a refrigerator!

Lin Shu wandered around briefly and then settled her gaze on the empty guest bedroom. She chose a second bedroom that was also facing the sun and had an attached bathroom. There was no walk-in closet as there was in the master bedroom, but there was a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe and a small balcony.

At night, she could nestle in the hanging chair on the balcony and enjoy the night view. However, the balcony of the master bedroom was adjacent to this one, close enough that one could reach over the edge of the balcony from the other side.

However, Lin Shu figured that Fang Zhi was so busy that he probably wouldn't have time to enjoy the view, right?

With the mentality that she would have to pay rent anyway if she rented a room elsewhere, she ordered a bed and mattress from the online marketplace in her city, and also bought a refrigerator.

While she waited for the refrigerator and mattress to be delivered, Lin Shu also ordered some fresh vegetables, fruits, and grains, along with her favorite milk and snacks from an online supermarket. As for the rest of the household items, she planned to take her time and also find an opportunity to ask Fang Zhi about his taste and style.

This was something Lin Shu had thought through. Both of them were strangers, so when they were thrown together to share a life, they had to make compromises.

Since Fang Zhi was so busy and had provided housing and a car, she would be responsible for the cleaning and the day-to-day meals and clothing. Otherwise, if they simply went about their own lives without caring for each other, Lin Shu would feel guilty, as if she were taking unfair advantage of Fang Zhi.

In this random marriage arrangement, it would be best if neither of them owed each other anything.