C30 She's My Wife

"She owes me $3,300," the landlady answered, trying to keep the edge of sarcasm out of her voice.

Lu Fengting took out his wallet. Besides his bank cards of various colors, there was also a big stack of cash. No matter how many funds he had in his cards, he always carried cash around. It made him feel at ease, especially in case of an emergency where ready money was needed.

Lu Fengting nonchalantly took out all the cash and handed it over to the landlady. "Here. Count it."

The owner looked dazed and confused for a couple of seconds before coming to her senses. After receiving and counting the money, she inquired, "What's this all about?"

"That's payment for her rent." Lu Fengting said coolly. His smug expression revealed an air of superiority.

"You're paying for this woman?" the landlady asked in a perplexed tone while pointing at Xia Yun. "Are you related to each other?"

Lu Fengting stepped across the clothes on the floor and walked up to Xia Yun's side with a grin of amusement. He draped his arm around her shoulder with a bemused smile on his lips, and he drawled in a deep, seductive voice, "She's my wife."

"Wife?"

Dozens of observers in the corridor clamored when they heard his reply. The landlady opened her eyes wide, overwhelmed and intrigued by the unexpected news.

"Excuse me, sir. Are you Lu Fengting?" a young girl asked.

"Do you know who I am?" Lu Fengting gave her an impudent grin.

"Oh, my goodness! It's really you." As her excitement grew, her muffled voice became louder. "I watched your interview on TV."

Lu Fengting nodded and amiably responded, "I appreciate your attention.” Then he turned to the landlady and asked in a steady voice, "Auntie, is the rent issue settled?"

The landlady was in her early fifties and seemed very clever. When she saw Lu Fengting show up to defend Xia Yun, she immediately stopped acting harsh and vulgar. Her entire face spread into a smile, and she asserted, "Yes, everything's taken care of. Xia Yun may stay in her unit.”

Lu Fengting nodded and replied, "It doesn't matter. She's moving to a new place today."

"If she wants to leave, she usually has to give me half a month's notice. However, since Xia Yun has stayed here for such a long time, I will allow her to go even at the last minute. You may take your time moving out. I'm not in a hurry to use this unit, anyway."

Lu Fengting forced himself to give her a wan smile. "I appreciate your understanding and courtesy. Now that we've fixed the rent problem, what will you do with Xia Yun's issue?”

Lu Fengting pointed to the soiled clothes and other messed-up items strewn all over the corridor.

The landlady's face was pale and pinched. "What are you talking about?"

Lu Fengting kept his face blank and tried to hide his elation. He soberly said, "You have to compensate her for all these clothes and other things that you broke according to their prices."

Compensation based on cost?

The color drained from the landlady's face when she heard his demands. She was living a frugal life just to save more money. If he asked her to pay for these clothes, he might as well kill her on the spot.

"I'm not paying for anything," the landlady said righteously and remained steadfast in her decision.

"Did you throw these things out or not?" Lu Fengting demanded.

"Yes, I did."

She couldn't deny it since many people witnessed what she did earlier.

"Well, why don't you make up for it and pay her?"

I can't afford it." The landlady quickly stashed the money inside her pocket.

Lu Fengting pointed out calmly, "If you don't pay, I'll report you to the police and call my lawyer. When this matter goes to court, your case is not just about damaged property, but also about public defamation and the emotional abuse you've caused my wife when you insulted her.”

While these petty citizens weren't afraid of creating trouble, they were certainly scared of the law. They feared it mainly because they didn't understand how it worked.

"At what time did you hear me criticizing her? Maybe I raised my voice, but I never disgraced her!" When she heard the words lawyer and case, the landlady started denying everything.

Lu Fengting took out his phone and waved it in midair. He roared, "I've recorded what you've just said on my phone. You have such a striking voice that even the people on the ground floor could hear you loud and clear."