5 Chapter 5 Money Should be Managed by the Wife_1

The following evening, when Fang Zhi came to pick up Lin Shu, she waved at him with several gift boxes in her hands, signaling for him to open the trunk.

Fang Zhi pressed the button to open the trunk, then got out of the car to help Lin Shu load the boxes. "Why there's so much stuff?" He asked.

"It's my first time going to your house. It wouldn't be appropriate to go empty-handed."

While loading the boxes into the car, Lin Shu explained, "I had no idea what Grandpa Fang likes, so I bought a little bit of everything based on the salesgirl's recommendations."

Fang Zhi glanced at the boxes in the trunk, with tea leaves and nourishing supplements among them. Although they were different from what Mr. Fang usually used, they were considered above average. Certainly, no one could accuse her of not trying.

As he closed the trunk, Fang Zhi said, "You can use my card for stuff like this next time."

Lin Shu tactfully refused, "I'm already living in your house. It wouldn't be right for you to pay for this, and besides, it's my duty."

Fang Zhi raised an eyebrow.

No wonder Grandpa Fang insisted on marrying her off to Lin Shu. This woman truly knew how to play the part.

If he hadn't already investigated Lin Shu's family, if he hadn't already understood the actions of her younger brother, he might have believed she's a good woman.

Fang Zhi withdrew his gaze without saying another word.

The car smoothly drove from the city to a small house in the suburbs.

Old man, wearing traditional Chinese robes with a head full of white hair and a silvery beard, was waving at Fang Zhi's car from afar.

The car stopped at the entrance, and Lin Shu got out of the car with Fang Zhi.

"Hello, Grandpa Fang!" Lin Shu greeted respectfully, nudging Fang Zhi with a glance.

Fang Zhi brought out the gift boxes from the trunk.

"This is my first time seeing you, and I didn't know what you liked, so I just got some generic gifts," Lin Shu said politely.

"Oh, look at you. Why are you wasting money? I don't lack anything!" Though Mr. Fang chided her, his eyes were gleaming with delight as they rested on the gifts Lin Shu had brought.

"Oh, you sweet child, let Grandpa have a look!"

Mr. Fang inspected Lin Shu from top to bottom, clearly pleased with what he saw. "Our Lin Shu has grown more beautiful as she's grown up!" he exclaimed, his eyes narrowing with joy.

"Come, come into the house with Grandpa. Let that rascal carry the gifts!"

Mr. Fang enthusiastically led Lin Shu into the house, ordering Fang Zhi to carry the gifts, as if he were a servant.

But Fang Zhi didn't seem to mind. He followed them into the house.

The dining room in the small house was already set with a lavish spread of dishes. Lin Shu, after sitting down, thanked Grandpa Fang.

With a stern look on his face, Mr. Fang took out a thick red envelope from his pocket. "You've already gotten your marriage certificate, no need to call me 'Grandpa Fang'. Just call me 'Grandpa'!"

Lin Shu glanced at Fang Zhi.

Fang Zhi whispered, "It's a gift for changing your form of address. Just accept it."

Knowing it's a gift for changing her address, Lin Shu felt a sense of relief and graciously accepted the Red Package. She sweetly called out, "Grandpa!"

"Aww!"

Mr. Fang laughed heartily. "Let's eat!" he beckoned.

After a few bites, Mr. Fang tactfully sidelined Fang Zhi and assigned him the task of serving the food, then whispered to Lin Shu, "So, how is it? Has this rascal been treating you well?"

Lin Shu shook her head, "No, Fang Zhi has been very nice to me."

Mr. Fang's face displayed disbelief. "Really?"

Doesn't he know what kind of person his grandson is?

Stubborn and adamantly persistent. Though he forced Fang Zhi to marry Lin Shu this time, if he mistreated her, he would feel like he betrayed his old friend.

"Really," Lin Shu assured him wholeheartedly. She leaned in, whispering secretive to Mr. Fang, "He has given me his salary card!"

Mr. Fang nodded in satisfaction. That's more like it! The man is in charge of the outside world, the woman inside; the money should be managed by the wife!

After a thought, he advised her, "It's given to you, so spend it when you need to. Don't need to save for him. If he annoys you, go spend his money to buy yourself a bag. Isn't this what you young people do? They call it... a bag cures all problems!"

Lin Shu giggled. She didn't expect Grandpa Fang to be so trendy.

He even knew about a "bag curing all problems"!

Lin Shu humored Mr. Fang, agreeing, "Okay, I understand."

But she knew better. His words were just courtesies.

Although the marriage between her and Fang Zhi was largely orchestrated by Grandpa Fang, but fundamentally, it was an arranged marriage from decades ago, with relationships spanned over many years.

No matter how good Mr. Fang is to her, she's still an outsider, whereas Fang Zhi is his actual grandchild. If in the future any dispute arises between the spouses, he surely wouldn't side with her, an outsider, over his own grandchild.

This situation reminded her of when her stepmother first married into the family. Her father had said that they were now all one family, and her stepmother would treat her like her own daughter. But there was always a distance between them. That distance widened after her brother was born.

Her father, too, became more of a family with her stepmother and brother, while she felt like an outsider.

Even blood relationships could have such issues, let alone a marriage without love. She could hardly dare to harbor any hopes.

At this moment, Fang Zhi returned after serving the food and sat down next to Lin Shu again. Mr. Fang coughed once and gave Lin Shu a look, hinting at her to speak, "Now that you two have received your marriage certificate... about the wedding ceremony..."

Fang Zhi said impassively, "We're not holding a wedding."

"Did I ask you?"

Mr. Fang glared at Fang Zhi. "Little Shu, what kind of wedding would you like? Tell Grandpa, and Grandpa will arrange it for you!"

"No need, Grandpa Fang," Lin Shu said tactfully, "A wedding should just be between Fang Zhi and me. There's no need to make a big fuss. Just having the certificate is enough."

"That's not acceptable!" Mr. Fang said with a stern face, "The relatives of both families must meet at least once. And how can we not have a wedding for such a major event?"

Fang Zhi's face turned a bit cool, "I won't have time to attend."

"You little rabbit!"

Mr. Fang cursed, "You dare!"

Noticing the tension between the grandpa and grandson, Lin Shu quickly tried to mediate, "How about this? Our two families can have a simple meal together, just to meet and know each other a bit. As for the wedding ceremony..."

"Isn't it trendy now to have a traveling wedding?" Lin Shu gave Fang Zhi a look, "We can choose to travel for our wedding! It's quiet and fashionable. Isn't that right, Fang Zhi?"

Fang Zhi didn't expect Lin Shu to be on his side. Although his face remained stern, at least he responded, "Um."

Mr. Fang looked rather conflicted, but ultimately said, "Alright then, I'll ask your father when he has time."

"Let's decide after we come back from our trip," Lin Shu suggested cheerfully. "Fang Zhi and I just got married; we need to build up our bond first!"

With Lin Shu's logical remarks, Mr. Fang could not refuse. He simply said, "That's fine then. Just let Fang Zhi know where you want to go. I'll see if he dares not take you!"

Lin Shu, laughing heartily, offered Mr. Fang a spare rib, "Alright, Alright, you can rest assured!"

Thanks to Lin Shu's easy-going attitude, they all finished the meal in high spirits.

After dinner, the couple sat for a while before heading home.

On the way, Lin Shu fell into a dazed sleep, her head nodding with sleepiness. Fang Zhi glanced at her.

Lin Shu looked sweet and cute in her sleep, like a small hamster. His gaze softened, and he turned off the car radio.

Fang Zhi secretly wished Lin Shu wasn't a woman of such bad character.

With that thought, he sent a message to He Mo, "Have you talked to her brother yet? What did he say?"