300 gems = bonus chapter
*******
Although Ferdinand did not understand the housing market, he somehow managed to buy the very apartment where Shang-Chi lived.
That evening, Shang-Chi returned home after another long shift washing dishes at the Continental Hotel. He was preparing to discuss next month's rent with his landlord, only to find a stranger already waiting in his living room.
Startled, Shang-Chi tensed, his instincts immediately on alert. "Who are you?" he demanded, eyes narrowing.
He could not shake the suspicion that this visitor had been sent by his father. Sometimes, a child's intuition is sharper than he realizes.
John smiled, producing a crisp property deed from his coat pocket. "Your new landlord," he replied.
Shang-Chi stared, dumbfounded. "I'm… still renting?"
He frowned, recalling the law: as long as a tenant remains, the property cannot be sold out from under them. Yet here he was, facing a new owner.
John, undeterred, said, "I'm happy to keep renting to you. For me, this is just a casual investment, not a place to live."
He glanced around the modest apartment, nodding in approval. "It's not a bad place."
Shang-Chi, who had learned a bit about people from his time working, eyed John warily. "I can pay more if you want," he offered quickly. He was used to this neighborhood and did not want to move. "I've applied for a scholarship recently, too."
John looked amused. "Oh? So you're good at your studies, on top of martial arts."
He shook his head, a hint of sympathy in his tone. "I have to be honest—even if I don't evict you, with your current income, you'll be forced to find somewhere cheaper in two months. You just can't afford this rent."
He paused, then added, "But as it happens, a friend of mine and her nephew live nearby."
John's smile turned thoughtful. "If you're willing to tutor her nephew in your spare time, I'll cut your rent in half."
Shang-Chi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?"
The rent was already a heavy burden, forcing him to take on dishwashing shifts at the hotel. He had grown attached to this place and did not want to leave. Suddenly, it felt as if fortune had dropped a pie right into his lap.
But just as he reached for it, caution returned. He hesitated. "Just tutoring?"
John shrugged. "If you'd rather not, I can keep charging you the full price."
"No, it's not that!" Shang-Chi said quickly, worry in his voice. "It just seems… like a big loss for you."
He had been raised in the world of the Ten Rings, and he knew better than to trust a free lunch.
John grinned. "Don't you ever read financial magazines?"
Shang-Chi faltered. "I… I don't, really."
John sighed, almost theatrically. "Then let me introduce myself properly."
He tapped his chest with one finger. "John Wick. Not long ago, I acquired Hammer Industries. If you don't know Hammer Industries, I suggest you brush up on New York's major companies."
Shang-Chi's jaw dropped. He did not fully understand, but he was impressed all the same.
John continued, "I'm not telling you this to brag about my wealth. I just want you to understand that buying an apartment on a whim is nothing unusual for me. Your rent is about as significant to me as the cost of a single dinner."
He smiled, letting the point sink in. "You're overthinking it. I don't eat pie for dinner; I eat lobster."
Shang-Chi was left speechless, his mouth opening and closing without a sound.
"I've given you your options," John said, glancing at his pocket watch. "Do you need three minutes to decide?"
"No, I don't need it," Shang-Chi replied quickly. "Thank you for helping me out."
"You're welcome." John closed his watch with a snap. "Just pay your rent on time each month."
He stood and gestured for Shang-Chi to follow. "Come with me."
"Why?" Shang-Chi's wariness returned.
John rolled his eyes. "How else would you know where my friend's house is?"
"Oh. Right." Shang-Chi flushed with embarrassment and hurried after him.
*****
May's house was only a street away from Shang-Chi's apartment. When John knocked on the door, May answered, wearing a loose yellow camisole and looking a little sleepy.
She blinked in surprise, then smiled. "John? What brings you here?"
Realizing her attire, she quickly excused herself and disappeared inside, returning moments later in long pants.
"Come in," she said, ushering them inside. She glanced at Shang-Chi. "And who's this?"
John turned to Shang-Chi. "What's your name again?"
"Sean, Mr. Wick," Shang-Chi replied, using the name he'd adopted for himself.
John nodded. "Sean is my tenant—he lives just down the street."
May smiled warmly. "Hello, Sean."
For a moment, Shang-Chi was painfully aware of how mature and beautiful May was. He could not quite meet her eyes, especially not with her camisole.
John looked around May's cozy home. "Where's Peter?"
"He went out with his friend, Ned," May replied.
At the mention of Ned, John remembered the boy. He turned to Shang-Chi and patted his shoulder. "Sean's grades are excellent. He goes to Midtown High and has agreed to tutor Peter with his homework."
John added, "Even if Peter doesn't need it, it'll be good for him to have another friend."
Shang-Chi stiffened. It sounded a lot like being a study companion, which felt a little awkward.
May's eyes lit up. "Midtown High? Peter loves that school and wants to go there—he calls it the American Hogwarts."
Shang-Chi felt even more nervous as May's enthusiasm bubbled over.
Just then, the door burst open. "May, we're back!"
Peter entered, carrying a Lego set he had built with his friend. As soon as he saw John, his face lit up. "Mr. Wick!"
Ned, a chubby boy with a center-parted hairstyle, froze in awe when he recognized John.
"Come on, Ned, this is Mr. Wick," Peter said, ushering his friend forward.
Ned's eyes went wide. "John Wick! I saw you in Vanity Fair!"
John smiled and waved. Ned, still clutching his Lego creation, edged closer.
John patted Ned's shoulder, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I don't have a fancy gift for you, but I'll give you a motto."
Peter and Ned looked at him expectantly.
John reached out and poked Ned's side, making the boy laugh and double over. The Lego creation slipped from his hands, crashing to the floor and scattering pieces everywhere.
The boys stood frozen, staring at the ruins of their hard work.
John said, "Never trust someone too easily. Now you can build something even bigger—with your new friend."
He turned to Shang-Chi. "Sean, say hello to your friends and help them rebuild."
Shang-Chi hesitated, but May gave him an encouraging nod. He joined Peter and Ned, and together they began picking up Lego bricks from the floor.
May shook her head, smiling behind her hand. John Wick could be utterly childish when he wanted to be.
That evening, the three boys rebuilt the Lego set, laughing and talking as they worked. Ned, having learned his lesson, made sure to never build his creations outside the house again.
Working together, the three quickly became friends—united by one common, slightly terrifying demon king: John Wick.
*******
Don't forget to donate gems.