what event opens the story ?

The novel opens with Mr. Lockwood, who is renting Thrushcross Grange, reflecting on his first meeting with his landlord Mr. Heathcliff. He shares that Heathcliff in none too social and describes his farm as unfriendly and foreign. We learn a bit about Wuthering Heights, including the meaning of its name (stormy and windy), and we also learn that even though Lockwood is surprised by Heathcliff's rude and assuming arrogance, he is drawn to him none-the-less. Heathcliff is somewhat of a mystery, he's a curiosity.