As a rule, pretty much all freshmen have to take 8 a.m. classes.
Jiang Sifan was no exception.
After finding out last night that Lu Fan was his biological father, he had been too angry to sleep the entire night.
He could have shown up at any point, but he just had to appear now that Sifan was an adult and had no need for a so-called father.
Anyone in his position would be furious.
So, naturally, Jiang Sifan was completely distracted during his 8 a.m. class.
Fortunately, he was usually a diligent student and always came to class prepared. A single distracted lecture wouldn't be a major setback.
Just before class ended, the professor announced, "Oh, by the way, if any of you haven't bought a laptop yet, you can use the computer lab to do your assignments."
With that, he dismissed the class.
Those words stuck with Jiang Sifan.
Lately, he'd been borrowing his roommate's computer to do his assignments, with the occasional trip to the computer lab.
But that wasn't a sustainable solution in the long run.
When the semester first started, Jiang Yixia had wanted to buy him a laptop.
But Jiang Sifan had refused, saying it was too expensive. He argued that his first semester would be focused on foundational knowledge and he probably wouldn't need a computer.
His original plan was to work a part-time job this semester and slowly save up enough to buy one for himself.
But ever since he started dating Huang Hui, his expenses had shot up.
As a result, his savings had dwindled to almost nothing.
The situation left Jiang Sifan in an awkward position.
Just then, after class, Huang Hui found him.
The moment she saw him, she said excitedly, "Babe, where are we eating today? I heard from Kaelin that a new Thai place opened downtown. It sounds delicious."
Jiang Sifan sounded a bit weary as he replied, "Huihui, how about we don't go out for now? I think eating at the dining hall is perfectly fine."
Hearing this, Huang Hui knew he must be running low on spending money.
She could only nod. "Alright then, let's go to the dining hall. But I didn't bring my meal card, so I'll have to use yours."
"Okay."
On the way to the dining hall, Jiang Sifan decided to tell Huang Hui what had been happening.
"Huihui, actually, something's been going on with my family these past couple of days…"
Jiang Sifan had barely gotten the words out when Huang Hui impatiently pulled out her phone and said excitedly, "Babe, I heard the new iPhone 17 has a ton of new features! It just came out, and the camera is supposed to be amazing."
"Is that right?" Jiang Sifan forced a smile. "It must be really expensive, then?"
"Not really, it's about the same as the last one. Lots of people are buying it—it's already sold out online! I don't really like the standard version, though. The specs aren't as good as the Pro," Huang Hui explained.
"Are you thinking of getting a new phone?" Jiang Sifan asked, a little surprised. "I thought your parents just bought you this one when you graduated back in June?"
"Ugh, I've had this phone for months, and I never liked it to begin with." Huang Hui started to complain. "My dad was being cheap and insisted on getting me this Redmi phone. Now, after just a few months, it lags like crazy and the pictures look terrible."
"I actually think your phone is fine. There's no real need to replace it. But if you really want a new one, I support you," Jiang Sifan replied.
Huang Hui's face lit up. "So you support me getting a new phone? That's great! But I don't have enough in my allowance… Aren't you still working that part-time job? How much have you saved up? Could you maybe… chip in a little?"
Jiang Sifan hesitated. "Actually… most of the money from my job has gone toward our dates recently."
Huang Hui got a little angry. "What do you mean? We haven't spent that much money on our dates. You make it sound like I'm just a freeloader."
"Huihui, you misunderstood. That's not what I meant," Jiang Sifan said. "It's just that when we're together, our spending naturally goes up, and I haven't been asking my mom for allowance."
"Why aren't you asking your mom for money?" Huang Hui asked, not understanding. "You're just a freshman. Don't tell me your mom has cut you off already."
Jiang Sifan grew flustered. "How could she not care about me? I'm the one who doesn't want to ask her for money! I'm worried it'll be too much of a burden on her. After all, she raised me and my sister all by herself."
"Fine, fine, I get it," Huang Hui said, her expression souring. She fell silent after that.
Seeing her reaction, Jiang Sifan felt a surge of resentment himself.
'She can blame me all she wants, but she can't talk bad about my mother.'
'Besides, Huang Hui's phone still looks brand new, and now she wants to switch to an even more expensive new iPhone.'
Jiang Sifan suddenly realized that their views on spending were worlds apart.
'Are all girls like this in college?'
'At least, his sister Jiang Silu wasn't.'
He was working two part-time jobs now. After covering his own living expenses, he could still save a little.
But he was saving all of it to buy a laptop.
But now Huang Hui had suddenly brought up wanting a new iPhone. If he didn't offer to help, she would probably call him inconsiderate.
It put him in a very difficult spot.
Meanwhile, Jiang Silu and her classmates were walking back to the dorm after class when a delivery driver called her phone.
"Hello, is this Jiang Silu?"
"Speaking."
"This is SF Express. I'm downstairs at your dorm, Hailan Dormitory. Is it convenient for you to come grab a package? Otherwise, I can leave it with the security guard."
"I'm almost there. Please wait a minute."
After hanging up, Jiang Silu picked up her pace.
But as she walked, she thought it over. 'I haven't ordered anything online recently.'
'That's strange.'
'Could it be a surprise from Mom?'
At that thought, she couldn't help but walk even faster.
"Hello~" Jiang Silu said with a smile as she approached the delivery man.
"Jiang Silu?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Okay, please sign here."
Jiang Silu looked at the large box in surprise. "Why is it so big?"
"Couldn't tell you," the delivery man said. After getting the signature, he rode off on his tricycle.
Her friend, Song Miaomiao, grew curious. "Lulu, did you order this?"
"I didn't buy it. I'm guessing my mom sent it," Jiang Silu explained.
She immediately returned to her dorm room, eager to open the package.
While she was doing so, her other roommates, Liu Shiting and Lu Yao, also returned.
Lu Yao saw Jiang Silu opening the box and smiled. "Silu, did you find some great deals online again? Are the Double Eleven sales starting already?"
Song Miaomiao answered from the side, "It's from Lulu's mom."
Hearing that, Lu Yao lost interest.
She probably figured it was just some snacks from her hometown.
But in the next moment, Jiang Silu pulled a cosmetics set out of the box.
Then, she pulled out a Chanel handbag.
Followed by an expensive down jacket.
At this sight, Song Miaomiao was stunned. Her eyes went wide as she asked, "Oh my god, Lulu, your mom sent you all this amazing stuff?"
Jiang Silu was just as stunned. She had no idea why her mother would buy her such expensive cosmetics and a designer bag.
Lu Yao, who was standing nearby, noticed as well. She pointed excitedly at the bottom of the box. "Oh my god, is that an iPhone 17?"
Jiang Silu looked down. An original, sealed box for an iPhone 17 was resting quietly at the bottom.