Jiang Silu didn't know what kind of game her brother was playing.
And she didn't want to know.
After all, the guy had always been a little neurotic, ever since they were kids.
After class, Song Miaomiao asked Jiang Silu, "Lulu, come on, let's go get something to eat."
"Okay."
Jiang Silu was just about to get up,
when the class president, He Haipeng, walked over.
"Silu," he said with a smile.
Jiang Silu asked, "What is it, Class President?"
"The counselor said he was looking for a first-year student with a good foundation to participate in a 'Garden Cup' competition with some of the upperclassmen, so I recommended you," He Haipeng explained.
Jiang Silu's face lit up immediately.
"Really? That's great!" Jiang Silu was majoring in landscape architecture.
The major was focused on landscape design, things like coastal landscapes, urban planning, or park design.
Jiang Silu had loved design ever since she was little.
When she was applying for her major, both Jiang Yixia and Jiang Sifan had strongly encouraged her to pursue further studies in design.
She had only been a freshman for less than two months, and being able to join a competition with upperclassmen would be a great addition to her resume and future design experience.
Seeing this, Song Miaomiao teased, "Class President, why didn't you recommend yourself?"
He Haipeng smiled. "I don't think I'm cut out for it. I saw everyone's design sketches a few days ago, and Silu's were the best. So if the counselor was looking for a first-year to help out, Silu is definitely the most suitable choice."
Hearing this, Song Miaomiao glanced at Jiang Silu. "Lulu, look how nice our class president is to you."
Jiang Silu was indeed grateful. "Thank you, Class President. I probably wouldn't have gotten this spot without you. By the way, are you going to eat? How about I treat you?"
She looked at Song Miaomiao and said, "Miaomiao, you come too. You treated me last time, and I haven't treated you back yet."
"I happen to be hungry too, so let's go." He Haipeng naturally wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to spend time with Jiang Silu.
And so, the three of them set off together.
Of course, He Haipeng desperately wanted to get rid of Song Miaomiao.
But he couldn't think of an excuse.
With He Haipeng joining them, they ended up deciding to eat at the food street just outside the campus gate.
"Class President, see what you want to eat. You order," Jiang Silu said, placing the menu in front of He Haipeng.
He Haipeng smiled. "I'm not a picky eater. It's more about what you two want to eat. You guys go ahead and order."
Song Miaomiao immediately asked Jiang Silu, "Lulu, can I get this fish?"
"Sure," Jiang Silu nodded. "Miaomiao, just order whatever you want."
Of course, Song Miaomiao wouldn't push her luck. After ordering a dish she liked, she let Jiang Silu take charge.
Jiang Silu wasn't sure what to order either. After she picked two dishes, He Haipeng took the initiative to say, "The three of us can't eat that much. Three dishes should be enough."
"Okay."
During the meal, Song Miaomiao asked pointedly, "Class President, you're always helping Lulu apply for this and that. You're way too nice to our Lulu, aren't you?"
"Ah? I... I just saw that Silu sometimes works part-time. As the class president, it's my duty to help classmates with their problems. That's why I approached Silu last time and told her to apply for the financial aid grant. But she kept refusing, saying other students needed it more than she did," He Haipeng explained awkwardly.
He was worried he was being too obvious and that Jiang Silu would realize he was showing her favoritism.
Hearing this, Song Miaomiao burst out laughing with a "PFFT."
'With a family background like Silu's, she needs to apply for financial aid?'
But she praised her out loud, "Lulu is just kind-hearted and straightforward. She passed up a financial aid grant just to give it to a student who needed it more."
"I heard from my older brother that when he was in college, some students from well-off families would shamelessly apply for financial aid. Some would get the money and immediately go buy an iPhone or an electric scooter."
Song Miaomiao looked at He Haipeng and said, "Class President, you have to keep your eyes peeled. You can't be an accomplice to evil."
Jiang Silu laughed. "Isn't that idiom a bit of an exaggeration?"
"But it's all true, Lulu! You think everyone is as kind as you are? Take our dorm... for example..."
Just as Song Miaomiao was about to say more, Jiang Silu cut her off. "Alright, Miaomiao, let's drop the subject."
Song Miaomiao knew Jiang Silu didn't want her to bring up Lu Yao, so she had no choice but to drop it.
Just as the three of them were eating, Lu Fan arrived once again at Jinling University.
Chen He reported to him, "Boss, the bodyguards protecting the Young Miss say she's at the food street right now."
"Oh? Is she eating with classmates?" Lu Fan asked.
"Yes, with a boy..."
Chen He was only halfway through his sentence when Lu Fan's brow furrowed. He immediately threw open the car door. "Let's go. Come with me and take a look."
When he arrived at the entrance of the small restaurant where Jiang Silu was eating, he was speechless. "Isn't there another girl here?"
"Boss, I wasn't finished. I was going to say it was a boy and a girl," Chen He explained helplessly.
"You're usually so fast with everything, impeccably so. But today your words are a beat too slow," Lu Fan grumbled.
His assistant, Jiali, laughed from the side. "The boss is worried the Young Miss is on a date with a boy. Chen He, you'd better watch your pacing next time."
"Right." Chen He could only nod, looking as pitifully wronged as a 220-pound child.
Lu Fan thought Jiali had a point.
He really was worried about Jiang Silu dating some other boy.
She was only a freshman, after all. Some boys, especially sophomores and juniors, would approach first-year girls under the guise of being helpful.
Over time, it was easy for the girls to be moved by the attention.
And then they would naturally end up as a couple.
Lu Fan normally couldn't be bothered with this common campus phenomenon.
But things were different now. His daughter was a student here.
If she was tricked by some punk kid's sweet talk, then he, as her father, would not be merciful.
As Jiang Silu and her friends were eating and chatting, she noticed Lu Fan standing at the entrance.
Her expression grew a little tense.
Seeing Lu Fan looking at her with a constant smile, she stood up and said, "You two eat first. I'll be right back."
Seeing this, He Haipeng quickly turned to look.
He saw that the middle-aged uncle had appeared again.
At the side, Song Miaomiao grew curious. "Huh? Who's that uncle? Why is he looking for Lulu out of the blue?"
He Haipeng explained, "I heard Silu say before that the uncle is a colleague of her mom's."
"How come I've never heard that? Didn't Silu tell me she doesn't know any adults in Jinling?" Song Miaomiao asked, confused.
As soon as she said that, He Haipeng's heart clenched with nervousness.
'Could it be... could Silu have lied to me?'
'That man isn't some friend of her mom's.'
'Could it be...?'
The image of a greasy, middle-aged man keeping a college girl as his mistress flashed through He Haipeng's mind once again.
As for Jiang Silu, she walked out of the restaurant, frowned, and looked at Lu Fan. "Why are you always able to find me?"