Chapter 241 - 176: A Big Surprise for Silu: Covering a Female Star’s Appearance Fee

Chapter 241: Chapter 176: A Big Surprise for Silu: Covering a Female Star’s Appearance Fee

Jiang Sifan was shocked. He asked in disbelief, "Boss Zhou, did I hear you right?"

Boss Zhou gave an embarrassed smile. "You heard me right. After you left, another group of people came to promote this so-called bookkeeping and tax filing service. And they’re even cheaper than you."

Jiang Sifan’s eyes widened. "Are you saying someone else is also in this business?"

"That’s right. And he said he’s your senior from school," Boss Zhou explained.

Hearing this, Jiang Sifan found it strange. "My senior? What’s his name?"

"Sorry, I can’t tell you that. After all, this is a business deal between me and someone else," Boss Zhou replied.

Jiang Sifan could only nod and leave.

’My senior...’

’Could it be that all the shop owners who were interested yesterday were poached by someone else?’

To test this theory, Jiang Sifan went to the other shops.

Sure enough, their stories were all consistent with what Boss Zhou had just said.

They had all signed contracts with this "so-called" senior.

This made Jiang Sifan furious. He had no idea where this gang of "seniors" had come from.

Just as he was about to head back to school, he saw Xu Junjie and his group coming out of a shop, holding a stack of documents.

He was looking at the shop owner enthusiastically, then waved goodbye.

Jiang Sifan suddenly recalled what the shop owners had said earlier.

And Xu Junjie deliberately flaunted it in front of him.

He walked up to Jiang Sifan and said with a smile, "Sorry, Sifan. I discovered I have a knack for entrepreneurship too, so I guess we’re in fair competition now."

"Compete my ass," Jiang Sifan said angrily. "You’re blatantly stealing my business idea! I’m going to report you to the professor!"

"What’s there to plagiarize with this stuff? If you can do it, why can’t I? It’s not like you can have a monopoly." Xu Junjie mocked, "Running to the professor over every little thing. You’re like a grade-schooler."

With that, he waved his hand and, just before leaving, added a deliberate provocation, "Someone like you wants to make big money? Forget it. Don’t even bother."

This made Jiang Sifan grit his teeth in anger.

But there was nothing he could do. According to the shop owners, this Xu Junjie was a full third cheaper than him.

He returned to their office, feeling discouraged and wondering how to solve this.

Just then, Wen Wan came back and saw Jiang Sifan slumped over the desk, looking upset.

She immediately walked over and asked, "Class President, what’s wrong?"

Jiang Sifan told her what had happened today.

When Wen Wan learned that Xu Junjie had poached their clients with extremely low prices, her face filled with anger. "That guy is just too much."

"There’s nothing we can do. The guy’s prices are too low," Jiang Sifan said helplessly.

Wen Wan asked, "Should we lower our prices too?"

Jiang Sifan shook his head. "No, we can’t just blindly lower our prices. Last time, we didn’t set our own principles and bottom line, and we just kept compromising. We need to learn our lesson this time. Besides, if we lower them any more, we’ll make far too little. We’re already working ourselves to the bone in this early stage. It wouldn’t be worth it."

"Then how are they making money? They’re charging so little, but they still have to spend the manpower and energy to do all this. Unless they’re not in it to make a profit," Wen Wan said, confused.

Jiang Sifan replied, "That’s their goal. Xu Junjie just wants to crush us, that’s why his prices are so low. Because of our past dispute, his parents came to school. They work at the courthouse, so their income is definitely high. He comes from a well-off family, so he’s trying to use money and time to bleed us dry."

He looked at Wen Wan and said helplessly, "Isn’t this just like the recent price wars between the big tech companies?"

"Then what do we do?" Wen Wan started to panic.

Jiang Sifan could only say, "There’s not much we can do. We just have to focus on providing the best service and make sure our current clients don’t get poached."

"Okay! We’ll work hard!"

Wen Wan didn’t tell Jiang Sifan that she had borrowed money from Lu Fan.

She was worried Jiang Sifan would get angry, especially since he was already overwhelmed by this situation with Xu Junjie.

After accepting the five thousand yuan from Lu Fan, Wen Wan didn’t transfer all of it to her mother.

She only sent the six hundred yuan her mother had asked for.

Mrs. Wen hadn’t expected Wen Wan to come up with the money so quickly. She took this as a sign that Wen Wan actually had plenty more, so she shamelessly said, "Wanwan, the New Year is coming up. Why don’t you send a little more? I need to go buy some things for the holiday."

As Wen Wan listened to her mother’s words, she recalled the advice Lu Fan had just given her.

She steeled herself and replied, "Mom, Dad can’t work right now. He’s bedridden. We should save every penny we can. I’m not having an easy time at school, either. This is all money I borrowed, and I’m working really hard."

"How can you talk to your mother like that? Do you think I don’t have it hard? Haven’t I worked myself to the bone all these years raising you and your two siblings? Now that something’s happened to your father and he can’t earn money, you say something like this. You’re breaking my heart," Mrs. Wen grumbled.

Wen Wan immediately faltered. "Mom, that’s not what I meant. I just think we should save wherever we can and try to get through this tough time. Things will be better once Dad’s back injury heals."

"But we’re in the countryside. What are we supposed to do if relatives drop by for the New Year and we haven’t bought anything? We can’t just have them sit around cracking sunflower seeds, can we?" Mrs. Wen said, exasperated. "Fine, fine. You don’t have to worry about all this for me. Just send some money back if you have it."

After hanging up, Wen Wan felt miserable.

In truth, she didn’t care how hard she had to work or how tired she was, as long as her family was doing well.

All she ever wanted was a single word of concern from her family, but not one person asked how she was doing at school, if she was happy, if she was enjoying herself.

Instead, it was her classmate’s father, Uncle Lu, who seemed to care more about her.

Her partner, Class President Jiang Sifan, was also constantly looking out for her feelings.

At this thought, her eyes began to well up.

She secretly wiped away her tears.

At that moment, Jiang Sifan, who was reconciling their accounts, noticed Wen Wan’s mood out on the balcony.

He immediately went over to comfort her. "Wen Wan. What’s wrong?"

"It’s... it’s nothing," Wen Wan said, shaking her head.

But Jiang Sifan could tell her mood was just like last time.

’Needless to say, her mom must have asked her for money again.’

So, Jiang Sifan took the initiative and said, "How about this, I’ll transfer you a thousand yuan tonight. You can use it for now."

Wen Wan shook her head, then looked at Jiang Sifan with a guilty expression and confessed, "Class President, I’m sorry."

"What’s wrong? Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?" Jiang Sifan asked.

Wen Wan explained, "I ran into Uncle Lu at the library today."

"He came to Jinling Institute of Technology?" Jiang Sifan was a little surprised.

"Yes. He said he was discussing something with the school administration about setting up a startup fund. He also told me that our venture would definitely meet the criteria and that we’d have a chance to apply for a grant," Wen Wan replied.

Although Jiang Sifan was still indifferent towards Lu Fan, he hadn’t expected him to come all the way to the school to establish a fund.

’No matter what, this was a good thing he was doing. A lot of students struggled with startup capital.’

Jiang Sifan was puzzled. "But that’s a good thing. Why are you apologizing?"

"After Uncle Lu learned about my situation, he took the initiative and transferred five thousand yuan to me, telling me to pay him back later. I was afraid to tell you," Wen Wan answered in a small voice.

Hearing this, Jiang Sifan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He ruffled Wen Wan’s hair. "You silly girl, what was there to be afraid of telling me? He’s loaded. If you borrow money from him, you don’t have to worry about the repayment date."

"But... but I was afraid you’d..." Wen Wan whispered.

"I can see the bigger picture and have a strong sense of right and wrong. While it’s true I don’t like him, he is, after all, my father. I just don’t want to have any emotional connection with him. If he’s genuinely helping you, I’m actually very grateful," Jiang Sifan explained.

Hearing Jiang Sifan say that, Wen Wan breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Jiang Sifan added, "But your mother asking you for money again and again... that’s not a sustainable solution. You have to take a firm stance and refuse her at least once. Otherwise, no matter how much money you make, your pockets will always be empty. You need to keep some for yourself as a safety net."

Wen Wan nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Class President."

"Alright, let’s not worry about it anymore. I’ll take you back to your dorm."

"Okay. But what about the business?"

"It’s fine. I’ll think of something."

Now it was Jiang Sifan’s turn to comfort Wen Wan.

He didn’t want the business troubles to affect her mood.

On the way back to her dorm, the weather was getting colder, and the wind was picking up.

As they rode the electric scooter, the cold wind stung their faces.

Jiang Sifan said caringly, "Bury your face in my back. That way the cold wind won’t hit you."

Hearing this, Wen Wan did as he said.

She gently pressed her face against Jiang Sifan’s back.

Although the wind was still bone-chilling, the warmth from his back was comforting.

Leaning against his back, Wen Wan’s face gradually grew flushed.

She even began to wonder, ’Is this what it feels like to be in love?’

’She’d never dated before, but this was how it always looked in the TV dramas.’

’If only it could always be just the two of us.’

This was Wen Wan’s wish at that moment.

「At the same time.」

Chen He told Lu Fan about Xu Junjie poaching the shops.

Lu Fan asked with amusement, "What was Sifan’s reaction?"

"He was definitely furious when he first heard the news, but he didn’t cause a scene. He just went on with his business, heading back to the office to continue reconciling the accounts," Chen He replied.

Jiali then asked, "Boss, should we...?..."

Lu Fan immediately shook his head. "No need. Let him handle it himself."

"But if this continues, all of his clients will be poached," Chen He said with some concern.

"I believe he’s capable enough that they won’t all be poached. Besides, if they really are, it might be a good thing. It’ll be a good opportunity for him to learn that business isn’t so easy," Lu Fan replied calmly.

"If he can’t even handle a small situation like this, how can he ever do great things? Although my companies and groups are run by professionals like you from every field, he is, after all, my future successor. I won’t be at ease if he doesn’t have any real-world experience and proven ability."

After hearing this, Chen He nodded in agreement. "You’ve thought this through very carefully, Boss."

But Lu Fan then instructed Jiali, "However, you should keep an eye on things. Don’t let him get bullied too badly. Step in and help him if you have to, but don’t let him know it was us."

"Understood," Jiali said with a nod.

Chen He couldn’t help but sigh. "If the Young Master knew about your painstaking efforts, Boss, he would surely be moved one day."

"I don’t know if that kid will be moved or not. I just hope he doesn’t repay my kindness with hatred." Lu Fan smiled. "But even though the boy hates me, when it comes to major issues of right and wrong, his rational side takes over. He doesn’t let his emotions rule him. That much is very good."

After dealing with Jiang Sifan’s matter, Lu Fan put on a Sun Yanzi song.

Suddenly, he looked up and asked Jiali, "By the way, does Yanzi have any concerts coming up? If not, let’s just have her come to our house. We’ll book her for the whole day. Let my daughter spend some quality time with her idol, fulfill her dream."

"I’ll get right on it," Jiali said, nodding immediately after understanding Lu Fan’s intent.