Chapter 541: Lu Fan Takes Jiang Sifan to Buy a Car! First Car!

Lu Fan looked at his son and smiled. Turning to the salesperson, he asked, “A white 3 Series. Do you have any in stock?”

The salesperson nodded eagerly. “Yes, we do. We have one white 325Li M Sport package in stock, equipped with the winter package and Comfort Access.”

“We’ll take it,” Lu Fan said.

“Dad!” Jiang Sifan scrambled out of the car, looking anxious. “Three hundred and twenty thousand! You really don’t need to buy something this expensive. A car worth just over a hundred thousand is more than enough for me.”

“If you buy a car for a hundred thousand and want to change it in three years, you’ll lose seventy to eighty thousand in depreciation.” Lu Fan looked at him, his tone calm. “If you drive this one for three years and want to sell it, you can still get over two hundred thousand for it. You do the math—which one is the better deal?”

He knew it was hard for Jiang Sifan to accept such an expensive car right away, so he had to resort to this tactic. Sure enough, Jiang Sifan opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words.

Standing nearby, Wen Wan gently tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “Class Rep, Uncle Lu makes a good point.”

Jiang Sifan looked at Wen Wan, then at Lu Fan. Finally, he sighed and nodded.

The salesperson beamed and hurried off to process the paperwork.

Jiang Sifan stood beside the car, staring at the white 3 Series. He couldn’t quite describe how he felt. He loved it, that much was true. But he also felt genuinely guilty about spending so much money.

“Stop overthinking it.” Lu Fan walked over and patted him on the shoulder. “This car is for you to use, not just to look at. Driving it well is the best way to do it justice.”

Jiang Sifan looked up at Lu Fan, his eyes slightly red. “Thank you, Dad,” he choked out.

“Alright, alright, don’t get all sentimental on me,” Lu Fan chuckled. He turned to Wen Wan. “Wen Wan, what do you think of this car?”

Wen Wan blushed and said softly, “It’s very pretty.”

For two college freshmen used to living ordinary lives, a BMW 3 Series was already the absolute ceiling of luxury. Lu Fan smiled at her response.

Once the paperwork was finished, the three of them left the BMW dealership.

Jiang Sifan walked in the back. He glanced over his shoulder at the white 3 Series in the showroom, then down at the order form in his hand. White, 325Li, three hundred and twenty thousand.

Suddenly, he smiled.

“What is it?” Lu Fan glanced back at him.

“Nothing.” Jiang Sifan shook his head, still smiling. “I just realized I’ve never driven a car this nice in my entire life.”

“You’ll drive even better ones in the future,” Lu Fan laughed. “When your studio grows bigger, I’ll buy you a 7 Series.”

Jiang Sifan nodded, carefully folding the order form and tucking it into his pocket.

They got into the car. Chen He started the engine, and they headed in the direction of the university.

Sitting in the backseat, Jiang Sifan leaned against the window, watching the streetscapes roll by. Wen Wan sat beside him, her hands resting on her knees, her fingers slightly curled. Jiang Sifan reached out and took her hand.

Wen Wan glanced at him. She didn’t say anything, but a smile touched the corners of her lips.

“Wen Wan,” Jiang Sifan called out softly.

“Mhm?”

“Once I pick up the car, I’m taking you for a spin first.”

Wen Wan’s face flushed. Looking down, she whispered, “Okay. Just drive carefully. You haven’t had your license for very long, so don’t go too fast.”

“Don’t worry, I’m a very steady driver,” Jiang Sifan said with a grin.

Sitting in the front, Lu Fan glanced at them through the rearview mirror. He smiled to himself and stayed quiet.

The car first pulled up outside the girls’ dormitory. Wen Wan stepped out, waved goodbye to Jiang Sifan and Lu Fan, and turned to enter the building.

The car then drove over to the boys’ dormitory. Jiang Sifan got out. He stood by the car, looking at Lu Fan.

“Dad, are you heading back to Yangcheng?” Jiang Sifan asked.

“Yes, I still have business to attend to tonight.” Lu Fan nodded.

“Have a safe trip, then.”

“Will do,” Lu Fan said with a smile. “You can pick up the car the day after tomorrow. I’ll have Chen He come pick you up then.”

“Okay.” Jiang Sifan nodded.

Lu Fan gave a nod and rolled up the window.

Jiang Sifan turned and walked toward the dormitory. After a few steps, he stopped and looked back. Lu Fan was still sitting in the car, watching him. Jiang Sifan waved once more before turning and entering the building.

Lu Fan leaned back against his seat and smiled. “Let’s go. To the airport,” he told Chen He.

The car started and drove out of the campus.

Lu Fan recalled how Jiang Sifan had looked sitting in the driver’s seat of the 3 Series today—his hands gripping the steering wheel, eyes shining brightly, and a huge smile on his face. The boy loved the car; he could tell. He was just too embarrassed to say it out loud.

Lu Fan smiled and closed his eyes.

Back in his dormitory, Jiang Sifan lay on his bed. He pulled the order form out of his pocket and looked at it over and over again. White, 325Li, three hundred and twenty thousand. He placed the paper next to his pillow and stared up at the ceiling.

Gao Lao stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hair. Seeing him lying on the bed grinning like an idiot, he asked curiously, “Sifan, what are you smiling about?”

“Nothing.” Jiang Sifan shook his head, but he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face no matter how hard he tried.

Qiu Zai popped his head out from the top bunk. Looking down at him, he teased, “Did Sifan get himself a girlfriend? He’s smiling like a total fool.”

“You’re the fool,” Jiang Sifan shot back, glaring at him.

Sitting on his own bed, Brother Ming pushed up his glasses and said slowly, “His dad bought him a car. A BMW.”

The towel in Gao Lao’s hands nearly dropped. “A BMW? Seriously?”

“Seriously.” Jiang Sifan nodded. He tried to keep his tone calm, but he couldn’t hide his smugness.

“Holy shit!” Gao Lao lunged over and snatched the order form to get a closer look. “A 3 Series! Sifan, your dad is awesome!”

Qiu Zai leaped down from his bed and crowded in to look, muttering, “Three hundred and twenty thousand. Sifan, you’re really taking off now.”

Brother Ming walked over as well. He inspected the order form and nodded. “It’s a good car. You just got your license, so be careful when you drive.”

“I know.” Jiang Sifan snatched the paper back, folded it up, and tucked it away. He laughed and said, “Stop staring at it. I haven’t even picked up the car yet.”

“Take me for a spin first once you get it,” Gao Lao said, patting his shoulder.

“Why should he take you first? I called dibs,” Qiu Zai argued indignantly.

“Stop arguing, you two. He’s definitely taking Wen Wan first,” Brother Ming said unhurriedly.

Jiang Sifan blushed. Instead of replying, he rolled over and pulled his blanket over his head. Gao Lao and Qiu Zai exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

The lights were turned off, and the dormitory fell silent.

Lying in the dark, Jiang Sifan slipped his hand into his pocket, tracing the edges of the folded order form. The edge of the paper was a bit sharp, but it didn’t hurt.

He thought back to the BMW showroom today, remembering the tone Lu Fan used when he said, “You’ll drive even better ones in the future.” It hadn’t been patronizing. It hadn’t been a flex. It was just a very ordinary, matter-of-fact tone. As if a son driving a nice car was the most natural thing in the world.

He rolled over and buried his face in his pillow.

The pillow felt a little damp.