That evening.

Jiang Silu was packing her things.

She placed all the design drafts and works she had created over the past few days into her bag.

Song Miaomiao, who was nearby, asked curiously, "Lulu, what are you up to?"

Jiang Silu replied, "I’m going to Suzhou tomorrow, so I’m just getting my things together."

"You’re going to Suzhou?!" Lu Yao, who was on her bed, grew excited. "Are you going to the Suzhou Gardens? Why don’t we go together?"

Jiang Silu explained awkwardly, "I’m going to visit a teacher..."

"Which teacher?" Lu Yao’s curiosity was piqued.

"It’s Teacher He Fengchun..." Jiang Silu had originally wanted to visit the teacher quietly and tell them about it when she got back.

But since Lu Yao had asked, she had no choice but to answer.

At her words, everyone was stunned.

Their professor at the university had just mentioned Teacher He Fengchun in class today.

Song Miaomiao said in amazement, "Wow, Lulu, you’re incredible! You actually managed to get in touch with Teacher He Fengchun? She’s a leading figure in Jiangnan Garden design!"

Even Liu Shiting, who was usually unfazed by grand situations, was slightly surprised. "Lulu, how did you get in touch with her?"

"I... It’s because my dad happens to be collaborating with Teacher He’s team, so he’s taking me to meet her..." Jiang Silu said in a small voice.

"Oh my god! Your dad is so influential!" Lu Yao exclaimed repeatedly. "I don’t even want to say how jealous I am, but I have to say it—your dad is seriously amazing!"

Although Song Miaomiao thought Lu Yao’s expression was over the top, she had to agree with the sentiment. She looked at Jiang Silu and said, "Lulu, I have to admit, your dad really is impressive to be able to contact Teacher He. You have to make sure you learn a thing or two from Teacher He tomorrow."

"Mhm." Seeing them constantly praise and envy her, Jiang Silu would be lying if she said she wasn’t happy.

’If I told them that Lu Fan was also the one who invited Elder Meng...’

’And that he even accepted me as his last disciple...’

’They would probably be even more envious.’

But she didn’t get carried away, instead saying, "After my visit tomorrow, I’ll see if there are any local snacks in Suzhou. I’ll bring some back for you guys."

"Okay!"

Then, Jiang Silu took her clothes and went into the bathroom.

The moment she stepped inside, Lu Yao immediately gestured to Song Miaomiao. "Miaomiao, hurry and close the balcony door."

"What’s wrong?" Although Song Miaomiao didn’t quite understand, she did as she was told.

The second the balcony door was shut, Lu Yao immediately whispered, "Hey, what do you guys think Lulu’s dad actually does for a living? He took us out for a fancy Western dinner, and he can even help Lulu connect with a teacher from the Jiangnan Garden school of thought. He’s just too influential."

Song Miaomiao replied, "How would we know? He’s probably the CEO of a big company. People like Teacher He Fengchun often help corporations with landscaping and design, so it’s not that strange for them to have connections."

"How is that not strange? Teacher He Fengchun is a top figure in the architecture industry. Any company that can collaborate with her must be a major corporation. Besides, these connections are a form of currency, and they’re very expensive," Lu Yao said, as if she was an expert on the matter.

She then looked at Liu Shiting and asked, "Shiting, does your dad’s company collaborate with Teacher He Fengchun’s team?"

Liu Shiting shook her head. "Teacher He’s team mainly focuses on landscaping and architectural design. My dad’s company isn’t in that line of business, so they don’t have any dealings."

"See? That’s my point," Lu Yao said with certainty. "This means Lulu’s dad’s company is involved in many different industries and fields. Otherwise, it’s rare for a typical company to have business dealings with Teacher He’s team."

She suddenly got excited. "Do you think we could go work at Lulu’s dad’s company after we graduate?"

"If Lulu’s dad’s company is as big as you say, we might not even be able to get in," Song Miaomiao replied.

"But we have Lulu," Lu Yao immediately suggested. "So from now on, whenever there’s good food or fun things to do, we have to think of Lulu first. When she eventually acknowledges her dad, we’ll be able to ride her coattails to success!"

Song Miaomiao and Liu Shiting didn’t say anything immediately in response to Lu Yao’s words.

But in their hearts, they agreed with her point of view.

Based on the current situation, Jiang Silu’s father was indeed very wealthy.

If they maintained a good relationship with her, it might provide some help with their careers after graduation.

However, Song Miaomiao found Lu Yao’s suggestion to think of Lulu whenever there was good food or fun to be had incredibly insincere.

’Trying to curry favor with an ulterior motive.’

Song Miaomiao felt that even if Jiang Silu never acknowledged her father and was just an ordinary girl, she would still treat her as a best friend.

’Oh wait, she’s not ordinary at all.’

’She’s beautiful and a good student.’

’And most importantly, beneath that innocent face, her figure is amazing!’

「A short while later.」

Jiang Silu emerged from the bathroom.

Just as Song Miaomiao had thought, although she was wearing loose-fitting pajamas, her curvaceous figure was faintly visible.

Compared to having a rich father, Song Miaomiao was more envious of Jiang Silu’s figure.

As soon as Jiang Silu came out, Lu Yao immediately asked, "Lulu, what time are you getting up tomorrow for Saturday? Should I get breakfast for you?"

"No, it’s fine. I’ll just grab a couple of steamed buns off-campus tomorrow. Thanks, Yaoyao," Jiang Silu said with a smile.

Lu Yao laughed. "Aww, don’t mention it! We’re all good roommates~"

Watching Lu Yao being so attentive, Song Miaomiao felt a little disdainful.

Of course, Jiang Silu had no idea what they had just been talking about.

She took out her phone, intending to set an alarm.

But then she saw a WeChat message from Jiang Sifan.

Jiang Sifan: [What’s his phone number?]

Jiang Silu naturally knew who "he" referred to.

She was a little worried her brother was being emotional, so she asked: [What’s wrong?]

Jiang Sifan: [I already know he was the one who secretly pulled some strings to get me out of trouble. I thought it was strange. Logically, I hit someone, so there’s no way I should’ve gotten out without any consequences. I should’ve been detained for a few days at least.]

Jiang Silu: [Then why do you want his phone number?]

Several minutes passed before Jiang Sifan replied.

Jiang Sifan: [To say thank you.]

Seeing that Jiang Sifan’s attitude had softened a bit, Jiang Silu breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Silu: [134XXXXXXXX]

Jiang Silu: [Be nice. He did help you, after all.]

Jiang Sifan: [I know. But I still won’t forgive him. It’s just... business is business. He helped me with this, so I should thank him. I can keep things separate.]

Jiang Silu: [Okay.]

Jiang Sifan then lay on his bed, endlessly editing a message.

He deleted it, retyped it, and deleted it again.

Finally, he hit send.

Then he closed his eyes in embarrassment and waited.

「Meanwhile.」

Lu Fan had just returned to his manor in Jinling.

He was about to go for a swim when he saw a message from an unknown number on his phone.

[This is Jiang Sifan. Mom told me that you were the one who pulled some strings to help me. For that, thank you.]

Although it was just a short message, Lu Fan smiled happily.

Just then, Jiali came to his side and said, "Boss, as per your instructions, we have successfully acquired the twenty shops on the food street at Jinling Institute of Technology. We are just waiting for the Young Master to come and pitch his accounting and tax filing services."

"Good. He’s probably suffered enough setbacks on his entrepreneurial journey these past couple of days. That should be enough."

Lu Fan nodded, then added, "Oh, right. Arrange a legal rights protection event with the teachers at Jinling Institute of Technology. Invite some well-known lawyers from various firms to hold an in-person workshop. Then, you can intentionally leak the information to Sifan so he realizes he’s been scammed."

"Understood!"

After giving his instructions, he sent a WeChat message to Jiang Silu: [I’ll be waiting for you at the school gate at nine tomorrow morning.]

Lu Fan was determined to cherish the opportunity to spend time with his daughter tomorrow, and to make her finally let go of her resentful guard against him!