Chapter 3

"Mr. Tang, this document needs your signature. Also, Professor Lin will be here at three o'clock this afternoon. What do you think?" Tang Lin's secretary knocked on the door, then came in and asked softly beside Tang Lin.

Tang Lin reached out to take the document, glanced through it briefly, and then signed her name swiftly. She handed it back to the secretary and said, "Notify Xiao Li to prepare the car immediately. I will go to the airport to pick up Professor Lin myself!"

"Yes!" The secretary nodded and turned to leave.

"Ring—"

The phone on Tang Lin's desk rang. She picked it up and was stunned after hearing just one sentence: "You said someone named Xiao Fan is here to see me?"

"Yes, Mr. Tang. He also said he is your classmate and met you two hours ago!" The receptionist on the other end said respectfully.

"Alright, I know. Have him wait a moment, I'll be right out!" Tang Lin hung up the phone, a hint of confusion appearing on her face as she muttered to herself, "Didn't Xiao Fan already go to Jiangzhou? Why is he back?"

Putting down the phone, Tang Lin stood up, straightened her clothes, and then walked out. She soon arrived at the reception area and saw Xiao Fan sitting quietly on the sofa opposite the reception desk.

"Xiao Fan? Oh! In just a moment, your hair is shorter, and you've changed your clothes?" Tang Lin walked over and said with a smile.

"Yes, my previous appearance was indeed too strange, so I had to change. Otherwise, it would be uncomfortable to be pointed at all the time!" Xiao Fan stood up, came over, and said with a smile.

"However, your ancient costume look was quite good, with a unique charm!" Tang Lin smiled and then asked curiously, "By the way, why did you suddenly come back to see me?"

"It's like this. I checked, and my parents are no longer in the country; they are now in the United States. So I plan to go to Jiangzhou to find our dorm leader, Zhang Feiyang, to help me get a passport for going abroad. But I don't have enough money for the trip to Jiangzhou, so I came back to ask you for a bit more!" Xiao Fan said very calmly.

"The train ticket to Jiangzhou costs at most 200 yuan, the bus ticket at most 300 yuan, and even the plane ticket wouldn't exceed 800 yuan. I gave you over 1,000 yuan, which should be enough!" Tang Lin's fine eyebrows furrowed as soon as she heard Xiao Fan's words, and her clear voice became slightly cold.

Considering Xiao Fan's current 'situation' and his refusal of her 'help,' Tang Lin naturally regarded Xiao Fan as someone who was lazy and unwilling to work, always asking others for money to live. The common problem with such people is that once they see someone who is soft and easy to borrow from, they will shamelessly use all kinds of excuses to borrow more and more money, borrowing without returning.

Although Tang Lin didn't think she lacked money, her money wasn't just blown in by the wind; she had earned it bit by bit. Facing someone she hadn't seen in five years who asked for money as soon as they met, Tang Lin felt that she had already given Xiao Fan enough face by lending him money. She didn't expect Xiao Fan to want to borrow more, and even to become more demanding, which made Tang Lin find Xiao Fan really disgusting!

Seeing Tang Lin's face turn cold, Xiao Fan sighed and said, "Tang Lin, you might have misunderstood. I can't buy any bus, train, or plane tickets because I don't have an ID card. A taxi to Jiangzhou would cost at least 3,000 yuan, so I had to come back and ask you for more money..."

"Come back and ask me for more money, is that it?" Tang Lin didn't become more understanding because of Xiao Fan's explanation; instead, her expression towards Xiao Fan became even colder and more hateful.

Come on, who doesn't have an ID card these days? How could you not have an ID card?

Even if you want to get money from me, can't you at least come up with a decent excuse? For example, saying you lost your ID card would be fine. But using such a clumsy excuse really makes me feel like you're treating me like a fool.

"Xiao Fan!" Tang Lin looked at Xiao Fan with a disappointed gaze and said coldly, "I really didn't expect you to turn out like this, talking nonsense. What about not returning for five years, your family going to the United States, and going to Jiangzhou? I think it's all a lie. I really misjudged you. The money I lent you before, I'll consider it a mistake, like giving alms to a beggar. Now, please leave immediately. I won't give you another cent. If you don't leave, I'll call security!"

Xiao Fan was speechless. He opened his mouth to explain but suddenly shook his head, smiled bitterly, and turned to leave.

At this point, explaining was useless. Staying here any longer would only add to his troubles.

"Hmph!"

Tang Lin looked at Xiao Fan's back and let out a heavy cold snort from her upturned nose, her beautiful face full of disdain.

Just then!

An elderly man with a kind face, neatly combed hair, and a scholarly demeanor walked in. Seeing Tang Lin, he immediately smiled, "Mr. Tang!"

"Professor Lin, you, weren't you supposed to arrive at three o'clock? How did you get here so early? I just said I would pick you up myself, but I didn't expect you to already be here!" Seeing the elderly man, Tang Lin was stunned, and the coldness on her face instantly disappeared, replaced by a look of great joy.

"Ha, don't mention it. My silly daughter bought the wrong ticket for me. It was 6 o'clock, not 9 o'clock, so I came a bit early!" Professor Lin chuckled.

"It was my oversight. I should have called you to confirm earlier!" Tang Lin said apologetically.

"No problem. I've been to Huahai City before, so I'm familiar with it. I took a taxi directly from the airport, which wasn't a hassle. There's no need for you to pick me up!" Professor Lin said with a smile.

"Alright!" Tang Lin said with a smile, "Then, Professor Lin, please come in. I'll take you to the meeting room to rest and have some tea before we discuss the issues!"

"Sure!" Professor Lin smiled.

"Professor Lin, please come in!" Tang Lin said warmly.

"Please!" Professor Lin smiled and, surrounded by Tang Lin and others, walked in while talking and laughing.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Fan pondered for a moment, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

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Xiao Fan watched this scene, pondered for a moment, and then turned to leave without saying anything more.