Of course, Jiang Sifan was merely curious for a moment and didn't give it much more thought.
Just as he was getting ready for bed, Jiang Sifan noticed people in the freshman group chat talking about a financial startup project.
Out of curiosity, he watched the group chat, wanting to learn more.
Yilu Xiangbei: [Starting a business is actually really simple. In this day and age, as long as you're diligent, there's no shortage of opportunities.]
Baibai: [Yeah, you just need someone to guide you.]
Jiangnan's Most Sentimental: [Haha, as it happens, a senior of mine started a company after graduating. He's looking for underclassmen with some free time to work on a campus startup project together. If any of you are interested, you can add me. I'll make the introduction, and we can split the referral fee he gives me fifty-fifty.]
Reading through the chat, Jiang Sifan was intrigued.
Even though he was only a freshman, he felt his knowledge of finance wasn't half bad.
On top of that, he was a quick learner, and he figured that with a little guidance, he could master the startup process.
Most importantly, he was broke.
He needed to earn money.
And part-time jobs, like tutoring and what not, weren't a fast way to make money.
If he could successfully launch a startup while still in school, he might be able to make money much more quickly.
At this thought, Jiang Sifan grew excited.
He quickly tapped on "Jiangnan's Most Sentimental's" profile picture, intending to ask about it.
Jiangnan's Most Sentimental quickly accepted the friend request.
Jiangnan's Most Sentimental: [Hey man, what's up?]
Jiang Sifan: [Hi, I just saw in the group chat that you mentioned your senior is looking for some underclassmen from our school for a startup project. I'd like to learn more.]
Jiangnan's Most Sentimental: [Sure, no problem. Are you free tomorrow? How about we meet at the Starbucks by the campus entrance?]
Jiang Sifan: [Okay.]
From their subsequent chat, Sifan learned that "Jiangnan's Most Sentimental" was a recent graduate named Pan Lindong.
The "old senior" he had mentioned was the owner of an accounting agency, who had also been an outstanding student at Jinling Institute of Technology back in the day.
After learning all this, Jiang Sifan felt a surge of excitement.
He even began to fantasize about achieving his dream of earning over ten thousand a month through this startup, all during his freshman year.
"Then I'll be able to buy gifts for Mom and my sister, and I can even get Huihui that iPhone she loves."
Of course, if there was any money left over, he wanted to buy a laptop for himself, too.
Lost in these fantasies, Jiang Sifan slept very soundly that night.
「The next morning.」
After class, he headed to the Starbucks by the campus entrance at the appointed time.
As Jiang Sifan walked in, a young man with glasses waved at him. "Sifan, right?"
Jiang Sifan paused for a second before it clicked. "Senior Lin Dong, hello."
"No need to be so formal. Just call me Lin Dong," Pan Lindong said with a sigh of admiration. "Wow, I didn't expect you to be so handsome, Sifan. You're a real standout."
Flustered by the compliment, Jiang Sifan became a little embarrassed. "Not at all. I think you're the one with real presence, Senior. I'm still a complete novice, so I was hoping I could learn a few things from you today."
"Whoa, 'guidance' is too strong a word, but we can definitely exchange some ideas," Pan Lindong said as he sat down. "So, Sifan, what do you know about the campus startup scene?"
Jiang Sifan was honest, admitting awkwardly, "To be honest, for the past two months, I've mostly been doing food delivery—picking up orders from the shops by the campus entrance and taking them to the different dorms."
"More recently, I started tutoring some high school seniors. As for campus startups, I don't really know anything."
After hearing him out, Pan Lindong nodded in approval. "Not bad, not bad at all. Let me put it this way: 90% of freshmen just want to party when they get to college. It's rare to find someone as driven as you."
"You're too kind, Senior Lin Dong," Sifan replied. "Honestly, I just want to earn some spending money so my mom doesn't have to work so hard."
"That's the right way to think. We're adults now, after all. It's hard to justify still relying on our parents for living expenses," Pan Lindong agreed. "I've got a good sense of your situation now. I think my senior alumnus will definitely appreciate your drive."
"That would be great!" Sifan said, getting excited. "Then please, I'll be counting on you for the introduction, Senior Lin Dong."
"Here's the plan," Pan Lindong explained. "Wait to hear from me. I'm actually heading over to his place this afternoon, so I'll tell him about you. If he agrees to let you be his agent, I'll get in touch."
"Okay, great," Sifan said, then asked curiously, "So, what does this startup project actually involve?"
"Have you heard of finance and tax outsourcing for small and micro-businesses around campus?" Pan Lindong asked.
Sifan shook his head. "Not really."
"First off, our target clients are the small and micro-businesses around campus—sole proprietorships, like bubble tea shops, print shops, snack stalls, stationery stores, barbershops, and so on."
"Then, we provide outsourced services like bookkeeping, tax filing, and tax compliance. We solve their main problems: they don't understand finance and taxes, they can't afford a full-time accountant, and they're afraid of being fined for filing incorrectly."
It dawned on Sifan. "Oh, so you basically help them with their bookkeeping and taxes."
"Exactly," Pan Lindong said with a smile. "Right now, there isn't a single campus team at Jinling Institute of Technology doing this. That's why my senior alumnus wants to develop this area. He's already got teams up and running at places like Jinling University and Jinling Forestry University, and the income is quite good, you know."
Sifan was instantly hooked, a look of envy in his eyes. "Wow, Senior Lin Dong, you guys are amazing."
"It's not me who's amazing, and it's not my senior alumnus, either. We're just ordinary guys," Pan Lindong chuckled. "We just dared to do it, to be the first. Right now, this piece of the pie at Jinling Institute of Technology is untouched. The question is whether you dare to take a bite. Of course, just wanting to isn't enough. You still need my senior alumnus to give you the green light."
Sifan grew eager. "Then I'm counting on you, Senior Lin Dong! What would you like to drink? It's my treat."
"Whoa, whoa, I'm the senior here. How could I let a junior treat me? It's on me," Pan Lindong said, shaking his head.
"No, I insist. You're introducing me to a potential boss; I have to show my gratitude. Besides, it's just a drink. It's nothing." With that, Jiang Sifan went to the counter to order and pay.
"Well, thank you then, junior."
"Don't mention it, Senior."
The more he thought about it after their chat, the happier Jiang Sifan became.
Just then, Jiang Silu sent him a message.
Jiang Silu: [Hey, does your major require a computer? Why don't I lend you mine?]
Jiang Sifan: [Aren't you a design major? You need a computer more than I do.]
Jiang Silu: [I can borrow my roommate's. We don't need to use software for drawing yet, it's all by hand. So let me lend it to you for now.]
Jiang Silu had planned to lend her laptop to Jiang Sifan.
Then, when the time was right, she would tell him that Lu Fan had given her an Alienware computer.
And then they could swap back.
But Jiang Sifan replied: [No, it's fine. You use it. I'll have my own computer soon.]
Jiang Silu: [You're getting a computer soon?]
Jiang Sifan: [Mhm, your big bro is about to make some serious money.]
Jiang Silu: [For real? I'm warning you, don't go robbing a bank. It's not worth it.]
Jiang Sifan: [...It's like I'm talking to a brick wall.]
'It's pointless to explain everything to Silu right now,' he thought. 'Once this startup takes off, my ever-so-proud little sister will be looking up to me with admiration and envy!!'