canteen.

As soon as Zhou Meiling entered the cafeteria, Sun Jie, who was waiting at the door, pulled her to sit down beside him.

The table was already set with food: minced meat and tofu, a free dish of pickled vegetables, and four steamed buns.

The tofu didn't look appetizing at all. This reminded her of the tofu she had bought on the train.

"Sun Jie, didn't I just tell you? You don't need to wait for me to eat or get my food for me. What's the meaning of you getting my food?"

Ignoring her unpleasant expression, Sun Jie took a bite of his steamed bun.

"I just wanted to eat with you. The tofu looks delicious today. I know you don't like pickled vegetables, so I ordered this tofu. It's on special today, only a dime for such a big lunchbox."

We can reheat the leftovers from lunch and eat them at the next meal, which I think is a good deal. These steamed buns are also on sale; they're leftovers from yesterday. Buy two and get two free—a great price!

If we eat like this every day, our food expenses won't be much in a month. That way, I can take you to see the movies you like.

Zhou Meiling had seen thrifty classmates before, and she certainly believed that thrift was a virtue. However, she simply couldn't bring herself to be so frugal, considering that they had a long future together. She reached out and snatched the steamed bun from his hand.

"Have you thought about what I told you last time? The cafeteria is hiring students to clean, and when I asked, they said they'd pay them meal tickets instead of wages."

Sun Jie's expression darkened. There was no one around, so he put down his chopsticks.

"I could never do that kind of lowly work. If you want to do it, then come and do it."

"I'm not doing that anyway; I'm going to do big things in the future."

He knew from a young age that only by studying hard could he eat well. So he worked harder than his siblings, all so that he could live the life he dreamed of.

"You're a man, spending my money on food all day long, don't you want to lighten my burden?" Zhou Meiling retorted angrily. She really couldn't understand why he would rather eat the worst food than earn money. What was he thinking?

Sun Jie didn't want to lose his long-term meal ticket, so he held her hand and said, "Actually, I'm just too proud to admit it. We used to be first or second in the class, and we were always the center of attention wherever we went."

"You've just arrived at university and you're already making me work in the cafeteria? Everyone'll laugh at me. That'll affect my mood, how can I possibly study well?"

Zhou Meiling: "If you can't do the cafeteria job, then you can tutor. In short, you can't keep relying on my living expenses."

I don't know what your parents are thinking. Do they think they can get rid of responsibility just because they sent you to university?

I only received half of the tuition fee, and I didn't have a single penny for living expenses. I don't have much money left in my pocket.

There are still more than two weeks left, I can't possibly ask my parents for money now, can I?

Sun Jie considered his family's situation. Even if he asked for money, he knew he wouldn't get much. It would only make them laugh at him. He had sworn this upon receiving his acceptance letter.

I must make something of myself in this life, and show them that I'm not just someone who takes money and lives off others.

"Tutoring jobs aren't something you can just find whenever you want. I'll think about it when a suitable opportunity comes along!"

Zhou Meiling felt a lump in her throat and couldn't eat the food. She stood up and said, "I'm going back to my dorm to rest. You eat by yourself!"