There was no way this was an accident.
How could you "accidentally" crumple up a junior’s startup application into a ball?
But he did have a point.
Ever since the university began prioritizing student innovation and entrepreneurship projects a few years ago, she, as the teacher in charge of the Dual Innovation Departnt, had often received many unrealistic startup applications.
The majority of them ca from freshn.
That was why Teacher Zhu had the mbers of the Dual Innovation Departnt conduct a preliminary screening. If a project was utterly fanciful or lacked any real feasibility, it wouldn’t be eligible for the university’s startup funding or a studio.
After all, the startup funds were limited. If everyone could apply, wouldn’t so people find ways to exploit the system?
Teacher Zhu imdiately said, "I understand. Jun Jie, be more careful when you collect applications next ti. Regardless of what a student’s project is, it must co to for review. Whether it gets approved is a separate issue, but you have to respect other people’s ideas. Do you understand?"
Xu Junjie nodded. "I understand, Teacher. I’ll be more careful next ti."
"What’s your na?" Teacher Zhu asked, looking at Jiang Sifan.
Jiang Sifan answered, "Teacher, my na is Jiang Sifan."
"Alright, Sifan. Let see your startup application. If the evaluation shows that your project is viable, I’ll apply for funding and a studio from the university on your behalf," Teacher Zhu replied.
Jiang Sifan imdiately handed over the startup application.
Teacher Zhu took it, glanced at it, and then said with so surprise, "It says here you’ve already partnered with over ten off-campus stores."
"Yes, Teacher."
Her surprise turned to suspicion.
’A re freshman managed to launch a successful startup in such a short ti, and even partnered with over ten off-campus stores?’
’Who does he think he’s kidding?’
Seeing that Teacher Zhu didn’t seem to believe him, Jiang Sifan quickly took out his phone and said, "Teacher, I have the records of my partnerships with all the off-campus stores right here."
"Let’s do this. Organize all that partnership data and submit it to as a supplentary docunt." Teacher Zhu then handed the crumpled application form back to him.
Jiang Sifan took the application and replied, "Okay, Teacher."
"Alright, if there’s nothing else, you can all get back to your work," Teacher Zhu said.
Xu Junjie was about to leave, but Jiang Sifan wasn’t about to let him off the hook.
Jiang Sifan spoke up again. "Teacher, Minister Xu crumpled my application into a ball and threw it in the trash. I think he owes an apology for that."
Teacher Zhu frowned. She hadn’t expected Jiang Sifan to be so relentless now that he had the upper hand.
So she tried to smooth things over. "It’s not that big of a deal. He is your senior, after all. Just be a little more considerate of each other. It’s fine."
Finished, she turned to Xu Junjie. "Alright, Jun Jie, you can go."
"Okay." Xu Junjie glanced at Jiang Sifan, his eyes holding a trace of arrogance and provocation.
Jiang Sifan blocked his path and said again, his tone serious, "Teacher, I have my principles. If he was in the wrong, he must apologize."
"Hey, what is with you? Are you really that dense?" Teacher Zhu was starting to get angry. "This was never a big deal. Do you have to make things awkward for everyone?"
Jiang Sifan could clearly see that Teacher Zhu was siding with Xu Junjie.
’It was highly likely that Teacher Zhu herself had appointed him vice-minister.’
’The guy probably spent all his ti sucking up to her.’
’That would explain why she was protecting him even though she knew he was in the wrong.’
Jiang Sifan decided to stand his ground. "Teacher, a mistake is a mistake. If you think Minister Xu was in the wrong, he should apologize to . Unless, of course, you don’t think he was."
"What is there to be right or wrong about?" Teacher Zhu fud, planting her hands on her hips. "You’re just being difficult. If this is your personality, I don’t think you’re cut out for entrepreneurship. You’re too impetuous."
"Teacher, I believe it’s quite the opposite," Jiang Sifan countered. "It’s precisely this persistent nature of mine that makes suitable for entrepreneurship. If a person is willing to compromise and give up over every little thing, they might as well just get a regular nine-to-five job."
Their argunt started drawing glances from the other teachers in the office.
Teacher Zhu was losing face. ’If Jiang Sifan had just been a bit more polite,’ she thought, ’I might have been in a better mood and made Xu Junjie apologize.’
’But now that he’s pushed it this far, he’s basically just slapping in the face.’
So Teacher Zhu said bluntly, "I think you’re just looking for trouble. What’s your major? I’m going to have a talk with your academic advisor."
"Finance, Class Three, freshman year. My na is Jiang Sifan," he said without backing down. "Teacher, feel free to speak with my advisor. I’ll be giving them a full account of what happened here as well."
"You..." Teacher Zhu’s chest heaved with anger.
She coughed. "Fine. In that case, I’ll go find your advisor. If your advisor agrees that Minister Xu needs to apologize, then I’ll have him do so."
"Very well," Jiang Sifan said, picking up his application. "I’ll be going then, Teacher."
After speaking, he left.
Seeing his utter lack of respect, Teacher Zhu grew even more furious.
Xu Junjie rushed to her side, consoling her. "Teacher, please don’t be angry. You’ll make yourself sick. Let get you a glass of water. It’s all my fault. If I had just been a bit more careful, I wouldn’t have thrown away the junior’s application."
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