Reborn Rich: Prices Dropped, My Savings Didn't novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Clearly a Show for Him

"Cecilia Sterling, I don’t know the exact details of what’s going on, but I want you to know that deep down, I believe you’re a good student."

"But if the contents of this report are true, the university will have to stop your student aid."

Cecilia Sterling nodded in understanding. "Thank you for your trust, Director Lawson," she said.

Her expression then turned serious as she looked at John Lawson again. "The report is indeed true, but I need to correct one thing. The stipend I receive from the university isn’t for underprivileged students, nor is it a scholarship."

"Director Lawson, you should be aware of this. The university specially recruited me for Lorcain Tech because of my excellent college entrance exam scores. The admissions office even came to my hometown in Veridia. At the time, the school gave me twenty..."

She stopped herself before the word "thousand" could slip out. "...a twenty-yuan special recruitment bonus," she amended, "and promised a monthly living stipend of fifteen cents after enrollment. This stipend was a condition of my special recruitment, a promise made to me by Lorcain Tech’s admissions office."

"My family isn’t wealthy, but we’re not so badly off that I’d need to apply for aid for underprivileged students. My stipend and that kind of aid are two completely different things."

Director Lawson nodded. He was, of course, aware of all this.

However...

"Cecilia, I certainly understand what you’re saying. But someone has filed a report, and you’ve admitted its contents are true. Think about it. You’re using luxury goods while still receiving a school stipend. If word of this gets out, it’s bound to trigger a strong reaction from students who are struggling financially. That’s especially true online. People on the internet won’t bother to look into the details; they’ll just mindlessly attack you and the university. This is a complete disaster just waiting to happen, isn’t it?"

He sighed again. "I’m just thinking of you. Lorcain Tech has many students in dire financial straits, and the number of aid packages is limited. Many are on a waiting list and never get a spot. If you’re still receiving a stipend under these circumstances, you’ll become a public enemy at this school."

Director Lawson spoke with painstaking earnestness, and Cecilia could tell he was genuinely looking out for her.

Besides, the dean’s office had surely given Director Lawson his orders. Even if he didn’t want to, the matter was likely already set in stone.

"Director Lawson, I can give up the stipend. But it must be my choice to forfeit it, not have it canceled by the university. That’s the point I want to make."

Cecilia didn’t really care about the stipend itself. The 1,500-yuan monthly living allowance she used to receive had certainly made her university life much easier.

But things were different now. The paltry fifteen cents a month was meaningless to her, but she knew that stipend slot, reallocated to a student from a poor family, could make a huge difference in their life.

So, she was willing to voluntarily give up the stipend, but she had to be clear about the principle of the matter.

The moment Director Lawson heard Cecilia agree to give up the aid, he stopped caring whether she forfeited it or the school canceled it; that was just a procedural detail. He nodded quickly. "Good. I’ll take care of it. It’s just... Cecilia, you..."

He looked at Cecilia, hesitating, as if he wanted to ask something but feared he might phrase it poorly and misjudge her.

She had just said her family wasn’t wealthy, yet she had also admitted to the fact that she wore luxury items.

She was beautiful, and as her advisor, John Lawson was deeply worried she might have succumbed to worldly temptations and gone down the wrong path.

But at that moment, he truly didn’t know how to bring it up.

As perceptive as she was, Cecilia knew what was worrying the director. She smiled faintly, her expression calm. "Director Lawson, please don’t overthink it. I would never debase myself for money."

John Lawson gave an awkward laugh, but for some reason, he believed her. "Alright, I won’t ask any more questions. But like I’ve said, if you ever have any trouble, you must tell me right away."

Cecilia nodded, said goodbye to Director Lawson, and left.

She didn’t even have to think about it to know Cindy Underwood was the one who reported her, but she truly wasn’t bothered by it.

’On second thought,’ she mused, ’with my current net worth, still collecting a fifteen-cent monthly stipend from the school would sound pretty bad if it got out. I just got back and hadn’t thought about it. Otherwise, I would have given it up myself so it could benefit someone who needs it more.’

’She’s deliberately trying to provoke me!’

Shawn Lane slowly exhaled, trying to calm himself down. ’Estelle was right. I can’t be so impulsive anymore.’

’Besides, the only reason Cecilia would try to provoke me like this is because she still has feelings for me. She still cares!’

Having collected himself, he was about to go over and apologize to Cecilia for his words and actions last night when a figure suddenly lunged at him, roughly yet affectionately latching onto his muscular arm.

An excited, coquettish voice followed.

"Shawn!"

Shawn Lane instinctively took half a step back, but he froze when he saw who it was. An expression of surprise crossed his face. "Bea... Beatrice?"

Beatrice Lynn was beaming, bouncing on her feet as she clung to Shawn Lane’s arm. "Surprised?"

"You... What are you doing here at Lorcain Tech?" Shawn was genuinely shocked.

Beatrice Lynn was the granddaughter of his maternal grandfather’s old friend. He used to visit his grandfather’s house often during winter and summer breaks, so he had known Beatrice since they were kids.

But his grandfather and the Lynn Family were in Veridia. How could she possibly be at Lorcain Tech?

"Hehe, I tested in!" Beatrice said proudly. "I’ve been on campus for a few days already. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to surprise you, but Lorcain Tech is so big I couldn’t find you anywhere. I can’t believe I finally ran into you today."

"I’m in the Astronomy Department, too! That makes you my upperclassman now!"