7: Chapter 7 Ma Yuan
The classroom for the Principles of Marxism course was already packed. Jiang Chen and Wang Hao hunched over as they slipped in through the back door.
Just as they found an empty seat near the back and sat down, Professor Li—who wore black-rimmed glasses and was known as the "Old Witch"—looked up from the podium and scanned the room.
“The two students who just came in, find your seats and sit down. Don't disrupt the classroom discipline.”
Wang Hao shrunk his neck in fear and hurriedly stuffed the breakfast bag in his arms into the desk drawer, whispering to Jiang Chen, “Scared the life out of me. Luckily, the Old Witch didn't call our names, otherwise we'd both be finished today.”
“By the way, I grabbed a random book for you. Just make do with it; it's not like you'd take notes anyway.”
Wang Hao casually pulled out a book and handed it to Jiang Chen.
“My son is so thoughtful.”
Jiang Chen chuckled softly and opened the textbook.
“Get lost, Jiang Chen! You're trying to take advantage of your father, aren't you?!”
“If you say so.”
Professor Li's classes were always known for being strict, but today, perhaps because she was in a good mood, she didn't start by reading from the book. Instead, she tapped on the blackboard and asked a question with a smile.
“Everyone knows Marx talks about capital and value. So let me ask you, in your eyes, what does the ‘first pot of gold’ mean? Is it a number, a sense of confidence, or an opportunity to change your life?”
The classroom went silent for a moment, followed by scattered murmurs of discussion.
Some said it was capital for starting a business, some said it was the seed money to realize a dream, and others scratched their heads and said it was just being able to buy things they wanted.
Professor Li's gaze slowly swept across the room, finally landing on the calm-looking Jiang Chen, and she nodded slightly.
“The student in the last row who just came in, you tell us.”
Jiang Chen was slightly startled, then stood up with a straight back, his voice clear and steady.
“Professor, I think the first pot of gold is more than just wealth; it's the power of choice! It's the power to choose without staring at the price list and hesitating for ages when buying breakfast; it's the power to choose without watching your family suffer while being powerless to help; it's the confidence to make life better and better.”
As his voice fell, the classroom was silent for a few seconds, followed by a burst of light applause.
Professor Li showed approval in her eyes and raised her hand to signal him to sit down.
“Well said. Very practical and very thorough. The essence of capital has always been to serve people, not to let people be trapped by capital.”
This 8:00 AM class broke away from its usual dullness as Professor Li combined real cases like current college students' part-time jobs, entrepreneurship, and family pressure.
She made the stiff theories vivid and down-to-earth, occasionally throwing out interactive questions and small debates. Even the students who were originally drowsy perked up, and laughter and discussion filled the classroom.
Jiang Chen listened exceptionally intently. The principles between the lines actually resonated perfectly with his current state of mind.
As soon as the bell rang, Wang Hao immediately leaned over, munching on a chicken leg until his mouth was greasy, and said indistinctly.
“Chenzi, you were so cool just now! The Old Witch actually didn't snap at you; she even praised you! By the way, I've seen you quite busy lately. Did you really make money? Buying me a luxury breakfast and acting all mysterious... you didn't win the lottery, did you?”
Jiang Chen looked at his wolfing-down manner, a smile appearing in his eyes, and reached out to pat his arm.
“I made a small fortune. By the way, Haozi, those seven thousand yuan—I'll transfer them to you now.”
Wang Hao's movement of gnawing the chicken leg paused, and he hurriedly waved his hand. “Hey, it's no big deal! You don't need to rush to pay me back. I have enough living expenses. We're brothers, after all!”
They had been high school classmates and had supported each other all the way to university.
When things happened at Jiang Chen's home and he was at his most desperate for money, Wang Hao had always cared for him and brought him breakfast.
Knowing he had no money for food and was too embarrassed to borrow, Wang Hao would often take him to the cafeteria for the cheapest set meals, protecting Jiang Chen's small amount of self-esteem.
Jiang Chen knew clearly that Wang Hao's family background was also just ordinary; that ten thousand yuan had been squeezed out from his own savings through frugality.
After lending it to him, Wang Hao had never once taken the initiative to mention paying it back.
He didn't say anything more, directly took out his phone, opened the transfer interface, and his fingers moved quickly.
“Ding—”
Wang Hao's phone immediately rang with a notification. He picked it up to look, and his eyes instantly widened. The chicken leg in his mouth almost fell to the ground.
“Holy crap! Jiang Chen, why did you transfer eight thousand? You only owe me seven thousand. Return the extra thousand immediately, I don't want it! I know your family's situation right now; Uncle's hospitalization costs money. I absolutely cannot take this money. Withdraw it quickly!”
Wang Hao's face turned red with anxiety, his finger already hovering over the return button, about to act.
Jiang Chen immediately pressed his hand down, his gaze serious and firm without a trace of joking, his voice steady enough to put one at ease.
“It's not too much, and there's no need to return it. That thousand is to treat you to food and drinks. Thanks to you helping me and staying with me through it all. Just take it.”
Wang Hao stared into Jiang Chen's eyes for a long while. He couldn't see any sign of trying to act tough or the embarrassment of someone pretending to be rich; there was only solid reliability and determination.
Wang Hao opened his mouth, but in the end, all his words of refusal were stuck in his throat, turning into a heavy sigh as he slapped Jiang Chen's shoulder hard.
“Fine, I'll take this money. I won't say much more, but if you ever need me for anything in the future, just say the word!”
Having settled one matter on his mind, Jiang Chen felt even more relieved.
He walked to a corner of the corridor outside the classroom, and after confirming no one was around, he opened the WeChat chat box with his mother.
On the screen, the messages still remained on what his mother had sent yesterday. Between the lines, there was nothing but exhaustion and helplessness; his father was seriously injured and hospitalized, and the entire burden of the family was on his mother alone.
Jiang Chen took a deep breath and entered 10,000 yuan in the transfer amount.
Without any hesitation, he clicked to confirm the transfer.
A prompt for a successful transfer popped up.
The next second, his mother's video call came through, her voice carrying obvious panic and disbelief.
“Chenchen? You... you just transferred ten thousand yuan to Mom? Where did you get so much money? Didn't we just pay for your dad's examination fees yesterday? Are you doing something foolish out there?!”
His mother's voice was both urgent and fearful, carrying a sob.
She knew her son's situation too well. He was frugal at school, reluctant to even buy a new piece of clothing. How could he suddenly produce ten thousand yuan?
Jiang Chen quickly steadied his voice, his tone gentle yet firm, patiently comforting his mother.
“Mom, don't panic. This money came from a legitimate source. It's the first bit of money I earned from a reliable project I've been doing lately. It's clean, so you can use it with peace of mind.”
“Yesterday's examination fee was just for the emergency. Keep this ten thousand for the subsequent treatment and nursing fees. Don't be stingy with it, and don't try to carry everything yourself.”
He was afraid his mother would worry, so he didn't go into detail about the gold, just found a reasonable excuse and guaranteed over and over that the money was safe.
“Earning three thousand yuan a month is too hard for you. Don't stay up late working overtime anymore. If your health collapses, who will take care of Dad? Now that I can make money, I'll take care of the family's affairs.”
On the other end of the phone, his mother was silent for a long time, followed by suppressed crying.
It was a cry of grievance, a cry of finally being able to breathe a sigh of relief, and a cry of seeing her son finally grow up and be able to support the home.
“Okay... okay... Mom knows. Chenchen has grown up, grown up...”
Listening to his mother's crying, Jiang Chen's nose felt sore, but he still comforted her with a smile.
“Mom, this is just the beginning. I'll earn more money in the future, get Dad's illness cured, and let you live a good life.”
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Chen leaned against the wall of the corridor and looked up at the sunlight outside the window.
The sunlight was warm and gentle, spilling over him, feeling very cozy.
Seventy-five thousand. He paid back eight thousand to his brother and transferred ten thousand to his mother. The remaining money was enough for him to complete his original accumulation of capital.
Wang Hao ran out of the classroom and slapped his shoulder. Seeing his slightly red eyes, he didn't ask much, just grinned.
“Chenzi, let's go. Lunch is on me today. Order whatever you want from the best dishes in the cafeteria!”