Chapter 3

A few days later, the school began accepting applications for financial aid.

I filled out the materials and submitted them, but before long, they were rejected.

When I heard the news, I couldn't help rushing to the office.

"Professor, I'm in financial difficulty.

I've been working part-time jobs and meet the poverty criteria.

Why was my application rejected?"

The professor didn't look at me. She lifted her teacup, took a sip, then set it back down.

The office was silent. No one answered me just the sound of fingers tapping on keyboards.

This dismissal gave me an ominous feeling.

I stepped forward and repeated myself clearly and loudly:

"Professor, why wasn't my financial aid application approved? What's the reason?"

The professor finally looked up. She adjusted her glasses, a contemptuous smile on her face.

"Miss Iris, at this school you need to learn how to be a decent person first. If someone's morals are rotten, good grades won't help!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone in the room. I felt a chill run through me. "What do you mean by that?"

"Iris, your mother just called personally.

She transfers you twenty thousand dollars every month.

Do you know what twenty thousand means?

How many people work half a year to earn that much!

How dare you claim to be poor!"

I opened my mouth to defend myself.

"My parents transfer twenty thousand a month, that's true, but the money stays in the bank card. They won't tell me the PIN, so I..."

"Miss Iris, please stop making excuses. Wrong is wrong.

You're an adult don't you have the courage to admit it?"

Sweat dripped from my forehead onto my faded shirt.

I clenched my fists. "You can check my spending records, my bank statements.

I really..."

"Enough! You're a student with higher education how can you be so shameless!

Now please leave and stop taking up spots meant for students who actually need help."

"Also, I'm informing you that the financial aid will be given to Lily instead."

A wave of cold swept up my spine.

"Why? Lily travels, shops, and watches movies all the time---she lives better than most students. What qualifies her for financial aid?"

The professor slammed her desk.

"Because Lily's mother works as a housekeeper in your home! Her family has it hard. That alone qualifies her for the aid---not someone like you!"

In the office, everyone's eyes fixed on me---disdainful, mocking, gleeful. Several phones quietly pointed in my direction.

I don't remember how long I stood in that office. Finally, another professor took pity on me and said quietly, "Student, just go. If you keep arguing, you'll only hurt yourself."

Back in the dorm, when I greeted my roommates, the one I was closest to turned away, her tone cold:

"Iris, I never thought you'd be this kind of person. You're clearly rich but kept crying poverty in front of us. Pay back the money I lent you as soon as possible."