Ge Chenchen constantly looked in the mirror, applying skincare products to her face, arms, and long legs, all the while complaining, "This fourteen-day military training has darkened my skin. I wonder how much time and how many cosmetics it will take to get it back to how it was."
Li Lanrong was chatting on her phone, a smile playing on her lips. "I’ve got great news for everyone. After military training ends and before classes officially start, we have a three-day holiday. Girls, where do you plan to go?"
Shen Xiyu spoke excitedly, "Let’s go explore Modu! We’ve been here so long but haven’t really had the chance to look around. Who’s in favor and who’s against?"
Ge Chenchen was the first to raise her hand. "I’m in favor! Hee hee, I’m a Modu local, so I can be your guide."
Li Lanrong also raised her hand. "I’m in favor too. I want to see the ocean."
"I’m also in favor!" Gao Xin said.
"Then I’m in favor too," Zhang Zhe added. "I want to see the ocean, too."
Shen Xiyu looked at the hesitant Xia Zhijin and asked, "Zhijin, what about you?"
Xia Zhijin looked indecisive and said weakly, "I have other plans tomorrow and won’t be able to join you."
"Why not? This is our first group activity!" Shen Xiyu asked, puzzled.
Xia Zhijin hesitated, unsure how to explain. She had just received a message from Li Yuan asking her to prepare to attend company interviews with him tomorrow.
As Li Yuan’s "administrative assistant," she certainly couldn’t refuse, especially since she was already receiving a salary advance from him.
Seeing Xia Zhijin hemming and hawing, Shen Xiyu suddenly stood up, came to her side, and asked with a grin, "Zhijin, come on, spill it. Did Li Yuan ask you out for tomorrow?"
Xia Zhijin’s face instantly flushed crimson, and she nodded shyly.
Seeing this, Shen Xiyu sighed dramatically. "It’s over. Our dorm has produced someone who prefers a lover to friends."
"Xiyu, Chenchen, it’s not like that," Xia Zhijin hastened to explain. "It’s because Li Yuan has something important to do tomorrow, and I have to go with him."
Ge Chenchen asked curiously, "What could be so important?"
Remembering Li Yuan’s warning, Xia Zhijin stubbornly refused to say.
Ge Chenchen chuckled teasingly. "Alright then. The five of us will go. You go be with your boyfriend."
"It’s not like that," Xia Zhijin explained, her voice a faint, unconvincing whisper...
After her roommates had gone to bed, Xia Zhijin opened her laptop, logged into her QQ email, and downloaded all the resumes Li Yuan had sent. She began reading through them carefully.
They’re all so impressive, with extensive work experience. Some even served as president of the student council at their universities. Li Yuan asked me to look them over carefully for the interviews tomorrow, but what am I supposed to do? Just look at them? I’m only a freshman. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for me to be interviewing these seniors? If I ask him directly, will he think I’m stupid for not being able to handle something so simple?
As Xia Zhijin stared at the resumes in her email, her mind was a muddle, completely unsure of what to do.
Back in high school, although she had worked part-time, it was only simple jobs like washing dishes and cleaning, or working as a cashier at a supermarket.
She had even learned how to use a computer from Li Yuan. After two weeks of practice, she had just gotten the hang of it and could handle basic functions in Word and spreadsheets.
After much hesitation, Xia Zhijin finally mustered the courage to send Li Yuan a message.
"Li Yuan, am I just supposed to look these over? Is there anything else I need to do?"
After sending the message, she felt extremely nervous as she waited for his reply.
She didn’t have to wait long; a new message from Li Yuan arrived almost instantly.
"Zhijin, you just need to look them over. The headhunting company will take care of the rest. Of course, if you want to learn, you can try making a spreadsheet. List all twenty candidates, and then set up some scoring criteria. That will make it easier to score and take notes during the interviews.
"Also, you can go to the campus copy shop tomorrow morning and print two copies of these resumes. We’ll need them for the interviews."
Seeing Li Yuan’s detailed reply made Xia Zhijin feel anxious, afraid she wouldn’t do a good job.
"Li Yuan, I’ll do my best."
"I’d rather you just be happy. I make good money, you know. I can support you."
Xia Zhijin blushed. Over the past two weeks, Li Yuan had chatted with her every day and often brought milk tea and snacks to her dorm after military training ended.
Through her interactions with Li Yuan, Xia Zhijin’s shyness and fear had faded significantly. She could feel that he genuinely liked her...
"I... I don’t need you to support me. I can do it myself."
"Mhm, my Zhijin is the best. After the interviews, let’s go grocery shopping and cook together."
"Okay... but we can only cook. No funny business."
"Zhijin, what kind of ’funny business’ would I do? I’ve always been a perfect gentleman."
"But... but the other day, you..."
"I was just afraid your hands were cold, so I held them. Next time, I will definitely ask for your permission first."
"Li Yuan, I’m... a little scared."
"Zhijin, what are you scared of? I’m right here with you. I can beat up all the bad guys. Especially those sycophants who keep pestering you; I’ll punch them every time I see one."
"It’s... it’s you I’m afraid of."
...
The following day, in the spacious apartment at Jinxiu Villas, Li Yuan wore a brand-new suit. He was impeccably dressed and even sported a fashionable hairstyle.