SWNOVELXO Chapter 11:
Chapter 11: The Interview:
After receiving the system notification, a sly smile surfaced across Wang Zhenxing’s face. He wasn’t genuinely interested in photography or blackmailing Feng Qianqian; he merely wanted to intimidate her.
In truth, Feng Qianqian couldn’t be sure whether he had actually recorded anything during their time together. It had been her first experience, and she had been both shy and deeply immersed in the moment, with her eyes closed most of the time. She had no way of knowing what he might have done.
Moments later, a new message popped up on his phone.
“What anime do you usually like to watch?” Feng Qianqian asked.
Baffled, he replied, “I don’t have time for that.”
“Surely you’ve watched some anime before? Just name a few,” she pressed.
After thinking for a moment, he replied with a list: “Calabash Boy, Popeye, Sailor Moon.”
Feng Qianqian stared at his response in shock. These weren’t the kinds of anime she was expecting. She was a fan of cosplay and had attended numerous conventions during college, dressing as various beautiful female characters from popular shows. However, she had never cosplayed any characters from the anime he mentioned. Still, she recognized the names and understood their significance.
“Who’s your favorite character from Sailor Moon?” she asked, narrowing her options.
“Shui Bingyue,” he replied after a brief pause.
“I see,” Feng Qianqian responded cryptically.
“Why are you asking me these weird questions?” he asked, confused.
“Just curious,” she replied. “Don’t worry, I won’t disturb you anymore.”
Without explaining further, Feng Qianqian ended the conversation and immediately searched online for a Shui Bingyue cosplay costume. After purchasing it, she spent hours shopping for dozens of high-quality socks in a variety of styles and colors, from mid-calf to thigh-high stockings. By the time she was done, her eyes were sore, but she felt a sense of relief.
She had been genuinely frightened by his earlier threat and felt the need to appease him. Though she lacked experience in relationships, she had picked up a few strategies from friends and online advice. Now was the time to put them into practice.
“If I fulfill my duties perfectly, why would my ‘boss’ have any reason to target me?” she thought.
…
Meanwhile, Lin Keqing had just finished her evening routine when she received a call from Zhenxing Group. The caller informed her that she had been shortlisted for an interview scheduled for the next day. Overjoyed, she eagerly agreed.
…
The following morning.
Lin Keqing dressed simply and took a bus to the headquarters of Zhenxing Group. When she arrived at the Human Resources Department, she found dozens of applicants already gathered in the hall. Among them were both men and women, with women making up the majority. Most appeared to be in their thirties.
Lin Keqing, in her early twenties, stood out as one of the youngest. Typically, a position like secretary to the president required significant work experience, making it rare for fresh graduates like her to apply.
Feeling nervous, she glanced around. The men in the room exuded confidence, with sharp eyes and professional attire—clearly seasoned elites. She felt inferior when comparing herself to them in terms of qualifications.
Turning her attention to the women, she noticed many were exceptionally attractive, though most relied on heavy makeup to enhance their looks. Some even dressed boldly, their intentions unmistakable. In contrast, Lin Keqing had only applied some basic facial cream that morning. Though naturally beautiful, she blended into the crowd of polished appearances.
She also wore loose-fitting clothes that hid her good figure, further diminishing her presence. Seeing the competition, Lin Keqing felt a wave of doubt wash over her.
“How can I possibly stand a chance against all these people? I don’t have the looks, the experience, or the confidence,” she thought, growing increasingly disheartened.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a heavily made-up woman approached her. “You just graduated, didn’t you?” the woman asked.
“Yes, how did you know?” Lin Keqing replied, surprised.
“It’s obvious. You didn’t put any effort into your appearance, which screams ‘no work experience.’” The woman smirked.
“But isn’t the position of secretary to the president more about ability than appearance?” Lin Keqing asked earnestly.
The woman chuckled condescendingly. “Haven’t you heard the saying? ‘The secretary handles things when there’s work to do, and…’ Well, you get the idea.” She gave Lin Keqing a knowing look.
Lin Keqing flushed with embarrassment. She had heard such remarks before and even worried about them when Feng Qianqian first mentioned the position. “But this is Zhenxing Group,” she said uncertainly. “It’s a reputable company. Surely that kind of thing doesn’t happen here?”
“Oh, sweetie, you’re so naive,” the woman sneered.
Before Lin Keqing could respond, a manager entered the hall. He wore a sharp suit and carried an air of authority. Glancing around the room, he made an announcement: “Anyone dressed inappropriately, please leave now. You will not proceed to the next stage of the interview.”
His words caused an uproar among some of the women present. “What’s wrong with how we’re dressed?” one protested.
The manager’s tone grew sharper. “Do you think this is a low-level company? This is Zhenxing Group, and we’re looking for highly competent secretaries. If you’re dressed like you’re at a nightclub, it’s clear you don’t understand the professionalism we expect. Do you think you can seduce the president into hiring you?”
The room fell silent, save for a few grumbles of discontent.
“For your information,” the manager added, “the previous secretary to the president was a man. So put away your delusions.”
His words silenced the remaining protests. Most of the women dressed provocatively left in defeat, while a few shamelessly stayed behind, hoping for a chance. The manager didn’t hesitate to call them out by name, forcing them to leave as well.
In a matter of minutes, the crowd thinned significantly.
Lin Keqing let out a sigh of relief. “So this is a legitimate company,” she thought.
Her earlier worries about unprofessionalism now seemed silly.
She felt ashamed for doubting the company’s integrity, especially after receiving help from Mr. Wang in the past. It was clear he wasn’t the type of person to take advantage of others.
“Why did I even think like that?” she chastised herself silently.
Although she still doubted her chances of being selected, Lin Keqing resolved to see the process through. At the very least, it would be valuable interview experience. Calming her nerves, she waited patiently for her turn.
…
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