"Good afternoon. I'm here to apply for the assistant position in the online ad. Where should I submit my papers?" Bernice Wang looked like a man, and sounded like a young man.
As to how she did it? She previously worked as a DJ in a radio station as a part time job when she was still in college.
They did not lack money at that time. It was almost just a hobby for her.
Back then, she successfully modulated her voice, even her laugh, into a male voice. Every listener thought that it was a deep voice belonging to a handsome man. She had hundreds of fan letters, all of them from young girls.
This skill had been useful to her this time.
A couple of hours ago, she called her best friend, Damien So, who is a graphic artist, to replace her name and gender in all her credentials.
Before the documents can even cool down from printing, she hurried to go back to Li Telecom.
She was directed towards the human resources department. She was surprised to be interviewed by the head of the department.
"Mr. Wang, we cannot keep the position empty for a long time. That's why we decided to proceed with the interview to determine if you are suitable for the job."
"Oh, alright. I hope you could deem me suitable for this job." She smiled subtly.
"Okay. It says here that you recently lost a job. How did that happen?"
"Well, I had disclosed my former employer in my documents, and as everyone knows, the company just declared bankruptcy. They even had yet to give my last paycheck." She pretended to feel a bit wronged.
"Ah, yes...well, are you single?"
Bernice Wang in disguise slightly frowned. 'What does her being single matter to this job?' She took a breath and politely answered, "Yes, I am."
"Can you be on call during weekends?"
She hesitated a bit before answering, "Yes, sure...of course."
"Is your social life important?"
"What?"
The head of human resources replied with eye contact.
Bernice Wang immediately pulled herself. "It's basically a non-existent part of my life." She answered with a smile.
"How's your temper?"
"I think that I had put up with a lot of difficult people before."
The head of human resources nodded. "Can you make coffee?"
"Huh! I'm pretty confident that I can make a mean cup of coffee."
"Good!" He stood up and offered his hand. "You're hired."
Bernice Wang gaped. 'That's it?!'
She could not believe that she landed this high-paying job.
Before the offered handshake become awkward, she took it enthusiastically and thanked the man thoroughly.
"Alright. You can start tomorrow. Be at the CEO's office first thing in the morning. Time in at the lobby is at seven."
"Noted, Sir. I will do my best. Again, thank you for giving me an opportunity to be a part of Li Telecom." She bowed before bidding goodbye.
The head of human resources stared at the young man until his figure went out the door.
'Well, another fine young man will be ruined. Hmmm...just how many days could that fresh face endure?' he thought.
.
Bernice Wang happily went to the supermarket after coming from the company.
With the little amount of money she had, she decided to buy some groceries before heading home. She will just buy more after she got her first paycheck. She could not wait to serve her father and uncle a delicious meal.
.
Carrying few bags of grocery items, she walked towards the front door of their home. She was about to reach for the keys in her bag when the door opened before her.
"Uncle Ethan!" she exclaimed.
"Welcome back, Bernie!" Ethan Wang started calling her with her old nickname she had when she went for a vacation in the province.
His eyes twitched a little to see the short hair she was sporting. He nonetheless reached out to help her carry the bags she brought home.
"Why do you buy so much? We can still manage with the produce I brought from home. You need to keep some money for yourself." his voice was happy but filled with worry.
Truth was he could only bring as much local produce from his garden after she called for him. It would only be enough for about a week. He was starting to worry how they would survive the following weeks. That is why he was relieved to see groceries, but worried about his niece.
That morning after she left for her job hunting, he had started to plant some vegetables in the backyard.
"Uncle, don't worry. I just got the job and I will be starting tomorrow!" she reported, full of excitement.
"Really? That's great! Good job on your interview! I always knew you could get the job!" Ethan Wang praised his niece. If his son did not die, he would be the same age as her.
"Of course! I have good genes!" she winked at him while grinning.
"Silly child. Your talents are what make you excel."
She laughed. "Right, right..."
Then Ethan Wang looked like he remembered something. "Bernie, your hair...is it required for work?" He still thought it was a pity for her to cut her long wavy jet black hair.
She laughed awkwardly. "Well...sort of, Uncle. It is actually good, if you think about it. We can save on shampoo." She forced a laugh again.
He forced a laugh as well. "Very well...we cannot do anything if the job requires it..."
"Uncle, I need to wash up first, then I'll get back here and cook you guys dinner." she diverted the topic.
"Silly child. Do you not like my cooking?"
"Ah! Of course I like your cooking! It's the best!"
"Really?" he narrowed his eyes at her, pretending to be doubtful of her words.
"Really!"
He then laughed. "Then go rest first. I'll cook. I'll call you when it's ready...alright?"
"Thanks, Uncle. You're the best." She went into her room.
Ethan Wang eyed his brother's room. His eyes were filled with determination.