"Good day, Shu Xian."
Wang Fang greeted her, elegantly standing up from her chair as she put on her eyeglasses.
"Professor Pan An has told me about you."
Blinking her eyes a few times as if she saw a goddess in front of her, Shu Xian couldn't help but compliment her, making Wang Fang let out a small laugh.
"You're so beautiful, Miss Wang Fang."
Wang Fang smiled at her, showing her perfect teeth as she thanked her, finding Shu Xian interesting for having the courage to absentmindedly compliment her in the moment of their first meeting!
"Why, thank you, Shu Xian," Wang Fang said, snapping Shu Xian out of her dazed mind as a soft blush crept her face, embarrassed. "You're beautiful yourself."
"Th-thanks—I mean… s-sorry," Shu Xian thanked her then apologized. "I couldn't help but let out a compliment," she mumbled to herself, but still enough for Wang Fang to hear.
"It's alright. I can take a compliment any day and any time. It's one thing for us women to appreciate ourselves, no?"
With the Chief Librarian Wang Fang giving her a wink, Shu Xian felt comfortable to sense kindness emanating from her soon-to-be-boss, making her sigh in relief as Shu Xian smiled at her as well.
"Oh! You're right. If you say so, Miss Wang Fang."
Nodding, Wang Fang leaned on her desk, gesturing for Shu Xian to sit on the couch behind her.
"Take a seat! This would just be quick," Wang Fang started, Shu Xian, sitting down on the seat behind her as Wang Fang got her cup of coffee from her desk and took a sip, still standing before her applicant.
"Thank you for choosing to be a library student assistant. I have heard from the professor that it is what you specifically want, and you're in luck, we are in need of one more student assistant!"
Shu Xian nodded enthusiastically, standing up for a brief moment for her to formally hand Wang Fang her application form that was inside the folder.
"Yes! Here is my application form, Miss Wang Fang."
Wang Fang put her cup of coffee down before she got the folder from Shu Xian. The applicant then sat back down on the couch, expectantly waiting for Wang Fang as she scanned on Shu Xian's application form.
She saw that the form was filled in—from her name to her birthday, from her blood type, and then educational background and also, the degree she's studying in the university along with her major.
However, Wang Fang's attention was caught particularly when she noticed that one important section of the application was not filled up, making her raise a question.
"If it is alright for me to ask, Shu Xian, why is your family background empty?"
Shu Xian's lips turned into a tight line. Before answering, she composed herself first, this question difficult to answer every time she applied for a job, being a student at the same time.
"To be honest, Miss Wang Fang, I am not so sure of who my family is," she answered, the Chief Librarian, putting the folder down on her desk as she got the cup of coffee again for another sip.
"I see. Go on."
Shu Xian nodded, further telling her about herself in terms of her family background which is the unknown in her life since she was born.
"I was actually raised by my uncle, but it was not a good way to raise a child..."
When Shu Xian said this, her voice became soft, no longer continuing to speak as the memory haunted her here and then, Wang Fang, noticing the discomfort in the girl's eyes.
Shu Xian's lips were in a tight line. She then looked down on her knees, her hands on it tightening as she was trying her best to snap herself out from remembering her cruel uncle.
She wondered why she was being taken care of by him. She wondered why He Shen, her uncle, couldn't tell her about her family and would just say that they were dead.
What Shu Xian couldn't understand was why even Shi Lian's family who is affluent, couldn't get a single clue as to who her parents are when they got blood samples—DNA, and the like?
Shi Lian's secretary said that the information was blocked, making Shu Xian think who she really is and who her parents really are.
Shu Xian's eyes then became glassy, surprising Wang Fang as her single question turned out to be something sensitive to the girl, making her put her coffee down as she quickly got another glass and filled it with water from the water dispenser in her office.
"I'm sorry, Shu Xian, for asking such query."
Wang Fang apologized to the applicant, snapping Shu Xian out of her thoughts as she consciously wiped her tears away with the back of her hand, feeling embarrassed to show this vulnerable side to her soon-to-be boss during an interview.
"I-I'm sorry," Shu Xian stammered, "I shouldn't have—"
"It's alright," Wang Fang interrupted, handing her the glass of water as she gave her an apologetic smile. "I was insensitive—I should have thought that this topic can be sensitive to some. Now I understand why the professor wanted to help you."
"Thank you," Shu Xian thanked her, getting the glass from her as she drank it. "You're very kind, Miss Wang Fang."
"You're welcome."
Wang Fang then put her hand on Shu Xian's shoulder as she sat beside her, comforting her as she somehow shared her sentiment, telling her a bit of herself.
"I should not be saying this since I will be your boss and we just met now but… seeing your eyes when you were asked about your family, I could feel the same."
Shu Xian didn't know what to say. With Wang Fang now standing up from the couch, she smiled at Shu Xian, what she said making Shu Xian happy as she didn't expect the turn of events happening in her life right now.
"I don't have further questions. You are officially our student assistant starting tomorrow. If you have free time later, you can visit the library so you can have a briefing about the policies."
"Wow!"
Shu Xian exclaimed, standing from her seat as she gave Wang Fang a grateful bow.
"Thank you so much, Miss Wang Fang! I promise to work hard!"