Southeast Aisa, Country Sanipilip

Agarac region, Atsivaneub City

Atsivaneub City is a newly rising economic city where the locals heavily rely on agriculture and aquaculture as their main local products. There are also specialty goods that were uniquely made by the local ethnic groups living in the mountains.

The economy is booming, and at the same time, the need for manpower greatly increases. Jobs vacancies keep being posted on billboards, walls, and social media. Greatly helping people in need to find money to feed themselves a helping hand.

Unfortunately, almost 90% of that target required experience and a university-level diploma. Juan, an information technology graduate, thought life after that would become much easier.

He had just to search for a high-paying job to be interviewed before being welcomed as a new member of the corporation. Who knows that reality differs greatly from his expectations? That the real world isn't that nice to see and look at.

"I should have already known it back then. But I keep denying to myself that it wasn't real. With a diploma in hand, it would be easy to enter any work related to the course. That's what my parents told me."

He should have known back then. How could the parents, who haven't even graduated senior high school, imagine? That the general idea of graduating from university and taking on a high-paying job isn't that easy at all.

"All delusions are created by the hype. Only those who truly stand before it will understand. How hard it was even with an accomplishment called college graduate above one's head to enter the job they want."

Everything needs experience there and experience here. Almost all of those who were interviewed were not even eligible to sit in front of the interviewer but were just called to fill up the seats.

"A waste of time; I wonder if the others already had their own jobs. Did they start earning money already? Sigh, I can't help but feel a little envious. Why am I born poor? Am I a sinner in my past life?"

Juan lamented how poverty really attracts problems and issues in society. Only the rich were worry-free in their lives. Enjoying the luxury brought by the money they earned through smart means.

Juan stood in front of the glass wall and saw a post while in thought.

Acceptor Gas Station: Currently Hiring!

We need 2 cashiers and 2 CCTV operators.

Requirements: University or College Graduate of Business Administration and Information Technology Course Please bring your resume to the designated office below.

Reading this, his eyes lit up with some renewed vigor. The words "cctv operator" were very enticing to his eyes and he can try applying for the job. Although it's not a high-paying job. At least he would be safe and would only need to sit around most of the time, monitoring the screens all day.

When work was needed to do things like installation and other related things. He can just stand and work his body out from sitting around. This is the work that he would really like to work with.

"I'll apply for this. Since I'm already in my business attire with my resume in the envelope. I'm not dirty, sweating, or unkept, right?" To see that, his eyes glanced at the figure reflected in the glass wall.

An above-average-looking young man with brown-colored hair and eyes and wheat-colored skin that can only be found by those living near the equator. Wearing a light-blue long-sleeve shirt paired with brown-colored trousers and a pair of leather shoes.

Juan carefully observed himself; he wasn't lean, nor was he fat. He was just about average, with no muscles and no excess fat. He was currently holding a brown envelope containing the documents needed to apply for a job.

Seeing that nothing was wrong, he felt there was no problem at all. Juan gathered up the courage and confidence he had left after many failed interviews as he took a deep breath and followed the address given in the poster.

"It should be here. There's no other acceptor gas station aside from this one. Now then, where should I ask?" Looking around, he found a worker wearing the gas station's uniform resting on a table, quenching his parched lips and throat.

"He should not be busy right now. I'll go and ask him first." Juan first approached him and showed a friendly smile, which he found to be nice enough. "Excuse me, do you have some time? I just want to ask some directions."

The worker noticed Juan's arrival, so he lowered the water bottle in his hand to the table and was immediately attracted by Juan's question. Since the worker was just resting for a while and wasn't busy, he felt that there should be no problem taking some time to help someone, so he said, "Go ahead."

Juan smiled gratefully as he bowed a bit in thanks for the bit of time given to him. "I just want to ask where the office is to apply for a job posting at your company."

The worker showed a look of realization as he understood why the young man in front of him was here. "So you're applying for the job openings, huh? Just in time, our supervisor has just arrived. Enter that door over there and just ask the others inside, and they will lead you to the place."

Juan smiled more nicely as he thanked him once again. "Thank you for your help, friend." The worker shook his head with a smile as he said casually, "No worries, it's just a minor help."

Juan left the resting worker and found the office of the supervisor a few minutes later. When the supervisor saw him, he was asked if he wanted to apply for the job. Yuan nodded affirmatively, for he was indeed interested.

"Although you're an I.T. graduate, you seem to haven't delved too much into CCTV-related topics. I can give you a chance in the three months of your probationary period. You need to learn the work of a CCTV operator. Can you do it?" The supervisor wasn't strict, but he was serious about his job.

Juan nodded strongly, saying, "I'll do my very best." The supervisor nodded as he continued, "After three months, if I found you agreeable, Then you'll be hired, as easy as it can be."

"Although it's called probationary, you can still receive an allowance for that. But it will only be half of the original salary the position should have had.....Any questions?" Seeing Juan shake his head, the serious supervisor finally smiled.

He reached out his hand and shook hands with Juan. "Alright, you can start tomorrow morning. For now, let me show you your working place from now on. Also, familiarize yourself with the procedures of this place and how we work."

Juan thanked him profusely as he and the supervisor took a tour around the small building, getting to know the office employees and the workers outside. Knowing the others names and their specialties.

It took him a whole afternoon before he finally left with a bright smile on his face. At the same time, the resting worker he had asked questions about back then stood near the fuel dispenser, not far away from him, with a smile on his face.

"Congratulations! We'll be in the same company from now on." Albeit, with the difference in position and salary, The worker reached out his right hand in a handshake as he said, "I'm Sami, as you can see. Just a normal gas dispenser boy."

Juan wouldn't despise the man just because of the type of work and position he was in. After all, he was poor, and he even thought of applying for such a job if there really was nothing to be done. Juan received the handshake with friendliness: "You can just call me Juan; nice to meet you."

The conversation was short because Sami was still working. So after bidding goodbye, Juan left in a good mood. He hadn't thought that after his series of failed interviews these past months, he would come across this opportunity.

Juan looked at the sky and gripped his fist tightly. "This is it. I can't let this opportunity escape my grasp. From today on, I shall double the focus required every day at least. My beautiful salary is already waving at me from the future. I must be careful and smart to avoid losing such an opportunity."

Seeing the blue sky tainted by the orange and red colors of the setting sun. Juan walked more lightly in the street as he enjoyed the passing people and vehicles on the roads. The hot, dusty path, together with the newly built buildings everywhere,

Such was city life; everyone moved at different speeds, but most of them were chasing money. And Juan wasn't an exception, having tricks and luck for him to rise from poverty hadn't found their way to his head yet.

"I can only earn money through work and salary from now on. To earn more than that without further hard work, I just need to save some for a few years and start a business. By then, if my investment is a success, I can just treat the work as a past time and focus on other things, such as playing games and reading webnovels of different genres."

Just imagining the life he would have from now on started to make his blood boil with excitement and anticipation. Adrenaline has already hit. Filled with energy, Juan can't help but sing along along the way. Not caring about people's strange looks they have given him around the road at all.

That's just how happy he was—he even forgot about shame as he basked in the happiness and joy of this current time. Listening to the tone coming out of his mouth, he inavertedly began to sing along to the lyrics from one of his favorite songs in this life— Joy by Andy Grammer.

🎵I found joy, yeah, she opened up my eyes

And gve me wings and halo rings and taught me how to fly

Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh, I feel like a million lights

I found joy in my life

And got me like, yeah-yeah-yeah, oh-oh-oh

I found joy in my life

And got me like, yeah-yeah-yeah, oh-oh-oh

I found joy in my life🎵

Passing through the busy streets, Juan felt the city had become more beautiful in his eyes. If not for the filth he can smell from the stuck sewers, he would have forgotten the dark side of every city.

"At first, the individuals created a group called society to protect themselves from the unknowns and dangers outside. However, with the passage of time, The growing technology and benefits one can gain from standing out from the others"

"Everyone's mindset slowly changed. Greed and evil slowly creep into the hearts of humans. Until finally, they can't stand to be satisfied with what they have. Corruption followed; everyone wanted to go up the ladder called social hierarchy and be surrounded by fame, glory, and wealth, where they could bask happily every day."

"However, because of their high position acquired through all kinds of means, Their fear for those who want to take their seat would also make them want to stop those who threaten their happy lives."

"The societies of the past and present are like innocent kids grouping themselves to support one another in front of a wicked grown adult man. In reality, this is indeed the case. But..." 

Juan smiled happily, "Like, how do I care about that? I have my own life; I lived it the way I wanted. Nothing can change how I feel. What if I want to escape from reality? If I want to be, go for it. If you want to mull over the issue of the country, go for it."

"I'm just an ordinary young graduate that wants to survive in the world. All my life, I had an unachievable dream that had already died when I realized reality. Why should I care for the others? The only reason I still moved and work is because..."

"I have liabilities at home waiting for my success to bear fruit before enjoying the fruits of my labor. Then I'll waste my time taking care of them, and then what? Worry every day; be busy every day. Hahahaha, this is how poverty works."

"You can't escape from the things called morals. Society would hate you and condemn you. Even those who agree with you can't voice out their thoughts because of fear of being thrown out by their circles."

"The moral lesson I've learned all this time is to be prepared for everything you plan to do. Haste makes waste, and that is the problem for all people in the world. Before you create a family, please think of the future and what you can give to your children."

"Don't give us liabilities; give us a good future, not responsibilities! Not everyone of us can grow into what everyone expects us to be. Don't put your dreams before us; don't force us."

Juan took a deep breath as he stopped in front of the quiet road leading to the rural areas near the mountains of the city. As he had no money to buy a bike or motorcycle, he could only search for a job by walking with his own two feet.

The beautiful, nostalgic orange sun shone on his face; it was kind of hot and glaring to the eyes. Though the clouds around it leave some epic shadows for those on the ground to see.

Juan sighed, "Just when I felt very happy because I finally have a job. I started thinking about life again. I wonder why people always follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, which they hated to do when they were young."

Soon, he calmed down considerably. Stepping on the ground, he left the cemented road. There's not enough time yet to fully cement the road towards his home because of budget issues. That's their problem, not mine. The complexity of politics will remain.

A few minutes later, there were no modern buildings anymore. The roadside was full of wheat fields in all directions. The fresh afternoon breeze that has some chilly air mixed into it caresses his sweaty face. Tall trees can be seen in the distance, where palm trees cast some shadows in the other direction of the sun.

Some workers who had just left work to go home passed by him in their service vehicles. Naturally, Juan would greet them with a smile. At this time, a man around his age arrived beside him from the back.

Juan was somewhat surprised by the sudden arrival of this man. "You surprised me."

The young man laughed as he patted Juan's shoulder with his hand. "Well, I'm happy my surprise got a good reaction from you."

"When did you arrive? I haven't noticed you at all." Juan casually said that seeing no other people would surprise him at the back anymore.

Seeing his reaction, the young man laughed once again. "Hahaha, that reaction. You thought there were others going to follow and shock you too, right?"

Juan nodded, indeed. Once bitten, twice shy. He didn't want to get a heart attack because of the shock today. He was already low on energy after letting out so much excitement while he walked. After calming down somewhat, he just wanted to rest now and take a nap to recover some energy to eat in the evening.

"I just arrived today and was following you behind. Seeing that you seem to be in a good mood, I decided to give you a surprise prank. Hahaha, if it were in the past. You would've noticed me already. Tell me, did you finally get a girlfriend?"

Juan shook his head as he explained to his friend what had happened today. "I got a job with a three-month probationary period. However, after that, I'll be officially hired. Isn't that the same as being hired already? How can I not be in a good mood?"

"Congratulations! I'm happy for you. How about we call our friends on weekends and have some fun? We need to celebrate this good news!" Juan's friend said it enthusiastically. He was genuinely happy for his friend.

"Thanks, Art, but I prefer to keep it a secret for now. I want to focus at work for now to avoid being fired." Juan didn't say it all. Another reason was to start saving money to buy what he wants in the future. He would try to live a frugal life as always, even though his life is going to be stable from now on.

The young man in front of him wearing corporate attire and holding a business case was his neighbor and friend. They grew up together and have basically been buddies since they were kids. Now he was an employee who worked for a company that Juan didn't know the name of.

Juan also didn't want to delve too deeply into the others affairs, as that would be disrespectful and would create some discord in their lives, no matter how direct or indirect it was.

Art looked disappointed, but he still smiled as he said, "Then how about we have some barbecue today at the back of your home? I'm sure aunty, and uncle will be happy with that little occasion, right?"

Juan can't really say no to that. He also found it good to use this little barbecue party tonight to celebrate this little bit of happiness. "Alright, then let's go."