Ethan Wraith looked up at the large sign above the entrance - "Western Talent Market" - to confirm he was at the right place. He took a big bite of the remaining half of his bread, his mouth bulging like a frog's.
After his barbecue stall got smashed, he didn't bother to set up a new one. He didn't have a passion for the job anyway. He only learned to make kebabs because Grandma Aaliyah asked him to, and he didn't want to disappoint her.
On the other hand, he used to love eating those crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside kebabs. Now, just the thought of them made him feel full. And the charcoal fire was so hot that it would make his face red and sweaty every day. Whenever he saw his master's face, he would worry that he would end up like that too. Who wouldn't want to ruin his handsome face? Ethan Wraith was prepared to use his good looks to make a living when he had no other choice. He heard that some jobs paid over 10,000 USD a month, as long as you looked good.
"Stop right there." A security guard shouted, pointing at Ethan.
Was he talking to me? Ethan looked himself up and down, wondering what was wrong with his outfit. He was dressed in a suit and tie, with polished shoes, just like the standard for a five-star hotel. He was about to give Sophia a hard time when he got back.
Ethan smiled. "Are you talking to me?"
The young security guard scowled. "Who else? You're the only one who didn't buy a ticket and just rushed in."
"Buy a ticket?"
The guard scanned Ethan's outfit with disdain. "You're new here, huh? Go take a look at the bulletin board over there."
Following the guard's pointing finger, Ethan saw a large curtain on the side wall with dense, small print. Several young men and women with files in their hands were reading the content.
Ethan walked over to take a look. At the top, in red, bold letters, it read: "Entry Standards: 1. Ivy alumnus enter for free. 2. Bachelor's degree holders with three years of experience enter for free with their graduation certificate. 3. Associate degree holders with five years of experience enter for free with their graduation certificate. Others, please purchase a ticket for 15 USD."
Damn, they wanted money.
Ethan finally understood that the talent market wasn't for serving talents, but for making money from them. It was like a supermarket - but even supermarkets didn't charge customers for entry.
Ethan trotted back to the guard, beaming with a smile. "Big brother, I'm not here for an interview. I'm just looking for someone."
"You can't just look around. It's 15 USD to enter. Take it or leave it." The guard refused, expressionless.
Ethan cursed under his breath. He didn't even have a kindergarten graduation certificate, let alone a bachelor's degree. He reluctantly pulled out 15 USD to buy a ticket - it hurt to part with the money, equivalent to several breakfasts.
With his ticket in hand, Ethan walked into the market with his head held high.
"Idiot," the guard's voice echoed from behind. Ethan ignored him, maintaining his elegant demeanor. He was here to find a job, after all. He had even gotten a 15-USD haircut to look good.
The talent market was bustling, with two floors of exhibition halls. Ethan felt proud to see so many people. China was indeed prosperous and strong, with such a rich talent reserve.
But soon, Ethan's excitement faded. Each booth had a sign listing the job positions they were recruiting for.
CEO, annual salary 200,000,0 USD, requires a chemical engineering degree and management experience in a large chemical company...
Recruiting a financial analyst, finance degree required, with rich capital operation experience...
Recruiting two copywriters, do you have a flair for writing?...
If you can write well, we might consider you.
Sales, college degree or above, basic salary 8,000 USD, no experience necessary. The company provides training opportunities.
Ethan's heart skipped a beat when he saw a company recruiting a salesperson. He rushed over, but the recruiter, an old man with an underdeveloped facial structure, pointed to the requirements. "Take a closer look."
Ethan read the fine print again. In parentheses, it said "limited to females."
Ethan smiled wryly and turned to leave.
"Hey, sir, are you here to find a job?" A girl in a black professional suit blocked his way.
"Yes," Ethan nodded.
"Then let me introduce our company to you. We're an international top-tier company, with high salaries, good benefits, a relaxed work environment, and a two-day weekend. We have a good training system." The girl smiled as she introduced the company.
Ethan nodded eagerly. Someone was actively approaching him, and he was thrilled. He must be a talented person, and she could tell from his face - she must be a headhunter from an international company.
Ethan followed the girl in the short skirt, observing and praising her. Wow, she's really something - her legs are as white as Sophia's...
"Sir, we've arrived at our recruitment booth. Please fill out the form."
"Okay, no problem." Ethan smiled, but when he looked up, his face changed. The booth had a large banner that read "Eastern Insurance, accompanying you forever."
Ethan turned to leave.
"Hey, sir, why are you leaving? You haven't filled out the form yet..."
Ethan ran far away before stopping to look back, relieved that no one was chasing him. Sophia had warned him about insurance companies, listing them as one of the "three nos."
Ethan wandered around, finally finding a suitable job - a gas delivery worker.
The interviewer was a middle-aged man wearing a gray company uniform with a red mountain logo and the words "Eastern" in red below.
Ethan's hands trembled with excitement as he forced a smile. "Hello, I'm here to apply."
The middle-aged man looked him up and down, shaking his head. "You don't qualify."
"Why?" Ethan's heart sank, like a glass bottle shattering on the floor. He thought he could get the job.
"You're too skinny."
"I'm very strong, though. I can - I can move a stone for you to see..."
The recruiter had already turned away.
A rugged-looking man with a simple outfit, mud-stained pants, and yellow sports shoes walked over, not saying a word, just staring at the recruiter with a silly grin.
"Brother, you're the one," the Eastern gas company recruiter said, shaking the man's rough hand. He turned to Ethan with a smile. "Sorry, we've already filled the position."
The competitor who defeated him smiled apologetically, revealing a row of neat, yellow teeth. Ethan felt like crying.
As Ethan waited for the bus, he saw many small ads on the bus station board - recruiting male and female public relations officers, with a monthly salary of over 10,000 USD. Ethan Wraith tossed his hair, thinking he was quite suitable for the job. The only question was whether a college degree was required. He decided to call and ask.
Ethan Wraith thought to himself, if he couldn't find a suitable job on the third floor, he would go downstairs and ask the security guard for a refund. F**k, he hadn't earned a single penny, but had already paid 15 bucks - why not wait until someone found a job before collecting the money? It was so unfair.
The third floor was smaller than the second floor, with fewer recruitment booths. Compared to the crowded second floor, this area was relatively quiet.
As Ethan Wraith walked, he hoped to find a suitable job. Previously, when he started his own business selling grilled lamb skewers, he didn't earn much, and sometimes got caught by the police and had to bribe them. Now, he had no savings. If he didn't find a job, he would be in trouble.
Suddenly, Ethan's eyes lit up. He quickly walked towards a recruitment booth.
"Hello, beautiful. I'm here for an interview," Ethan said with a smile, not hiding his admiration.
The woman wore a coffee-colored suit, her hair styled high on her head. Her delicate face was made up with light makeup. Her slender legs were slightly exposed from under the table, revealing her small, elegant feet. Perhaps because he had seen many performances by AV actress, Ethan was particularly interested in this office beauty.
The woman burst out laughing. She glanced at Ethan, leaning back in her chair, and said softly, "Do you usually call people like that? Aren't you afraid I'll get angry?"
Ethan sat down in the chair prepared for interviewees, shaking his head seriously. "No, I'm not afraid."
"Oh, you don't care about this job?" the woman asked, puzzled.
"No, I do care. If I don't find a job this week, I'll have to prepare to beg next month." Although he was joking, Ethan didn't smile. His serious tone made his words sound insincere, giving him an inexplicable charm. It was contradictory, yet not conflicting.
"Then why do you dare to say that?"
"Everyone has many identities in this world - woman, husband's wife, mother's daughter, teacher, and so on. I first noticed your beauty, then your profession. Every man who passes by you will take a second glance, admiring your beauty, but it's hard for them to express it. So, calling you beautiful isn't wrong. I'm just saying what's on my mind." Ethan took the form and pen from the table, quickly filling in his information.
"Chinese people are reserved, especially Chinese men towards women. When a wife changes her hairstyle, her husband will pretend not to care. This attitude is not good. Women dress up beautifully, so why should men be stingy with their praise? Beauty is beauty; one should bravely say it out loud."
Anyway, flattery doesn't cost money, Ethan thought, tossing it out there. He might as well try to flatter the woman first.
As expected, the female examiner's face lit up with a smile. "You're quite eloquent. You do have some points. However, if you think that flattery will get you special treatment, you're wrong - what job are you applying for?"
"A man who relies on a woman's favor to get a job is pitiful. I may not have talent, but I have dignity. I don't expect you to show me special favor. If you think that way, I'll just leave." Ethan said, pretending to get up.
He only sat up straighter, his buttocks still on the chair. The female examiner called out, "Wait, let's talk this through."
"Okay." Ethan thought for a moment, then sat back down, looking like he was resuming his seat.
"I apologize for what I said earlier."
"No problem, I wasn't angry - according to Chinese customs, I do have a tendency to flatter." Ethan waved his hand, pretending to be innocent.
"Okay. Let's talk seriously then. What position do you want to apply for in our company?"
"Server."
"What?" The female examiner exclaimed, then felt embarrassed and smiled apologetically at Ethan. "Are you sure you want to apply for a server position?"
"Not sure - but it seems like that's all I can do." Ethan said with a bitter smile.
"You can only do server work?" The female examiner wasn't looking down on Ethan, but was puzzled. As an HR expert, she thought this man must have some special skills. But it turned out he only wanted to be a server.
"What's your education?"
"I didn't attend school - my family was poor, and I had many siblings. I started working as a cowherd at six and left home at fifteen. I have no education, no skills, and can only do manual labor." Ethan said gloomily.
Having many siblings was true; Ethan had many siblings. As for herding cows, it was also true, but not for a landlord, but for his old man. The big pot of beef every year during the Spring Festival was Ethan's achievement.
"It's okay, our company's server treatment is not bad. You can start by accumulating experience, then slowly work your way up - our company has several managers who started from the bottom. As long as you work hard, you can do it." The female examiner tried to comfort Ethan, looking at his handsome face filled with worry, and feeling a pang of sympathy.
"Yeah, thank you." Ethan bit his lip, his eyes welling up with tears as he nodded.
"What's your name? - Oh, Ethan Wraith. Alright, I'll give you a chance today. You can report to the company tomorrow. I'll help you find a branch near your home. The basic salary is 800, with tips and commissions. Work hard, okay?"
"Yeah, thank you - what's your name, beauty?"
"I'm Fiona Swift, but you can call me Fiona in the future."
"Fiona," Ethan said, calling out her name naturally.
Just now, he said he wouldn't get special treatment just because he flattered her, but in the end, he still got the job without even being asked if he had any experience. Women, you always say one thing but do another.