Keep her, we must keep her!
No matter which faction she belonged to before, if her abilities are real, even if it means confronting the otherworldly beings at G-zone headquarters, Su Hai City will do whatever it takes.
This area is close to the wilderness restricted zone, where anomalies run rampant. We desperately need talented people like her!
Wang Mu steadied his breath and said with utmost sincerity: "Miss Lin, would you be interested in joining our city's Pollution Department as a Purifier?"
Rachel was about to look for an opportunity to submit her resume to HR, but unexpectedly the head of the Purification Section had already extended an olive branch.
She immediately realized that Li Wen didn't have the authority to hire, but Wang Mu was the section chief.
Rachel replied decisively: "I'm interested. I was just about to ask if you were still hiring."
"Of course we're hiring, how could we not? We're severely understaffed!" Wang Mu said firmly.
Rachel felt reassured and said: "Shall I give a formal self-introduction then?"
"No, no need. What you said earlier is enough. You fit our recruitment requirements perfectly!"
Wang Mu tried his best to make his stern face appear more cheerful. He instructed Li Wen to get a contract from HR, adding, "Tell them this is a special recruitment. Skip the six-month probation period and offer the same benefits as a formal employee."
"Understood, I'll take care of it right away." Li Wen quickly stood up and left, not forgetting to say to Rachel, "Please wait a moment, it'll be ready soon."
Rachel felt they seemed a bit eager. Or maybe it was just her own anxiousness making everyone else look anxious too. After all, having a job meant steady income, which equated to having a foothold in this post-thaw era.
Fifteen minutes later, Li Wen hurriedly returned. She placed a brand new contract in front of Rachel, but hesitated slightly as she said: "Miss Lin, please take a look first. Let me explain the compensation package."
"You'll have the standard five social insurances and housing fund, statutory holidays, position is Level 3 Purifier, three-month probation, free room and board, full reimbursement when handling anomaly contamination events, with bonuses calculated separately. Outstanding performance will be rewarded with special commendations and targeted training. In addition, we offer quarterly bonuses, year-end bonuses, holiday allowances, high-temperature allowances, low-temperature allowances, and various other benefits."
Rachel looked it over and found no issues. She was about to sign when Wang Mu asked her to wait.
"Three-month probation?" Wang Mu frowned. "I said to offer the same terms as formal employees for this special recruitment."
Li Wen explained helplessly: "HR wouldn't budge. They said the current achievements have no clear records, so it doesn't meet the standards for direct conversion to formal employee status."
"Didn't you tell them I specially approved it?"
"I did. That's why Director Zhang compromised and changed it from six months to three months, as a favor to you."
Wang Mu stood up, ready to go next door to HR to negotiate further. Rachel suddenly spoke up: "Section Chief Wang, a three-month probation is fine. I understand the need for caution when it comes to handling anomalies and decontamination."
"But..." Wang Mu's expression was still dark.
Rachel didn't dwell on it. She picked up the pen and signed the contract decisively. Looking up with a slight smile, she said: "Thank you for giving me this opportunity to join. I look forward to your guidance in the future."
At this point, Wang Mu couldn't say much more. He sighed and said: "Well, it's a bit unfair to you. Next time we investigate anomalies, we'll keep proper records. As long as there's one official achievement to prove your abilities, you can be converted to formal status immediately."
Rachel nodded. Being on probation was less stable, but it wasn't a big problem. After all, she now had a million in savings... though she hadn't received it yet.
Seeing that the important matters were settled, Li Wen suggested: "Miss Lin, let me show you to the dormitory. Even if you rent or buy a place outside later, you can still keep the department dorm. It's convenient for occasional naps."
"You can also take a hot shower. I live next door and have a new set of pajamas that should fit you perfectly. Judging by our heights and weights, we should be about the same size."
Rachel expressed her gratitude repeatedly. Colleague friendships were always so precious.
She followed Li Wen into the elevator up to the employee dormitories on the 50th floor of the headquarters building. Her assigned room number was 5019, a fully furnished and very comfortable single room.
After a thoroughly refreshing shower, Rachel walked out of the bathroom wearing the cotton pajamas Li Wen had given her, adorned with little bunny patterns.
As she was toweling off her hair, she suddenly heard the doorbell. Rachel opened the door to find Li Wen standing outside.
"Did you forget something?" She stepped aside to let Li Wen in.
"No, your custom-made uniform is ready. It was rush-ordered based on the height and weight detected when you entered. I brought it over specially so you can wear it for work tomorrow. It's guaranteed to fit perfectly."
Li Wen opened the bag she was carrying. Inside was a long black trench coat. The material was very breathable yet warm, cool in summer and cozy in winter. It was also wind-resistant and fire-resistant, made of an excellent skin-friendly fabric.
Rachel was surprised. Was this clothing printed out of thin air? How long had it been since she arrived? There wasn't even enough time for normal fabric cutting.
It seemed technology had revolutionized clothing production in this area.
She nodded casually, determined not to reveal her lack of familiarity as an old-fashioned person. She smiled and said: "Thank you, I'll wear it tomorrow."
"There's also a communication device. It's also personally configured, but requires identity verification." Li Wen took out a silver watch-like object. "After we left earlier, Section Chief Wang went directly to process your formal resident status, so you can try logging in now."
Rachel expressed her gratitude again. This feeling of being valued felt good, almost overwhelmingly so.
For Section Chief Wang to personally handle such a small matter, it surely wasn't because he had nothing better to do. Could it be that the department was really that short-staffed? It seemed her job search had come at the right time. She was quite lucky.
After guiding Rachel step by step to log into the communication device and register her personal ID, Li Wen said reassuringly: "That should do it. Some functions are different from civilian communication devices. You can explore them at your leisure."
Rachel didn't know the difference between military and civilian versions. She had never used such an advanced communication device before. But she could understand it as an upgraded version of a smartphone, the kind with virtual screen pop-ups.
Having finished the instructions, Li Wen said goodbye: "I'll be going now. Don't want to disturb you further. Get some good rest."
"You've been so helpful, thank you." Rachel felt very touched seeing her colleague's warm smile.
Li Wen waved it off, saying: "No need for thanks. Oh, by the way, the electronic manual is in the bottom right corner of the screen. There's a hidden icon, keep an eye out for it."
"Alright." Rachel casually tapped open the manual, but when she saw the publication date, her feelings of warmth instantly vanished, leaving only a vast bleakness.
"Wasteland Era 499," Rachel unconsciously read aloud.
But when was the Wasteland Era? Was it no longer the 22nd century?
Li Wen explained: "This product was developed last year. It's only January now, so the new 500 year model isn't out yet."
"Five... hundred... years?" Rachel repeated slowly.
Li Wen nodded: "Come to think of it, this year is also the 500th anniversary. Time flies so fast. It's been so long since the disaster at the end of the 22nd century recorded in history. Back then, when the anomaly tide struck, they say humanity nearly went extinct."
End of the 22nd century?
Disaster??
Near extinction?!!
Rachel was struck by this brief yet enormously impactful information. Her vision went dark and she almost collapsed onto the bed.
"Are you alright?" Li Wen saw the girl's face suddenly turn pale and asked with concern.
"It's nothing, just a bit tired," Rachel replied weakly.
"Probably aftereffects from your long journey. It's truly amazing that you made it here alive," Li Wen couldn't help but marvel.
"Yes, it was quite far..." she agreed wholeheartedly.
A full five hundred years! Successfully thawing out was nothing short of a miracle!
"Bloom where you're planted" - this saying applies anywhere.
Rachel adapted to the mindset of 500 years later in just one night: She was an antique, but not useless. Anomalies still ran rampant, and humanity continued to fight.Here's the improved translation, taking into account the expert suggestions:
The next morning bright and early, Rachel arrived on time at the Purification Department on the 117th floor. She greeted her new colleagues warmly and exchanged pleasantries.
"Hello, I'm Rachel, the new hire. I'm still on probation, please show me the ropes."
"Hey there! I'm Zhao Xiaonan. I'm also on probation, just a month away from going permanent!"
The last part seemed to carry a hint of boasting, as the young man straightened his back a bit.
"Congrats on almost making it to full-time," Rachel said. She had pulled an all-nighter researching information about the Purification Department online.
Although much of the information was confidential, some general knowledge was public. For instance, the Purification Department was the top division of the Department of Pollution, with the best benefits and strictest recruitment process.
Few people even qualified for interviews. Those who made it to probation had already been carefully selected. Yet in the end, very few would remain to become full-fledged Cleaners.
Zhao Xiaonan excitedly said, "Thanks for the early congratulations! Actually, we've met before. Yesterday I also took the flying vehicle to the city gates, but I just dealt with the corpses and didn't return with you all."
"Oh, so that was you..."
"My bad for not saying hi earlier. I never imagined we'd become colleagues today. You're a rockstar!"
Rachel paused for a moment, thinking "here we go again" - colleagues praising each other at work. She kept smiling and said, "Not at all, I'm just a newcomer. You're the impressive one, almost permanent already."
Zhao Xiaonan rubbed his head and said honestly, "I just followed the seniors and handled two Oddities, that's how I qualified. You're different - you took down an Oddity single-handedly. Your probation is probably just a formality, don't worry about becoming permanent."
Rachel shook her head, "It's not a done deal yet. I still need to work hard to satisfy the leaders."
Zhao Xiaonan nodded in agreement and said quietly, "It depends on who you go on missions with. Our performance evaluations are scored by the senior leading the team. I think Li and Li are the best - they're capable and patient..."
He skillfully introduced the names and characteristics of the Cleaners in the department to Rachel. Because most Cleaners were out on assignments or patrolling the city walls, only two probationary members, one Level 3 Cleaner, and Director Wang himself were in the office today.
Just then, they got a call for backup.