"Yo, isn't this Zhou Hao? What, come to the job market to experience life?" The shrill voice made me freeze all over. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was - my ex-girlfriend, Li Wei.
She was dressed in a decent business suit today, with elaborate makeup on, and was on the arm of a man in a suit and tie, looking like a successful person.
I clenched my fists and tried hard to restrain my inner anger before turning to look at her.
"I'm looking for a job." I replied as calmly as possible, not wanting to show weakness in front of her.
"Looking for a job? You?" Li Wei sneered contemptuously, her eyes full of disdain. "Don't you even look at your own education level and abilities? Still thinking of finding a good job? Dream on!" The man beside her also joined in with a laugh, looking at me as if I were a clown.
I took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in my heart, and turned to leave this suffocating place.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman dressed gaudily, Sister Zhang, the agent who had introduced jobs to me before, greeted me with a big smile on her face.
"Xiao Zhou, don't be discouraged. Jobs are hard to find, right? Sister Zhang has connections!" She grabbed my arm and dragged me aside. "But..." She rubbed her fingers together, looking very meaningful.
I knew what she meant. She was asking for an agency fee. I gritted my teeth and took out the only few hundred yuan left in my pocket. "Sister Zhang, do you think this is enough?"
Sister Zhang's eyes lit up when she took the money, but then she put on a look of embarrassed. "Xiao Zhou, it's not that Sister Zhang doesn't want to help you. With your conditions, it's really hard to find a job..."
She recommended me a so-called "high-paying" position, saying it was a reserve cadre in a large enterprise, but in fact, it was a sales job that required running around everywhere and being exposed to the wind and the sun.
When I found out I had been cheated and went to Sister Zhang to argue, she turned on me and said, "It's your own incompetence. Who can you blame?"
I was completely disappointed. People were coming and going in the job market, but no one was willing to give me a chance.
Could it be that even after being reborn, I would still be as mediocre as in my previous life?
No, I would never admit defeat!
I must find a job and prove myself!
I clenched my fists and looked ahead with firm eyes. I happened to see the building of the company where Li Wei worked, and an idea flashed through my mind... Perhaps I could try there?
I walked towards that building, feeling nervous but also with a tinge of inexplicable expectation.
When I reached the entrance of the company, I hesitated for a moment and then decided to go in and have a look.
Suddenly, a sharp voice came from behind...
"Yo, isn't this our young master Zhou? What, didn't find a job in the job market and want to try your luck in our company?" The sarcastic voice stabbed into my ears like a needle. I didn't need to turn around to know it was Secretary Liu, Li Wei's lackey.
She had her arms crossed and a mocking smile on her face, looking like a proud peacock.
I turned around and shrugged. "Secretary Liu, long time no see. You're still so... radiant." I deliberately emphasized the word "radiant" to imply that she was wearing too much makeup.
Secretary Liu's face changed, and then she snorted coldly. "Don't be cheeky with me! Don't you even look at what you are? Still wanting to come to our company? Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself? You're like a toad wanting to eat swan meat!"
"A toad? Swan meat?" I pretended to be surprised and touched my chin. "Secretary Liu, your analogy is quite novel. But I remember that in the end, the toad got the beauty. Isn't that right?" I winked at her, and several passing employees couldn't help but snicker.
Secretary Liu was so angry that her face turned green. She pointed at my nose and scolded, "Zhou Hao, don't be delusional! Everyone in the whole industry knows about your sordid affairs now. Who would want you? I advise you to give up this idea as soon as possible!"
"Everyone in the whole industry knows?" I raised my eyebrows, feigning surprise. "When did my reputation become so well-known? It seems I should thank Li Wei's 'publicity' properly." I deliberately emphasized the word "publicity", and Secretary Liu was so angry that she stomped her feet but couldn't say a word.
Seeing her furious look, I felt secretly pleased. I was about to say a few more words when suddenly I caught sight of a familiar figure coming out of the company entrance... Bai Yao!
She was dressed in a capable white suit today, and the whole person exuded a powerful aura.
My heart skipped a beat, and a bold idea came to my mind... I walked straight towards her.
"Ms. Bai, hello. I'm here to apply for a job." I interrupted her conversation with the person beside her, with a confident smile on my face.
Bai Yao was slightly taken aback, obviously not expecting me to appear suddenly.
She looked me up and down, and her brows furrowed slightly. "You?"
Before I could open my mouth, Secretary Liu jumped out and pointed at me shrilly and said, "Ms. Bai, he's Zhou Hao! The one who..."
I cut her off before she could finish. "I'm Zhou Hao, the former Zhou Hao." I deliberately emphasized the word "former", and then looked straight into Bai Yao's eyes and said firmly, "But the present me is no longer the past me."
Bai Yao raised her eyebrows with interest and signaled me to continue.
I briefly introduced my abilities and my views on the future development of the industry, emphasizing my unique insights.
I noticed that Bai Yao's eyes gradually changed from being doubtful at the beginning to being appreciative.
In the following days, I continued to run around among various companies, but the results were the same - I was rejected everywhere.
Li Wei's "publicity" work was quite thorough. I had almost become a "cancer" in the industry.
I felt like a trapped beast, hitting walls everywhere. The road to rebirth was much bumpier than I had imagined.
Just when I was about to give up, a small company gave me an interview opportunity.
The interviewer was a middle-aged man with thick glasses. He was looking through my resume and said in a somewhat disdainful tone, "Your education level isn't high, Mr. Zhou."
I took a deep breath and tried hard to control my emotions before answering calmly, "Education doesn't represent everything, sir. I believe my abilities are sufficient to handle this job." I then elaborated on the analysis of the future development of the industry that I had prepared earlier. The interviewer's eyes gradually lit up, and he began to listen to my ideas seriously, nodding from time to time to show agreement.
After the interview, the interviewer didn't hire me on the spot, but he said he would consider it carefully. I walked out of the company entrance, with a glimmer of hope in my heart.
While waiting for the reply from the small company, I accidentally discovered a new business opportunity... a business opportunity that could enable me to turn my life around completely!
My heart started to beat faster, and a sense of excitement welled up in me.
However, I needed funds, a large amount of funds!
I held the newspaper tightly in my hand. There were several big words printed on it - "The commercial real estate project is launched. Don't miss the investment opportunity!" I looked up at the gradually darkening sky and murmured to myself, "It seems I have to go to her..."
Holding the newspaper, I repeatedly confirmed the launch time of this project.
Yes, it was this one!
This commercial real estate project that would increase tenfold within the next year was still unclaimed at the moment.
A rush of blood went to my head, and I seemed to see banknotes waving to me.
But the startup funds... I was poorer than a church mouse.
No, I had to raise money as soon as possible!
I couldn't let this piece of fat meat be snatched away by others!
I immediately thought of Sister Zhang, the slick-looking woman in the job market.
She held quite a few resources in her hands. Maybe she could help me find suitable investors.
Thinking of her money-grubbing look, I felt nauseous, but I couldn't care about that much now.
I must seize this opportunity to turn my life around completely!
I dialed Sister Zhang's phone. Before I could even open my mouth, she said in her shrill voice, "Zhou Hao? You still have the nerve to call me? You offended Miss Li. Who in the whole industry would dare to use you? I advise you to..." I suppressed my anger and interrupted her, "Sister Zhang, I know you have a wide range of connections. I have a profitable project and need your help." Hearing the word "profitable", Sister Zhang's tone immediately changed and became obsequious. "Yo, Mr. Zhou, what's this good project? Tell me about it..." I sneered. It seemed that money still worked wonders.
After hanging up the phone, I looked at the newspaper in my hand and took a deep breath.
It was time... I would make her, and all of them, regret!
I pushed open the door of the rented room. My roommate was grinning stupidly at the computer screen. When he saw me come back, he glanced at me and snorted disdainfully.
I ignored him and walked straight to the bed, pulled out the old box from under the bed...