After sending out dozens of applications in the morning, Tian Youyou was willing to accept any job as long as it provided food and accommodation.
Rubbing her sore eyes as she stepped out of the internet cafe, her phone rang within a few steps—a landline number.
"Hello, is this Ms. Tian Youyou? Could you come to our office for an interview at 2 PM?" asked a sweet female voice.
"Absolutely! Just give me the address!" Tian Youyou replied, suppressing her inner joy. She couldn't believe her luck; she was finally climbing out of rock bottom!
The surprise continued— the company was located near the plaza, a newly established foreign firm.
Tian Youyou arrived ten minutes early for the interview at the company, applying for an administrative assistant position. Oddly, she hadn't applied to this company.
The office was luxuriously decorated and sizable, which made her nervous since her qualifications did not directly match the job description.
However, the HR personnel were amiable, only asking her two questions about the compensation—whether she required room and board and if she could live at the company.
Living at the company was certainly better than staying in a storage room, so she readily agreed.
Still feeling uneasy, she asked, "My qualifications don't exactly match; why am I being considered for the position?"
"Uh... we're really short-staffed right now!" The HR staff member gave an awkward laugh, suggesting that sometimes one should not question good fortune.
The onboarding process was expedited, and Tian Youyou was impressed by the efficiency typical of foreign companies.
The HR manager led her to her new office, and Tian Youyou was even more astounded.
It was the CEO's suite—a large office divided into two sections by a door.
Her area had a desk, a small room with a bed, wardrobe, and other necessities, complete with an en-suite bathroom—it was practically a hotel standard room.
Her office was adjacent to the CEO's, which she did not venture into.
The HR manager informed her that she would both work and live there.
That afternoon, Tian Youyou received no assignments. Just before closing, Tian Sheng called, asking her to come home.
She agreed over the phone without asking for details, as she needed to pick up some belongings anyway.
Upon her return, Tian Sheng was having dinner with an unfamiliar guest.
"Ah! Speak of the devil!" Han Miaomiao, wearing heavy makeup, approached with an overly sweet voice that was somewhat cloying, "I was just telling Mr. Li about you. Come over and let him have a look!"
Only then did Tian Youyou notice the guest—a bald man, barely five feet tall with a corpulent figure and a shiny, nearly bald head, who appeared rather greasy.
Mr. Li grinned, revealing a set of uneven teeth as drool seemed to escape his mouth.
"Ah, perfect... absolutely stunning! I was instantly smitten with Miss Tian! Don't worry, if you help me with Youyou, I will make sure your family is well compensated..."
Tian Sheng rubbed his hands nervously, adding, "Youyou, this is Mr. Li. I didn't get a chance to tell you, but he might be a bit older, yet he's a man of substantial means and down-to-earth. He'll treat you well..."
"Dad! After all these years, what are you implying?..." Tian Youyou was on the verge of exploding in anger.
"Miss Tian, don't be ungrateful! What's wrong with Mr. Li? Think about your own status. Have you forgotten your scandals, or what? I was worried Mr. Li might refuse you. Who do you think you are, acting like some princess?" Han Miaomiao chided her sharply.
"Miaomiao, that's too much! I don't approve of this! Youyou has the right to decide her own life!" Lin Yue Rong finally spoke up.
"You, shut up! This isn't just about her; it's about our family's future and my potential partnership with Mr. Li," Tian Sheng never allowed Lin Yue Rong a say in any matter.
Turning back to Tian Youyou, he guilt-tripped her, "I've raised you for over twenty years; you ought to contribute to the family. Now that your arrangement with the Zhou family has fallen through and your reputation is ruined, do you think you have the luxury to be choosy?"
"So, your idea of helping is to sell me off, again and again?" Tian Youyou defiantly resisted.
"Foolish girl, what selling? Are you insulting yourself or Mr. Li? Zhou Moyan was any better, could you get him back?" Tian Sheng slapped her across the face.
"Hey, hey, hey, Mr. Tian, you can't be so rough with a girl. Youyou might need some time to accept me, I understand; she's much younger. Let's take it slow, I'm so lucky to have met such a beauty!" Mr. Li tried to ease the tense atmosphere, his lecherous gaze scanning Tian Youyou from head to toe.
"You're very generous; please don't mind her!" Tian Sheng kept apologizing to Mr. Li. "Youyou, this was unexpected, but I've already asked your father for your contact details. We'll talk more later, okay? I'll leave for now!" Mr. Li chuckled sycophantically, reaching to touch Tian Youyou's hand.
Tian Youyou shook off Mr. Li's greasy hands and ran out.
It started drizzling outside; it was already late autumn, and she had no umbrella, shivering from the cold.
Mr. Li shamelessly drove after her, "It's not safe for a girl to walk alone at night! Let me give you a ride. Do you have somewhere to go? If not, I can get you a room!"
"Get away from me!" Tian Youyou cursed at him.
She then turned into an alley and ran, escaping as Mr. Li's car couldn't follow.
Returning to the Tian residence was no longer an option.
Fortunately, she had found a job today and had somewhere to stay.
Arriving soaked from the rain, she opened the office door and couldn't help but sneeze several times.
The office was deserted at this hour.
She carelessly kicked off her shoes and limped due to a sprain she'd suffered during her escape, her foot throbbing painfully. She collapsed on the sofa and burst into tears.
Suddenly, the inner door opened, startling Tian Youyou.
It was Zhou Moyan.
Why was he still here at this hour?
Seeing her utterly disheveled, Zhou Moyan frowned and leaned down, lifting her chin, "What happened to your face? Who hit you?" His voice was cold, almost disdainful.
Her usually fair and radiant skin now bore a stark handprint, nearly bleeding. Who could have hit her so viciously?
Tian Youyou averted her eyes, remaining silent.
"Cat got your tongue? I'm asking you!" Zhou Moyan was infuriated. Was she stupid, suffering in silence and crying here?
"What's it to you?" Tian Youyou snapped back defiantly, turning her head away.
"You come to my place in the middle of the night, crying and yelling, anyone would think I did something to you. Even if you have lost your reputation, do I not care about mine?" Zhou Moyan disgustedly let go of her chin.
"What's wrong with me crying? Can you control the sky and earth but not my tears?" Tian Youyou tried to stand and walk away, but her foot failed her, and she fell forward, only to be caught in a warm embrace.