Chapter 06: Senior and Junior, Inseparable as Shadows

Shuailang gestured dramatically with both hands, mimicking the appearance of that bald director from years ago. This is a figure who has deceived countless naive students from graduation to unemployment. Among those who graduated from Zhongda University, few are unfamiliar with this person.

Shuailang regretfully slapped his forehead, thinking to himself that he should not have directly mentioned the young girl's name; otherwise, he wouldn't have exposed himself so quickly. Just a moment ago, he had indeed glanced over the resume and remembered the name "Wang Xue Na," which was neither common nor vulgar, but unexpectedly, this little trick was seen through by the clever girl.

"You don't know this? It's obvious you're a newcomer who hasn't navigated the job market. The 'Five Dominators' refer to: anyone who attends and listens to all on-campus recruitment presentations is the 'Listener Dominator'; anyone who submits resumes to every company hiring is the 'Submitter Dominator'; anyone who gets a written test after submitting a resume is the 'Tester Dominator'; anyone who receives an interview notice after the written test is the 'Interviewer Dominator'; and anyone who successfully passes the interview and secures an office position is called the 'Office Dominator.'" Shai Lang counted on his fingers, listing a few, which left Wang Xue Na speechless. Her big eyes were uncertain whether they expressed surprise or admiration. She had heard of these 'Five Dominators' as jokes among the boys at school, but if it were to be taken seriously... Shai Lang continued counting, and as he listed a few, Wang Xue Na fell silent, feeling a bit embarrassed and unwilling to lose face in front of her peers. Furrowing her brows, she asked Shai Lang in return, "So... which Dominator have you reached?"

I belong to the alternative category, repeatedly rejected in employment, with no opportunities at all, and in the community, I am referred to as the "Giant (or Completely) Overlord." Shuai Lang spoke seriously, and the frowning Wang Xue Na burst into laughter, her laughter too loud as if afraid of disturbing others, and she modestly covered her mouth while stealing glances at Shuai Lang, chuckling.

It is said that shyness is the most intoxicating beauty. When Shuai Lang looked at this junior, he began to believe this somewhat sour saying. Her expression, which seemed to hold back a smile yet dared not laugh heartily, resembled a bashful mimosa, not particularly beautiful, yet it stirred a longing in one's heart, making one want to reach out and touch her. If it weren't for her resume, Shuai Lang truly would not have believed that in a place like Zhongda, where lecherous men are everywhere, such a rare gem of shyness could survive.

At this moment, the two individuals had already taken several steps and paused in front of a recruitment introduction. Upon hearing the term "Five Dominators," Wang Xue-na, who was looking at the job positions, turned around and curiously asked, "I think I heard someone mention what the Five Dominators are, but what is it?"

Hello... Are you not looking for me?

Is there really a need to pretend? Currently, the most sought-after are graduates from vocational schools and technical colleges. I truly do not understand circuits; if I did, I would claim to be a technical school graduate. Our undergraduate program at Zhongda is decent for pursuing further studies or civil service exams, but here, no one wants us... Shuanglang spoke directly, noticing that the young lady seemed half-convinced by his words and was quite averse to the idea of "no one wanting" them. He quickly changed the subject: "Don't doubt me, the author of our school anthem is from our department, really. Have you heard of that poem? It's the one about wanting to step out of the school gate..."

Ah! This... this is quite embarrassing

Shuailang smiled sneakily, leaving Wang Xue-na puzzled. Just as she was wondering, she suddenly heard Shuailang straighten his neck, his eyes wide open as if it were a serious matter, and he shouted loudly: "Hey... whose phone fell on the ground... the phone, the one under that table..."

From tension to a glare, from a glare to a smile, and from a smile to ease, it is merely a distance of a few steps. The identity of being alumni has brought them closer together, and the pretentious charm of the handsome young man has garnered some goodwill. At this moment, the distance has shortened a bit more. The handsome young man sees the junior student more clearly, her expression a mix of worry and tenderness, her smile shy and discreet, still carrying that youthful student aura. She is undoubtedly an excellent student, innocent to the ways of the world, and judging by her timid demeanor, it is likely her first time at the talent market hoping for good fortune. In the brief moment they exchanged smiles, the handsome young man's desire to help others surged, wishing he were the boss, ready to recruit and nurture this girl as his little sweetheart.

With a confident demeanor, the senior waved his hand. This time, there was no hand-holding; he simply led the way. After taking a few steps, he cast a discreet glance behind him at the junior who felt lost and had no better options. Although she felt somewhat uneasy and sensed the awkwardness of the situation, in this chaotic and unfamiliar environment, it seemed that there was no other shortcut but to follow closely in the footsteps of the trustworthy senior.

Let us go, once you graduate, you will understand that the least valuable thing is talent, and even less valuable than talent is the face of talent. Do not engage in the foolish act of clinging to face while suffering in silence... The ancients have said, "When the granaries are full, etiquette follows." Here, where the issue of food has not been resolved, who can you expect to be courteous? Whoever is quick will take it for themselves...

Of course, this is an ideal; it is better left unsaid, as most ideals are unattainable.

Indeed, the world is changing too rapidly, and the girls in school are no longer so easily won over

Wang Xue-na understood that the first step into society is to learn to shamelessly cut in line

She subtly indicated, then gracefully positioned herself at the end of the bustling queue. Shuai Lang was momentarily taken aback, glancing around at the crowd that seemed endless. In such a sea of people, encountering a girl like her was a rare opportunity; with a turn and a blink, she could vanish, perhaps never to be seen again in this lifetime. What made Shuai Lang's heart race even more was that this scenario was the most likely one he had imagined regarding the *illustrated* girl, and it was also the situation he most hoped for: she was single

This was shouted by Shuai Lang. Being short has its advantages; when you blend into the crowd, no one can see you causing trouble. Wang Xue Na suddenly understood the senior's intentions; he wanted to take advantage of the chaos to help her slip into the line. At the moment the guy who was kicked turned around to shout, the people beside him shifted aside, creating a gap. In just a few moments, she had passed several people, and in the blink of an eye, she found herself pushed to the front of the recruitment table by Shuai Lang.

As expected, upon mentioning this individual, the young lady chuckled softly, clearly amused. Knowing this, it is quite possible that he indeed graduated from Zhongzhou University. However, she still maintained a sense of reserve, walking while somewhat incredulously asking the handsome man beside her, "Are you really a graduate of Zhongda?"

However, there may not be only one ideal way to achieve this. While pondering how to obtain a phone number, the young lady had no ulterior motives; she simply showed a faint smile of joy upon seeing an alumnus. After a moment, she laughed lightly, a bit shyly raised the resume she had not yet handed out, and gestured towards the crowd, indicating that she was about to take her leave, as she could not delay her important matters.

The junior sister felt a bit shy, tongue-tied, and somewhat embarrassed. Half of her discomfort stemmed from not wanting to trouble others, while the other half likely arose from feeling that the matter handled by this senior was indeed somewhat awkward.

Shuailang added, striving to play the role of a cheerful alumnus meeting his peers, chuckling as he prepared to get closer, hoping to extract a phone number for gradual development. Ever since graduation, after experiencing both unemployment and heartbreak, it took him two years to realize a truth: girls in society are not easily deceived; it is still easier to fool those from school, especially those like the one before him who have just stepped out of the campus and have yet to enter the workplace.

He sincerely spoke to the junior without a hint of distraction: "I really know you, you are a senior, studying Marketing Management, looking for an internship, right?"

One was visibly delighted, while the other wore a look of astonishment. Just as the young girl was lost in thought, the sly smile of Shuai Lang made her suddenly feel on guard. She looked at Shuai Lang in surprise, her gaze slowly shifting to the resume she was still protecting against her chest. In an instant, she realized that the source of his familiarity was her resume. With a huff, she quickly tucked the resume behind her and turned to leave.

Someone behind is shouting, "Exactly, who kicked someone? If you want to find your phone, just find your phone, why kick someone?"

I will teach you how to deliver ... ... doing this requires not only a thick skin but also considerable skill ... ... come on, brother will take you to take the first step towards the social * picture * book club ... ...

The young lady was momentarily taken aback, her eyes widened as if she were assessing the handsome man, yet she truly could not recall.

Shuai Lang quietly comforted her and made a bold move, pulling Wang Xue Na forward a few steps without any explanation. The younger girl was caught off guard, her face instantly flushed as she was held by the hand, clearly unaccustomed to such an intimate gesture from a stranger she had just met. Just as she was about to shake off his hand, Shuai Lang had already released it, pointing towards the crowd. He turned back to see the girl staring blankly, and finally reminded her seriously: "Be careful, the crowd is about to shift slightly. You need to seize this opportunity; when I push you, hurry and go in..."

In a soft voice, yet filled with enthusiasm, a few words were uttered, revealing the full essence of the literary young woman's poignant charm

It is said that the author is a talented woman from Zhongda University. Currently, romantic and sentimental writings by beautiful women are the most popular, especially when they carry the title of a talented woman. Consequently, it easily becomes a must-read inspirational poem that motivates countless junior students in their job search. It seems that sometimes, although literary youth can be a bit pretentious, they are still quite effective. One can clearly feel that the girl's gaze has shifted to one of recognition, becoming less resistant and defensive. Shuai Lang secretly rejoices at finally finding a common topic, making an effort to appear deeply moved and literary as he continues to recite the ending: "... it seems that sometimes, although literary youth can be a bit pretentious, they are still quite effective. One can clearly feel that the girl's gaze has shifted to one of recognition, becoming less resistant and defensive. Shuai Lang secretly rejoices at finally finding a common topic, making an effort to appear deeply moved and literary as he continues to recite the ending: "... or perhaps, sighing, wandering, feeling lost, until sinking into despair. ... ... I think the last sentence is poorly written, too pessimistic, and not at all uplifting."

Shuailang really knows this girl

I said I would do it, and I will... I am about to cast a job-seeking spell... Are you ready

The figures of two individuals were buried in the crowd, and soon shouts began to rise from within the throng, still the same phrase:

The sound suddenly erupted loudly, with a clear target, and immediate effect. Half of the crowd turned to look down, while the other half hurriedly checked their pockets. There was a slight movement to the left and right. Wang Xue Na, still bewildered and unsure of what Shuai Lang meant, felt a strong push from behind. She involuntarily took a few steps forward, and just as she squeezed through, she slipped into the gap created by the shifting crowd. Being small in stature, she noticed that the senior was right behind her. She clearly saw Shuai Lang's leg extend into the crowd, kicking forward. The person who was kicked angrily turned around and said, "Who kicked me?" Wang Xue Na, still confused about Shuai Lang's intentions, had not yet reacted when she felt another push from behind, causing her to move forward a few steps. Just as she squeezed through, she slipped into the gap created by the shifting crowd. Being small in stature, she noticed that the senior was right behind her. She clearly saw Shuai Lang's leg extend into the crowd, kicking forward. The person who was kicked angrily turned around and said, "Who kicked me?"

Indeed, there are still a lot of people. The junior girl turned her head, never imagining that even the hurdle of submitting a resume would be so difficult. She was taken aback by the serious expression of the handsome young man, leaving her with a look of distress.

Fake, how could I possibly know? However, at this moment, that radiant smile as if meeting an old friend, that honest and dignified face, truly does not seem fake

Hi ... Hi and the book ... ... Who dropped their phone on the ground ...

A light reprimand sounded from behind, startling Wang Xue Na as she turned around. The senior, with an honest smile on his face, had somehow appeared behind her, his smile carrying a hint of mischief. This was the secret of Shuai Lang that was not meant to be shared, and unexpectedly, it had come in handy. Wang Xue Na smiled, tacitly acknowledging it. Expressing gratitude seemed difficult, but she eventually managed to murmur a thank you, her bashfulness accompanied by a faint smile, looking quite embarrassed. Shuai Lang, with his thick skin, smiled proudly and did not forget to tease the junior, saying: "Have you learned it? I was just like you at the beginning, standing outside in a daze, unable to get in for a long time... Come on, I’ll help you submit your resume. I guarantee you’ll elevate from a listener to a submitter level in just one morning; the rest depends on your own abilities."

I am not lying to you; we are indeed alumni. Please do not misunderstand me; I sincerely want to apologize, and since this is your first time here, I want to help you... I truly am from Zhongda University. You just attended the on-campus employment presentation, right? ... Wasn't that bald director from the Career Guidance Center encouraging you all at the meeting? ... Ah, students, stepping out of the school gate will mark the beginning of a whole new world, the future is yours, and you will be the pride of Zhongzhou University... Do not believe him; if you do, you will definitely fall into a pit. For most majors at our school, you basically have to find your own job after graduation, and the outcome is usually that you cannot find a job.

The young woman walked away with a flick of her hand, yet the handsome young man, undeterred, chased after her. Having been in this place for a year and a half, he had lost all sense of shame, so what did it matter if he faced rejection once or twice? As he pursued her, he continuously offered explanations:

Wang Xue-na turned her head in astonishment, clearly not believing it. It had been so crowded all morning, and she couldn't understand why both men and women here were lacking in grace. When had things ever loosened up?

Oh? The young lady was momentarily taken aback, startled once again, unable to believe yet compelled to accept the reality. She stared in astonishment at this clumsy uninvited guest. However, this uninvited guest was so ordinary in appearance that it was difficult to pinpoint any distinguishing features. He was neither tall, nor handsome, nor charming; clearly, he belonged to the category of individuals often overlooked in school. After glancing back and forth, she still could not recall him, which made her forget her intention to leave in a huff.

Opportunities are fleeting, and the girl won't come again. Without a second thought, Shuai Lang approached and quietly signaled her to come over. He mysteriously led his junior, Wang Xue Na, a few steps away from the crowd, and in a low, serious, and earnest tone said: "As a newcomer, you should seek guidance from your seniors to avoid unnecessary detours. Look at the long line of people, and then at the resume in your hand. Do you think you can submit it all within a week at mhetushu.com? Or with your physique, can you even squeeze in?"

Indeed, this approach is quite effective. Although Shuai Lang is not a literary type, it is evident that this junior has a tendency towards being a literary young woman, as her face reflects a certain sentimentality. It is no surprise that this tactic worked immediately; the junior suddenly stopped in her tracks, staring at Shuai Lang in astonishment, as if she were moved by the scene, and casually continued with the conversation:

Meng was right. Shuailang immediately said seriously: "Indeed, I know you. Your major in Market Management has classes on the third floor of the teaching building"

Of course, this feeling has been experienced in advance by Shuai Lang, who quickly changed the subject and said: "It's not that serious; even if we live for another ten years, we will still have a bunch of problems... By the way, Job-Seeking Five Dominations, to which level have you cultivated? This is directly related to your future employment."

Then, plant a lotus seed / Buried in the muddy soil / Waiting for the messages of one spring after another / One day, / It will bloom magnificently / Just to raise a confident chest ... ...

No way

Shuailang has taken it up, this poem is well-known among adults, originally written by a female student as a humorous piece. However, after being recognized by the school, it was directly posted on the campus network BSS. Speaking of this, the girl cast a sideways glance, seemingly stirred. Shuailang quietly recited: "... I want to step out of the school gate / I want to wait for the right moment / To bury everything about me / Including vanity, self-esteem, face, laziness, and bad habits. ... Hey, Xue Na, you can't really not know, right? It truly represents the feelings you all had right after graduation... I want to step out of the school gate / I want to wait for the right moment / To bury everything about me / Including vanity, self-esteem, face, laziness, and bad habits. ... Hey, Xue Na, you can't really not know, right? It truly represents the feelings you all had right after graduation... What comes next..."

... ... Despair is also a form of helplessness, but overall it is good. Now I finally feel that I have nothing, only vanity, self-esteem, face, laziness, and bad habits... ..." After listening, Wang Xue-na said thoughtfully, shaking her head, appearing to deny something with a sense of loss.

One minute... two minutes... After waiting for nearly three minutes, the crowd began to ease slightly, and Wang Xue-na finally managed to extricate herself from the throng. However, the frown on her face had lessened somewhat. Once she stepped out of the crowd and into the corridor, she looked around as if searching for something, her expression revealing a mix of anticipation and joy. Regardless of the situation, the first time is always exciting, especially with such an unconventional way of submitting a resume; it was indeed her first experience.

Of course, it is disheartening. As soon as the job market identifies any specialized or undergraduate degree, it becomes as saturated as potatoes and cabbages. As an inconspicuous member among the carrots and cabbages, how can one not feel disheartened

You are Wang Xue Na from Zhongzhou University, right? I am indeed your alumnus, from the Chinese Department