Chapter 7
"Alright, let's proceed this way. I am the boss here, my name is Zhang Yaoyang. The person outside is called Xu Hao. My conditions are that lunch is provided, and you will need to arrange your own accommodation. The base salary is 1,500, with bonuses and commissions calculated separately based on the amount of work you complete for the entire project. If this is acceptable to you, you can start working."
The voice from over there came again: "Can you come over now?"
This is the case, we are Xingcheng Architectural Design Company. I saw your job application information online. Are you interested in coming to our company for an interview
Gu Xiaoqing walked into the room with the door open, feeling somewhat unsteady. Standing at the doorway, she saw a tall man anxiously searching for something on a desk. This man was dressed somewhat formally, though his tie was undone and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up high.
Zhang Yaoyang tapped on her desk and said, "Turn off the computer, it's time to get off work."
Gu Xiaoqing seemed to have a premonition. She stood up from the bed and slowly walked to Chen Chunhui's side, cautiously calling out to her: "Chen Chunhui?"
Zhang Yaoyang's vehicle is an old-fashioned Jeep, showing signs of having been used for several years. The body has some scratches, and the entire car appears to be somewhat unclean. When Gu Xiaoqing got in, she detected a strong smell of gasoline
In this way, Gu Xiaoqing obtained her first formal job. Although the salary was lower than what her father earned by driving a taxi for half a month, and the benefits were non-existent, she could see that despite its simplicity, this was a genuine architectural design company. Her requirements were not high; she only needed a position that matched her field of study. As long as this condition was met, she would not mind the other aspects for the time being
Gu Xiaoqing turned her head away in a spasm, feeling embarrassed. The slightly melancholic atmosphere was completely dissipated by her antics.
Gu Xiaoqing will forever remember the scene from that night, as Chen Chunhui sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, her gaze vacant. She slowly said to Gu Xiaoqing: "Xiaoqing, do you know? In our place, water is more precious than oil. The girls there are worthless; some families have daughters as young as 13 or 14 years old, who are already being betrothed and married off, just to save a portion of food for the family. At home, my mother also spoke of such matters to me, and my father, who has always doted on me since I was little, insisted on allowing me to continue my studies. The girls there are worthless; some families have daughters as young as 13 or 14 years old, who are already being betrothed and married off, just to save a portion of food for the family. At home, my mother also spoke of such matters to me, and my father, who has always doted on me since I was little, insisted on allowing me to continue my studies. My younger brother only attended elementary school; to support my education, he started working in the coal mine with my father at the age of 15."
Gu Xiaoqing did not know how to comfort her, and it seemed that anything she said would come off as insincere. She hesitantly said: "You, you should try to be more open-minded."
After graduating from university, Chen Chunhui quickly returned home. Later, Gu Xiaoqing learned that she had found a job at the Urban Planning Bureau in their city. A year later, Gu Xiaoqing received a remittance slip sent from Qinghai, which contained the amount of twelve thousand three hundred and fifty-four yuan. This was exactly the amount of money Gu Xiaoqing had given her that year
Gu Xiaoqing opened the folder and found it contained information from several real estate companies, as well as some industry standards and regulations, totaling about twenty pages. She glanced at the time and realized that there was no way to finish everything today. She sighed quietly and sat down. In her heart, she told herself: "This is just the beginning; although the start is not very good, it is still the first step taken."
"Alright," Gu Xiaoqing replied
After sizing her up, the man suddenly turned his head and shouted outside: "Xu Hao, is this the person you found for me?"
Gu Xiaoqing walked over and stood beside Xu Hao, saying: "Brother Xu, the boss asked me to come and help you"
Although Gu Xiaoqing felt somewhat puzzled, she still went to the address after sending the person off. Upon arrival, she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed; it was a company so small that it could hardly be smaller, with only two people, including the boss, working there.
Now? Gu Xiaoqing finds it very strange, having never seen such an anxious employer.
When Gu Xiaoqing graduated, she sent her resume to several companies that matched her major. However, her grades were average, she had not participated in the student union, and she lacked any social practice experience, so they did not even give her an interview opportunity. As for companies like Yulong, it goes without saying that they do not even recruit interns like her
When Zhang Yaoyang stepped out of his office, he saw Gu Xiaoqing, who seemed almost to be merging with the computer. He had actually known all along that Gu Xiaoqing had not left. He had stayed so late without making a sound, partly because he had some unfinished work, and partly to see how far Gu Xiaoqing could go. As a result, the sound of typing from outside had not ceased. Zhang Yaoyang was very pleased with this version of Gu Xiaoqing. He had stayed so late without making a sound, partly because he had some unfinished work, and partly to see how far Gu Xiaoqing could go. As a result, the sound of typing from outside had not ceased. Zhang Yaoyang was very pleased with this version of Gu Xiaoqing
Zhang Yaoyang couldn't help but glance at her a couple more times, seeing how readily she agreed. He said to her, "Alright, you go out and help Xu Hao with that document. Let's leave it at that for now"
Gu Xiaoqing felt a pang of sadness; she knew that this city had never treated her kindly. Looking at Chen Chunhui in this way, she felt a sense of helplessness. Many things in this world are like this: you know full well that they are wrong, unjust, and unfair, yet you can do nothing about it, because it is impossible to fight against the entire social order.
Yes
The sky has darkened, and Gu Xiaoqing no longer has the time to check the hour. She is intently focused on the computer, her hands flying swiftly over the keyboard.
How many people will stand up and continue walking, and how many will sink into despair? What price will those who stand up and continue walking have to pay?
I can create maps, send faxes, compile data, organize documents, and, oh, I can also drive
Chen Chunhui slowly shifted his gaze to Gu Xiaoqing and calmly said: "My father has died"
Then you should go back and rest early. Remember not to be late tomorrow. After saying this, Zhang Yaoyang drove away
Gu Xiaoqing shut down her computer and hurriedly tidied up her desk. She turned off the lights and walked towards the door. Zhang Yaoyang was waiting for her at the entrance, and the two of them silently made their way through the dark corridor and descended the stairs
Xu Hao looked up at her and grinned, saying, "That's great, please help me print out this bid document first. Then input all this information into the computer." After he finished speaking, he stood up and handed a folder to Gu Xiaoqing. Then he ignored her and busied himself at another computer.
Zhang Yaoyang smiled and said, "It's almost 10 o'clock, and there are no more buses. Let's go, I'll give you a ride." After saying this, he took the lead and walked towards the parking lot
The person who just opened the door for Gu Xiaoqing rushed in with a distressed expression and said to that person: "Boss! Please spare me, I have already run away from several, it would be good enough to find someone for you."
After Gu Xiaoqing got into the car, she announced her home address. Zhang Yaoyang nodded slightly, started the vehicle, and drove away. The two remained silent throughout the journey
At this point, Chen Chunhui looked up at the twinkling lights outside the window, let out a sigh, and continued, "The big city is truly wonderful! Here, the water can be used freely, and the streets are paved with concrete everywhere. After it rains, everything is clean and tidy, unlike where I come from, where a gust of wind raises clouds of yellow sand. However, no matter how good it is here, it is not a place where I can find my footing."
Gu Xiaoqing gently knocked twice on the door, and the person suddenly raised their head, looking up and down at Gu Xiaoqing.
Watching Zhang Yaoyang's car drive away, Gu Xiaoqing's shoulders finally slumped down. She turned around and slowly walked home.
After arriving home, Gu Xiaoqing jumped out of the car and turned to Zhang Yaoyang, saying, "Thank you." Zhang Yaoyang, standing behind the car, replied, "Please bring your resume to the company tomorrow."
After graduating from university, Li Zhe stayed in City C for 3 months, but ultimately could not hold on and returned to Hainan. On the day she left, Gu Xiaoqing went to the train station to see her off. After Li Zhe boarded the train, she returned to cling to the train door and shouted to Gu Xiaoqing: "Xiaoqing, I am going back to prepare for next year's graduate entrance exam, wait for me!" Then she turned her head towards the crowd and shouted: "City C, I Hu Hanzan will come back next year!" She was not embarrassed at all, and her voice echoed in the empty station. The conductor nearby watched her and laughed. After Li Zhe boarded the train, she returned to cling to the train door and shouted to Gu Xiaoqing: "Xiaoqing, I am going back to prepare for next year's graduate entrance exam, wait for me!" Then she turned her head towards the crowd and shouted: "City C, I Hu Hanzan will come back next year!" She was not embarrassed at all, and her voice echoed in the empty station. The conductor nearby watched her and laughed.
In mid-October, the weather began to gradually turn cooler. That morning, Gu Xiaoqing was driving a guest to the train station. As she was driving on the overpass, her phone rang. She slowly reduced her speed while taking out her phone. As soon as the call connected, a man's voice came through: "May I ask if you are Miss Gu Xiaoqing?"
From Chen Chunhui, Gu Xiaoqing experienced for the first time the helplessness and cruelty of life. This world does not guarantee that hard work will always yield rewards. Life is so complex and tortuous; how many people, while striving to climb higher, believe that a bright tomorrow is just within reach, only to be pushed back by an invisible hand.
"Take the bus," Gu Xiaoqing replied as a matter of course
Gu Xiaoqing agreed without hesitation
Gu Xiaoqing smiled shyly
After all the turmoil, the train ultimately took Li Zhe away. As she watched the departing train, Gu Xiaoqing suddenly felt a sense of desolation, as if the curtain had fallen and the audience had dispersed. She straightened her chest, turned around, and walked back. No matter what, life must go on; she herself had been unemployed since graduation.
Ah, yes," Gu Xiaoqing replied
Zhang Yaoyang smiled and said, "If I don't say anything, will you never get off work?"
During their senior year, Chen Chunhui's father passed away. She received the news while in her dormitory when her mother called. At that moment, Gu Xiaoqing happened to be by her side. She saw that shortly after Chen Chunhui answered the phone, she stood there in a daze, her eyes instantly vacant. Throughout the call, she did not say a single word, and after a long while, she gently hung up the receiver. At that moment, Gu Xiaoqing happened to be by her side. She saw that shortly after Chen Chunhui answered the phone, she stood there in a daze, her eyes instantly vacant. Throughout the call, she did not say a single word, and after a long while, she gently hung up the receiver
On that day, Gu Xiaoqing was engrossed in typing at her computer from dawn till dusk. During lunchtime, someone brought her a boxed meal, and she got up to hastily eat a few bites before returning to her work. Fortunately, she remembered to call the night shift driver in the afternoon to inform him of the change in the vehicle drop-off location. Since the drop-off location was usually fixed, she faced a barrage of complaints from the driver who was supposed to pick up the vehicle. Gu Xiaoqing apologized countless times over the phone before she managed to smooth things over.
The company is located in an old office building in the old town of City C, behind a street. Gu Xiaoqing ascended the worn staircase to the second floor and found the sign of Xingcheng Architectural Design Company at the very end of the dimly lit corridor
After the two of them arrived downstairs, Zhang Yaoyang asked Gu Xiaoqing: "How do you plan to go back?"
He pointed to a room inside to her
Gu Xiaoqing turned around in surprise, looking at Zhang Yaoyang standing behind her, and scratched her head saying, "You didn't say when you would get off work"
Gu Xiaoqing, feeling a bit excited, quickly said: "Sure."
The other party provided the address and repeatedly urged her to come over immediately if she was interested
Gu Xiaoqing was aware that she had tanned quite a bit during this period, and due to her hurried arrival, she had not had the chance to change into a more formal outfit, which made her feel somewhat guilty
Chen Chunhui leaned on the table and slowly sat back on the bed. She looked at Gu Xiaoqing and said, "Xiaoqing, do you believe it? I don't feel too uncomfortable; I only feel that I am finally free." After she finished speaking, two lines of tears finally slid down from the corners of her eyes.
Regarding Chen Chunhui's situation, Gu Xiaoqing knew that she could not be of much help; all she could do was to try her best to keep it hidden. Fortunately, Zou Jing had already moved out in her sophomore year. Li Zhe was a kind-hearted child, and when he gradually noticed the changes in Chen Chunhui, he chose to remain silent
Gu Xiaoqing felt somewhat perplexed but still replied: "Yes."
Gu Xiaoqing looked up inside; there was no sound. Throughout the day, she had heard Zhang Yaoyang making phone calls incessantly, but now it was silent. She turned to check the time, then glanced at the office filled with various pieces of furniture, which appeared crowded yet empty of people, and no one paid her any attention. She let out a soft sigh and returned to her typing.
At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Xu Hao shouted into the room while holding a roll of blueprints: "I'm leaving!" With a "bang," he closed the door and left for the day
Gu Xiaoqing could actually find another job quite easily, but for some reason, she insists on finding a job that aligns with her major. Therefore, she helped her father drive a taxi for 3 months at home
Zhang Yaoyang walked up behind Gu Xiaoqing and said: "Why haven't you left yet?"
Gu Xiaoqing hesitated for a moment, but still knocked on the door and entered. The person who opened the door was a young man with disheveled hair, wearing a T-shirt and hot pants. His clothes hung loosely on his thin frame. He looked at Gu Xiaoqing and asked, "Gu Xiaoqing?"
When Gu Xiaoqing went out, Xu Hao was typing away at the computer.
The person finally revealed a faint smile and said, "Alright, quite clever. Is your family from this city?"
At this moment, Zhang Yaoyang, who was driving, thought to himself: "This girl is not pretentious, quite good."
The man, feeling frustrated, scratched his head and waved at Xu Hao, who ran out as if he had received a special pardon. After Xu Hao left, the man turned his gaze sharply towards Gu Xiaoqing and asked her: "What can you do?"