Chen Zhaoci led Fan Jia to a larger office, surprisingly decorated with elegant sophistication. A beautiful woman in her thirties stood up smiling behind the desk. She wore professional attire and appeared both capable and striking.

Chen Zhaoci introduced her: “This is our Financial Director, Zhang Wei. You can call her Sister Wei.”

Fan Jia immediately realized this was the woman who had called earlier urging her to film the nude loan video. She showed a nervous expression: “Hello, Sister Wei.”

Zhang Wei waved her hand casually, saying: “You go on, I’ll chat with little sister Ling Ling for a while.”

Chen Zhaoci said to Fan Jia: “Sister Wei has been wanting to meet you. You girls chat for a bit while I report to the boss. Take this time to prepare yourself for meeting him later.”

Fan Jia: “Oh… alright.”

After Chen Zhaoci left, Zhang Wei led Fan Jia to the sofa, saying: “You’re such a pretty girl. Do you have a boyfriend?”

Fan Jia lowered her head: “No.”

Zhang Wei said: “That’s fine, you’ll find someone young and promising later, someone like Zhaoci, right? Many girls like him.”

Fan Jia fell even more silent, hands clasped tightly on her thighs. Zhang Wei noticed her reaction and began preparing kung fu tea on the coffee table, saying: “I heard from Zhaoci that you’re having trouble with repayment but don’t want to film the video. Normally, the company would refuse to lend more money in such cases. But on one hand, Chen Zhaoci says you’re his most valued junior, and on the other hand, I hear you’re very capable and qualified. So the company has been thinking hard and came up with a perfect solution for you.”

Fan Jia raised her head, eyes hopeful: “What solution?”

Zhang Wei placed a cup of tea before her, saying: “Join our company, like Zhaoci.”

The freshly brewed tea steamed gently. Zhang Wei said: “Try it, it’s premium Zhengshan Xiaozhong.” Fan Jia lifted the cup and took a small sip. Zhang Wei laughed: “Silly child, you don’t know what you’re drinking. I don’t serve this tea to just anyone.” Fan Jia knew nothing about tea, only tasting slight bitterness and astringency, but took another sip anyway.

Zhang Wei refilled her cup, saying: “The company has very high standards for employees; ordinary people can’t even get in. Look at Zhaoci – he used to owe the company over a hundred thousand, but through his work these past few years, he not only paid off his debt but bought a house and car. Isn’t that reaching life’s peak? Of course, since we’re an elite company with excellent benefits, we have strict rules. Once you join, you must obey your superiors’ orders and follow all commands. Especially among company employees – we’re like family, understanding and supporting each other. Can you do all this?”

Fan Jia immediately said: “Yes! I can!” After speaking, she became somewhat embarrassed and carefully asked: “Can I join the company?”

At this moment, Fan Jia felt both joy and concern. The joy came from them wanting her to join the company – if she could get closer to the company’s people and operations, she might discover whether they were connected to the two girls’ deaths. Her concern was that this approach might be too slow – were they trying to reel in a bigger fish by binding her tightly to the company? But the investigation might not have that kind of time.

Nevertheless, Fan Jia decided she wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

Zhang Wei smiled and said: “Of course you can. You have such a good image and temperament, and you’re a Huaicheng University graduate. Chatting with you, I can tell your communication and thinking are good – you’re a promising young person. Currently, the company has two positions available for you, but both require interviews as there’s lots of competition. One is starting as a sales representative like Chen Zhaoci, which is quite tough with an unstable initial income. The other is President Zhou’s assistant, which is a rare opportunity since the previous assistant just left, and you happened to come along. However, this job is also very demanding, requiring 24-hour availability to attend to President Zhou’s needs, handling both his work matters and accompanying him to business dinners, social events, and business trips. But it has a stable monthly income of 5,000 yuan, and as a leader’s assistant, after a few years working with him, your horizons will broaden and you can become a department head, with an even higher income. I was President Zhou’s assistant for several years – look at me now, aren’t I doing well?”

Fan Jia said: “Sister Wei, I… I’d like to try for President Zhou’s assistant position.”

Zhang Wei lifted her teacup, her glamorous nails gleaming slightly under the light. She smiled and said: “Good, I like our chat – consider my interview passed. Whether you can make a good impression on President Zhou is up to you now. Once President Zhou takes a liking to someone, he’s very generous, even giving gifts like clothes and jewelry. What’s a luxury item to us is just pocket change to him. Sister, whether you can seize this opportunity is up to you.”

Fan Jia showed a somewhat confused expression. Zhang Wei clinked cups with her: “Drink up.” Unable to refuse, Fan Jia had two more cups. They chatted until Chen Zhaoci came to get her.

Chen Zhaoci looked at her and said: “President Zhou is waiting.”

Fan Jia lightly tugged his sleeve: “Is it okay if I interview for President Zhou’s assistant position?”

Chen Zhaoci showed a very meaningful smile that made Fan Jia pause slightly. But the expression vanished instantly as he resumed his calm, honest demeanor, answering: “That’s good, good luck, hope you get the position.”

Fan Jia’s eyes darted quickly as she asked softly: “You… don’t want me to go?”

He looked ahead, smiling: “How could that be? If you want to climb higher, how could I stop you?”

Fan Jia pressed on, continuing to probe. She stood still, face stubborn, voice mosquito-like: “If you don’t want me to go, I won’t. From Sister Wei’s hints… it seems the assistant’s relationship with President Zhou would be very close… I, I don’t know… Brother Zhaoci, should I go?”

Chen Zhaoci turned to look at her, his gaze unprecedentedly deep behind his glasses.

After a while, he smiled and ruffled her hair: “Go ahead. What happens is up to you – whether it becomes a great career or a degrading life depends on your own choices. Besides, do you have any other options?”

Fan Jia followed Chen Zhaoci to an office at the end of the third floor. Upon entering, she found a large room decorated in classical style, with black leather sofas, large bookcases, and calligraphy on the walls – a typical boss’s office.

Chen Zhaoci said: “President Zhou, Fan Ling Ling is here.”

“Come in.”

A man emerged from behind the desk, surprisingly refined and presentable at first glance. He appeared to be in his forties, of medium build, wearing a black Tang suit and black-rimmed glasses, carrying quite an intellectual air.