8: Chapter 8 Eight Thousand Yuan in Hand

Back home, Zhao Jian listed the doll on a second-hand trading platform.

He selected local in-person trading.

He received a response very quickly.

The buyer, 'Loves Lock Heart', sent a message: "I want the spicy cloth. Can we trade today, boss?"

It was just past noon.

If everything went smoothly, meeting up and exchanging the money and goods would only take a few minutes.

So he replied: "Of course. Between 2 PM and 3 PM, at the North Gate of the City Library."

He chose the library because he had seen an animation design company nearby that was hiring.

After the trade, he could go there to try his luck.

The buyer sent an 'ok' emoji.

Zhao Jian took the doll and ate a bowl of inauthentic banmian noodles by the roadside.

It was too spicy and lacked fragrance.

He silently noted down the shop's name and decided never to come back.

When he saw the library gate, it was exactly 2 PM.

The buyer hadn't arrived yet.

Zhao Jian bought himself a cup of Snow King—high-end enjoyment!

Just as he finished his drink and was about to throw away the cup, his phone rang.

Before he could answer, a clear yet slightly raspy voice called out to him from behind:

"The boss selling the spicy cloth?"

He turned around to see a girl with shoulder-length, dyed bright blue hair walking toward him.

"That's right. Are you Loves Lock Heart?"

"Did you bring the money?"

"Money is not an issue. Let me inspect the goods first!"

The girl shook her phone, signaling for a transfer payment.

It was reasonable for a buyer to inspect the goods, so Zhao Jian handed the spicy cloth over for her to see.

"Boss, this isn't an authentic product. Sell it to me for twenty, okay?"

If it's not authentic, why are you gripping it so tightly!

"Eight thousand. If you don't want it, give it back," Zhao Jian reached out to take the doll back.

The girl shielded the spicy cloth behind her back with both hands.

"2000. I'll pay two thousand, okay, brother? This thing loses value quickly. If you keep it, it might only be worth a few hundred in a few days."

Her words made sense.

My ass!

Zhao Jian thought to himself: Why would I keep it? If you don't want it, I'll sell it to someone else immediately.

Seeing that Zhao Jian was unwilling,

she quickly took the initiative to raise the price: "Five thousand. That's all the living expenses I have left."

Her tone was pitiful,

but her eyes were darting around.

Having already been cheated out of all his trust by his ex-girlfriend, Zhao Jian didn't believe her words at all.

He reached out his hand and said: "If your living expenses aren't enough, then use the money to improve your life. Let someone who can afford it buy the doll."

The girl was speechless for a moment.

She looked at Zhao Jian, then at the spicy cloth in her hands.

Finally, she gritted her teeth and said: "Eight thousand it is! Brother, you won't find a girlfriend being this stingy!"

"That's fine. I'm only stingy with you."

Zhao Jian received the eight-thousand transfer and immediately withdrew it to his bank card.

Only after it was successful did he smile and say: "Money and goods exchanged. Bye."

He didn't see the cute grimace Loves Lock Heart made after he turned away.

The day was still early, perfect for a job interview.

He didn't delay and followed the phone's navigation to the company where he had submitted his resume online.

"Youxiu Animation Design Studio?" He followed the name to the seventh floor.

"Hello, I'm here for an interview."

Zhao Jian explained his purpose to the receptionist.

"Please come this way. We will arrange an interview for you immediately." The receptionist led him to the lounge.

She signaled for him to wait a moment.

Just as Zhao Jian was considering whether to cram by searching for information about Youxiu Animation online,

he saw someone who shouldn't have been there: Wang Peng.

Wang Peng saw him too.

Their eyes met, and the look in both their eyes said: Bad luck!

"Who is Zhao Jian? Come with me for the interview."

A woman with a square face was looking at her phone, walking past Zhao Jian in a hurry.

Zhao Jian stood up and followed her.

The woman opened an office; the furnishings inside were simple, with only a table.

"Our office conditions aren't great for the moment, so let's just stand for the interview."

"That's fine."

Zhao Jian wasn't picky about standing or sitting.

Because when he saw Wang Peng, he knew today's interview was meaningless.

Even though the woman had praised his resume highly after reading it,

someone must be sabotaging him.

Sure enough, halfway through the interview, Wang Peng knocked on the door and called the woman out.

When she returned, her attitude had completely changed.

"Sorry, you don't meet our company's hiring standards. Please go back."

The woman's attitude was cold.

Zhao Jian had anticipated this, so he asked in a deep voice: "Which one doesn't meet it?"

"What?"

"Which of your hiring standards do I not meet?" Zhao Jian repeated his question.

He could accept not finding a job,

but he couldn't accept being tripped up by someone and having to silently endure it!

If someone made him unhappy, then no one should have a good time.

"This is our company's internal standard; it's not convenient to disclose." The woman feigned composure.

Actually, she was a bit flustered.

According to company standards, Zhao Jian was a perfect fit; it was Wang Peng who instructed her to terminate the interview.

And Wang Peng was one of the company's potential investors.

Youxiu Animation Studio hadn't received any business in nearly a year; if they couldn't secure investment, they would have to close down.

Even if Wang Peng's investment was still in the intention stage, and the investment amount was a drop in the bucket for the whole company,

its value far exceeded that of a single interviewee!

"Is it inconvenient, or is there no reason? Can I interpret this as your company having no intention to hire at all, and that you are posting fake job information?"

Zhao Jian didn't give the woman a chance to answer.

He turned and left the office, saying as he walked: "Go tell that to the Labor Inspection Bureau."

Large companies might not care about complaints,

but Youxiu Animation Studio was a small company, and it was on the verge of bankruptcy.

It couldn't withstand such waves.

"Wait a moment, let's talk again!" The woman panicked.

She chased after Zhao Jian, spread her arms, and blocked his path.

"Go talk to the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau instead."

He bypassed the woman and continued walking out.

But Wang Peng jumped out and said: "Zhao Jian, as an old classmate, let me say a fair word. They don't want you because your ability is poor and you're unqualified. You should be improving your professional skills instead of threatening retaliation."

"Doing this only makes you look like you have poor character and lack charisma."

Waiting for me here, are you?

Zhao Jian remembered this line; he had used the same words to mock Wang Peng after their class reunion.

The way he returned it was too stiff; young people are still too young.

"Whether my ability is good or not isn't up to you."

Hearing this, Wang Peng laughed.

He said in a contemptuous tone: "Sorry, but I am an investor in this company, and I hold their life and death in my hands. Whether your ability is good or not, I really do get to decide!"

His attitude was arrogant!

But at this moment, a familiar voice came through:

"Is that so? I wasn't aware that Youxiu Animation had already found an investor. It seems our President Li's investment intention needs to be reconsidered."

Sister Tao's steps were not large, but she looked very cool!

Wang Peng had an impression of this woman; she was the one who stood up for Zhao Jian at the class reunion.

He couldn't help but feel a bit of panic in his heart.

He blustered: "Why are you everywhere!"

Sister Tao retorted expressionlessly: "Yeah, why are you everywhere!"

When she reached Zhao Jian's side, the smile that bloomed instantly was like a spring breeze, making Zhao Jian feel warm inside.

"Sister Tao."

"Did you get bullied? Sister will vent your anger for you."

Zhao Jian shook his head and said: "No, how could a few stinking shrimp bully me."

"That's true!" Sister Tao echoed.

Wang Peng, who was left on the sidelines, became angrier as he listened.

He thought to himself: You two are singing in harmony and acting like a married couple here, who are you calling stinking shrimp?

Just as he was about to lose his temper, the owner of Youxiu Animation Studio ran over holding a roll of toilet paper.

At the same time, he shouted: "Who dares to neglect my investor!"