Financial Independence through Cracked Apps

Chapter 348 - 188: The Secretary’s First Interview

"Welcome."

’?’

’Why does that sound a little familiar?’

Xu Lei glanced to the side. Her eyes widened the moment she saw the handsome man in a sharp suit standing before her.

’Lin Shen!?’

"What are you doing here?"

"What do you think?"

Lin Shen countered with a smile. Xu Lei blinked, her stunned expression turning to one of horror. She covered her mouth with one hand in disbelief.

"Don’t tell me you’re the one interviewing me?"

"The one and only."

Lin Shen gestured for Xu Lei to sit and handed her a towel, as if he’d known she would get caught in the rain.

"Here, dry yourself off."

"Ah? Thank you!"

Xu Lei felt a little flustered by the gesture. After draping the towel over her nylon-clad legs and dabbing them dry, she stole a glance at the man sitting across from her.

Lin Shen looked even more handsome than the last time they’d met. The formal suit and shirt, in particular, gave him an air of mature stability.

That, combined with his handsome features, gentle words, and considerate little gestures, moved Xu Lei, and her heart suddenly began to race.

’Could he be the one hiring a secretary?’

A thought crossed Xu Lei’s mind.

"So you’re the one who founded Shennan. No wonder it was only established less than a month ago."

"So, do you want to join?"

"Of course!"

Perhaps because she knew him, Xu Lei relaxed considerably. The worried look on her face gradually faded, replaced by a small smile.

"Actually, after seeing you at our old company, I was already thinking I’d like to come work for you."

"Why?"

Lin Shen asked with a smile, prompting Xu Lei to sit up straight and quickly gather her thoughts.

’After all, this could be my first interview question!’

"First and foremost, the compensation you’re offering is excellent."

Xu Lei began, speaking with ease.

"Second, having worked with you for two or three years, I’ve gotten to know you quite well. You have a kind and mature personality, and you always looked out for me. I would be thrilled to work with you again."

"Lastly, you’ve taken over this Cat Cafe and rented office space. It’s clear you’ve made thorough preparations, and I’m confident you will be successful!"

"Thank you. I hope you’re right."

Hearing Xu Lei’s formal answer, Lin Shen crossed one leg elegantly over the other, resting a hand on his knee.

"However, you still need to take this interview seriously. I’m not going to play favorites just because we know each other."

"Understood."

Xu Lei immediately straightened up, her posture perfect and her expression serious and focused.

Lin Shen saw she was ready, so he asked her a few questions he had prepared in advance.

"What do you believe is the core function of a secretary? In your daily work, what are the three most important details to focus on?"

"Imagine your boss has three conflicting appointments tomorrow: first, an important client requests a last-minute meeting; second, an urgent internal meeting is called; and third, a supplier negotiation that was scheduled a week ago. How would you coordinate these? Please explain your thought process in detail."

"In the next three years, what kind of growth do you hope to achieve in this secretarial role?"

...

These were just a few of the questions Lin Shen had carefully selected to assess Xu Lei’s professional qualities, such as her understanding of the role, her ability to handle daily contingencies, and her career planning.

Her answers were fluid, logical, and well-articulated.

While her lack of experience made her stumble over some questions, the solutions she ultimately proposed were quite good.

Lin Shen, at least, was very satisfied.

Plus, Xu Lei had excellent poise and presence. Her voice was as soft and lilting as a lark’s song—pleasant to the ear, yet dignified.

All these strengths combined, Lin Shen would give her a score of at least 70 out of 100.

"...And that’s everything I understand about the secretarial role."

After finishing her long explanation, Xu Lei couldn’t help but lick her dry lips.

Seeing this, Lin Shen handed her a bottle of mineral water.

"Thank you!"

Xu Lei took the water but didn’t rush to drink it. Instead, she asked cautiously.

"Shen, do you think my answers were acceptable?"

"They were very good."

Lin Shen’s approval made Xu Lei’s heart race again.

’Does that mean... I passed the interview?’

Seeing the hopeful look on Xu Lei’s face, Lin Shen’s lips curled into a slight smile before he cleared his throat with a few mock coughs.

"You’ve passed the first round of interviews. However, since the company isn’t fully up and running yet, you can use this time to brush up on your secretarial skills."

"Once the company is operating normally, I’ll call you in for a second interview."

’There’s a second interview...?’

Xu Lei’s expression immediately fell, but Lin Shen’s next words lifted her spirits again.

"But don’t worry. Even if you don’t pass the second round, I’ll still bring you on as a regular employee."

"Really? Thank you so much!"

Xu Lei excitedly gripped Lin Shen’s hand.

"Shen! Thank you for believing in me! I’ll do my best!"

"You’re welcome."

He had a moment to register the softness of her hand before she, suddenly realizing her own forwardness, quickly pulled away with a blush.

"I’m sorry! I just got too excited!"

"It’s okay."

Lin Shen maintained his usual calm, faint smile, completely unruffled.

"Do you have any other questions for me?"

"It’s just, if I pass the second interview, will I be your secretary?"

Xu Lei asked tentatively. Lin Shen chuckled and teased her in return.

"Why? You don’t want the job?"

"No, no, no! I’d love to!"

Xu Lei was genuinely overjoyed.

She had been worried by what Zhang Xu said, wondering if she was walking into some kind of scam.

But the moment she saw Lin Shen, all her worries vanished.

Xu Lei trusted Lin Shen. Based on her years of knowing him, he wasn’t the type to lie.

’Which means... the twenty-thousand-a-month salary is probably real!’

Xu Lei couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration and respect for Lin Shen. She was intensely curious about what had happened to him since he’d left their old job.

’To think a regular wage slave had transformed into the big boss!’

’Not only did he get rich, he even got more handsome!’

An unidentifiable emotion began to stir in Xu Lei’s heart. Finally, unable to contain her curiosity, she ventured a question.

"Shen, if you don’t mind my asking, what have you been up to all this time? The change in you is just so... incredible."

"Most of my time was spent on self-improvement."

Lin Shen was quite happy to share the secret of his success with Xu Lei.

"Aside from working out, I used my savings to make a few investments. I was lucky enough to catch a few rising trends, and things just took off from there."

"That’s not just good luck, Shen. It’s because you have a unique eye for things."

Xu Lei marveled, suddenly realizing how vast the gap between people could be.

Compared to Lin Shen’s drive and ambition, her boyfriend, Zhang Xu, was a slacker with no motivation, content to just coast and enjoy life.

They were about to get married, yet he had no desire to advance his career. All he wanted was to punch a clock and get by.

Even with a better education than her, he didn’t even make as much money!

He’d rather take a pay cut than actually work hard!

No boss would want to give an employee like that any real responsibility.

A person like that might be fine on their own, but if they were to get married... Xu Lei could already see her future with him crystal clear.

There was no future!

*Sigh*—!

Xu Lei sighed internally. Seeing her look of resigned loneliness, Lin Shen asked gently.

"What’s wrong?"

"I don’t know if I should tell you, Shen..."

Setting aside his new identity as her potential boss, Xu Lei was actually quite willing to confide her troubles in Lin Shen.

After all, they were the same age and had always helped each other out at their old job. They’d been good colleagues.

So, Xu Lei slowly began to tell Lin Shen about the conflict between her and Zhang Xu.

After listening, he said with a light chuckle.

"You know, you could try to be a little more understanding of your boyfriend."

"I might look successful, but it’s been very high-risk. One wrong move and I could have lost everything."

"Your boyfriend’s preference for a stable life is actually more suited for marriage, don’t you think?"

"I suppose so."

Lin Shen’s words eased her mind somewhat, but the fundamental problem remained unsolved.

Namely, where were they going to live in the future?

Xu Lei definitely wouldn’t agree to move back to Zhang Xu’s hometown with him.

But the cost of staying in Modu was too high.

’If only he were as rich as Lin Shen...’

’Then I wouldn’t have to worry about all this.’

Xu Lei stole another glance at Lin Shen. Deep in her heart, a seed she herself hadn’t even noticed was planted, slowly taking root and beginning to sprout.