Chapter 4: The Company of Silent Rumors

Chapter 4: The Company of Silent Rumors

Yong Qing stepped into the sleek, modern lobby of Ronghua Yuan, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and determination.

The sunlight filtered through the large glass windows, casting soft shadows on the polished floor.

Her heels clicked with a confident rhythm as she approached the receptionist's desk, where a young woman with a friendly smile greeted her.

"Good morning," Yong Qing said, her voice calm but with an undertone of purpose.

"I'm here for an interview scheduled this morning."

The receptionist, whose name tag read "Li Mei," quickly scanned the list in front of her.

Yong Qing remembered her vaguely—back in her previous life, Li Mei had already resigned by the time Yong Qing started working here.

Rumor had it that she left because of the company’s notoriously low salaries for entry-level positions, a fact that would later ripple through the office, leading to hushed complaints and quiet resentment among the staff.

"Ah, yes, Miss Yong. Welcome. You'll be interviewing on the fifth floor. The elevator is just around the corner," Li Mei said, handing over a visitor's pass.

Yong Qing nodded, taking the pass. "Thank you," she said, offering a polite smile before heading towards the elevators.

As she walked away, she couldn't help but think about how the receptionist’s departure would soon become a topic of whispered conversation among her future colleagues.

In her last life, she hadn’t paid much attention to these undercurrents, choosing instead to focus solely on her work.

But now, with the advantage of hindsight, she knew how these seemingly trivial issues could affect the office atmosphere.

Back then, she had learned the hard way that staying silent was sometimes the best strategy.

She remembered the surprise evaluations that were conducted by upper management, with reports being filed on those who dared to voice their concerns or discuss rumors.

Those who were caught criticizing the company were often penalized with low performance ratings at the end of the year.

For many, this meant no raise or, worse, a minimal increase that barely covered the cost of living. It was a cruel system that punished honesty and rewarded compliance.

Stepping into the elevator, Yong Qing pressed the button for the fifth floor, reflecting on how she had navigated that toxic environment before.

She had kept her head down, her mouth shut, and focused on her work, avoiding the pitfalls that had trapped so many others.

And she would do the same this time—only now, she was armed with knowledge. This time, she would be even more strategic, ensuring that she never fell into the traps set by the company's manipulative practices.

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and Yong Qing stepped out onto the fifth floor.

The waiting area for interviews was already occupied by two other candidates. As she approached, she recognized one of them immediately.

It was Ming Zhu, who, in just a few short months, would become an assistant graphic designer at Ronghua Yuan.

In her previous life, Yong Qing had never gotten close to Ming Zhu, despite the fact that they worked together every day.

Ming Zhu was always kind, often flashing a warm smile at her across the office, but Yong Qing had kept her distance, too absorbed in her own insecurities and the demands of her job.

Now, as she looked at Ming Zhu, she realized that this was an opportunity to rewrite that part of her story.

“Good morning,” Yong Qing said, approaching the two women with a friendly smile.

“Are you here for the interview as well?”

Ming Zhu looked up, her face lighting up with a smile. “Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ming Zhu.”

The other candidate, who would not pass the interview in this life or the last, merely nodded in acknowledgment, her eyes flicking nervously between Yong Qing and the closed door of the interview room.

Yong Qing returned Ming Zhu’s smile, feeling a warmth that had been absent in her previous life.

“I’m Yong Qing. I hope we both get in,” she said sincerely. This time, she wasn’t going to let her insecurities hold her back.

She knew Ming Zhu would become a crucial ally in the department, and she intended to build a strong, supportive relationship from the start.

As they waited for their names to be called, Yong Qing reflected on how different things could be now that she had another chance.

She wouldn’t just focus on surviving in the company; she would thrive. And this time, she would ensure that she was surrounded by allies, not just colleagues.

When the door finally opened and Yong Qing’s name was called, she stood up, her heart steady with resolve.

She had prepared for this moment, not just with the knowledge of what was to come, but with the determination to seize every opportunity the second time around.

This time, things would be different.

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