Chapter 5: A Step Toward Independence

Chapter 5: A Step Toward Independence

The interview had gone exactly as Yong Qing had anticipated.

As she stepped into the room, she was greeted by two familiar faces—the chemist manager and the company director.

These were the same people who had interviewed her in her previous life, and their presence was almost a reassurance.

Every question they asked was one she had heard before, but this time, she was armed with the knowledge of her past experiences and the confidence that came with them.

In her previous life, the interview had been a nerve-wracking ordeal.

She had stumbled over her words, unsure of herself, and had left feeling defeated.

Despite that, she had been hired, not because of her performance but because the company was desperate to fill the position.

However, this time was different. Yong Qing knew exactly how to present herself.

She spoke with authority, answered each question with precision, and maintained a calm, confident demeanor throughout.

When the time came for her to ask questions about the company, she did so with a purpose.

Although she already knew the company’s structure and challenges, she wanted to see how the interviewers would handle her inquiries.

As expected, the director attempted to gloss over certain issues, downplaying potential problems she was well aware of.

The chemist manager, however, played the role of a mediator. He provided measured responses, neither confirming nor denying the director’s statements, and handled the situation with a tact that spoke of experience.

This was her cue. Yong Qing seized the opportunity to discuss her salary—something she had barely touched upon in her previous life.

Back then, she had accepted a low starting salary, thinking she had little choice. But now, armed with the confidence of someone who had lived through this experience before, she negotiated firmly.

She knew her worth and wasn’t afraid to demand it. The director, though visibly surprised by her assertiveness, eventually agreed to her terms.

The salary they settled on was nearly double what she had earned in her previous life—a significant victory.

With the interview concluded, Yong Qing thanked them both and left the room, her heart steady and her mind clear.

She knew the job was hers; the interview had gone too well for it to be otherwise.

In her previous life, she had been riddled with anxiety after the interview, doubting herself and fearing the worst.

But this time, she walked out with her head held high, confident that her performance had been flawless.

As she exited the building, Yong Qing’s thoughts turned to her next move.

During her commute to the interview earlier that morning, she had made a crucial decision: she would move out of her parents’ house as soon as possible.

In her previous life, she had delayed this step for nearly six months, enduring their constant criticisms and harsh remarks.

They had often scolded her for neglecting household chores, accusing her of being ungrateful despite the long hours she worked and the exhaustion she felt each day.

But this was a new life, a second chance, and she wasn’t going to make the same mistakes.

She had already decided to withdraw some money from the nearest ATM, enough to secure a small apartment of her own.

She wouldn’t wait this time—she would take control of her life from the outset.

Moving out would be the first step toward reclaiming her independence.

It would be the beginning of a new chapter where she wouldn’t have to endure the daily criticisms and guilt trips that had weighed her down in her previous life.

Instead, she would focus on her career, her goals, and her own well-being, free from the toxic environment that had once suffocated her.

As she walked toward the ATM, the weight of her past began to lift, replaced by a sense of determination and purpose.

This time, she would live life on her terms, making decisions that would benefit her future rather than being swayed by the demands of others.

And as she withdrew the money that would fund her fresh start, Yong Qing felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time—hope.

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