Recruitment Successful

When Ren Tianxue got home, she suddenly felt all the tension leave her body. She didn't know why, but she'd felt completely seen through in front of Shen Qiong.

When Ren Jingshan saw his daughter come back, he smiled and asked, "How did the interview go?"

"So-so," she said listlessly.

"Is that so? You should still give it a shot. Master Shen isn't an ordinary person. If you don't believe me, look him up online." Ren Jingshan rummaged through the fridge for fruit as he spoke.

"Dad, did you secretly give someone my information?" Ren Tianxue asked, lips pursed.

She still couldn't believe someone could be so uncanny. Could all those guesses have been a trick her dad had played to "trick" her into getting a job?

Ren Jingshan furrowed his brow slightly and gave a wry smile. "You don't even trust your own dad?"

He sat beside his daughter and smiled. "Come on, tell me what Master Shen asked you today. You look a little strange. Something must have happened."

Ren Tianxue told Ren Jingshan about the strange things that had happened that day, then asked with a frown, "Don't you think it's weird?"

Ren Jingshan's eyes lit up as soon as he heard. He thought to himself that signing his daughter up had indeed been a wise move.

"Don't worry," Ren Jingshan said with a smile. "Your dad would never lead you astray. You'll have a bright future working with Master Shen."

"Why?" Ren Tianxue asked, puzzled.

"Because none of his clients have ever come back saying Master Shen got their readings wrong." Ren Jingshan had gone to considerable effort to look into it.

Ren Tianxue exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? How's that possible?"

"It's true. Otherwise, why would your dad have you work as Master Shen's assistant? He may not be famous yet, but he has an excellent reputation. Almost everyone who's had their fortune told by him says he's amazing." Ren Jingshan smiled.

Ren Tianxue hurried back to her room. "I'll look it up online..."

Watching his daughter's curious expression, Ren Jingshan called after her, "So, are you going to work tomorrow?"

"I'll decide tomorrow!" Ren Tianxue replied from her room.

"Honestly, that girl..." Ren Jingshan said with a smile, shaking his head.

The more she read the comments on Weibo, the more excited she got. She promptly pulled out her phone and called Shen Qiong.

Shen Qiong was still cooking in the kitchen. When he saw the call was from the young woman who'd interviewed that day, his heart leaped. It looked like he had a chance.

"Hello, go ahead," Shen Qiong said as he answered.

"Hello. I'm Ren Tianxue. I wanted to ask if I could come to work tomorrow? I mean, for the three-day trial period. Maybe I could give it a try?" she asked cautiously, a complete change from her earlier, aloof attitude.

Shen Qiong smiled faintly. It was a done deal!

He was in high spirits after successfully recruiting a beautiful assistant. "Sure. Come in tomorrow, and I'll explain the main duties to you."

At last, someone could organize his appointment book and client files for him. That would make things much easier. He posted an update to his Weibo account:

"My shop has finished hiring an assistant. Thank you all for your support!!!"

The comments immediately poured in. "Huh? That fast? I haven't even interviewed yet!"

"What a shame! I was just trying to persuade my younger sister to apply, but she flat-out refused."

"Have you decided already?"

"I bet it's a girl."

"Hehe, I went to the interview today too. Just between us, if I'm not mistaken, it's the girl I ran into there today. Pretty face, great figure. Ah, I'd better stop—my wife's pulling my ear."

"Is what the person above said true? Master Shen really is a lucky guy!"

"Let's go check out the girl together..."

Shen Qiong smiled at the comments without replying. Then he remembered his younger sister and took out his phone to call her.

Shen Shi was watching a Korean drama in the living room. When she saw Shen Qiong calling, she picked up the phone, glanced at her mother, who was still washing dishes in the kitchen, and slipped into her room to answer.

Mother Shen glanced at her and smiled wryly. "The kids have grown up. Now they know to go somewhere private to take calls."

Once she was back in her room, Shen Shi cried out happily, "Bro!"

"Did you talk to Mom about your college choices when you got home?" Shen Qiong asked, concerned.

"I did. Mom even said you were being reckless! Should I transfer the money back to you? Mom will definitely be willing to pay my tuition now."

Shen Qiong smiled. "Silly girl, your brother isn't short of that little bit of money. I just hired someone to help me run the shop today. Guess how much I'm paying them."

Shen Shi blinked and thought for a few seconds. "Three thousand?"

"Nope. Higher." Shen Qiong was enjoying chatting with his younger sister.

"Then... four thousand?" Shen Shi hesitated. "More than four thousand would be too much. If the shop needs someone, I can help out."

Shen Qiong laughed. "No need. Just focus on your studies."

Shen Shi asked anxiously, "So how much is it?"

"Ten thousand." Shen Qiong said the two words.

"Huh?" Shen Shi cried out, then quickly covered her mouth and lowered her voice. "Bro, you're getting better and better at bragging."

Shen Qiong smiled wryly. It really was hard to explain.

"I'm telling the truth," Shen Qiong said seriously.

Shen Shi rolled her eyes. "You think I'd believe that? I know what Dad's shop is like! Even at its busiest, it only made that much."

Shen Qiong explained, "I'm not like Dad. People call me Master Shen now."

"Okay, okay! I'm done listening to you brag. I'm going to write my novel." Shen Shi giggled.

Shen Qiong asked in surprise, "You can write novels?"

"Yeah, I'm trying it out. Why do you think I chose screenwriting and drama studies as my major? Did you think your little sister picked it for fun?" Shen Shi said proudly.

Shen Qiong teased her, "Great. Now I've got something else to brag about: my little sister is a great novelist and screenwriter."

"Stop it! I'm not one yet! Don't go saying that." Shen Shi sounded flustered.

"Hahaha! I was just saying. Why are you getting so worked up? Keep at it! When you're done, you can send it to me. I'll be your first reader." Shen Qiong laughed.

Shen Shi nodded. "Okay! I'll send it to you when it's ready."

After chatting with his younger sister, Shen Qiong was in a great mood. He lay down on his bed and fell asleep before he knew it.

The night was pitch-black. His phone flashed as a call came in.

Far away, Li Mengqing bit her lip slightly and lowered her head in disappointment. "He's not answering..."

She glanced at the time. It was only ten o'clock. She couldn't imagine Shen Qiong going to bed so early, so it seemed he didn't want to answer her call.

She stood on the balcony, gazing at the distant night view as the cool breeze blew...

"Maybe we really aren't meant to be," she murmured.