The rented room was freezing cold, but Cheng Beixiao couldn't bear to turn on the heating.
He stared at the job posting page, his finger hovering over the mouse for a long time before finally closing the page.
Having graduated with an English major six months ago, he sent out hundreds of resumes, but without exception, they all disappeared without a trace.
These days, which company doesn't require candidates to have a CET-6 or CET-8 certificate in English? Fluent spoken English for business negotiations?
For graduates majoring in pure English, graduation is tantamount to unemployment.
The rent is due in three days, and I only have less than two thousand yuan left in my bank account.
He sent out his last resume to the masses, threw his phone on the table, and buried his face in his hands.
Just then, my phone rang.
An unfamiliar landline number.
Cheng Beixiao answered the phone, his voice slightly hoarse. "Hello?"
"Are you Mr. Cheng Beixiao? This is the Imperial Capital branch of Hong Kong Kaisheng Law Firm. We have been commissioned to invite you to the office for an interview tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM."
Cheng Beixiao was stunned.
He doesn't recall submitting his resume to any law firm.
He wanted to ask for clarification, but the person on the other end of the phone had already given the address and hung up.
Cheng Beixiao stared at his phone screen, a question nagging at him.
Scammer? But the address is in the heart of Imperial Capital's CBD, in a top-tier office building housing an international law firm. They wouldn't bother scamming a graduate with only two thousand yuan left in his pocket.
"Since there aren't any other interview opportunities, I'll go and see what happens."
The next morning, Cheng Beixiao stood downstairs at the China World Trade Center Tower III, clutching his printed resume.
The glass curtain wall pierced the sky, and a man in a suit and tie hurried by. His faded shirt and canvas shoes seemed out of place here.
He steeled himself and walked into the law firm. The receptionist smiled, checked his ID, and immediately dialed the internal line. Without asking any further questions, she led him directly to the conference room inside.
Cheng Beixiao panicked even more.
He thought it would be a group interview, or at least he would have to wait a while.
But when he pushed open the meeting room door, three interviewers were already sitting at the table, with his materials laid out in front of him. They had even prepared his resume, and his project experience during his internship, proof of working in Southeast Asia, and his criminal record were all clearly listed.
The main interviewer was a partner at the law firm, impeccably dressed, and got straight to the point without uttering a single unnecessary word.
"Mr. Cheng Beixiao, my first question is, are you willing to travel for work anytime across the country or even the world?"
Cheng Beixiao paused for a moment, then immediately nodded. "Yes, I can leave anytime."
"The data shows that you conducted a full-process audit of foreign trade export orders during your internship?"
"Yes." Cheng Beixiao sat up straight. "I interned at an import/export company for six months, participating in the entire process from order verification and customs document preparation to foreign exchange settlement."
"Has overseas work experience, fluent in spoken English, and able to handle business communication entirely in English?"
"Yes, I worked in Southeast Asia for a year, and I have no problem with daily business negotiations and document translation."
The three interviewers exchanged glances and nodded.
The interviewer pushed a labor contract and a pen in front of him.
"Mr. Cheng, we have verified all your background information, and you meet the client's requirements. A three-year employment contract with the highest standards for six types of insurance and two types of housing funds is available; you can sign now."
Cheng Beixiao was completely dumbfounded.
Less than five minutes, three questions, and they signed the contract right away?
He looked at the contract and saw that the first party was not Kaisheng Law Firm, but DYB Technology Co., Ltd.
However, that's not the main point. The main point is that it says "six types of insurance and two types of housing funds" below?!
Cheng Beixiao asked instinctively, "Excuse me, is this contract a mistake? Why does it say six types of insurance and two types of housing fund, and why is it a three-year contract?"
The lead interviewer shook his head, his tone calm. "That's right, that's exactly how your employer commissioned it. We were a little surprised at first too."
"Also, I need to tell you a few things."
"First, your employer is DYB Technology Co., Ltd., whose parent company is registered in Amerikan. All subsequent work arrangements will be directly issued by the client."
DYB Technology.
Cheng Beixiao frowned, feeling like he'd heard the name somewhere before, but he couldn't recall where he'd seen it before, no matter how hard he tried.
The interviewer didn't give him much time to think and pushed a brand new laptop in front of him.
"This is your work equipment, pre-installed with Microsoft Teams for future international meetings and document transfer, and the Hesheng expense control system for travel reimbursement and expense approval."
All software has been registered and activated with your information; you can log in directly.
Then, another brand-new customized phone was placed in front of him.
"This is your dedicated work phone. It unlocks with your fingerprint and has a built-in internal office system. All travel applications and expenditures can be submitted and approved through it."
Cheng Beixiao picked up his phone, unlocked it, and found that it was as clean as new. Apart from the system's built-in software, there was only one internal office app with a very simple icon, and there wasn't even an app store.
Looking at his laptop, phone, and employment contract, he finally couldn't help but speak, his tone slightly embarrassed. "Um... excuse me, could I apply for a travel allowance? I... don't have much money for business trips right now."
He was actually still afraid of being scammed.
They ask for money first; whether it's real or fake, you'll find out soon enough.
The lead interviewer smiled and pointed to the phone in his hand, "Open the internal office app; there's a backup fund application channel there. For amounts up to 10,000, approval is instant and the funds arrive immediately."
"All subsequent travel, hotel, and transportation expenses can be paid by the company; you won't need to pay them out of pocket."
Cheng Beixiao opened the app and, sure enough, saw the application portal for the emergency fund. He tried filling in 5,000 yuan and clicked submit.
Two seconds later, a notification popped up on my mobile banking app that the money had been credited to my account.
No more, no less, exactly five thousand yuan!
The note indicates that this is a travel allowance for DYB Technology.
Cheng Beixiao's hands were trembling.
The interviewer then stood up and collected the documents on the table. "Your task requirements are all in the encrypted document on your computer. Your flight to Shanghai is at 2 PM today. You can go back now, pack your bags, and be ready to leave at any time."
"Remember, your work phone must be on 24/7, never turned off. Check task information at any time, be on standby, and be ready to depart at any time."
The group turned to leave.
Cheng Beixiao suddenly realized what was happening and quickly called out to them, "Wait a minute! I haven't asked yet how much my monthly salary is!"
The lead interviewer paused, glanced back at him, and said in a casual tone, as if discussing a trivial matter. "The monthly salary is ten thousand US dollars, which is about seventy thousand RMB. It will be paid on the 5th of each month. Meal allowance, transportation allowance, and overseas allowance are separate and not included in the base salary."
Ten thousand US dollars? Seventy thousand RMB?
Cheng Beixiao's mind went blank.
"Why me?" Cheng Beixiao blurted out, expressing his question.
The interviewer smiled, "You might not believe it, but since you're the first one here, this is your treasure trove for unearthing the best fantasy novels. Our employer says his biggest shortage is time."
Before Cheng Beixiao could react, his phone vibrated again.
A bank notification popped up again. "[Your salary has been deposited, 74,353 yuan]"
The note indicates that DYB Technology is prepaying the first month's salary.
Cheng Beixiao stared at the numbers on the text message, counting the zeros before the decimal point several times to make sure he hadn't misread it.
More than 70,000!
He used to be rejected by employers for a monthly salary of 6,000 yuan because he lacked experience. Now, he's getting a monthly salary of 70,000 yuan, which has been deposited into his account in advance.
What kind of amazing company is this?
"Could it be a pyramid scheme?"
But the money actually went into his bank account, the contract was a legitimate employment contract, the law firm was a top-tier international law firm in China, all the office equipment was brand new, and even the petty cash was approved instantly.
"Damn it, even if it's a pyramid scheme, there's no reason to give the victim over 70,000 yuan upfront!"
Cheng Beixiao gripped his phone, computer, and employment contract, then gritted his teeth.
Who cares what kind of company it is?
"Even if it's a pyramid scheme, I'll take it. I'll do it first and worry about the consequences later."
At 2 p. m., Cheng Beixiao sat on the plane bound for Shanghai, looking at the clouds outside the window, his head still spinning.
He opened the encrypted document on his computer, which contained his core work: tracking orders, quality control, logistics coordination, and export customs declarations for suppliers nationwide, reporting directly to the project manager.
The document includes a list of all suppliers, their contact information, order requirements, and detailed order tracking standards.
He searched through the entire document but couldn't find out who his direct supervisor was or who his colleagues were.
The only communication channel is the Teams software on the computer, which has only one real-name administrator account. All work instructions are issued only from this account.
What Cheng Beixiao didn't know was that for the next few years, he relied solely on these two software programs for work, never meeting his boss, colleagues, or even communicating with suppliers online.
He had no idea that these seemingly ordinary industrial cutting equipment parts he was about to check would, in another world, be assembled into Multi-melta capable of melting through tank armor, unleashing a devastating war of steel onslaught.
The plane broke through the clouds and landed at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.
Cheng Beixiao gripped his work phone, looked at the first task instruction that had just popped up on the screen, took a deep breath, pulled his suitcase, and walked into the crowd.
Cheng Beixiao's supply chain order tracking work has officially started, while Fu Haoran, far across the ocean, has already prepared his second trump card for this decisive battle.
Fu Haoran doesn't like to put all his eggs in one basket.
Fu Haoran, introduced by a CIA "friend," arrived at Davis -Monthan Air Force Base, Amerikan's largest aircraft graveyard.
As one of the base's leaders, Olof would resell the aircraft in the graveyard.
Don't let the fact that this is a cemetery fool you; many airplanes here can be repaired and put back into the air, and many small countries like to come here to hunt for bargains.
"Fu, my friend," Olof greeted warmly, "I know you're here to find some good stuff. Tell me, what do you want?"
Olof was not surprised by Fu Haoran's arrival.
After all, Fu Haoran's name had already spread throughout the industry.
Everyone knows that Fu Haoran has a military rank but is actually penniless.
The military funding allocated by Congress is insufficient, not even reaching half of the minimum standard for the Marines. What's worse, they only provide money but not equipment, so we have to find our own ways to get everything we need.
Now that Fu Haoran is here, Olof can tell with a grain of salt that he's here to buy equipment.
Fu Haoran cut to the chase. "I want to buy an A-10 Warthog attack aircraft."
"Wow, a wise choice. Although it's an old machine, it's a favorite of the Army," Olof praised.
For an army soldier Fu Haoran to buy an airplane, Olof was not surprised at all.
After all, this is one of the few aircraft the army has.
You heard right, the army has airplanes.
"Wait here for me, I'll drive you to see the treasure you want."
Looking at the fighter jets on display not far away, Fu Haoran immediately took a liking to one of the A-10 attack aircraft.
This attack aircraft isn't exactly cool, and could even be considered somewhat outdated, but Fu Haoran knew very well that the A-10 attack aircraft, which had been in service for nearly 40 years, was still "as sharp as ever."
This is a classic fighter jet that the Army loves, the Air Force always dislikes, and can't seem to retire even if they want to.
Unlike fighter jets that fly at high altitudes and rely on radar stealth or high speed to evade attacks, the A-10, flying at low altitudes and low speeds, is destined to face deadly anti-aircraft fire, so a robust airframe is indispensable.
Even if it loses an engine, half of its tail fin, an elevator, or even half of its main wing, the A-10 can still fly with difficulty.
Fu Haoran felt that this was practically prepared for his current situation!
The pilot of the aircraft is protected by a "bathtub" of titanium alloy armor weighing approximately 540 kg and 13 to 38 mm thick, which can withstand attacks from 23 mm and smaller munitions.
The shape of the armored compartment was calculated to optimize ballistic performance to the greatest extent. The interior is lined with multiple layers of nylon fabric, which can protect the driver from the falling armor fragments even if the armored compartment is penetrated.
Of course, its most famous nickname is -- the tank-driving artifact.
That's right, the A-10 attack aircraft is designed to counter the armored onslaught.
However, the reason why the A-10 is unpopular is quite simple: it can only skim the ground and can't do anything else. Would the first-class people be happy to have a batch of planes made specifically for the third-class people?
Just as Fu Haoran was thinking about taking the A-10 attack aircraft back to carry out the next step of the plan, Olof drove a trailer and towed an A-10 attack aircraft over.
This is an A-10 attack aircraft, without a doubt.
But Fu Haoran immediately spotted the crucial question, "Where did the machine gun go?"
"Oh, my friend, there's been a small problem," Olof said with some difficulty. "The Ministry of Defense has specifically instructed us that they are prohibited from selling weapons directly to you, but don't worry, there's always a way..."
Fu Haoran had no interest in Olof's words of comfort.
He knew what was going on, and he knew that the congressmen were on guard against him.
Fu Haoran smiled; he hadn't wanted the GAU-8 cannon in the first place.
This thing can't even penetrate Leman Russ's composite armor?
That's no different from scratching an itch.
"No problem," Fu Haoran said calmly, "But the price of the weapons must be deducted."
Olof was taken aback, clearly not expecting Fu Haoran to agree so readily.
As expected, this major general, jokingly referred to as a "fifth-class rank" within the circle, was just as strange as the rumors suggested.
"Fu, you really are a straightforward person." Olof smiled immediately. "Two million dollars, and the fuselage will be delivered to your private airport in Texas within a week."
"Make a deal."