Interview

Early the next morning, while the others in the dorm were still taking advantage of the weekend to sleep in, Liu Shang had already gotten ready and was preparing to head out.

"Second Brother, that outfit is really something!"

"Going on a date?" Fu Liang poked his head out and asked.

Zheng Shiwei sighed as well. "Ah, I'm so jealous. At least you've got something to do on the weekend."

Liu Shang smiled, said goodbye to them, and headed out.

Today, he wore a casual suit jacket, jeans with a suit-like style, and a pair of casual leather shoes.

He looked handsome and fashionable, while still appearing proper and steady.

After having a simple breakfast in the cafeteria, Liu Shang spent another fifty minutes changing buses before arriving at his first destination for the day: Huahai Petroleum Technology Service Company.

After careful consideration, Liu Shang had placed this company at the top of his list.

Based on everything he had learned and his analysis of the company's information and development history, it was growing incredibly fast. It was brimming with vitality and gaining momentum by the day.

The company's owner, Song Guangyuan, was also said to have extensive connections. He was generous by nature and possessed great courage and decisiveness.

Perhaps because Liu Shang looked presentable and harmless, the security guard let him through the company gates without issue.

After asking at the front desk, he made his way to the Human Resources Department on the second floor.

As it happened, he was rather lucky—the Human Resources manager was there as well.

After hearing why Liu Shang had come, Manager Sun, who was in his early fifties and had semi-retired from the oil field, laughed heartily.

"A first-year student from Fengcheng Oil University?"

"I have to say, young man, you look impressive. You've got spirit."

"But Liu Shang, you've only been enrolled for a few months, and you're looking for part-time work. My personal advice is that you should focus on your studies at this stage."

"Coming out to gain experience in your third or fourth year would be better."

"Of course, if you have financial difficulties and really need the income, then how about this? I'll make the decision myself. You can come help out in our department and do whatever work you're capable of."

"Who told me to take such a liking to you?"

"As for the pay, it'll be about 500 yuan a month. You'll also receive the employee welfare benefits the company gives out during holidays and the New Year. What do you think?"

For their first meeting, Manager Sun had offered Liu Shang such generous terms without hesitation. That was already exceptionally rare.

A student working part-time had irregular hours and would be doing simple tasks anyone could handle. Offering such treatment was already special consideration.

Feeling grateful, Liu Shang smiled at Manager Sun. "Minister Sun, thank you very much for your kindness and consideration."

"I'm truly very grateful to you."

"However, Minister Sun, I came here this time to apply for a petroleum technology position, one with an expected salary of around 4,000 yuan."

"I wonder whether you could give me an opportunity to prove myself?"

An expected salary of 4,000 yuan?

After Liu Shang said that, the people around the office couldn't help looking up from their desks, each wearing a different expression.

Most of them were smiling with disdain.

A first-year student who had just started university dared to ask for that amount? This student was far too arrogant, wasn't he?

Most full-time technical positions did not even pay that much, let alone a part-time student with irregular working hours!

After hearing Liu Shang out, even Manager Sun, who had worked in human resources for many years, frowned. His impression and assessment of Liu Shang plummeted.

After hesitating for a moment, Manager Sun sighed softly. "Liu Shang, the position and conditions you just proposed aren't something I, the Human Resources Minister, can decide on."

"You need to understand that at our Huahai Company, technical engineers and even some deputy ministers only earn around 4,000 yuan."

"Moreover, technical positions require a solid foundation in technical theory, as well as extensive oil field work experience and practical knowledge."

"I hope you'll think this through. If you insist on trying, I can give you the opportunity. But once you fail, you may completely lose your chance to work for this company."

Without the slightest hesitation, Liu Shang nodded with a smile. "Manager Sun, thank you for the reminder."

"I still want to give it a try."

Seeing Liu Shang answer without even considering it, everyone, including Manager Sun, gave him the same label: all show and no substance. This student was a little too full of himself.

"All right. The company owner, several executives, and technical staff happen to be preparing for a meeting in the conference room today."

"You came at just the right time. There's still a little free time before the meeting starts."

Then, Liu Shang followed Manager Sun to the conference room at the far end of the third-floor corridor.

As soon as he entered, he saw twelve or thirteen people seated around a huge oval conference table. Even the youngest looked to be around forty.

The company's Human Resources manager had brought a young, handsome man into the room, and everyone's attention naturally fell on Manager Sun and Liu Shang.

"Hehe, President Song, leaders, since there's still a little time before the meeting, we've brought you a young man."

As he spoke, Manager Sun smiled and patted Liu Shang on the back.

"This young man is a first-year student at Fengcheng Oil University named Liu Shang. He came here himself today, hoping to find a part-time job at our company during his spare time."

"As it happens, President Song and the leaders are all here. I think this young man is quite promising, so I brought him over for President Song and the leaders to have a look."

After Manager Sun finished speaking, everyone in the conference room smiled amicably. Then they all turned their eyes toward the owner seated in the center, Song Guangyuan.

Song Guangyuan was forty-seven or forty-eight years old. Years of tempering had elevated both his bearing and presence to a new level, and he was still in the prime of his life.

After hearing Manager Sun's words, he smiled as well.

"Yes, this young man does look quite good. He seems spirited, too."

"Old Sun, just arrange some work for him in your department. Can't a Human Resources manager like you make a decision on such a small matter?"

"A student from Fengcheng Oil University wants to come out and gain experience in his spare time. That kind of initiative is quite rare. I think we should give him that opportunity."

Just as Manager Sun stood there looking slightly troubled and wondered how to explain the situation, Liu Shang stepped forward half a pace with a smile.

"President Song, leaders, hello."

"My name is Liu Shang. I'm a first-year student at Fengcheng Oil University."

"Earlier, in Manager Sun's office, Manager Sun had already shown me great consideration and offered me an opportunity to work at the company."

"However, I still asked Manager Sun to bring me here, because my main purpose in coming to Huahai Company today was to seek a petroleum technology position with a salary of around 4,000 yuan."

"And I am confident that I can handle that position. So I have only one request now: President Song, leaders, please give me an opportunity to prove that I am qualified for it."