Wang Xiaoliang followed Nuomi and pushed the door open.
A dozen or so women crowded the room.
The mingled scents of their perfumes went straight to his head.
Four of them were squeezed onto a two-seater sofa.
Most conspicuous was Nuomi's broad executive chair. A woman sat in it, her high heels half off, her bare heels resting directly on the backs of her shoes.
Nuomi walked inside and stopped once Wang Xiaoliang had followed her in.
"Anyone who's been sitting since they came in, raise your hand."
The room fell silent for two seconds.
Two women on the sofa timidly raised their hands.
The woman in the executive chair raised her hand too, taking the opportunity to pull her feet back and put her shoes on properly.
Nuomi nodded.
"Good. You arrived first. Come with me."
The three immediately stood up, their faces bright with delight.
A short-haired woman beside them stepped forward, blocking Nuomi.
"Why? We've been standing for an hour! We only arrived a few minutes after them."
Nuomi stopped.
"Really?"
The short-haired woman raised her voice.
"Of course! We all got here within minutes of each other. Why do they get to go in for an interview while we don't even get a seat?"
Nuomi pointed outside.
"Good. You're willing to speak up for yourself. You come too."
The short-haired woman froze for a moment, then lifted her chin and followed.
A woman in business attire emerged from the crowd and pointed at a girl who had just risen from the sofa.
"She got here later than I did! She wasn't even here when I arrived. That seat was someone else's. They gave it to her because she was wearing high heels!"
Nuomi turned to look at her.
"Really?"
The woman in business attire nodded emphatically.