Zhuang Xiaoting looked at Shen Lu's calm and composed demeanor; if she still couldn't understand, she'd be an idiot.
Shen Lu had long expected to pass the translation interview, so when Zhuang Xiaoting spoke mockingly, she deliberately pretended to be scared.
The goal was to let Zhuang Xiaoting seize her supposed weakness and go on a tirade, leaving her unable to back down now.
Zhuang Xiaoting's fingernails dug fiercely into her palm, wishing she could tear apart Shen Lu's hypocritical face and roar at her.
"You did it on purpose, you deliberately made me look foolish."
Shen Lu shrugged, looking innocent.
"I didn't say a single lie from beginning to end. I said I could pass the interview, and I truly believed I could. You were the one who jumped out and insisted on making a bet with me.
I couldn't be bothered with you, so you said I couldn't handle it and was putting on an act."
Everything Shen Lu said was true, and everyone present was a witness.
"You deliberately put on that wronged expression, making me think you couldn't translate, which is why I said that."
Shen Lu sneered and retorted.
"Then what should I have done? Been arrogant and overbearing like you?"
The crowd remained silent. It was indeed Zhuang Xiaoting who had been causing trouble, thinking she had Shen Lu cornered and relentlessly mocking her.
The atmosphere became extremely awkward.
At this moment, Wen Xin'er stepped forward to ease the tension.
"Alright, we're all classmates. It was just a joke, there's no need to make things so stiff. Shen Lu, you're not someone who holds grudges, right?"
Shen Lu sneered. If she had lost the bet today, they wouldn't have cared if she held grudges; they would have just called her untrustworthy.
Shen Lu had only intended to teach them a lesson and didn't want to push things too far, as some of them would be her colleagues in the future and they would have to work together.
She had intended to let the matter drop, but at that moment, Director Jiang spoke.
"Comrade Wen didn't say it like that just now. Comrade Wen said that if the bet wasn't honored, one's reputation would be damaged, and how could they live in the future.
I believe Comrade Wen made a very valid point. Our unit will not consider hiring individuals whose reputation is damaged for the time being."
Director Jiang, while seemingly agreeing with Wen Xin'er, was actually putting her on the spot.
Resentful gazes turned towards Wen Xin'er. If she hadn't escalated the matter to such a degree back then, they wouldn't have to fulfill the bet now.
But now, anyone who wanted a position in this unit had to bark like a dog to maintain their reputation.
"That's right, a bet is a bet. We underestimated Comrade Shen. I admit defeat, sorry Comrade Shen." One person said frankly and took the lead.
Shen Lu also took the opportunity to de-escalate: "Let's each take a step back. No one needs to kneel."
With each side compromising, the tension eased, and several people boldly barked like dogs.
"Woof woof woof!"
"Woof woof woof!"
"Woof woof woof woof!"
The atmosphere immediately relaxed considerably.
Only Zhuang Xiaoting remained at the doorway, biting her lip tightly, unwilling to utter a sound.
"Comrade Zhuang, hurry up. Everyone is waiting for you," a male student urged impatiently.
If Zhuang Xiaoting had barked along with everyone else earlier, she would have blended in with the crowd.
But now, everyone had finished barking, and only Zhuang Xiaoting was left.
All eyes were fixed on Zhuang Xiaoting. She couldn't advance or retreat, her face red and swollen like an eggplant.
Unable to bear the pressure of everyone's gaze, she had no choice but to bark.
"Woof..."
Perhaps it was her humiliated expression, which formed a stark contrast to their dignified demeanor.
One person couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
Zhuang Xiaoting fled in disgrace. She blamed Shen Lu for this humiliation and secretly vowed to make Shen Lu repay her tenfold for the shame she suffered today.
"Alright, everyone go home and prepare. You can start working tomorrow."
Shen Lu then remembered that she wasn't alone anymore; she had two children at home who weren't yet in school.
If she worked here, she might not be able to take care of her two children.
With this thought, after everyone else had left, Shen Lu awkwardly stopped Director Jiang.
"Director Jiang, I'd like to explain a situation."
Director Jiang: "Jiang Wanzhou, that's my name."
Facing Director Jiang's self-introduction, Shen Lu nodded, firmly remembering her superior's name.
"Oh... I'll remember that."
"I'm sorry, Director Jiang. I have two children at home, so I might not be able to come to the unit to work for a while. I wanted to ask if there's any work I can do from home."
Jiang Wanzhou remained silent for a long time.
Shen Lu understood that her situation was her fault, and it would be a burden for any company. She didn't want to make Jiang Wanzhou uncomfortable.
"If it's inconvenient, perhaps this position should be given to someone who needs it more."
"It's not inconvenient, I just didn't expect Miss Shen to be so young and already have two children."
"I got married early, and the two children are twins." Mentioning her children, Shen Lu exuded a maternal gentleness.
"There's a job translating foreign classics that I think you'd be well-suited for. You'll need to submit your work here once a week, translating no less than twenty thousand characters. I'll tentatively offer you ten yuan per thousand characters."
Twenty thousand characters a week, at ten yuan per thousand, meant she could earn two hundred yuan per week.
In this era, a department-level cadre's monthly salary was only around one hundred and fifty yuan.
Her monthly income would be about eight hundred yuan, far exceeding the average income.
Shen Lu looked at Jiang Wanzhou with gratitude.
"Director Jiang, thank you so much. I will definitely translate with care."
Jiang Wanzhou was captivated by the sparkling light in her eyes.
"I believe in your abilities; you're worth this price. The books you translate will be bestsellers nationwide."
Shen Lu didn't think that far ahead, unaware that Jiang Wanzhou's words would come true.
After they reached an agreement, Jiang Wanzhou handed Shen Lu the two thousand characters of original text that needed to be translated.
After receiving the manuscript, Shen Lu bid farewell to Jiang Wanzhou.
She hadn't expected to sort out her job situation so quickly, and Shen Lu felt much more relaxed.
On her way home, she carried her things, humming a tune, and with one more turn, she would be at the family courtyard.
Just as Shen Lu was contemplating what delicious food to make for her children.
Unexpectedly, as she turned the corner, she was pulled into a small alley by a figure.
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