With the cooperation agreement settled, and at Ruan Yao's insistence, Lin Weiwei reluctantly accepted the card in the end.
After the two discussed the details of how they would keep in touch and share information going forward, Ruan Yao stood up to leave and prepare for her Lexingdao interview.
She picked up her bag and had only taken two steps when she suddenly seemed to remember something. She paused, then turned back.
"Oh, right, Weiwei-jie," she asked casually, "your hometown is in Jiangcheng, right?"
Lin Weiwei was taken aback for a moment before nodding. "Yes, why?"
"Nothing much," Ruan Yao said, reminding her. "I just saw the news a few days ago saying there's been exceptionally heavy rainfall there recently, and it seems quite serious."
Lin Weiwei's expression relaxed. "Yeah, it's like this every summer. I'm used to it."
"I heard experts on the news say this year's rainfall is heavier than previous years. Some mountainous areas in Jiangcheng have unstable geology, so there might be a risk of landslides." Ruan Yao looked into her eyes, her tone filled with concern. "Is your home… close to the mountains?"
Lin Weiwei's face paled slightly.
As if she hadn't noticed, Ruan Yao continued, "I remember you mentioned to my mom that your mother's health hasn't been great, right? And she has trouble getting around. With the money you just received, why not have your mom stay at a safe hotel in the city for a few days, or with relatives for a while? Once the heavy rain passes, you'll both feel more at ease."
She paused, making her reminder even clearer.
"If something really does happen, living at the foot of the mountain is too dangerous."
In her past life, Ruan Yao remembered that around this time, Lin Weiwei had taken leave to return to her hometown.
The reason was a landslide that had destroyed her family home. Her mother, with her mobility issues, couldn't escape in time and was paralyzed from the waist down, which had dealt Lin Weiwei a heavy blow.
Seeing Lin Weiwei's changed expression, Ruan Yao knew her words had struck a chord.
She didn't say anything more, waved goodbye to Lin Weiwei, and turned to leave.
After Ruan Yao left, Lin Weiwei clutched the bank card, walked out of the café, and headed back toward the company.
Her mind was in turmoil, filled with Ruan Yao's words.
Her hometown was right at the foot of the mountain.
And her mother had arthritis, making it difficult for her to move whenever it rained.
If something really did happen…
Lin Weiwei didn't dare think further, feeling a cold sweat break out on her back.
She had been so focused on work that she had completely overlooked the weather reports from her hometown.
Lin Weiwei looked down at the bank card in her hand and suddenly felt it had arrived just in time.
Without hesitation, she pulled up her mother's number in her contacts and dialed.
Three days after Ruan Yao submitted her resume, she received a reply from Lexingdao.
The HR department at Lexingdao sent an interview notification, scheduled for 10 a.m. the day after tomorrow.
During dinner, Ruan Yao shared the news with her family.
"An interview?" Su Wanqing paused while picking up food with her chopsticks, her face unable to hide her worry. "You're really going to work outside? It's so far away—won't it be too tiring? Wouldn't it be better to work at our own company?"
"Mom, I'm just giving it a try," Ruan Yao reassured her.
Ruan Minghui adjusted his glasses but didn't speak. However, the sternness in his expression softened noticeably, and there was a hint of barely perceptible approval in the way he looked at his daughter.
It was Ruan Sheng who reacted the most strongly.
"What?" he exclaimed, nearly dropping his chopsticks. "You really got an interview? At Lexingdao?"
Ruan Yao glared at him unhappily.
“No, no,” Ruan Sheng quickly explained, “I’m not saying you’re not capable. I’m talking about that Huo Jing—she’s notoriously known as a female tyrant. I asked around, and she’s the type who can berate a director under her so badly during a meeting that they resign on the spot. With your delicate frame, I’m worried you might get scared to tears in the first round of the interview.”
Su Wanqing grew even more anxious upon hearing this. “She’s that formidable? Then our Yaoyao is definitely going to be bullied.”
“It’s fine,” Ruan Yao said with a reassuring smile. “I’m just going to gain some experience.”
She then turned to Ruan Sheng and said deliberately, “Brother, have a little faith in me, will you?”
Ruan Minghui had remained silent until now, when he spoke calmly.
“It’s good to give it a try.”
He set down his chopsticks and looked at his daughter, his expression unusually serious. “Since you’ve made up your mind, take it seriously and do your best.”
Though it was just one sentence, Ruan Yao knew her father was supporting her.
For the next two days, Ruan Yao shut herself in her room, devoting herself entirely to preparing for the interview.
On the day of the interview, Ruan Yao arrived at the office building where Lexingdao was located half an hour early.
The company occupied the top three floors. The reception area was designed with a modern and artistic flair, and beyond the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows lay the bustling city skyline.
After checking in at the reception, an HR manager approached her, wearing a professional smile, though her eyes held a hint of scrutiny.
“Miss Ruan, is it? Your interview process may require some adjustments.”
The HR manager guided her toward the end of the hallway. “You see, one of the design drafts in your portfolio caught the attention of our Director Huo. So, this interview will be conducted by Director Huo herself.”
Ruan Yao’s heart skipped a beat.
“Please follow me.”
The HR manager led her to a spacious room on the top floor. The room was large, with three sides featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offered a panoramic view of nearly half of Jingbei.
“Director Huo is still in a meeting. Please wait here for a moment.”
After saying this, the HR manager closed the door and left.
Ruan Yao was now alone in the vast room.
Time ticked by, and exactly at the scheduled time, the conference room door was pushed open from the outside.
A woman in a sharply tailored black suit walked in, her steps brisk and purposeful. Her powerful presence instantly filled the room with an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Huo Jing.
Huo Yanzhi’s aunt.
She appeared even sharper and more flamboyant than when Ruan Yao had seen her at the Huo family in her previous life.
Ruan Yao immediately straightened her posture and greeted her politely.
“Director Huo, hello.”
Huo Jing gave a faint “hm” in response, walked straight to the head seat, and gestured for Ruan Yao to sit as well.
She pushed aside the resume Ruan Yao had handed over without glancing at it, instead pulling out the portfolio from the stack.
Her gaze fell on the portfolio, her tone flat but each word sharp and incisive.
“Ruan Yao, I’ve looked over your resume. To be honest, among the many competitors, it’s not particularly impressive. The biggest drawback is your lack of any internship experience.”
She picked up the carefully prepared portfolio, weighing it in her hand.
“It was this design draft that made me decide to personally meet a fresh graduate with no experience.”
Huo Jing raised her hand and glanced at the time on her wristwatch.
“Half an hour.”
She lifted her head, her sharp eyes fixed directly on Ruan Yao, filled with pressure.
“Convince me. Tell me what value your design and your ideas can bring to Lexingdao.”