“So, Third Brother, when’s your next match?”
“I missed this one because of all the trouble. I’ll definitely come cheer for you next time.”
As soon as the topic shifted to tennis, Zhong Yaoran’s attention was successfully diverted.
He thought for a moment before answering.
“It isn’t tournament season right now, so even if there are matches, they’ll mostly be friendlies.”
“There is an intercollegiate tournament coming up in a few days, but the venue hasn’t been announced yet.”
“As soon as I get the notice, I’ll let you know.”
Zhong Suian nodded.
“Alright. I’ll definitely be there.”
Even if it was only a friendly match…
Shen Jibai would probably be participating too, right?
After finishing dinner, they were about to pay when the waitress informed Zhong Suian—
Her third brother had already secretly settled the bill while pretending to go to the restroom.
The meal had cost over a tenth of a yuan.
That was nearly half a month’s wages from his part-time job.
Zhong Suian wanted to pay instead, but Zhong Yaoran refused.
“When your big brother takes you out to eat, how could I let you pay?”
“Come on. I’ll walk you back to your school.”
He escorted her all the way to her dormitory building.
Only after watching her swipe her card and enter did he finally turn around and leave.
A sour feeling welled up in Zhong Suian’s heart.
If she’d known…
She would’ve chosen a cheaper little restaurant.
After returning upstairs, she pushed open the dorm room door and was surprised to discover that all three of her roommates’ beds were empty.
The stationery on their desks…
The toiletries in the bathroom…
Everything had been cleared away.
They’d all moved out?
Zhong Suian couldn’t help laughing.
She hadn’t really done anything.
Were they actually scared off that easily?
Then again…
Living alone was much better than sharing with three other people.
Although she’d be buying a house soon, she still had classes to attend.
Keeping the dorm as a place to store things would be convenient.
Thinking about buying a house, Zhong Suian immediately took out her phone.
She had earned two thousand yuan from her part-time job.
After paying the deposit for the hotel purchase and spending a little elsewhere, she still had over fifteen hundred yuan left.
That should be enough for the down payment on an ordinary villa in Palm Bay.
But if she was going to buy one…
She wanted the very best.
She opened her task list, hoping to squeeze in another part-time job during the final day of the weekend and earn another fortune.
The moment she entered the interface, she noticed something.
The Restaurant Waiter option had turned gray and could no longer be selected.
Did that mean…
Each profession could only be completed once?
She frowned before quickly relaxing.
There were hundreds of professions in the world.
She had plenty of choices.
She probably wouldn’t even get through all of them before becoming financially independent.
As she scrolled through the list, carefully considering her options, her finger suddenly stopped.
“Real estate agent?”
Now that was a good job.
Not only would she have access to firsthand property listings…
She’d also earn commission.
And if she ended up selling a house…
To herself…
Zhong Suian immediately sat up straighter and began reading the details.
Palm Bay happened to be recruiting sales consultants.
Without hesitation, she submitted her résumé.
Less than ten minutes later…
She received a reply.
The company invited her for an interview the following morning.
Inside Palm Bay’s sales office.
Today, Zhong Suian deliberately dressed in more formal attire and arrived on time.
A middle-aged HR manager sat across from her, staring at the résumé in disbelief.
“You’re a student at A University?”
“A National Mathematics Olympiad gold medalist?”
“And you even won first prize in the National College Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition?”
The dazzling list of achievements left the HR manager speechless.
“Are you sure you applied for the right position?”
Sitting upright, Zhong Suian nodded seriously.
“Yes.”
“Although I’m still a university student, my dream is to become a salesperson.”
The HR manager looked skeptical.
“But…”
With qualifications like hers, she could easily earn more tutoring students by the hour than a salesperson earned in an entire day.
Yet Zhong Suian answered firmly,
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“But I believe that only sales can create greater value.”
“Please give me a chance to prove myself.”
Since she’d already said as much, the HR manager had no reason to refuse.
Closing the résumé, she smiled.
“Very well.”
“Welcome aboard.”
“When can you start?”
“I can start immediately.”
Today was already the weekend.
She still had classes tomorrow.
She could only squeeze in time to buy herself a villa.
The HR manager seemed pleased.
Proactive newcomers like this were rare.
“Excellent.”
“I’ll arrange for someone to familiarize you with the project first, and then—”
Before she could finish speaking, a somewhat frivolous male voice interrupted.
“Oh?”
“Sister Xia’s interviewing another new employee?”
Zhong Suian turned around.
A middle-aged man in a dress shirt and tie leaned lazily against the doorframe.
His narrow eyes openly swept over her with unconcealed disdain.
“The manager told you to recruit salespeople.”
“And instead you hired a pretty face that’s all looks and no substance.”
Sister Xia’s face immediately darkened.
She slammed her pen onto the desk.
“Sun Xu.”
“Show some respect.”
He merely snorted.
“Respect?”
“Why should I respect any of you?”
“I’m out there busting my ass bringing in clients.”
“I’m not doing it just to support a bunch of useless office workers.”
The commotion quickly attracted a crowd outside the office.
Yet no one dared to speak.
Sister Xia trembled with anger.
“What’s so great about the sales department?”
“Everyone earns their living through hard work.”
“If it weren’t for support from the administrative staff—”
“Oh, spare me.”
Sun Xu tossed a stack of documents onto the desk.
“See this?”
“A signed home purchase contract.”
“I just closed this deal.”
“As for you people…”
“Living off your base salaries every day…”
“You should quit sooner rather than later.”
With that, he slammed the door and left.
The loud bang echoed throughout the office.
In sales…
Everything was determined by performance.
As long as you sold houses and generated revenue, you naturally had the confidence to stand tall.
Serve clients well…
And the company would treat you like its cash cow.
Even if you were arrogant…
As long as you brought in real money, even the boss would overlook it.
Everyone else could only swallow their anger.
Sister Xia took several deep breaths before finally calming herself.
Turning back toward Zhong Suian, she forced a smile.
“Little Zhong…”
“Don’t mind him.”
“Sun Xu has always been like this.”
“In the future, just avoid him whenever you can.”
Zhong Suian remained silent.
She wasn’t planning to stay long anyway.
What her coworkers were like wasn’t really her concern.
The employee assigned to teach her the workflow was an enthusiastic woman in her thirties or forties.
“Little Zhong, just call me Sister Tong.”
“Come on.”
“I’ll introduce you to the project.”
She pushed open the glass doors leading to the property model display.
“Our Palm Bay development is divided into three sections.”
“The best-selling area is the lakeside district.”
“Those villas are all over four hundred square meters.”
Zhong Suian’s eyes landed on the scale model.
“Emerald Lake Court?”
Sister Tong raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“You’ve done your homework?”
She couldn’t help taking another look at Zhong Suian.
Young people this dedicated were becoming increasingly rare.
Zhong Suian rubbed her nose.
How could she not know?
The Ye family had originally bought her a villa in that very neighborhood.
Although it had been the smallest floor plan.
She knew Emerald Lake Court’s details like the back of her hand.
She nodded honestly.
“Mm.”
“I’ve never really researched it…”
“I’ve just bought one before.”