“What do I do? What do I do?!”
Mi Beibei was on the verge of breaking down. She grabbed her hair with both hands, tugging at it desperately. Her eyes were fixed on her phone screen. The online loan platform’s page looked like a monstrous beast with its jaws wide open, radiating a terrifying aura as though it would swallow her whole at any moment.
Her fingers trembled uncontrollably as she mechanically refreshed the page over and over. Deep down, she still clung to an unrealistic hope that the terrifying numbers might somehow change by a miracle. But no matter how many times she refreshed it, the glaring negative balance under the credit limit remained unchanged. It was like a razor-sharp blade stabbing straight into her eyes, making it difficult for her to breathe. Just two days ago, she still had more than 4,000 yuan of available credit. How had it suddenly dropped to zero overnight?
Even worse, not only had the installment payment option disappeared, but even the minimum payment option was gone. That was practically an announcement that Mi Beibei had to repay the entire debt of over 30,000 yuan in one lump sum before the 24th, or her credit record would be severely damaged.
“What am I supposed to do…”
Her trembling voice was filled with sobs as she muttered to herself like a wounded animal crying out in despair. Panic consumed her as she frantically scrolled through her phone. All kinds of messages flashed across the screen in complete disorder, yet not a single one offered her a lifeline.
Mi Beibei was nothing more than an ordinary vocational college graduate. After graduation, she had been fortunate enough to find a decent job. She worked diligently every single day, and after years of hard work, she had finally managed to buy a cozy apartment of just over sixty square meters in the suburbs of a third-tier city.
The apartment had two bedrooms and one living room. What delighted her the most was the small storage room that came with it, perfect for storing odds and ends.
Life had once been ordinary but full of hope. Though the road ahead wasn’t wide, it had seemed bright.
But at the end of last year, without any warning, she lost her job.
The blow hit her like a violent storm, shattering the peace of her life. She didn’t dare tell her family. Her father barely made ends meet doing odd jobs, while her mother was in poor health. If they learned she had become unemployed, they would only worry themselves sick.
Left with no other choice, Mi Beibei searched desperately for a new job while borrowing money from online lending platforms to continue paying her mortgage.
She kept borrowing to repay old debts, plugging one hole only to create another. Within just six months, her online loan debt had grown to more than 30,000 yuan.
Today was the billing date for the loan platform. Like usual, she logged in to check her account.
Instead of relief, she was struck by devastating news that hit like a bolt from the blue.
Her heart pounded violently against her chest, as if it were about to burst free. Her breathing became rapid and ragged.
Her thoughts kept returning to the repayment deadline on the 25th.
More than 30,000 yuan in online loans.
More than 4,000 yuan in mortgage payments.
They felt like two enormous mountains crushing down on her shoulders, leaving her unable to catch her breath.
She paced back and forth inside the tiny, cramped apartment, her hurried footsteps filled with panic.
“No… I have to think of something. I can’t let this defeat me.”
Her eyes darted anxiously around every corner of the room, hoping the familiar surroundings might somehow inspire an idea or offer a bit of comfort.
Instead, all she found was suffocating silence, making her despair even deeper.
Finally, Mi Beibei collapsed onto the edge of her bed, and tears streamed down her face.
The online loans.
The mortgage.
Those two crushing burdens made it impossible for her to breathe.
But how could she possibly ask her relatives or friends for money again?
The friends who had once laughed with her had gradually drifted away after her repeated requests to borrow money.
She thought of her best friend from college.
But the hesitant expression her friend had worn the last time she asked to borrow money immediately made her abandon the idea.
Her best friend was already married, had a child, and was now a full-time homemaker.
Although her friend had never said anything directly, Mi Beibei could tell that her finances weren’t any better.
Outside the window, the sun shone brightly.
The lush green trees were full of life.
Yet as Mi Beibei stared outside, she felt completely out of place in this world.
She was like a fly trapped inside a glass bottle.
Everything looked bright and full of promise, yet she could find no way out.
Just then, her phone notification chimed.
It was an interview invitation.
Her eyes lit up for a brief moment before dimming once again.
She had received far too many interview invitations already.
Every time, she went filled with hope.
Every time, she returned disappointed.
But now, it was the only straw she had left to grasp.
Even if there was only the slightest chance, she had to try.
She forced herself to pull herself together, splashed cold water on her face, and took out the business suit that had accompanied her for nearly two years from the wardrobe.
In the past, poverty had defined every aspect of Mi Beibei’s life.
She was almost harsh toward herself.
When eating out, she always chose the cheapest little restaurants.
She avoided buying clothes unless absolutely necessary.
She wished she could split every single yuan into two before spending it.
Every month, as soon as her salary arrived, the mortgage devoured most of it like a greedy beast.
The money left over barely covered her most basic living expenses.
She had only bought this business suit because her former supervisor reminded her that she needed to maintain a professional company image.
She had gritted her teeth and spent the money just to keep up appearances.
The price she paid was eating nothing but plain noodles in clear broth for an entire month.
Mi Beibei searched through every cabinet and drawer in the apartment.
She pulled out every drawer and even emptied the old cardboard boxes stacked in the corners.
After turning the entire room upside down, she finally managed to gather 194.5 yuan.
On the table lay a pile of wrinkled banknotes and scattered coins, looking pitifully shabby.
As she stared at the tiny amount of money she had left, bitterness rose in her throat.
She let out a helpless sigh.
She changed into the pair of shoes she had bought on Pinduoduo for 48.8 yuan.
They were the only pair of shoes she owned.
Then she headed out.
The company where she would be interviewed was on the other side of the city, quite far from her home.
Mi Beibei hurried down the street, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she jogged all the way to the bus stop.
She wiped away the sweat with the back of her hand and anxiously looked in the direction from which the bus would arrive.
Her eyes were filled with both worry and anticipation.
Even by bus, it would take nearly twenty minutes to reach the interview location.
She couldn’t help worrying that the long trip would make her late.
Her fingers instinctively slipped into her pocket, tightly gripping the few banknotes that had already become damp with sweat.
They represented nearly everything she had left.
Every single yuan had been carefully budgeted.
Even today’s bus fare had been squeezed out with great difficulty.
People hurried back and forth at the bus stop, each busy with their own affairs.
Standing among the crowd, Mi Beibei felt especially awkward and out of place.
She kept glancing at the time, then stretched her neck to look down the road.
Under her breath, she muttered,
“Please don’t be late… I really can’t afford any delays…”
She stood motionless at the bus stop, staring unblinkingly toward the road.
Her palms were already soaked with nervous sweat.
Soon, Bus No. 23 slowly approached in the distance.
Dust from the street swirled around the aging bus, making it look even older beneath the blazing summer sun.
Mi Beibei immediately tensed.
Her feet unconsciously shuffled forward.
Her body leaned slightly ahead, like a runner poised at the starting line.
As soon as the bus doors opened with a creak, she quickly stepped aboard.
Her movements were swift but carried unmistakable urgency.
When she dropped two coins into the fare box, her hand trembled slightly.
The crisp clang of the coins echoed in her ears like the blow of a heavy hammer, reminding her once again of how desperate her financial situation had become.
The bus slowly made its way through the city streets.
Sitting by the window, Mi Beibei watched the scenery outside drift backward while silently calculating the time.
The bustling streets and prosperous cityscape flashed past like scenes from a slideshow.
But she had no heart to appreciate any of it.
At last, she arrived at the interview location.
She glanced at the time.
There were still more than ten minutes before the interview was scheduled to begin.
Standing at the entrance of the company’s office building, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
She straightened her slightly worn suit, carefully smoothed the wrinkles near the hem, then took out a tissue from her bag and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Finally, she lifted her head and walked confidently into the building.
She went directly to the reception desk.
Following the receptionist’s instructions, she carefully filled out an application form.
Afterward, a woman dressed in business attire smiled politely and gestured for Mi Beibei to follow her.
After weaving through several corridors, Mi Beibei was led into a room.
Inside, a young man who appeared to be about the same age as Mi Beibei sat behind a desk.
He was the interviewer.
Wearing black-rimmed glasses, he had sharp, discerning eyes.
He casually picked up Mi Beibei’s résumé, quickly scanned through it, and then began asking her a series of questions.