Volume One, Chapter 12: I Am a Job Seeker, Not a Beggar

I had no idea what I had done to offend Yang Shao. From the very beginning of the interview, he had looked at me with disdain. Now that everything was nearly settled, he suddenly jumped in to sabotage the deal.

I felt deeply annoyed, but out of politeness, I held my tongue. However, Zhou Shutong couldn’t stand it any longer. She narrowed her almond-shaped eyes and fiercely confronted Yang Shao, “President Mei has already agreed with Yu Bin. What exactly do you mean by butting in at this point?”

Yang Shao put on a pitiful expression and forced a bitter smile. “I just received the news myself. If you don’t believe me, I can show you the chat record!”

He opened his WeChat conversations and pushed his phone toward Zhou Shutong, but she didn’t even glance at it.

Yang Shao’s smile grew even more bitter, and he coaxed, “I’m just trying to save the company money! Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean I can ignore procedure!”

Zhou Shutong raised a delicate brow, “You—”

She was about to retort angrily when President Mei raised her slender, pale hand to interrupt her. “Enough. Stop arguing.”

Zhou Shutong sulked and closed her mouth but shot a resentful glare at Yang Shao before turning her face away in frustration.

President Mei calmly looked at me, her eyes serene and composed, like a clear, tranquil lake.

With a relaxed tone, she said, “Since I’ve decided to cooperate with Mr. Yu Bin, I won’t be considering other platforms.”

If she had been comparing offers or trying to negotiate a lower price, I would have understood. But she did none of that, and I felt a sudden wave of admiration for her.

Zhou Shutong visibly relaxed, while Yang Shao looked resentful but dared not say a word.

I smiled and asked, “So, can we sign the contract now?”

President Mei nodded and was about to speak when Yang Shao suddenly interjected, “President Mei agreed to cooperate with you, and you don’t even say thank you?”

I smiled faintly, met his gaze, and replied, “Our relationship is one of partnership. We are equals. I provide the technology, and you pay me what I deserve. Why should I thank you?”

Yang Shao hadn’t expected my response. His face flushed red, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

President Mei gave him a look, then smiled warmly at me as she slid a contract across the table. “Yu Bin is right. We are equals. Take a look at this contract, and if everything is in order, please sign it.”

I dared not be careless. I carefully read through every clause and condition. Unable to resist, I glanced up at the elegant, mature woman before me.

She didn’t rush me but leisurely sipped her coffee, every movement exuding the charm of a sophisticated woman.

I smiled and slid the signed contract back toward her. “The contract is fine. I look forward to working together.”

President Mei smiled gracefully. “Now that we’ve settled this, let’s talk about the position you applied for. You’re interviewing for live streaming operations, which means you’ll need to plan content, strategies, and direction. I’ve asked many people these questions, and the answers have been repetitive. But I want to hear your thoughts: how do you view the role of a host? Or how would you define it?”

I thought for a moment and replied with a smile, “To me, it’s actually quite simple. It’s just an online salesperson, not much different from an offline sales assistant.”

At this, Yang Shao immediately bristled. He sneered disdainfully, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! Many of them are influencers now. How can you just call them online salespeople?”

President Mei said nothing, instead watching me with great interest, waiting for my reply.

Seeing her silence as tacit approval, Yang Shao continued, babbling on, “Live streaming can be a way of sharing quality products, enhancing consumer experience. Countless people aspire to be influencers these days. But you call it online sales? You’re lowering the entire profession’s status.”

I shook my head, unconvinced.

“I believe live streaming emerged due to special circumstances, but at its core, it’s still selling products. It’s no different from the old days when salespeople stood behind counters in department stores or the sales assistants in malls today. They’re all salespeople. Don’t be fooled into thinking the internet makes it inherently grander. Look at the successful live streams now—they’re down-to-earth. The so-called ‘play methods,’ fissions, marketing—all those fancy terms are just ways to mislead outsiders.”

Yang Shao’s face darkened. He slammed the table hard, glaring at me with fury. “What kind of attitude is that? Live streaming is like a blooming flower. How can you compare it to grass?”

I responded calmly, “Are you not familiar with the saying ‘flowers do not bloom forever’? Isn’t it better to be like a wild grass? Wildfires can’t burn it out, and spring winds make it grow again. That’s why so many people now call themselves ‘grassroots.’ Ordinary people like us rely on resilience. No matter the winds from east, south, west, or north, we stand firm and unshaken.”

A faint, almost imperceptible sneer curled the corner of Yang Shao’s mouth. “Sir, you are applying for a job right now, aren’t you?”

“I already said,” I replied. “We are equals. This is a mutual selection. I am the applicant, not a beggar.”

Yang Shao’s lips curled into a cold smile, clearly dismissing me. Just as he was about to speak, President Mei interrupted him.

“Tony...”

Yang Shao still looked unwilling and cast me a fierce glare. But the moment his boss spoke, he had no choice but to shut up, though his expression remained scornful.

President Mei leisurely addressed him and Zhou Shutong, “You two may leave now. I want to speak with Yu Bin alone.”

Though reluctant, Yang Shao obeyed. He glanced at me once more before sulking away.

The vast conference room was left with only the two of us. The glossy table reflected her graceful profile; her cascading black hair, bathed in sunlight, hung lazily, adding an extra touch of allure.

She smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling like stars. “What you said earlier really interested me. I want to hear your understanding of live streaming operations…”

We talked for about forty minutes. Experience tells me that the longer the interview lasts, the more likely it is to succeed. As I said before, an interview is a two-way choice. During that time, I was both the candidate and the observer. The interviewers’ demeanor was also a factor in my decision to join. Someone like Yang Shao, who acted arrogantly, gave me an unpleasant impression, suggesting that working together would be difficult.

President Mei, on the other hand, was very approachable. In our casual conversation, I sensed her expertise and found that many of her ideas aligned with mine. When the interview ended, she smiled broadly, slowly stood up, and extended her hand to me with composure.

Though this gesture was simply a polite way to conclude the interview, my heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.