Chapter 6 Heart Racing

• Ten minutes later, Li Ye's interview ended.
• He left the room.
• Ruan Cheng got up and asked, “How did it go?”
• “The interviewer's questions were incisive, but they weren't difficult to answer at our level.” Li Ye kissed Ruan Cheng on the forehead and he continued steadily, “Overall, it was not bad.”
• Ruan Cheng heaved a sigh of relief.
• “Next, Ruan Cheng!” the secretary called for her.
• Ruan Cheng frantically straightened out her clothes before entering.
• The moment she entered the room, Mu Chenjue's gaze landed on her.
• Ruan Cheng got seated as she made eye contact with the interviewers one by one.
• She continued with a short self introduction, “Good morning everyone. My name is Ruan Cheng and I am honored to be given a chance for an interview here.”
• When she decided to return to China to work, she had thought of many different ways to introduce herself in an interview.
• Perhaps this was not the most innovative way to do so, but it was safe. It would be hard to find fault with such an opening.
• During the interview.
• Mu Chenjue scrutinized her with a cold gaze.
• Perhaps due to the intensity of his gaze, Ruan Cheng felt uneasy when answering the interviewers' questions.
• It made her feel extremely uncomfortable, and the discomfort spread all over her body.
• When Ruan Cheng walked in, she had also glanced at Mu Chenjue.
• However, this was a formal interview, and she had to maintain her composure. Despite the burning questions she had, she could not let herself lose focus.
• “Ms. Ruan, are you married?” Mu Chenjue's threw a question that stunned the other interviewers.
• The interviewers, who were engaged in a professional conversation with Ruan Cheng, ceased their line of questioning and looked towards their boss sitting among them.
• “No,” Ruan Cheng replied, forcing herself to regain her composure. Her heart was already racing from fright.
• “Then do you have someone you intend to marry?” Mu Chenjue raised an eyebrow.
• Ruan Cheng paused before nodding. “Yes.”
• The interviewers were confused as to why their boss would ask such a question.
• During the brief exchange, Ruan Cheng had taken a good look at Mu Chenjue's features. The person in front of her was the splitting image of the senior from the school next door to hers back then.
• However, there was a stark contrast between the successful businessman in front of her and the youthful boy she once knew.
• Mu Chenjue let off an intimidating aura and wore a cold and vicious expression.
• ...
• The interview had ended.
• Ruan Cheng walked out, drained of energy.
• “How was it? Quick!” Li Xiao asked.
• Ruan Cheng found it weird, and replied, “The interviewer asked if I was married to which I answered no. Then he continued to ask if there was someone I planned to marry.”
• Li Ye frowned. What kind of questions were that? It's too personal.
• Li Xiao had a different opinion. “It's quite normal. Local firms tend to ask questions like these. If they were direct, they'd ask if you had children.”
• “But why would they ask such questions?” Ruan Cheng asked as they went downstairs, perplexed.
• “Because having kids will lower your efficiency at work. Many local firms are prejudiced against married women, especially those with kids. You'll get used to it.” Li Xiao replied, facing his brother and Ruan Cheng.
• ...
• That afternoon.
• Ruan Cheng and Li Ye had received calls notifying them that they had been employed with a probation period of two months. After the two months, the company would assess their performance and decide whether or not to formally employ them at T Corporation.
• The next day.
• Li Ye and Li Xiao picked up Ruan Cheng and headed for work.
• “I intend to buy a car soon, so we won't have to take my sister's car again.” Li Ye told Ruan Cheng as they walked towards the design department.
• “Why? Am I third wheeling you?” Li Xiao deliberately squeezed in between them and asked playfully.
• Ruan Cheng smiled. “Starting tomorrow, neither of you will have to come pick me up. It's too troublesome to make a detour to my area by car. It's more convenient for me to travel by train.”
• ...
• The first day of work.
• Ruan Cheng was especially focused.
• In the afternoon, one of the more experienced designers in the department brought Li Ye along to another province for a business trip.
• Li Ye picked up his work laptop and hurriedly waved goodbye to Ruan Cheng before leaving.
• Li Ye was confused by the department's planning as well.
• Weren't they afraid that bringing a newbie along with them would lower their efficiency?
• Ruan Cheng, on the other hand, was too busy with work to have any thoughts. She quickly familiarized herself with her work.
• Nearing the end of office hours, Li Xiao headed over to Ruan Cheng's desk and said, “Let's have dinner at my place tonight. Your future mother-in-law wants to have dinner with you.”
• Ruan Cheng was familiarizing herself with the past projects by the company. She was put in a spot by what Li Xiao said, and looked up and replied, “I just received a notification that we would have to work overtime...”
• Li Xiao's eyes widened as she rushed towards her desk and opened her email.
• Damn it, I have to work overtime too!
• Working overtime was a norm in the design industry, but Ruan Cheng and Li Ye were extremely unlucky. On their first day, one had been sent for a business trip, and another had to work overtime.
• The department ate packed food for dinner, and continued with work.
• It was half past ten in the evening.
• Their supervisor had let Li Xiao and the two other women back home.
• Ruan Cheng was not so lucky.
• She was still suffering from jet lag, and could barely stay awake.
• She got up for a cup of coffee.
• As she was returning from the pantry, the supervisor instructed her, “The boss wants this blueprint. Pass it to him.”
• Ruan Cheng could only put down her mug and leave the department with the blueprint in hand.
• There were only three people left working overtime in the department, they are the supervisor, an experienced designer, and herself to help out and gain experience.
• Pass the blueprint to the boss.
• As she walked into the elevator, Mu Chenjue's cold and defined features appeared in her mind.
• The elevator had reached the top floor.
• Ruan Cheng stumbled as she tried to find her way, and finally found the President's office.
• She knocked on the door.
• “Come in,” an indifferent but rich male voice called out.
• Ruan Cheng pushed the door open and entered the office. It was painted with a cold color palette, and she placed the blueprint on the large desk, “Sir, here are the blueprints you asked for.”
• Mu Chenjue was buried with work, and he extended a hand to take the blueprints from her. He took a close look at them. As she was about to leave, he suddenly looked up and glared at her.
• Ruan Cheng stopped out of courtesy. Does the President have any further instructions?
• Mu Chenjue's gaze stayed on her for a long time. This woman had matured well over the past five years. She was full of vigor, and her figure, looks and elegance were all distinctive.
• “You can knock off for tonight. Prepare to go for a business trip with me tomorrow.” Mu Chenjue retracted his glare and buried himself in work again.
• Ruan Cheng wanted to protest, saying that she was still too inexperienced to take on such a great responsibility, but Mu Chenjue's tone was firm and unyielding.
• She did not dare to object, so she nodded and left.
• Mu Chenjue's gaze fell upon her once again. Ruan Cheng's figure was attractive, especially her slender waist.
• After a long while, he realized that he was numb from his Adam's apple to his chest. A primitive desire awakened within him.