Chapter 248: You Want to Compete with Me in Skirts and Stockings? Do You Even Have the Skills?
All her brothers had left, but they weren’t completely gone.
They had only gone out for internships, not officially graduated yet. So many of their things were still in the boys’ dorm.
Lin Yibai gathered their student ID cards, ID copies, and other important documents. Since she was the only one staying in Fucheng, she would handle anything the school needed for them.
She sat on the bed they used to share and spaced out for a while, then gave a small, bitter smile.
“Well, I hope all my brothers are doing well! You guys just focus on working hard out there. I’ll take care of everything at school, hehe.”
She forced herself to cheer up a little.
She thought about whether she should move back into the dorm now that the others were gone. But after a moment of hesitation, she decided not to.
After all, this was still the boys’ dorm building. And she was now more or less considered a girl.
So in the end… it just wasn’t convenient.
After finishing all their classes and final exams, all the seniors became really busy. Some went back home and some started job hunting.
Lin Yibai was no exception. Like many other seniors, she began working on a carefully prepared resume.
But Xia Changyu had different thoughts.
He looked at the printed resume she had just picked up from a copy shop. He raised an eyebrow and sincerely said,
“Actually, I think you should really consider what I suggested. I’ve already used your ID and info to help you sign up for this year’s national civil service exam. The test is next month. Instead of job hunting, I think it’s better if you focus all your energy on studying for that.”
That’s when Lin Yibai remembered.
Xia Changyu really did care a lot about this. While they were discussing it earlier, when she wasn’t sure about what to do, he had already signed her up.
Because of limits based on her major and personality, there weren’t that many positions she could apply for. In the end, they chose a position at the local community office.
There was nothing to be ashamed of. Even top students from Tsinghua and Peking University compete for those jobs. It’s totally normal!
But when it comes to jobs like that, ones jokingly called “the end of the universe”, it’s never going to be easy.
Lin Yibai took the resume back from Xia Changyu, sighed, and said, “That community office job… if I’m not wrong, the ratio is 217 to 1?”
Xia Changyu corrected her, “It’s actually 573 to 1 now. And by the time registration ends, it might hit 700 or 800 people competing for one spot.”
Lin Yibai: “……”
What the heck kind of job did you sign me up for? I might as well go die!
But okay, she could understand.
It was a government job in the capital city of the province. Of course it was in high demand.
Lin Yibai waved her resume and said, “I know you believe in me, but honestly… When it comes to civil service exams, do you really think someone who only started studying a month or two ago like me can make it? That’s expecting way too much. So this resume is still important. If I don’t pass the exam, I don’t want to end up stuck at home doing nothing.”
Xia Changyu replied, “To be honest, I didn’t really expect you to pass. And staying at home isn’t a big deal, I can support you!”
Lin Yibai laughed, “So you want me to be like those full-time civil service test takers, studying for years just to get one job?”
Xia Changyu said again, “But I can support you. Trust me.”
Lin Yibai shook her head and shrugged, “The most important thing for a person is independence. And the key to independence is money. If someone can’t be financially independent, then they probably won’t be truly happy. I don’t want to turn into someone who’s lost herself just to pass a civil service exam.”
She wasn’t that naïve.
Studying for the civil service exam full-time? That kind of life sounded way too depressing!
Lin Yibai clearly understood. What we call freedom isn’t just about leaving your parents’ home or being free from school rules. It’s when you have control over your own money, that’s when you’re truly free in society.
Otherwise, you’ll never feel happy.
So in her mind, yes, she should take the civil service exam. But she should also go to job fairs.
“Sigh~”
Xia Changyu let out a long sigh.
His plan to support her… failed.
He really did have money, free time, and the willingness to support Lin Yibai. But sadly, Lin Yibai didn’t want to be that kind of person.
The girl took a deep breath, then smiled and said,
“Alright, alright! Stop worrying about it, okay? If you really care about me, why not help me study for the civil service exam instead? I’m seriously confused by those logic puzzles. And I also need help getting ready for company interviews.”
Honestly, many of the civil service exam questions were super weird, like brain teasers with no clear answer. They made Lin Yibai feel like she was back in elementary school, doing those tricky “magic” logic problems.
But in real life, people need to focus on practical things.
After finishing that day’s practice questions, Lin Yibai started practicing her self-introduction.
Since it was just the two of them, even if she messed up, she wouldn’t be embarrassed… right?
She was preparing for job interviews. To make it feel more realistic, Lin Yibai even changed into proper women’s business clothes. A fitted blazer, a skirt… and skin-colored stockings?
Xia Changyu’s eyes widened in shock. He looked like he was about to cry in frustration as he mumbled, “I’ve never even seen you dress so nicely for me before… And now you’re wearing it to go to an interview?”
Ahem, cough cough cough~
Lin Yibai cleared her throat. The mock interview had officially begun!
She sat up straight and spoke clearly, “Dear interviewers, hello...”
But as soon as she started, Xia Changyu frowned.
That typical “student voice” of hers? Yeah, that was a problem.
He held up a hand to stop her and said, “Pause for a second. Baiyi, is this your first time doing an interview? You sound way too much like a student.”
Lin Yibai shrugged, “Well duh! If I were some interview expert, would I even need your help?”
Xia Changyu smiled awkwardly, “Fair enough. Then first, you need to fix that student tone of yours.”
Lin Yibai blinked and asked innocently, “How do I fix it?”
Xia Changyu asked, “When you worked part-time jobs before, how did you talk to your bosses?”
Lin Yibai thought for a moment and said, “Usually, the boss would ask me if I had any experience. If I knew about the job, I’d give my own thoughts too. It was a way to show I could handle it. If I got lucky, I could even talk about the pay.”
Xia Changyu clapped and said, “Great! That’s exactly how real interviews at big companies work too. You don’t have to think of them as something super scary.”
Lin Yibai nodded, “So that’s how it is…”
Xia Changyu smiled and said, “You may not have gone to a big company interview before, but trust me, it’s basically the same. So now I’ll act as the HR person interviewing you. Let’s continue the mock interview.”
Lin Yibai: “Okay!”
Xia Changyu stepped back into the role and said, “I’ve looked through your resume. Now, could you give us a quick self-introduction?”
Lin Yibai replied, “I’m a marketing major graduating from Fucheng University’s School of Economics and Management. I’d like to apply for the Marketing Planning Assistant position at your company.”
Xia Changyu: “I’d like to know, what do you think of this role?”
Lin Yibai answered, “It matches my major. As the saying goes, ‘use what you’ve learned’. I hope your company can give me a chance…”
Inside the small apartment, they played out all kinds of “evil interviewer vs. job-seeker” scenes.
A few times, Lin Yibai got so annoyed she almost wanted to strangle Xia Changyu, the “interviewer.”
But then she thought again, wasn’t it a blessing to have someone practicing interviews with her?
She was working so hard. Surely, she’d find a good job… right?
Xia Changyu then asked one last question, “Alright, final question, what are you thinking right now?”
Lin Yibai blurted out, “Having a boyfriend is really nice. I really love him~”
Xia Changyu burst into laughter, “Perfect! You’ve now been officially hired by me. I hope you work hard and shine bright for the rest of your life, with me.”
Lin Yibai: “Tricking me again? You want a fight?!”
Xia Changyu quickly pulled her into his arms and gently sat her on the sofa.
He looked like a playful villain, and it was like he was saying, “You want to wear a women’s business outfit and stockings to challenge me? Do you really have what it takes?”