One sentence wiped out all the laughter. Oh wow, this is a school for the cream of the crop—no wonder it’s so unconventional. Instantly, the applicants holding diplomas from second- and third-tier colleges felt deeply embarrassed.

“Peking University? On your resume…” Evelyn Carter flipped through the resume, thinking she must have made a mistake.

“Henan North University, you know, abbreviated as ‘Beida’.” Sam Parker replied.

The three recruiters were dumbfounded, and half the applicants in the room burst out laughing. In the back row, David Clark and Paul Grant, who knew the answer, lowered their heads and chuckled.

“Oh, it’s a private college. Young man, you should be more practical. Showboating isn’t good.” The only male recruiter, Supervisor Thompson, who was nearing forty, said gently.

Sam Parker retorted seriously, “Private colleges are still colleges! Ours is even a certified 2B institution, which is better than some others.”

Another round of laughter erupted. Evelyn Carter was so exasperated she didn’t know what to ask next. Tina Bennett lost her temper—she’d rarely seen someone this outrageous. After a few more questions, she simply waved her hand and said, “Alright, no need to introduce yourself further. We know your situation. You can leave now.”

He was being shown the door, but Sam Parker wasn’t surprised. He had something else on his mind and asked expectantly, “Aren’t you providing lunch?”

Laughter broke out again, and Tina Bennett was so embarrassed she could barely keep her composure, nearly falling backward from holding her breath. Supervisor Thompson realized they’d run into a real oddball and politely said, “If your journey is really far, the company does provide lunch vouchers at noon. But for now, please wait outside.”

“Oh, that’s more like it.” Sam Parker got the confirmation he wanted and swaggered out, prompting another round of laughter behind him.

Evelyn Carter calmed herself and exchanged a glance with Tina Bennett. She’d felt a bit guilty before, but now she didn’t feel any at all. They both wished they could use the harshest, most merciless words to drive every single person present out of the room.

“Next, Howard Scott.” Tina Bennett called out, and a chubby male student in the front row stood up in response.

Despite the sweltering heat, he was still wearing a suit and tie. He introduced himself as a graduate of Northwest Agricultural University. As for work experience—well, he’d been moving flower pots for people at a flower market. When asked about his skills, he said he could tend to bonsai. When asked about his understanding of the business investigation industry, he admitted he didn’t know much, but he’d work hard to learn. He spoke in a sorrowful tone and even added a poignant love story: he’d come to Beijing chasing after his girlfriend, who was in graduate school here. Because of his specialized agricultural background, he’d already been rejected countless times.

But the result was the same this time. After he finished, Evelyn Carter said to him expressionlessly, “Sorry, you’re not suitable for this job. You can leave now… Next, Logan Reed.”

The man, who had been holding his head high, suddenly wilted as if struck by frost. He shuffled out the door, utterly unwilling, glancing back several times as if hoping the interviewers would change their minds. But reality doesn’t favor the lovesick—no one paid him any attention. With each person gone, there was one less competitor.

“Next… Megan Howard.” Evelyn Carter quickly dismissed another candidate, a graduate in bioengineering. In her eyes, this bookworm was only fit to look for a job at a small restaurant, and even then, just as a helper.

“Next… Olivia Martinez.” Tina Bennett dismissed another one in under a minute. This kid had a bit of a lisp and spoke unclearly.

“Next… Michael Bolton.” Supervisor Thompson sent off another candidate. The conditions were decent, but he was getting on in years—almost thirty and still working at a computer mall. Supervisor Thompson thought it was a pity.

“Next…”

“Next…”

One after another, candidates were dismissed as quickly as pulling up radishes. Nearly half were gone. David Clark and Paul Grant exchanged a glance, sensing something was off, but couldn’t quite put their finger on it.

“Why do I find that woman so unpleasant?” David Clark whispered to Paul Grant.

“It doesn’t seem like they’re actually hiring. It’s like they’re deliberately finding fault to send people away. We came for nothing.” Paul Grant whispered back, feeling a bit down.

“Not for nothing. Sam said there’d be lunch, remember?” David Clark was more optimistic. The two of them exchanged a smile, and Paul Grant joked quietly, “What do you think that main examiner woman looks like?”

“Like a bitch.” David Clark said, watching another dejected candidate get dismissed.

“Not quite. She’s more like one of those cheap giveaways you get when you pay your phone bill—a piece of junk.” Paul Grant commented about Evelyn Carter.

David Clark covered his mouth, laughing. Just then, they heard Evelyn Carter call out:

“Next… David Clark!”

David Clark quickly composed himself and walked up to the front…

Chapter 04: Rare to Find a Kindred Spirit

Interviews are all about appearance. If there was anyone left today who looked satisfactory, now was the time to step forward.

A face with sharp lines and defined features, standing with hands behind his back, he had the bearing of a military or police officer. Though his skin was a bit dark, it shone with a healthy glow. As David Clark stood before them, the three recruiters silently approved—his looks were no less impressive than the tough-guy actors on TV.

“Introduce yourself.” Evelyn Carter said. Her expression actually softened a little.

“Does it make a difference?” David Clark asked, puzzled.

“What?” Evelyn Carter was confused.