Chapter 0103: The Work Problem

Love in college in 1999 was perhaps a bit purer compared to 2017.

It's not that love ceases to exist over time, but because at this age, although young people realize the importance of material wealth, they do not yet understand that in their future lives, striving for money will occupy most of their time.

Zhao Fusheng sat in front of the computer, maintaining his webpage. Through the screen, he could see Wang Zhen sitting there with a silly grin. Wang Zhen didn't know what he would miss without Zhao Fusheng, but Zhao Fusheng knew that in this life, ten years later, he wouldn't be sitting at a food stall, sobbing and muttering someone's name.

Over ten years, too many people have come and gone around us, too many dishes have been replaced on the table, too much wine has been spilled in our cups.

We pulled all-nighters in internet cafes, drank in the cafeteria, walked briskly across the library and the grass, supporting each other, listening to him talk about the girl he loved.

We stood there reading the love letters we had written, choosing our words carefully, more seriously than any work proposal, as if that could keep us forever in that spring light. We were carefree, like brilliant poems, etching silhouettes in memory, sunlight sparkling.

"Zhao Fusheng, thank you."

Wang Zhen called out solemnly, though he knew brothers didn't need to say such things.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "How about doing me a favor?"

"Tell me." Wang Zhen sat up, looking serious.

"Isn't Dong Chenxi about to graduate? I want you two to rent a house. I'll cover the cost, and I'll buy a few servers to put at your place for you to maintain." Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Wang Zhen, "Remember, keep it confidential."

This was a decision he made after consideration. After all, the traffic to the wo123 webpage was growing, and his current computer was no longer sufficient. Adding new servers was imperative, but they couldn't be kept in the dormitory; they had to be placed outside and maintained by someone. So Zhao Fusheng figured he needed someone's help.

"Maintenance is no problem, but will she agree to renting a house?" Wang Zhen had no objections; for him, renting a place with Dong Chenxi would be a joy, but he feared she might not agree.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "Ask her if she wants to work at Teacher Zheng's Future Advertising?"

"Future Advertising?"

Wang Zhen was startled, then looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise: "You really have something going on with the counselor!"

"With your sister!"

Zhao Fusheng got up from the computer and rushed over to rough up Wang Zhen. Knowing he was in the wrong, Wang Zhen didn't resist. When Zhao Fusheng finally had his fill, Wang Zhen mumbled, "What's going on?"

Rolling his eyes at him, Zhao Fusheng said helplessly, "I helped Teacher Zheng land another ad, a big deal, so she'll probably give me this favor."

"Really?"

Wang Zhen immediately got excited, pouncing on Zhao Fusheng: "Bro, you're my real brother. Call Teacher Zheng right now. After this, you don't even need me to maintain your webpage—I'll be your slave."

His excitement was simple: Dong Chenxi was a senior this year, about to start job hunting. In fact, the entire senior year for graduates was basically a process of submitting resumes and attending interviews. Nowadays, the era of guaranteed job assignments and iron rice bowls was long gone. It was okay for mid-90s graduates, but now, even if graduates got assignments, they weren't great positions.

Of course, if you graduated from a top-tier school, you wouldn't worry about jobs. But Ninghai Normal University wasn't a top school, especially for advertising design. Someone like Dong Chenxi would have to try her luck in Shanghai or Beijing. If she got a chance, she'd make it; if not, after a few years of drifting, she'd go home to marry and have children.

Now, Zhao Fusheng said he could offer her a decent job. This made Wang Zhen, who had been worried that Dong Chenxi would leave Ninghai and their long-distance relationship wouldn't last, ecstatic.

Frowning slightly, Zhao Fusheng said solemnly, "I'm serious. I can only get her into the creative department. Whether she can stand firm depends on her."

"Don't worry, she won't let you down." As a man secretly in love with Dong Chenxi, Wang Zhen knew her abilities well. In fact, even purely in terms of professional skill, she was one of the best in the college. But advertising design wasn't a hot major, and as a pretty girl with no connections, she always ran into trouble finding a job.

Now, if she could get into Future Advertising, Wang Zhen thought it would be the best news.

Since he said that, Zhao Fusheng didn't bother with more words. He took out his phone card and dialed Zheng Yao's number.

"Teacher Zheng, it's Zhao Fusheng. I have something to discuss with you..." Because Wang Zhen was nearby, Zhao Fusheng spoke very politely: "It's like this: I have a senior, Dong Chenxi, graduating this year. She's quite skilled. You mentioned wanting to hire people last time, so I'd like to recommend her to our company."

Zheng Yao was taken aback. Zhao Fusheng being so polite wasn't like him. After hearing him out, she understood someone was with him.

After a moment's thought, Zheng Yao said, "Isn't Qin Wentao already recruiting interns? She can just sign up."

"Not as an intern. I want to hire her as my assistant to help me with some proposals. Is that okay?" An idea struck Zhao Fusheng, and he said to Zheng Yao.

Zheng Yao paused, initially about to reject the idea, but then she understood his intention.

As Zhao Fusheng said, as the company's top advertising planner, if he wanted an assistant, no one would object.

"Alright, you decide. She'll be your assistant from now on." Zheng Yao nodded.

She had already learned who Dong Chenxi was in recent days. Though she didn't understand the deeper meaning behind Zhao Fusheng's move, since he had decided, she wouldn't say more and agreed.

Hanging up, Zhao Fusheng looked at Wang Zhen and winked: "Done!"

"Great!"

Wang Zhen was overjoyed, grinning as he started putting on his clothes.

"Where are you going?" Zhao Fusheng was puzzled.

"I'm going to tell her the good news." Wang Zhen chuckled, then added, "Also, I'll go pick out a house and try to move out as soon as possible."

Finally, he said solemnly, "Your webpage needs daily maintenance—can't afford to delay."

Watching Wang Zhen's hurried back, Zhao Fusheng felt something was off.