{It was the first time she realized that she could also have selfish motives 5}

She reluctantly shifted to the next question: “As you know, Zhao Tian Group made its fortune through foreign trade. Could you talk about the substantial developments and challenges in China-US trade since Biden took office? Also, I’d like to know your thoughts on the trade deficit between the two countries.”

This time, Li Xiyin no longer stayed silent. Instead, she raised her voice and questioned Qian Xu: “Xu Xu, are you still angry about what happened yesterday, and is that why you’re purposely asking these difficult questions to make things hard for me?”

“Miss Li,” Qian Xu glanced around. Li Xiyin still couldn’t resist drawing all eyes to herself, but this would probably be her last chance to do so in front of Qian Xu. Facing Li Xiyin’s approach, Qian Xu didn’t shy away from the sharpness in her gaze. “I think I’m just following the normal interview process, asking questions that I consider routine. If you can’t answer them, maybe it’s an issue of ability, but if you’re jumping to conclusions in front of everyone, that’s more of an attitude problem.”

“I… I didn’t—”

Li Xiyin’s voice trembled, her expression turning pitiful: “These questions you’re asking don’t even exist in the textbooks. They weren’t in the reference materials either.”

Qian Xu immediately retorted: “For the second round of interviews, we ask questions that the interviewers think are quite common. I don’t think it’s possible for these to be intentionally difficult. If you can’t answer, it doesn’t mean others can’t.”

Qian Xu wasn’t the type to beat around the bush or show any unnecessary leniency. Her follow-up questions left Li Xiyin gasping for breath: “If you don’t believe me, we can randomly select someone from the room to answer.”

Indeed, someone in the applicant pool eagerly raised their hand.

Opportunities were something everyone wanted. Li Xiyin realized that the questions she couldn’t answer were ones that others were excited to take on.

Li Xiyin felt her face burning. Not only had she failed to accomplish the task assigned by Ge Wei, but she had also been unable to suppress Qian Xu even a little, let alone get the upper hand.

Some of the interviewers were already eager to maintain order and were ready to ask her to leave.

But she still refused to give up.

Li Xiyin, desperate, clung to the past, trying to hit a sore spot with her old friend: “Qian Xu, if I’ve done something wrong, you can tell me directly. There’s no need to use these methods to embarrass me in front of everyone.”

“The one making you embarrassed is not me,” Qian Xu replied coldly. “It’s your attitude toward the interview. You’ve casually borrowed someone else’s materials to get through it. From that, it’s clear that your sincerity is lacking.” Qian Xu wasn’t bothered by the past and seemed to have already overcome it. She spoke without hesitation, as though she had crossed mountains and seas, unbreakable. “If your so-called questioning could make me feel morally obliged to hire you, even if you haven’t proven yourself, that would be unfair to Zhao Tian Group.”

“Maybe at this moment you feel I’m being ruthless, but I believe I’m making the most fair judgment. Everyone can see that.”

Li Xiyin was completely at a loss for words. Tears streamed from beneath her fluttering lashes, and she fled the interview room, humiliated.

Qian Xu’s emotions remained flat as ever: “Next.”

No one doubted her fairness, and no one lamented that Li Xiyin had not been hired.

Qian Xu finished the interview with a batch of candidates, and during the lunch break, she ran into Zhao Buhui. She seemed no longer surprised by his presence at the company.

Or perhaps, ever since that dream, she had somewhat expected his arrival.

“I eliminated her.”

Zhao Buhui responded, “Actually, if you’re not good at this sort of thing, you can always leave it to me in the future.”

“There’s nothing unusual about it. Am I supposed to be constantly morally shackled just because of a reputation?” Qian Xu finally admitted the side of herself she couldn’t acknowledge in front of others. “Actually, I did this on purpose. For your father’s company, the emotional impact I bring could be unimaginable. Rather than leaving behind a ticking time bomb that might affect me at any time, it’s better to just get rid of her.”

He looked at her with admiration: “Well done!”

“Thanks.”

“You don’t even know if I’m genuinely saying this or just making a casual remark…”

“I think you’re being sincere.” Otherwise, he definitely shouldn’t have appeared here at this moment. Amid the high-pitched voices and calls from the crowd, and passing through the numb pain and sorrow, Qian Xu inexplicably felt optimistic. She made the most self-assured judgment.