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Chapter 7: Internal Competition
After leaving the textile factory with the fabric, Li Juan carefully placed it on the cart, covered it tightly with an oil cloth, and hid it under some vegetables to obscure it from view. She suppressed her excitement and quickly took Tao Yu back home.
At night, in their small room, they lit a dim kerosene lamp. Li Juan sat on the bed, repeatedly stroking the various fabrics, especially the red polka dot one, her face filled with joy.
She kept murmuring that the fabric from Haicheng was much better than what could be found in the supply store, that it was cheaper and more vibrant, and that the cotton and synthetic fabrics were perfect for summer clothes. She was also praising her daughter’s cleverness, noting that this business had lower costs than winter clothes and would definitely make a good profit if launched early.
Then, as Li Juan continued to chat about her plans, Tao Yu fell asleep to the sound of her mother’s excited voice.
It was strange, ever since arriving in this world, Tao Yu always slept soundly at night, unlike before when she would toss and turn, relying on medication to fall asleep.
The next morning, both mother and daughter woke up early, each with their own plans, and they went their separate ways.
Tao Yu deliberately wore the lantern-sleeve floral dress and white socks Li Juan had made for her, and tied her hair in a braid with an apricot-colored scarf at the end, looking neat as she headed out.
Today, she was going to the mechanical factory to apply for a job, so she made sure to dress up.
Tao Yu didn’t mind dressing up when it was necessary. After all, dressing well could subtly reduce her social costs.
For instance, if you go to a bank for an important business and you’re dressed too casually, an employee who judges based on appearances might ignore you, wasting your time.
This happens because of the social norm of valuing appearance before respect for the person.
On the other hand, if you dress appropriately, people are less likely to treat you dismissively, and the efficiency of your business will improve significantly.
In her previous life, Tao Yu only paid attention to her appearance when she was starting a business. She would spend large amounts of money on bags and accessories. At that time, her style was bold and aggressive, designed to stand out.
After returning to school, she once again concealed herself, staying low-key and striving to blend in.
At school, everyone assumed she was just an ordinary freshman. No one could tell she had already established a profitable business of her own.
However, despite her quiet demeanor and efforts to minimize her presence, her dormmates still isolated her.
The reason was simple: Tao Yu had no interest or time to join their gatherings, shopping trips, or social events. She refused to conform or cater to their expectations.
Over time, some of them learned about her parents’ divorce and their separate remarriages, using this as an excuse to gossip behind her back, calling her a “weirdo” and claiming it was no wonder her parents didn’t want her.
But the truth was, their isolation stemmed from nothing more than envy. Tao Yu was undeniably beautiful. No matter how plainly she dressed, she remained the most attractive girl in her department—if not the entire school. Her looks drew countless admirers, with boys frequently confessing their feelings for her.
It was a case of “a treasured jade invites envy,” and jealousy among the girls drove their behavior.
One incident stood out. The girl who bullied Tao Yu most severely, frustrated by Tao Yu’s refusal to engage, resorted to pouring hand soap into Tao Yu’s facial toner. The result was a severe allergic reaction that left Tao Yu’s face irritated and swollen.
The bully openly admitted her actions and continued to provoke Tao Yu with harsh words.
That time, Tao Yu couldn’t hold back her anger. She didn’t retaliate with words—she fought back physically.
Even though the bully had friends backing her up, it didn’t matter. Tao Yu fought fiercely and won decisively, leaving her aggressors intimidated.
The incident was never reported to the school. After all, a fight would mean consequences for all involved, and those who lost weren’t willing to risk that.
From that point on, rumors about Tao Yu being a “weirdo” spread even further. Her reputation became one of isolation and eccentricity, with whispers labeling her violent and unhinged:
As the gossip grew more outlandish, Tao Yu became an anomaly within the university—a singular, untouchable figure.
She could have easily made those girls pay a heavier price. After all, she was far from just an ordinary freshman. But Tao Yu had no interest in wasting her energy on them.
She had long been numb to insults and incapable of empathy like others. Even her entrepreneurial pursuits were motivated purely by survival, not passion.
For her, being called a weirdo and being isolated didn’t matter.
“Does being quiet and reserved make me strange? Maybe it does,” she thought.
“They’re not wrong. I was born to be alone. I’ve always been the abandoned outcast…”
Walking for a while, Tao Yu arrived at the mechanical factory near her housing complex. The entrance was crowded with hopeful applicants, especially for the highly competitive position of secretary to the factory director.
The role had two openings, required at least a middle school education, and offered an attractive salary of 45 yuan per month, plus performance bonuses and year-end rewards.
The perks, combined with rumors that the factory’s young, wealthy, foreign-educated director was single, attracted a throng of young, well-dressed women hoping for a chance to secure both the job and possibly the man.
The competition was fierce, but Tao Yu didn’t bother joining the fray.
With only a primary school education, she didn’t meet the qualifications. She also had no interest in trying to use her looks to stand out.
Instead, she made her way to the cafeteria’s recruitment area, where a notice outlined the position for a food server:
Reading the description, Tao Yu nodded. It fit her needs perfectly—well, except for the “good character” part, she thought with faint irony.
She joined the line and listened as others discussed the selection process. It seemed the cafeteria’s head chef, Master Ding, was personally conducting the interviews and was known to be highly discerning. Out of several candidates ahead of her, only two had been accepted.
When it was her turn, Tao Yu answered Master Ding’s questions clearly and politely.
The chef hesitated, looking at her. She was far more striking than any of the applicants vying for the secretary position nearby.
“Are you sure you don’t want to try for the secretary role?” he asked, genuinely puzzled. “The pay’s much higher over there.”
Tao Yu maintained her composed, courteous smile. “I’m not qualified for that position, and the cafeteria offers good meals. I’d like to apply for the food server role.”
“Alright, this young lady’s straightforward,” Master Ding remarked.
Perhaps it was her calm demeanor and unassuming attitude, but he approved her application.
After completing her paperwork and confirming her start date, Tao Yu quietly left the bustling scene and headed home.
