Chapter 32: Reporting for Work

Section Chief Wei’s full name was Wei Qin. She was 37 years old today and had a 16-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. As soon as she saw Bi Qiao’an, who was about the same age as her son, she felt a surge of maternal love. “Qiao’an, how did you graduate from university at only 19 years old? Did you skip grades?”

Bi Qiao’an smiled and nodded. She could feel Wei Qin’s kindness towards her.

“My oldest is 16 this year and only in the first year of high school. Oh my, he worries me so much. He only knows how to play all day, and his grades are a mess. When there’s a chance, let him meet you. You can help Auntie Wei give him a good talking-to.”

Bi Qiao’an smiled. “Auntie Wei, don’t worry too much. Boys have hidden potential. I had a classmate who was always at the bottom of our class; until his third year when he suddenly started ranking in the top three! Boys are smart, and if he finds the motivation, he’ll definitely excel!”

Wei Qin felt reassured. This girl was kind, down-to-earth, and clearly intelligent. “Since you’re new, start by familiarizing yourself with the work environment. It’s not a heavy workload, but it requires careful attention. Those reports can be tricky, but you’re a college graduate and good with computers, so I’m sure you’ll manage!”

Bi Qiao’an nodded and began reviewing the materials Wei Qin provided.

Meanwhile, things were also going smoothly for Shen Yanming. The management bureau, larger and organized into several departments, had a different rhythm. Bureau Chief Zhu Shiliang, after glancing at the resumes of the four new recruits, immediately assigned Shen Yanming to be his secretary. The other three were placed in the business, finance, and office departments respectively.

“Shen Yanming, your resume took me by surprise. If not for our rigorous recruitment process, I’d think it was either fake, or you were!” Zhu Shiliang joked, studying Shen Yanming with curiosity.

“I’m genuine through and through!” Shen Yanming replied with a smile.

“Tell me, President Shen, how did you end up in our small temple?” Zhu Shiliang’s curiosity was genuine. This matter was simply unimaginable. Who would have thought that a big boss would come to their small unit for a regular nine-to-five job?

“Director Zhu, now that I’m here, I’m no longer ‘President Shen’. Just call me by name.” Shen Yanming didn’t directly answer Zhu Shiliang’s question.

“Haha, I was overthinking. Welcome, Shen Yanming!” Shen Yanming’s stance clarified his commitment to his new role and reassured Zhu Shiliang that he intended to work diligently.

Zhu Shiliang was pleased with Shen Yanming’s response. No one enjoys having a powerful figure breathing down their neck.

Shen Yanming returned to his desk and immersed himself in studying the unit’s documents.

“Shen Yanming, do you remember me?” A soft voice interrupted his focus.

Shen Yanming looked up, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face at having been interrupted in the middle of work.

“I’m the girl who greeted you downstairs on the interview day. My name is Mi Xue’er.” Mi Xue’er’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Shen Yanming frowned. “What can I do for you?”

“Oh, nothing. I just wanted to get to know you.” Mi Xue’er, taken aback by his coldness, felt a touch of awkwardness.

“Mm.”

“Um… the new colleagues are having dinner tonight. You should come too.”  Mi Xue’er hoped to get closer to Shen Yanming, having organized the dinner with him in mind.

“Sorry, I need to go home to be with my fiancee.”

“Is it… that girl from the other day?” Mi Xue’er persisted, unwilling to let him go so easily.

“Yes.”

Mi Xue’er was now lost for words. After being rejected so bluntly, she couldn’t possibly approach him again without any shame, could she?

She sighed, realizing that the person she had finally taken a liking to belonged to someone else. How lucky that girl was!

Although reluctant to accept the situation, Mi Xue’er sat back in her seat while feeling disheartened.

Today was the first day of work, so she couldn’t leave a bad impression on her colleagues. As for Shen Yanming, she was unwilling to let go just like that.

‘He’s not married yet,’ Mi Xue’er thought, seeking reassurance. ‘So I still have a chance. Their relationship isn’t legally protected, so I’m not the “other woman”. In this world, there were no corners that couldn’t be dug out, only people who didn’t work hard enough!’

Shen Yanming didn’t take Mi Xue’er seriously at all. He had encountered many girls like her before. Since she hadn’t crossed any boundaries yet, he saw no need to confront her directly. Moving forward, he would simply maintain a professional distance.

---

“Ah, get lost, bitch…

Baby, baby, what’s wrong with you? Open your eyes, look at me!. I’m your mommy!

Xiao Fei, Xiao…”

“Nini, what’s wrong? Wake up, please! Don’t scare Mommy!” In the Zijing Villa, a beautiful middle-aged woman stared at her daughter, distraught. Her child had been delirious with high fever for three days, speaking incoherently.

Zhang Chenjun heard a gentle and familiar voice calling her name.

“Hurry and open your eyes. Open them, or you’ll regret it forever!”  The urgency of the words echoed in Zhang Chenjun’s mind, giving her the strength to break free from the darkness.

“Nini, you’re awake! You’ve had a fever for three days! You terrified me!” The woman excitedly reached out to touch Zhang Chenjun’s forehead.

“Mom, Mommy, wah…” Zhang Chenjun finally recognized the person in front of her. It was her mother! For a moment, the overwhelming feeling of longing for her washed over Zhang Chenjun, and she couldn’t help but sob.

“Oh dear, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did someone hurt my Nini?” A strong male voice broke through Zhang Chenjun’s tears, and she looked up. It was her father!

The realization dawned on Zhang Chenjun as she looked around. This was her home, just as it was before the apocalypse, and those in front of her were her mother and father, looking exactly as they did before everything changed.

Before the apocalypse…

“Mom, where’s my phone?” Zhang Chenjun asked urgently.

“Ah? It’s in your bag. Wait, I’ll get it!”  Mother Zhang retrieved the phone from Zhang Chenjun’s bag.

“It’s off. Where’s the charger?” Father Zhang, sensing his daughter’s anxiety, quickly found the charger and handed it to Zhang Chenjun.

Zhang Chenjun plugged in the phone and turned it on. The date read October 15, 2257.

It was true…was this real?

She had truly been reborn!

Mother Zhang watched her daughter staring blankly at the phone, not saying a word. “Nini, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me and your dad.”

Zhang Chenjun snapped back to reality. She shook her head. “I’m fine. Just a nightmare.”

“Then what were you shouting about? A baby and a name, Xiao something?”

Forcing a smile, Zhang Chenjun replied, “Just some bad dreams, Mom. I want to rest a bit now.”