From Simp to National Heartthrob - Chapter 11:

Chapter 11: New Job

Just before getting off work on Friday, Chen Yi’s phone suddenly rang. It was an unfamiliar number, but he still answered. To his surprise, it was an interview invitation from Xinqi Company.

He had only uploaded his resume online less than two days ago, yet he already received an interview notification. Sure enough, once he got away from terrible people, even his luck started to improve.

…

The next day, under a cloudless sky, Chen Yi went to his regular badminton court. A familiar figure came into view—it was Gu Mingxue.

She wore a fitted sports outfit, her face delicate and refined. No matter the time or place, every time Chen Yi saw her, she always looked full of energy.

Gu Mingxue noticed his gaze and looked up, just in time to see Chen Yi walking toward her.

“What a coincidence, we meet here again.”

Chen Yi’s cheeks turned slightly red. He smiled shyly, “Yeah, what are the odds.”

The coach trained with him for a while before stepping away to take a call at the front desk. Left alone, Chen Yi began practicing his serves, but each attempt either veered off or lacked power, ending in failure.

Seeing the frown on his face and his puzzled expression, Gu Mingxue walked over and teased, “Since you saved me last time, I guess I’ll give you a few pointers.”

She picked up a racket and demonstrated as she explained, “When you swing your arm, use your body strength, not just your arm. Let your waist and core rotate with it, and focus the power at your wrist.”

With her guidance, Chen Yi tried a few more times. The results were immediate—his performance improved noticeably.

Just then, a mechanical voice from the system rang out in Chen Yi’s mind. [System detected interaction with the opposite sex. Would you like to activate the adaptability skill?]

Chen Yi refused without hesitation.

The system immediately issued a reminder and complaint: [Host’s emotional intelligence is concerning. This ability card can help you seize good opportunities. It’s a pity to miss it.]

Chen Yi didn’t take the system’s response seriously and kept practicing with full focus. He just thought the system was overthinking it. The girl was simply being polite, and he wasn’t delusional.

Besides, he knew his limits. When faced with unknown romance and tangible money, he would always choose the latter. After all, what you can hold in your hands is what truly exists.

…

On the weekend night, Chen Yi asked his manager for a day off. Just as he was fully prepared to leave, the system’s notification chimed.

[Congratulations, host, on completing Main Mission 1. Reward: 30,000 yuan in cash.]

[System experience points: 50/1000.]

Chen Yi’s heart pounded with excitement. He hadn’t expected that losing 5 kg could earn him nearly a month’s salary. However, he still didn’t understand what the system experience points meant. Either way, he figured he just needed to keep working hard.

The system didn’t offer much explanation either.

[Main Mission 1: Continue losing 5 kg.]

[Your weight is still over the standard. The next stage of fat loss will be slower. Keep going.]

[Side Mission 1: Successfully change jobs. Your old job is too exhausting—it’ll ruin your male god looks.]

[Side Mission 2: Complete badminton and Level 2 foreign language practice.]

[System tip: Completing swimming training will yield a generous reward.]

Chen Yi didn’t expect that switching jobs would count as a side mission. It felt like getting free points. After all, with his current ability, finding a new job wasn’t that difficult. He had already wanted to leave his current position for a while.

…

When Chen Yi arrived at the base of Xinqi Company, he was surprised to run into Gu Mingxue again. But today, she wore a professional business suit, and her previously tied-up hair had been let down, giving her a more mature and capable air.

When she saw Chen Yi, a flash of surprise appeared in her bright eyes, and she walked over to greet him.

“Looks like we really are fated. Fancy meeting you here too.”

Chen Yi also felt a bit surprised, but kept his expression calm and simply smiled.

As they passed by, Xinqi Company’s manager gave both of them a strange look.

…

Xinqi Company was even larger than Chen Yi had expected, and there were at least fifty people there for the interview. After waiting for an hour, Chen Yi was finally called into the meeting room.

The interviewers were very professional, but Chen Yi had prepared well and answered every question smoothly. Gradually, however, he noticed that the interviewers were treating him a little too kindly. Even some of the more challenging questions were being let go easily.

Feeling a bit puzzled, Chen Yi hesitated before asking, “Do you have any other questions for me? Maybe some technical ones?”

The interviewers were briefly stunned, then shook their heads. “No need. We’re very satisfied with your resume, and we believe you’re more than capable of handling this position.”

Hearing this, Chen Yi felt a strange sense of disbelief—was this favoritism?

Even if his resume was solid, it wasn’t flawless. Were they placing too much trust in him?

Other candidates who were interviewed before him mentioned that the interviewers asked lots of difficult technical questions, and most left the room looking defeated. Yet, for him, everything seemed unusually easy.

Even the salary he requested wasn’t negotiated. They just accepted it outright.

…

After the interview, Chen Yi left the meeting room and overheard a few other candidates whispering, “I heard he got in through connections. Knows the interviewers.”

“Exactly. They were totally going easy on him.”

Chen Yi was confused too. He hadn’t used any connections. If he really had an inside track, he would’ve joined Xinqi a long time ago. What would be the point of waiting until now?

Still, no matter how he tried to explain it, it wouldn’t matter. The only thing he could do now was to prove his worth through real strength.

He truly had the skills!

…

Inside the Gu Corporation’s office building, Gu Mingxue sat behind a wide, bright desk. She picked up her coffee and took a small sip. Thinking of the gossip going around the company about Chen Yi, she couldn’t help but say, “Assistant Xu, are you aware that Xinqi Company is hiring?”

Xu Xuan paused in surprise. He knew Gu Mingxue usually had a cold temperament and rarely paid attention to anything outside the company.

“Miss Gu, I heard that Xinqi just hired a technician named Chen Yi. It seems he got in through someone inside and was accepted under special circumstances. Supposedly, he’s not that capable.”

Hearing this, Gu Mingxue frowned slightly and set down her coffee cup. Her expression remained calm, but her tone was firm. “He may not be as incapable as you think. Don’t make hasty judgments about someone without really understanding them. I think he’s honest and dependable. He doesn’t seem like the type to use connections.”

When Xu Xuan heard how she was defending an entry-level programmer, he felt a pang of discomfort in his heart.

He had been by Gu Mingxue’s side for three years and had never seen her show concern for anyone.

Other than himself, it was never easy for any man to get close to her.

So why was Chen Yi getting her attention?