Xiao Zhan's POV

[18 years old Xiao Zhan]

Life is much easier after I've graduated from high school. No school fees, no need to buy books and much other payment. Since I no longer need to attend school, I'm focusing on my job. I no longer deliver newspapers because the pay is quite low if I want to save a lot in a short time. I look for other jobs that pay well. I work in a convenience store during the day and sometimes I help out in a restaurant as a cook. At night, I took another job as a singer in a high-end restaurant which pays quite a lot.

I want to save as much as I can because I know the amount that I need to pay to enter college is double or even triple the school fees. Yes, I can still work while studying, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Maybe I'll work for one or two years before deciding to choose any college.

As soon as I arrived at the restaurant, my manager told me, "Xiao Zhan, meet me at my office after you're done. "Yes, Mr Li," I answered.

I quickly went to his office as soon as I was done with my job. I knock on his door before letting myself in.

"Hmm...is there anything you want to talk about with me?" I asked Mr Li politely. This man in his late 30s is one of the men that I owe a lot. I met him at the convenience store when he came to buy some stuff. He accidentally heard me singing while I was organising things at the rack. He's the one who offered me to work at the restaurant as a singer.

"Do you still work at the convenience store?" He asked.

"Yes, I do. Why?"

"Hmmm... actually, my friend at a big company is looking for new staff. They have new projects coming so they're lacking manpower. So, do you want to work there? They will pay quite a lot compared to the convenience store" I was quite surprised with his offer.

"What kind of company are they? And what kind of job do I need to do?" I can't easily accept it whenever they mention money. I, at least, need to know what kind of work they want me to do.

"Hmmm... do you know A' La Mode?" Who wouldn't know that?

"That famous brand that a former actor and model founded? Yes, of course, I know. Why?"

"Well...if you accept my offer, you will work there. They need staff to do some work for them, maybe helping out at the scene. There's no specific job for you. You'll do whatever the manager asks but don't worry. It is a legal job just... you might be more tired."

I can't form any words to speak. Working at a big company like that?? Who wants to reject that??

"If it is like that, I agree! When can I start working?" I excitedly said, gaining a laugh from Mr. Li.

"Well, you can start on Monday next week. Later on, I'll give your number to the manager there. His name is Jane. He'll contact you later to inform the details." I bow to Mr. Li.

"Thank you, Mr Li! Thank you for helping me so much!" He just smiles and gestures that I can take my leave.

I leave the restaurant while grinning from ear to ear. My life only gets better and better. I look up in the sky, full of shining stars. Mom... Dad...I'm doing fine right now. There's no need for you guys to be worried about me. I promise. I'll make you guys proud of me.

The next day, I suddenly received a message from an unknown number.

"Hi, Xiao Zhan. This is Jane. Mr. Li had told me about you. On Monday, please come to the A' La Mode company at 8 am sharp. Just tell the receptionist your name and that you wish to see me. If you're late even by one minute, I won't accept you"

Wow...even from the message, I could tell how strict this guy is. Well, as expected of a big company. They won't tolerate any lazy bum.

"Hello, Mr. Jane. Thank you for contacting me and informing me. I'll come to the company at 8 am sharp. Thank you once again," I touch the button 'send' after five to six times, typing and deleting the message. Never thought replying to a message could be so nerve-wracking like this.

Since I'm going to work at a big company, I guess a T-shirt might be inappropriate, no matter what my job is. I open my wardrobe and sigh at the view. There are three shirts and the others are all worn-out T-shirts. When I sang at the club, I used the suits or shirts that they prepared for me. So now, how can I go to work with these worn-out shirts? Sighs. Seems like I have to go shopping.

"Hello, jie!" I made a call to Xuan Lu-jie.

"Hi, Zhan Zhan! How are you doing? I miss you!!"

"I'm fine. Jie, are you free, today or tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, nope. I already have plans. Today I'm free in the evening. Why?"

"Hmm... Actually, I want to ask for some help from you. Do you know any place that sells good clothes at affordable prices? I need to do some shopping, but I don't want to waste so much"

"Ohh.. Then, this evening, let's meet up. I'll take you somewhere. No need to worry. As long as I come with you, your money can be saved a lot"

"Alright. Thanks, jie! See you later. Bye!"

I asked Xuan Lu-jie to help me, not because I didn't know how to dress up properly, but because I just didn't know where to get those nice clothes without wasting too much of my savings. I'm going to work as an assistant only, so as long as I'm wearing something that's not out of place, it is enough.

I'm amazed at Xuan Lu-jie. I can't believe she could bargain until I could buy the clothes at half of the original price. Thanks to her I managed to buy 6 clothes and 3 trousers with a standard price of 2-3 suits. I'm physically prepared, so let's just hope on Monday, I'm mentally prepared too.

[Monday]

I woke up as early as 6 am today. After preparing my breakfast, I take my morning shower and get ready. I wore the blue shirt with a white undershirt that I just bought with Xuan Lu-jie last Saturday.

After having my breakfast, I quickly left the house and walked towards the nearest bus stop. I didn't buy a car since the money I saved could have been used for other purposes. Plus, walking allowed me to exercise.

I arrived at the A' La Mode company at 7:40 a.m., which is 20 minutes early. I sat on the couch in the lobby and waited for ten minutes. At 7:50 a.m., I walked towards the receptionist.

"Hi, Good Morning, Miss " I greeted the lady. She looked surprised when she looked at me.

"I'm Xiao Zhan and this morning, I need to see Mr Jane." The girl kept staring at me with a weird look on her face.

"Miss? Miss?" I waved my hand in front of her face, making her jumpy.

"Ohh... hahaha... sorry...What was your name again?" She blushed when I caught her staring at me.

"Xiao Zhan and I need to see Mr Jane." She quickly picks up the phone and makes a call to someone.

"Alright. You can go to the second-to-last floor and tell the receptionist on that floor. Mr Jane is waiting for you now, " she told me as soon as she ended the call.

"Alright. Thank you, miss." I slightly nod to her and walk towards the elevator and push the button.

This big building has eight floors, and every floor is quite vast and wide. I can't help but be mesmerised by the interior design and decoration.

As I stepped out of the elevator, a lady in her 30s greeted me with a smile. I nod to her. "Xiao Zhan, is it?" She asked.

"Yes, I am."

She looked at me from head to toe and back to my face. "Wow! You're really handsome!" I smiled and lowered my head, hiding my slightly red face.

"By the way, my name is Tang Wei. You can call me Jie. Come, follow me. I'll bring you to meet with Mr Jane." I obediently followed her steps.

"Jane, another new assistant is here."

In the room, one guy is sitting, and another guy and one girl are standing.

"Okay. All of you are here," Mr Jane said. The other two individuals are also new assistants like me. I stand beside them.

For the third time, someone stared at me as soon as they turned to face me. I don't think I wear something weird. Or do they know I'm wearing something cheap? Is it unacceptable?

"You... Xiao Zhan?" I nod. "Are you sure you're here to become an assistant?" I tilt my head and raise my brows, trying to understand what he was saying.

"Cause... with your looks, you can even pass as our model", Mr Jane said while looking at me up and down.

"Isn't it?? I think so, too!" Wei-jie interrupted. Mr Jane just looks at his excited co-worker and shakes his head. "Have a seat first".

"My name is Jane. You can call me Mr. Jane or P'Jane. I'm from Thailand, so I'm not used to someone calling me Jane-ge. So, if you want to call me other than Mr. Jane, you can use P' Jane."

"Back to our topic, actually, we're hiring a temporary assistant as we're having two big events with limited time gaps, so we lack a workforce. But, if we're satisfied with your job, we might hire you to become a permanent staff here."

Happiness is clearly shown in the other two new assistants. If I were chosen to work here permanently, I'd be glad to accept, but if not, I don't mind since my main goal right now is to continue my studies.

"Your work is not fixed. Just do whatever the staff tells you to do, BUT only reasonable ones. If they tried to ask you to do something illogical or unreasonable, such as, ask you to buy their lunch EVERY DAY, picking up or delivering something that is not work-related or... satisfying their sexual needs." Mr Jane looked directly at me as he said the last words.

"If they ever asked you to do things like that, feel free to tell me." All of us nod.

"I think that's all. You can follow Wei-jie. She will show you guys around" Three of us rise from our seats and follow behind Wei-jie.

"Guys... pay attention for a while." Wei-jie clapped her hands to attract all the staff's attention when we entered the office.

"We got new guys here. They will work as assistants. This is Yubin," she pointed at the guy beside me. This is Yifei," she pointed at the new girl. And... here is Xiao Zhan." I smiled and bowed to all of them.

Okay... the situation is even more embarrassing than before because now all of them are staring at me at one time.

"Okay, that's enough. No need to stare too long. I know he is handsome but spare him. He's just 18." I didn't dare to lift up my head to look at them.

"Wei-jie!! How can this guy be an assistant? Just tell Boss to hire him as our model. I'd be more than glad to design clothes for him!" All of the girls shrieked with excitement.

"If you dare, you go and talk to the boss on your own, " the girl said, before pouting and crossing her arms across her chest.

Yubin was assigned to a fashion writer and Yifei was transferred to a fashion public relations.

"Xiao Zhan, this is Li Qin," Wei-jie said as she pointed to a woman whose eyes never left the laptop screen.

"She is a fashion stylist. She provides fashion advice, chooses and coordinates outfits for models in photoshoots, chooses props and accessories, and prepares them for shoots. I'll assign you to her, so you can ask her whatever you want to know." Wei-jie leaves me with the fashion stylist.

"Hi, I'm Xiao Zhan. Please guide me," I bow and smile at her. When she turns to face me, I must say I'm quite surprised. She's gorgeous.

"Hi. I'm Li Qin. Just call me Qin-jie. Xiao Zhan, go put your things at your desk first and then come back here. I'll teach you what you need to do."

"Hmn!" I quickly went to my desk to put my bag and took out a pen and a notebook to jot down everything she said.

My first day went smoothly. Qin-jie was such a kind and patient woman. She taught me one by one until I understood and could do the work on my own. I hope every day will be like today, with me always staying in peace. 

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