My Terrible Life in Those Years

I quickly put down my pen and paper and looked at the working woman.

The people next to her, a man in a suit and a young woman carrying a bag and documents, probably her assistants, both looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Manager Shu, we were in a rush to get a spot this time. When we tried to book, they said the upstairs area was already full. Then they asked if we wanted a spot downstairs, saying they could give us half the original price. I saw that the headquarters' task was urgent, so I booked this spot."

Manager Shu's face remained cold as he pointed around the shed and said, "Look at this area, look at what kind of companies are here? There are even companies that use training fees to make money or to coerce employees? In a place like this, not only is the environment terrible, but what kind of quality can job seekers expect? What decent employees can you possibly hire? What's the point of saving a little on booth fees?"

I was extremely surprised. This Ms. Shu, a working professional, was really sharp and direct in her speech. She gave the two employees a thorough dressing down. However, there was one more thing she said that I didn't like to hear.

Why are people who come to the greenhouse looking for work considered to have low moral character?

At the same time, my voice and Little Glasses' voice rang out.

He said, "Hey, ma'am, what nonsense are you talking about? We're hiring legally, what are you spouting?"

What I said was, "Hey, miss, why are you making sweeping generalizations? People looking for work in greenhouses, why are they considered lacking in manners?"

Shu, the career woman, probably didn't expect me to react this way. Her attitude towards the little glasses boy was also within her expectations, but the way she called me "auntie" made her jump. Her already icy face turned as if she had been electrocuted, and her eyes twitched.

She gave me a sidelong glance, letting me off the hook for the time being. I wasn't afraid of her icy gaze. However, I added something to my impression of her: she became the "icy businesswoman"!

But they weren't so kind to the boy with glasses.

"What? Am I wrong? You so-called technology companies are just using superficial technology to fool newcomers to Huacheng, using this little bit of stuff to swindle them out of the training fees they paid upfront. If anyone is willing to stay, they're either colluding with you or being constantly exploited and deducted from their pay. Am I wrong? What kind of bullshit reserve cadre program is this? It's all a sham!"

Shu, the career woman, seemed to have suffered a loss before, or something happened to her today, or perhaps she lost too much blood, because she was extremely angry. After scolding her employees, she then gave the bespectacled guy a good scolding.

The bespectacled boy was stunned by the scolding and didn't know how to respond. He was so stupid he almost cried. How could he call such a sophisticated career woman "auntie"? Although I was angry, I could only reluctantly call her "big sister."

The man in the white shirt had no choice but to step forward.

"Hey lady, we're all hiring our own people. What gives you the right to interfere? Is it because you saw that we finally found a suitable employee while you didn't, that you're taking it out on us? Is this what you call good manners?"

The woman in the white shirt, being somewhat experienced, didn't argue with her about the training fee, but instead directly brought up the issue of recruitment.

"Ignore her, Jiang Ning, let's finish the paperwork quickly! Ma'am, if it's not important, please don't block our way and obstruct our recruitment process!"

As he spoke, he gestured with his eyes towards the boy with glasses.

The man with glasses understood and immediately beckoned to call out his other colleagues from the stall, preparing to push aside Shu, the career woman, and her two subordinates.

I was taken aback. Were they preparing to clear the area and kick everyone out? But it wasn't surprising. After all, this young lady had so directly exposed someone's secret in public. It would be strange if they didn't retaliate.

By this time, I had a general idea of ​​what kind of tactics these so-called tech companies used.

It turns out they were using the guise of training to come to this place where there's no entrance fee, specifically targeting inexperienced people who don't know the market.

First, take some training fees from their living expenses, and use that money to tie them down.

If new employees are willing to stay, that would be even better, as it gives them more time and opportunities to exploit.

If they are unwilling to stay, the training fee will likely be lost forever.

I'm not stupid or dumb, but because no one reminded me, I had no experience, and I was short of money and in a hurry to find a job, I almost signed that piece of paper.

After Shu, the working woman, caused this commotion, I've basically figured out what went on.

Just then, the man with glasses was about to touch Shu's arm when I quickly stood up and blocked his way.

"What? You're going to lay a hand on a woman?" I can't stand anyone touching a woman inappropriately, especially since she just reminded me, so I should at least feel indebted to her for reminding me.

With those tiny arms and legs of Little Glasses, I reckon even half the strength would be enough to throw him into the greenhouse.

The guy in the white shirt and the guy with the glasses never expected that I, a newcomer to Huacheng, would have the guts to fight them head-on.

The situation became somewhat awkward.

The man in the white shirt looked very unhappy: "What? You don't even want your job anymore?"

I easily swatted back the little bespectacled's outstretched hand and tossed the pen back onto the table they had placed there. I leaned forward half a step, shielding the older girl and her group behind me.

Then, I tore the two forms I had filled out myself to shreds right in front of them!

Stealing and cheating are among the things I despise, especially when they target young people who have just arrived in Guangzhou, full of enthusiasm and ready to work hard.

"I can find another job, but do you think you're worthy of having me as a colleague of people like you who cheat and swindle?"

When I said that, I felt I was being very sophisticated and had a high moral standard; I felt I had morally superior to them. It's just a shame there weren't any reporters present; if they had, I probably would have been on tonight's city news report!

At least for now, Shu, the career woman, glanced at me from behind.

The man in the white shirt turned pale, then flushed. Looking at my thick arms and tall frame, he probably figured he wasn't confident in a fight. He waved his hand and said, "Since that's the case, then you'd better get out of here! Don't block our way! People who can barely afford to eat, what are you pretending to be so high and mighty for?"

That's too cunning. If only this guy had Little Glasses do it, I could have vented all my anger from yesterday and today.

And he's so cunning, how did he know I was about to go hungry?

At this point, I couldn't possibly go looking for trouble again. After all, they hadn't swindled my money yet, and without any proof, there was nothing I could do to them.

I quickly left the area, ready to evacuate the greenhouse. Sure enough, you get what you pay for. I almost lost my living expenses trying to save those five yuan for the ticket!

Before leaving, I nodded to the older female colleague to express my gratitude for her unintentional reminder.