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Sun Yiqiu's mother, Sun Xiangqin, worked as a housekeeper at a five-star hotel in Shanghai for twenty years.

After her husband passed away, Sun Xiangqin and her son depended on each other for survival. Her greatest hope was that her son, Sun Yiqiu, would become successful.

However, out of billions of people in this world, how many truly succeed? Most end up as mediocre.

That afternoon, while cleaning a suite, Sun Xiangqin heard a muffled sound coming from the bathroom.

She knocked on the door but no one answered. She used her spare key to open the door and found an old man lying in the bathroom, pale-faced and having difficulty breathing.

Sun Xiangqin quickly called an ambulance and went to the hospital with it.

The elderly man suffered an acute myocardial infarction, but fortunately he was taken to the hospital in time and survived.

When the old man was out of danger and his family arrived at the hospital, Sun Xiangqin was just about to leave.

"Wait!" A well-dressed man in his fifties called out to her. "Madam, did you save my father?"

Sun Xiangqin turned around and explained nervously, "I...I just called an ambulance."

"The doctor said it would have been dangerous if we had arrived ten minutes later." Qu Zhonghui rarely showed gratitude. "Thank you for saving my father. My name is Qu Zhonghui."

The elderly man on the hospital bed said weakly, "Thank you...you saved my life."

"Of course, of course," Sun Xiangqin waved her hands repeatedly.

Qu Zhonghui took out a bulging envelope from his bag, which contained at least 20,000 yuan, and handed it to Sun Xiangqin: "This is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Sun Xiangqin's hand trembled slightly as she looked at the bulging envelope.

But she didn't answer.

“Mr. Qu, I don’t want the money.” She mustered her courage. “I…I want to ask you for a favor.”

"What is it? Tell me." Qu Zhonghui put away the check.

“My son, Sun Yiqiu, is twenty-two years old this year. He graduated from high school and has never had a proper job.” Sun Xiangqin’s voice trembled. “Could you…could you arrange a job for him? Anything is fine, as long as it’s a legitimate company.”

Qu Zhonghui frowned: "What is your son's educational background?"

“I graduated from high school…and didn’t get into university.” Sun Xiangqin’s voice became even softer.

Do you have any skills?

"I can play Go, and I'm quite good at it. As for other things... I haven't learned anything else."

Qu Zhonghui began to make plans in his mind.

High school graduates with no skills or experience are just a nuisance when put into a company.

But Sun Xiangqin saved his father's life, and he had to repay that debt.

Just as he was in a dilemma, he suddenly thought of someone—Wu Kezhi.

That troublemaker in Group Four has been getting increasingly out of control lately.

Last time, because of that Suning matter, Gao Yue even had to stop him.

Qu Zhonghui disliked this feeling of being out of control. Since Su Ning appeared, he noticed that Wu Kezhi had become much calmer.

His original intention was either to tame Wu Kezhi and make him his henchman, or to completely expel Wu Kezhi from Jinchen Capital.

Therefore, Wu Kezhi's calmness made Qu Zhonghui extremely irritable, which was something he could not allow under any circumstances.

If we put Sun Yiqiu, who knows nothing, into the comprehensive fourth group...

A slight smile appeared on Qu Zhonghui's lips.

“Here’s what we’ll do,” he said to Sun Xiangqin, “Your son should come to the company to see me tomorrow, and I’ll make arrangements for him.”

"Really?" Sun Xiangqin's eyes lit up. "Thank you, President Qu! Thank you!"

"You're welcome," Qu Zhonghui said. "Give me your contact information, and I'll have someone contact you tomorrow."

Then Sun Xiangqin left, thanking everyone profusely.

After she left, Qu Zhonghui immediately called the human resources department.

"General Manager Gao, a man named Sun Yiqiu will be reporting for duty tomorrow. He will be assigned to the Comprehensive Group 4 as an intern analyst."

Gao Yue, the HR director on the other end of the phone, was taken aback. "President Qu, Group Four didn't submit any recruitment requests! Besides, the internship season is over..."

"Special approval," Qu Zhonghui interrupted. "You just need to handle the formalities."

"And... what about the salary and benefits?"

"Internship salary at the minimum standard."

"Ok."

Qu Zhonghui was in a good mood after hanging up the phone.

With Sun Yiqiu's skill level, if he were to join the fourth comprehensive group, he definitely wouldn't know anything.

Wu Kezhi either had to swallow his pride and teach him, or he would turn around and refuse.

Either reaction would be enough to give him a hard time.

If Wu Kezhi can't stand it and sends Sun Yiqiu back, that would be perfect...

Qu Zhonghui could use this as an excuse to say that he disobeyed company arrangements and lacked team spirit.

If Wu Kezhi reluctantly accepts it, then it would be a good thing if the fourth group had too many burdens, resulting in decreased work efficiency and affected performance.

It’s a win-win situation either way.

……

Sun Yiqiu had just finished moving the last box of goods from the supermarket warehouse when his phone rang.

"Yiqiu, come home quickly! It's urgent!" Sun Xiangqin's voice was both anxious and joyful.

Sun Yiqiu wiped his sweat: "Mom, I haven't gotten off work yet."

"Take a leave of absence! Come back soon!"

An hour later, Sun Yiqiu ran home, covered in sweat.

As soon as I entered the house, I saw my mother sitting at a small table with a piece of paper spread out in front of her.

"Mom, what's the matter that's so urgent?"

"Yiqiu, look!" Sun Xiangqin pushed the paper over, her face beaming with barely suppressed excitement. "It's the job application form for Jin Chen Capital! Mom asked a friend to find you a job!"

Sun Yiqiu was stunned.

Jin Chen Capital?

That investment company that frequently appears in TV financial news?
That place that supposedly has extremely high hiring requirements and only accepts graduates from prestigious universities?
"Mom, are you kidding me? What connections do we have to get into Jin Chen?"

"Don't worry about it!" Sun Xiangqin shoved a pen into his hand without waiting for a reply. "Fill out the form quickly, and report for duty tomorrow!"

Sun Yiqiu held the pen, his hand trembling slightly: "Mom, I... I don't know anything. Those kinds of companies must have very high requirements..."

"If you don't know how, then learn!" Sun Xiangqin said dismissively. "Yi Qiu, how many jobs have you had in the past three years since you stopped playing chess? Internet cafe manager, restaurant server, supermarket deliveryman... which one can you hold down for long? This is a rare opportunity, why not give it a try?"

The words "playing chess" pierced Sun Yiqiu's heart like needles.

His face paled, he lowered his head, and said nothing more.

"Yiqiu, Mom knows you don't want to talk about chess." Sun Xiangqin's voice softened. "If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. But you still need a job. This time it's a proper company, an office job, respectable. You have to do a good job when you go."

Sun Yiqiu stared at the large, gold-embossed characters "Jin Chen Capital" on the application form, his mind in turmoil.

He knew his own limitations—he graduated from high school, had no education, no skills, and knew nothing except how to play chess.

He could play chess… He closed his eyes, trying to banish those two words from his mind.

Whether it's cowardice or escapism, he needs a job and he needs to put his mother's mind at ease.

"I...I'll give it a try."

The next morning, Sun Yiqiu put on the only suit in the house...

I bought this three years ago to attend a relative's wedding, and it's already a bit too small; the shoulders are very tight.

He was trying to tie his tie in front of the mirror, but he was very clumsy and couldn't get it right no matter what he did.

Sun Xiangqin came over to help, and while she was working, she gave her instructions: "When you get to the company, talk less and do more. Ask questions if you don't know something, and be polite..."

"I know, Mom."

"Don't skimp on lunch; spend what you need to. If you don't have enough money, tell Mom."

"Enough is enough."

With the completed application form in his hand, Sun Yiqiu walked out of the house as his mother watched him go.

In the stairwell of the old residential building, he looked back one last time. His mother was still standing at the door, gazing at him expectantly.

He felt a pang of sadness and hurried downstairs.

The Jin Chen Capital building is located in Lujiazui, Pudong, with its glass curtain wall gleaming in the sunlight.

Sun Yiqiu stood downstairs, looking up at the towering building, his legs feeling a little weak.

The people coming and going were all well-dressed, walking briskly, and speaking in technical jargon he couldn't understand.

He took a deep breath and went inside. The receptionist looked at his application form and made a phone call.

A few minutes later, a woman in her forties, dressed in a business suit, stepped out of the elevator.

"Sun Yiqiu?"

"Yes... it's me."

"I'm Gao Yue from the Human Resources Department." The woman glanced at him. "Come with me."

Inside the elevator, Gao Yue stood ramrod straight, looking straight ahead, and introduced in a calm tone: "Jin Chen Capital's main business is equity investment, managing assets exceeding 20 billion. You've been assigned to the Comprehensive Group Four, headed by Deputy Director Wu Kezhi. The Comprehensive Group Four primarily focuses on long-term project investments."

Sun Yiqiu nodded nervously, not daring to say a word more.

The elevator stopped on the 19th floor.

Gao Yue led him through the office area.

Sun Yiqiu glanced over and saw that everyone in the open-plan office area was busy at their computers, with the sounds of phones ringing, keyboards clicking, and discussions rising and falling.

Is this what a real white-collar work environment is like? His palms started to sweat.

The fourth group is located at the end of the corridor, and its office area is smaller and has fewer people than the other groups.

Gao Yue pushed open the door and went inside. There was only one young man sitting at his workstation looking at his computer.

"Su Ning, this is our new colleague, Sun Yiqiu, an intern analyst assigned to your group," Gao Yue said. "Where are General Manager Wu and Manager Lin?"

The young man called Su Ning looked up and said, "General Manager Wu and Manager Lin are out on fieldwork. They should be back this afternoon."

Gao Yue nodded and said to Sun Yiqiu, "This is Su Ning, your group's intern analyst. Sit here and wait for General Manager Wu to return; he will assign you work."

She then turned to Su Ning: "I'm handing the person over to you. When President Wu returns, please let him know."

"it is good."

After Gao Yue left, only Su Ning and Sun Yiqiu remained in the office.

Sun Yiqiu stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

Su Ning pointed to an empty workstation by the window: "Sit there. Manager Lin will probably be back soon."

"Thank you...thank you."

Sun Yiqiu walked to his workstation and carefully put his bag down.

The chair was a swivel chair, and he sat down gently, afraid of making a sound.

The office was quiet, with only the sound of Suning typing on his keyboard.

Sun Yiqiu secretly sized up his colleague. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, wearing a well-fitting shirt, sitting upright, and focused on the computer screen. His profile was clearly defined.

They look very professional, very... impressive.

This made him even more nervous.

Time ticked by, and Sun Yiqiu felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

He wanted to find something to do, but didn't know what he could do.

I wanted to say something to Suning, but I didn't dare to speak.

Finally, Su Ning broke the silence: "If you want water, the tea room is to the right after you go out."

"Oh, okay, thank you."

There's a printer and a copier nearby. Do you know how to use them?

"No...not really."

"I'll teach you after Manager Lin comes back and arranges the work."

"Ok."

No words again.

Sun Yiqiu mustered his courage and asked, "Brother Su... what kind of work does our group mainly do?"

“Investment.” Suning’s eyes never left the screen. “Find projects, do research, conduct due diligence, invest money, and manage.”

"Then... what do I need to learn?"

"We'll arrange it when Mr. Wu returns."

The conversation was interrupted again.

Sun Yiqiu felt like a fool, knowing nothing and daring not to ask anything.

He thought of his mother's expectant eyes, and his heart ached even more.

Maybe he shouldn't have come at all; this kind of place isn't for someone like him.

Just as he was lost in thought, Su Ning suddenly handed him a stack of documents: "Since you're just killing time anyway, take a look at this first."

Sun Yiqiu took it; it was a company profile and a description of departmental workflows.

"Thank you, Brother Su!"

"You're welcome."

Sun Yiqiu was overjoyed and quickly opened it to read.

Although I don't understand many of the technical terms, at least I have something to do.

At 3:30 p.m., the office door was pushed open and two people walked in.

The man in front, in his forties, had a serious expression and walked quickly.

Following behind was a chubby man in his early thirties.

"General Manager Wu, Manager Lin, this is Sun Yiqiu, our new recruit from Group Four," Su Ning greeted them.

Wu Kezhi paused when he saw Sun Yiqiu: "Are you new here?"

Sun Yiqiu quickly stood up: "Hello, Mr. Wu, I am Sun Yiqiu, here to report for duty today."

However, Wu Kezhi nodded without saying anything more and went straight into his office.

Lin Yuming, understanding the implication, walked over and sized up Sun Yiqiu a few times: "You're Sun Yiqiu? Which school did you graduate from?"

"I...I graduated from high school."

"What?" Lin Yuming stared wide-eyed in shock.

"Cough cough cough..." Su Ning, who was working nearby, coughed somewhat awkwardly.

"Uh? What did you do before?" Lin Yuming immediately realized that Su Ning was also a high school student.

"I've worked as a supermarket loader, internet cafe manager, and restaurant server."

Lin Yuming's expression was somewhat complicated: "Have you ever been involved in the investment industry?"

"No...no."

"Alright then." Lin Yuming sighed, his feelings quite complicated. "Let's start with the basics. Let's get you familiar with the environment today, and I'll begin teaching you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Manager Lin!"

Lin Yuming waved his hand, "By the way, there's a computer at your workstation, set it up first. Ask Suning for the password."

"it is good!"

……

Then, Lin Yuming approached Wu Kezhi and whispered, "Brother Zhi, did you hear that? This is another high school student. I don't understand what's going on with the company these days. Are the entry requirements so low now?"

“I heard that Sun Yiqiu was put in by President Qu.” However, Wu Kezhi clearly already knew the specifics.

"What?" As expected, Lin Yuming's heart skipped a beat, realizing that the big boss of Jin Chen Capital was Qu Zhonghui.

“So… he’s different from Su Ning.” Wu Kezhi pointedly reminded him at this moment.

"This is outrageous! What does Director Qu take our Group Four for?"

"Alright! Anyway, the internship is over, so I can go back to where I came from."

Wu Kezhi stood at his desk and looked up at Sun Yiqiu.

The young man was nervous and awkward; he was clearly a complete novice.

Qu Zhonghui's purpose in shoving this greenhorn into Group Four was self-evident...

But what storms hasn't Wu Kezhi weathered?

Since they're here, let's follow the rules.

How much he can learn depends on Sun Yiqiu himself.

He will teach as much as he can.

As for the outcome... it doesn't matter.

The important thing is that in this game, he cannot be the first to admit defeat.

...(End of chapter)