After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became My Creditor - Chapter 7 - The Fierce Madam

In the interview office of the Human Resources Department at Rongyao Group, Han Qian sat on a chair facing three interviewers, two men and one woman. The setting reminded Han Qian of being interrogated at a police station.

The female interviewer sitting in the middle spoke first. “Let’s start with a self-introduction. My surname is Song, and I’m the manager of the Human Resources Department. I’ll be asking you questions to get to know you better. These two will assess your responses and experiences to decide whether we can establish a cooperative relationship with you. At Rongyao Group, all employees are in a cooperative relationship with the company, not an employment one. Additionally, Rongyao is slightly more humane compared to other groups. Let me first introduce the company’s policies, and you can decide whether to proceed with the interview.”

Manager Song’s expression was gentle, and her words weren’t condescending, which made Han Qian feel comfortable. After learning about the company’s policies, he thought to himself that Changxiang’s loss was well-deserved. Rongyao Group offered excellent policies and benefits for employees, including two days off per week, a nine-to-five work schedule, extra compensation and bonuses for overtime, and winter accommodation at the company’s hotel. Employees on leave weren’t forced to return for overtime, but if there was an issue with their position, they had to return to rectify it without refusal.

The salary structure was base pay plus commission and bonuses. Office romances weren’t prohibited as long as they didn’t interfere with work or disrupt the office atmosphere. Rongyao Group had no monetary penalties; if you were an hour late, you had to work two extra hours. The only punishment was dismissal.

Han Qian expressed his acceptance of the company’s policies, and Manager Song smiled with narrowed eyes. “Compared to Changxiang Group, Rongyao treats employees more humanely. Coming to work isn’t like signing a servitude contract. Now, I need to ask you some questions. While you’re satisfied with us, we also need to be satisfied with you. Please start with a self-introduction.”

Han Qian returned the smile and spoke softly, “Han Qian, Han ethnicity, twenty-five years old, divorced. I have three years of experience in the Planning Department at Changxiang Group, where I worked on some small projects and participated in the planning proposal for Changxiang’s Patriot Bazaar. My education is only up to high school; I dropped out in my first year of college due to a family incident.”

“May I ask the reason for your divorce?”

“There was a significant disparity between my ex-wife’s family background and mine. I didn’t want to hold her back and wanted to give her a better future.”

“Understood. You mentioned you participated in the planning proposal for Patriot Bazaar. What was your main responsibility?”

“Selecting the target customers and creating a monopoly.”

“If you were to devise a strategy against Patriot Bazaar now, where would you start?”

“I don’t think it’s necessary to target Patriot Bazaar. It’s just a low-end brand, mainly catering to middle-aged and elderly customers. Patriot Bazaar was merely a way to save Changxiang Department Store, a forced choice to transform. Rongyao Department Store primarily profits from jewelry stores, luxury brand counters, and arcades. Imitating Patriot Bazaar isn’t necessary, and the results wouldn’t be favorable.”

“One last question, why did you leave Changxiang Group?”

“Is distance from home a valid reason? After the divorce, I left with nothing.”

“Alright, we’ll get back to you by tomorrow evening at the latest. We look forward to the possibility of working with you, Mr. Han.”

Is it over?

Han Qian was a bit puzzled. Was that all? Just a few questions and it was done? No questions about his skills? As he stood up, he felt a bit lost and less confident. He had expected a barrage of questions and had prepared numerous answers, but none of them were needed.

As he stepped out of the room, still in a daze, he suddenly turned back and asked a question.

“Is that Raptor downstairs your company’s car?”

At this, the faces of the three interviewers turned a bit awkward. Manager Song stood up and replied with some embarrassment.

“Mr. Han, you weren’t hurt, were you? That car does belong to the company… it’s just that…”

“Oh! I see. When I meet the owner of that car, I’ll give her a piece of my mind. Don’t blame me for being rough; she nearly ran me over in those eight-centimeter heels.”

Han Qian left, leaving the three interviewers exchanging glances, unsure whether to note down his last comment.

This wasn’t the first time that lady had driven in high heels, and everyone in the company knew better than to cross the plaza around nine in the morning. It’s crucial to stay alert and stick to the pedestrian paths.

Manager Song sighed.

“I think he’s promising. We can keep him on a trial basis. After all, the company has a one-month probation period, and the contract states that we can let someone go without reason within that time. As for the near-miss with the car… let’s consider it a welcome gift from our lady boss. We’ve all been through it.”

This had become a tradition at Rongyao Group.

As Han Qian waited for the elevator, his mind was filled with lingering fear and thoughts of whether this was some kind of karmic retribution for the divorce. First, he got a scolding from Li Jinhe, then Wen Nuan came back, he almost got hit by a car this morning, and the interview didn’t go well.

Ding!

The elevator opened, and as Han Qian stepped out, he felt a soft bump against his chest. Before he could see what it was, a fist landed hard on his stomach, followed by a sharp voice yelling in his ear.

“Can’t you watch where you’re going? Trying to take advantage of me, are you?”

Before the words were fully out, someone grabbed his hair. Furious after being punched and having his hair pulled, Han Qian retaliated by grabbing the woman’s hair, eliciting a scream from her. Her high heels stomped down hard on his foot, causing him to howl in pain.

By now, Han Qian could see the person in front of him-a woman in a black pencil skirt and eight-centimeter heels. Her hair was disheveled, obscuring her face, but seeing her face wasn’t important. What mattered was that she was the one who almost ran him over earlier.

“Ah! Tell me which department you’re from, and I’ll have you fired right now. Let go of me!”

As she spoke, she tugged harder. Not considering himself a gentleman, Han Qian didn’t hold back either, gritting his teeth in anger.

“I’m not from your company! You nearly hit me downstairs! I was just looking for you!”

The commotion attracted onlookers, and the three interviewers hurried over, as they were all too familiar with those voices. Manager Song from the Human Resources Department was stunned when he saw the scene before him. How did it come to this…?

He quickly ran over and separated the two, gently tapping Han Qian on the shoulder, urgently saying, “Han Qian, let go! Miss Yan, you too, please let go. The employees are watching. Han Qian, you should let go first. Miss Yan is a lady.”

Miss Yan?

Han Qian frowned and released his grip, but to his surprise, the woman didn’t let go. Instead, she opened her mouth and aimed to bite his neck. Manager Song hurriedly intervened, persuading and coaxing Miss Yan until she finally let go.

The two glared at each other in disarray. Yan Qingqing bent down, ready to take off her shoe and hurl it at the man. Manager Song held onto Miss Yan tightly, persuading her, and then gestured for Han Qian to leave first, promising to call later to apologize on Miss Yan’s behalf.

Han Qian snorted as he stepped into the elevator, removing the tie from his neck with a cold scoff. “What a day!”

With one person gone, the place quieted down. Yan Qingqing tidied her hair and softly asked, “Manager Song, do you know this person?”

Manager Song helped straighten her skirt and replied softly, “Miss Yan, he came for an interview today. Earlier, downstairs, you almost…”

“Ah, I know. Seeing handsome guys just irritates me. You can look but not touch, so why not just run them over? An interviewee? Tell him to start work tomorrow. Hmph! Grabbing my hair and taking advantage of me? I’ll make his life miserable. What’s his name again?”

“Han Qian…”

“Han Qian? Sounds familiar. Damn it! Can’t remember. Manager Song, go tell the managers of the Project Department and Planning Department to send me the results of that land deal today. It’s driving me crazy! Damn it! More annoying than seeing a handsome guy.”

Yan Qingqing left, lifting her skirt to adjust her safety shorts as she walked away, leaving everyone too afraid to speak up.

The company was great in every aspect, except for this general manager who sent chills down everyone’s spine.