The city was always alive.
Cars rushed past with horns blaring, vendors called out for attention, and people hurried along the sidewalks as though the world would collapse if they stopped moving. It was the kind of chaos most people cursed under their breath, but for Qin Yue, it was simply the air she breathed.
She stood at the bus station, her slim frame dwarfed by the crowd. The strap of her canvas bag bit into her shoulder, but she didn't loosen her grip. Inside that bag was her entire world — a stack of résumés she had reprinted so many times the paper was beginning to curl at the edges.
Her clothes were simple: a white shirt, tucked neatly into worn blue jeans. They were washed so often the color had faded, but they were clean. Her black eyes, bright but tinged with worry, scanned the road for the bus. Her long brown hair, tied into a ponytail, danced behind her in the early summer breeze.
The bus finally arrived with a squeal of brakes. She squeezed herself inside, one hand clutching the handle as the vehicle swayed forward. Heat pressed down in the crowded space, and she silently rehearsed her answers in her head.
What makes you qualified for this job?
"I'm hardworking and quick to learn."
Why should we hire you?
"Because I'll dedicate myself fully to this role."
Her lips curved into a bitter smile. Those were the lines she had practiced again and again. But she knew — the real answer they wanted was a degree. A certificate she could never afford.
---
The First Rejection
The company towered above her, its glass walls glittering under the sun. Qin Yue took a deep breath, smoothed the wrinkles from her shirt, and entered.
"Good morning. I'm here for the assistant interview," she said softly at the reception.
She was guided to the twentieth floor. Three applicants were already waiting, dressed sharply in suits, their accessories flashing with wealth. She shrank into the corner of the waiting room, clutching her folder like a shield.
When her turn came, she stepped into the interview room with steady legs.
"Qin Yue," the man in the suit read her name. His eyes swept down the paper, then paused. "High school education?"
"Yes," she admitted, forcing her voice not to waver. "But I ranked top in my class. I've worked part-time in administration, and—"
The interviewer set the résumé aside with practiced finality. "We're looking for university graduates. I'm afraid you don't qualify."
Qin Yue lowered her eyes. "Thank you for your time," she murmured.
Her first rejection of the day.
---
The Kind Smile That Hurt
By noon, the sun was sharp and merciless. She ate a single steamed bun from a street vendor, taking small bites to make it last. Each chew reminded her that her wallet was thinner than the résumé pages she carried.
Her second interview was in a modest building, far less glamorous than the first. The middle-aged woman interviewing her scanned her grades with genuine admiration.
"You did well in school," the woman said kindly.
Qin Yue's eyes brightened. "Yes, I've always worked hard. Please, if you give me a chance, I'll prove myself. I'll—"
The woman's smile softened. "Child, I want to give you a chance. But the company policy is strict. Without a degree, I can't push your application forward."
Qin Yue bowed her head. "I understand."
The warmth of the woman's voice hurt more than the cold dismissal of the first.
---
Qing Feng's Call
The sun dipped lower as Qin Yue trudged down the sidewalk. Her phone buzzed in her bag, and she answered quickly.
"Yueyue!" Qing Feng's familiar voice came through, laced with worry. "How was the interview?"
Qin Yue laughed lightly, though the sound lacked joy. "Same as always. No degree, no chance."
"You can't think like that," Qing Feng argued. "You're smart, Yueyue. Smarter than half the people I know with fancy certificates. They'll see it one day."
"Maybe." Qin Yue's gaze dropped to her scuffed shoes. "But until then, what do I do?"
"You keep going," Qing Feng said firmly. "Because one day, someone will look at you and see what I see — someone brilliant."
Qin Yue swallowed the lump in her throat. "Thank you, Qing Feng."
Her friend chuckled. "Besides, when you become rich and powerful, don't forget me. I expect free meals every week!"
Qin Yue laughed genuinely this time. "Deal."
---
The Storm
Her final interview of the day was in a towering building whose glass reflected the brewing storm clouds. Thunder rumbled in the distance as she walked into the lobby.
The panel inside was harsher, their questions sharp and dismissive.
"Why should we hire you over graduates?"
"What can you contribute with no experience?"
Her answers felt weaker each time. By the end, she could see it in their eyes — she had already failed.
When she stepped outside, the sky broke open. Sheets of rain poured down, soaking her shirt until it clung to her skin. She ran to the bus stop, clutching her bag against her chest to protect her résumés.
She sat shivering on the bench, the storm outside echoing the storm inside.
---
A Glimpse
Through the downpour, headlights cut across the street. A sleek black car stopped near the curb.
The door opened, and a tall man stepped out, holding an umbrella. His suit was untouched by the rain, his presence so commanding that even in a fleeting glance, Qin Yue felt a shiver down her spine.
Their eyes met — just for a moment.
Cold. Sharp. Arrogant.
Qin Yue quickly looked away. He belonged to a world so far from hers, it might as well be another planet.
The car door shut, and the vehicle drove away, leaving ripples in the puddles.
Qin Yue hugged her bag tighter. Whoever he was, he had nothing to do with her.
Or so she thought.
---
Closing
The bus finally arrived, and Qin Yue climbed inside. Her wet clothes clung to her skin, and exhaustion pressed against her bones. She rested her forehead against the cool glass window, watching the city blur past.
Her phone buzzed again. A message from Qing Feng.
"Don't give up. Tomorrow is a new day."
Qin Yue's lips curved into the faintest smile. Tomorrow… another day, another battle.
She didn't know yet that tomorrow would not only bring new struggles — it would bring the first threads of fate weaving her life together with someone she never expected.
Someone whose cold eyes she had already glimpsed once in the storm.
---
❓️❓️❓️❓️❓️❓️
Do you think Qin Yue's hard work alone will be enough to change her fate, or will destiny step in?