Jiang Yiran woke up to the unfamiliar feeling of peace.
No angry phone calls demanding money. No guilt-tripping texts from her mother. No sinking dread about another exhausting day at a job she hated.
Just silence.
She stretched lazily, staring at the ceiling of her tiny rented apartment. It wasn't much—just a one-bedroom unit with barely enough space for her belongings—but it was hers.
No more family breathing down her neck. No more Jiang Hao treating her as an ATM. No more bending over backward for people who never appreciated her.
For the first time in years, she felt free.
But that freedom came with a price.
Yiran rolled out of bed and made her way to the kitchenette, mechanically preparing a cup of instant coffee. She leaned against the counter, staring at the small pile of bills on the table.
Her savings could last her a few months at most.
She had walked away from her family and her old job, but now she needed a new plan.
Sighing, she grabbed her laptop and started scrolling through job listings.
Most of them were the same—corporate jobs in operations and administration, just like the one she had left. But the thought of going back to that lifeless routine made her stomach churn.
She didn't want a job that just paid the bills. She wanted something she actually cared about.
Yiran had always been passionate about branding and marketing. Even in her last job, she had unofficially handled branding projects—crafting campaign ideas, pitching strategies, working on designs. But because it wasn't her "official" role, her efforts had gone unnoticed.
Now that she was finally free, she refused to play it safe anymore.
She filtered the job listings to marketing and branding positions.
And immediately regretted it.
"Marketing Associate – 3 years experience required."
"Brand Manager – Must have a degree in digital marketing."
"Senior Marketer – 5+ years in a creative agency preferred."
Yiran groaned.
How was she supposed to get experience if no one gave her a chance?
Most companies weren't willing to take a risk on someone shifting careers. Even though she had worked on branding in her previous job, on paper, she lacked official experience.
Just as she was about to close her laptop in frustration, a listing caught her eye:
"Hengzhou Marketing – Brand Strategist (No specific experience required, but creativity is a must)."
Her eyes widened. Hengzhou Marketing?
It was one of the top marketing firms in the city, known for handling major brands and viral campaigns. Working there meant being part of the best of the best.
It also meant dealing with insane pressure, ruthless competition, and an infamous boss with a reputation for tearing employees apart.
Still, it was exactly the opportunity she needed.
Her fingers hesitated over the keyboard.
Could she really go from an operations background to a top-tier marketing firm?
Would they even take her seriously?
Then she shook her head. No more doubting herself. No more playing it safe.
Taking a deep breath, she attached her resume and hit send.
Whatever happened next—she would face it head-on.