"Boss, why do we have to come to a place like this to recruit workers?"
The young woman's voice was filled with frustration as she pinched her nose in disgust. She had an elegant figure, dressed smartly in business attire, but her refined appearance seemed out of place on the filthy street she was standing on. Liming Street was notorious throughout Shuangyang City for its filth and disorder.
Her name was Liu Siqi, a new recruit at Dewen Company, and she couldn't understand why, with their company's generous salary and benefits, they had to come to this rundown area for recruitment.
Li Zhenhua, the team leader, glanced at her and gave a wry smile. It was his first time visiting Liming Street too. The poverty, the stench, the dilapidated buildings—it was all eye-opening. He couldn't help but feel surprised that Renjiro, their mysterious company boss, had ever lived in such an environment.
"Don't ask so many questions, Liu. Just focus on your job and start the process."
Li Zhenhua's tone was gentle but firm. He knew Renjiro valued his privacy. There were things about their boss that were better left unquestioned.
Their recruitment team consisted of three people: Li Zhenhua, Liu Siqi, and Ye Hui. The goal was clear—find willing, hardworking people from Liming Street and give them a chance at a better future with Dewen Company.
"Alright," Liu Siqi said reluctantly.
She pulled out a Poké Ball and tossed it into the air.
"Come out, Squeaky Bird!"
A flash of red light revealed a brightly colored, parrot-like Pokémon. The Squawker Pokémon flapped its wings and immediately perched on Liu Siqi's shoulder.
"Fool, fool!" it squawked cheerfully.
Liu Siqi sighed.
"Not now, Squeaky Bird. Let's get to work."
Squawky Bird, or Chatot as it was known in the Pokédex, was famous for mimicking human speech. It was helpful for announcements, but it had a bad habit of blurting out curses or nonsense at the worst moments.
Ye Hui chuckled. "Please, Liu, control that loudmouth of yours. We're here on serious business."
"Yeah, yeah." Liu Siqi gave Ye Hui an apologetic look.
"Alright, Squeaky Bird, go spread the word."
The parrot Pokémon flapped into the air, circling above Liming Street.
"Dewen Technology Co., Ltd. is hiring! Dewen Technology is hiring!"
"The basic salary starts at 3,000 yuan! Five insurances and one housing fund! Generous commissions and benefits!"
"We're hiring men and women, ages 18 to 50, regardless of background! Sign up now at the street corner!"
The bird's loud call echoed through the streets, drawing curious faces to doors and windows.
---
Liming Street had long been abandoned by the prosperity of Shuangyang City. Its residents were mostly poor, scraping by on whatever odd jobs they could find. For them, companies never came to their street to offer work—they had to go out searching for scraps of employment.
So the announcement caused a stir.
"Dewen Technology? Never heard of it."
"Do you think it's legit?"
"Didn't that bird say we can sign up at the corner? Let's go find out!"
"I wonder if they'd take someone like me… I've got a bum leg."
"Come on, let's at least go ask. What's there to lose?"
The chatter grew louder as people stepped out of their homes, drawn to the promise of decent work.
---
Meanwhile, Li Zhenhua and his team prepared the registration site.
"Boss, here they come!" Ye Hui said excitedly, watching the crowd gather.
"Alright, Ye Hui, Liu, let's get ready."
Liu Siqi quickly unfolded two tables, while Ye Hui laid out neat stacks of registration forms and labor contracts.
Before long, a sizeable crowd had assembled, filled with cautious hope and curiosity.
"Is this for real?" one man asked, examining a contract. "You're really offering five insurances and a housing fund?"
His doubt was understandable. Most jobs in their city only offered basic insurance, if that. The idea of full benefits seemed too good to be true.
"It's all here, plain as day," Li Zhenhua said calmly, handing over a contract. "Dewen Technology is a legitimate business. We'll sign formal labor contracts that protect your rights. If we fail to honor this, you can report us to the labor bureau."
People skimmed the contracts, eyes widening as they realized the offer was genuine.
"Everything's written here... the salary, the benefits."
"It's true!"
The excitement rippled through the crowd.
---
Questions came flooding in.
"I'm 42, my leg's not great, but I can work hard. Will you take me?"
"I've got no diploma, just strong arms. Is that enough?"
"What does your company do, exactly?"
"Where's the workplace? Is it far?"
"How many people are you hiring?"
Li Zhenhua raised his hands, calling for calm.
"Everyone, please listen. Our company welcomes anyone willing to work hard. Age, background, disability—none of that matters. We're based in the Shuangyang Industrial Zone, and we provide dormitories if you need a place to stay. Dewen Technology specializes in producing Poké Balls and other related products. We're just starting out, so we need lots of people."
The murmuring continued.
"Should we go for it?"
"Seems too good to be true…"
"Well, I'm not missing out. I'm signing up now!"
"Me too!"
Li Zhenhua's next words sealed the deal.
"Anyone who registers today can start working tomorrow. The opportunity's right here."
The cautious ones found their resolve, and soon people were lining up eagerly to sign contracts.
"Boss, sign me up—I'm a hard worker!"
"Don't push! I was here first!"
"Everyone, please line up! There's plenty of work for all!" Ye Hui called out, helping organize the excited crowd.
Within minutes, a long line stretched down Liming Street, something that hadn't been seen there in years.
---
From a nearby alley, a young woman named Zhang Xuewei returned from the market and froze at the sight.
"Uncle Feng, what's going on? Why is everyone lined up?"
An older man glanced back at her.
"A company came to recruit workers. Good pay, real benefits, contracts and everything. People are signing up left and right."
"Recruiting? Here?" Zhang Xuewei's brow furrowed.
She stared at the bustling scene, deep in thought. Could this really be a turning point for their forgotten street?
---