Chapter 2: A Fateful Interview

After Bai Mengqi reverted to her true appearance, the men’s clothing she wore suddenly became loose and baggy.

It had been last year when Bai Mengqi had fully transformed into a woman.

Her appearance was precisely as it had been four years prior, still looking like a young woman of seventeen or eighteen.

Bai Mengqi harbored no resistance towards wearing female attire; she had long grown accustomed to it.

Since middle school, she had frequently undertaken missions to cultivate, and to avoid detection by the Ability Bureau, she always operated under a female identity.

Bai Mengqi swiftly changed into the women’s clothes. This was, in fact, her first time appearing as a woman in public outside of a mission.

She donned a suit skirt, a women’s white blouse, and finally, slipped on black stockings and high heels.

When Bai Mengqi emerged from the restroom, she had transformed into a beautiful urban lady, possessing a pure face and a perfect figure.

“Ugh! I truly don’t understand what women are thinking. Why do they need to dress like this just to go to work? Don’t they get tired? Forget everything else; just these restrictive skirts and high heels are practically torture devices. If it weren’t for the money, I would never put myself through this.”

Bai Mengqi gazed at her outfit, on the verge of tears.

After her complaints, she awkwardly approached the washbasin and tied up her flowing hair while looking in the mirror.

After becoming a girl, Bai Mengqi stood at approximately 1.68 meters tall, which, with high heels, increased to over 1.7 meters.

With her image completely transformed, she produced another resume.

On this resume, she was the female Bai Mengqi, still a graduate of Jiangdu University. Apart from her gender, nothing else had changed.

This resume was also genuine; a check with Jiangdu University would confirm the existence of this Bai Mengqi.

To ensure both her identities were legal, Bai Mengqi had resorted to some unconventional methods.

Having finished dressing, she walked with an unfamiliar gait towards the area for female employee recruitment.

Passersby cast astonished glances, for Bai Mengqi’s figure, temperament, and beauty could only be described as unparalleled.

Her allure was comparable to a succubus, captivating both men and women alike.

Upon arriving at the entrance, she explained her purpose to the receptionist. After surveying Bai Mengqi, the receptionist immediately took her resume into the interview room.

She was applying for a secretary position in the CEO’s office, a role that first required the CEO’s personal approval.

Thus, the HR department staff promptly printed Bai Mengqi’s resume via computer and sent it to the Zijing Group CEO’s office.

At this moment, in the CEO’s office on the top floor of the Zijing Group building, a woman dressed in high-end black business attire was sipping coffee and reviewing documents.

Just then, a call came through. After listening, the woman immediately opened her computer to take a look.

However, upon seeing it, she froze on the spot, as if she had witnessed something utterly unbelievable.

Her beautiful eyes were fixed intently on the pretty face in the resume photo.

After staring at the photograph for a long time, a complex smile gradually appeared on her face—a smile tinged with both sadness and melancholy.

“Hello? Is this HR? Please bring the girl named Bai Mengqi up. I’ll personally conduct the interview,” the woman said into the phone to the HR department.

Immediately, an HR employee approached Bai Mengqi.

“Miss Bai, our CEO wishes to interview you personally. Please follow me.”

Bai Mengqi felt a bit confused by these words. It was merely a recruitment, so why would the CEO of Zijing Group personally interview her? This struck her as quite incredible.

One had to know that Zijing Group was among the top ten enterprises in Jiangcheng.

The executive CEO of the group’s headquarters was a truly significant figure.

Bai Mengqi followed her guide, taking the elevator to the top floor of Zijing Group.

This was where the highest authority of Zijing Group resided.

Upon reaching this floor, the surrounding sounds seemed to vanish; it was remarkably quiet.

The two quickly arrived at a large door, which read ‘CEO’s Office.’ A female employee in white business attire stood by the entrance.

“You must be Miss Bai Mengqi, right? Hello, I’m Zhou Xiaodie, a secretary in the CEO’s office. Please follow me in.”

The female secretary noticeably paused when she saw Bai Mengqi, a flicker of inexplicable jealousy passing through her eyes.

Bai Mengqi also gave Zhou Xiaodie a strange look, then nodded nonchalantly and followed her inside.

Inside was a spacious office, where several young women sat.

These were all secretaries from the CEO’s office, responsible for assisting the CEO and coordinating with various departments.

Zhou Xiaodie led Bai Mengqi to another large door, which was the CEO’s private office.

“Knock, knock!” Zhou Xiaodie lightly tapped twice on the door.

Immediately, a clear, cool female voice responded from within.

“Please come in.”

Once permission was granted, Zhou Xiaodie pushed open the door and led Bai Mengqi into the room.

Upon entering, Bai Mengqi detected a subtle, elegant fragrance. The office’s scent was very pleasant.

“CEO Zi, Miss Bai has arrived,” Zhou Xiaodie said respectfully.

The female CEO rose at the sound, her gaze falling upon Bai Mengqi.

Bai Mengqi also looked at the other woman, surprised to find that the CEO of Zijing Group was an absolute beauty, around thirty years old, exuding the charm of a mature woman.

However, it was also possible she was simply dressed too maturely.

Truthfully, if Bai Mengqi were still a man, this female CEO would undoubtedly be her love-at-first-sight type.

Yet, strangely, despite this being their first meeting, she felt a sense of déjà vu.

“You may go back to your work now. I will personally receive Miss Bai. Do not disturb us unless I give instructions,” the female CEO commanded.

Zhou Xiaodie acknowledged this and then exited the office.

Only Bai Mengqi and the female CEO remained in the office.

“Uh, hello, I’m Bai Mengqi. I’m here to apply for the CEO’s office secretary position,” Bai Mengqi quickly greeted the other woman.

The female CEO put down her work and walked towards Bai Mengqi.

The CEO’s height was similar to Bai Mengqi’s, but for some reason, Bai Mengqi felt an inexplicable sense of pressure, which instinctively made her retreat a few steps.

“You’re Bai Mengqi, 22 years old, from Lantian County, correct? I’m also from Lantian County; we’re fellow provincials. Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Zi Yanran. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The female CEO proactively introduced herself, extending her hand towards Bai Mengqi.

Bai Mengqi was momentarily stunned, but as the other party was so courteous, she couldn’t be impolite. She extended her hand in return, responding, “Oh, really? Then CEO Zi and I are quite fated, aren’t we?”

Bai Mengqi offered a slight smile, yet secretly mused.

‘Strange, what is this inexplicable sense of familiarity? Why does this woman make me feel a little afraid?’

As Zi Yanran’s and Bai Mengqi’s palms touched, Zi Yanran suddenly pushed with force, sending the thoughtful Bai Mengqi stumbling into a corner.

“Eh? CEO Zi, what are you doing?”

Bai Mengqi was greatly startled, completely bewildered by Zi Yanran’s actions.

Zi Yanran quickly acted, pressing one hand against the wall, her eyes narrowed like a hunter staring at prey, fixing Bai Mengqi as she asked, “Miss Bai? Have we met before?”

Bai Mengqi was stunned again. “Ah? Met? I, have we met?”

Zi Yanran moved closer, her gaze growing increasingly dangerous.

“Really haven’t met? Like four years ago?” Zi Yanran offered a gentle reminder.

This reminder instantly awakened the deep-seated memories within Bai Mengqi.

As her memories resurfaced, and she looked at the woman’s face before her, Bai Mengqi finally understood why she felt such familiarity.

‘No way, is it her?’

The Zi Yanran before her was precisely the woman she had rescued from the fox demon four years ago.

She never expected that four years later, they would meet again in such a manner.

The thought of her past connection with the woman before her filled Bai Mengqi with an inexplicable panic, causing her to instinctively deny it.

“Ah? Did we? This… why don’t I remember? Um, CEO Zi, are you perhaps mistaken?” she replied, feigning composure.

However, Zi Yanran did not give up. Instead, she leaned closer to Bai Mengqi, gently sniffed, and after a strange expression, withdrew her hand and stepped back a few paces.

“Oh, I apologize. Perhaps I was mistaken. You greatly resemble an old acquaintance of mine, which made me a little impulsive. I apologize for my rashness just now.”

Zi Yanran suddenly became calm again, though it was unclear if she truly believed she had been mistaken.

Seeing the other party’s words, Bai Mengqi immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ah, it’s nothing. So, shall we continue?”

Zi Yanran smiled faintly.

“Please have a seat. Let’s begin the interview.”