Three o'clock delivered. ...........

That evening, Wang Zhuo lay alone in the vast, empty villa, restlessly tossing and turning twice before grabbing his phone to call Gan Lin. It was switched off?

It was barely nine o'clock. Even if he wasn't into the nightlife, surely he didn't need to sleep this early?

In resignation, Wang Zhuo called Fei Long instead. It was too hot to sleep, and chatting with a big mouth like him could pass the time.

The phone rang twice before being abruptly hung up. A moment later, Fei Long sent back a text: "Chasing girls.

Do not disturb unless urgent. If truly urgent, call back." "Damn it," Wang Zhuo muttered, dialing the number back.

He hung up after the first ring. At that moment, he felt a pang of envy for Qiu Lu.

A mere stone was enough to occupy him; he didn't need a girlfriend for company, how carefree was that? After mulling it over for a while, a flash of inspiration struck him, and this time, he called Qi Fei.

"Wang Zhuo? So late, what's up?" Qi Fei's voice was soft, sweet, and laced with an alluring magnetism, much like her presence.

Even a thousand kilometers away, Wang Zhuo felt as if he could smell the unique sweetness that clung to her. Wang Zhuo chuckled, "Of course I have something.

What are you up to?" "Just had a shower, drying my hair now." Qi Fei briefly turned on the hairdryer, aimed it toward the phone for a moment, then switched it off, asking with a smile, "Tell me, what is it?" A vivid image instantly flashed through Wang Zhuo's mind: that sunny afternoon, by the expansive floor-to-ceiling window, the moment her bath towel had slipped away as she stretched her arms to embrace the sun... "Hello?" When there was no sound from the other end for a long time, Qi Fei called out tentatively.

Wang Zhuo snapped back to reality, gave a dry cough, and said, "The signal was bad just now. I have something I need your help with; I wonder if you’re busy lately?" "Just say it if you need something.

Why be polite with me?" Wang Zhuo thought, That’s right. We’ve already seen each other completely bare; what’s there to be reserved about?

"It’s like this, Sister Qi. I’ve rented a storefront on Nanjing Road.

Could you possibly help me secure some sourcing channels to get some filler items?" "You’re really opening a shop? What do you mean by filler items?" "Just cheap, affordable small jewelry.

Things like 925 silver, pearl necklaces, agate earrings, Tibetan silver trinkets, and those street-stall jades—I need all of it." "Ah?" Qi Fei was instantly caught between laughter and tears. "You mean you’re going to sell those things on Nanjing Road?" "Yeah," Wang Zhuo confirmed, speaking seriously.

"I did my on-site investigation. Many shops sell those things, and their business seems pretty good." "But those things don’t make much profit.

Aren't you planning to deal in jade? Why bother with all that junk?" Wang Zhuo grinned sheepishly, "Just to pad the inventory, otherwise, the real items I can show will be too few.

This stuff will serve as window dressing, at least so the shop isn't completely empty." Hearing his reasoning, Qi Fei could only offer a wry smile. "That is one way to look at it.

Alright, I’ll help you make some connections." "Hmm, let's set the initial budget at one million for now. I don't understand this stuff anyway, so you might as well see this favor through to the end," Wang Zhuo said with a playful, roguish air, dumping the responsibility onto her.

"Fine," Qi Fei replied irritably. "I’ll cover the cost of the goods first, too.

I was planning to book my flight back to Jiangzhou this week, but now I'll be delayed by a few days. Just wait until I get back before I settle accounts with you." Hanging up, Wang Zhuo chuckled and stretched happily.

The issue of supply had been temporarily managed. Truly, a hero is nothing without his supporters.

Qiu Lu’s voice drifted from the living room: "Wang Zhuo, if you can’t sleep, come eat some watermelon." "Coming right up," Wang Zhuo answered, pressing down on a certain area that had risen while he was having silly thoughts about Qi Fei. He wrapped a bath towel around himself twice and hurried toward the living room.

The iced watermelon was cool, refreshing, and instantly revitalizing. Qiu Lu pointed to the news on TV and smiled, "This year’s employment situation is quite grim, too.

If you’re recruiting, it should be easy." Wang Zhuo glanced over. The news was broadcasting footage from a massive job fair earlier that day—the venue was packed, and a kilometer-long line stretched outside.

It seemed life for recent college graduates was genuinely tough. "Let's both go check out the job fair tomorrow," Wang Zhuo decided immediately.

Qiu Lu hesitated, "Don't companies need appointments to secure a booth? Do you think we might be too late?" Wang Zhuo smirked, "No need for that.

Just watch me tomorrow." The next morning, the two set out early. By the time they arrived at the job fair at the Haizhan Center, the plaza was already teeming with people.

Cold drink vendors were busy, and the dozen portable toilets were doing booming business—you even had to queue up just to take a leak. "Why did you buy these things?" Qiu Lu asked, holding a bag of items Wang Zhuo had picked up from a stationery store, looking puzzled.

"Wait for me here." Wang Zhuo plunged into the crowd. The two cut a straight line through the queue and arrived in front of a very tall man, easily over two meters ten.

Wang Zhuo greeted him with a smile, "Buddy, what position are you applying for?" The tall man glanced at him and answered in a deep, muffled voice, "3D Animation." "Impressive," Wang Zhuo gave him a thumbs-up and said with a grin, "The fair runs for three more days. I have a job right now paying five hundred a day—interested?" That statement instantly drew numerous curious stares.

The tall man asked, "Doing what?" "Holding this sign for me." Wang Zhuo took out an 800 by 600 millimeter whiteboard he had tucked under his arm and showed it to him. The tall man took it, weighed it in his hand, and nodded, "Can I get the money first?" Without a word, Wang Zhuo pulled out a stack of bills from his pocket, counted out five of them, and handed them over.

Leading him back to Qiu Lu, Wang Zhuo turned around, cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone, and shouted to the crowd: "Anyone here skilled at writing POP displays? Rare opportunity—make a hundred in five minutes!" Quite a few people actually came over hoping to earn a hundred.

Wang Zhuo counted six of them. He first had them take turns writing the words "Monthly Salary" on the whiteboard in colored markers, finally settling on a petite girl, about one meter fifty tall.

"Write this: 'Monthly Salary Exceeds Ten Thousand. Handsome men and beautiful ladies, please follow me.'" The girl gave him a speechless look, but after confirming he wasn't joking, she took the whiteboard and, with flourishing strokes using various colored pens, wrote those twelve characters.

She skillfully added some decorative special effects, making Wang Zhuo nod in satisfaction. Handing her one hundred yuan, Wang Zhuo said, "Nice handwriting.

What is your expected monthly salary?" The girl hesitated, then gathered her courage and said, "Three thousand." "Not too high a demand. Then don't leave.

Come with me first; your internship period will be three thousand." Qiu Lu watched Wang Zhuo and his two newly recruited assistants with a wry smile. The pair—one tall, one short—had a striking contrast in physique, and coupled with that eye-catching sign, they were impossible to ignore.

"Alright, we'll wait here. Brother Gao, take this sign and walk through the most crowded areas.

If anyone asks, tell them our company is called Shengshi Dynasty." Ten minutes later, Gao Haihe returned, bringing with him over twenty people. Indeed, about half of them looked like a motley crew—perhaps they were overly confident in themselves, or maybe they were just there to watch the spectacle.

"I’m in charge of interviews, so those who want to apply, get in line quickly!" Wang Zhuo declared confidently, slapping his chest. Seeing that the interviewer was a youngster even younger than himself, some people immediately lost interest.

However, those with keen eyes quickly formed a spontaneous line. Those at the front hoped to secure a good impression with the interviewer first, while those behind planned to observe what questions this guy asked so they could prepare their responses.

Wang Zhuo extended his hand to the delicate beauty at the very front of the line: "Miss, may I see your resume?" The little beauty held tightly to her resume. "May I ask what your company does first?" "A jewelry company, dealing in multinational business." Wang Zhuo wiggled his outstretched hand.

Would a multinational jewelry company use a kid to recruit staff? The little beauty shook her head, thinking it was a joke, and walked to the side.

"Next," Wang Zhuo waved dismissively, signaling the second guy in line to approach. He took one look and laughed, shaking his head, "You won't do.

Next!" "Why not?" The young man immediately became displeased. "The scent on you is too strong, and your eyebrows look drawn on, right?

Did you use nail polish? Did you get a spa treatment yesterday?

Our company doesn't hire 'pretty boys' [weiniang], sorry. Next." The 'pretty boy' snorted, minced away with an affected gait, and everyone watching his cat-like walk felt a chill.

"What's your major?" Wang Zhuo examined the tall, attractive woman. "Air cabin service," the beauty replied with a confident smile.

"Why aren't you an air hostess?" Wang Zhuo asked. The beauty smiled faintly, "Didn't have the money for the necessary 'gifts,' can't afford to play the hidden rules game." "Are you willing to work the counter as a sales associate?" "Can you really make over ten thousand a month?" "You're hired.

Next," Wang Zhuo smiled at her without answering and beckoned Gao Haihe, "Brother Gao, take another walk outside." A handsome guy approached next, with a somewhat effeminate, pretty-boy look, though without the overly affected mannerisms of the previous applicant. Wang Zhuo asked, "Do you have charisma with women?" The handsome guy didn't take this rather farcical interview too seriously and casually spoke the plain truth: "I dated six girlfriends in college, and over twenty girls have confessed their feelings to me." Wang Zhuo nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, you’re hired too. Go wait over there." The next applicant had rather mediocre looks, and his T-zone was besieged by a severe acne outbreak—red, yellow, and black blemishes made him very distracting to look at.

Wang Zhuo examined him with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Buddy, didn't you read my recruitment criteria?" "I saw them," the applicant stated confidently.

"But I believe a person's capability shouldn't be judged by appearance alone. Please give me a chance to prove myself." "I’d love to give you a chance, but you’re not suitable," Wang Zhuo spread his hands helplessly.

"Do you think a fat person can successfully sell weight-loss tea, or a bald man can sell hair-regrowth tonic? I’d love to be a center in the NBA, but I’m not tall enough." "You—you're judging by appearances!" The confident guy got angry, flicked his sleeve, and stormed off.

Wang Zhuo contemptuously watched his retreating back. For someone with such blind confidence who couldn't even recognize his own shortcomings, society wouldn't offer fairness; it would only offer repeated setbacks.