3

"Hello! I saw the job posting on the forum. I'm the applicant who contacted you online yesterday. I'm here for the interview today."

It was 9 AM, and the sun was already shining brightly in the sky. The streets were bustling with people in trousers and business skirts, all walking hurriedly.

I've really stepped out of that room. Now I'm about a kilometer away from home.

Walking with my head down and a mask on, I secretly glanced at everything around me.

Although it was my first time out in the real world, I didn't feel a strong sense of discomfort.

I owed this to the internet, where I could see photos and videos of any place and anything.

The world I'd built in my imagination from the internet was no different from this reality.

I adapted to my surroundings in just about five minutes. Perhaps this experience should be recorded to provide factual data for scientific research.

Soon, I reached the intersection of Merry Street and Tenth Road. Not far to the east was the Fule 24-hour convenience store, the place I had contacted about the job last night.

Resume, attire, interview etiquette—I'd already studied and practiced these at home. I took a deep breath.

Softly, I rehearsed the words I planned to say during the interview.

"Hello, I saw the job posting on the forum... Hello, I'm the applicant who contacted you online yesterday..."

Reciting while walking slowly, I now stood before the transparent glass door. The store sign was green, with large letters spelling out "24-hour convenience store." The glass door had a horizontal logo with a green background and white letters that read "Fule" along with the franchise phone number.

Through the glass door, I could faintly see a female employee in a green uniform stocking shelves. From my angle, I couldn't see any customers.

The door wasn't automatic.

If that's the case, I need to push or pull the door to open it.

I raised my hand, ready to grasp the door handle.

My breathing grew heavier. "Believe in yourself. I can do this."

Armstrong said, "This is a giant leap for mankind." I'm on my way to the moon too.

Before I could touch the door, it was pushed open from the inside.

That made it clear that this door needs to be pulled from the outside to open.

"Hello, miss, this door isn't automatic..."

A warm and energetic female voice greeted me. Standing before me was the employee I saw through the door. Her long hair was tied up, probably for convenience at work. She wore a green and white uniform, with a name tag that read "Sherry." That was likely her name. She also wore a green apron, and her black eyes revealed enthusiasm and determination. She appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, a guess based on her slightly mature aura.

"Hello? Hello, miss. Is there something I can help you with?" She smiled slightly.

"H-Hello, I'm here for the job interview..."

Of all the lines I rehearsed, I only used this one.

"I see. Did you come because of the job posting outside?"

"Uh, no. I saw a post on an online forum yesterday and contacted the person who posted it, someone named 'Philadelphia Beauty.' She told me to come to the store at 9:30 for an interview. Are you Philadelphia Beauty?"

She chuckled but seemed to realize it was a bit inappropriate, covering her mouth with a smile. "Philadelphia Beauty is our store manager."

"I see."

"Yes, please come in. The manager is in the employee rest area, next to the office area. You'll probably have the interview there. Follow me."

Sherry invited me into the green-themed store. As soon as I entered, I saw the deli counter next to the cash register, offering bacon sandwiches, hot dogs, and custard buns.

The convenience store was small but neatly organized, with shelves that were orderly and filled with a variety of products. It was clear the owner took great care in managing the store, as it was spotless.

As I walked past the shelves, I noticed a yellow wooden door with the words "Staff Lounge" on it. Before I could open the door, a tall young man, who looked like a college student, walked out.

"Sherry, the stock in the back has been organized. I'll head to the front to watch the store. The manager wants you to help him with the inventory records. Who's this?" he asked.

"She's here for an interview. I was just about to take her to see the manager," Sherry replied.

"Oh, hello," he greeted me casually.

"Hello," I responded.

As the young man made his way to the front counter, Shilin explained, "He's Johnny, a college student from the nearby university. He works part-time here."

"I see," I said.

We walked through the door and turned right, entering a room with a simple black desk. A middle-aged man with a slight paunch sat behind it, his thinning hair especially noticeable at the forehead. He looked just like any other middle-aged man you'd see around, his belly slightly protruding, and wearing the store manager's green uniform. His green hat was on the desk.

"Manager, this is the lady here for the interview," Sherry announced.

The manager finally looked up, giving me a once-over before adjusting his posture.

"You're interviewing with a mask on?" he asked.

I suddenly remembered that I was still wearing my mask. I had been so anxious that, even though I had left the house, I couldn't bring myself to take it off. Breaking my self-imposed rule of never leaving the house was already a big step, and wearing the mask was my compromise.

I thought it would be fine to go out like this, but I forgot that no one else wore masks all the time anymore. I felt a wave of dizziness; the manager didn't like me, I could tell.

"The mask... I can't take it off..." I forced out the words.

The middle-aged man turned back to Sherry. "You can take her away," he said.

Sherry tugged at my sleeve. "Miss, you should take off your mask for the interview. This isn't right..."

"I can't... really can't..." I pleaded, my voice almost begging. Sherry wanted to say something but held back.

My first interview ended in failure. Dejected, I walked out of the staff lounge. Sherry followed me, while Johnny was at the front, sneaking a look at his phone. When he saw me, he quickly put it away, trying to act casual.

"How did the interview go?" Johnny asked.

I didn't respond.

Sherry took my hand, and we stood together at the front counter.

"Is there a reason you can't take off your mask?" Sherry asked gently.

"Yes..." I replied.

"What reason?" she asked again.

"I'll die," I said, lowering my head.

"What???" Johnny exclaimed, his voice startlingly loud.

"Shut up, Johnny," Sherry said, pausing for a moment. "You mean because of COVID, right? It's true, we're encouraged to wear masks when going out now."

That wasn't the real reason, but I didn't explain.

"Oh, that makes sense. But still, Sherry, even so, if she joins us, she'll be our colleague. She can't wear a mask forever, can she? We deserve to know what our coworker looks like," Johnny argued.

"You're right. How about this, I'll talk to the manager again. He did mention that during the pandemic, it's best for staff to wear masks when interacting with customers," Sherry suggested.

"Sherry, don't speak for her. Have you ever seen anyone wearing a mask during an interview? Unless there's a special reason, taking off the mask and facing people directly is the least bit of respect. Didn't your parents teach you that?"

The manager had somehow appeared behind us.

Johnny muttered under her breath, "The Lion's Roar of the Philly Beauty has appeared."

The so-called Philly Beauty was the manager standing before me. I should have laughed, but instead, tears welled up in my eyes.

"I, I, I don't have parents. I'm sorry."

There was a minute of silence.

"I'm sorry, Miss. I was too harsh."

"It's okay. I'll take off the mask for the interview. Please give me a chance."

I turned around, wiped away my tears, and bowed to the middle-aged, slightly overweight man who was called the Philly Beauty.

"Alright, then please introduce yourself. Talk about your past work experiences and show us your capabilities. A convenience store doesn't need any special skills, but it does require a good work attitude."

I held my breath, and under the gaze of the three people, I gently removed my last layer of protection. The cool air from the store's air conditioning brushed against my skin.

"My name is Vivian. I'm 19 years old. Because of family reasons, I need a job to support myself. I don't have any work experience at the moment, but I'm willing to learn."

Saying these words made me feel brave.

"Good, good... good..." The manager clapped his hands while staring at me. "Good, good, excellent attitude. I'm very satisfied. What about you two?"

Johnny leaned forward, supporting herself with her arms, and looked at me. "I think Vivian, Miss Vivian, is quite good. What do you think, Sherry?"

Getting Johnny's approval made me breathe a sigh of relief.

"Very good. Manager, didn't you say we should wear masks at work?"

The manager glanced at me, then replied, "Starting tomorrow, everyone will wear masks during work until the epidemic ends. Miss Vivian, you can follow Sherry to learn the ropes. We need a cashier at the front desk, and you'll just do that from now on. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

"You can ask me any questions too." Johnny still stared at me intently. I smiled back at them, appreciating their kindness.

"Wei'er, if you have any questions, just ask me. It's easier to talk between girls." Sherry grabbed my arm, as if asserting her ownership.

The store's sliding door chimed. "Hello, I'd like to buy some Biki candies for the kids. Do you have any in stock? There weren't any last time I came."

The speaker was a woman in her forties with long curly hair, looking like a wealthy lady.

"Oh? You've got a little beauty working here now?"

She looked at me.

"Oh, it's Mrs. Zhang. Yes, Biki candies are in stock today. This way, please."

The manager smiled and bent over, inviting the lady towards the shelves.

"Vivian, you can come to work tomorrow at 9 AM."

"10 AM is fine too. I can cover your shift for a bit," Johnny said with a grin.

"Alright, I got it. Thank you. You're all so kind."

"It's nothing."

From the shelves, I could still hear the manager and the lady talking.

"Is she your new employee?"

"Yes, yes. She just came for an interview today."

"Do you have any Biki blueberry flavor?"

"No, that flavor is hard to get these days."

"Alright, no problem. I'll come back another time to check. Maybe tomorrow."

"No need to trouble yourself. Just give me a call."

"It's no trouble. Besides watching the kids at home, I either go to the beauty salon or go shopping. It's no big deal. I'll just take the mango flavor for now. My daughter likes it."

I didn't listen to their conversation any further; it was just some daily small talk. I put my mask back on.

After saying goodbye to everyone, I walked down the street, feeling the world was far more beautiful than I had imagined, not as bleak as Hick had said.

I felt proud of my bravery and, at this moment, felt I had the power to overcome anything.

As I walked home with a light step, everything seemed so peaceful and harmonious. Little did I realize that lurking behind me was a deep, all-consuming darkness.