Life Now

"Wake up, Shen Han! You said you had a job interview today, didn't you?!"

Shen Han buried his head deeper into the pillow, as if doing so could block out the sound of his mother yelling from outside his room. Unfortunately, it was futile. He could still hear her voice clearly, and his plan to continue his peaceful dream was ruined. Besides, he didn't dare try. If his mother caught him deliberately ignoring her, she would roast him alive.

"Yes, Mother! I'm up!"

Shen Han rolled out of bed and grabbed the towel hanging behind his door. As he opened his bedroom door, he saw his mother standing there with her hands on her hips, staring at him with a stern look. Without saying a word, he brushed past her and headed straight to the bathroom.

Once he was done freshening up, Shen Han quickly got ready and joined his parents at the dining table. He grabbed a slice of toast and spread his favorite strawberry jam over it while his mother started chatting.

"I ran into Li Wei and, Xiao Huang, at the supermarket yesterday. That boy is so adorable," his mother said, her voice light with affection.

Shen Han nodded in agreement. Li Wei's son, Xiao Huang, who was born two years ago, was indeed an adorable little boy. Shen Han often visited Li Wei and always found himself charmed by the lively toddler.

"I wish I had a grandchild like that."

"How can we get a son-in-law when our son isn't even ready to date, let alone marry? Isn't that right, Shen Han?" his mother said with a knowing smile.

Shen Han shot her a quick look before turning away. He could tell she was teasing him.

Standing up, Shen Han grabbed his bag. "I'm heading out now."

"But you haven't finished your breakfast!" his mother called out, but Shen Han ignored her. If she only knew that her words had totally killed his appetite. It was better to leave the table than stay and listen to more subtle jabs aimed at him.

Shen Han walked to the bus stop nearby and the bus showed up pretty quickly. Climbing aboard, he quickly found a empty seat and rested his head weakly against the window. He was still sleepy, but he couldn't afford to stay home and rest. He had to attend the job interview at the company he had applied to, or he would lose the opportunity.

Feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin, Shen Han wondered why he couldn't feel that same warmth in his heart. His chest felt cold, hollow, and empty. Deep down, he knew he didn't need to wonder why. Everything happening to him now was entirely his fault.

He could never forget the day he destroyed not only his life but others' as well. The day he left the man he loved most at the altar, canceling their wedding and ending their relationship in one impulsive, heartbreaking decision.

Regret consumed him every day. His life had changed drastically since that day. His parents were furious with him—and rightly so. Their family name had been tarnished, and people now looked down on him, labeling him with all sorts of cruel names.

There wasn't a day that went by when Shen Han didn't miss Jia Wen. The mere thought of him brought a sharp ache to his chest. He wondered how Jia Wen was doing now. Was he still angry? Where was he? What was he doing?

Lost in his thoughts, Shen Han nearly got off at the wrong bus stop. He quickly refocused and tried not to let his wandering mind distract him. Before long, the bus hit his stop, and he got off.

After a five-minute walk, Shen Han found himself standing in front of a tall building.

JS Corp.

This was the company where he had applied for a job and was scheduled for an interview today. Shen Han silently thanked Kyla for informing him about the job opening. He desperately hoped that this time, he would finally land the job.

Entering the building, the receptionist directed him to the 14th floor. Once there, Shen Han noticed several people sitting outside an office, presumably other candidates waiting for their interviews. Taking a seat, he tried to calm his nerves. Despite having attended many interviews over the past few months, he still couldn't shake the anxiety that always accompanied these moments.

"Shen Han."

Shen Han's head snapped up when his name was called. It was his turn. He was the last to be interviewed, as the other candidates had already left.

The interview lasted about thirty minutes. Shen Han felt he had done his best, answering every question as clearly and confidently as possible. Now, all he could do was go home and wait for the results. Heading to the elevator, he pressed the button to go down.

As he waited, he tapped his shoe against the floor impatiently. When the elevator doors finally opened, he stepped inside. A few stops later, more people got on, and he could hear bits of their conversations.

"Did you hear? Our boss is going to be on the cover of Forbes magazine."

"Really?"

"Wow, Mr. He is truly amazing, isn't he?"

Shen Han wasn't paying attention at first, uninterested in their chatter. But when he heard a name that sounded painfully familiar, he couldn't help but listen.

"Of course. We're talking about Zheng Jia Wen, our proud leader and the founder of Nylear Corp."

The elevator reached the ground floor, and the doors opened. Shen Han stepped out, his thoughts a chaotic mess. Just as he was trying to process what he'd heard, his eyes fell on a sight that made his heart stop.

Standing just a few feet away was the man they had been talking about.

Jia Wen

Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Jia Wen's expression was unreadable, while Shen Han stared at him like a fool, his mouth slightly open.

Before he could say anything, Jia Wen entered the elevator, and the doors closed behind him.

Shen Han stood frozen, his mind racing. What kind of twisted game was fate playing with him? For a brief moment, he had dared to hope that he might get the job. But now that he knew Jia Wen was the head of this company, he buried that hope deep within him.

There was no way Jia Wen would ever hire him. Shen Han was certain of it.