Prestigious student to admin assistant?

It is already 8:30am, the sun is high up in the sky, and Zhang Meiling is perspiring in the only suit she owns as she anxiously waits at the bus stop. Damn late night shows, damn the alarm clock battery running out, and damn the 10 minute water interruption as she struggled to get ready for her big day. Out of all the days to wake up late, it had to be on a Monday right during the morning rush, and on the day of the first interview she landed after months of searching, applying, and waiting in vain for phone calls.

She almost missed the bus, which has been running 8 mins late, and could only squeeze herself in right next to the door.

"Sorry," she mutters as she stepped on a foot, blowing bangs out of her face and trying to keep her cool despite being plastered to the glass door.

"Stupid bitch," the foot's owner curses, but Meiling tries to pay him no mind.

It was an uncomfortable ride, but at least she managed to arrive just in time for the HR calling out the interviewees. As she makes her way, her heel snapped and she had to wobble a few meters for the line of chairs.

Another bad luck for today. She wonders if she should just go home and pass up this opportunity.

The woman sitting across from her is giving her a look of disgust, mouth curling upwards in a sneer. Meiling resists giving her the finger as she composed herself.

"Ms. Zhang, inside please."

Heart suddenly hammering inside her chest, Meiling followed the HR into a cool office, the elegant modern gray and white interior adding to her nervousness. She feels like she doesn't belong here, in her thrift shop bought coat, messy hair, and probably now-smeared makeup. She looks like a wreck, and here she is, applying for one of the top companies in the country.

She silently curses herself for not being more prepared, having binge-watched episode-after-episode of the latest popular drama.

But Henry was just about to find out that Fei is having an affair behind his back -

"Have a seat."

Zhang Meiling is brought back to the present by a pair of fetching brown eyes. The man behind the desk has broad shoulders, messy side-swept ash brown hair, and a cheeky little quirk at the corner of his mouth.

Meiling is not man-crazy at all, but boy, is this specie before her a gorgeous one. She almost blushed at the proferred hand before her.

"Zhou Zhong Yi," he self-introduces, "and you must be Ms. Zhang Meiling."

"Yes." Even his voice is dreamy, pitched low and warm.

"I will not beat around the bush. I presume you know the position you are applying for, correct? How did you come upon this job opening, and what are your expectations?"

"Yes Mr. Zhou. I actually have a friend working here, and she mentioned the opening when we got reacquianted. I'm expecting to be challenged by daily hectic load but will be able to perform the tasks assigned to me. I have full confidence in my organization and communication skills."

Zhou Zhong Yi quirked an eyebrow as he responds, "But you are overqualified. I took a look at your resume and examination, and I cannot understand why would an engineering graduate apply for an administrative and not a technical position. An honor student from a the leading university at that."

Meiling takes a deep breath, recalling her practiced speeches. This is her chance, she shouldn't ruin this.

"I was burnt out at the end of my studies, so I traveled for a while. I found that while I still love my degree, it takes a toll on me and my real talent lies elsewhere. My affiliations and organization activities attest to this. This is why I am applying for a different position than my degree."

She resists breaking eye contact with Zhou Zhong Yi while she said this. The handsome man nods, humming as he jots down some notes, and asks her a few more questions.

"...this concludes this interview, Ms. Zhang." He gestures to his left eye, "By the way, you have something smudged here..."

And hands her a roll of tape just in time for her to trip while standing up for a handshake.

"For your shoes. Nice meeting you, see you next week."

Zhang Meiling flushes red as she steadies herself and accepts the tape. She smiles and bows, grimacing as she catches sight of a reflection of her smudged mascarra in a mirror.

She just turned the doorknob, one foot out, when she realized -

Zhou Zhong Yi is grinning at her retreating for amusedly as he mouths,

"Yes, you're hired."

Today might have started all wrong, but she feels like she could dance all the way home with the way she's feeling right now.