"O-okay, you're right."

Seeing Qin Ning was dead serious, I actually felt a little flattered. But this confirmed it—the shop was desperately short-staffed. Such a huge store had only the boss herself, not even a single manager.

And I was the manager she’d just hired on the spot.

So it was just the group owner and the manager interviewing group members? Was that really how things stood now?

Qin Ning sat on the sofa. I took the hard stool again, just like yesterday. Then she patted the space beside her. "Come sit here."

*That close?* I hesitated. "Isn’t that… kinda awkward?"

"What’s awkward?" she countered. "That’s the interviewer’s seat. Did you plan on sitting side by side with candidates?"

Every word from the stunning Qin Ning carried quiet pressure. Paired with her boss status, my nerves tingled. I obediently moved beside her. A subtle, mature fragrance drifted from her—and my cheeks flushed.

"Why sit so close?" Qin Ning shot me a look. "The sofa’s huge."

*Ahem.* Oh. She meant *on* the sofa. I’d misread her gesture. Flustered, I shifted sideways. The premium leather felt amazing—quietly appreciating the perks of wealth.

"Candidate profiles. Want to review them?" She held up a tablet.

"No need," I waved. "Not very useful."

"Oh?"

Leaning back, I took a light breath. "Resumes only highlight the good stuff. People toss in barely relevant details too. Better not read them—judge by the live interview."

Qin Ning chuckled softly. "What about you?"

"I’m the same!" I relaxed now that I was manager, even joking. "Like saying I can do anything—but nope. Giving birth? Can’t do that."

"Hmm?" Her smile turned playful. "You can’t?"

*Oh no.* Forgot I’m in a girl’s body now. Old joke habits died hard. My face burned. I stammered, tongue-tied.

No excuse came. Blame a slip?

"So," Qin Ning leaned closer, "can you give birth or not?"

"W-well… physiologically speaking…" I forced calm. "I… should be able to?"

*Knock, knock, knock.*

The sound saved me. Qin Ning glanced my way. "First candidate’s here."

I started to rise—but she called out clearly: "Please come in."

*Huh.* Door wasn’t even locked.

I quickly sat as the door opened. A girl with neat short hair stepped in, bowed to Qin Ning.

"Hello, Sister. I’m here for the interview."

*Sister?* Smooth talker. Propping my chin in my hands, I watched her completely ignore me.

Qin Ning gave a slight nod—then just watched, calm and unreadable.

The girl straightened up, launching into her pitch.

*Tsk.* Puffing your chest like that? Not even impressive. Qin Xue from my dorm’s got more.

Old competitive habits flared. Even though I wasn’t competing—just the pre-selected manager—my brain hadn’t switched gears.

*And she didn’t even glance at me. Hmph!*

She was my age, a college student hunting summer work. First job hunt, clearly. Awkward phrasing, visibly nervous.

Nothing standout—just earnest effort. After introducing herself, she twisted her fingers, eyes locked on Qin Ning, waiting.

Silence stretched. Eerily long.

She thought Qin Ning was interviewing her. But that nod? Just for the greeting.

My heart softened. She’s just a girl. This is too much.

"That’s enough," I said gently. "You can go. I’ll notify you if there’s news."

Someone who never looked the interviewer in the eye *deserved* to wait longer… but yeah, I’m soft.

She blinked between me and Qin Ning, realization dawning.

"Oh."

Then left, mind clearly racing.

Quiet settled again. Qin Ning studied me a beat.

"Hypocrite."

"…Huh?" I froze.

"Yes means yes. No means no," she said coolly. "Why sugarcoat 'wait for notification'? Just say 'no news = rejected.'"

"Well, that’s standard phrasing!" I protested innocently. "We’re not rejecting her yet. Shop around, right? See all candidates. If she ranks top ten for part-timers, we take her."

*She didn’t even look at me… but I’m not petty… am I?*

"Besides," I added quietly, "no notification *does* mean no luck. That part’s true."