Grandma Jenny had just sold the energy box she picked up last night to a second-hand shop, earning some credit points, and then went to the small store run by the neighboring Smith family to buy some synthetic apples. She planned to make some apple pies and send them to her scavenging companions from the night before. Grandma Jenny was a very wise old lady. At her advanced age, her physical strength simply couldn't withstand long periods of scavenging. It was only through the care of her companions that she could make any gains and retreat safely. Therefore, she was extremely grateful.
Although her companions from last night had all refused her, Grandma Jenny wouldn't forget about it. She planned to deliver the apple pies to them directly after making them.
Ji You didn't know any of these thoughts of Grandma Jenny. Suddenly catching sight of the large, bright red apples in Grandma Jenny's basket, Ji You couldn't help but salivate.
These were apples!
Since Ji You had traveled to this time, she hadn't eaten an apple!
Even though these were synthetic apples, shaped like apples but actually made from various artificially synthesized nutrients, the taste was somewhat hard to describe. But it was still fruit!
To bite into it would be to taste juiciness filling the mouth!
Perhaps noticing Ji You's covert gaze, Grandma Jenny cheerfully selected a shiny red apple from her basket and gave it to Ji You, saying, "Take it and eat it."
"No, no, no..." Ji You hurriedly refused.
Although artificial, the apples were very pricey for Ji You. She estimated that just one like the one in Grandma Jenny's hand would cost at least 5 credit points.
5 credit points; Ji You would have to do nearly three hours of hard labor to afford a single apple!
How could she have the nerve to accept something so expensive?
Moreover, there were only three apples in Grandma Jenny's basket altogether. If she were to take one, would that even be proper?
Ji You was around the same age as Grandma Jenny's granddaughter, Lea, even a year younger. This child, orphaned at a young age and without relatives to care for her, had struggled to survive on her own for many years. Thinking of this, a wave of pity rose in Grandma Jenny's heart, and she said with a smile, "Take it and eat! I have these two left for the apple pie."
No matter what, Ji You just couldn't accept it. Catching the hovering bus arriving from the corner of her eye, she hurriedly placed the apple back into Grandma Jenny's basket and dashed onto the bus.
Grandma Jenny watched her running figure with a mix of helplessness and amusement.
Once on the bus, Ji You swallowed down the saliva she couldn't help but produce, telling herself not to feel regret. If she succeeded in the job interview this time, she would reward herself with a synthetic apple. No! How could one be enough?
Get two!
And with that, she made a cheerful decision.
The hovering bus quickly passed each stop, never staying for more than 2 minutes at each. Ji You's interview was scheduled for 2:30 PM. According to the speed of the hovering bus, she could arrive at the interview location by 2 PM.
Every time she rode the hovering bus, Ji You would sincerely marvel at the science and technology level of the interstellar era. The distance between District 10 and District 6, using Earth as a reference point, Ji You estimated could be as far as from the north to the south side of the Earth. However, the hovering bus could reach it in less than an hour.
Sitting on the hovering bus, smooth and stable without feeling a single jolt, the experience was very good.
Ji You wondered what it would feel like to ride high-tech transports like airships, spaceships, starships... A sense of anticipation rose within her. She quietly told herself to work hard, to earn money, and to aspire to take an interstellar trip someday!
With a mix of anticipation and nervousness, Ji You finally rushed to the interview location at the mall. When she arrived, she found that nearly five hundred people had already gathered in the mall's underground hall, all interviewees, and the mall was recruiting fewer than 50 people for various positions, large and small.
Seeing this, Ji You couldn't help feeling disheartened: there was no doubt that her chance of being selected was less than one percent.
Although it was the interstellar era, the recruitment process still followed the old traditions: filling out forms, that is, personal resumes, then receiving a number plate, and taking turns entering the interview room according to the number plate.
Ji You received number plate 366. It would be a little while before her turn, so she sat in the interview hall and mentally rehearsed the questions the interviewer might ask.
For example:
Can you introduce yourself?
What do you know about our mall?
Why do you want to work at the mall?
...
Questions like these, Ji You had simulated them all and thought about how to answer them.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice the time passing, and suddenly the robot called out her number, 366. Ji You quickly stood up, tidied up her attire and makeup, and hurriedly knocked on the door to enter.
Ji You had anticipated many questions, prepared numerous answers, and braced herself for the worst. However, as soon as she stepped into the interview room and saw the three interviewers seated before her, even before she had time to get nervous, she heard a middle-aged man across from her ask, "What is your Spiritual Level?"
Ji You was startled, but responded calmly: "Hello, the position I'm interviewing for is a warehouse keeper—" she had heard that this position didn't place much emphasis on spiritual power or Physical Strength, which was why she decided to give it a try.
The man said impatiently, "Tell me your Spiritual Level."
Ji You knew this was bad, but she couldn't lie about it, so she answered honestly, "Level F. But I'm very diligent—"
The man interrupted her, continuing to ask, "What is your Physical Strength Level?"
Ji You managed a bitter smile and said, "Level E. I'm quite strong..."
However—
As soon as she said this, the faces of the three interviewers across turned somewhat grim. The middle-aged man, maintaining basic courtesy, said, "I'm sorry, Miss Ji You, you do not meet our mall's requirements. Please leave."
Ji You tightly pursed her lips, struggling to control herself, to keep from showing a crestfallen expression.
Evidently—
She had misjudged again. Countless failed interview experiences had already taught Ji You that in the interstellar era, even a janitor had requirements for Physical Strength and spiritual power, and with her useless physical constitution, no company would hire her.
Seeing Ji You looking very downcast yet trying hard to hold back, her pretense of strength was a pitiable sight. One of the female interviewers felt somewhat sympathetic and advised her, "Although our store only recruits regular clerks, both Physical Strength and Spiritual Level need to be at least Level D. Given Miss Ji You's situation, you are not suited for this job. I suggest you look for a job on the Star Network that has lower requirements for Physical Strength and spiritual power, like a Star Network laborer—that would be a very good choice."