Chapter 62: High Salaries Are Not So Easily Earned

The Recruitment and Employment Center at Jiangnan Institute of Technology was already packed to the brim. Graduates who had received the news flocked to the venue, and even many underclassmen joined in, eager to catch a glimpse of Li Fu, the world-renowned scientist, the man who developed a cure for AIDS.

Chen Bin held his résumé in his hand, gazing at the long queue. He thought he had arrived early enough, but it turned out there were many who had beaten him to it.

Meanwhile, Li Fu and his team were overwhelmed by the crowd, busy beyond measure. The Student Union had dispatched extra staff to help maintain order.

Students stood with their phones, snapping photos and recording videos of Li Fu, who kept smiling and nodding cordially at those who had come for the recruitment.

“All applicants, please hand your résumé to me, then proceed to the classroom to await the exam,” called Sun Xiaofang from the Human Resources Department of Fuyun Technology. Dressed professionally and smiling, she already held a stack of résumés and addressed the growing crowd as she collected more.

Despite the lengthy line, the process was swift since it only involved submitting résumés. Before long, Chen Bin handed his over and, guided by a Student Union member, entered a classroom.

Inside, many were already seated, each leaving a seat between themselves and the next, giving the room the feeling of an exam hall. Judging by their relaxed expressions, it was clear most weren’t worried. Such recruitment exams were usually simple, mostly multiple-choice, and with everyone’s phones at hand, answers were easily found. Companies rarely set truly challenging questions for these written tests; it was more a formality.

Yet Chen Bin felt uneasy. Fuyun Technology’s recruitment notice stated clearly that salary and benefits were directly tied to exam performance. He suspected this wouldn’t be a mere formality—they might actually set difficult questions.

After about half an hour of waiting, a Student Union member entered with a thick stack of papers.

“The Fuyun Technology recruitment exam will begin now. You have one hour and may submit your papers early,” announced the proctor, distributing the tests. The atmosphere shifted; the room grew tense.

“Damn, what are these questions? All essay problems, and every one is a tough science question. How am I, a liberal arts student, supposed to do this?”

“These are way too hard! Even the college entrance exam wasn’t as tough!”

As the papers were handed out, voices erupted. Most realized, staring at the ten questions, they couldn’t answer a single one—their science knowledge was long forgotten.

“Hell, is this even an exam? I’m done, not bothering anymore.”

Some cursed and left, turning in blank sheets—the questions were simply too advanced, comparable to the science section of the national college entrance exam.

Others stealthily took photos of the test or searched online for help.

Chen Bin frowned as he read the questions—these were serious, every one a difficult science problem, not something easily solved.

“Phew! Luckily, I studied diligently in college and tutored others often, otherwise I’d be completely lost.”

“No wonder they say the salary is directly tied to the score—the difficulty here means perhaps only a handful out of a hundred could pass.”

Chen Bin reviewed all ten questions, then began answering.

With his solid foundation and consistent effort through university, Chen Bin solved the first six questions smoothly. By question seven, he was scribbling calculations furiously, brow furrowed.

Soon, the hour was up.

“Time’s up—those who haven’t submitted, please do so now,” prompted the proctor, turning a blind eye to those whispering and copying from each other.

“Phew! The last question was just too tough—I could only solve half.”

Chen Bin shook his head and glanced at the time, submitting his paper reluctantly.

“These questions are impossible. Even Baidu didn’t have answers. I only managed the first one.”

“Same here—I turned in a blank sheet. I’ve forgotten all this stuff.”

“Fuyun Technology is really different from other companies.”

Outside the exam room, Chen Bin heard countless complaints—the questions were far too hard for those who had spent their college years playing around.

“Bin, over here!”

A voice caught Chen Bin’s attention—it was his class monitor, Yu Liang.

“How did you do? How many did you answer?”

Yu Liang, who had also taken the test, immediately asked. Chen Bin was famous for his academic prowess, often topping the class.

“I only managed half of the last question—solved the rest. It was really tough.”

“Damn, you’re a genius! How’d you solve nine and a half questions? I only managed seven, and from what I’ve heard, anyone who got four right is already rare. Many just left blanks.”

Yu Liang gave a thumbs-up. Only those who had actually taken the test knew how difficult the questions were.

“Fuyun Technology said treatment and salary are tied to scores. Maybe you’ll land a three hundred thousand yuan annual contract, Bin!”

Yu Liang’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.

“No way, three hundred thousand a year is beyond my imagination!”

Chen Bin shook his head, though a hopeful expectation grew inside him, and he anxiously awaited the results.

All morning, candidates streamed in, batch after batch, most leaving with a blank paper, proof that few had taken their studies seriously.

“Brother Fu, nearly a thousand people took our test this morning, but fewer than fifty answered more than six questions correctly. And that’s not accounting for those whose scores improved due to leaked questions,” reported Sun Xiaofang, holding data for Li Fu.

Sun Xiaofang, still young and a recent graduate from Meijiang County, was quite satisfied with her job close to home.

“Notify them to attend the second round this afternoon, and kick out those who cheated,” Li Fu nodded. He was surprised at the poor results—even at a polytechnic, most had forgotten everything after only a few years.

That afternoon, Chen Bin and Yu Liang returned together to the recruitment center. Most classmates had taken the test in the morning, but only two received notices for the second round. They were anxious, as word had already spread from Fuyun Technology—exam scores were directly tied to future salary, with the company’s promises being absolutely genuine. If someone could answer all the questions, the three hundred thousand yuan annual contract was guaranteed.

Neither had slept during lunch; they grabbed their old textbooks, cramming desperately, hoping it would help, and silently prayed the afternoon’s questions wouldn’t be too difficult.

In a large classroom, fewer than fifty candidates sat scattered. Li Fu, smiling, stood before them with a stack of exam papers.

“Congratulations on passing the first round. Now, we begin the second round. You have one hour. Once again, I promise: answer six questions correctly, you’ll get a hundred thousand yuan annual contract; eight, two hundred thousand; nine or more, three hundred thousand. Good luck!”

Li Fu smiled at the faces before him and signaled Sun Xiaofang to distribute the papers.

These ten questions were entirely different from those in the morning, with each one crafted by Xiao Ying, requiring solid scientific knowledge.

Chen Bin scanned them from start to finish, then began to write. Time ticked by, and Li Fu himself proctored, quickly spotting any suspicious behavior. Though he said nothing, he mentally eliminated those candidates.

After an hour, fewer than fifty papers were collected. With the morning’s strict selection, the quality improved—many candidates showed genuine ability, though some who had cheated their way into the second round were now exposed.

The papers were graded quickly with the help of the Student Union.

“Those whose names I call, please proceed to the next classroom for your interview. If you pass, you’ll receive your offer,” announced Sun Xiaofang, entering with a list. The candidates nervously awaited their fate.

“Chen Bin, you answered all ten questions correctly. If your interview goes smoothly, you’ll receive a three hundred thousand yuan annual offer!”

The moment Sun Xiaofang called his name, Chen Bin jumped up in joy, fists clenched tightly.

“Yes!”

PS: Many thanks for the 600 reward from ‘Perfect Water in the Extreme Void,’ and thanks to ‘Momo Da Xiaoxiao’ and ‘Yuchen Little Cutie’ for their 100 rewards. Please vote for me, I need your support!