Volume One, Chapter Two: The Interview Trap

Have you ever experienced this suffocating feeling?

There were only 1,280.35 yuan left in his bank account, yet the end-of-month bills loomed like a monstrous beast, pressing heavily on his chest:

Rent: 3,000 yuan
Utilities: 200 yuan
Food expenses: 1,000 yuan
Credit card bill: Overdue warning

Even a simple cold could make life unbearably difficult in this city.

Beijing’s summer was stifling and irritable. Inside the crowded Line 6 subway, the noisy bustle felt like an invisible hand stirring Li Yang’s restless thoughts. He stared at his phone screen, endlessly scrolling through job listings.

Customer service, sales, e-commerce operations... all low-paying jobs offering only four or five thousand yuan!

He was at his breaking point.

“Li Yang, you didn’t meet this month’s KPI again.” The supervisor’s sarcastic tone from yesterday still echoed in his ears. “At this rate, you might not be suited for this position...”

His fists clenched slightly.

“What exactly am I suited for?”

Two years after graduation, he had changed jobs three times—from customer service to course consultant at an education agency, then to e-commerce operations—yet his salary stubbornly hovered between four and five thousand yuan. He had worked hard, struggled, but the city seemed like a cold meat grinder, slowly crushing him without leaving any room to fight back.

What made it worse was his father’s recent diagnosis of emphysema, requiring long-term treatment, while his mother earned a meager three thousand yuan working at a textile factory, barely covering household expenses.

“Son, how’s work going lately?”

“Pretty good, Mom.”

But he was lying; he was barely holding on himself.

Just then, his phone vibrated, and a job posting popped up.

High-paying Network Marketing Specialist wanted
Monthly salary: 15,000–30,000 yuan, with full social insurance and housing fund, meals and accommodation included
Location: Yunnan / Myanmar border
Requirements: Associate degree or above, computer proficiency

A starting salary of 15,000 yuan, up to 30,000!

Li Yang’s breath caught sharply.

That figure was like a bait suddenly thrust into the throat of a trapped beast, instinctively drawing him in to bite down hard.

He tapped into the details—

A cross-border e-commerce group, focused on the Southeast Asian market, with annual revenue exceeding one billion yuan. The official website looked quite legitimate, featuring employee welfare photos and a modern office environment; everything seemed seamless.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally clicked “Submit Resume.”

This might be his last chance.

Less than half an hour later, his phone rang.

“Hello, Mr. Li, this is Amy from XX Human Resources Company.” The voice was gentle and friendly. “I just saw your resume and am quite interested in your background. Are you available this afternoon for an in-person interview?”

“This afternoon?” Li Yang was surprised. Were companies really this efficient nowadays?

“Yes, we’re urgently hiring and want to finalize suitable candidates as soon as possible.” Amy explained. “If you’re available, you can come for an interview at 2 p.m. at our office in Wangjing XX Plaza, Building B...”

Li Yang glanced at his watch. He had nothing planned for the afternoon, so why not go see?

“All right, I’ll be there.”

After hanging up, Li Yang checked the location on the map. Wangjing was a high-tech park in Beijing, home to many renowned internet companies. This gave him some reassurance.

At 1:50 p.m., Li Yang stood before an office building. The exterior was grand and modern, with suited white-collar workers coming and going at the entrance.

The receptionist politely escorted him to the 15th floor. The office was impressively decorated, with floor-to-ceiling glass and greenery everywhere, showing no signs of trouble.

“Mr. Li, please wait here,” the receptionist said, leading him to a conference room.

The room was spacious and bright, with several bottles of mineral water on the table. Li Yang glanced around; the walls were adorned with various honor certificates and business licenses, all appearing legitimate.

After a few minutes, a middle-aged man in a suit entered.

“Hello, I’m David, the HR manager.” He extended his hand. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Li Yang quickly shook his hand. David looked to be in his early forties, composed, speaking with the confidence of a successful professional.

“I reviewed your resume and think you’re a great fit for our company.” David opened a folder. “You have experience in cross-border e-commerce, exactly what we need.”

The interview proceeded smoothly. David detailed the company’s business and growth prospects, which sounded very appealing.

“We are expanding rapidly in the Southeast Asian market,” David said. “Therefore, we are willing to offer young talent better compensation and development opportunities.”

“But... why is the salary so high?” Li Yang couldn’t help but voice his doubt.

David smiled. “Good question. First, because it’s an overseas position, the pay is naturally better than domestic roles. Second, we use a high-salary system to attract and retain top talent. With performance bonuses included, earning 30,000 a month is entirely feasible.”

It sounded plausible, but Li Yang still hesitated. “Working in Myanmar... is it safe?”

“Don’t worry,” David assured him. “Our facility is in a border economic zone with robust security. There are also complete amenities, including a free gym and swimming pool. If you’re willing, you can start as early as tomorrow.”

Li Yang’s heart raced. The thought of a 15,000 yuan base salary every month made his doubts seem less important.

Maybe this was the chance to change his fate?

“I...” He took a deep breath. “I’m willing to give it a try.”

“Great!” David smiled with satisfaction and pulled out a contract. “Let’s sign it now.”

Li Yang carefully examined the contract. Salary, benefits, social insurance, leave policies—all clearly stated. The only thing that made him uneasy was that the company name differed slightly from what he saw online.

“Oh, that’s because we have multiple subsidiaries,” David explained. “It’s for easier management. Rest assured, all are properly registered.”

Li Yang nodded and signed his name.

“Tomorrow at 9 a.m., we’ll arrange a car to pick you up here and take you to the airport,” David said. “Remember to bring your ID and passport. By the way, your phone will be collected during the trip—that’s company policy. Once you arrive, you’ll be issued a new phone. We appreciate your understanding.”

Though the rule seemed odd, Li Yang reasoned it might be due to strict security for a cross-border company.

“All right, I understand.”

As he left the office building, the setting sun cast golden light on the glass facade. Li Yang gazed at the shimmering tower, filled with hope.

He had no idea that the contract he just signed was a pact leading straight to hell. That seemingly glamorous office was nothing but a carefully laid trap. The polite David was, in fact, a “hunter” preying on young people.

Back at his rented room, Li Yang’s mother called anxiously.

“Son, this all happened too suddenly,” her worried voice came through the phone. “You haven’t even met them in person. How can you decide to go abroad so quickly?”

“Mom, I’ve checked—it’s a legitimate company,” Li Yang suppressed his unease. “They’ve arranged accommodation, and many colleagues have already gone to work there.”

“Then wait a bit longer and let your father and I discuss it...”

“No need.” Li Yang cut her off. “I’m 25 now. I can’t keep relying on you. This opportunity is rare, and I want to try.”

After hanging up, Li Yang looked at his worn reflection in the mirror. He knew his parents were right—everything had happened too fast. But the crushing pressure of reality left no room for retreat: rent to pay, overdue credit card bills, a job that could be lost at any moment... he had truly had enough.

Opening his wardrobe, Li Yang began packing. A few changes of clothes, common medicines, chargers... all fit into half a suitcase.

Suddenly, his fingers touched a photo frame. It was last year’s Spring Festival family portrait: his father’s stooped back standing at the back, his mother’s kind smile, his sister’s joy at being admitted to graduate school...

A wave of bitterness welled up inside. How could he not understand his parents’ worries? But it was precisely to give them a better life that he had to seize this chance.

A notification sounded on his phone: “Mr. Li, please gather at Wangjing SOHO at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Don’t forget to bring your documents. Looking forward to working with you!”

Li Yang took a deep breath and replied, “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

After finishing his packing, he lay in bed but couldn’t fall asleep. Thoughts raced through his mind: Was the job too good to be true? Why was there such urgency to start? What if something went wrong?

But every time doubt surfaced, the harsh reality crushed it: the landlord was demanding next month’s rent, the credit card was overdue, and his job was on the line...

“It’ll be fine,” he told himself. “If it doesn’t work out, I’ll come back.”

Outside the window, the night sky over Beijing slowly faded. Li Yang watched as the first pale light of dawn appeared, his heart filled with uncertainty about the future…