Homo Sapiens

The Black Ship was forced to shift its attention to South America’s Silver Triangle Region.

Things in Luzon, meanwhile, settled down for the time being.

But Homo Sapiens Company was quietly accelerating its development of various weapons. After this clandestine clash, the company’s management knew with absolute certainty that America would be back, and that their methods would be even more aggressive and ruthless.

Li Qingye also took what time he could to bolster Homo Sapiens Company’s weapons R&D.

Projects currently underway—including nuclear weapons, the Typhoon-series loitering munitions, large-scale drones, launch vehicles, and strategic submarines—were all being fast-tracked.

In this world, it’s best not to expect any kind of moral high ground. People will only listen to reason when you’re the one holding the big stick.

...

October 12, Year ’20.

A city in the north.

Yellow autumn leaves blanketed the walkway.

Wang Haoran sat nervously on a bench, surrounded by other young job seekers. He had graduated from university this year, and after hearing a research institute was hiring, he’d submitted his resume.

"Next..."

At the sound of the interviewer’s voice, Wang Haoran immediately stood and went inside.

Several interviewers reviewed his resume and asked him some questions about his major and professional experience. This went on until a middle-aged, bespectacled interviewer began his questioning.

"Where are you from?"

Though a little confused, Wang Haoran answered truthfully. "I’m from Jin City."

The middle-aged interviewer adjusted his glasses. "Do your parents support you working in another city?"

"They do!"

"Is your family wealthy?"

’Huh?’ Wang Haoran grew even more confused. Still, he managed a polite reply. "No, not really."

A flicker of resignation and world-weariness crossed the interviewer’s eyes. Then, as if remembering something, he suppressed an impulse and said flatly:

"Well, let me tell you this: the salary at the institute is decent. Work hard! The good times will keep getting better..."

The interviewer, who seemed to be in a foul mood, took a deep breath and added calmly, "We can get you a household registration as soon as you start. You need to seize this chance. An opportunity like this won’t come around again."

Wang Haoran was suddenly speechless. After taking a moment to compose himself, a few impolite questions came to mind, but he ultimately suppressed his doubts and kept them to himself.

"I’ve been working for over twenty years. I’m about your parents’ age." The interviewer paused. "Your generation is different from ours. Work hard. As for what to choose... that’s for you to consider carefully."

"Thank you. I’ll consider it carefully." Wang Haoran left, his spirits low.

Watching Wang Haoran’s slumped figure retreat, another interviewer shook his head. "Zhang, what you just said..."

"Let’s see if he figures it out on his own. I’ve done all I can." The middle-aged interviewer was clearly in a sour mood as well.

After leaving the recruitment event, Wang Haoran wandered the streets, feeling utterly dejected. He thought of his parents, still working as farmers back home, and then looked up at the towering skyscrapers all around him.

For the first time, he truly registered the city’s prosperity, but it felt alien and distant. He was nothing more than a transient visitor, just passing through.

He bought a Coke and chugged it down, the chill seeping into his core. Four years of university, and for what? Faced with this reality, he felt an overwhelming urge to burst into tears.

Leaning back on a park bench, he stared listlessly at the sky, muttering to himself, "Heh... After all these years of studying my ass off, what am I supposed to choose?..."

Suddenly, he remembered a job ad a college classmate had sent him a few days ago.

Opening WeChat on his phone, Wang Haoran quickly found the ad. But when he saw the address, he felt a surge of conflict.

Just a few days ago, he’d scoffed at this very ad. Now, he had no choice but to seriously consider it. How humiliating.

’Whatever. I’ll just send in my resume and see what happens.’

At two in the afternoon, while still in his rented apartment sending out resumes online, Wang Haoran suddenly received an email.

*Hello, Mr. Wang! Your resume has passed our initial screening and meets our company’s hiring requirements. Please come to our office for an interview today between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The address is...*

After checking a map app, Wang Haoran saw that their office wasn’t far away. He quickly straightened himself up, grabbed his resume, and headed straight there.

Half an hour later, Wang Haoran stepped out of a taxi and saw the sign for the Qingye Group (Beiping Branch) just ahead.

Right next door to the company’s office was the Hongsawaddy embassy.

He pushed open the main door.

"Welcome! Sir, are you here for an interview?" the young woman at the front desk asked warmly.

"Yes, I am," Wang Haoran replied, a little taken aback. It was the first time he’d ever been greeted so warmly by a receptionist during the hiring process.

The receptionist smiled brightly. "Interviews are on the second floor. There are staff members there to assist you."

"Thank you."

He went up to the second floor.

He saw quite a few other applicants there. A staff member led him to an office with a sign that read "Qingye Aviation."

There were seven other people in the Qingye Aviation office, all waiting to be interviewed just like him.

Before long, it was Wang Haoran’s turn.

After the three interviewers reviewed his resume, a stern-faced young man began peppering him with highly technical questions. Wang Haoran struggled to keep up.

But it also made Wang Haoran realize that this company had real talent and capabilities in the aerospace sector. Otherwise, there was no way they could have such an insider’s grasp on so many complex issues.

"Not bad. Mr. Wang’s professional expertise meets our initial requirements."

After the stern young interviewer made his assessment, a female interviewer took over, asking with a warm smile,

"Mr. Wang, have you ever considered immigrating?"

’Huh? Was it just one of those days?’ Wang Haoran wondered. ’Why do I keep running into such bizarre interviewers and questions?’

Still, he shook his head. "No, I haven’t."

"You haven’t considered it? Our company offers two types of contracts: a special-term contract and an internal contract. The compensation packages are different. The package you saw in the ad was for the special-term contract."

’What?’ Wang Haoran was completely thrown.

But the female interviewer simply pulled out a document. "This is the internal contract. You can look it over. If you can’t make a decision right now, your application will remain open as long as you get back to us within three days."

Wang Haoran took the internal contract and began to look through it.

The very first section of the contract stated in no uncertain terms: *Signatories of this contract are limited to citizens holding Hongsawaddy nationality...* In other words, to sign this contract, he would have to immigrate to Hongsawaddy.

As he read on, Wang Haoran was quickly captivated by the various benefits.

The compensation included a base salary of 15,000 Jin-yuan, triple pay for overtime, and subsidies for housing, transportation, high-temperature work, travel, meals, education, and medical care.

Additional benefits included provisions for children’s education, parental pensions, discounted medical care for immediate family, and employee discounts.

Basically, it was a cradle-to-grave benefits package.

Of course, such an incredible package came at a steep price.

The requirements included family immigration, non-compete clauses, travel restrictions, confidentiality agreements, and regular technical and performance reviews.

Once signed, the internal contract meant that even if he decided to quit his job with Qingye Group, he would still be required to remain in Hongsawaddy for twenty years. That part was non-negotiable.

These demands threw Wang Haoran into a state of turmoil.

The benefits were undeniably amazing. A starting salary of 15,000 Jin-yuan, plus overtime and all the other perks... it would be hard to find a job like this even in America.

But the requirements were just as outrageous. It was tantamount to gambling with his entire family’s future.

All seven applicants were torn, sitting in their chairs, lost in thought.

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