Chapter 97: Starting Today as a Security Guard

Standing before the mirror, Shi Tiexin looked left and right, immensely satisfied.

Gazing at the handsome young man reflected back, this is my true self! Confident, radiant, full of youthful vigor. Raising my face slightly to catch more light—doesn’t that immediately reveal a strong brow, bright eyes, and an aura of uprightness?

Though tall and broad-shouldered, my face hasn’t been distorted by size. Smiling broadly—yes, my facial muscles are flexible enough to form all kinds of warm and friendly expressions, making people see me as a robust, dashing young man.

Doesn’t it just scream heroic, steady, and reliable at first glance?

This is how I ought to look.

Looking back, when I first inhabited the Stone of the Top Scholar, it was terrifying. Always scowling, my face never caught much light, shadow clung beneath my hairline, making me look downright horrifying. Not to mention others, I once almost startled myself when I caught my reflection.

I remember that deep night, returning from studying, passing by the restroom. Unconsciously glancing into the mirror—I thought, “Damn! Who is this iron-faced monster?” And I blinked at it? That blink was even more frightening than before. Could this be the legendary campus restroom ghost story?

This fierce aura, this murderous energy, this menacing presence—this, this, this!

Wait—this looks like me...

Holy crap, I nearly scared myself!

But I can’t be blamed. With a face like this, even an iron spirit would shudder at first sight.

And then again.

Maybe if I kept looking, I’d keep trembling...

But now, Shi Tiexin twisted his face into a smile. Yes, finally, there was no longer the feeling of a beast baring its fangs, ready to kill and tear apart.

I’ve discovered it!

Facing the mirror, Shi Tiexin finally understood the secret to going from terrifying to handsome in just one second. The key lies in lighting! The more light shines on your face, the brighter and more open it looks, revealing strong brows, bright eyes, and an upright spirit. With less light, in the darkness and shadows, you look like the King of Hell, frightening ghosts themselves.

Try it—lower your head and add some shadows—hmm, already starting to look scary.

Still missing something... face straightens!—whoa, spine-chilling!

Alright, from now on, I’ll just be a handsome guy basking in the sunlight.

After tidying himself, Shi Tiexin spotted a bald head.

“Good image, just like this. Let’s go early—better early than late,” said Sitou Baldy, patting Shi Tiexin’s shoulder repeatedly with earnest advice. “Remember, one shot to fame, one shot to fame!”

“Okay.” Shi Tiexin nodded vigorously, setting his expression to heroic mode and marched out of the Orphanage’s gate with a proud and spirited stride.

Without Sitou Baldy saying more, Shi Tiexin was already fully motivated.

Work, earn money, pay debts!

Practice calligraphy, break through, cultivate!

Right, if the security company could take a special liking to my handsome face and offer me some perks or a better position, that would be perfect.

Would that happen? Maybe, good things always happen. Perhaps Captain Chen is the door Sitou Baldy prepared and might take care of me a bit.

With these thoughts, Shi Tiexin jogged forward.

The food here replenished energy and tasted decent, but was weak in nourishment. Shi Tiexin didn’t know why, but after a full meal, he still had the strength for a long walk.

Though Muyuan District was not prosperous, it was still part of Space City with fairly large residential areas. Shi Tiexin knew about Bear Security Company. Since he started seeking work outside, he’d been trying to find a job in Muyuan District and had been eyeing Bear Security’s grand building with some envy.

Before long, Shi Tiexin arrived at the building’s entrance, only to be stopped by a security guard with intimidating shoulder epaulets.

“What do you want?”

“I’m here to see your Captain Chen.”

Perhaps from spending too long at the Top Scholar Stone, Shi Tiexin hadn’t adjusted fully, unconsciously exuding a big brother’s imposing aura. The guard dared not underestimate him and politely replied, “He’s here now. Please wait in the lobby; I’ll call him down.”

Sitting in the lobby, Shi Tiexin was struck by the excellent service. The front desk girl was pretty, smiling gently and sweetly, and even courteously brought him a glass of water!

This was the first time on his job-seeking journey he encountered such kindness. Before, it was all cold sneers or disdainful glances. Bear Security really lived up to being a big company, treating walk-in applicants so politely.

Of course, it might also be because the receptionist didn’t know his background and mistook him for a business client.

Soon, Captain Chen appeared.

A man in his forties, tall and strong, about half a head shorter than Shi Tiexin, standing over 1.95 meters tall. His skin was quite dark, indicating mixed heritage, but his facial features were basically East Asian. He wore a sleeveless vest, revealing muscular arms with sinewy fibers, looking very powerful.

Captain Chen’s eyes were sharp; he didn’t mistake Shi Tiexin for a client. “You must be the person Sitou Zhennan recommended?”

Shi Tiexin immediately stood up straight and clear-voiced, his tone much improved by his foundational speech training. “Shi Tiexin from the Orphanage reporting for duty!”

“Hm.”

Shi Tiexin’s straightforward style might not have impressed, but at least Captain Chen was not dissatisfied.

That was already quite good.

“Whether Sitou Zhennan explained clearly or not, I’ll say it once and only once,” Captain Chen said with a military demeanor, speaking bluntly: “During the probation period, meals are provided but no accommodation. Work location will be assigned specifically. There are three shifts a day—morning, noon, and night—rotating shifts. Night shifts are mandatory, and no sleeping is allowed during night duty. Any questions?”

Shi Tiexin straightened his chest immediately. “No questions!”

If there were issues, he’d be gone—who would want someone like him? Besides, with his current cultivation of mental skills, he could endure staying up at night far better than before.

“During probation, wages are paid daily—no delays or arrears. But breaking company rules or client policies will result in deductions or even penalties. The rate is ten value points a day. Is that acceptable?”

Ten value points a day, assuming 28 working days a month, totals 280 points monthly.

Compared to nurses at the Central Hospital, that was absolutely noncompetitive.

But nurses are skilled workers, not temps. Every official nurse is formally trained, possessing at least third-level foundational mental skills, each far stronger than Shi Tiexin. For cheap, dispensable labor, ten points a day is quite generous.