Chapter 134: Liu Cheng

The real estate brokerage industry is a game of psychology. Zhang Wei had studied human nature quite well, and after instructing Wenfang to escort the job applicant into the conference room, he remained at his desk, continuing to search for office listings.

Twenty minutes later, Zhang Wei had scoured the entire Fangyou system without finding a single listing that met the client's requirements. It was no wonder Wang Jianfa and his team hadn't found anything either. At least there was that one property for sale to keep the client interested, preventing him from losing faith in Zhongtong Company entirely.

"Brother Wei, the applicant has finished filling out his resume. Would you like to go and interview him now?" Seeing that Zhang Wei was finally free, Wenfang approached him with the resume in hand and asked.

"Sure, I'll go conduct the interview. Hand me the resume." Zhang Wei rubbed his temples, stood up, and replied.

"I'll come with you. After all, he's a salesperson I recruited, and it might be easier for me to facilitate the communication." Wenfang handed the resume to Zhang Wei with both hands, looking at him with an expectant expression.

Zhang Wei could be considered the fastest-promoted store manager at Zhongtong Company. Wenfang had watched him grow from a newcomer into a store manager, yet due to their respective roles and duties, she had never had the chance to witness Zhang Wei handling a deal and was very curious about the extent of his abilities. That was why she had asked to join the interview—she wanted to observe Zhang Wei’s skills and see exactly what kind of talent he possessed to have climbed to the position of store manager in such a short time.

"That saves me the trouble. Let's go." Zhang Wei nodded noncommittally.

"Brother Wei, I'll come along to the interview too! It’s been a long time since we had any newcomers in our shop. If you don't want him, just give him to us!" Liu Ziqi turned around, flashing her little canine teeth as she grinned at Zhang Wei.

"Go away. Why do you have to get involved in everything? You’re acting more like a regional manager than the actual one!" Zhang Wei glared at Liu Ziqi and scolded her with a straight face.

"Stingy! You just like to throw your weight around. Maybe one day I'll replace you as store manager. Let's see how arrogant you are then." Liu Ziqi stuck out her tongue and made a funny face at him.

"Let's go. Don't mind this brat." Seeing Liu Ziqi’s shameless attitude, Zhang Wei couldn't help but sigh at the lively girl. However, Liu Ziqi had a carefree personality and no malicious intent, so Zhang Wei didn't truly hold it against her.

Zhang Wei and Wenfang walked into the conference room one after the other. The applicant stood up with a start, his hands pressed against the seams of his trousers. His back was straight as a ramrod, and his lean, muscular frame looked like a measuring stick from the side.

"Please, make yourself at home." Zhang Wei waved his hands downward and smiled.

The applicant acknowledged him, but he didn't sit down immediately. He waited until both Zhang Wei and Wenfang were seated before returning to his own chair. Zhang Wei appreciated this gesture; regardless of the man's actual ability, at least he showed respect. It was a good first impression to leave before the interview even began.

"Please wait a moment while I look over your resume." Zhang Wei nodded at the applicant and began to scan the document.

A moment later, Zhang Wei looked up, having finished reading. His speed wasn't due to a lack of focus, but rather the sheer simplicity of the resume. Aside from basic information like name, age, and hometown, it listed little more than a low education level and a background as a career soldier. Though he had only read it once, he could essentially recite it from memory.

"Liu Cheng, I see you have quite a long record of military service. After you were discharged, did the state not assign you a job?" Zhang Wei asked.

"No," Liu Cheng replied, his answer extremely concise. He gave the answer directly without any intention of explaining further.

"Do you think you are suited for the real estate brokerage industry?" Zhang Wei asked, staring at him.

Upon hearing the question, Liu Cheng remained silent for a moment before answering with unusual firmness: "I don't think it's about being suited or not. As long as I am willing to work hard, I will surely succeed."

"Then why did you choose to go into real estate?" Zhang Wei asked with curiosity.

"Because my education is low and I don't have any technical skills. If I want to make money, this is the only industry I can choose," Liu Cheng replied.

"This isn't your first time interviewing at a brokerage firm, is it?" Zhang Wei probed.

When Zhang Wei asked this, he didn't know if the man had interviewed elsewhere, but his phrasing was deliberate. It gave the impression that he already knew the answer, forcing the applicant into a corner where one careless slip could reveal the truth—a common trick for probing people.

"Yes... I have interviewed at two other brokerage firms before, but they both felt I wasn't suitable, so they didn't hire me." A strange look appeared on Liu Cheng's face, revealing a faint sense of disappointment.

Liu Cheng had already interviewed at two firms, and both had failed without exception. He knew his military habits were too entrenched to be ideal for real estate sales, but he truly couldn't think of any other industry where he could earn a living.

"You have a very strong desire to make money! That doesn't seem like the style of a retired soldier," Zhang Wei asked, sounding puzzled. Through their conversation, Zhang Wei could tell the man was in it for the money, but if Liu Cheng were truly a greedy person, he wouldn't have been content staying in the military for so long.

"Because my family's financial situation is poor, my girlfriend broke up with me. That's why I want to make money!" A trace of resentment flashed in Liu Cheng’s eyes as he spoke.

"By the sound of it, you want to win her back?" Zhang Wei asked with interest.

"My previous girlfriend and I are no longer in contact. I just don't want the girl I like in the future to leave me for the same reason," Liu Cheng replied truthfully.

"Not bad. I admire your attitude." After offering praise, Zhang Wei shifted the tone: "However, that alone cannot be the condition for your employment."

Based on Zhang Wei's estimation, Liu Cheng had only recently left the military. His military habits were deep-seated, making him appear stiff and awkward in his speech. It might work in other fields, but Zhang Wei felt he was ill-suited for real estate.

"Wenfang, do you have any questions?" Zhang Wei tapped his fingers on the table and turned to Wenfang.

"Oh, I'll ask a couple of questions then." Since Liu Cheng was recruited by her, she hoped he could get the job, if only to prove that her work had value.

"Do you have any strengths or special skills?" Wenfang thought that if she wanted Zhang Wei to accept him, she had to highlight the applicant's capabilities.

Liu Cheng frowned at her question, pondered for a moment, then puffed out his chest and said, "My combat skills are very strong. I once won the silver medal in the military district's martial arts tournament."

"Brother Wei, we don't have any more questions."

Hearing these answers, Wenfang also felt that the man was not cut out for real estate. Strong combat skills had absolutely nothing to do with being a broker.

"Liu Cheng, if you really were a silver medalist in the military district's tournament, you shouldn't have been reduced to the point of struggling to find work, should you?"

Zhang Wei, however, had suddenly become interested. If Liu Cheng were just an ordinary soldier, based on his previous performance, Zhang Wei might not have hired him. But someone who could become a silver medalist in a military district tournament was no ordinary soldier.

"I disobeyed an order from my superior and was dishonorably discharged," Liu Cheng said, a look of pain crossing his face as he spoke in a low voice.

As Liu Cheng answered, a sharp glint flashed in Zhang Wei's eyes. He thought for a moment and said, "Liu Cheng, your profile isn't exactly suitable for real estate..."

Upon hearing this, a look of disappointment crossed Liu Cheng’s eyes. He had served in the military for so long and truly lacked other skills or education. He felt this job hunt would likely end in failure, just like the previous two.

"However, I appreciate your refusal to give up, so I have decided to recommend you for employment at the company," Zhang Wei said, suddenly changing his tone mid-sentence.

"What?" Wenfang thought she had misheard and asked in surprise: "Brother Wei, you said you want to recommend Liu Cheng for employment?"

"Yes, do you have a problem with that?" Zhang Wei asked, looking at Wenfang with an enigmatic smile.

"Ah... no." Wenfang was stunned for a moment, then shook her head. For the hiring of ordinary salespeople, the store manager usually made the decision, and she, as an assistant, had little say. Still, she couldn't figure it out. Liu Cheng clearly wasn't suited for real estate, yet Zhang Wei had agreed to hire him. She thought for a moment, *Could it be because he has so few people under him that he just needs someone to run errands and help out?*

"Manager, are you really going to hire me?" A look of joy appeared on Liu Cheng's face.

"Yes." Zhang Wei extended his right hand to shake Liu Cheng's. "Let me formally introduce myself. I am Zhang Wei, the store manager of the Yayuan branch's first group. Welcome to our team."

"Thank you, Manager Zhang! I will definitely work hard and will never let you down." Liu Cheng shook Zhang Wei's hand with both of his, looking immensely grateful. His savings were nearly gone; if he couldn't find work, he would likely end up sleeping on the streets.

Given Liu Cheng's background, becoming a security guard would have been easy, but the income was less than two thousand yuan a month. After covering food, clothing, and housing, there would be almost nothing left. That was why he had chosen the real estate industry, an field filled with both opportunities and challenges.

"You're welcome."

Zhang Wei had two reasons for hiring Liu Cheng. The first was that he was indeed short on staff. The second was that he valued Liu Cheng's combat skills. Disputes were inevitable in the real estate business; having a "super enforcer" stationed in the shop provided an extra layer of security.

Zhang Wei naturally wouldn't tell anyone else about this line of thinking. After all, he was essentially using the company's payroll to hire himself a free bodyguard. At the very least, he wouldn't have to worry about being ambushed by Wang Zhen again in the future!