章 21: Chapter 21 Finding a Job is Really Damn Hard
The tester continued speaking as he entered the data into the computer.
"What I'm registering here is your total volume, but when you look for work, remember to deduct the space you use for yourself."
"Okay, thank you for the reminder."
"Do you have a cell phone? The kind that can go online? You can register for an Awakener account on your phone right now, and as soon as I'm finished here, you'll be able to see your data on your personal dashboard."
Ye Nai quickly registered and logged in with her real name on the official Awakener Center website, automatically locating to East Ridge City. When the tester said it was ready, she refreshed the page and indeed saw the data.
"Do you see the personal data page? Scroll down, there's an option to generate a personal card. Create one, and you can hang it up when looking for work."
"Wow, I can even fill in how much available volume I want when generating it."
"Right, so the card is quite convenient, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. Thank you."
"You've had a delayed Awakening and missed the general education for Awakeners that was provided during the mass Awakening. Go back to the homepage of the official website, there is an online course section. Study it well."
"Thank you, I really need this."
If he hadn't specifically reminded her, Ye Nai would not have even noticed the entrance to the online courses on the page; what normally appeared fine on a computer screen didn't work so well on the small screen of her student device.
"Your phone's screen is too small and a student model is inconvenient. If you can afford it, you might want to buy a computer, or at least a larger screen smartphone."
"I don't know how to use a computer. Is there a beginner's training class available?"
"There is. In the city, there's a vocational training class that includes a two-week rapid computer basics course. It covers turning the computer on and off, input methods, basic office software, and guarantees that you'll learn what you need to know. Once you got the basics, there's the online course center for everything else. It's literally called that and is run by the government to equalize uneven educational resources across the country."
"Everything is available in the online courses?"
"Yes, from elementary to university level, as well as professional trainings at various levels—there's everything."
The tester glanced at Ye Nai's faded school uniform, easily deducing that she definitely came from an Ordinary family with scarce resources.
"I see. I had never heard about this before. The school never mentioned anything about online courses."
"That's typical. There's a gap between ordinary people and Awakeners; only if you enter the circle will you be aware of it. The online courses are even simpler. Families willing to spend money would have enrolled already; those unwilling wouldn't attend even if the schools reminded them. Worse, some parents might even complain that the schools are not teaching properly and encourage their kids to make a fuss about getting a computer to go online."
Ye Nai fell silent. That would definitely be the case in her home—her parents would complain about the cost of going online on her phone even for just checking the weather forecast, yet they would browse videos themselves as if the internet were free.
The tester finished typing on the computer, and the printer next to him began printing a triplicate form—one to keep and two for Ye Nai.
"All set. Head down to the first floor service desk to collect your badge and registration money."
"Thank you."
Ye Nai returned to the first floor and approached the service desk, presenting her ID card once again. Since she had registered with real name verification, the clerk could find her by her ID number, directly deposited the 2000 silver coins of registration money into her Awakener account, and then handed her a jewelry box containing an Awakening Badge the size of a silver coin.
She put the jewelry box into her Space and set off for the talent market.
Leaving home for a graduation certificate but not returning for half a day, one had to have an explanation ready.
In the job market, there are public touchscreens available for searching job listings. There's plenty of day labor, but purely physical jobs are limited to men, while positions like waitressing and domestic service available to women all require certifications or proof of vocational training.
Ye Nai didn't have any certifications, so she turned her search to agricultural jobs. There were several pages of job ads, all without exception requiring some kind of professional certificate in agriculture; that is, one would need at least three years of vocational training in an agricultural college to get a certificate. Whether for planting or breeding, certifications were necessary. After all, agricultural land was scarce, and how could someone with no understanding, a complete novice, be let loose on the land or improperly feed livestock?
She not only meticulously checked the job postings but also took pictures with her phone before heading home to make lunch.
Her younger siblings were on summer vacation, and since it was too hot to go outside, they were turning the house upside down. The living room, which had been tidy and clean before Ye Nai left in the morning, looked like it had been ransacked by the time she returned. Her foldable metal bed had been set up in the middle of the living room, the storage boxes for clothes and miscellaneous items moved to the balcony with their lids nowhere to be found, and the broom, dustpan, and mop were lying in three different spots in the living room.
"What's this all about? Are you staging a rebellion at home? Dad, weren't you keeping an eye on things?"
"No, Sister, it's because grandparents want to move in. We spent all morning thinking about how to arrange the living room," her older brother said excitedly, while her second brother and little sister were very happy about the grandparents' impending visit.
"Why do they need to move in?"
"Big Cousin is getting married, and Uncle's family needs to renovate their place, so they said grandparents would stay here for three months."
"Where are they going to sleep? In the living room?"
Ye Nai immediately felt a sense of foreboding. If the two elderly were to sleep in the living room, where would she sleep? In the kitchen?
Hey? Isn't this the perfect excuse to run away from home?
"Dad, the grandparents are moving in, and you're letting them sleep in the living room?"
Her dad, Ye Yu, who had been silent since she walked in, couldn't remain mute when confronted directly by his daughter.
"If they come over, someone has to sleep in the living room."
"Oh, so that means you and Mom will be sleeping in the living room," Ye Nai nodded immediately, "Does Mom know? Did she agree?"
"They are your grandparents, my own parents—what's it got to do with your mother?"
Ye Nai laughed out of frustration, "Mom also contributed money for the down payment and the mortgage on this house. Dad, you've really got some nerve to say it's none of her business. What if she brought over my maternal grandparents, how would you handle that?"
"Whose side are you on? You're a Ye, do you understand that?"
"I'm of legal age now; I could change to my mother's surname, or even to some other last name, in minutes. Besides, the surname 'Ye' isn't exclusive to our family. There have been many notable figures in history with that surname, including recent celebrities in politics, business, military, and science from all walks of life. Grandfather himself said that our branch of the Ye family can't claim connection to any of them."
Her father, Ye Yu, was so angry that he jumped to his feet, but his effort was in vain as his legs were still weak and he couldn't walk without a cane.
Ye Nai didn't bother to argue with her father anymore. It was her parents' business to squabble over the grandparents' temporary stay, not something for her, a grandchild, to be concerned with. What mattered was planning her own escape while the opportunity presented itself.
Turning around, Ye Nai began giving orders to her younger siblings.
"I'm going to cook noodles. Get the living room back to how it was, and if I come out after cooking to see it's still in this state, don't blame me for hitting you."
The younger siblings hurried to tidy up.
After cooking the noodles, Ye Nai prepared cold dressed noodles for the whole family. She had no desire to cook with fire and fry anything; just standing in the kitchen doing nothing was enough to soak her clothes with sweat.
After tidying up from the meal, Ye Nai stepped into the bathroom, estimating that it was still her mother's nap time. She pulled out her phone and made a call.
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