At noon, Jane found herself at a restaurant, one that had recently opened in the area. It was the same place where she and her ex-boyfriend, Noah, used to dine frequently, ordering the same dishes every time. The echo of Noahs voice urging her to "eat more" seemed to haunt her, causing her to order the familiar dish of braised chicken with rice and a bottle of cola without a second thought.
"Excuse me, what can I get for you?" the waiter asked with a smile.
"Braised chicken with rice, and a bottle of cola, please," Jane replied, her mind elsewhere.
The waiter acknowledged her order and went to prepare it. The restaurant was bustling with the lunch crowd, filled with employees from the surrounding offices. Jane, a financial professional, was determined to enhance her career by obtaining her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification, the most prestigious credential in her field.
She had already purchased the necessary CPA study materials and enrolled in online courses from a reputable provider. Lately, she had been too busy to keep up with her studies, but today, she seized the opportunity to catch up on a lecture by Zhang Zhifeng, a renowned accounting educator.
"Hello there," he said, his demeanor refined and his appearance striking.
Jane looked up from her studies, sizing him up. He was dressed in a sharp suit that exuded an air of success and charm.
"Hello," Jane responded, standing up and returning the courtesy. "How may I assist you?"
"Are you studying for the CPA exam?" the man inquired, nodding at her open textbook.
"Yes, I am," Jane confirmed, slightly embarrassed that her video lecture might have been a disturbance. "I apologize if my studying is bothersome. I forgot my headphones today."
"Not at all," the man assured her with a smile. "I couldnt help but notice your dedication. Im actually in the market for a new accountant for my company. Would you be interested in discussing the position?"
The man introduced himself as Logan Echolls and handed her his business card. Janes heart leaped with excitement. "Really? Thats serendipitous because Im currently looking for a job."
Logans company, Evergreen Group, was a thriving enterprise with a market value in the hundreds of millions and boasted excellent employee benefits. Their conversation flowed smoothly, covering topics from Janes education at a prestigious finance and economics university to her aspirations for her career.
Logan was impressed by Janes passion for her alma mater and her commitment to professional development. He could see that she was not only a perfect fit for the position but also someone he could potentially see himself getting closer to.
After a half-hour discussion, Logan extended an offer. "How about we move forward with this? I have a good feeling about you, and Im confident youll do great. We can discuss a pay raise once youve settled in."
"Thank you, Mr. Echolls," Jane expressed her gratitude, feeling a sense of relief and excitement about this unexpected turn of events.
That afternoon, Logan took Jane through the onboarding process at Evergreen Group. He instructed the financial controller to show Jane around and help her get acquainted with the companys environment and procedures.
The financial controller enthusiastically introduced Jane to her new colleagues in the accounting department. "Everyone, we have a new addition to our team today. Jane, would you please say a few words about yourself?"
Jane stepped forward with a warm smile and introduced herself to the team, expressing her eagerness to learn and contribute. To foster goodwill, she treated everyone to drinks, understanding the importance of building positive relationships with her new colleagues.
Later that evening, after a heavy rain, the air was thick with humidity. Jane sat at her desk, diligently studying for her CPA exam. Her concentration was unwavering as she listened to the lecture and practiced creating accounting entries, a process that required patience and focus.
Edward, who had been working from home that day, respected her dedication and did not disturb her. At 5 oclock sharp, he was expecting a visit from an old friend, Harry Burns.
The two had known each other since high school, where their friendship had been forged over shared experiences and mutual support. Harry, now a successful writer, had faced his own struggles in the publishing world but had eventually found his footing.
"Long time no see, old friend," Harry greeted Edward with a warm embrace, noting the changes that time had brought to them both.
Their conversation meandered through memories of their school days and updates on their current lives. Harry, now a father, spoke fondly of his child, and Edward, though not yet a father, found himself envious of the joy and fulfillment Harry seemed to find in parenthood.
As the evening progressed, Edwards thoughts kept returning to Jane and the future he hoped they might build together. For now, he contented himself with the warmth of old friendships and the promise of new beginnings.