Come on, What Kind of CEO Chases His Roommate Back to the Country? - Chapter 23

A week of back-to-back interviews had left Pei Song utterly exhausted.

Sitting in a café, he scrolled through his interview records on his phone. The first company was the largest restaurant chain in the area. When the HR manager heard that he had previously run a Michelin-level restaurant in Country D, their eyes lit up.

But when they got to discussing the actual job responsibilities, Pei Song hesitated.

“We’d like you to be the restaurant’s brand ambassador,” the HR manager said enthusiastically. “With your background as a food blogger and your overseas education, you’re the perfect fit for our image.”

“What exactly would I be doing?” Pei Song asked.

“Mainly attending events, filming promotional videos, and promoting our new products on social media. Of course, occasionally, you’d also need to attend important client dinners…”

After the interview, Pei Song stood at the entrance of the building, staring at the offer in his hands.

The salary was certainly tempting, but he knew this wasn’t what he wanted. He didn’t want to be a mere “face” for the company, he wanted to be truly involved in restaurant management and operations.

Crushing the offer into a ball, he tossed it into the trash can.

The second company was an investment firm, drawn to his finance background. The interviewer was particularly interested in his resume, especially his thesis.

“Your derivative pricing model is quite innovative,” the interviewer said. “Our investment department could really use someone like you.”

However, when they discussed the job details, Pei Song realized that the position requires frequent travel and possibly a long-term overseas assignment.

Thinking about his mother’s current health condition, he regretfully said he needed more time to consider.

As he left the office building, he received a message from Shi Yancheng, “How was the interview?”

“Not a good fit.” Pei Song replied briefly.

The third company was a major hotel group offering a management trainee program.

This interview was at least related to restaurant management, but the training process required starting from the bottom.

“Given your background, we can shorten your rotation period,” the HR manager said. “But you’ll still need to start with front desk and housekeeping.”

Pei Song stared at the offer in his hands, lost in thought. It wasn’t exactly what he had hoped for, but at least it would give him exposure to different aspects of hotel management.

Looking at the salary, it was… acceptable.

“At least it’s an opportunity,” he muttered to himself. “Better than nothing.”

Across from him, Shi Yancheng looked up. “Thinking of accepting it?”

“Yeah.” Pei Song forced a smile. “At least it’s a starting point.”

Shi Yancheng put down his documents, his gaze sharp. “So you’re just settling because you couldn’t find something better?”

“But…” Pei Song hesitated. “I don’t have better options right now.”

“When you were in Country D,” Shi Yancheng suddenly said, “when you got your first private dining reservation, why didn’t you just work as a chef in a high-end restaurant? The pay was good back then too.”

Pei Song froze. “Because I wanted to create my own dishes, not be restricted by a restaurant’s menu.”

“And now?” Shi Yancheng looked at him. “You’re willing to start from housekeeping? Don’t you think you’re wasting your talent?”

“That was different…” Pei Song lowered his head. “Things at home… I can’t be reckless anymore.”

“Reckless?” Shi Yancheng’s voice turned uncharacteristically stern. “Following your dreams is being reckless?”

Pei Song fell silent.

“When you were running your restaurant in Country D, did you give up when things got tough?” Shi Yancheng pressed. “Did you back down before the Michelin review?”

“That’s not the same…”

“How is it not the same?” Shi Yancheng cut him off. “Back in Country D, you fought for what you wanted. Now that you’re back home, you’re giving in?”

His words hit Pei Song like a wake-up call, leaving him speechless.

“I…” Pei Song clenched the offer in his hands. “But my parents want me to find a stable job soon…”

“Your father wants you to have a career, not just any job that pays the bills.” Shi Yancheng’s voice softened. “Did you already forget what he said in the hospital?”

Pei Song recalled his father’s words, “You’re not just the son of the Pei family. You’re a capable young man.”

His heart wavered. “But…”

“When you were in Country D,” Shi Yancheng locked eyes with him, “Why did I invest in your restaurant?”

Pei Song looked up. 

“Because I saw your potential. I saw your passion for food. I saw your determination to turn your dreams into reality.” Shi Yancheng’s voice was steady and firm. “Are you saying you’re weaker now than you were back then?”

Those words were like a key, unlocking the chains in Pei Song’s heart. He had faced so many challenges in Country D and never backed down. Why was he hesitating now?

“You’re right.” Pei Song took a deep breath and tore the offer in half. “I can’t just settle.”

A faint smile flashed in Shi Yancheng’s eyes. “Now that’s the Pei Song I know.”

Still, Pei Song was unsure. “But how do I find the right opportunity?”

“No rush,” Shi Yancheng said. “The right opportunity will come. The key is that you need to be ready. Use this time to think, what do you really want?”

Pei Song nodded and pulled out his phone, deleting the unsuitable interview invitations. Shi Yancheng watched him, the gloom finally lifting from Pei Song’s face. His lips curled slightly.

The argument in the courtyard woke Pei Song from his afternoon nap.

He got up and walked to the window, seeing his grandmother sitting in a wicker chair, staring at his father with disapproval.

“Tell me,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. “You sent Pei Song to Country D for all these years, how much money did that cost? And now, what? He can’t even find a decent job!”

Pei Song gripped the window frame, ready to go downstairs, but Shi Yancheng stopped him.

“Wait,” Shi Yancheng said quietly. “Listen first.”

“Mom, Song just got back,” his father said helplessly. “He needs time to find the right job.”

“‘The right job’?” His grandmother scoffed. “Look at your sister’s son, Xiao Yu, he’s already a supervisor at a bank in the provincial capital. And Pei Song? Just wandering around with some foreign friend!”

“Mom, it’s not the same.”

“What’s different?” She cut him off. “You wasted so much money just because you’re the eldest! If your father and I hadn’t sold everything to put you through school, would you be where you are now? Your younger brother had to drop out because we couldn’t afford tuition!”

His father fell silent, and Pei Song noticed his shoulders trembling slightly.