The ripples caused by the shredder incident lingered longer than Lin Xiaoxi had expected.
In the following days, although several departments in the Main Building felt as if they'd swallowed a fly, they couldn't ignore the administrative director's uncompromising notice. One by one, they sent junior employees over. These employees glanced repeatedly at Zhao's grumpy face, then, following his instructions, roughly sorted through and confirmed the "old junk" left by their departments over the years. What could be moved was hauled away (mostly usable display racks and miscellaneous items); for what was truly deemed worthy of destruction, Lin Xiaoxi and Zhao continued to operate the shredder, which they'd now grown quite familiar with.
Noise and dust became an inescapable theme on the 7th floor west area of Building B these days. But beneath this chaotic surface, the "Innovation Business Department" sign at the door of Room 703 seemed to attract more glances—curious, probing looks. Occasionally, Zhao would put on the airs of a senior in front of the "assisting" employees from other departments, nitpicking and grumbling. The others could only smile and endure it—after all, they were in the wrong, and this was a bitter pill they had to swallow.
Lin Xiaoxi maintained her almost rigidly calm routine. During the day, she handled documents methodically; at night, she continued to refine her upgraded plan for "metaverse plant care," her ideas gradually clarifying from chaos. She even took time to draft an extremely simple PPT, listing core concepts, potential implementation paths, and the most basic resources needed (such as someone who could write simple front-end code) one by one. Once, when Zhao "passed by" her computer screen and caught a glimpse of it, he snorted but made no comment—nor did he throw any more sarcastic remarks. That silence in itself was a subtle form of approval.
Just as the "cleanup campaign" in Building B was drawing to a close, an email notification popped up in Lin Xiaoxi's phone inbox—from her former department, Marketing. It wasn't directly from Director Wang, but a group meeting invitation sent by the department assistant. The subject read clearly: "Marketing Department 'Struggler Alliance' Launch Meeting & Q3 Target Oath-Taking Assembly." The venue was the large conference room on the 18th floor of Building A, and the time was 3 PM on Friday.
Her name was on the invitation list. This was somewhat subtle. Logically, since she'd been transferred out of Marketing, she shouldn't be notified of such an internal mobilization meeting. But perhaps because the transfer order hadn't been in effect for a full week, she was still nominally listed under Marketing in the administrative processes? Or was this a "deliberate" arrangement?
Li Wei secretly sent her a message: "Xiaoxi, did you get that meeting invitation too? It feels weird... Director Wang has been having small meetings with Wu Kai and the other 'key training targets' these days, hyping up this 'Struggler Alliance' with loud slogans. Be careful if you go."
Lin Xiaoxi replied, "Thanks, got it." She could roughly guess the nature of the meeting—it was nothing more than concretizing and organizing the "struggle" philosophy instilled during training at the department level. Through a more ritualistic approach, it would further strengthen that "wolfish" culture and internal competitive pressure. Whether she went or not didn't really matter; she might even be an awkward presence.
Yet, she decided to go.
At 2:50 PM on Friday, Lin Xiaoxi stepped out of the elevator and entered the 18th floor of Building A. The polished floor tiles that reflected people's shadows, the dazzling lights, the faint, carefully blended fragrance in the air, and the company logos and inspirational slogan walls everywhere—all stood in stark contrast to the outdated, cluttered, and slightly decadent atmosphere of Building B. Everything here exuded efficiency, modernity, and an ambition to expand outward.
A crowd of Marketing colleagues had already gathered outside the large conference room. The men were dressed in suits or business casual; the women wore delicate makeup and appropriate attire. Everyone had a deliberately adjusted, positive expression on their faces. They chatted in low voices, their conversations revolving around "Q3 targets," "new clients," and "competitor dynamics"—fast-paced and information-dense, like preheating engines.
Lin Xiaoxi's appearance was like a drop of oil in water, causing an imperceptible pause and sideways glances. She wore a simple light gray shirt and black pants, carried a canvas bag, had no makeup on, and her hair was simply tied back. Compared to the meticulously groomed colleagues around her, who exuded an "elite vibe," she was plain to the point of being "out of place." More importantly, she seemed to still carry the faint smell of dust from the cleanup in Building B, along with a calmness that clashed with the environment here.
Wu Kai was surrounded by a group of people, talking confidently about something. When he saw Lin Xiaoxi, he paused mid-sentence, then smiled a standard, slightly distant smile and nodded in greeting—no intention of approaching. Most others also looked away or pretended not to see her. Being transferred to the "Innovation Business Department" was almost equivalent to a social "demotion" or "elimination" in a department that prided itself on promotions and performance.
Lin Xiaoxi didn't mind. She found a seat at the back, near the door. It had a good view of the entire room, making it easy to observe and... leave if necessary.
Promptly at 3 PM, Director Wang stepped into the conference room. He wore a dark blue suit and a red tie (said to be his "battle robe" for important occasions), his hair neatly combed, his steps steady and powerful—each step seemed to land on a drumbeat. His face wore that familiar, incendiary serious expression.
The meeting began with the usual review of Q2's "brilliant achievements," recognition of "outstanding individuals" (Wu Kai was among the top, receiving public praise and applause), and an analysis of the "current severe market situation and great opportunities." The PPT was extremely exquisite, with dazzling data charts and inspiring slogans.
Then, they moved to the main topic—the launch of the "Struggler Alliance."
Director Wang's voice, amplified by the microphone, was full of passion and an undeniable sense of oppression:
"Colleagues! Brothers! Sisters! The blade of the market is already at our throats, and competitors are eroding our territory! The group has high hopes for us, and the board of directors is watching! At this critical moment, resting on past laurels is equivalent to waiting for death! Being content with business as usual is mediocrity!"
He waved his arms dramatically. Behind him, the PPT switched to a red background with a golden wolf's head and the bold words "Struggler Alliance"—a strong visual impact.
"So today, we officially launch the 'Struggler Alliance'! This is not an ordinary interest group, nor a loose network! This is an elite unit! The sharpest spear of the Marketing Department! The vanguard of the company's strategic implementation!"
The audience responded with applause. Many eyes burned with enthusiasm, as if ignited.
"What does it mean to join the 'Struggler Alliance'?" Director Wang's gaze swept the audience like a searchlight, answering his own question. "It means you voluntarily choose higher standards and stricter requirements! It means you voluntarily deeply bind your personal goals with those of the department and the company! It means you voluntarily accept more challenging tasks and heavier responsibilities! It means—your time, your energy, your wisdom will be invested 200% into this great cause!"
He paused, his tone becoming more solemn and passionate, as if revealing a cruel truth: "I know some people will say, won't this be too hard? Won't there be no time for personal life? I tell you, at Hongyao, in the Marketing Department, in our 'Struggler Alliance'! Comfort is for mediocrities! Ease is a prelude to elimination! True strongmen crave challenges and enjoy the pain and glory brought by struggle!"
"We will implement an 'Alliance Points System'! Every excess performance achieved, every key client secured, every process optimization suggestion, and even every late-night client consultation or weekend plan revision will earn points! Points are directly linked to quarterly bonuses, annual ratings, and promotion opportunities! Those at the bottom will also face dynamic adjustments!"
"We will establish an 'Alliance Battle Report Group'! Synchronize progress daily, share cases weekly, and select 'Struggler of the Month' monthly! Every bit of your effort will be seen, measured, and rewarded in the sun!"
"We will also implement a 'Mentor Guidance - Trainee Competition' mechanism! Experienced senior employees will act as mentors to help potential new recruits grow rapidly! A trainee's performance is directly linked to the mentor's points! We rise and fall together!"
Rule after rule was announced—rigorous, systematic, and full of temptation, pushing competition and cooperation (or rather, binding) to the extreme. The breathing of many young people in the audience became noticeably quicker, especially those eager to stand out. Wu Kai sat up straight, his eyes shining as if he already saw himself soaring up the points ranking and getting promoted quickly.
Director Wang was satisfied with the mobilized mood. He concluded with a near-shout: "I know this road won't be easy! It will be tough, tiring, and require sacrifice! But ask yourselves—when you grow old and look back on your youth, will you be proud of having fought so hard and burned so brightly, or will you regret your timidity and comfort? Choosing the 'Struggler Alliance' means choosing a harder but more worthwhile path! It means choosing to stand with the strong and walk with victory!"
"Now!" He raised his voice, as if waiting for this moment of explosion. "Colleagues who are willing to join the 'Struggler Alliance,' voluntarily accept greater challenges, and pursue excellence—please raise your hands!"
In an instant, most people in the audience raised their hands—quickly, firmly, even eagerly. The scene was somewhat fanatical.
Lin Xiaoxi did not raise her hand. She sat quietly in the back row. Amidst the forest of raised arms, her calmness stood out sharply, like a piece of ice refusing to melt.
Naturally, Director Wang's gaze fell on her. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, the smile on his face cracking for a moment, but he quickly smoothed it over, showing a tolerant yet slightly regretful expression.
"Excellent! I'm very pleased to see so many colleagues with such determination and courage!" He first praised those who had raised their hands, then his tone subtly shifted toward Lin Xiaoxi's direction. "Of course, we respect everyone's choice. Both the company and the department need talents in different positions. Some are suited for charging forward, while others are suited for stabilizing the rear. What matters is finding the right position for yourself and working hard for it."
These words sounded high-sounding, but in the current context, they were almost equivalent to publicly classifying Lin Xiaoxi as "not suited for charging forward" and "stabilizing the rear" (or even possibly in the "elimination sequence"). Many of those with raised hands secretly glanced at Lin Xiaoxi, their eyes filled with confusion, contempt, and a hint of "I knew it" understanding.
A faint smile crept up Wu Kai's lips.
Director Wang didn't dwell on the issue, as if Lin Xiaoxi's non-cooperation had been expected—even perhaps exactly what he wanted: a ready-made "negative example" for comparison. He quickly moved on to arranging specific alliance groups, explaining point rules, and assigning subsequent "battle tasks."
The meeting continued in a highly excited and tense atmosphere. Lin Xiaoxi just listened, occasionally jotting down a few keywords in her notebook, her expression unchanged—as if a calm observer watching everything unfold before her eyes.
When the agenda reached the "Interaction and Q&A" session, Director Wang stood on stage confidently, encouraging everyone to speak freely and contribute ideas to the development of the "Alliance" and the department's goals.
Several activists stood up, proposing suggestions such as "increasing the frequency of cross-industry case sharing" and "setting up internal challenges to stimulate creativity." All received positive responses from Director Wang and on-the-spot assignments, earning bursts of applause.
Wu Kai also stood up. He cleared his throat, his voice loud as if reading an oath: "Director Wang, colleagues! After listening to the arrangements just now, I'm filled with excitement! I believe that for the 'Struggler Alliance' to truly exert its power, in addition to systems and incentives, it needs a spirit that penetrates to the marrow! I suggest we establish a '2 AM Club,' encouraging members to take pride in discussing and revising plans online as late as 2 AM during critical projects! This is not mandatory, but a symbol of honor, the ultimate embodiment of the struggle spirit! We can award special medals to members who reach a certain number of such late nights!"
This proposal was quite radical, even extreme. But in the fanatical atmosphere of the scene, it actually garnered cheers and approval. As if "staying up late" itself had become a commendable feat.
Director Wang's eyes lit up, and he praised loudly: "Great! Absolutely brilliant! Wu Kai's proposal reflects the true mindset of a struggler! Not passively enduring, but actively pursuing excellence! The '2 AM Club'—the name alone is impactful! Specific rules can be formulated in detail later! This will become a spiritual banner of our 'Alliance'!"
The atmosphere became even more enthusiastic. Wu Kai looked pleased as he sat down, enjoying the admiring glances around him.
Just then, a calm, even gentle female voice sounded from the back of the conference room. It wasn't loud, but it clearly cut through the lingering noise.
"Director Wang, I have a question."
All eyes instantly turned to the source—Lin Xiaoxi.
She stood up, her posture straight, holding her notebook, her face still showing no signs of emotion. Against the backdrop of suits, ties, and delicate makeup around her, her plainness and calmness exuded a strange presence at this moment—like a bucket of ice water, ready to be poured on the burning charcoal.
The smile on Director Wang's face faded slightly, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly masked. He maintained his leader's demeanor: "Lin Xiaoxi, go ahead and ask. Even though you're no longer in a core position in Marketing, it's good that you care about the department's development." His words repeatedly emphasized her "marginal" status, trying to overwhelm her momentum first.
Lin Xiaoxi seemed not to detect the underlying meaning. She opened her notebook, looked at the few simple notes she'd made, and spoke in a steady tone—every word seemed carefully considered:
"Director Wang just elaborated on the goals, rules, and spirit of the 'Struggler Alliance'—it's very systematic and inspiring. In particular, you mentioned the concept of a 'wolfish team.'"
She paused slightly, her calm gaze turning to Director Wang on the stage, and the colleagues watching her with various expressions below. There was no provocation in that gaze—only a nearly cold scrutiny.
"My question is: If we are to build a 'wolfish team,' then where is the corresponding 'meat'?"
After the question was raised, there was a brief silence in the conference room. Many people looked confused, not fully understanding the exact meaning of the metaphor—or why she was asking this.
Director Wang frowned: "'Meat'? Lin Xiaoxi, what are you referring to? Be specific."
"Certainly," Lin Xiaoxi nodded. Her speech was not fast, but extremely coherent. Her voice was particularly clear in the quiet conference room. "Wolves hunt to survive, to obtain food—i.e., 'meat.' So, for our 'wolfish team,' what exactly is the 'meat' we are striving for, working overtime, and sacrificing personal time to obtain?"
Before Director Wang could answer, she continued, as if determined to pierce through the facade:
"First, is it clear and achievable strategic goals and resource support? For example, are the specific market share and client lists we aim to capture in Q3, as well as the corresponding budget, technical, and human resources allocated by the company, clear, transparent, and delivered in a timely manner? Or are goals constantly raised, while resources are always 'something you need to fight for yourself'—and you're even assessed on 'resource utilization rate'?"
"Second, is it substantive and fair rewards matching high-intensity efforts? Beyond points and potential future promotions, does the extra labor put in now directly and clearly reflect in salaries, bonuses, or at least high-quality compensatory leave? Is the cost of 'struggle' clearly measured and compensated—not just empty words like 'the company will not treat you badly'?"
"Third, is it sustainable health protection and room for error? Promoting an extreme work style like the '2 AM Club,' does the company have corresponding health management measures and psychological support channels? When members make mistakes or experience health issues due to high-intensity work, does the team provide support and help, or simply dismiss them as 'lacking combat effectiveness'—even facing bottom elimination?"
"Fourth, is it genuine skill growth and clear career development paths? Beyond meeting performance indicators, where is the systematic capacity-building plan for members in this 'Alliance'? Is the experience gained transferable? Or is all 'growth' merely tied to the 'proficiency' of completing current KPIs—rendering people useless once they leave this environment?"
She raised four questions in a row, each directly targeting the potential ambiguities and practical contradictions behind the "struggle" slogans. She didn't raise her voice or show excitement—only used the most plain language to pull an idealistic mobilization back to a specific, measurable reality, peeling off the fancy outer layer of those gorgeous slogans.
The conference room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. Everyone understood. These questions were too specific, too practical, and too... sharp. They were like needles, pricking the passionate balloon that had just been inflated.
Director Wang's face darkened visibly. He didn't answer immediately, his chest rising and falling slightly—obviously struggling to contain his anger. Lin Xiaoxi's questions weren't just questioning the "Struggler Alliance"; they were questioning his entire management philosophy and mobilization logic. In such a carefully crafted, almost "oath-taking" occasion, this calm, almost cold interrogation was undoubtedly a public slap in the face.
Wu Kai couldn't help but stand up, his face showing an indignant expression: "Lin Xiaoxi! What do you mean by this? Director Wang and the company have laid out such a good platform and opportunities for us, and everyone is eager to give it their all—yet you're here haggling over 'meat'? This is clearly a lack of vision and dedication!"
Several enthusiastic supporters of the "Alliance" echoed: "Exactly! Thinking about rewards before even starting to work? What kind of warrior is that?" "Struggle is valuable in itself! Obsessing over conditions and being timid will never accomplish anything!" "No wonder you were transferred to the 'Innovation Department'—your vision and mindset have really changed, becoming so petty."
Faced with the accusations, Lin Xiaoxi remained calm. She looked at Wu Kai, her tone even carrying a hint of curiosity—as if observing a brainwashed sample: "Colleague Wu Kai, I'm not denying the value of struggle. I just believe that clarifying the goals and rewards of 'struggle' will make it more sustainable and effective. 'Vision' and 'dedication' should not be a fig leaf to avoid specific issues. Otherwise, if wolves never know where their next meal of 'meat' is, and only keep running, they will eventually die of exhaustion—not the prey."
This metaphor made some colleagues who had been swept up in the excitement hesitate, their eyes flickering.
"That's enough!" Director Wang slammed his fist on the table with a dull thud, jolting the water glasses on it. He finally no longer concealed his anger, his eyes sharp as a knife, staring at Lin Xiaoxi.
"Lin Xiaoxi!" His voice came through the microphone, filled with unrestrained fury. "I understand you have your own ideas, and you may have been exposed to different work approaches in the 'Innovation Business Department.' But this is the Marketing Department! The front line of the company's performance charge! We don't need bookish theorizing or cautious calculations! We need warriors who dare to fight, fear no hardships, and are results-oriented!"
He pointed at Lin Xiaoxi, his fingers trembling slightly with force (whether from anger or pretense): "Your questions sound reasonable and 'rational.' But I tell you, business is like war, and opportunities are fleeting! By the time you've figured out where all the 'meat' is, how much there is, and how to divide it, the enemy will have already carved up the market! Why does the group allocate resources to us? Because of our courage to explore, our ability to fight tough battles, and our drive to deliver results! Because of the determination of our 'Struggler Alliance' to create conditions instead of waiting for them!"
He took a deep breath, trying to sound more earnest, but the coldness in his eyes didn't diminish: "Your way of thinking may be suitable for some step-by-step research work. But here, in the Marketing Department, in the 'Struggler Alliance,' this mindset of overemphasizing conditions and fearing risks is poison! It spreads and shakes morale! I'm very disappointed and completely disagree with what you said today!"
He glanced around the audience, his tone firm as if delivering a verdict: "The door to the 'Struggler Alliance' is always open to those with ambition. But the prerequisite is that you must recognize our core values and possess a strong desire for success and dedication! For colleagues who do not recognize or are not suitable, we will not force you—but we will never welcome any behavior that opposes or dampens enthusiasm! The Marketing Department does not support idlers, let alone 'sophisticated egoists'!"
"Sophisticated egoist."
This label was publicly and heavily stuck on Lin Xiaoxi, like a stigma.
The conference room fell into dead silence. Everyone could feel Director Wang's anger and determination. Wu Kai and others looked relieved, as if "justice had been served." Most people bowed their heads, not daring to look at Lin Xiaoxi for fear of being implicated.
Lin Xiaoxi stood there, enduring the complex glances from all directions, as well as Director Wang's undisguised disgust and desire to drive her away. Her back remained straight, and there wasn't even a trace of embarrassment or anger that one would expect when publicly humiliated. Beneath that calm mask, something deeper seemed to lie.
She simply closed her notebook quietly, held it in her hand, and unconsciously stroked the hard cover with her fingertips.
Then, she nodded slightly, her tone still calm—even without any emotional fluctuations, as if she weren't the one being judged:
"I understand. Thank you for your answer, Director Wang. I've finished my question."
With that, she didn't look at anyone else. She turned around, and under the gaze of all Marketing colleagues, walked steadily toward the conference room door, pulled it open, and stepped out.
The door closed gently behind her, blocking the buzzing discussions that had restarted inside and Director Wang's possible continuing "summary remarks."
The corridor was empty, with only the pale light from the ceiling lamps casting a cold glow on the floor. The sound of high heels tapping the ground was clear and lonely, but after a few steps, it was swallowed by the carpet, which was as thick as a blanket—leaving only a sense of walking on cotton.
Lin Xiaoxi didn't leave immediately.
She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window at the end of the corridor and stopped.
Outside was the bustling city scene—endless streams of traffic, row upon row of tall buildings, and dazzling sunlight. This glass seemed like a barrier, separating two worlds—inside was a battlefield filled with hormones and gunpowder, while outside was the daily life that still operated as usual.
Her expression remained unchanged as she stared quietly out the window. The edge of the notebook in her hand had slight wrinkles from being unconsciously squeezed, and her fingertips could even feel the rough texture of the paper. What had just happened was not so much a debate as a head-on collision of values. She hadn't expected a positive answer to her questions, let alone to change anything.
She just felt that at a time when everyone was being swept up in the atmosphere to raise their hands and shout slogans, someone needed to ask those most basic yet easily overlooked questions. Even if this question would make her completely an "outsider" and "public enemy" of that department.
"A sophisticated egoist?" She pondered this label, a faint, almost self-deprecating smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. If thinking about input and output and focusing on one's own sustainable development was "egoism," then what was blind burning and "dedication" regardless of cost?
Foolishness, or another form of exploitation?
Her phone vibrated—it was a message from Li Wei, just a "hug" emoji followed by "Take care."
Lin Xiaoxi didn't reply. She stood there for a while, until the angle of the sunlight outside shifted and was no longer so dazzling. She waited until her breathing was completely steady and her heartbeat had returned to normal before turning around and walking toward the elevator bank.
The elevator descended slowly from the 18th floor. As the numbers ticked down, she thought of Zhao slouching in his chair playing Spider Solitaire, the monotonous yet powerful hum of the shredder, and Zhou Mo's silent, unreadable gaze.
Perhaps Director Wang was right. She really wasn't suitable for an environment like the Marketing Department, which required extreme "wolfishness" and "passion."
Her thinking was too calm, too focused on logic and boundaries, too "untimely." Such an environment would suffocate her rather than excite her.
The elevator reached the first floor. The door opened, and she merged into the flowing crowd in the lobby, the elite vibe of suits and ties fading instantly.
As soon as she walked out of the revolving door of the Main Building of Hongyao Group, the scorching air hit her face. Her phone rang again—this time, an incoming call from an unfamiliar internal number.
She answered: "Hello."
"Is this Lin Xiaoxi?" A slightly cold female voice came from the other end, with an official detachment. "I'm Zhang Min from the Employee Relations Group of the Human Resources Department. Regarding your current position arrangement, there are some follow-up adjustments that need to be formally communicated with you. Please be present at Conference Room 3 of the Human Resources Department promptly at 10 AM next Monday."
The notification was concise and non-negotiable—she didn't even get a chance to ask for specific details before the other party hung up, leaving only a busy tone.
Lin Xiaoxi held her phone, standing under the still scorching afternoon sun of summer, squinting slightly.
Human Resources Department... formal communication... follow-up to position adjustment?
There seemed to be an obvious causal link between Director Wang's fierce remarks just now and this subsequent formal interview call from HR.
The Marketing Department's "Struggler Alliance" had completely excluded her, even regarding her as a "noise" that needed to be eliminated. So, would this call from the Human Resources Department bring the final "exile" verdict, or... some unexpected twist?
The sun was dazzling, casting a long shadow at her feet.
She raised her hand to shield her forehead, then took a step forward, walking toward the subway station.
The wind blew through the gaps between the tall buildings, carrying the faint hustle and bustle of the distant city. The reflection on the glass curtain wall of Hongyao Group was still dazzling, but it could no longer penetrate the calm in her eyes.
New waves were brewing beneath the seemingly calm surface. And the eye of the storm seemed to be shifting from the Marketing Department to a more symbolic place—the Human Resources Department.