Lin Chen's mind went blank. He suddenly realized that Xiao Yao… Xiao Yao was the company's spy planted next to him! All that seemingly sincere concern and sympathy, all those words encouraging him to "stick to his principles," were carefully designed traps! Their purpose was to lure him into lowering his guard, saying things he "shouldn't say," doing things he "shouldn't do," and then using them against him!
The feeling of betrayal, like a poisoned dagger, pierced his heart, more excruciating than any public suppression.
"No, Mr. Wang, we were just having a normal conversation…" he tried to explain, his voice hoarse.
"A normal conversation?" Mr. Wang sneered, picking up the intercom. "Let Xiao Yao in."
A few minutes later, Xiao Yao entered, head down, timid and hesitant, avoiding Lin Chen's eyes.
"Xiao Yao, tell me yourself, what happened?" Mr. Wang's tone was calm, yet carried immense pressure.
Xiao Yao trembled, her voice trembling with tears, and "confessed" according to her prepared words: "Mr. Wang, I'm sorry... It's... it's that Brother Chen always complains to me about the company, saying the work is too tiring, that he doesn't like the styling, and he even... he even said Dr. Xu is a fraud... I... I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn't listen... He even insisted I give him his old phone, and I didn't dare refuse..."
Each word was like the sharpest knife, nailing Lin Chen to the pillar of shame for being "ungrateful" and "morally corrupt." Looking at Xiao Yao's face, which had once brought him warmth, he now felt only utter ugliness and terror.
"What else do you have to say?" Mr. Wang looked at Lin Chen, his eyes icy.
Lin Chen closed his eyes, despair engulfing him like a tidal wave. What could he say? In a meticulously woven web, any explanation was futile.
"It seems the previous counseling wasn't effective," Mr. Wang concluded. "Starting tomorrow, the frequency of counseling will increase to three times a week. Also, you don't need to go to that advertising endorsement anymore; the company will replace you. As for Xiao Yao," he glanced at the girl who was still sobbing, "the company will handle it. Go back and reflect on your actions, write me a profound self-criticism!"
Back in that cold apartment, Lin Chen felt like a soulless shell. He sat in the dark, without turning on the light. The city lights outside the window were still dazzling, but they couldn't penetrate his heart.
He had not only lost an important business opportunity, but more terrifyingly, he had lost the last shred of basic trust in his surroundings. The company had told him in the cruelest way: here, you have no friends, no privacy, not even the right to express your true emotions. Any attempt to retain your individuality would be seen as betrayal and come at a terrible price.
Xiao Yao's betrayal was like the last straw, crushing his illusion of maintaining balance within the rules.
The iron bars of his mental prison were welded shut at that moment.