"Sister Nan, let's talk once we're outside."
Seeing how Vivi’s sleepiness had vanished, replaced by an expression of extreme terror after just one sentence, Nan Yue narrowed her eyes and carefully scanned her surroundings.
The elevator was about to arrive. The corridor lights behind her were bright. Sister Lian hadn't left yet, and neither had any of the other employees on the 18th floor. Vivi was standing right beside her.
What was she afraid of?
The elevator doors opened, and Vivi’s held breath finally hitched back into a steady rhythm, a detail Nan Yue didn't miss.
Was she afraid of something inside the elevator?
Neither of them spoke during the descent. Nan Yue could tell that Vivi was incredibly tense.
This tension lasted until the elevator doors opened on the first floor, at which point Vivi finally let out a sigh of relief.
Vivi forced a thin smile. "Let's go."
The dormitory was a five-minute walk from the company's back door. Even at this hour, there were quite a few people on the road. Nan Yue looked up as they walked; the company building wasn't actually that tall, but it gave her the unsettling sensation of towering into the clouds.
"Sister Nan, about what you asked me just now... there are exceptions."
Vivi wiped the sweat from her forehead, her foundation smudging slightly. "I didn't dare say it while we were still in the building."
Nan Yue felt that Vivi had become much more open after leaving the company, or at least less cautious than she was inside.
"What kind of exception? Did something happen to someone?"
Nan Yue only guessed this because Vivi’s reaction had been so extreme.
Vivi lowered her head, her voice sounding somewhat stiff.
"...There was someone who once refused to do voluntary overtime. The company felt she lacked dedication and collective consciousness."
Nan Yue frowned. "Was she fired?"
Vivi waved her hands dismissively. "No, no. The company doesn't believe in firing people. Didn't President Liu say it today? We're all brothers and sisters. Even if someone makes a huge mistake, they're always given a chance."
"But that person didn't live up to expectations; she committed suicide."
Nan Yue’s heart constricted, though she wasn't sure if it was because of the casual tone Vivi used or because she sensed the crushing pressure that person must have faced.
"A company like this... doesn't anyone intervene?"
Nan Yue asked tactfully, but she wasn't sure if Vivi understood. The other woman just walked ahead and spoke vaguely.
"It caused quite a stir back then. The media and everyone else showed up. But the company is a famous five-star company and a key project. Its significant contributions to the city are obvious to everyone."
"That person's mental state was already unstable before. It's just a shame the company's reputation was damaged."
Nan Yue understood now; the company had powerful backing.
The map of this mission world wasn't small, but if one wanted to expose the company through whistleblowing, it would be nearly impossible.
More importantly, that had nothing to do with the objective.
Thinking of the objective, Nan Yue caught up to walk side-by-side with Vivi, who had already regained her smile as if nothing had happened.
"What do you think is the true meaning of work?"
Vivi immediately became serious and earnest. "It’s dedication, of course. Work is about dedication; it's about dedicating yourself and finding your value."
Nan Yue wasn't surprised by the answer, knowing that an employee like Vivi had been thoroughly indoctrinated by Blooming Media Company.
Yet, in her heart, Nan Yue didn't feel there was anything inherently wrong with that answer.
After all, wasn't being a scavenger a profession too?
It was just a profession they couldn't choose, one that didn't just require their best effort but was a role they were destined for from birth.
Weren't they also dedicating and sacrificing themselves for the survival of humanity?
In a way, Nan Yue’s answer was the same as Vivi’s.
She didn't think the answer was problematic, provided the scavenger purification project was actually accomplishing something. The world outside the high walls was full of pollution; although they had lost their freedom of choice, they at least still possessed the right to exist.
But looking at the actions of Blooming Media Company, Nan Yue didn't feel they were doing anything for the good of humanity. They were simply using a high-sounding name to ruthlessly exploit their employees.
They squeezed them until they died and didn't even stop then, blaming the victims for their own deaths.
They soon reached the dormitory. From the outside, it looked decent—somewhat like Everpeace Apartments, but much larger.
Though called a dormitory, it was actually a residential complex. Four tall, wide buildings were arranged in a hollow square design with a small garden in the middle.
Nan Yue: ...
Nan Yue had done well in her feng shui theory classes. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Your dormitory... why was it built like this?"
Setting aside other issues, the buildings were so close that neighbors could see right into each other's homes. Wouldn't living there feel oppressive? Not to mention the lack of natural light.
Vivi smiled. "It saves space this way. Plus, we can supervise each other. It prevents anyone from slacking off under the guise of taking a sick day."
Nan Yue couldn't help but feel that the founder of this company was truly resourceful.
The exploitation was truly all-encompassing.
"I see you've just graduated, Sister Nan, so you probably don't know how expensive housing is out there!"
Vivi sighed. "If the company didn't provide housing, we wouldn't be able to find a place even half as good as this to rent."
"For a place like this, the company only charges us half our salary. It’s so generous!"
Nan Yue: ...
From the bottom of her heart and without any hidden agenda, Nan Yue asked, "Excuse me, but is your remaining salary actually enough to do anything?"
Vivi looked dazed for a moment. "There's no need. After work, I just go home to rest. Food and housing are covered, so salary doesn't really matter."
"...Then why did you join the company?"
The files for these people showed they were all top students. Did they really achieve such great grades just to become a cog in this company?
Vivi was silent for a long time. "At the time, it was because the company benefits were great. Providing food and housing is a huge draw for graduates. The pay was good too, especially the promotion system. As long as you work hard, you'll reach at least V4 before retirement. At V4, one year's salary is enough to buy a house."
"Give it your all while you're young, and you can enjoy life later."
Vivi laughed and turned to look at Nan Yue. "I only realize now how stupid that was. The meaning of work isn't about promotions. Even if I stay at V10 forever, the company will always take care of me. Where else could you find such a great employer?"
"Besides, I don't have many friends. If I left the company, there wouldn't even be anyone to care about me. Even if I bought a house, what use would it be?"
Nan Yue... Nan Yue was momentarily speechless.
At first glance, the logic seemed sound, but on closer inspection, the statement was horrifying.
"Hello, this is Nan Yue, who joined today."
As they spoke, the two of them entered the building directly facing the company's back door. A woman who looked exhausted was sitting in the lobby, but she immediately stood up when she saw them.
"I know her. I noticed you during the meeting today—you're beautiful and capable."
The woman appeared to be in her forties. Her name was Fang Hong, a V9 from the Logistics Department.
"Is this... a part-time job?"
Fang Hong answered as she looked for a room for Nan Yue. "No. I misread a number last month and messed up a report, so I got a C-grade. This is a position I applied for to make up for my mistake."
Vivi explained from the side, "The company doesn't punish anyone. Deducting salary is to compensate for losses and to ensure we don't make mistakes again. If you want to show you're performing well, you can apply for an extra duty."
Rate on N.U.
