Once we became close, my "work bestie" started showing a subtle malice toward me. I bought a new coat, and she blurted out that I looked like a wild boar, then immediately covered her mouth, claiming it was just a joke. Passing by the clearance section at the grocery store, she grabbed me and said, "This stuff isn't fresh. Lily, stop being so cheap." I hadn't even planned to buy anything. Before I could retort, she was already giggling about something else. But overall, she treated me well. We had a good relationship. Yet, I was constantly drained. I asked my boyfriend for help. He smiled, "It's fine, isn't it? I feel like you're being too sensitive." "Babe, you look so cute when you're worried! Give me a kiss!" I went to my mom. She frowned, "I told you people in the city are bad. If you can't handle it, just come back home with me and your dad." Why did my boyfriend and mom also have this subtle malice? Out of options, I met Senior Sister, a mentor figure. She smiled calmly, "All relationships are power dynamics." She looked me up and down kindly, "And you radiate an aura of being easily bullied. Of course, they'll inadvertently suppress you." I panicked, "Really? What should I do?" Senior Sister smiled confidently, "There's still hope. Do as I say..." 1 On Monday, I wore the black long down jacket that Sarah said made me look like a wild boar. After clocking in, I marched straight to the Finance Department. Seeing me enter, Sarah scanned me, frowning. "Wearing that again?" "Lily, don't blame me for being straight, but don't wear this next time. It really doesn't look good." Even though I was prepared, her words still stung. Last time I wore it was right when the temperature dropped. I had just bought this long black down jacket I'd been eyeing for a while. It cost nearly $300. After Sarah's comment, I never wore it again. 【Don't self-doubt, don't avoid, don't get angry. The best defense is offense!】 I tried to smile casually, reciting Script #2 proficiently. "What do you know, you fashion disaster? Black long down jackets are versatile for layering, and simple and warm otherwise." From my first sentence, the corners of Sarah's mouth remained slightly raised, but her eyes held no smile. Relief and anxiety surged in my heart simultaneously. I quickly grabbed the power bank on the table, trying to keep my tone light. "Borrowed my power bank, yet I have to come get it myself. Sarah, are you actually a dog?" People nearby laughed good-naturedly. Sarah's fake smile was faltering. "Lily..." "Gotta go, gotta go, back to the grind. Bye!" Not giving her a chance to perform, I waved my hand as if escaping and rushed out the door. Clicking on the recording, I thought my counterattack was confident and flamboyant, but in reality, I lacked confidence, and my voice trembled. The only merit was that it was relatively smooth. Changing into my work clothes, I started working. Sarah and I belong to the same company. She's an accountant in the Finance Department, and I'm an R&D specialist in the R&D Department. We have lunch together every day at noon. She just lost to me, so she will definitely try to regain ground at lunch. I waited nervously. 2 "Hi, Lily..." Sarah waved at me as if nothing happened. As soon as I approached, she and the Accounting Supervisor, Ms. Lee, huddled together laughing, but their teasing eyes frequently fell on me. They were talking about me! My steps stiffened involuntarily. When I got in front of them, they finally stopped laughing. Sarah poked Ms. Lee, trying to cover it up. "Anyway, can't laugh anymore, or Lily will get angry." Saying this, she glanced at me, as if I was about to explode. "Okay, okay, no laughing, no talking. Let's eat!" Ms. Lee waved her hand and led the way to the cafeteria. Arm in arm, the two discussed enthusiastically what dishes to choose later. A nameless fire blocked my throat, leaving me speechless. I quickened my pace to catch up with them. I wanted to ask: What were you saying just now? What were you laughing at? Why label me as someone who gets angry easily? But the topic had already shifted. Dwelling on a small matter would make me seem petty. If I spoke up, I would jump into their trap of "Lily is very petty" and "Lily gets angry easily." I followed them with a cold face to get food. Just as I picked up my soup, Sarah suddenly turned back to look at me seriously. "Lily, why the long face? You're not angry, are you?" Before I could react, she apologized immediately. "Sorry, it's my fault for making you unhappy." Ms. Lee, two steps ahead, looked back, and colleagues behind also looked over curiously. A familiar irritability swept over me. Saying "it's okay" meant swallowing the grievance and getting a reputation for having an attitude. I couldn't argue with her about what happened just now either; it would show I cared and was calculating. In my dilemma, I suddenly remembered Senior Sister's words. 【When you really have no moves, expose her malice directly! Ask her back!】 【There aren't that many purely evil people in this world. Many people are also panicked inside when testing your boundaries.】 Taking a hidden breath, I replied calmly: "Why would I be angry? Did you do something terrible?" "Suddenly turning back to apologize to me, it's baffling." A second ago, the hidden triumph in Sarah's eyes was blinding, but hearing my words, she froze. Her eyes widened slightly, leaving only sheer astonishment. Even her mouth opened slightly subconsciously. She was surprised by my counterattack! She was really nervous! All her ease was built on the premise of my obedient cooperation! My heart pounded with excitement. Sarah wasn't invincible! Holding my tray, I walked past her and left. Meeting Ms. Lee's gaze, I smiled naturally. "Sarah is so weird today. Laughing one minute, then suddenly apologizing to me." "I'll head back to the R&D side first. I have data to verify urgently." 3 My heart was still thumping lightly from the victory just now. I focused on my food, eating seriously, occasionally joining the chat of colleagues next to me. I ignored the few joyless glances Sarah cast my way. When Senior Sister pointed out I was in a low-status position in relationships, I was terrified. My instinct was to escape. Senior Sister hit the nail on the head. "Every relationship is a game. You can't escape it." "Relationships, simply put, are of four types—mutually charging, tug-of-war, business partnership, or... purely toxic. Except for toxic relationships, others can be adjusted. Which one are you and Sarah?" I thought about it. Like a tug-of-war. I was always retreating, she was always advancing. "If one day you pull her over, do you still want to be good friends with her?" I froze, thought seriously, and shook my head. Senior Sister stroked her chin. "Then use her for practice. Social skills need practice!" "While practicing, think about what kind of relationships you have with your boyfriend and mom?" After eating enough, I messaged her to report the victory. She replied instantly: 【Well done! I said you were sharp and smart!】 I smiled shyly. The next message followed closely. 【People used to you giving in will take your retreat as their due. When you wake up and resist, they will be furious! Feel betrayed! Will counterattack fiercely! Are you ready?】 I put down my phone and took a deep breath. Come on, I'm not afraid. I will take back the territory I tacitly gave away, piece by piece! 4 Sarah didn't contact me for days. Her daily Instagram grid posts were unshakable: boba tea, hot pot, escape rooms... laughing without a shadow. The protagonists were all our mutual friends. When I saw them, I silently liked them and scrolled past. Even when Ms. Lee quietly probed, I played dumb and glossed over it. Until Friday. A group photo smashed into my vision: In the center of the crowd, the beaming old accountant Mr. Wang held flowers. HR, Finance, Admin, Production... even a few key members of our R&D department who had received his care were surrounding him. The caption read: 【Farewell to a workplace mentor, grateful for 30 years of dedication! The company will always have your legend!】 My blood rushed to my head with a boom. This was Mr. Wang's retirement farewell party! Mr. Wang was famous for being a nice guy. He was always cheerful when anyone went for reimbursement. When I joined, he even taught me the rules for pasting invoices. But I didn't know about this farewell party. In our traditional chemical industrial enterprise with slow personnel turnover and intricate relationships, such informal social occasions are often key for information exchange and emotional lubrication. You can, of course, streamline your social life, but being excluded from a consistent circle sends a devastating signal: either your popularity is extremely poor, so poor that the organizers think you are unworthy of coming; or you are indifferent to people and have no respect for seniors. I couldn't even ask "Why didn't you invite me?" Questioning would only fall into Sarah's trap and get me labeled with more hats. And Sarah in the photo stood beside Mr. Wang. Her smile was warm, tears glistening in her eyes. Exiting the photo, more photos from other angles refreshed. Everyone liked and commented on each other's posts, especially queuing up under Mr. Wang's post. I opened the chat box with Senior Sister for urgent help. Senior Sister's reply was fast. 【Emotions can't solve problems. Act immediately. Send a private message to Mr. Wang.】 I froze for a moment, then immediately followed up: 【Say Sarah played dirty tricks, and I didn't know about the farewell party at all? Then wish Mr. Wang well?】 【No! Say you regret not being able to make it due to something coming up.】 Senior Sister's sentences were analytical. 【Directly saying 'colleague played dirty tricks' sounds like a child tattling. It confirms you have bad popularity and are a victim. You must seize the initiative in your own hands immediately!】 I stared at those words, my fingers slightly cold. Thanking Senior Sister, I opened Mr. Wang's WeChat. Typed and deleted, finally leaving only the simplest sentences: 【Mr. Wang, seeing the photos of your retirement today, I realized you are officially starting your retirement life. I deeply regret not being able to see you off in person. I still remember when I first joined...】 Checked three times. No typos, tone sincere and brisk. Added two playful emojis, took a deep breath, and clicked send. Putting the phone aside, I anxiously waited for Mr. Wang's reply. Suddenly the phone vibrated twice. I clicked nervously. It was my boyfriend. 5 【Babe, the weather is nice this weekend. How about we go camping and barbecue in the mountains? You've been moody lately, time to recharge!】 I subconsciously refused: 【Can't this weekend, I have an appointment with Senior Sister.】 Feeling too rigid, I explained: 【It's about work, asking Senior Sister for advice~】 Boyfriend replied instantly: 【Okay okay okay, my babe is a busy person now!】 【But seriously, you look really cute when you frown and think seriously. When you're done, I'll reward you properly!】 A nameless fire surged instantly. After Senior Sister's nurturing, I can already identify this kind of control: infantalizing and sexualizing the partner, with zero respect. Reasoning with him and demanding respect is useless. Everything is "cute"! Taking a deep breath, I replied: 【Not as petite and cute as you!】 【I'm going to get busy. Be good yourself, 'little' cutie.】 Blocked him right after sending. Wait until I finish my business and master the ultimate martial arts, then I'll deal with you! Just then, Mr. Wang's message came too. Decent and gentle, attached with two rose emojis. Chatted a few sentences, quit while I was ahead. 6 Spent the weekend in hot springs with Senior Sister, carefree. Returned to work fully recharged. Same work clothes, same colleagues, but the atmosphere felt a bit off. Little Liu couldn't hold it in and leaned in close to me. "Lily, did you meet some awesome headhunter? Our unit has such good benefits, yet you're jumping ship directly!" "But really, you didn't even go to Mr. Wang's farewell party. You should have at least pretended!" My heart skipped a beat. I asked hurriedly: "How did I not know I was jumping ship? Tell me, who did you hear it from?" Little Liu's face changed, stammering for a long time. "Just... people in Production were saying it too." I lost my temper instantly. The news had spread everywhere. Rumors are tricky. Making a big fuss to investigate might not find the source I want. Instead, I'd get a reputation for making a mountain out of a molehill. Leaders would think I lack perspective and look for trouble. The atmosphere in the following regular meeting was also bad. Just as it was my turn to report project progress, Chen from the next project spoke up sarcastically. "Let the boss go first. The Great Miss Zhou looks down on our small temple. The capitalists outside pay more!" The meeting room instantly fell silent. Everyone's eyes fell on me in unison. I suppressed the fire in my heart, tone calm. "Work is work, don't bring personal emotions. Recently I've been communicating with peers and Senior Sister, and participated in some online exchanges, causing misunderstandings. I can say clearly, even if you leave, I won't. Engineer Zhang knows this best." Engineer Zhang, sitting at the head, swept his gaze over Chen, then landed back on my face. Chen lowered his head. Engineer Zhang finally spoke. "Since when did the R&D department become a vegetable market for spreading rumors?" "Little Zhou, report!" My palms sweated slightly. I knew I passed Engineer Zhang's test. I've been working on catalyst formula optimization, often consulting Engineer Zhang on ideas and new technologies, just haven't had results yet. No one in R&D will gossip anymore. I pressed the clicker. Experimental data, comparison curves, optimization hypotheses... My voice was steady, even clearer than usual. Engineer Zhang nodded. "Very good. The idea is feasible. Continue."
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