Having achieved financial freedom, I reorganized my workplace.

Chapter 56 Person of the Year, Exploding the Audience

Tonight, Suicheng Company is holding its year-end gala.

This is the company's annual event, which is held without fail. Like other companies, its main purpose is to create a festive atmosphere, for leaders to summarize and review the year, and to recognize the "outstanding" groups and individuals.

The party was held in the company's large conference room on the sixth floor.

Lin Chen originally didn't want to go at all, he just wanted to stay at home and write to earn money, but Tang Xin gave a strict order: no one was allowed to be absent.

Damn, it's really numb.

At 7:30, when Lin Chen finally arrived at the venue, it was already packed with people.

The seating arrangement was strictly hierarchical: the first row was reserved for bureau leaders and department heads; the second row belonged to station chiefs, factory managers, and specialists. Further back was the free area for lower-ranking staff, usually clustered together by department or grassroots unit.

Of the nearly 500 employees in the entire Suixian company, at least half have arrived.

Since they didn't have to wear those drab work uniforms, the female colleagues were all putting in their best effort, wearing low-cut tops and short skirts to compete in style. If you didn't know better, you'd think you'd stumbled into the backstage of some fashion show.

Chen Ya opted for a conservative look today, wearing a turtleneck sweater and jeans, but her voluptuous figure still drew attention. She was munching on snacks while Zhang Junmin fawned over her. Lin Chen, not wanting to join in, quietly sat down behind them.

At 8:00 PM sharp, the gala began on time. The male and female hosts made a stunning appearance.

To Lin Chen's surprise, Tang Yuwei was one of the hosts. A white, floor-length gown made her appear elegant and refined, a stark contrast to her usual self. Even more impressive was her brilliant and fluent opening remarks; her stage presence was steady, her enunciation clear, and she showed no stage fright whatsoever in the face of the dense crowd and the dazzling spotlight.

Lin Chen was somewhat dazed, even feeling a sense of unfamiliarity. Was this radiant girl on stage still the little one who used to follow him around crying? Her graceful figure, her slightly rounded curves... he had to admit, she had truly grown up.

Tang Yuwei captivated the attention of many of her male colleagues, who whispered amongst themselves with barely suppressed excitement. Even Zhang Junmin, standing next to her, subconsciously swallowed.

"Is this Tang Yuwei from Balu? She's so beautiful."

"Don't even think about hitting on her, I heard she has powerful connections."

"With such powerful connections, why did you end up at Balu?"

"They're just going to experience rural areas. I think I heard they're going back to the province after the New Year."

"The province!!!!"

The first performance of the evening was an opening dance called "Ode to Youth" performed by the new employees, which was a complete disaster, with stiff movements and chaotic rhythm.

The only "highlight" of the entire event was probably a girl accidentally exposing herself, which triggered a series of suppressed gasps. It's clear that the wolves in the company are really hungry.

I heard that these newcomers rehearsed for two whole months just for that two-minute performance. Unfortunately, forcing a group of people with absolutely no dance talent onto the stage is like throwing ducks onto a shelf. Lin Chen knew all too well that this was a "political task"—if they didn't put these young people through the wringer, who would they put through the wringer?

Lin Chen went through the same ordeal back then, but Xinhai Company has always been "tolerant," and despite the terrible performance, there was still a symbolic, sparse applause from the audience.

The second item on the agenda was a speech by Song Jiehui. "This year we have achieved remarkable results." "Thanks to the efforts of all employees, the company's performance has reached new heights." "Of course, we also have some problems, and we hope to continue to improve next year..."

It was the same old story, a long and tedious monologue, from "brilliant achievements" to "existing problems" and then to "bright prospects," making the listener drowsy.

The somber atmosphere was not dispelled until the very last agenda item, when outstanding individuals were recognized.

The first award presented was the "Outstanding Collective Award." This award fully embodies the art of balance and egalitarianism, much like dividing pork among equals, with almost every department of any size receiving the prize equally.

The Balu Institute won the "Safety Award," the Safety Supervision Department won the "Innovation Award," the Wushan Water Plant was awarded the "Harmony Award," and the Hezhou Institute won the "Unity Award"... Everyone received an award, no one was left out, everyone was happy, and everyone was in harmony.

Actually, there's no need to arrange this award at all; it would save money on paper.

After the group awards were presented, the main event, the individual awards, finally arrived. These are the real hard currency that reflects an individual's "value" and the leader's "recognition".

The air instantly became tense. Zhang Junmin, sitting in the front row, unconsciously straightened his back, placed his hands on his knees, and stared intently at Tang Yuwei, his whole body radiating suppressed tension.

Tang Yuwei held the list and read it aloud clearly: "Four people have won the company's 'Outstanding Employee of the Year' award: Wang Licheng from Baihe Water Station, Liang Xiaoyu from the Safety Supervision Department, Liu Sheng from Linshan Water Plant, and Zhang Junmin from the Office. Congratulations to them."

"Wow." Zhang Junmin in the front row almost jumped up from his chair, excitedly waving his fist as if he had won a world championship. When he went up to receive the award, he didn't forget to "unintentionally" nudge Lin Chen with his elbow, his eyes full of provocation and smugness.

Lin Chen ignored him and just glanced at them indifferently. These four people were either relatives of the leader or sycophants. None of them were actually hardworking.

That's just awful.

Four people went on stage to receive awards, which were personally presented by Director Liu, the third-in-command. They stood ramrod straight, trying hard to suppress their joy, but their faces couldn't hide their pride; their mouths were practically stretched to their ears when taking photos.

There was no acceptance speech; after taking photos, the four people left the stage one by one.

As he stepped off the stage, Zhang Junmin held up his award certificate high, showing it off to his colleagues. His already crooked mouth was now so upturned that it looked like he could hang an oil bottle on it, perfectly displaying his smug and self-satisfied demeanor.

Lin Chen was indignant that such an idiot could win an award, but he had nothing to say.

Tang Yuwei once again held a list and walked confidently to the front of the stage.

The entire room fell silent once again.

Chen Ya, sitting in the front row, kept her eyes glued to the stage, her breathing becoming shallow.

Tang Yuwei clearly announced: "Next, we will be presenting the 'Company's Model Employee of the Year' award. The winners are Director Cao Hong from the Project Department and our beautiful and elegant colleague Chen Ya from the office! Let's give them a warm round of applause!"

Chen Ya, who had been holding her breath, finally let out a long sigh of relief. Her tense shoulders relaxed, and tears welled up in her eyes. Although it wasn't the highest honor, it was still an affirmation of her "efforts," and at least she had taken another step forward on the road to promotion and a raise.

This made her convinced that all the forbearance, sacrifices, and late-night overtime work she had endured were worthwhile.

She took a deep breath, instinctively covering her chest with one hand, and lightly lifting her non-existent skirt with the other, walking towards the stage with the most elegant steps possible, as if walking towards her own coronation.

This time, the award was presented by Tan Huasheng, the company's second-in-command. In addition to the certificate, there were flowers and an opportunity to have a "warm" hug with the leader. Finally, he was able to give an acceptance speech. The treatment was obviously a level higher.

Director Cao Hong began his acceptance speech, jokingly saying, "This is the biggest award I've ever received in my life. I'll keep it by my bedside, day and night, to constantly remind myself!"

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience. No one knew that he won various awards every year because he gave gifts.

When it was Chen Ya's turn, her eyes immediately welled up with tears as soon as she took the microphone, and she burst into sobs. Wiping away her tears, she said, "Thank you for the recognition from the leaders, thank you for everyone's support... Receiving this award makes me incredibly excited; it shows that my hard work hasn't been in vain... I must work even harder to live up to this trust and not disappoint the leaders' expectations..."

Her words were sincere, heartfelt, and deeply moving, as if she had suffered a great injustice to receive recognition. Tan Huasheng, who presented the award, was clearly touched and gave her a firm and encouraging hug.

Finally, the grand finale arrived.

The most tense moment of the entire event!!

Tang Yuwei lifted her skirt lightly and walked to the center of the stage with an exceptionally bright smile.

"Next, we will be presenting the most prestigious award of the evening, the Company Person of the Year."

hiss!

The entire venue fell into complete silence; you could hear a pin drop.

This is the company's most prestigious annual individual honor, and the winner will undoubtedly become the company's most dazzling "star" of the year. In the past few years, this award has almost always been won by middle-level leaders, and last year's winner was Director Tang Xin.

Who will win this year?

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the envelope in Tang Yuwei's hand. Zhang Junmin craned his neck, secretly praying: if he could win this award, his promotion next year would be guaranteed.

Chen Ya clenched her fists, her eyes filled with longing. This award isn't something you can't receive after you've already received it; there's no such rule. Tang Xin received all three awards that year.

Tang Yuwei was well-versed in the art of suspense. She slowly, extremely slowly, opened the envelope that would determine her fate. The moment she saw the name, a genuine look of surprise flashed across her face. She even blinked subconsciously to make sure she wasn't mistaken.

what! ! ! !

She could barely contain her overwhelming joy. She raised her head, her gaze seemingly piercing through the crowd, precisely landing on a handsome man in a corner, and announced in a clear and powerful voice:

"The winner of this year's 'Company Person of the Year' is..." She paused deliberately, whetting everyone's appetite.

"The recipient of this year's 'Company Person of the Year' award is Lin Chen."

hiss!

explode!!

The entire audience erupted in chaos, as if cold water had been poured into a pot of boiling oil!

All eyes turned to the man, each person's gaze seeming to see something unbelievable and terrifying. After a long while, the colleagues all gasped in shock.

How is that possible?

Is he the company's Person of the Year?

Zhang Junmin's smile froze, his eyes filled with astonishment.

Chen Ya felt as if someone was pressing on her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.