Gu Lin - A Ruthless Reward Machine
Ever since the "mental compensation" for the three space battleships came down, Lin Yu'an's feelings towards this "L" brother have completely changed from "mysterious financial sponsor" to "clumsy but interesting netizen".
Although the other party's identity remains a mystery, he is extremely generous and inhumane.
But on WeChat, he is slow to react, has trouble finding topics to talk about, and can only say [hmm], [oh], and [emoticon] at any time.
It is really hard to equate him with those imagined, high-ranking elite bosses.
So, Lin Yu'an completely let himself go under the alias "An Xiaomiao".
The "work injury" he suffered at Gu Lin's place during the day was transformed into a constant stream of material and energy for complaining at night, which he poured all out to this "tree hole" brother.
---
This day.
It was another morning when Gu Lin's words, "The color scheme of this PPT is eye-catching, redo it!", broke my soul.
Lin Yu'an returned to his workstation with the rejected documents in his arms, feeling like an eggplant that had been hit by frost eight hundred times.
He habitually picked up his phone and clicked on the profile picture of the dark blue sports car.
An Xiao Miao: [Mr. L! Help! [Kitten falling to the ground and vomiting blood emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [I feel like my aesthetic has taken a devastating blow! My boss said my PPT color scheme is eye-catching! [Kitten covering eyes with a pained mask emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [That's the Morandi color scheme I carefully selected! High-grade gray! Do you understand? Does he only know black, white, and gray? [Crazy kitten flipping the table emoji]]
Not long after I sent the message, my phone vibrated.
Lin Yu'an was a little surprised. Shouldn't Brother "L" be very busy at this time?
L: [Irritating?]
L: [[Confused expression]]
L: What color?
An Xiaomao immediately took a photo of the corner of the PPT cover that had been returned and sent it over, of course, erasing all the company information and content.
An Xiao Miao: [This is it! Haze blue + oatmeal! So gentle and classy! He actually said it looked like a moldy rag! [Kitten pissed off like a pufferfish emoji]]
There was silence on L's end for several minutes.
Lin Yu'an could almost imagine the other person staring at the phone screen with a frown, trying to understand the artistic connection between "smog blue" and "moldy rag".
L: […It’s a bit gray.]
L: [[Fairly critical expression]]
L: [Boss... maybe you like bright colors?]
An Xiao Miao: [Bright? His office is decorated in a minimalist style! The cups are pure black! Even the pens are silver-gray! He's like a walking iceberg! [Kitten frozen into a popsicle emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [Oh right! Speaking of cups! Last time, he complained that my coffee was too hot! He told me to switch to warm water or tea! Isn't that weird? Icebergs are afraid of heat? [Kitten scratching his head in confusion emoji]]
After this message was sent, the "Inputting..." prompt on "L"'s side flashed and turned off and on again for a full two minutes.
Lin Yu'an felt anxious for him.
Finally, a message slowly crawled out:
L: [Tea... is good.]
L: [For example... Pu'er?]
L: [[Teacup emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [Pu'er? Mr. L, do you like Pu'er? [Kitten curiously peeking out emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [Meow meow, I don't know much about tea, I just know it looks expensive! But the boss is so picky, he must want top-notch tea, right? [Kitten counting money with fingers emoji]]
L: [Not bad.]
L: [Nourishes the stomach.]
L: [[Health Expert Emoji Pack]]
Lin Yu'an looked at the serious [Health Expert Emoji Pack], and then thought of Gu Lin's icy face and the word "stomach-nourishing", and burst out laughing.
He quickly covered his mouth, but the smile still escaped from his eyes.
An Iceberg CEO drinks health-promoting Pu'er tea?
This picture is so contrasting!
An Xiao Miao: [Pfft! Mr. L, your emoji is so old-fashioned! But 'stomach-nourishing'... well, it seems perfect for a workaholic like our boss! [Kitten giggling emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [Then I'll try making him Pu'er tea next time? What if he finds the taste weird again? [Anxious Kitten Emoji]]
L: [No.]
L: [[Nodding affirmatively]]
L: [Try it.]
For some reason, "L"'s short and affirmative "try it" inexplicably gave Lin Yu'an some courage.
In the afternoon, he inexplicably did not make coffee, but instead rummaged through the drawers and found the top-quality Pu'er tea samples that the administration department used to entertain VIPs.
I carefully made a cup of tea for Gu Lin and put it on his desk. My heart almost jumped out of my throat.
Gu Lin raised his head from the documents, his eyes swept across the cup of dark tea, and then fell on Lin Yu'an's nervous face.
He said nothing, just paused imperceptibly, then picked up the cup and took a sip.
During the whole process, the office was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Lin Yu'an held his breath.
Gu Lin put down the cup and said calmly, "Next time, the water temperature should be five degrees lower."
Then, continue looking down at the document.
Lin Yu'an: "...Yes, Mr. Gu."
After leaving the office, he leaned against the wall and let out a long sigh.
No swearing!
No cup dropped!
Just asked for the water temperature!
This is truly a milestone!
He immediately took out his cell phone.
An Xiao Miao: [Mr. L! Report! [Kitten saluting emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [I brewed Pu'er tea for my boss as you suggested! He didn't get mad! He only complained about the water temperature! [Kitten spinning excitedly emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [You are my lucky star! [Kitten sends out love beaming emoji]]
L: [Yeah.]
L: [[Smiling emoji]]
L: [Very good.]
Although it was still a concise reply, Lin Yu'an seemed to be able to feel the other party's slightly clumsy relief through the screen.
---
On the weekend, Lin Yu'an rarely had to face Gu Lin's coldness and stayed at home with Doupi.
Five-year-old Doupi is in the midst of a graffiti craze, grabbing a paintbrush and expressing his "artistic inspiration" on paper.
While Lin Yu'an was cleaning up the living room that was messed up by the little guy, he habitually shared his daily life with "L".
An Xiao Miao: [Mr. L! You absolutely can't imagine! [Kitten covering mouth in shock emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [My little ancestor painted his abstract masterpiece on my new shirt! It's my most expensive one! [Kitten crying emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [A limited edition piece imbued with postmodernist deconstructionist flair has been created! [Image: A white shirt with a colorful, meaningless graffiti on the chest]]
He was just complaining, feeling a bit helpless and funny.
Although Doupi's "masterpiece" ruined the clothes, the little guy was having fun drawing, so he couldn't be angry.
L's message was replied quickly this time:
L: [Little ancestor?]
An Xiao Miao replied immediately: [My sister's child. After being abandoned by a scumbag, my sister went to the United States alone and left the child to me to take care of!]
Without waiting for God L to ask too many questions, An Xiaomiao continued to comment on Doupi's work.
A few minutes later.
L: 【Abstract.】
L: [[Magnifying glass emoji]]
L: [It has potential.]
An Xiao Miao: [Pfft! Mr. L, you're so humorous! [Kitten laughing to tears emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [This potential is so expensive! My wallet is crying! [Kitten crying with an empty wallet emoji]]
L: [Like]
L: [Pointing at the graffiti and asking]
An Xiao Miao: [Huh? You like this graffiti? [Kitten tilting its head in confusion emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [Hey, this is my little ancestor's masterpiece. I have to say I like it even if I cry! [Kitten forced smile emoji]]
L: [Selling it?]
L: [[Serious inquiry expression]]
An Xiao Miao: [??? [Kitten with question mark emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [Mr. L, stop kidding! How can I sell this? It's just a child's scribble! [Kitten waving hands like crazy emoji]]
L: [Art is priceless.]
L: [[Serious expression]]
L: [Ten thousand?]
Lin Yu'an looked at the "ten thousand" and almost threw his phone away.
He rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing things.
Ten thousand yuan? Buying tofu skin to draw graffiti on a shirt? Is this guy's understanding of "art" too advanced and inhumane?
An Xiao Miao: [Mr. L!!! [Kitten looks so shocked she's distorted]]
An Xiao Miao: [Calm down! This really can't be sold! And ten thousand yuan... that's more than Miao Miao makes in a day! [Kitten clutching her heart emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [I appreciate the kindness! But I have to keep this 'masterpiece'. I'll blackmail my little ancestor when he grows up! [Kitten rubbing hands cunningly emoji]]
L: [What a pity.]
L: [[Regretful expression]]
L: [Then...photos?]
L: [Collection.]
L: [[Pleading expression]]
Lin Yu'an looked at the rare appearance of the man with a somewhat "humble" [pleading expression].
I was completely defeated by this big guy's "artistic pursuit", or his mysterious love for tofu skin.
He sent the original photo of the graffiti on the shirt, feeling both amused and helpless.
An Xiao Miao: [[Picture]]
An Xiao Miao: [Here you go! Mr. L, your collecting hobby is truly unique! [Kitten holding forehead with helpless expression]]
L: Thank you.
L: [[Happy Spinning Emoji - An unusually lively cartoon bear that doesn't fit his style at all]]
Lin Yu'an looked at the jumping little bear emoticon and laughed out loud again.
This Lord L is so clumsy... it's kind of cute.
He had no idea that on the other side of the screen, Gu Lin was saving the "abstract shirt graffiti" in a newly created folder in the encrypted album of his phone. The folder name was extremely simple and crude: [A].
After a few interactions, Lin Yu'an had already regarded God L as a good friend with whom he could talk about anything.
It has been more than half a year since Lin Yu'an was hired as a full-time employee at Gu Group.
At this moment, the quarterly performance evaluation results are out.
Lin Yu'an was stunned when he saw the number in the email that far exceeded his expectations, as well as the generous bonus that followed.
He confirmed it several times and even pinched his thigh secretly. It hurt!
Not a dream!
Gu Lin... gave him a raise?
And they gave so much bonus?
Although we were really tortured this quarter and the project was completed well, this increase... is it too touching?
Was it because of that cup of Pu'er tea that Bingshan was finally moved?
The huge surprise and an indescribable sense of recognition overwhelmed Lin Yu'an's mind.
He urgently needs to find someone to share this happiness with!
The first person that came to mind was Brother "L", who had almost become his online diary.
An Xiao Miao: [Mr. L, Mr. L! Ahhhhh! [Kitten exploding into the air emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [Unexpected windfall! No! A huge salary! [Kitten fainted from being hit by money emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [My boss! That big devil! He actually gave me a raise! And a huge bonus! [Kitten counting money until his hands cramp emoji]]
After the message was sent, he excitedly waved his fists silently at his workstation.
L: [Congratulations.]
L: [[Fireworks celebration emoji]]
L: [It should be.]
An Xiao Miao: [As it should be? Mr. L, you don't know! Our boss is notoriously stingy... er, no, he's notoriously strict about cost control! [Kitten covering her mouth and almost letting something slip emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [He was able to increase my salary so much, it's like the sun is rising from the west! [Kitten pointing at the sun emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [Although, he is usually a bit picky, his demands are a bit abnormal, and his words are a bit cold...]
An Xiao Miao: [But! [Kitten suddenly looks serious]]
An Xiao Miao: [He's so generous with his money! He pays out performance bonuses right away, no ambiguity at all! [Kitten eyes sparkling emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [And you know what? He has a really sharp eye! Last time, I pulled multiple all-nighters to work on a marketing proposal, and he criticized it as worthless. But after I revised it according to his instructions, the client approved it right away! They even increased the budget! [Kitten is so impressed emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [And more! Although he has a cold face, he never engages in workplace PUA tactics! He's objective, not personal. Good work is good, and rewards are given when they're due! [Kitten giving a thumbs-up emoji]]
An Xiao Miao: [Now that I think about it… besides being a workaholic and a chiller, our boss is actually… pretty reliable? [Kitten suddenly realized emoji]]
Lin Yu'an became more and more excited as he spoke. The excitement of getting the money during the day mixed with his objective recognition of Gu Lin's abilities.
He became the "boss blowhard" and gave Brother "L" a bunch of heartfelt flattery on WeChat.
He even forgot that in his character "An Xiao Miao", the boss during the day should be an "evil capitalist".
In the top-floor apartment, Gu Lin had just finished a video conference.
He pinched his brows and picked up his personal cell phone out of habit.
When I opened WeChat, I was instantly bombarded with messages from "An Xiaomiao" filled with exclamation marks and emoticons.
He read them one by one.
Seeing the ecstasy of "huge salary falling from the sky", the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
Money is just a number to him, but it makes him so happy, which seems to be more fulfilling than completing a billion-dollar project.
He didn't even frown when he saw the complaints about "fussy", "perverted" and "freezing", and even found it a bit... vivid?
However, when I read the following long paragraph about his "generous", "sharp eyes", "not engaging in PUA", and "reliable" evaluation...
A torrent of boiling water, as hot as magma, suddenly rushed to Gu Lin's head.
It instantly spreads through every part of his body!
My heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by a warm hand, and then thrown into the clouds!
That feeling is even more satisfying than signing a cross-border merger and acquisition!
The satisfaction it brings is a hundred times stronger than any limited edition sports car in his collection!
He liked listening to Lin Yu'an's complaints about him, because it made him feel real.
But he never thought that he would hear Lin Yu'an praise him so frankly and sincerely!
It’s not the flattery of a subordinate to his superior, but the recognition of “An Xiao Miao” with a little admiration and surprise!
This feels… damn good!
Without any hesitation, he clicked on the reward interface of the live broadcast platform.
This time, he was no longer satisfied with the space battleship.
In the live broadcast room, Lin Yu'an had just finished a hearty "boss praise" and was grinning foolishly at his phone.
Suddenly, the entire live broadcast platform seemed to be covered by a dazzling rainbow!
Supreme user "L" gifted anchor "An Xiao Miao" a "Dream Rainbow Castle"! Become the lord of the castle during this live broadcast! Click to visit "L's" homepage to pay homage to the master!
A huge castle, glittering with light and dreamlike, rises from the ground and takes up the entire screen!
Surrounded by colorful auspicious clouds and fairy music, countless virtual rose petals and gold coins poured down like waterfalls!
This is one of the top and most expensive gifts on the platform, worth far more than ten space battleships!
The entire live broadcast room went completely crazy!
The server seemed to be stuck for a moment!
[Holy crap!!! Rainbow Castle!!! In my lifetime series!!!]
【L God!!! You are my God!!!】
[Meow! What did you just say to God L?! Did he buy the platform?!]
[I declare! God L is the fugitive prince who spent a fortune on Meow Meow!]
Lin Yu'an was completely petrified in front of the camera, his mouth opened into an O shape, and he even forgot to maintain the sweet expression of "An Xiao Miao".
Rainbow Castle?! How much does that cost?!
Just because... because he praised the boss?!
WeChat on my phone was also vibrating wildly.
L: [That’s a good compliment.]
L: [[Rainbow Castle real picture emoji]]
L: [[thumbs-up emoji] x10]
Looking at the likes that flooded the screen, and then at the virtual castle that was still glittering in the live broadcast room, Lin Yu'an had only one thought in his mind:
This L-god...could he be...a fanatical fan of their boss Gu Lin?!
Or... is he the mysterious major shareholder of the Gu Group? !
Otherwise, why is it that every time he praises Gu Lin, the other party throws money at him like crazy? !
This idea was even more absurd than the previous one that "God L is Gu Lin himself", but looking at the priceless virtual castle, Lin Yu'an felt that it didn't seem completely impossible?
After all, he doesn’t understand the world of rich people!
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