Gu Lin's hobby
On the top floor of Gu Group, the lights in the president's office.
It is usually one of the last stars to go out of this skyscraper.
11:15 pm.
The last cross-border merger and acquisition risk assessment report that required urgent approval was closed with a slight "pop" sound.
Gu Lin leaned back on the wide leather chair and raised his hand to pinch the base of his tall nose.
The brain has been working at high intensity for nearly sixteen hours.
At this moment, it is like an overheated and overclocked precision instrument, making a silent hum.
Outside the window, the city’s neon lights flow into a blurry sea of light.
Reflected in his deep yet tired eyes.
it's over.
In other words, the "battle" at the work level has come to a temporary end.
The huge penthouse has a cold modern minimalist style and the main colors of black, white and gray.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows is the dazzling city night view.
It is so quiet here that you can hear the subtle sound of the central air conditioning blowing air.
It was so quiet that I could clearly hear my own heart beating regularly in my chest.
Gu Lin untied the tie that had been restricting him for the whole day, as well as the top button of his shirt, revealing the hard lines of his collarbone.
He walked into the open kitchen and poured himself a glass of ice water.
The cool liquid slid down his throat, bringing a brief sense of clarity.
But it cannot dispel the heavy and chronic illness accumulated deep in the spirit.
For Gu Lin, pressure is like the air that follows him everywhere.
Controlling a huge business empire, every decision involves the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people and astronomical capital flows.
He was feared by his subordinates, called a "living devil" by his opponents, and a "cold-blooded god of war" by the media...
These labels were like heavy crowns, imprisoning him firmly on the altar called "Gu Lin".
He cannot make mistakes, cannot be weak, and even... cannot have the fatigue and fragility of ordinary people.
He needs an outlet.
One who doesn't need to pretend to be strong, and doesn't need to weigh the pros and cons.
A hidden corner where you can relax for a while, or even absorb a little bit of "popularity".
He found this outlet - late-night live broadcast.
It’s not those so-called “beauty” live broadcast rooms filled with women wiggling sexually and asking for gifts in a coquettish manner.
Those images and sounds only made him feel more irritated and empty, like noise pollution.
What he was looking for was something that could relax his tense nerves a little.
Something that allows him to observe the world with a cold eye, and even occasionally triggers a hint of thought.
He likes to watch live broadcasts that are informative and thoughtful.
Perhaps it is a craftsman who is dedicated to restoring ancient books, smoothing out the wrinkles of time with his aged fingers under the quiet camera;
Perhaps it’s a young teacher who teaches in a remote mountain village, sharing the children’s innocent smiles and thirst for knowledge;
Or perhaps they are a popular science expert in a niche field, breaking down complex knowledge in a simple and accessible way...
These images and sounds, like trickles of water, can silently moisten his dry spiritual desert and bring a strange sense of peace.
Tonight, he finished all his work as usual.
Took a cold shower and changed into comfortable home clothes.
Leaning on the large but cold sofa in the living room.
The huge curved-screen TV was not turned on. He preferred to use a tablet, as the screen was closer and more private.
My fingertips slid across the recommendation page of the "Xingyu" live broadcast platform, and all kinds of bizarre covers quickly flashed by.
His eyes were indifferent, as if he was evaluating a worthless business plan.
A title piqued his faintest interest:
[An Xiaomiao's Heartwarming Tree Hole] - Listening late at night, rational analysis, and warm companionship.
"Tree hole?" Gu Lin's fingertips paused.
This ID is a bit unfamiliar.
The cover shows the silhouette of a girl with long curly chestnut hair, only the neck and above are exposed.
I couldn't see her face clearly, but I didn't feel any deliberate coquettishness.
The description reads: "Let's talk about the trivial things in life ~ Rational analysis, no toxic chicken soup!"
Rational analysis?
Gu Lin raised his eyebrows slightly.
In this live broadcast environment filled with emotional venting and mindless talk, the word "rational" seems particularly abrupt.
He clicked on it with a hint of scrutiny and almost harsh criticism.
The live broadcast screen is very clean.
No complicated background, no revealing clothing.
It was still the "girl" with long chestnut hair, wearing a pink coral fleece home suit that looked like ordinary material.
Only the part above the shoulders is exposed.
There seemed to be a teardrop mole on her face, and the light shone softly on her.
The voice coming through the headphones was deliberately soft and a little lazy.
But it wasn't harsh, instead it felt strangely... soothing?
"...So, my friend 'Evening Breeze,' you feel like you've given a lot in this friendship, but he's always taking in return. This makes you feel aggrieved and unbalanced, right?"
An Xiaomao's voice came clearly, her speech was not fast, and she spoke with a kind of patient guidance.
Gu Lin frowned subconsciously.
Emotional counseling?
What he disdains most is this kind of whining entanglement.
Just as I was about to row away, I heard An Xiao Miao's next words:
"First of all, I completely understand how you feel.
It is indeed frustrating when your efforts are not reciprocated.
But Xiao Miao would like you to step out of the 'give-take-get' framework and ask yourself this question: When you were kind to your friend, were you hoping to get something in return, or were you simply being kind to her because she was your friend?
Gu Lin's fingers, which were about to move away, stopped.
This entry point... is quite interesting.
He did not accuse the other party's "friend" of being bad right away, nor did he simply comfort "evening breeze".
Instead, it guides her to examine her own motives.
In the headphones, "Evening Breeze"'s voice was hesitant: "I... of course I treat her well because I really treat her as a friend... but..."
"Sincerity is the foundation, which is great!" An Xiaomiao affirmed, and then changed the subject.
His tone was gentle yet powerful, “But sincerity doesn’t mean giving without limits, nor does it mean you can’t express your feelings.
Healthy friendship flows in both directions, just like a stream, which can only come alive when there is a flow of both.
You feel wronged now precisely because this river has become a one-way output for you, while the other party only takes in and does not give out, and may even take your efforts for granted.
Gu Lin's fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest of the sofa unconsciously.
This metaphor... is simple, but accurate.
It was more to the point than some of the PPT presentations he had heard from executives.
An Xiao Miao continued her analysis: "Xiao Miao suggests: First, stop over-giving. This isn't selfishness, but setting healthy boundaries."
For example, if she asks you to help with something that is beyond your ability or time, you can gently but firmly say, "Maybe not this time."
Second, try to communicate. Find a suitable time to express your feelings using sentences that begin with "I".
For example, 'I've been feeling a little tired lately because I did XXX, but I noticed that you didn't seem to care/respond, which made me a little sad'.
Instead of blaming 'why are you always like this'.
Third, observe her reaction. If she cares about your friendship, she'll reflect and adjust. If she remains the same, even accusing you of being 'stingy,' then..."
An Xiaomao paused, her voice sounding helpless yet sober.
"You may need to re-evaluate the value of this friendship. A true friend will feel sorry for your efforts instead of consuming you."
Well said!
【Little Meow is awake now! 】
[A sense of boundaries is so important! ]
【I learned it! Thank you, Xiao Miao! 】
The comments were full of agreement.
Gu Lin looked at the long-haired silhouette on the screen, and a hint of interest flashed across his cold eyes, which he himself did not even notice.
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