wavenovel Chapter 11 Colleagues' Gathering
Chapter 11 Colleagues' Gathering
As Chen Mo walked out of the minister's office, he squeezed the envelope and document bag in his hand, feeling a strange mix of emotions.
He used to feel like he was invisible at the company, and no one cared whether he did well or poorly.
But now, things seem different.
At the same time, my system reward also arrived.
[Congratulations, host, on completing the mission: The Brave Challenge]
[Rewards: Memory +1, Intelligence +1, Courage +300]
[Current attribute update:]
Memory: 61 (Average)
IQ: 69 (average)
System Level: Lv1 (2000/10000)
When I got back to my workstation, it was almost time to leave work.
Wang Qing leaned closer and asked curiously, "What did Minister Huang want to see you about? He's being so mysterious."
"The project, and the bonus."
Chen Mo put the file bag into his bag and said casually.
Did you receive your bonus?
Wang Qing said with a smile, "Mine have been issued too; the finance department just delivered them."
She paused, then suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh right, our group two is planning to have dinner together tonight to celebrate."
"What are we celebrating?"
"Let's celebrate that we kept our prize money!"
Wang Qing laughed and said, "Everyone knows that if you hadn't said that at the meeting last time, our Group Two's bonus for this quarter would have really been deducted."
So tonight we're all planning to get together, and we'll split the bill. You can come for free, as a way of thanking you.
"You don't need to be so polite..."
"Yes, I want it!"
Li Ping, who was sitting opposite, turned around and said with a smile, "Chen Mo, please don't refuse. Everyone really wants to thank you."
Besides, tomorrow's the weekend, relax and don't spoil the fun.
Several colleagues around him echoed his sentiments.
"Yes, Chen Mo, let's go together."
"The place is all booked, the Sichuan restaurant near the company."
"Yeah, it's been so long since we all got together."
Looking at everyone's sincere expressions, Chen Mo realized it had been a long time since he had experienced a department dinner together.
He nodded and said, "Okay, let's go together then, but we have to split the bill, otherwise I won't go."
"Okay, whatever you say!"
Wang Qing clapped her hands and laughed, "Then I'll go tell the others that I'll go straight there after get off work."
……
At 6:30 p.m., the private room of the Sichuan restaurant was bustling with activity.
The second group of more than a dozen people sat around two tables, which were filled with various dishes, glistening with red oil and emitting a fragrant aroma.
"Come on, the first toast is to Chen Mo!"
Colleague Zhao Feng stood up, raised his glass, and said, "Everyone remembers what happened at the last meeting."
If Chen Mo hadn't stepped forward, we would have lost our bonuses for this quarter.
On behalf of everyone, I thank you with this glass of wine!
"Thank you, Chen Mo!"
Everyone raised their glasses.
Chen Mo quickly stood up, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Please don't say that, everyone. I was just trying to advocate for myself, and by the way..."
"It helped all of us in the process."
Zhao Feng interrupted him and said seriously, "Chen Mo, what you said at the meeting that day not only saved your bonus, but also made everyone understand something."
In the workplace, we should fight when we need to fight and speak when we need to speak.
You've taught us all a lesson.
"Yes, Chen Mo."
Colleague Li Ping chimed in, "I used to think it was better to avoid trouble and just bear with it, but now I think there are some things that are just unbearable."
"You're right! If it weren't for you, Team Leader Li was clearly trying to do us a favor that day, but he made us pay for it!"
"I think with your skills and abilities, you're more suited to be the team leader!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"..."
Looking at the scene before him, Chen Mo knew that everyone's gratitude towards him might be genuine, but some things couldn't be taken at face value.
For example, saying that he is more suitable to be the team leader is a fool's belief.
Perhaps because of his improved emotional intelligence, he remained completely calm in the face of this situation.
Chen Mo raised his glass and said sincerely, "Thank you for your recognition."
Actually, I used to be the kind of person who could tolerate anything, but now I feel that it's never too late to change.
This glass is a toast to the change we've all made!
"Respect change!"
"Cheers!"
The clinking of glasses produced a crisp, pleasant sound, bringing the atmosphere in the private room to a climax.
After a round of drinks, Wang Qing sat next to Chen Mo and whispered with a smile, "See? You're the hero of Group Two now."
"What hero...?"
Chen Mo chuckled casually, "I was just stating a few facts."
"Not everyone dares to speak the truth."
Wang Qing casually picked up a piece of grilled beef and put it in his bowl, saying, "Try this, it's their signature dish, I heard it's especially delicious."
"Thanks."
Chen Mo was somewhat surprised by her ambiguous behavior, but he didn't think much of it and took it as a friendly gesture between colleagues.
He took a bite; the beef was tender and the spiciness was just right—it was indeed delicious.
He didn't notice at all that Wang Qing's gaze towards him was completely different from before.
At the dinner table, everyone chatted about work, life, and gossip, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
Chen Mo discovered that when he stopped putting himself in the position of a "nice guy," his relationship with everyone became more natural.
Halfway through the meal, Zhao Feng suggested, "How about we go to a karaoke bar after we finish eating? It's been a while since we've been."
"OK!"
"I agree!"
"But let me make this clear first, I'm tone-deaf, so I can only be a listener."
"What are you afraid of? We're all on the same side. No one will laugh at you no matter how badly you sing."
Everyone started discussing it animatedly, and finally unanimously decided to go to the newly opened KTV near the company.
Chen Mo initially wanted to decline, but Wang Qing tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Let's go together. It's rare for everyone to be so happy, and besides..."
She blinked and said mysteriously, "I heard that a few single female colleagues in the technical department will also be going."
Chen Mo was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Wasn't this a group dinner for Group Two?"
"Originally, yes, but during lunch just now, someone sent the message to the company's private group chat for employees, and as a result, people from other groups also said they wanted to come."
Wang Qing laughed and said, "Now it's turned into a social gathering for the technical department."
"(⊙o⊙)………"
Chen Mo was both amused and exasperated.
Good grief, they were just pretending to invite me; it turns out they were using the party as a pretext to create opportunities for themselves with their female colleagues.
But then I thought, it's good to relax a bit.
Aren't I single too?
What if you meet someone who likes you?
Or something you like?
That way, I won't have to be forced to go on blind dates by my mom anymore.
……
At 8:30 p.m., there were already more than 20 people sitting in the large private room of the KTV.
Besides the colleagues from Group Two, there were people from several other groups, men and women, and the atmosphere was even more lively than during the meal earlier.
The table was covered with beer, fruit platters, and snacks, and a popular song requested by a colleague was playing on the screen.
"Chen Mo, sing one!"
Zhao Feng shoved the microphone into his hand and egged him on, saying, "You're the star today, you have to sing a song!"
"Yeah, Chen Mo, give us a song!"
"Let us listen to the songs of heroes!"
Everyone echoed this sentiment.
"..."
Chen Mo held the microphone, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
He doesn't know many songs, and singing in front of a large audience is quite stressful for him.
Although I sang in a restaurant once before, it was to get a free meal, and the restaurant was full of strangers at the time.
Now I'm facing my colleagues with whom I spend every day...
[Social context detected; host triggers timed system task]
[Task Name: Courageous Talent]
[Task: Perform a singing show in front of your colleagues]
[Task Rewards: Appearance +1, Emotional Intelligence +1, Courage +300]
[Note: True courage is being able to confidently showcase your talents even in front of familiar people.]