Work Prophet

Li Yu lay on the beach chair, enjoying the sea breeze while flipping through the book he just borrowed from the library, occasionally taking a sip of juice from the chair beside him.

Come to think of it, this seems to be his first time taking annual leave in the few years he's been working. Although there was an annual leave system at the previous company, even weekends were packed with overtime, and any request for annual leave wouldn't be approved.

However, maintaining high-intensity labor for a long time leads to significant damage, both physically and mentally.

It's like a machine running at full capacity constantly. Without regular maintenance, it's hard not to encounter issues over time...

Li Yu didn't continue to dwell on these thoughts. The sun was perfect at this moment, warm and comforting on his skin, and he refocused his attention on the book.

He had no idea how much time passed before he heard the buzzing of propellers. He looked up to see a seaplane landing in the sea area in front of him.

This seaplane was much larger and appeared more luxurious compared to the one he took when he arrived.

Once it steadied on the water, a small wooden boat began heading towards the plane.

Since it was quite a distance away, Li Yu couldn't see the people getting off the plane, and he didn't pay much attention. The island was large enough that a few more people wouldn't be disruptive, and people rarely encountered each other anyway.

Just as Li Yu was thinking this, the wooden boat started heading towards him.

As the boat drew nearer, Li Yu finally recognized the person on board.

It was none other than Director Taylor of the company.

Unlike the gala night, she was dressed particularly casually today in a cheap T-shirt bought from some street stall, printed with "Don't hate what you don't understand," layered with a sleeveless cardigan vest.

She paired it with jeans and cowboy boots, and a floral headscarf wrapped around her head.

As the boat docked, Taylor stepped off onto the beach.

"I hope I'm not disturbing your vacation."

Li Yu stood up from the beach chair at this point, "Not at all, I just arrived last night myself."

"The sunshine on this beach looks good. Do you mind if I add a chair next to you?"

Li Yu shook his head.

Without waiting for the butler's instructions, the porters from the boat had already rushed to fetch the beach chair.

Taylor's gaze then fell on the book Li Yu held in his right hand, "Oh, you're already reading."

Li Yu nodded, holding up "Three Body II: The Dark Forest," "This is the one you recommended that night. I have some free time now, so I'm reading it on the island to pass the time."

Taylor seemed quite pleased, "It's my favorite story."

"Why do you like this story?"

"Oh, because it's filled with astonishing creative ideas and profound depictions of human civilization."

The porter brought over the beach chair along with an umbrella.

Taylor signaled him to place the beach chair not far from Li Yu, and she lay down on it, continuing her conversation.

"Leading a civilization is a very complex task; I'm sure you'd agree with this. In any collective, there will always be disagreements; people are bound to make different choices based on their backgrounds and interests.

But when a crisis comes, I mean a genuine crisis; survival becomes the most pressing issue for a race, and that often means many people must make sacrifices…"

Li Yu frowned slightly, "Are you talking to me about the novel, or..."

"Of course, we're talking about the novel." Taylor's smile appeared somewhat mysterious.

Since she had denied it, Li Yu felt it inappropriate to pursue the topic further, so he changed the subject, "Director Taylor, may I ask you a few questions?"

"Certainly, as long as it's not related to work; let's not waste this valuable vacation time." Taylor appeared to be in a good mood today and quite chatty.

Li Yu thought for a moment, "You and the other directors don't seem to visit the company very often."

"Oh, each of us has our own matters to handle, and the company has its own rules. Even we can't interfere with the company's day-to-day operations, especially the operations of your sales department."

"Who made these rules?"

"We did," Taylor answered in a way that surprised Li Yu, "All the directors, through a vote, the oldest democratic decision-making process in human history."

Seeing the expression on Li Yu's face, Taylor let out a soft laugh, "I know what you're thinking; rules are only constraints for ordinary people but can be playthings easily manipulated by those at the top of the pyramid.

But this time, we're serious, which is why we've introduced an independent director to oversee the company's operations, especially the cross-boundary actions of other directors on the board."

"Wouldn't that independent director hold too much power?"

"Your concern isn't unfounded, but the five of us all have great trust in him. He is... a person of great principles and always loyal."

Li Yu didn't see how anyone could remain loyal forever, let alone to five different people, but seeing Taylor's confident demeanor, he decided not to say anything more.

After a pause, he asked again, "Do you know about the electronic clock behind the company's front desk?"

"Oh, you mean that countdown; every new employee is curious about it." Taylor smiled gently.

"Just over two years left."

"What?"

"I said the time left on it is just over two years," Li Yu replied.

"Does it bother you?"

"Somewhat; after all, those numbers are constantly ticking."

"It is rather annoying."

"Could it be removed or moved to another room?"

"No." Taylor responded firmly, perhaps feeling her tone was too harsh, she added, "I'm sorry, I don't have that authority either."

"So... this is also one of those rules that can't be broken?" Li Yu asked.

Taylor blinked, "Perhaps I shouldn't sit next to you; chatting with smart people is too exhausting. From now on, how about we keep quiet?"

"I have just one more question, the last one; after I ask it, I'll stop talking. When the countdown reaches zero, what will happen?" Li Yu asked.

From Taylor's previous responses, he could be certain of one thing: that electronic clock wasn't just some director's quirky preference, as the HR lady claimed; it was evidently crucial, or it wouldn't be a rule.

Yet Taylor didn't respond. Instead, she looked out towards the far horizon, "Have you tried the island's vacation activities?"

"You mean the library, tennis courts, shopping centers, and arcades..."

"No, no, no, I mean real vacation activities; this place is called Dream Island for a reason," Taylor said, "Come to my room after 10 PM tonight."