Chapter 6 Finished in 40 Minutes — You Call This Messy Writing?
At 8:59 the next morning, Lin Juan stepped into the office right on time.
As soon as he sat down, the whole office stared at him — curiosity, mockery, schadenfreude, and people waiting to watch him make a fool of himself.
Zhang Chao was the first to approach, arms crossed, a gloating smile on his face.
"Wow, Lin Juan, early? Didn't stay up late writing reports last night? I thought you'd quit and run away today."
Lin Juan didn't even look up, putting his bag in the drawer.
"I'll write during work hours. Why stay up?"
"During work hours?"
Zhang Chao sounded like he'd heard the funniest joke ever, raising his voice and drawing the crowd.
"Manager Wang told you to write 5 in-depth competitor analyses, at least 5,000 words each, with data and logic! In one hour? You're crazy!"
Colleagues whispered among themselves.
"No way. He's really going to write them after work starts? Impossible!"
"Even if he's fast, finding data alone takes half a day. How can he finish in an hour?"
"He's just given up. Manager Wang will fire him soon."
Amid the noise, Wang Qiang stormed out, thermos in hand, slamming it on Lin Juan's desk.
"Lin Juan, you haven't forgotten what I said yesterday?" Wang Qiang narrowed his eyes, threatening.
"5 competitor reports, needed for the 10 a.m. launch meeting. One minute until 9 a.m., one hour until 10. If you can't finish, you can leave right now."
Lin Juan looked up and glanced at the clock: it was exactly 9 a.m.
The work bell rang.
He turned on his computer and said calmly:
"I said I'll give them to you by 10."
Ignoring Wang Qiang and the onlookers, he placed his fingers on the keyboard and typed rapidly.
The keyboard sounded clear and continuous, flowing like water.
Wang Qiang stood aside, arms crossed, full of disdain. Keep acting! Even a top operations expert couldn't finish 5 deep reports in an hour, let alone a fresh graduate!
He already planned to humiliate and fire Lin Juan at 10:00 sharp.
Zhang Chao even pulled a chair beside him, staring at the screen, waiting for Lin Juan to panic.
But the more they watched, the more nervous they became.
Lin Juan's fingers never stopped. Lines of words appeared quickly — core gameplay, user profiles, traffic paths, pros and cons, data comparisons, optimization suggestions. Everything was logical and precise, down to two decimal places.
He didn't even switch web pages for data, as if all competitor information was engraved in his mind.
[Ding! Host is using God-Level Office Skills + God-Level Product Thinking. 100% compatibility. Content completion increasing rapidly!]
Lin Juan smiled faintly.
The newly unlocked product thinking matched his office skills perfectly. He could see through competitor logic at a glance. With industry data in his head, writing reports was as easy as drinking water.
Time passed.
The whispers died down. Everyone gathered around, staring at the screen, their mockery turning to shock, then total disbelief.
9:40 a.m.
20 minutes early.
Lin Juan pressed save and stopped typing.
5 in-depth competitor reports, 6,000 words each, logically complete, data-rich, precisely analyzed — all finished.
He stood up, handed the printed reports to the stunned Wang Qiang, and said calmly:
"Manager Wang, 5 reports. Done. Take a look."
The office fell deathly silent.
40 minutes?
5 deep reports?
Impossible!
Wang Qiang froze for half a minute, then snatched the papers and flipped through them frantically.
The more he read, the more his hands shook. His arrogance faded, replaced by shock and horror.
These reports were more professional than those written by the company's most senior director! Every data point was accurate, every analysis sharp. Even hidden competitor strategies he hadn't noticed were clearly exposed.
Even 4 days wouldn't be enough for him to write something this perfect.
Wang Qiang trembled, looking at Lin Juan as if seeing him for the first time.
Zhang Chao leaned over, read a few pages, and turned pale. He collapsed into his chair.
After 3 years of overtime, his reports weren't even one-tenth as good. Lin Juan finished in 40 minutes what he couldn't do in a week.
His earlier mockery now felt like a slap in the face.
Lin Juan looked at the pale Wang Qiang:
"Manager Wang, finished? Any problems? If not, I'll prepare for the 10 o'clock meeting."
Wang Qiang snapped back, remembering his boast — if Lin Juan finished by 10, he would give up his manager position.
His face flushed red and white, embarrassed beyond words.
He gritted his teeth and closed the reports, pretending to be calm.
"I-it's… passable. You'll join the meeting and explain the plan and analysis."
He fled back to his office, not daring to mention his earlier threat.
[Ding! Congratulations to host for upholding lying-flat rules, rejecting overtime, completing work with high quality during work hours, and slapping down malicious sabotage! Reward: 50,000 yuan in cash, 200 Lying-Flat Points, Physical Enhancement +1!]
[System level up! Current level: Lying-Flat Level! Unlocked ability: Time Pause in Overtime Scenarios!]
A warm current spread through Lin Juan's body. His sub-health was completely gone. His vision, stamina and reflexes all improved.
Information about the time-pause ability flooded his mind: he could pause time for up to 10 minutes, 3 times a day, whenever someone forced him to work overtime.
Lin Juan's eyes lit up.
This ability was tailor-made for him! From now on, no one could stop him from leaving on time.
Everyone's attitude toward Lin Juan completely changed.
He wasn't crazy — he was just capable. With such strength, he didn't need to grind or please his boss.
Many colleagues who had mocked him lowered their heads in shame.
Lin Juan ignored them and sat back down. His phone vibrated: a message from Su Qingyuan.
[Su Qingyuan: You're amazing! I just heard you finished 5 competitor reports in 40 minutes? I read the ones Manager Wang sent. They're super precise! You solved so many problems I've been stuck on!]
[Su Qingyuan: After the meeting, let's have lunch together? My treat. Thank you for the ideas.]
Lin Juan smiled and replied: [Okay.]
He put down his phone. Wang Qiang's door opened.
"Lin Juan, come here. I'll brief you on the meeting."
Lin Juan raised an eyebrow and stood up.
He wanted to see what trick Wang Qiang was pulling now.
As soon as he entered, Wang Qiang closed the door and forced an awkward smile.
"Lin Juan, you're very capable. The project needs you. After launch, there might be emergencies… could you…"
He hesitated, then tested:
"…keep your phone on 24/7? If something urgent happens at night or on weekends, we can reach you."
Lin Juan sneered inwardly.
Here we go.
Empty promises, then testing his bottom line, trying to force hidden overtime. He was sick of this PUA.
Before he spoke, the system's cold warning sounded.
[Warning! Detected hidden overtime demand, violating lying-flat rules! Please reject immediately, or current rewards will be deducted and mild punishment triggered!]
Lin Juan looked up, calm and unshakable:
"No."
Wang Qiang's smile froze.
Lin Juan continued:
"My hours are 9-to-6. After work, my phone is on silent. I don't handle work. I won't answer calls on weekends or holidays. Talk to me during work hours."
"If there's a project emergency, that's what preparation is for during work — not an excuse to take my personal time."
Without waiting for a response, he opened the door and left.
Wang Qiang stood alone, trembling with rage, and slammed his fist on the desk.
"Lin Juan! Just you wait! I'll fix you!"
Chapter 7 Weekend Team Building? No, I'm Lying Flat at Home
The project launch meeting went extremely smoothly.
Lin Juan presented clearly and concisely. Even the head project director from headquarters nodded repeatedly, praising him as the most talented new operator in years.
Wang Qiang smiled beside him, seething inside.
He'd planned to find faults, but Lin Juan's performance was flawless. He had no chance to attack.
Back at the office, Wang Qiang immediately called a meeting, announcing with a fake smile:
"Good news! To celebrate the launch and improve teamwork, this weekend we're having a team-building trip — two days and one night at a hot spring resort! All expenses paid by the company!"
The office fell silent. No one looked happy. Everyone looked down, upset.
Everyone knew this wasn't team building — it was overtime in disguise.
They'd be stuck in meetings all weekend, more tired than work. But no one dared refuse.
Wang Qiang was petty. Anyone who refused would be targeted.
Zhang Chao jumped up first, clapping:
"Great idea, Manager Wang! I've been wanting to go! I'm free all weekend!"
He glanced at Lin Juan provocatively.
He couldn't believe Lin Juan would dare refuse this time! If everyone went and he didn't, he'd be labeled anti-team. Wang Qiang could fire him for it!
Wang Qiang nodded in satisfaction, his eyes landing on Lin Juan with hidden triumph.
You don't want overtime? You want to leave on time? Let's see you skip this!
Everyone's eyes fixed on Lin Juan.
But to their shock, Lin Juan didn't hesitate. He looked up and said calmly:
"This weekend? I'm not going."
Boom!
The office erupted!
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Someone actually dared to refuse a mandatory team-building trip organized by the boss? Lin Juan didn't save him any face at all!
Wang Qiang's smile froze. His face darkened.
"Lin Juan, what did you say? Why not? The whole department is going!"
Lin Juan's tone was calm and reasonable:
"Weekends are my legal rest time. I'm lying flat and resting at home. I have no time for team building."
"Lying flat?" Wang Qiang shook with anger. "Team building is a benefit! For unity! For the project! How can you be so selfish?"
"Manager Wang, if it were a real benefit, it would be during work hours, not our weekend." Lin Juan said slowly.
"And team building is for bonding, not meetings or overtime. Am I wrong?"
He exposed Wang Qiang's real plan directly.
Wang Qiang blushed, embarrassed and cornered.
He really planned to hold meetings all weekend, not let anyone rest.
But he couldn't admit it publicly.
He gritted his teeth: "Nonsense! This is pure relaxation! No work! Stop making excuses!"
"Still not going." Lin Juan shook his head. "It's my right to spend my weekend how I want. I want to lie at home, not go out."
[Ding! Host actively rejects useless team building that invades rest time, upholds lying-flat rules, aligns with anti-involution theme! Reward: 100 Lying-Flat Points! Unlocked skill: God-Level Legal Knowledge (Mastered)!]
Lin Juan was delighted.
God-level legal knowledge. From now on, he could shut down any illegal move Wang Qiang made.
Wang Qiang trembled with anger.
"Fine! Lin Juan! You won't come? Suit yourself! You'll regret it!"
He stormed back and slammed the door.
Colleagues gathered around, admiring but worried.
"You're so brave! I didn't want to go either, but I didn't dare say it!"
"But he'll definitely target you now!"
Lin Juan smiled.
He wasn't afraid. With the system and legal knowledge, Wang Qiang couldn't touch him.
Zhang Chao smirked and secretly messaged Wang Qiang:
"Manager Wang, Lin Juan is defying you! If you don't punish him, you'll lose authority!"
Soon, Wang Qiang sent a group notice:
[This weekend's team building is mandatory. Absence without reason = absenteeism. Full attendance and performance bonuses will be deducted.]
The group went silent.
Everyone looked at Lin Juan sympathetically.
Wang Qiang was playing hardball! Linking team building to salary!
Zhang Chao sneered: "Lin Juan, you still won't go? Don't be stupid with money."
Lin Juan glanced at the notice, sneered, and typed a reply in the group:
[Lin Juan: According to Article 43 of the Labor Law, employers may not extend working hours in violation of the law. Weekend team building is extended work in disguise. It requires employee consent and double overtime pay. It cannot be mandatory or punished as absenteeism.]
[Lin Juan: If you deduct my salary, I will complain to the labor inspection bureau with this notice.]
The group exploded!
Everyone was stunned. Lin Juan directly confronted Wang Qiang with the law!
In his office, Wang Qiang almost threw his phone.
He wanted to pressure Lin Juan with salary, but Lin Juan pulled out the law and threatened to report him.
He knew Lin Juan was right. Forcing weekend team building was illegal. If reported, the company would lose money and he would be disciplined.
Wang Qiang trembled but didn't dare reply.
The office was silent, but everyone's hearts were racing.
They'd been bullied by PUA and forced overtime for so long. No one ever resisted. Now Lin Juan stood up, backed by law, and shut their boss up.
Many colleagues looked at him with gratitude.
Lin Juan put down his phone.
He was sick of this toxic workplace culture. Team building had become a loyalty test. It was ridiculous.
His phone vibrated again: Su Qingyuan.
[Su Qingyuan: You're awesome! That was so satisfying! I wasn't going to go either. I'm skipping too — lying flat with you!]
[Su Qingyuan: I booked a restaurant downstairs. Let's go after work?]
Lin Juan smiled and replied: [Okay.]
As soon as the noon bell rang, Lin Juan stood up and left with Su Qingyuan.
Watching them leave together, Zhang Chao's eyes burned with jealousy.
Lin Juan, you'll pay! I'll make Manager Wang destroy you!
Chapter 8 Team Building Fails, Blame Backfires
Saturday morning, Lin Juan woke up naturally to sunlight.
He opened his eyes: 10 a.m.
No alarms, no work messages, no boss calls. He'd slept 10 hours, feeling completely refreshed.
[Ding! Host strictly follows lying-flat rules, fully rested on weekend, no work handled. Reward: 50 Lying-Flat Points! 20,000 yuan in cash!]
Lin Juan smiled, stretched, and got up.
He cooked noodles with soft-boiled eggs, turned on his game console, and relaxed on the sofa.
Meanwhile, at the hot spring resort, the team building was chaos.
Wang Qiang had promised pure relaxation. But as soon as they arrived, he locked everyone in a meeting room until noon, no water, no breaks.
Everyone was starving, furious, but afraid to speak.
At lunch, he forced drinking culture — refusing to drink meant being anti-team. Several female colleagues with alcohol allergies were publicly humiliated.
In the afternoon, instead of hot springs, they did meaningless team-building drills. They were more exhausted than at work.
That night, he dragged them to a KTV until 1 a.m., forcing performances and toasts.
After a week of work, the two-day trip was more tiring than half a month of overtime.
Everyone complained bitterly, envying Lin Juan.
"I should've skipped like Lin Juan! This is torture!"
"My whole body hurts. I'm going to collapse."
"Wang Qiang is crazy! He enjoys torturing us!"
They ranted in a private group, hating Wang Qiang.
But Wang Qiang was oblivious. He thought the team building was a success. He posted photos in the company group:
"Starway Tech Operations team building complete! United and stronger than ever!"
Trouble came soon after.
Sunday afternoon, as they prepared to return, headquarters sent an emergency notice: the partner changed resources. The project launch was moved up 3 days. The revised plan had to be submitted by 8 p.m.
Wang Qiang panicked.
The entire plan needed major changes. Even working all night, they might not finish.
He gathered everyone:
"Heard it! Launch moved up! Plan due by 8 p.m.! No one goes home! We work here until it's done!"
Everyone exploded!
They were already exhausted. Now they had to work overtime at the resort?
"Manager Wang, we haven't rested in two days! We can't think!"
"We're supposed to go home! This is too much!"
"It's the weekend! We already did team building!"
Protests erupted.
Wang Qiang slammed the table:
"Shut up! If the project fails, you're all responsible! No plan = no performance bonuses!"
Everyone sat sullenly, minds blank, unable to work.
Wang Qiang grew frustrated and thought of Lin Juan.
Lin Juan knew the plan best. If he were there, he could finish it in hours.
But Lin Juan was at home, lying flat.
Wang Qiang found a scapegoat. He immediately called the project director.
"Director Li, it's not our fault! The core plan was written by Lin Juan. He skipped team building and won't answer his phone! We can't revise it without him!"
He smeared Lin Juan:
"He's disobedient, leaves on time every day, refuses overtime, no team spirit! He's sabotaging us!"
Director Li's voice turned cold.
Wang Qiang smiled, waiting for Lin Juan to be punished.
Instead, Director Li snapped:
"Wang Qiang, how dare you blame Lin Juan? Did you force weekend team building? Did you threaten to mark absences as absenteeism?"
Wang Qiang froze.
"Director Li, I—"
"Team building is for relaxation, not loyalty tests or overtime!" Director Li roared. "Lin Juan was right to refuse! Why should he give up his weekend for your nonsense?"
"The plan is Lin Juan's, so only he can fix it? What are you doing as manager? Twenty people and you can't work without him?"
"If the plan isn't submitted by 8 p.m., you're no longer department manager!"
He hung up.
Wang Qiang stood pale and frozen, drenched in cold fear.
He never expected to be scolded and threatened instead.
Colleagues lowered their heads, hiding smiles.
Serves you right!
Wang Qiang snapped back to his senses and shouted:
"What are you waiting for? Work! Or we're all done for!"
But everyone was too bitter and tired to focus. Progress was crawling.
Meanwhile, at Lin Juan's apartment, he was watching a movie, phone on silent. He didn't see any of Wang Qiang's calls or messages.
[Ding! Detected malicious workplace blame. Host upholds lying-flat rules, avoids useless overtime and internal conflict. Reward: 80 Lying-Flat Points!]
Lin Juan raised an eyebrow, guessing what happened.
He smiled and continued watching.
Wang Qiang wanted to blame him? Dream on.
Clean up your own mess.
You're not taking his weekend.
Chapter 9 Class Reunion? No, I'm Afraid I'll Outshine You
Monday morning, Lin Juan arrived at work on time.
He immediately noticed the strange atmosphere.
Everyone had dark circles, sallow skin, glazed eyes. They could barely move, looking half-dead.
Wang Qiang looked especially terrible — bloodshot eyes, messy hair, pale face. He stared at Lin Juan with hatred but dared not speak, slipping into his office.
A colleague beside Lin Juan leaned over weakly:
"Lin Juan, you were so smart to skip! We were tortured to death!"
He told Lin Juan everything: the terrible weekend, Wang Qiang trying to blame him, and being scolded by headquarters.
"We pulled an all-nighter Sunday. We didn't even go home. I feel like I'm going to die. I'm so jealous you rested two days."
Lin Juan smiled. He wasn't surprised.
This was typical toxic leadership — showing off, torturing employees, failing work, blaming subordinates.
[Ding! Host upholds lying-flat bottom line, successfully avoids useless exhaustion. Lying-flat advantage verified. Reward: 30 Lying-Flat Points!]
Lin Juan opened his computer.
With god-level skills, he finished a full day's work in one hour. He spent the rest of the time drinking tea and reading news.
Zhang Chao watched him relax, burning with jealousy.
He gritted his teeth and opened his university class group.
The group was full of recent graduates bragging about work, overtime and salary.
Zhang Chao sent a message:
"Guys, graduation half year. Let's have a class reunion this Saturday night! Five-star hotel downtown, I'll book it!"
The group exploded.
"Wow! Five-star! You're killing it, Zhang Chao!"
Zhang Chao replied modestly:
"Just working at Starway Tech, a bit over 10k a month. I work until midnight every day, so busy."
It was humble-bragging: top company, six-figure salary, hardworking.
The group praised him.
"Wow, you're the class ace! I only make a few thousand."
"Overtime means the boss values you! Promotion soon!"
Zhang Chao smiled proudly and changed the subject:
"By the way, where's Lin Juan? He's at my company too. Remember him? The campus hunk?"
"Of course! How's he doing?"
Zhang Chao immediately smeared him:
"Terrible. He leaves on time every day, refuses overtime, skips team building, just lies flat. No ambition. They even offered him a promotion, and he turned it down!"
"He only makes 6,000 a month, just coasting."
The group turned against Lin Juan.
"Really? He used to be so promising."
"Lying flat right after graduation? No drive."
"6k is nothing. He'll be left behind."
Zhang Chao was thrilled.
"I'll invite Lin Juan. We should talk some sense into him."
He private-messaged Lin Juan, sending screenshots with a provoking tone:
[Lin Juan, class reunion Saturday, five-star hotel. Everyone's coming.]
[You should stop lying flat. Learn from us. Or you'll be embarrassed in front of everyone.]
Lin Juan sneered.
Zhang Chao just wanted to show off and humiliate him. He had no interest in this toxic social gathering.
He was about to refuse when the system sounded.
[Ding! Trigger phased mission: Humiliate the boastful involution freak at the class reunion!]
[Mission: Attend the reunion, stay true to lying-flat, slap down mockers, prove that involution doesn't equal success and lying flat leads to victory.]
[Reward: 500,000 yuan in cash, 500 Lying-Flat Points, unlocked ability: Mind Reading (only for PUA/boastful people)!]
Lin Juan's eyes lit up.
500,000 cash? Mind reading?
This mission was free points!
He could easily afford a river-view apartment with full payment. He had over 600,000 in savings and the system. No one there could compare.
He'd go and teach these competitive kids what real winning looked like.
He replied to Zhang Chao: [Okay, I'll come.]
Zhang Chao was stunned, then grinned maliciously.
He thought Lin Juan was too scared to skip.
Perfect!
He would humiliate Lin Juan in front of everyone, showing the gap between a lazy loser and a hardworking winner.
He announced in the group:
"Lin Juan's coming! Be there on Saturday!"
Everyone agreed, waiting to laugh at the fallen "campus hunk."
Lin Juan put down his phone.
Su Qingyuan came over to discuss work, saw the screen, and smiled:
"Class reunion Saturday?"
"Yeah." Lin Juan nodded. "Someone wants to show off and step on me."
Su Qingyuan laughed: "They're picking the wrong person. Little do they know the guy who leaves on time owns a river-view apartment and has more savings than people who've worked 10 years."
Lin Juan smiled.
Su Qingyuan looked at him playfully:
"I'm free that night. Can I come with you? I'm curious about these competitive reunions."
Lin Juan froze, then smiled:
"Sure. Let's go. I'll show them lying-flat guys have both money and a girlfriend."
Su Qingyuan blushed, gave him a light glare, and didn't deny it, smiling happily.
Meanwhile, Zhang Chao was bragging in the group, booking the most expensive private room and buying an expensive suit, ready to crush Lin Juan.
He had no idea the reunion wouldn't be his show — it would be his most embarrassing moment.
He had no idea the "lazy loser" he mocked was already far beyond his reach.