Chapter 2

After returning to my desk, I checked the system and saw that my attendance record had been updated. There was now a glaring red notice that stated I was absent from work for half a day.

I stared at those burning words for a few seconds before closing the webpage.

My colleagues were still discussing what had just happened. They whispered among themselves, stealing glances at me now and then. I pretended not to notice. Tapping away on the employee portal, I pulled up the employee handbook. The latest version, V4.2, was 87 pages long.

I clicked the download button, then searched the file for the attendance regulations. 17 results popped up, covering everything from the lunch break policy to the rules for flexible clock-in approvals.

After placing the file in a folder labeled "Study Material", I put on my headphones and started reading from the very top. I made sure to read every word carefully.

At some point, someone patted me on the shoulder. I took off my headphones and turned around.

It was Abe Oswald, a fellow engineer. With a coffee mug in hand, he gave me an insincere look of sympathy and said, "Don't take it too hard. It's just a promotion. You'll get it next time."

I nodded. "You're right."

Clearly taken aback by how calm I was, Abe froze for a moment before awkwardly walking away. I put my headphones back on and continued studying the employee handbook.

Time slowly ticked by, and eventually, it was lunchtime. My colleagues gathered in small groups and started heading toward the staff cafeteria for lunch.

When a few of them passed by behind me, I overheard their conversation.

"He's still going through the employee handbook, huh? What's the point?"

"I know, right? It's not like he can rewrite the rules. He could memorize the handbook from back to front, and it still wouldn't turn into a promotion letter."

The second voice belonged to Ian Mosley, Michael's best buddy at work. I ignored him.

Just then, my phone screen lit up. I checked the time, and it was exactly 12:30 pm. I heard my other colleagues bustling around behind me. A few of them pulled out blankets and took naps at their desks.

The entire office area fell quiet, with only the hum of the air conditioner in the background.

I didn't put my head down. I didn't even close my eyes. Instead, I continued going through the files, reading every rule, requirement, and remark. Then I picked up a pen and started copying a few lines in my notebook.

At 12:45 pm, Michael poked his head out from his desk. When he saw me still sitting in front of my computer, he frowned. He carried his cup toward the break room, deliberately stopping as he passed me.

"Oh. Not taking a nap today?"

When I ignored him, he raised his voice, as if to ensure that the entire floor could hear him.

"Some people start pretending to be so hardworking the moment they lose their promotion. Hah! What's the point in pretending to be such a diligent employee now? No matter how many times you read the employee handbook, you won't be getting a raise for it."

The handful of colleagues who were still at their desks let out a few snickers, but my pen never stopped moving.

Michael scoffed and walked off.

By 1:00 pm, I'd noted down over 20 rules from the employee handbook. 20 minutes later, I reached the chapter on attendance regulations.

Section 3.7 stated, "Flexible working hours verbally approved by the department director must be submitted for formal approval through the employee portal within 24 hours. Failure to submit the required approval within the specified period will be treated as an absence."

I stared at the clause for a few minutes before opening up the company's internal directory and pulling up Patrick's profile.

He joined the company three years ago. I checked his attendance records. The system showed that over the past six months, he had 23 instances of flexible clock-ins. For 19 of them, I couldn't find any corresponding approval from his superior.

I made a note of that detail and put a star beside it.

Two minutes before the lunch break ended, I closed my notebook and slipped it into my drawer. Michael woke up from his nap, freezing when he saw me standing by the window. He probably hadn't expected me to forego my usual nap completely.

He curled his lip and muttered, "Psycho."

I heard him, but I didn't turn around.