Chapter 4

The moment the email went out, the company chat exploded with cheers.

"Mr. Shaw, you're the best! He actually listened to us!"

"This is perfect! No more fears about getting fat or having high blood pressure!"

Lindsey and Robert were suddenly hailed as heroes. Robert even flaunted in the chat, "I told you, Mr. Shaw is soft-hearted. As long as we stick together and make enough noise, he'll have to give in!"

Lindsey was even more thrilled. She took a screenshot of the chat and posted it to her social feed with the caption that read, "Gen Z wins! We did it!"

That evening, the cafeteria menu was updated to include the promised healthy light meals. Each tray held a sparse handful of lettuce, a few slices of boiled chicken breast, and half a cherry tomato.

Many employees poked at their food, snapped a photo for social media bragging rights, and then happily headed out in groups to celebrate their hard-won victory.

After facing nearly identical bland salads the next day, their smiles began to freeze. By the third and fourth day, fewer and fewer employees showed up to eat in the cafeteria, while the break rooms buzzed nonstop with the chatter and clatter of takeout orders.

By 9:00 am on Friday, the company's benefits optimization meeting was underway. All the executives sat formally, filling the room with a tense, uneasy air.

I stayed silent, signaling the administrative director to begin.

On the big screen, the new cafeteria menu for the next month appeared.

"Monday: Lettuce salad with chicken breast.

Tuesday: Purple cabbage salad with chicken breast.

Wednesday: Mixed vegetable salad with chicken breast."

…

Day after day, the cafeteria offered only slightly varied versions of the same tasteless meals. Several executives' lips twitched as they looked on.

The administrative director flipped to the next page. "In response to employee feedback and to reduce costs and improve efficiency, starting today, the cafeteria will no longer provide afternoon tea or late-night snacks."

At last, I broke the silence. My voice was soft, yet it reached every ear in the room.

"You all got what you wanted. Shouldn't you be happy?"

No one dared answer. I signaled my assistant, who projected a report onto the screen. The title read, "Impact Report on Annual Bonus Estimates Following Major Cafeteria Budget Cuts."

The report was unambiguous. A single formula showed that slashing the cafeteria budget had significantly reduced the company's annual operating costs.

Consequently, the board had unanimously proposed tying this year's employee bonus multiplier directly to each person's contribution to those savings. Theoretically, the saved funds could turn into bonuses, though the distribution was a separate matter.

I looked around at the growing number of pale faces and calmly said, "First, I want to publicly commend Lindsey and Robert from the Marketing Department. Thanks to their initiative, the company has saved a huge amount of money."

Every eye in the room turned sharply toward the marketing director.

A cold sweat broke out across his forehead, tracing icy lines down his temples. I smiled and delivered my final question.

"The board has asked me to submit a detailed list identifying the initiators and key supporters of this cost-saving initiative. This list will serve as the primary basis for determining their bonuses."

I paused, letting my gaze sweep slowly across each tense, fearful face in the room.

"Now, who among you is willing to step forward and claim the credit?"