The intelligent robot project I led in development secured one hundred fourty-two million dollars orders. The company promised a million two hundred thousand dollars bonus and a promotion to Director of the Technical Department.

To my utter surprise, three days later, the bonus was claimed by an intern.

A transfer order from the HR Department plunged me from the heights of success into the depths of despair. "Lucius, effective today, you are being transferred to the Logistics Department, responsible for cleaning the restrooms from the first to the seventh floor."

I gripped the thin piece of paper, my fingertips tingling with cold.

"Where's Ms. Andrew? I need to see her!"

The HR Manager, William Abelard, adjusted his glasses and said in flat tone. "She's on a business trip. It was an unanimous decision by senior management."

"The company will reassess your salary and benefits based on your new position."

I stormed into the CEO's office.

Joana Andrew, as expected, was there leisurely brewing tea.

"Ms. Andrew, tell me, why?" I slammed the transfer order on the coffee table.

She leisurely poured herself a cup of tea, saying, "Lucius, I admit you're very capable, but you have a problem with your attitude."

"A problem with my attitude?" I repeated.

"You used to work very hard, but now you've become arrogant."

"You clock out on time every afternoon and you rarely speak up at regular department meetings."

"Look at Mark — he works overtime till midnight every day and even comes to the office to learn on weekends. That's what dedication means."

I was so furious that I laughed instead. "Mark Rousseau?"

"That intern who's only been here for three months, someone who can't even recognize all the code?"

"Enough!" Joana interrupted directly. "The company's decisions are not for you to question. If you're not satisfied, you can resign."

My heart, like it had been doused with ice water, chilled to the bone.

Before turning to leave, I gave her a cold glance and said, "Ms. Andrew, if there are any issues with the project you can't handle in the future, please go find that Mark Rousseau, who's working overtime, to solve them. Don't bother me."

"Because from today on, I'm just a toilet cleaner."

She raised the corner of her mouth disdainfully and smiled. "Don't worry, the company can still run smoothly without you."

——

The afternoon plenary meeting was held in the large conference room, which was full of people -- from the regular staff, senior manager to the director of each department.

I chose a seat at the back, yet I could still feel the gazes from all directions.

Joana stepped onto the stage in high heels with a composed demeanor.

She first provided a brief summary of the success of the smart robot project, then shifted the topic to discuss "the company's future development and talent pipeline construction."

The setup was complete and she smiled, her gaze sweeping over the entire room. It ultimately fell upon the somewhat awkward and shy figure at the front row.

"Following a decision by the company's management, Mark Rousseau is hereby appointed as the new Director of the Technical Department, responsible for all aspects of the department's work and subsequent project development."

A moment of silence fell over the room as the words fell, followed by a flood of whispers. Countless gazes flickered between me and Mark.

I looked ahead expressionlessly.

"Sure enough, it's Mark. The information is accurate."

"Lucius must be dumbfounded now—once so prominent, only to be replaced by an intern."

In the first few rows, some people snickered, but their voices were not deliberately lowered.

"So what if he's a senior? Just because he's got seniority, he runs off at five every day—like he owns the company?" A sharp female voice rang out, laced with unmistakable disdain.

"Exactly! Look at him in meetings, isn't he always silent? Not a single constructive suggestion. I think he's reached his limit, his talent has run dry."

"If the project succeeds, all the credit goes to him. Everyone else works themselves to the bone, while he goes off on time, enjoying life."

Whispers rose and fell.

I recognized everyone. Some were colleagues who always greeted me with smiles and others were subordinates who used to treat me with utmost respect.

A louder voice joined in, carrying a leading tone. "I heard, Lucius couldn't handle the core perception and decision-making module at all and it was Mark who finally cracked it after getting efforts several sleepless nights."

"Is it true?"

"Of course it's true! Even though Mark is still interning, he's a top graduate from a prestigious foreign university and has work experience at a major company. His PPTs are absolutely stunning!"

"Otherwise, why do you think Ms. Andrew gave him one million two hundred thousand dollars bonus? It's his well-deserved reward! He truly earned it!"

"Lucius is just all talk and no action. The work is all done by his subordinates. Mark is the most hardworking one."

"That's right, I've heard that too. Lucius barely touched the code in the later stages, it was all Mark carrying the load."

"He acts like a senior, but doesn't do any real work. He deserves to be removed."

My heart sank little by little—not with anger, but with a chilling numbness.

Mark sat in the front row, slightly lowering his head. I couldn't see his expression -- perhaps he was shy, perhaps he was enjoying himself.

Just as the murmurs subsided and everyone thought the meeting was about to end, Joana picked up another document.

A faint smile played on her lips as her gaze once again landed precisely on the corner where I was. "Furthermore, I'd like to announce another personnel change."

"Lucius, the former Director of the Technical Department, is hereby transferred to the Logistics Department from now on, responsible for the cleaning of the toilets on the first to seventh floors."

"I hope everyone will cooperate with his work in the future."

A brief silence followed.

Immediately, the entire conference room erupted in uncontrollable laughter.

Some people were slapping their thighs, some were doubled over with laughter and some were pointing in my direction, laughing so hard they could hardly breathe.

Even the usually dignified high-ranking officials were now covering their mouths, their shoulders shaking.

Every face was filled with undisguised mockery, schadenfreude and a sense of glee at the humiliation of the down-and-out.

"Cleaning toilets? Hahaha! He really went to clean toilets!"

"My God, from technical director to cleaner, what a drop in status ...."

"Let him clock out on time! Let him act all high and mighty! Now we're satisfied!"

"You'd better be careful when you go to the restroom from now on, lest you bump into Mr. technical director Schroeder ... oh no, I mean, Mr. cleaner Schroeder, while he's working, that would be so embarrassing!"

I sat there, completely still, at the center of this whirlwind of laughter.

Joana stood on the stage, watching the result with satisfaction. She gently raised her hand to suppress her laughter, but the smugness in her eyes was unmistakable.

The meeting soon ended.

Everyone began to leave noisily. As they passed by me, they either unconsciously quickened their pace or cast more direct glances, then exchanged knowing looks with the other.

I waited until almost everyone had left before slowly standing up.

Back in the private office that was no longer mine, I began packing my belongings.

The cardboard box wasn't big, yet nine years of memories scattered inside, only filled about halfway.

My fingertips brushed against an old coffee cup, a souvenir personally given to the core team by Joana when the company received its first investment. Engraved with the word "Merit," it now felt only a cold irony to the touch.

***

Nine years ago, the newly established company huddled in a small corner of the industrial park.

With fewer than ten people, including the boss, every month's payday was a struggle and and the company's cash reserves frequently teetered on the brink of bankruptcy.

Back then, no such thing as a fixed getting off time —staying up all night was the norm.

To conquer the first crucial project, I slept on a cot for two whole months and I lived on coffee like water and instant noodles.

Ultimately, we came up with a disruptive solution before our competitors.

It was thanks to that project that the company truly earned its first pot of gold, survived and then grew bigger.

Niall Andrew, Joana's father, would often pat me on the shoulder and say to everyone, "Lucius is a hero to our company! Without him, we wouldn’t have achieved what we have today!"

His eyes held admiration, gratitude and a strong sense of reliance.

Although it was tough and tiring back then, my heart was warm and I felt that all the hard work was meaningful. This company was like a child we nurtured together.

"Lucius ...." At that moment, a cautious voice interrupted my reminiscence.

Mark stood at the door, his face showing worry and a hint of indignation. He didn't come in immediately, as if waiting for my permission.

"Come in."

I continued packing up, without looking up.

He tiptoed in, glanced around the somewhat empty office and sighed. "I really didn't expect ... Ms. Andrew would make such a decision."

"It's ridiculous to send you to the Logistics Department to clean the toilet!"

I gave no response, waiting for him to continue.

Seeing me giving no response, he leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Lucius, you're the one in charge of the project, that's an undeniable fact!"

"Even if you didn't achieve great success, you still put in a lot of hard work!"

"Ms. Andrew's actions ... are a bit like crossing the line." He spoke with genuine sincerity, as if he were truly indignant on my behalf.

Looking at his young yet worldly-wise face, I recalled how he looked when he first joined the company.

Three months ago, Mark joined in the company as an intern, with a PhD from overseas and experience at a major company. He greeted and smiled brightly to everyone he met, his humility bordering on obsequiousness.

He, then, volunteered to join the then-most crucial and demanding intelligent robot project team. He spoke earnestly, only asking for a learning opportunity.

Joana agreed without hesitation, without even consulting me.

Once in the project, he extremely "cleverly" took on all the miscellaneous tasks that didn't involve core code.

His most outstanding skills were making PowerPoint presentations and organizing data documents.

It was not that he came from a large company, his PowerPoint presentations were indeed beautiful, with cool animations, exquisite layouts and a strong visual impact.

He did "work overtime," often sitting at his desk late into the night, typing furiously on his keyboard, processing seemingly complex data documents, or repeatedly refining reports.

That was how his reputation for dedication spread.

"Lucius, don't be too discouraged." The intern's voice rang out again.

"The Logistics Department may not sound prestigious, but at least it's a position."

"If you need any help over there in the future, you can tell me and I will definitely take it seriously."

I stopped packing up and finally looked up at him with a calm gaze. "Are you done?"

He paused, seemingly surprised by my reaction and looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Leave now," I said calmly, "Mr. Rousseau, I need to continue packing up. Don't delay my reporting to the Logistics Department."

His lips twitched slightly, his carefully disguised mask almost crumbling, a flash of offended anger crossing his eyes. But he quickly forced a helpless yet tolerant smile. "I know you're in a bad mood, Lucius, then I'll go now, take care."