The President's Tender Trap

Sunlight streamed through the office curtains onto Lu Ming's desk, illuminating his cluttered files and unsent emails. After a few days of reflection, he finally decided to face his unemployment head-on, updating his resume and looking for new opportunities. However, a lingering sense of unease lingered, like a ticking time bomb, a constant reminder of the vast gap between his past successes and his current frustrations.

Just then, the office door opened and Zhou Qiang walked in excitedly, a wide smile plastered on his face. "Lu Ming! I got a promotion!" he announced happily, his voice brimming with pride and confidence.

Lu Ming's heart sank instantly, as if a bucket of cold water had doused the hope that had just ignited within him. Zhou Qiang's success was both a source of joy and a sting of pain for him. He forced a smile, but inside, a turmoil of jealousy and anxiety swirled.

"Congratulations, Zhou Qiang," Lu Ming said reluctantly, his voice tinged with sadness. He knew Zhou Qiang's hard work and ability, and he knew what this promotion meant. But at this moment, Lu Ming couldn't shake the gloom in his heart.

"Thank you! I didn't expect to get a promotion so soon. It feels like everything is going in a good direction!" Zhou Qiang looked excited, as if he wanted to share his joy with Lu Ming. However, Lu Ming only felt that sunny enthusiasm was dazzling and ruthless.

"I know you've been working hard, and you deserve it." Lu Ming laughed, but his heart was filled with helplessness. At this moment, he was on the verge of loss, feeling the gap between himself and Zhou Qiang becoming increasingly obvious.

"How are you doing lately? Did the interview go well?" Zhou Qiang asked with concern, his eyes revealing genuine friendship. Lu Ming felt touched, but then came a deeper bitterness.

"I'm fine. I'm organizing my resume." Lu Ming answered perfunctorily. His eyes were wandering, but he was thinking in his heart that he didn't have much time to waste on meaningless self-consolation.

"You will definitely find a better job. Believe me, with your ability, you will never be buried!" Zhou Qiang's words were like a shot of adrenaline. Although Lu Ming knew that this was well-intentioned, he could not feel the warmth brought by the encouragement.

"Thank you, Zhou Qiang." Lu Ming forced a smile, but in his heart he wondered if Zhou Qiang couldn't understand his feelings at all. For Zhou Qiang, the promotion was an honor, but for Lu Ming, it was an unprecedented blow.

As time went by, Lu Ming felt the distance between him and Zhou Qiang widening. Zhou Qiang's promotion meant more opportunities and resources for him, while Lu Ming was left languishing in frustration and anxiety. Whenever he saw Zhou Qiang gloating among his colleagues, he felt a strange sense of envy, as if Zhou Qiang's success were a cruel mockery of his own failure.

"Am I too self-deprecating?" Lu Ming muttered to himself, trying to convince himself to get out of this mental dead end. He knew that jealousy wouldn't help him at all, but would only make him sink deeper into despair.

During lunch break, Lu Ming sat in the cafe, trying to relax. Zhou Qiang sat at another table, chatting animatedly with colleagues about upcoming projects and goals. His laughter pierced Lu Ming's ears, a constant reminder of his own loss.

"What are you thinking about? You look distracted." Su Wan suddenly sat down across from Lu Ming, interrupting his deep thoughts. Her concern made Lu Ming feel a little warm, but it was immediately overwhelmed by uneasiness.

"Nothing, just thinking about my future work." Lu Ming replied softly, trying to hide his inner turmoil. Su Wan's eyes were sharp, as if she could see through his emotions.

"I heard Zhou Qiang got a promotion?" Su Wan asked, her eyes wandering over Lu Ming's face. Lu Ming nodded, but felt a little helpless in his heart.

"Why aren't you happy for him? You're friends." Su Wan's voice was gentle, but it stung Lu Ming's heart. He knew he should be happy for Zhou Qiang, but his emotions prevented him from doing so.

"Of course I'm happy, but... it's a little complicated," Lu Ming finally confessed, his heart swirling with jealousy and unease. He didn't want to appear vulnerable in front of Su Wan, but it was hard to hide his true feelings.

"I understand. Success always puts people under pressure," Su Wan said softly, as if understanding Lu Ming's distress. Her voice was like a spring breeze, blowing away the haze in Lu Ming's heart.

"I just feel like my efforts haven't been rewarded," Lu Ming said helplessly, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. He thought back to the past, the struggles and hard work he'd put in, but now they seemed insignificant in the face of Zhou Qiang's success.

"Don't think so. Success sometimes doesn't depend entirely on hard work. There are many external factors." Su Wan comforted her. "The important thing is that you keep working hard. Opportunities will always come."

"Yes, I will try my best." Lu Ming nodded, feeling a little relieved. He knew he couldn't continue to dwell on jealousy and anxiety, and he had to face the challenges of the future with a positive attitude.

After lunch, Lu Ming returned to the office and tried to immerse himself in work. He began actively contacting job postings and attending industry conferences, trying to find new opportunities. However, Zhou Qiang's success always lingered in his heart, like a thorn in his side, causing him pain.

A few days later, Lu Ming received an interview invitation, and a glimmer of hope flashed through his mind. He decided to go all out for this opportunity. So, he began preparing diligently, striving to be at his best for the interview.

However, during the preparation process, Lu Ming was often shaken by Zhou Qiang's success. Whenever he saw Zhou Qiang confidently communicating with his colleagues in the office, he would feel a surge of jealousy, as if every success of Zhou Qiang was a reminder of his own incompetence.

"I can't go on like this." Lu Ming finally realized that he had to get out of this emotional quagmire. He decided not to focus on Zhou Qiang's achievements, but to devote all his energy to his own growth.

"I must prove myself," he secretly resolved, a flame of hope ignited in his heart. He began to prepare more seriously for the interview, working hard to improve his abilities and regain his confidence in the workplace.

A few days later, the interview arrived as scheduled. Lu Ming walked into the interviewer's office, feeling a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. He knew his future depended on this moment, and he had to give it his all.

During the interview, Lu Ming tried to remain calm and answered questions clearly and logically, showcasing his abilities and experience. With the interviewer's praise, he felt a surge of long-lost confidence, as if all his hard work had paid off.

After the interview, Lu Ming walked out of the office, his heart filled with anticipation and hope. He knew that he was on the road to catching up and was no longer the lost self.

Back at the company, Lu Ming saw Zhou Qiang busy at work, and instead of the jealousy and anxiety he'd felt before, he felt calm and resolute. He understood that Zhou Qiang's success wouldn't affect his own future; what mattered was how he faced the challenges ahead.

"I will try my best to catch up. No matter how successful Zhou Qiang is, I will find my own way." Lu Ming said to himself. The gradually dissipating haze made him see the dawn of life again.

In this competitive and challenging workplace, Lu Ming finally realizes that true success lies not just in promotions and honors, but in the constant pursuit of growth and finding one's own value and purpose. No matter how difficult the future may be, he will face it bravely and forge ahead.