Chapter 102: Substitution (Part I)

"What?"

Lin Luyou didn't understand what Tang Xiao was referring to. This abrupt, contextless remark left her completely bewildered.

"You have your probation review in the middle of next year, and it’s not guaranteed that everyone will pass. You know that, right?"

"Mhm." Lin Luyou nodded. When they joined Max, HR had explained it clearly: although they held offers for permanent positions, there was a three-month probation period. Beyond the probation, they had the option to report to the company early and participate in daily departmental operations as interns. To become a permanent employee, they would have to undergo written exams and oral presentations, but their day-to-day performance and peer evaluations were also factored into the assessment. While department heads wouldn't intentionally make things difficult for interns or block their transition to full-time status, these daily performance metrics still dictated their starting rank and future promotion opportunities.

"I’m not advocating for a culture where you have to broadcast everything you do to the world. Neither I, nor our department, nor even the company encourages that. But you can't just let your hard work go unclaimed and allow someone else to freeload off your success."

Tang Xiao’s tone remained gentle, but Lin Luyou saw an unprecedented seriousness on her face.

"Xiao-jie, what’s going on?"

"What else could it be?" Cai Yuyao, sensing that Tang Xiao found it difficult to speak, leaned back against the bar, resting her elbows on the counter. "It’s about that other intern in your group!"

"Lily?"

"You treat her like a friend, but she might just see you as a stepping stone. From now on, keep a close eye on your own contributions and achievements."

With that said, Qin Shishen finished making her coffee. After a quick thank you, Cai Yuyao dragged Tang Xiao away. Before leaving, Tang Xiao didn't forget to call back to Lin Luyou:

"You-you, keep an eye on the time! Don’t be late later!"

"Your colleagues seem quite nice."

Once Cai Yuyao and the other woman had left, Qin Shishen remarked while leaning against the workstation.

"They really are," Lin Luyou agreed wholeheartedly. Whether at work or in daily life, whenever she needed help, they were always there to lend a hand. She had assumed that by leaving the university campus, she would also have to say goodbye to those simple, pure connections. Unexpectedly, the working atmosphere at Max was no different from the ivory tower.

However... what exactly were Tang Xiao and the others talking about? Lin Luyou still hadn't fully processed it.

***

Four hours earlier.

Tang Xiao and Gu Yao had been running up and down the floors like spinning tops, finally managing to collect feedback from the Recommendation and Personalization departments. Once they met up, they created a new group chat based on the existing project team, adding one specialist each from the Recommendation and Personalization departments to oversee the work.

According to their plan, the product pool would maintain its original scoring logic, but when displaying the results on the front end, they would add an extra layer of filtering to the recommendation logic. This was intended to reduce the overexposure of similar products, which often exacerbated decision paralysis for users.

By the time they finished confirming the future direction and specific arrangements for the project, the time had quietly slipped to six o'clock.

"Ready to go?" When Tang Xiao returned to the seventh floor clutching her laptop, she saw Cai Yuyao lounging in her swivel chair, rocking back and forth leisurely. "You had so much to do? I’ve been waiting for you for quite a while."