Chang You now wished he could pass this award to someone else, just to continue being the head of OTTO Technology, continue developing new phones, and continue telling jokes at press conferences.

But Mr. Pei’s firm gaze had already indicated that rules are rules, and no one can violate them!

Back then, Zhang Yuan didn’t want to accept this award either, but there was no room for negotiation.

After a moment of silence, Chang You said, “Mr. Pei, I must leave OTTO Technology?”

Pei Qian smiled and nodded: “Correct.”

Actually, regarding Chang You, Pei Qian didn’t feel he necessarily had to be eliminated right away. After all, compared to other departments, while OTTO Technology was also making money, it was burning through a lot and the profit margins weren’t very high either, far from blood-profiting levels.

But Pei Qian believed that the masses have discerning eyes.

The Best Employee selection system was established with the purpose of eliminating Pei Qian’s own subjectivity as much as possible, letting all employees vote together to select the employee who posed the greatest threat to the money-losing cause.

Therefore, Pei Qian had to stick to his consistent principle: anyone who becomes the Best Employee must leave their current department. The rules cannot be changed.

After another moment of silence, Chang You said, “Then I’ve made up my mind. I want to establish another company, specifically responsible for creating ecosystem products for tech items, such as wearable devices, smart home devices, etc.”

Pei Qian: “?”

Chang You continued, “Mr. Pei, according to the Dream Fund regulations, the winner must leave their original department, but they can invest this money in any industry they like. There are no clear restrictions on the industry. OTTO Technology’s main business is currently phones. I’ll establish a new department that doesn’t make phones but creates ecosystem products for tech items. This should completely conform to the rules, right?”

Pei Qian was at a loss for words for a moment.

And Zhang Yuan, standing nearby, similarly widened his eyes, looking completely shocked.

Can it be played this way?

After thinking about it carefully, it seemed this was indeed the case. The Best Employee indeed had to leave their original department, but there was no explicit prohibition against using Dream Fund money to do work related to their original department!

Previously, employees like Huang Sibo and Zhang Yuan had obviously fallen into a mental blind spot.

Like Zhang Yuan, after leaving Slackin’ Internet Café, he couldn’t possibly use this money to open another internet café, right? He subconsciously felt this wouldn’t work, so he went to create the esports club instead.

These people obviously lacked experience and sophistication, failing to carefully study the loopholes in these rules.

But Chang You was different. Being older than all of them, he was naturally more cunning and shrewd, easily finding loopholes in the Best Employee selection system.

OTTO Technology’s main business is phones, but strictly speaking, smart ecosystems are also within its business scope, and will definitely happen eventually anyway.

But the fact remains that aside from the smart debating machine and that “on-time clocking out mouse,” OTTO Technology hasn’t clearly entered smart ecosystem planning yet.

Chang You stated that he was using the Dream Fund not for making phones, but for creating “miscellaneous goods,” which is a different business scope.

It’s like someone making refrigerators getting the Dream Fund and saying they want to make air conditioners. It may look like the same type of product, but actually they’re very different.

So, it completely follows the rules!

Chang You’s move could be considered slipping away with a golden cicada’s shell. After establishing a new company for smart ecosystems, he would still maintain very close relationships with OTTO Technology and could still influence OTTO Technology. The status quo hadn’t fundamentally changed.

Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but be shocked.

How the heck didn’t I think of this method back then?

If I had known, I would have created some business related to Slackin’ Internet Café and ROF Computer Builds. That way, although Xiao Peng would nominally be the head of the internet café, I could still manage Slackin’ Internet Café together with him under the guise of “collaboration”!

But regret was useless now, since his DGE Club and Esports Business Division were both already on track.

Pei Qian was also lost in confusion.

Chang You’s behavior clearly went against the original intention of establishing the Best Employee selection system, but it exactly conformed to the rules—it was exploiting a loophole.

This loophole definitely needed to be plugged, but could only be plugged after the fact, not now.

And considering the situation, even if Chang You stepped down as the head, it would ultimately have some negative impact on OTTO Phone’s research and development.

Pei Qian could only nod and say, “Fine, this is a loophole in the rules. Since you’ve caught it, let this be the last time.”

“But anyone who wins Best Employee in the future better not think they can exploit this loophole!”

He then turned to Liang Qingfan: “Have you decided where to travel? You can choose a colleague to be your guide and accompany you.”

Liang Qingfan smiled somewhat embarrassedly: “This… I haven’t really thought about where to travel before.”

“As for choosing a colleague as a guide… I don’t have anyone particularly suitable in mind. Does anyone have recommendations?”

Everyone looked at each other, all seeing the same answer in each other’s eyes.

“That’s definitely got to be Brother Bao!”

“Right, Brother Bao is experienced, having him as a guide is perfect.”

“Plus Brother Bao’s work isn’t that crucial, taking time to travel won’t affect work progress.”

“Public expectations are clear, obviously there’s only one standard answer.”

“Traveler Bao Xu, set off!”

Everyone else was in a mood to watch the fun.

Bao Xu, hiding in the corner of the crowd, stood frozen in place as if struck by lightning from clear skies.

Although he’d already mentally prepared himself somewhat, facing this tragic fate was still somewhat hard to accept.

Bao Xu looked at Liang Qingfan with despair.

Liang Qingfan spoke to Mr. Pei somewhat embarrassedly: “Ah, I’ve long heard about Traveler Bao Xu. But… we’re not really familiar with each other, we haven’t had much contact before, and I heard he just spent nearly two months out there. He must be exhausted from the journey. Having him guide me on another trip wouldn’t be appropriate…”

Hearing these words, Bao Xu’s already desperate face suddenly lit up with hope again.

My goodness, am I hearing things?

There’s actually someone in this world who cares about me, who thinks I’ve been exhausted from being out for over two months and wants to let me rest!

Wonderful!

Finally met a colleague with a conscience!

Bao Xu almost wanted to cry with emotion. He was about to immediately zip up his already opened suitcase.

However, at that moment, Liang Qingfan, following everyone’s gaze, spotted Bao Xu.

“Huh? Brother Bao is already packing his bags?”

“Brother Bao is so eager?”

“Since Brother Bao wants to go, then there’s no problem. I choose Brother Bao!”

Liang Qingfan had originally felt a bit embarrassed, but seeing that the travel-worn Bao Xu was already packing and preparing to accompany him, if he didn’t take him, wouldn’t that show a lack of emotional intelligence? Wouldn’t that be disrespectful?

Moreover, he’d long heard that Traveler Bao Xu was experienced in travel and met all the criteria. Having him accompany the trip was the best choice.

Liang Qingfan had wanted to be polite, but seeing Bao Xu being so direct, he was the one being overly reserved instead.

And Brother Bao’s face seemed to carry a hint of a subtle smile, further confirming Liang Qingfan’s suspicion.

The slight smile that Bao Xu had just shown instantly froze on his face. He hurriedly waved his hands frantically: “No, no, no, you’ve misunderstood! I completely didn’t mean that! You should pick someone else!”

Liang Qingfan thought Bao Xu was being polite: “Brother Bao, I didn’t have anyone better in mind to begin with. Since everyone recommends you, then please trouble yourself to come with me!”

“Stop being modest. The anticipation is written all over your face!”

Bao Xu almost fainted with anger.

Bloody hell “anticipation written all over your face”—which eye saw me looking forward to this!

This is anger!

Bao Xu wanted to argue further, but the voices of the people around him quickly drowned him out.

“Look, Director Liang made the right choice!”

“Brother Bao, stop declining. If not you, then who for this task!”

“Exactly, Director Liang is Mr. Pei’s trusted confidant. We wouldn’t feel comfortable entrusting him to anyone else. It has to be you, Brother Bao, to put everyone’s minds at ease!”

The crowd was filled with joy and laughter, feeling that this Best Employee selection was finally complete.

It should end with Brother Bao going out to travel to have that special flavor!

Bao Xu was completely distraught. He looked at the eager Liang Qingfan and said through gritted teeth: “I’m going to Egypt! To see the pyramids in the desert and the pharaoh’s mummies. If you don’t dare go, then find someone else! I’m not going anywhere except Egypt!”

He’d already been to Africa once. Recalling his experiences in the Sahara Desert and the East African Rift Valley, Bao Xu didn’t want to experience it a second time.

So he thought of a place that was geographically close but had equally harsh natural conditions.

Can’t scare off Huang Sibo, but can’t scare you off either?

Bao Xu felt that Liang Qingfan, a refined architect, couldn’t possibly handle traveling in such harsh natural environments, right?

I’ve been this obvious—he should know when to back down, right?

However, Liang Qingfan’s face showed extremely surprised and anticipatory expressions.

“Egypt?”

“Perfect! That’s the place I’ve been dreaming of visiting!”

“As an architect, I’ve long wanted to see the pyramids up close, but never had the time or anyone to accompany me.”

“Brother Bao, your suggestion is wonderful. Let’s go to Egypt then. Let’s prepare and leave immediately!”

Watching the jubilant Liang Qingfan, Bao Xu fell into a daze.

He looked at Mr. Pei: “I…”

Pei Qian struggled to hold back laughter: “Good. Since you proposed it yourself and Liang Qingfan really wants to go, then Egypt it is. Take a good look at the pyramids, see the mummies, experience the scenery along the Nile, and while you’re at it, take more photos and videos. Who knows, this material might be useful for future game development.”

“That settles it! Hurry up and get rush visas. We’ll see you in a month!”

“Alright, the Best Employee selection has concluded successfully. Everyone, back to work!”

Everyone left satisfied, chatting and laughing.

Liang Qingfan approached Bao Xu and said with great anticipation: “Brother Bao, please take good care of me then!”

Soon, everyone had dispersed completely. Those who worked on this floor returned to their workstations to continue working diligently.

Bao Xu looked at the suitcase by his feet, standing silently in place like a statue in the office area.

So superfluous, so out of place.