It's just The Sims, how did it become my ideal love story?

Chapter 52 also focuses on building a career (Seeking monthly votes~)

"These high school physics teaching videos are much more effective than melatonin."

When Gu Huai woke up to the faint sunlight filtering through the curtains, he felt a strange sense of melancholy.

If I knew it was so useful, why would I need to take melatonin or fish oil?
But I can't really do that normally. After all, without the simulation system provided by the sleep pod, why would I think about studying high school material at almost thirty? And how could I feel sleepy if I didn't listen attentively?
On the last weekend, Gu Huai devoted himself entirely to 'catching up on lessons'.

Thinking back to when I was in school, why didn't I realize I had this much patience? Maybe I could have gotten a better score on the college entrance exam instead of just barely getting into a top-tier university.

In a small place like Jicheng, getting into a top-tier university is already quite an achievement, even if it's not as exaggerated as being announced citywide. It's still something to be proud of during holidays.

As Gu Huai studied, it suddenly occurred to him that if the choices he made in the simulation really affected reality, would getting better grades mean he could get into a better university? And if that happened, would he be unable to meet people like Xu Cheng and Xu Wenxi?
If I hadn't stayed in the provincial capital and come to this company, these things probably wouldn't have happened.

If he had a choice, Gu Huai felt he probably wouldn't choose to go to a different university to meet new people and experience a different kind of university life.

He's never really figured out how to live his life, and in this new world, things might get even more chaotic. Gu Huai doesn't think he'll ever meet a better friend than Xu Cheng. If Xu Cheng knew one day that he'd made such a sacrifice for him, would he be moved to tears? He'd probably say he's mentally unstable.

In the end, Gu Huai did not choose to enter the sleep pod to begin the simulation; the simulation was scheduled for Monday night.

Firstly, it allows for more thorough preparation, and secondly, it anticipates that Monday will be a hellish day and likely very difficult, making the double recovery skill even more cost-effective.

As a result, Gu Huai experienced a slight bout of insomnia because he didn't use the sleep pod.

Not much, I didn't fall asleep until almost three in the morning.

When I woke up, I felt that I had some 'corpse aura' on me.

Damn it, I should have just done a simulation!

"Good morning, Lao Gu. Hmm? Why do you look so listless?"

There are also subtle changes in the office in the morning. For example, when Gu Huai comes to clock in, more eyes will notice his presence, instead of hastily ignoring him as if he were air or a gust of wind.

She has also become someone who receives a lot of attention.

Old Lin greeted him, looking at the man with curiosity.

Gu Huai yawned, "I didn't sleep well last night."

"You're having trouble sleeping again? I told you that if you really can't take it, you should go to the hospital to get it checked out. You're so young and you think you can get through it, but when you get older, you'll have a lot of health problems."

Gu Huai nodded, "It should be alright. I'll go if things get really bad. Thanks."

"Oh, right, the team leader told me to tell you to go to her office after you arrive. She has something to tell you."

"Something else?"

Gu Huai now felt that Cai Yan was like an empress dowager ruling from behind the curtain, and he was like a minister who had to get up early every morning to attend court. He didn't know what the matter was, but he just had to go and pay his respects.

"This is a great opportunity, it shows that the higher-ups value you more and more, and you're still not happy about it."

Old Lin said enviously.

He shook his head with a wry smile, "I'm not unhappy at all, I'm extremely happy! I'm a workaholic, the company is my home, and work is my life!"

"Hahaha, stop talking nonsense and go on your way. We've been waiting for you for a long time."

"Row."

On my way to Cai Yan's office, I saw Zhong Xinyang.

To Gu Huai's surprise, Zhong Xinyang was still in Group Two. If he were in that situation, he would either simply find another job or find some connections to quickly change positions.

How tiring is it for a grown person like me to walk past him and pretend not to see him?
"Da da da."

Gu Huai stomped his foot on the spot.

Zhong Xinyang was startled, his shoulders trembled, and when he turned around, he saw Gu Huai with much lighter dark circles under his eyes, squinting at him with a half-smile.

"nerve."

He muttered something to himself, then turned back and pretended to start working.

Gu Huai immediately smiled happily.

"Please come in."

Then came Cai Yan's familiar voice.

It was still as deserted as ever; you could almost feel her aloof and cold demeanor even through the door.

Upon opening the door, I saw Cai Yan facing the computer. Her long hair was tied up at the back of her head. It was a very common hairstyle for working women, but there was something special about her. I felt like she was about to release a great photoshoot.

"Team Leader Cai, you wanted to see me?"

As soon as you enter, you can smell the familiar fragrance. It seems that all traces of the previous team leader who worked here not long ago have vanished.

"Well, there are two things I want to tell you."

Cai Yan temporarily put down her work and looked up at Gu Huai, narrowing her eyes, "Why do you look like you've been up all night?"

Gu Huai shrugged awkwardly. "I had insomnia again last night, but it's okay, just tell me what's up."

“I don’t know what I did wrong that I can’t sleep every day,” she complained, then spoke seriously, “The first thing is that Zhong Xinyang is supposed to be transferred to another group in a few days. He has already contacted someone beforehand, so he’s basically just coming here to sign something.”

Gu Huai was taken aback. "Why are you telling me this?"

Cai Yan rolled her eyes at Gu Huai, "Shouldn't you be cheering for him to leave Group Two?"

Gu Huai immediately shook his head and said righteously, "How could that be? We are colleagues, comrades-in-arms fighting in the same trench. If he were to leave, I would only feel sadness."

"Stop insulting the soldiers. I think you're just lamenting that there won't be anyone in Group Two for you to vent your anger on anymore, right?"

That's a very accurate assessment of people.

Although seeing Zhong Xinyang every day does inexplicably annoy me, now that I think about it, the amusement in seeing his frustrated expression has disappeared. "How could that be? Team Leader Cai still has too much prejudice against me. In fact, I am full of love for this world."

"You better be."

Cai Yan clearly didn't believe it.

Gu Huai immediately changed the subject, "The first thing is over, what's the second thing?"

Cai Yan looked at him and said, "I suggest you go to the restroom now and wash your face."

"why?"

"Come with me to see the head of the publicity department. He specifically asked to see you."

"what?"

Ok.

It turns out that no matter how much you think about it, how many principles you understand, or how much experience you summarize, it doesn't matter.

People still have to bow their heads in the face of reality, just like how even the most famous scholars in ancient times had to kneel and kowtow to the emperor. Gu Huai went to wash his face.

Then, following Cai Yan, they went to meet the Minister of Publicity and Promotion.

The head of the publicity department, surnamed Qian, is a middle-aged man who always looks energetic and has the air of a teacher, wearing square-framed glasses.

When Cai Yan brought Gu Huai there, he was by the office window, holding a coffee cup and making a phone call.

Cai Yan and Gu Huai waited quietly at the door.

He finally put down the phone and turned around.

"Minister Qian, I've brought Gu Huai with me."

"Hmm." Minister Qian nodded, slowly put down his coffee cup, and then tidied up the buttons on his cuffs, which were actually not messy at all.

"You're Gu Huai?"

"Yes, I am Gu Huai."

"Excellent, a handsome young man. I know about the live-streaming sales event the day before yesterday; the revenue was quite good, and it's expected to continue to rise. The company leaders even gave our PR department special praise in the meeting this morning, all thanks to you."

Leaders can exaggerate their words at will, since verbal praise doesn't cost anything. But subordinates can't accept it all without feeling comfortable, so Gu Huai immediately expressed his humility.

"It's not that exaggerated. I only played a very small part. The success is all thanks to the hard work of every colleague in our publicity team, both on and off stage, as well as the wise guidance of Team Leader Cai."

"Hahahahaha."

Minister Qian couldn't help but laugh out loud, then looked at Cai Yan, who was barely holding back her laughter.

"I bet you don't like this kind of flattery."

Cai Yan replied helplessly, "You'll get used to it. Apart from work-related matters, he's a complete novice in everything else."

Gu Huai stood still, ignoring these comments.

Whatever you say, I'll ignore everything except for the promise of a promotion and a raise.

Minister Qian nodded, then looked at Gu Huai again, "The skills you possess at work are what we care about; other things are neither important nor necessary. Okay, let's not talk about those empty words. Your salary will be adjusted this month; the finance department has already approved it."

Adjustment? Is it a raise or a cut? Tell me! Make it clear!
Gu Huai couldn't ask directly, so he could only look at Minister Qian with a shocked expression, hoping he could explain it more clearly.

However, it is clear that people cannot truly empathize or understand each other's feelings.

He just nodded and continued talking to himself.

"Having worked at the company for so long, I'm considered a veteran employee. Even without this incident, I should be given some encouragement."

The way you're saying this makes it sound like you'd actually notice me if I hadn't been putting out the fire.

The world has no shortage of cattle and horses, and only cattle and horses are most suitable for being exploited.

This pay rise might be a reward or an encouragement, or perhaps a new task has been assigned.

As fate would have it, Minister Qian soon told Gu Huai.

"Because of your performance this time, I am also preparing to make some adjustments to your work. Your job position will remain the same, but I hope you will focus more on live-streaming e-commerce. You know how hot the live-streaming e-commerce industry is right now, but those live-streaming hosts who specialize in selling products are ultimately not from our company, and hiring them every time is a huge expense. And the results cannot be guaranteed every time."

"So we hope to train you to become a pillar in this field."

pillar?
When will I be worthy of such high expectations?
However, Gu Huai was not blinded by such empty praise. He thought that perhaps it was because of his performance in putting out the fire last time that the higher-ups thought he might have this kind of talent.

Hiring livestreamers specifically to sell products is expensive, and the results are not guaranteed. There is a risk of spending a lot of money to secure a spot but getting little return.

Why not train your own livestreaming sales host?

But what about becoming a live streamer yourself?
Gu Huai immediately replied, "Minister Qian, I've never been a livestreamer before, and I'm actually not familiar with this area. I was able to do so well last time because someone was guiding me, and I was introducing my own company's products. In reality, I don't know many of the techniques used by livestreaming sales hosts."

That's why I want you to study.

"what?"

Minister Qian waved his hand dismissively, displaying a nonchalant elegance that suggested he wasn't going to the battlefield himself.

"This Friday, the publicity department is planning another live-streaming sales event. You and your team leader, Cai, will be in charge of it together. Decide which hosts to hire and what their prices will be. I'll approve the budget. Team leader Cai will tell you the details. This is a rare learning opportunity specifically for you, so plan carefully and make the most of it!"

……

P.S.: Thank you all for your recent donations and votes! I'll continue to update intensively on weekend nights and early Monday mornings!

(End of this chapter)