2 Days Off, 4 Days On, 1 Day Off

"Rest 2, Work 4, Rest 1".

These five words, like a curse or a bible, are deeply etched on the foreheads of every "Soaring Technology" employee. Soaring Technology, an internet company known for its "wolf culture", innovatively launched the "Rest 2, Work 4, Rest 1" work system after 996 and 007, claiming to "care for employees and combine work with rest".

Li Dachui, a veteran programmer who has been struggling at Soaring Technology for three years, is like a machine wound up every day, typing code on the keyboard. His biggest dream is to sleep soundly for those two days of "Rest 2", making up for all the sleep lost in the past four days.

However, the ideal is full, and the reality is skinny. "Rest 2, Work 4, Rest 1" seems beautiful, but in fact, it hides mysteries.

First of all, this "Rest 2" does not refer to the double rest on weekends, but is randomly assigned. That is to say, you may rest on Monday and Tuesday, or Wednesday and Thursday, or even Saturday and Sunday - if you are lucky enough.

Secondly, this "Work 4" does not mean that you only work eight hours a day, but at least twelve hours to start. Overtime is the norm, and not working overtime is an anomaly. The leader will look at you with a caring look, as if saying: "Young man, what about your dream? What about your fighting spirit?"

Finally, this "Rest 1" is even more a formality. On Sunday night, you have to go to the company in advance to "warm up" and prepare to welcome the new week's "battle".

Li Dachui hates this, but he can't help it. He has old people above him and young children below him, and the mortgage and car loan make him breathless. In order to keep this "high-paying" job, he can only swallow his anger and silently endure the torture of "Rest 2, Work 4, Rest 1".

This day, Li Dachui finally ushered in his "Rest 2". He excitedly turned off the computer, packed his things, and prepared to go home.

"Dachui, wait!"

The voice of Manager Zhang, the leader, came from behind. Li Dachui's heart skipped a beat, and he secretly cried out that it was not good.

"Dachui, you have performed well this week, and this project has been completed very well." Manager Zhang said with a friendly smile, "But there is a more important project next week that requires you to intervene in advance."

Ten thousand grass mud horses galloped through Li Dachui's heart.

"Let's do this, you come to the company to work overtime tomorrow to familiarize yourself with the project materials, and you can rest assured the day after tomorrow." Manager Zhang patted Li Dachui on the shoulder, "This is also for your own good, young people, you must learn more and make progress!"

Li Dachui dared not to speak angrily, and could only nod silently.

The next day, Li Dachui dragged his tired body to the company and started working overtime. He looked at the dense code on the computer screen and felt dizzy.

Suddenly, he had an idea.

He opened the company's intranet and found the email address of the personnel department.

"Dear leaders of the Personnel Department," he began to write an email, "I have not been feeling well recently, and I often feel dizzy and nauseous. I suspect it is caused by overwork. In order not to affect my work, I am applying for early leave to recuperate."

After writing the email, Li Dachui attached a "hospital diagnosis certificate" made by P-picture software, proving that he suffered from "severe neurasthenia".

He sent the email with hope.

The next day, Li Dachui received a reply from the personnel department.

"Comrade Li Dachui, in view of your poor health, the company has decided to approve your leave application. In order to let you recuperate with peace of mind, the company has decided to adjust your 'Rest 2' to 'Rest 7'."

Li Dachui was overjoyed and could hardly believe his eyes.

"Rest 7!" This is what he has dreamed of!

He excitedly packed his things and prepared to go home.

"Dachui, wait!"

Manager Zhang's voice came from behind again. Li Dachui's heart skipped a beat again.

"Dachui, your health is not good, you have 'severe neurasthenia'." Manager Zhang said caringly, "The company has decided to send you to the 'Soaring Technology Employee Sanatorium' for a week of recuperation, and the expenses are all free."

Before Li Dachui could be happy, he was carried by several security guards and sent to the "Soaring Technology Employee Sanatorium" located in the suburbs.

The environment of the sanatorium is good, with mountains and rivers, and beautiful scenery. However, Li Dachui soon discovered that this was not a sanatorium at all, but a disguised "overtime labor camp".

Here, employees have to receive high-intensity "training" every day, learn the latest technologies, and participate in various "team building activities". The so-called "recuperation" is to let you change places and continue to work overtime.

Li Dachui wanted to cry without tears. He finally understood that the real meaning of "Rest 2, Work 4, Rest 1" is to make you never really rest.

A week later, Li Dachui returned to the company. He felt more tired and more desperate.

Looking at the code on the computer screen, he suddenly felt that he was like a hamster trapped in a cage, running endlessly.

He began to think about what the meaning of such a life is.

Perhaps, the only meaning is to let you understand that the so-called "welfare" is just a pie drawn by the capitalists to lure you to work harder.

Li Dachui suddenly laughed. He decided to resign.

He wants to leave this "Rest 2, Work 4, Rest 1" devil's cave and find a life that truly belongs to him.

Of course, that's another story. Now, Li Dachui is still typing code on the keyboard, continuing to fight for the elusive "Rest 2". After all, the mortgage has not been paid off yet.