Where Did the Year-End Bonus Go?

Old Zhang was carrying a heavy combination lock suitcase, like he was holding a box of gold bars. In fact, it contained the company’s year-end bonus for employees – 300,000 yuan in cash. He carefully stepped into the elevator, the suitcase creaking, as if whispering its value. He was alone in the elevator. Old Zhang looked down at the old-fashioned mechanical watch on his wrist. It was already 6:30 PM, and the annual meeting was about to begin.

Old Zhang was a veteran employee of the company, having worked diligently in the logistics department for twenty years. The annual bonus was always the most anticipated comfort for him. This year, the company's performance was good, and the year-end bonus was particularly generous. The 300,000 yuan in cash stacked in the suitcase shimmered with the unique luster of paper money. Old Zhang thought, later at the annual meeting, he would personally hand this box of money to the boss and watch everyone cheer. That feeling would be great.

The elevator “dinged” as it reached the first floor. Old Zhang walked out of the elevator, crossed the lobby, and prepared to head to the back door, which would lead directly to the banquet hall. Just then, a young man in a security guard uniform stopped him.

“Please show your work ID,” the security guard’s tone was somewhat assertive.

Old Zhang was stunned. He swiped his card every day for work, and he didn't know where his work ID was lost. He explained that he was from the logistics department and was taking the year-end bonus to the annual meeting. The security guard shook his head expressionlessly after listening, "I'm sorry, without a work ID, no one is allowed to enter.”

Old Zhang became a little anxious. The annual meeting was about to begin. He tried to explain to the security guard, but found that he couldn't provide anything to prove his identity. He took out his cell phone, wanting to call the logistics department supervisor, but found that his phone was dead.

The security guard remained firm, like a door god cast in steel, not budging an inch. Old Zhang was helpless and said, “I’m just delivering the year-end bonus, it won’t delay you.”

The security guard slowly said, “You know, the company has recently strengthened security, everything must be done according to the rules. Even if you are delivering money, without a work ID, you can’t get in.”

Old Zhang was so angry that he was about to burst, he stared at the security guard, suddenly realizing his current situation— he was holding 300,000 yuan in cash, but he couldn't enter the company's door. This was simply too absurd!

He placed the suitcase on the ground, opened it, and stacked the bundles of cash in front of the security guard, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness and sarcasm: "The money is all here, you count it, 300,000, is it enough for me to go in?"

The security guard looked at the small mountain of cash, his eyes without a trace of fluctuation. "I'm sorry, I only recognize work IDs," he repeated, like a programmed machine.

Old Zhang was completely deflated, he felt an unprecedented sense of powerlessness. He sighed, picked up the suitcase, and turned and walked out of the company's gate.

He came to a small roadside restaurant, ordered the cheapest rice bowl, took out his phone, plugged in his power bank, and the screen lit up, showing missed calls from the logistics supervisor. He did not call back, he just wanted to quietly finish his dinner.

At this time, the TV in the restaurant was showing the news:

“This is breaking news from our station, a major theft occurred at the annual meeting of a certain company in our city today. 300,000 yuan of year-end bonuses disappeared. The police are fully investigating…”

Old Zhang looked at the TV, the rice in his mouth suddenly tasted bland. He looked up at the window, the night had fallen, and the city looked particularly cold under the illumination of the neon lights. He suddenly felt that the box of money in his hand was more like a hot potato. No matter where it ultimately ended up, it would not change this absurd world.