On September 25, 2025, the company's third reading club of the year was held as scheduled. Four presenters brought philosophical classics, social commentaries, historical works, and science fiction masterpieces, guiding colleagues across dimensions of time and space through texts that explored profound themes: solitude and fulfillment, reality and hope, human nature and ideals, friendship and responsibility. This intellectual journey infused the autumn workplace with renewed vitality of thought.

1. Spiritual Abundance in Solitude: Life's Enlightenment from Walden

The first presenter opened the reading session with the philosophical classic Walden, setting a serene and profound tone for the entire event.

Centered on the theme of “finding abundance in solitude,” the speaker illuminated the true essence of Thoreau’s two-year retreat by the lake: not an escape from society, but a conscious stripping away of material noise to engage in deep dialogue with oneself. The book’s portrayal of the relationship between nature and the inner mind resonated deeply with colleagues accustomed to a fast-paced work environment — solitude is not a chain of isolation, but a vessel for reflection and clarity. As one participant reflected during the discussion, “Couldn’t the focused dedication we cultivate in our careers also be seen as a form of ‘Walden-esque’ richness?”

2. Gazing at Survival in the Gap: A Reality Check from We Live in a Vast Divide

The second presenter shifted the focus from inner reflection to contemporary society through Yu Hua's modern work, We Live in a Vast Divide.

Drawing on the stark contrast in the book between "a Beijing boy's desire for a Boeing airplane and a Northwest girl's longing for a pair of white sneakers," the speaker interpreted Yu Hua's sobering observation of societal fractures — behind rapid economic growth lies the dual pressure of survival and comparison anxiety, as well as a cognitive gap that splits different groups into "separate eras." Yet the work does not stop at critique. The adage, "Acknowledging the gap is not the end, but the starting point for reconstruction," resonated deeply with attendees, revealing the hope embedded in the text: only by facing the unevenness of reality can we assume responsibility with clearer awareness, recognizing that "everyone bears a share of accountability for societal ills." One colleague reflected that this offered a fresh perspective for understanding diverse needs in the workplace.

3. A Portrait of Humanity in the Folds of History: The Timeless Resonance of The Ming Dynasty Those Things

The third presentation focused on the historical essays in The Ming Dynasty Those Things, challenging conventional perceptions of historical literature.

The presenter highlighted how author Yueyue Dangnian uses a witty narrative to unpack the 276-year history of the Ming Dynasty, revealing it as a textbook on human nature and power: Zhu Yuanzhang’s grassroots wisdom coexisted with his paranoia and cruelty; Yu Qian adhered to his principles within a corrupt system, only to meet a tragic end; and Xu Jie’s decades of pragmatic resilience ultimately led to Yan Song’s downfall. These vivid stories underscore the timeless truth that "human nature never fades."

“There is only one definition of success: to live life on your own terms,” the speaker concluded with the book’s closing line, sparking strong resonance among the audience. From the power dynamics among Ming officials to modern individuals upholding their ideals, history has long provided us with answers on “finding one’s place and purpose in life.”

4. The Unyielding Human Spirit in the Sci-Fi Labyrinth: The Weight of Choices in Steins;Gate

The final presenter concluded the reading session on a powerful note with the sci-fi classic Steins;Gate.

Using this work as a starting point, the speaker delved into the spectrum of human nature under the premise of time travel. At the heart of the story, which revolves around the "world line convergence" theory, the "mad scientist" Okabe Rintaro leaps repeatedly across parallel timelines to save his closest friend. The presenter emphasized that the most moving aspect is not the hard sci-fi framework, but how friendship becomes an anchor against nihilism in the face of seemingly predetermined fate. Okabe's transformation from an obsessive experimenter to someone willing to bear all responsibilities underscores the profound idea that "the act of resistance itself gives meaning to existence." During the lively discussion that followed, colleagues noted that this courage to seek breakthroughs within set constraints resonates deeply with the mindset needed to tackle complex challenges in the workplace.

Where Books Illuminate the Path, Ideas Walk with Us

This reading session has built a cross-temporal dialogue through diverse literary genres, ranging from inner spiritual exploration to humanistic concerns in real-world society, from profound insights into human nature throughout history to the sense of responsibility in sci-fi worlds. Every participant has been enriched and inspired by these thought-provoking exchanges.

Looking ahead, the company will continue to foster platforms for reading and exchange, using words as a bridge to strengthen team consensus and empower workplace growth through the power of reflection.