I didn't write this book to defend anyone. I just know that sound too well:
A phone vibrates once on an old desk in an office. Your heart beats once along with it. You stare at the profile picture, at those words: Read. Then there's nothing. Someone who doesn't reply has never owed you an explanation.
But you may owe yourself a whole night of holding your breath. Recruiters know that feeling. Candidates know it too.
One is the person who sends others soaring, and the other is the one being sent soaring. The lights below the stage are too cold, and professional smiles look like they're glued onto people's faces. The words onstage, "We think very highly of you," are as insubstantial as mist. When the mist clears, not even an echo remains.
I've known many Wu Haos. When they first entered the industry, all they had was a list of names, a phone that grew hot in their hands, and a notebook whose keyboard was nearly worn out from typing. The first thing they did every morning was check their KPIs. The second was check their unread messages. The third was chase after those who had read their messages but never replied.
I can't promise that you'll believe in the workplace more after reading this. I certainly can't promise that you'll believe in people more. But I hope you'll remember this: behind every "read but no reply" is some awful thing left unsaid. Some people are afraid to reply. Some don't want to reply. And some... know that replying wouldn't make any difference.
