<p>As workplace competition intensifies, the opposing concepts of <i>involution</i> and <i>lying flat</i> have emerged as focal topics in the study of Chinese work environments. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources theory, particularly the principles of resource investment and resource conservation, this study examines the impact of leader bottom-line mentality on employee <i>involution</i> (measured by compulsory citizenship behavior) and <i>lying flat</i> (measured by psychological withdrawal behavior). The two-wave survey was conducted with a sample of 448 full-time employees from Chinese enterprises. The findings_(SEM) reveal that leader bottom-line mentality is positively associated with both compulsory citizenship behavior and psychological withdrawal behavior. Workplace anxiety serves as a mediator in these relationships. Moreover, organizational political perception moderates these pathways by weakening the relationship between workplace anxiety and compulsory citizenship behavior while strengthening the link between workplace anxiety and psychological withdrawal behavior. Findings_(fsQCA) reveal multiple causal configurations for both coping behaviors, further supporting these conclusions. This study advances the understanding of the organizational antecedents and formation mechanisms of <i>involution</i> and <i>lying flat</i>, offering insights with both theoretical and practical implications for employee well-being and organizational functioning.</p>