Chapter 2

Guan Pipi felt that Director Zhang’s attitude was understandable. Yesterday after work, he repeatedly told Pipi to be on time for the meeting. In the end, she still committed the crime knowingly. Pipi felt very sorry. She quickly pulled out a recording pen and notepad from her bag, apologized to the director, and flew into the meeting room.

Every single person was smoking.

The huge air conditioner was releasing warm air. With warm air and smoke mixed together, Pipi felt like she was sitting in a chimney.

The meeting just started. The president talked about this month’s key news reports. Various departments reported key topics and new columns. The Advertising Department reported the revenue and expenditure situation.

“Last week, a student at C University killed his mother in anger because of family conflict. We’re going to send journalists to inquire about college students’ psychological stress. In addition, in order to participate in the year-end ‘Top Ten Cultural News’ selection, we have drafted five special topics and interviews to promote traditional culture which are under discussion,” Xie Huang, director of the Department of Political Affairs, said with a blank face while looking at his notebook.

After hesitating for a moment, the president said, “Until the judicial verdict comes out put off the psychological stress investigation. If it was a mental illness, just a random accident, then no need to talk about anything. Or just do a psychological stress investigation and don’t mention this matter. Choice topics for Cultural News should be settled quickly. This weekend, we will try to get them in the newspaper.”

“Ok.”

The president moved his attention to the Department of Industry and Communications.

Director Fang Nanhui immediately said, “The V3 Railway is almost completed. The reporters doing the follow-up report eat and sleep in the mountains, it is quite toilsome. Is it possible for the newspaper office to consider giving a special subsidy? Also

xiao

(1) Wei is 3 months pregnant, has severe vomiting. The mountain conditions are too poor. In my opinion, we should transfer her back to the Department of Political Affairs.”

(1) 小 (xiăo): little; a term of endearment

The president nodded, “There is no problem with the subsidy, but the portion has to discussed with the vice-presidents first. Handle 钱钟书 (Qián Zhōngshū): famous Chinese literary scholar/writer who kept away from the media

“He isn’t Qian Zhongshu, but his teacher, Song Qi, has the same status as Qian Zhongshu in the field of cultural relics. He came to be known as the most eminent scholar in the study of jade. After Song Qi passed away, this person is thought to be the rising new star of the jade world. To some extent, what he says is as authoritative as Song Qi.”

Cultural relics? Jade? —— This was not in line with Pipi’s knowledge.

“He is called Helan Jingting. Ancient jade expert, connoisseur, antique collector. This person rarely comes out and only has one title: Senior Consultant of C City Museum.”

Pippi laughed, “C city Museum? Isn’t C city Museum in this neighborhood? I’ll pretend to make a visit. Maybe I can take his picture when he doesn’t expect it.”

“Pipi, publishing pictures without the person’s consent is illegal. Do you still remember half a year ago there was a very popular C city business newspaper? Just because of publishing a silhouette of Helan Jingting, he was brought before the court. He invited the best lawyers in the country and magnified the problem. After a thorough investigation, the newspaper was punished into a complete mess, almost went bankrupt.”

Nowadays how could the poor dare to get themselves into lawsuits? Pipi stuck out her tongue, “Such a person, you still dare to interview? Not afraid of inviting trouble?”

“That’s why I’m letting you go. First of all, your goal is small. You can sneak into the crowd and watch him; second, you can try to soften him up first. Once he’s softened just enough, I’ll make a move again. How about it? Recently my body’s response to pregnancy is too serious, vomiting everyday. I really can’t run around anymore. We will cosign this news report, earnestly write it, and then take part in this year’s Culture Department’s ‘Top Ten Cultural News’ competition. If you win the prize, you can linger around the president to let him transfer you to the weekend edition, or the entertainment edition. This way, won’t you become a journalist?”

Pipi excitedly said, “Really? Can it really be done this way? Can I really become a reporter?”

As the saying goes, difference in profession makes one feel worlds apart. Pipi is the secretary of the news unit. Although it also has the word “news”, the nature and pay of this job are far from that of a journalist.

“How is it not ok? It’s not without precedent. What’s more, aren’t you currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism? You already have the academic qualifications, of course you can become a journalist. Then, hold my camera and take a good look. This is Nikon’s professional camera. The lenses are tens of thousands of dollars. You have to keep it safe. I’ll go find Du Wenguang and ask him to give you an intern journalist card. Just say that I am in bad health and need you to help me in your spare time. He will definitely agree. What are you doing? If you don’t do it, I’ll have to find Xiao Ji.”

“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!”

“Okay, first take a look at the information. Everything I know is there. Sorry, did you use perfume? I have to go throw up… oh dear, it’s already been three months and still throwing up every day. Until when will it be at its peak.” Wei Qingtan covered her mouth and rushed out the door.

Glossary:

(1)小 (xiăo): little; a term of endearment

(2)硬着头皮 (yìngzhe tóupí): literally toughen one’s scalp; to brace oneself, force oneself to do something against one’s will

(3)老板 (lăobăn): shopkeeper, boss

(4)果珍 (guǒ zhēn): Tang, a fruit flavored drink

(5)姐 (jiě): elder sister; also used when addressing an older female

(6)CPC/中央 (zhōngyāng): abbrev. for Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)

(7)钱钟书 (Qián Zhōngshū): famous Chinese literary scholar/writer who kept away from the media