11. A Hero Saves a Beauty

Chi Jin tossed and turned all night, waking up at dawn. The first thing she did was grab her phone. The screen lit up, the WeChat icon silent. Clicking on it revealed only a few red dots, the only visible message being the official account. In the chat room with Editor-in-Chief Chen, her two humble and earnest apology messages from last night hung alone at the bottom, a blank space below, devoid of any response.

Come to think of it, as the editor-in-chief, she was repeatedly contradicted by her own junior editor. She was so humiliated and had no place to vent her anger. It would be strange if she didn't leave her out in the cold.

Chi Jin arrived at the company early and lingered outside Chen Yisheng's office. When he finally finished a quick manuscript, he looked up and motioned for her to come in. Chi Jin immediately came in and gave a deep ninety-degree bow.

"When I saw that you didn't reply to my message, I knew you were still angry. I shouldn't have brought bad emotions into the subsequent work. It was my fault." Chi Jin didn't dare to look up. "I'm so sorry - I'm really sorry -"

Chen Yisheng put down his pen. "You handled this very unprofessionally, but stand still. What are you doing? I'm not a local tyrant."

Chi Jin hesitated for a moment and stood up, his words still sincere: "Editor-in-chief, I know I was wrong."

As he was speaking, Du Yanni suddenly pushed the door open and said, "Editor-in-chief, something happened!"

Chi Jin looked suspiciously at the deputy editor-in-chief who had always been at odds with her. Her expression at the moment clearly showed that she was "pleased to see it."

"explain."

"Cybo has been exposed! The tide has turned! Several individuals involved have jointly accused Cybok of sexually harassing fans, insulting coaches and referees, and defaming teammates and opponents. Timelines, police reports, chat logs, photos and videos are all there. Now the internet is slamming him."

"When did it happen?" Chi Jin asked immediately.

Du Yanni exchanged glances with her, then reported to Chen Yisheng, "It happened half an hour ago, and it's still fermenting!"

"So this is the right way to write about Yue Kairu?" Chi Jin immediately turned from sadness to joy, "Editor-in-Chief Chen, you are so far-sighted!"

Chen Yisheng's face lost its joy; instead, it grew more solemn. He quickly made a decision: "For now, hold off and closely observe public opinion for an hour. Then, we'll focus on promoting this column, emphasizing its publication date and content."

"Does the manuscript need any revisions?"

"Chi Jin's article is of good quality. The editorial department will fully cooperate in promoting it." He gave the order swiftly, his eyes glancing at Du Yanni. "That's all. Go ahead and make the arrangements. Remember to knock on the door next time."

Du Yanni received the order, glanced at Chi Jin meaningfully, and turned to leave.

Once again, there were only two of them left in the office. The apology continued, but the tone had become noticeably more assertive. "I cared deeply about this column, so I was overly focused on the results. So, after learning the afternoon before yesterday that the response was mediocre, I was stuck in a depression until yesterday afternoon... I truly handled this matter terribly and immaturely. I hope... in light of the unexpected turn of events, you'll give me another chance."

Chen Yisheng frowned. "What do you mean by 'for the sake of the results'? Chi Jin, if I really wanted to fire you, I would do it regardless of the response to your column! You're too emotional and unprofessional. This doesn't meet the standards of the Face editorial department!"

The word "expelled" pierced Chi Jin's heart like an icicle. She panicked completely and subconsciously took two steps forward, her voice filled with pleading, "Editor-in-Chief Chen! I was really wrong. Can you give me another warning? This is the second time, and I absolutely won't do it again."

Chen Yisheng stared into her frantic, anxious eyes, silent for a few seconds. He hadn't really intended to fire her, and seeing her like this, he felt he had achieved his goal. But his expression remained stern. "Alright. But since you've made a mistake, don't try to escape the punishment you deserve."

The two men walked out of the office one after the other and stood on the open platform on the second floor. Chen Yisheng clapped his hands twice to attract everyone's attention. By then, news of the Cyberk collapse had already spread, and everyone thought the editor-in-chief was taking this opportunity to praise Chi Jin for his foresight.

However, Chen Yisheng spoke in a clear, cold voice: "Dear editors, because Chi Jin's negative work attitude has affected the team atmosphere, she is now being given a warning. Please monitor her future work status. If she receives a third warning, she will be fired. At the same time, please take this as a warning, encourage each other to maintain a professional attitude, and do not let down your guard."

The crowd was in an uproar. For Chen Yisheng, "making meritorious service while serving a sentence" was not an option.

After saying that, he turned his head to look at Chi Jin, who was like an ostrich, burying his head in the ground. "Editor Chi, do you have anything to add?"

Chi Jin put his hands behind his back, digging his nails into his palms. He spoke with embarrassment and shame, "I am very sorry that my personal emotional issues have affected the working atmosphere of everyone. Please learn from my mistakes and work together to maintain a harmonious atmosphere in the editorial department."

Chi Jin has been apologizing frequently in the past six months and has become very good at it, but he still can't save face.

The atmosphere was momentarily tense. Then, surprisingly, Du Yanni didn't add insult to injury. Instead, she stood up and spoke with a hint of seriousness in her voice: "Editor-in-Chief Chen and I agree. The editorial department is a place where the fittest survive. The next topic selection meeting will be a good opportunity to see who's on the right track and who's stranded."

Deputy Editor Fang and several senior editors also stood up to express their support and encouragement. Seeing this, Jiang Xuhuan deliberately criticized Chi Jin's work methods in front of everyone, neither too harsh nor too soft, cleverly shifting the focus and making it difficult for other editors who wanted to take advantage of the situation to speak up.

…

Early Friday morning, Chi Jin opened the news and saw good news. Sebok was under investigation by the organizing committee for suspected doping. Once confirmed, the championship would be awarded to runner-up Yue Kairu. For the editorial staff of "Face," who had made a good bet, this was icing on the cake, a blessing from heaven.

However, this good mood was instantly shattered when she stepped into the office building gate.

A haggard man with bloodshot eyes and eye bags swollen to the point of bulging outwards was squatting by the turnstile like a ghost.

It was Luo Cheng who was expelled!

Upon seeing her, he suddenly lunged at her, fiercely grabbing her shoulders with both hands, and began to complain that his job search had been so difficult for the past two weeks, and that it must have been because his old employer had set him up. He was fired because someone had reported him.

"I finally figured it out. I was fired right after you left the office." He stared at Chi Jin. "You're so good. You seemed to be quiet, but I didn't expect you to be so shady and do it in secret."

Chi Jin was shocked and angry. She struggled hard, calling for help while looking for the security guard. In the early morning, there were few people, and her cries for help were particularly harsh in the empty hall.

"Okay! You're not pretending anymore!"

Luo Cheng grabbed her wrist fiercely, his nails almost digging into her skin. The pain was so severe that Chi Jin had no power to resist and retreated repeatedly.

It was still early and not crowded, so she yelled, "If you don't let go, I'll call the police!"

"Isn't it Chen who usually scolds you the most? And you're actually complaining about it? You deserve to be bossed around like an intern in the office—"

“Let go!”

Chen Yisheng appeared out of nowhere, striding between them and grabbing Luo Cheng's wrist with such force that he painfully released his grip on Chi Jin. Chi Jin immediately rubbed his sore elbow like a frightened animal and quickly hid behind Chen Yisheng.

"I fired you. If you have any complaints, come to me."

Feeling the power of a backer, Chi Jin grew bolder. He half-peeked out from behind Chen Yisheng, pointed at Luo Cheng, and said, "Luo Cheng! Before, I thought your expulsion was somewhat justifiable, but now I see that you deserve it!"

"You..." Luo Cheng was furious and stood up to fight back, "Well, you two are in cahoots. Chi Jin, don't think that Chen Yisheng will look up to you just because you reported me. You are just a dog to him! A——"

Before he finished speaking, Chen Yisheng suddenly turned sideways like a hunting lion. The moment Luo Cheng pounced on him, he blocked with one hand and grabbed Luo Cheng's collar with the other hand, and threw him against the wall next to the cold metal gate with a "bang"!

Luo Cheng was hit so hard that he saw stars and cried out in pain.

"Apologize. Come to me if you have anything to say." Chen Yisheng's body was still firmly blocking Chi Jin, but his left hand subconsciously turned back and tightly protected Chi Jin's arm, keeping her tightly within his protection range.

Luo Cheng's eyes were red, and he was filled with shame and anger. Like a completely mad beast, he raised his fist and used all his strength to hit Chen Yisheng's unprotected right cheek hard.

Chi watched helplessly as Chen Yisheng's cheeks swelled up at a visible rate, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth. She immediately rushed out from behind him, pointing at the glaring cameras overhead, her voice trembling, "Look carefully! This is all surveillance! You assaulted someone, and there's irrefutable evidence! I'm calling the police now! Once we get to the police station, we'll see who they believe!"

Luo Cheng just wanted to vent his anger. The punch was indeed quite powerful. He knew he was in the wrong. The previous punch was purely impulsive and out of shame and anger. Now that he had calmed down, he realized the seriousness of the consequences. He cursed a few times and walked away in disgrace.

"Are you okay?" Chi Jin immediately turned around and looked at Chen Yisheng nervously.

The answer was written on the rapidly spreading, shocking redness, swelling and bruise on his right cheek.

She was so angry that her eyes turned red. Without saying a word, she grabbed Chen Yisheng's wrist and was about to walk out: "Let's go! Let's call the police! Get a medical check! Check the surveillance! We can't just let this go!"

"Okay." Chen Yisheng gently covered her hand that was holding his wrist with his other hand, exerted a little force, and stopped her movement.

"What's the meaning?"

He stood still, his voice muffled by the pain in his cheek, yet soothing. "I know. We have the injury report, the surveillance footage, and the complete chain of evidence. No matter where we go, we're in the right. But he came here today just to vent. Now that he's achieved his goal, he's scared and won't come again."

"No, what's wrong with you? How can you be so calm at a time like this?!"

Chen Yisheng continued, "He didn't apologize to you. If you care about this, we'll call the police right now and have him apologize to you in person."

"Are you okay? Is that the point?"

"Just don't make a fuss about my injury."

Chi Jin looked at his awkward expression, and the pent-up anger in her heart dissipated for the most part. She sighed and shrugged casually: "Isn't it just calling me your dog? Don't worry, you usually scold me much more harshly than this, I've long been immune to it."

Chen Yisheng was slightly startled by these words. He lowered his eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly uncontrollably, and whispered, "...I'm sorry. Don't take what he said to heart. I always say the same thing."

"Okay, okay, the most urgent thing is to treat your wound! There are ice packs and medicated oil in the editorial department's medicine box, right? If you delay any longer, your face will be disfigured!" She half-jokingly and half-urgingly pulled his wrist again.

He glanced down at her hand, tightly gripping his wrist. Her slender fingers were pale from exertion, yet the warmth and strength she conveyed felt strangely soothing. He remained silent, neither trying to resist nor struggling. He simply obeyed, letting her hurriedly pull him along, swiping his card through the turnstile and quickly heading for the elevator.