Chapter Seventeen: Undercover Investigation
Following Chu Zhen, I learned that sanitation workers work two or three shifts a day, meaning that sanitation workers are protecting the environment throughout the city at all times, resulting in clean streets every day, whether under the scorching summer sun or in the freezing winter nights. I also learned about the lives of milk delivery workers, who have to take on extra part-time jobs for their families. There's also the couple who get up at three or four in the morning to make steamed buns; even though they have savings now, they always feel particularly motivated whenever they see long queues, as if they feel a sense of value in society… And they also feel sorry for us, noticing that we dress smartly and work in upscale office buildings, yet we're working so late at night. In their eyes, our lives aren't easy either.
"My research project is almost finished~" That day, Chu Zhen and I were writing reports at Starbucks. Now we've gotten into the habit of sitting in Starbucks after interviews, each of us ordering a coffee. He organizes the materials, and I write the research report. It's because of this that I've discovered we both like to drink Americano without sugar, because we both like the rich flavor of coffee itself.
"Do I have to go back to school after the report?"
"No, it's winter break soon, so I'll go back to school after next year. But I want to show the report to the nun first."
"Master?"
"Yes, that's my academic mentor, known as Abbess Miejue."
"Extinction Master?" I saw Chu Zhen smile slightly. Shouldn't this name be terrifying? How could he smile?
"Actually, I noticed that my teacher seemed to have changed her attitude towards me since my undergraduate thesis. She used to have a stern face, but now she can even smile at me. However, I'm always afraid that there might be a knife hidden in that smile."
"Would you be interested in doing an undercover investigation with me?" Chu Zhen suddenly asked me.
"Undercover investigation?" I know that undercover investigations usually involve exposing the dark side of society.
"What? Not interested?"
"interested in!"
This is the real reason I chose journalism: to expose the dark side of society and spread positive energy.
"I knew I wasn't wrong about you. Now that you've finished your report, let's go on a secret investigation of the illegal processing plant together next week."
I'm increasingly impressed with Chu Zhen. His talent and looks are more than enough to make him a great host of TV shows, but he chose to focus on social issues, specifically those of the lowest social strata. Especially when I see his patient smiles when he's interviewing each person, I think his usual coldness is just an act.
"Is it an undercover investigation or a non-undercover investigation?" When I told Yan Yan about this, she was very worried.
"I don't know. Chu Zhen said it would start next week, but he didn't tell me the specifics."
"Then you must be careful. You should understand that if you are discovered, you really don't know what you will face."
"Yes, Chu Zhen is with me, don't worry!"
Now I have more and more confidence in Chu Zhen. I believe that he must have considered everything carefully before doing anything.
"Have you made any progress so far?"
"That's all there is to it, but I discovered that he's actually a very warm-hearted person."
"Wow, it hasn't been that long and you've already changed your mind!"
"How are things going with you and Chen Weiqi?" I immediately changed the subject.
“He’s busy with projects. Do you know how fierce the competition is in the self-media industry these days? It breaks my heart to see him so busy with projects every day.”
"With your clever little brain, you can help him out!" Huang Yanyan's academic performance is excellent, and she is the type to receive scholarships every year.
"This doesn't align with my major. It's more about advertising and planning. As a journalism student, I'm practically a complete novice. But I enrolled in a training course." Huang Yanyan was taking this relationship, which she couldn't see any future in, seriously.
Chu Zhen told me to rest well these past few days, finish the topic report at home, and recharge my energy, because next week will be a tough battle.
Chu Zhen's undercover investigation is about food hygiene and safety, which is probably the issue closest to people's livelihood. I am quite interested in it, but I also have some concerns. I have heard of some journalists who have done investigations in this area before. Some have successfully cracked down on such cases, while others have been harmed despite their efforts.
On the food street, we sat quietly in the car. Chu Zhen told me that the car came here to collect swill, and it always came around 2 a.m.
Are you nervous?
“A little!” Inside the car, I kept my eyes on the van in front of me.
"Don't be nervous, it can't be done in one day, they're very cunning."
"How many days have you been following me?"
“Last month, when I was passing by the car, I glanced at the driver and noticed that his eyes looked a little flustered, so I started to pay attention. Sure enough, something was fishy.”
"Chu Zhen, you can't be too reckless. It's best not to act alone." I turned to look at him and said seriously.
"Can I take that as you being concerned about me?" Chu Zhen grinned, chewing his gum.
"We're a team, and I'm thinking about our team. If anything happens to you, I definitely won't be able to run away either." Indeed, I was worried about him, but I was determined not to show it.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you. If anything happens, just run. I think you're pretty good at escaping." That's true; she successfully escaped from him twice.
"Let's drive! Hurry up!" Seeing the van ahead start moving, I immediately nudged Chu Zhen's hand. I don't know why I did this subconsciously. Chu Zhen looked at me, smiled, and followed.
The car headed east, bypassing the main road and avoiding the elevated highway, instead taking the side roads. Our car was about ten meters away from his, but at this time of day, there were almost no other vehicles on the side roads. Our car followed him, and the vehicles in front seemed to notice and began to deliberately take detours.
"Let's stop here for today. I think they should have noticed something." Chu Zhen also sensed that the vehicles ahead were deliberately taking a detour, which made him even more certain that there was something wrong with the swill in the truck.
"Okay, let's go back then!" It's pitch black here. If the processing plant is nearby, we're like fish in a barrel.
"We can't go back, we're out of gas!" Chu Zhen stopped the car and turned off the engine.
"Can't you fill up the tank? Are you completely out of gas? Can't you drive to a gas station?"
"There are no gas stations nearby, so we'll have to wait until dawn to see." With that, Chu Zhen reclined his chair and lay down.
There's no use saying more now, reality is what it is. Fortunately, I'm the kind of person who doesn't panic in the face of trouble. Actually, the main reason is that Chu Zhen is right beside me, and I inexplicably feel a sense of security. I believe that as long as he's there, he can definitely solve a lot of problems.
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