public opinion
Shen Zhou was clearly distracted. "Huh? What did you say?"
"Please pull over to the side of the road ahead."
"But you're not home yet? The navigation says it's still two kilometers away."
Zhou Jingxing kept looking at him. "I know. Pull over and let me drive. You took the wrong lane at that intersection. You were going straight but turned left instead. It's too dangerous for you to drive like that."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhou paused for a moment. "I'm sorry, I was just thinking about work." He didn't insist on driving himself. There happened to be a bus stop on his right, so he drove in, switched seats with Zhou Jingxing, and sat in the passenger seat.
After Zhou Jingxing got into the driver's seat, he took Chen Zhou's phone from the phone holder and handed it to him. "You must have a lot of work to do. You're busy." He then opened his own phone's navigation. "Where do you live? I'll take you home."
Shen Zhou took the phone and declined, saying, "No need, I'll take you home first. I'll be done in a bit."
Zhou Jingxing looked at him, his tone firm, "I'm worried about you driving back alone. Tell me quickly, where do you live? Otherwise, I'll call Zhao Xin and ask. He should know, right?" As he spoke, he actually went to dial Zhao Xin's number.
How could he possibly ask Zhao Xin for his address? Shen Zhou quickly grabbed Zhou Jingxing's arm and told him his address. Zhou Jingxing then set up the navigation and set off.
The two didn't exchange a word the rest of the way. In the quiet carriage, Chen Zhou was extremely agitated. How could there be such rumors online? Who was going against the company? A competitor? But their company was already a leader in the industry. Who was so blind as to use such despicable means to smear them?
Shen Zhou suddenly remembered a conversation he'd had with a senior executive at the company who he was on good terms with recently. They'd overheard him saying that a new department was about to be established, and the leaders intended for Shen Zhou to be its head. So this exhibition was a test for Shen Zhou; if he messed it up, his promotion would be out of the question.
Could it be an internal company conflict? After all, there are plenty of people who are interested in this promotion.
Chen Zhou's thoughts were in disarray, and he couldn't make sense of them for the time being.
“We’re here. I’ll take you up. Which floor do you stay on?” Zhou Jingxing’s gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Ah, 15th floor, thank you."
Zhou Jingxing walked around the front of the car and opened the passenger door for him. Shen Zhou got out of the car, feeling uneasy, and then, guided by Zhou Jingxing, entered the elevator and went into the house. Zhou Jingxing fumbled to turn on the light in the entryway, then looked around and brought him slippers.
Seeing Zhou Jingxing squatting on the ground trying to help him change his shoes, Chen Zhou suddenly realized, "Wait a minute, how did I bring him back?"
Chen Zhou took a step back to avoid Zhou Jingxing's outstretched hand. Zhou Jingxing looked hurt and looked up at him with the same aggrieved expression as a puppy that had been rejected by its owner from playing together.
"Jingxing, thank you for bringing me back. You should go home and get some rest too; you must be tired after a long day. My house is too messy to tidy up, so please don't come in. I'll invite you over next time."
They simply and decisively chased the puppy away.
Zhou Jingxing stood up, his voice muffled, "Don't overthink it. I didn't mean to cross any lines. I just saw you were in a bad mood, so I brought you back. You should rest. I'll go back now."
Seeing his aggrieved look, Shen Zhou felt a pang of guilt. He tugged at Zhou Jingxing's sleeve, then quickly let go.
"I'm sorry, there's been a bit of a problem at the company, so I'm a little flustered. Please don't take offense if I say something unpleasant."
Zhou Jingxing nodded. "I don't mind. I know all about it. Those people online are just talking nonsense. After a while, when no one pays attention, the public opinion will naturally calm down."
Shen Zhou couldn't help but say, "But what we do in this line of work is to get attention. How can an exhibition be considered a success if no one pays attention?" He became more and more agitated as he spoke. "Exhibitions are held precisely because people want to come and see them. If no one comes to the exhibition because of these unfounded reasons, then what is all our hard work these past few days?"
"Restoring cultural relics is a dialogue with time, and the significance of this exhibition is to provide visitors with a tunnel to feel that time and power," Zhou Jingxing said slowly. "That's what you told me."
"The importance of cultural relic restoration in restoring historical truth and the inheritance of civilization has been constantly emphasized since the day I enrolled. But that afternoon, for the first time, someone told me that our work could be seen by people. Whether it's me or someone as capable as Professor Li, we have always been like unsung worker ants, so I was really happy to hear what you said that day."
"I think what you just said was too biased. Maybe you're not feeling well today. Let's discuss it again after you've rested."
Zhou Jingxing opened the door, turned around, and walked out. "I'm leaving now. You get some rest. See you tomorrow."
Hearing the door close, Chen Zhou snapped out of his daze. He wanted to chase after Zhou Jingxing and say something, but he pulled his hand back the moment he touched the doorknob.
What could we possibly say if we chased after them?
Did I disappoint him?
The public opinion did not subside as Zhou Jingxing had hoped; instead, it intensified.
The next day, Zhou Jingxing arrived at the studio, where two young female assistants were discussing the matter enthusiastically.
"Did you see it this morning? That big influencer's comments were so sharp! They criticized this exhibition as worthless, and I saw a lot of people agreeing with them."
“I saw it, you know what? People are still digging into the background of this exhibition, and some are even saying that the curator and the company held this exhibition to launder money.”
"Huh? Is that even possible? What are the company's PR department doing?!"
The girl covered her mouth with her hand, and the two leaned closer and whispered, "I heard that there are disagreements among the company's senior management about how to handle this matter. One vice president insists that it was Ms. Shen's personal dereliction of duty and is unwilling to let the company's public relations department handle it."
Zhou Jingxing frowned and pulled out a chair, deliberately making a loud noise, "Could you two please go and check if that batch of plaster molds is dry yet?"
The two girls dared not discuss it any further and immediately went off to do their own work.
Zhou Jingxing picked up a gourd-shaped bottle and began to carefully depict it. He was multitasking, and couldn't help but think about the predicament Chen Zhou was currently facing. Was there any way to help him break out of this predicament?
Shen Zhou arrived at the studio close to noon, his handsome face revealing his exhaustion. Upon seeing him, two young female assistants immediately surrounded him, asking with concern, "Mr. Shen, are you alright?"
Shen Zhou smiled and said, "What could possibly happen to me! The company said the exhibition will proceed as scheduled, so don't worry. Go and get back to your work."
Zhou Jingxing listened intently to the sounds coming from Chen Zhou's direction. When he heard Chen Zhou's footsteps beside him, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Had he gone a bit too far last night? Would Chen Zhou be angry with him?
Standing beside Zhou Jingxing, Chen Zhou looked unusually embarrassed. He asked, "How did you get home last night?"
Zhou Jingxing put down the gourd bottle, turned around and looked at him, saying, "I took a taxi back." He hesitated for a moment, "I'm sorry, I said some inappropriate things last night, please don't mind."
Shen Zhou was moved and was about to say something when he was interrupted by someone's loud voice behind him.
"Victor! Oh, there you are! I thought you were still at the company reporting on the online public opinion to General Manager Zhang and the others."
The man, laughing smugly, was Kyle.
Shen Zhou smiled at him, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "You weren't at the company this morning, so you wouldn't know. President Zhang went on a business trip. I can't exactly chase after him all the way to Hainan to report to him, can I?"
Kyle's expression changed. He had accompanied Boss Zhang on a week-long vacation to Hainan, and they had been photographed together. To cover their tracks, they said they had met by chance in Hainan, and Kyle had gone to report to Boss Zhang.
Shen Zhou's words were dripping with sarcasm, and his smile seemed mocking. Kyle was so angry he almost lost his temper. He suppressed his anger and continued to provoke, "Are you really that free? Right now, there are tons of negative reviews about the restored artifact exhibition online. Instead of trying to solve it, why are you just wasting your time here?"
He feigned regret, "Oh dear, it's a pity that General Manager Zhang ordered the company's public relations department not to help you, otherwise we could have salvaged the situation to some extent."
Zhou Jingxing was truly amazed. So this is what it means for a "petty person to get ahead"! This guy practically had "I whispered in your ear and got General Manager Zhang to order the company not to help you" written all over his face.
Shen Zhou smiled and said, "Oh? Then you can go and plead with General Manager Zhang for me. After all, he values you the most in the company, and he always listens to what you say."
Kyle almost lost his temper. "You!" Then he laughed. "I can help you, but you have to do me a favor. I have a client who wants to restore some cultural relics. If you lend me Zhou Jingxing for two days, I'll put in a good word for you with General Manager Zhang. How about it?"
Shen Zhou's smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression. "Teacher Zhou is my friend. There's no question of lending him anything. If you want him to help you repair cultural relics, you'd better respect him. Ultimately, this matter requires his own consent."
Kyle immediately turned to Zhou Jingxing, smiling and speaking sincerely, "So, Professor Zhou, do you agree? Don't worry, I'll double the fee Shen Zhou gave you, and the work will be much easier than what Shen Zhou did."
This country bumpkin spouts fancy nonsense all day long; at least he can say his Chinese name.
Zhou Jingxing quickly replied, "I disagree."
Chen Zhou chuckled softly, while Kyle's expression changed slightly. "Why don't you agree? Is it because you think my payment is too low? I can—"
Zhou Jingxing interrupted him, "I have no obligation to cooperate with you. Most importantly, I don't work with ugly people. My mother has always told me that people with slanted eyes and crooked faces are usually dishonest."
Kyle, enraged, yelled, "What the hell are you talking about! You listen to your mother in everything, are you a mama's boy?"
Zhou Jingxing spoke faster than he thought, "That's still better than some people who didn't have a mother to teach them."
Kyle rushed forward, his face flushed. Seeing that the situation was about to escalate into a fight, Shen Zhou quickly pulled Kyle back, shouting "Security!" while trying to persuade him, "Kyle, don't be angry. People who study art just have bad tempers and are foul-mouthed."
Kyle almost yelled in anger, "I'm the one who studied art! Zhou Jingxing studied cultural relic restoration, who the hell are you insulting?!"
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