18. Why
"I completely understand if you don't want to say it. It's great to see you're doing well."
Zhao Hengsheng's tone softened a little.
"What truly healed me was watching your speech at the company's annual meeting, which went viral online. You understand how difficult it is to overcome this, having experienced it yourself. Like a crow repaying its parents, you're now helping others in society who are struggling similarly," Chi Jin said, observing his gradually softening expression. "Before today, I never imagined I'd see you face to face in this way. Perhaps this is the opportunity, the chance for Face to become a medium for conveying your message, and I, the person holding the microphone, just happens to be."
Zhao Hengsheng was silent for a moment. Although his attitude softened, his principles remained unchanged. "Of course I know that publicity is a win-win situation, but I never do charity work for publicity, nor do I do it to gain publicity for my company's listing as some people say."
Chi Jin then stepped forward and placed the manuscript, which she had quickly sorted through and annotated, on Zhao Hengsheng's desk. "Mr. Zhao, this is the first draft written by my colleague Qin Xiancheng. Miscommunication this morning may have affected your mood for reviewing it. This manuscript isn't just general talk; it focuses on the real plight and changes facing the beneficiaries, attempting to uncover the structural social issues behind public welfare initiatives. He's been studying your interviews, lecture transcripts, and project reports over the past couple of weeks, putting in a lot of effort."
He was not an unreasonable person, so he picked up the manuscript and read it carefully.
Chi Jin added at the right time, his voice lowered but clear: "To be honest, although my colleague is a big guy, he secretly wiped away tears several times while reading the information."
Zhao Hengsheng put down the manuscript and sighed deeply.
"Face is a magazine with warmth. We all hope that more marginalized groups can be seen through words. If we only pursue economic benefits, we will not stick to print media."
The moment Zhao Hengsheng raised his eyes, he caught a glimpse of the clear indentation on Chi Jin's right hand where he held the pen, left by long hours at his desk. His eyes moved slightly, and he sighed again: "You love this job, don't you?"
"Yes." Chi Jin nodded without hesitation and brought the topic back to the topic, "I believe that your involvement in public welfare is also due to an idealistic persistence that transcends practical interests."
"I don't have any selfish motives in doing charity work, but because I'm backed by a company, it's inevitable that people with ulterior motives will use it to make a story." He shook his head, "So, for the past few months, I haven't accepted any interviews, and I haven't appeared in any magazines or on any TV stations."
"I understand your concerns, but I promise that Faces will not be complicit in this corruption."
Director Zhao stared at her for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'll personally contact the external sources. You're probably just a junior editor, so how can you be so confident in making such a promise to me?"
Chi Jin was unsure, but she couldn't back down now, so she calmly replied, "I won't comment on other magazines. The reputation of Faces has been built bit by bit by successive editors-in-chief and editors, through solid reporting, rigorous verification, and a shared commitment to conscience and bottom line. I don't dare speak for the entire industry, but the Faces editorial team, from the editor-in-chief to the interns, has a reverence for truth and depth that is ingrained in their genes."
These words spoke volumes. Zhao Hengsheng stared at her for a moment, his tense expression finally relaxing as he smiled. "Zhongxin Media is full of talented people. Our two companies have a relationship in advertising, and I've met several of your editors-in-chief. They're all well-known names."
Chi Jin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He stood up and handed over a business card: "Zhao Hengsheng."
Chi Jin was flattered. As a small editor, she didn't even have a business card, so she took it respectfully: "You're so kind. I'm Chi Jin."
Zhao Hengsheng said, "You might become a great man in the future, so prepare your business cards early."
"Thank you for your good wishes."
"Go call Editor Xiao Qin in," Zhao Hengsheng pointed to the sofa in the reception area, "and sit down to discuss this."
The subsequent communication went remarkably smoothly. Zhao Hengsheng's secretary brought him barley tea, and he opened up, not only readily authorizing the manuscript but also scheduling a time for our next in-depth interview.
…
Chi Jin stayed late to help Qin Xiancheng finish the final proofreading and detail confirmation. Qin Xiancheng was so grateful that he insisted on treating her to a barbecue as a thank you. As they left the building, they ran into Lin Wei, the group's editor-in-chief, who was about to leave work.
Qin Xiancheng, the social butterfly, had met Chief Editor Lin several times and pulled Chi Jin aside to greet him warmly. However, the Chief Editor did not remember who these two young editors were and only said a few polite words.
Qin Xiancheng was in a good mood today, so he introduced himself: "Editor-in-Chief Lin, we are editors of Faces. She is Chi Jin, and I am Qin Xiancheng."
Lin Wei had been distracted, but when she heard the name "Chi Jin," she paused for a moment and glanced over sharply, "Chi Jin? ...Who's the 'specially guest editor' for this issue?"
Chi Jin's sixth sense told him that this reaction was not right. If, as Chen Yisheng said, the higher-ups had criticized this act of acting first and asking for permission later, but Editor-in-Chief Lin had specifically praised Chi Jin, then she shouldn't have forgotten him.
Chi Jin was momentarily unsure what to say. But Qin Xiancheng had been out on a public relations mission that morning and was unaware of the turmoil in the office. Unaware of the situation, he quickly replied, "Yes! That's the one! It was originally in the education column, but our editor-in-chief moved it to the editorial department and even added Chi Jin's name!"
Editor-in-Chief Lin said "oh" meaningfully, with no expression on his face. He said he was in a hurry and left.
Her eyes and expression made Chi Jin feel uncomfortable, and the more he thought about it, the more wrong it seemed.
Chi Jin is not a heartless person. She has to find Chen Yisheng to ask clearly: "Brother Qin, I remembered that I left something in the office. Let's not eat today. Next time, next time!"
Without waiting for Qin Xiancheng's response, she turned around and rushed back to the elevator.
There was only one light left on in the office. Chi Jin ran up to the door, holding onto the railing and knocking on the door breathlessly: "Editor-in-Chief Chen... I have something to ask you."
The footsteps inside the door paused for a few seconds, and then the door opened. Chen Yisheng stood behind the door, his tall figure outlined in the warm yellow light. This scene inexplicably reminded Chi Jin of the first time he went to his house.
"Isn't it time to get off work?"
He asked, his expression unremarkable.
"I have something to ask. Was it Editor-in-Chief Lin who said the praise you gave in front of everyone at noon?"
"yes."
"Impossible!" Chi Jin ran all the way, his breathing unstable, "Can you... give me a glass of water first? I have a stitch in the side..."
Chen Yisheng turned around, picked up a disposable paper cup, and filled it halfway with warm water. The sound of running water was particularly clear in the silent office.
"I've always found it strange. If Editor-in-Chief Lin really wanted to praise me, why would he have to ask you to do it? Luckily, I saw her just now. Sure enough, her reaction was wrong." Chi Jin whispered, "Forget about praising me. The expression she gave me was really..."
Chen Yisheng handed her the water: "Drink water first."
"Tell me the truth. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease drinking the water." Chi Jin held the door handle. "You don't have to take special care of me just because I know we are brothers and sisters. You can just scold me like before. I'm not that fragile."
"That's not it." He said in a low voice.
"Don't worry, I kept my mouth shut and never told anyone about your fake marriage."
"That's not it." He interrupted again.
His personality was as unpredictable as ever. To prevent dehydration, Chi Jin could only drink a big gulp to save his life. He asked helplessly, "Why is that?"
Chen Yisheng looked at her cheeks that were flushed from running and excitement, and her clear, stubborn eyes that insisted on an answer.
He was silent for a few seconds, his eyes still calm, but they contained more things that Chi Jin could not interpret.
"Chi Jin." He finally spoke, his voice low and gentle, "That's the praise you deserve."
Chi Jin bit his lip: "Did she not only scold you, but also scold me? But you didn't say it."
"Does she remember you? She has to meet a lot of people every day, an editor who was just mentioned by the editor-in-chief who was 'criticized' about the process,
Of course she wouldn't specifically remember it. Her reaction was perfectly normal."
"I'm not someone who can't stand losing. A scrap is a scrap, I admit it." Chi Jin's throat was a little dry. "No matter what happened today, I thank you."
"I said I don't like to hear words of gratitude."
"No matter what, at least you let me know that my name can appear in the editor's recommendation."
"You're welcome. Come back when you've figured it out."
She felt a mixture of emotions. The question, "Why have you been so nice to me lately?" that had been on her mind for days rolled around on her tongue, but she finally swallowed it back. "Editor-in-Chief Chen, please get some rest too. I... am leaving first."
She turned around and gently closed the office door.
Chi Jin knew that it was most likely as she suspected. Editor-in-Chief Lin must have severely criticized Chen Yisheng, otherwise he wouldn't have apologized so seriously in public. But his motive for taking all the blame and giving himself all the benefits... It really made people wonder.
To "repay the favor," she even briefly considered signing up for the external affairs position Chen Yisheng was in charge of at Beiyuan University Town. But then she thought about him, not only was his work stressful, but there was also an inexplicable tension when they were alone. While it wasn't awkward, she couldn't control her emotions.
Moreover, Chi Jin had no interest in climbing the social ladder, nor did she want anyone to misunderstand her intentions. If she continued to actively stick to Chen Yisheng after what had just happened, wouldn't that just lead to more gossip?
So after much consideration (actually, she hadn't hesitated), she excitedly went to Fang Tang to sign up. Since they had a meeting to briefly explain the reason for signing up, Chi Jin didn't prepare much. Being out on field duty for the autumn recruitment could help her avoid a topic selection meeting.
Moreover, her parents took her to City C for fun when she was a child. Many years have passed, and she also wants to go there.
But she didn't even get a spot. Who would have thought that someone would sign up for a small field job by making a PPT? That's another story.
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