43. A ray of hope
In the small conference room at the end of October, the air was so stagnant that it seemed as if water could be squeezed out of it. Chi Jin and Duan Xingche placed two copies of the materials they had repeatedly checked in front of Chen Yisheng and Du Yanni.
The PPT detailed the analysis of several selected entertainment candidates, risk assessment plans, and preliminary layout design concepts.
The initial report went smoothly, but when Du Yanni looked at the details of the candidate list, her brows furrowed more and more.
Duan Xingche's hands were shaking with nervousness, and he accidentally flipped through two pages of the PPT. Du Yanni threw her pen on the table, making a small sound that was enough to make the atmosphere freeze.
"Chi Jin, is this the result of your Group A's week-long screening?" Du Yanni's voice was filled with obvious displeasure, and her eyes swept over Chi Jin sharply. "These names are either enough to attract attention but their connotations cannot withstand further exploration, or they have qualifications but no market appeal. Is this the 'strict control of selection criteria' you promised us at the last meeting? If this is the level of work, then our so-called 'breaking the circle' is meaningless and will only become a laughing stock among our peers."
"Editor-in-Chief Du, actually this list is mainly..." Duan Xingche was eager to explain for his master.
"I'm asking Editor Chi." Du Yanni interrupted bluntly.
This list was primarily a preliminary selection by Guo Xin, drawing on her many years of connections in the entertainment industry. Although she felt it was inappropriate, she, out of respect for her colleagues and the need for collaboration within the team, intended to spark discussion. In other words, she wanted to use this preliminary report to elicit some guidance from Chen Yisheng. Apart from anything else, Chen Yisheng was a very reliable professional.
Chen Yisheng suddenly moved. He leaned forward slightly, his finger pointed at the list. His tone was calm but carried an undeniable pressure. His gaze first swept over Duan Xingche, then landed on Chi Jin. "Editor-in-Chief Du's doubts are correct. It's all talk and no action. Is this the answer you've delivered? If you simply list the hottest names on the market without conducting in-depth analysis and exploring their value, then what's the difference between us and the fast-food media chasing traffic?"
He knew clearly that Chi Jin had not personally selected the list. However, his criticism did not specifically name Guo Xin, but instead fell directly on "Group A" and Chi Jin, the team leader. This was a more severe and unshirkable accountability.
Chi Jin's cheeks flushed slightly, but she met Chen Yisheng's gaze steadily, not avoiding it. She accepted the criticism frankly, "Editor-in-Chief Chen's criticism is that we deviated from our initial direction, pursuing safety too much and lacking breakthrough thinking. We will immediately reassess and adjust our direction."
Chen Yisheng stared at her for a few seconds, his gaze seemingly piercing her forced composure, revealing the difficulties and struggles behind it. But he didn't slow down his tone. Instead, he made a more demanding request: "Correct the problem immediately upon realizing it. The second half of November's issue, originally scheduled for December, will be released early as a test issue for the new cover project."
"Late November?" Duan Xingche couldn't help but exclaim, "The time is too tight!"
The living dead.
Chi Jin cursed inwardly.
"Precisely because time is tight, we can unleash your potential." Chen Yisheng's tone was unquestionable. "Also, for this first test run, don't choose someone who's overly controversial and obviously a 'traffic' draw. I want someone who maintains style and won't shock regular readers, but who also has the potential to break through the circle and deeply explore value. Word of mouth and topicality must be balanced."
"If you can't do it, Chi Jin," Du Yanni added coldly, "it's because you're incompetent and have failed Editor-in-Chief Chen's extraordinary promotion and trust."
Chi Jin didn't understand how her inability to do this was necessarily related to her personal "incompetence", but he knew that Du Yanni couldn't spit out ivory from a dog's mouth, and he was too lazy to argue at this time. He just responded dully: "I understand, we will do our best."
The meeting ended in a somewhat depressing atmosphere. Du Yanni left first, and Duan Xingche also left with his computer, looking worried.
Chi Jin packed up a little slower, and just as he was about to leave, Chen Yisheng spoke casually, his voice a little softer than before, but still maintaining the distance of a superior: "You can be more bold in your screening approach, and you don't have to limit yourself to new faces. Sometimes, looking back, you might find a surprise."
As he spoke, he casually picked up an industry briefing beside him and flipped to a page that happened to contain reports on recent sporting events, one section of which mentioned equestrianism. Chi Jin noticed his hint and looked in the direction of his hand.
Chen Yisheng's fingertips, which were white and slightly red due to the force, subtly pointed to a name in the report - "Yue Kairu".
"Because of that column, a lot of media outlets have poached you, right?"
"How do you know that?"
"It's simple." Chen Yisheng smiled. "No editorial department wants to miss out on a good editor."
"Thank you. Even the best editor wouldn't be able to finish it in two weeks."
"You can do it." He said firmly, "Try in this direction."
Yue Kairu, the tragic hero and number one loser in her writing, was dramatically crowned after the report, with an identity, story, and style. Because of the foresight of the report, his team even sent an email to thank Zhongxin Media for its "keen eye for talent."
That being said, this is indeed an excellent choice.
"Thank you, Editor-in-Chief Chen, for reminding me." Chi Jin's mind suddenly became clear, but his tone remained calm. "I will immediately evaluate the possibility of this direction."
Chen Yisheng nodded, said no more, and lowered his head to look at the document again, as if it was just an ordinary work communication.
Chi Jin turned and left the meeting room, the door gently closing behind him. The pressure on his shoulders didn't ease, but his direction of travel did become clearer thanks to Chen Yisheng's guidance.
For the next two days, Team A ran like clockwork, operating at full capacity. Chi Jin, the core leader, practically lived in the office, coordinating all parties and organizing the work.
Even the people in Group B joked that the old guys in the "nursing home" of print media seemed to have suddenly become rejuvenated and full of fighting spirit.
Despite her harsh words, Du Yanni demonstrated her editor-in-chief's courage and connections at a crucial moment. She personally approached Yue Kairu's team in her capacity as editor-in-chief of "Face." Guo Xin, aware that his initial list had fallen short, was eager to make amends. He quickly and efficiently assisted Deputy Editor Du, securing a preliminary agreement for a photo shoot and in-depth interview.
Duan Xingche, on the other hand, was a detail-oriented person, fully assisting his two seniors in handling various communication matters and confirming itinerary details. He was extremely busy, yet he grew rapidly.
Even during lunch time, Chi Jin was still sketching on the draft paper with a pen in her hand. She was used to using pen and paper to capture inspiration, and all kinds of ideas were scattered across the pages.
"Hey, Team Leader Xiaochi, be careful not to use the pen as chopsticks." Qin Xiancheng joked while holding the dinner plate.
"The food in the cafeteria doesn't look very healthy," Ouyang Yuan said. "You guys are so busy, I haven't seen Duan Xingche for several days."
"He's been out on business in the mornings lately and is very busy. He won't be back until the afternoon." Chi Jin said as he sketched, "No, I have to go ask the Living King of Hell now."
"Who is the living King of Hell?" Qin Xiancheng asked.
"It's her exclusive nickname for Editor-in-Chief Chen. King Chen was a bit gentle with her before, so this nickname has been put on ice for a long time."
"He's over there at the beverage machine." Qin Xiancheng pointed behind him. "Childhood's editor-in-chief Jiang Hu, Her-Made deputy editor-in-chief Liu Yingyue, and..."
"And there's Chen Xintong from Autumn Letters, our editor-in-chief. They're all gathered here."
Chi Jin was afraid that he would forget this question later, so he picked up a pen and paper and walked quickly towards the beverage machine.
"Editor Chen!" Chi Jin ran over and picked up the draft paper. "Wait... let me find... where is it written?"
"It's you, little girl." Liu Yingyue, whom she had met at the dinner table, chuckled and pointed at her face with her finger to remind her that she had ink on her face.
But Chi Jin was so focused on searching that he didn't notice Liu Yingyue's hint.
Chen Yisheng had already stood up. He looked at Chi Jin's cheek and saw two strokes on the right side of his face written with black ink.
It looks like a little cat that accidentally swallowed ink, quite cute.
He couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth, but then he realized his mistake and turned his head away and pretended to cough lightly.
"Okay, your Faces real volume, the subordinate volume last time, didn't even let your editor-in-chief Chen eat." The editor-in-chief of Autumn Letters, Chen Xintong, laughed and joked, "Xiao Chen, let your editor go back to eat first."
Jiang Hu glanced at Chi Jin and said, "As for this editor, he refused to let her go and treasured her very much. She is Chen Yisheng's personal disciple."
The teasing around him made Chen Yisheng's ears warm slightly. He slowed his voice and said gently, "Okay, Chi Jin, go back and eat first. Come find me after lunch."
Chi Jin only then realized that she was surrounded by editors-in-chief of friendly magazines, and she felt out of control - she almost leaked military secrets in front of the "enemy".
"Ah...ah, sorry, editors, I...I have to go back first."
The pen marks on her face had not yet been wiped off, but she was facing the editors-in-chief. The three of them laughed when they saw her.
Liu Yingyue pulled out a wet wipe from her handbag and handed it to her: "Editor Kitty, go wipe your face."
"ah?"
Liu Yingyue smiled and stood up, gently wiping her chin. "I wanted to tell you the last time I saw you. You've been staying up late, haven't you? Your eyes are red. Young people should also take care of their health."
Chi Jin was flattered and thanked him repeatedly.
While the team was busy with external meetings over the past few days, she had already used her spare time and two late nights, working almost without sleep, to produce a first draft of an in-depth article on Yue Kairu. This was not simply a rehash of an old draft, but rather incorporated her recent new thinking and a deeper analysis of the character's fate. With only the additions and fine-tuning of the latest interview content, it would become a highly significant cover story.
She carried the heavy draft and project progress report and walked into Chen Yisheng's office before her lunch break was over.
Chen Yisheng seemed to have been waiting for her. When he saw her coming, he immediately flipped through the manuscripts and reports. After a long time, he raised his eyes.
Under the incandescent light, his eyes were deep, with a barely perceptible hint of scrutiny and appreciation.
"How's it going?" Seeing that he seemed to be in good spirits, Chi Jin boldly asked, "Do you think I'll have a good chance of bringing this topic to the conference as a 'Faces of Sports' special? How competitive is it?"
Chen Yisheng had long guessed that she would take this opportunity to take over the column, so he said with a deliberately cold face, "You are quite ambitious. Do you want to kill two birds with one stone?"
Chi Jin was frightened: "Ah...ah, I think it's okay."
Seeing her momentarily tense, Chen Yisheng's expression softened instantly, a smile spreading across his eyes. "Since this is the first issue of the cover reform, we need to make a splash and create a buzz."
"Isn't this...isn't this written in a decent enough way?"
"not enough."
"Then please give me some more guidance. I'm going to stay up late to finish this."
“No need to wait for the topic selection meeting next week.”
"Huh? You can't just sentence him to death before he even goes to court? You're too authoritarian. If I had known, I would have gone to Editor-in-Chief Du!"
"Editor-in-Chief Du can't get this article recommended."
"You mean... this article can be featured in the editor's column?"
"I always keep my word."
With just one sentence, Chen Yisheng gave her the highest authority and the greatest recognition.
Chi Jin's heart skipped a beat. She looked at him, and he was looking back at her. At that moment, without words, an inexplicable tacit understanding flowed through the air. They were superiors and subordinates, lovers who had once had a brief awkward moment together. But now, they were companions fighting for the same ideal.
"Follow up with in-depth interviews. This article still needs to be polished."
"Thank you, Editor-in-Chief Chen!" Chi Jin suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and responded solemnly, "I promise to complete the task."
"etc."
Chi Jin paused, her heart racing. She turned around, her expression involuntarily becoming serious again, thinking he had important professional instructions or a new, urgent task. "What other tasks do you have?"
She even subconsciously took out the notebook and pen she carried with her, ready to record the key points, with a standard posture like a soldier ready to go to the battlefield at any time.
Chen Yisheng looked at her instantly tense profile and the pen ready to be used. A faint smile flashed across his eyes, but his tone remained steady and calm, as if he were a general giving orders.
"Team Leader Xiaochi, I have another task for you."
Chi Jin concentrated and held his breath, ready to fight: "What is it?"
Chen Yisheng's gaze lingered briefly on the tired dark circles beneath her eyes, then he met her confused and serious gaze and spoke slowly in a gentle voice.
"I'll give you half a day off. Go home now and have a good sleep."
"..." Chi Jin was stunned, his hand holding the pen froze in mid-air, and he didn't react to the meaning of this "task" for a moment.
Seeing her rare stunned look, the curve of Chen Yisheng's mouth softened slightly, but he quickly restrained himself and just tapped the table lightly with his fingertips. When he added, his tone was filled with a bit of the authority of a superior -
"This is an order. Mental state is also part of combat effectiveness. I don't want my editor to make mistakes at critical junctures due to excessive fatigue. Get enough rest. I want to see you more efficient tomorrow."
Chi Jin finally understood. A complex warmth quietly surged through his heart, mixed with a slight embarrassment at having his exhaustion seen through, and... a kind of care that felt like being wrapped in a thick blanket.
She put away her pen and notebook, her professional tension finally relaxing, her voice a little lighter. "Yes, Editor-in-Chief Chen. I promise to complete the task."
After that night, when she spoke with Chen Yisheng, there was a hint of genuine smile in her tone for the first time.
Chen Yisheng nodded, said no more, and lowered his head to look at the document again, as if he had just issued a very ordinary work instruction.
Chi Jin gently closed the door to his office and walked down the quiet corridor. The afternoon sun was shining brightly outside the window. She touched her still-hot cheeks, and the murmur in her heart about the "living devil" seemed to dissipate a little quietly.
As a boss, he might be strict, demanding, or even unkind. But at this moment, she had indeed received the most special and humane task in the past two years.
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