Wen Tang felt relieved. "Thank you, editor-in-chief."
"You can go ahead and get back to work." Editor-in-Chief Yao took off her glasses, picked up the cleaning cloth in front of her, and carefully wiped them clean.
Wen Tang glanced at Ni Jingxi again before leaving the office.
After he left, Editor-in-Chief Yao said to Lao Zhang, who had remained silent the whole time, "Since Wen Tang is too busy right now, why don't you give the interview to Xiao Ni?"
Old Zhang was stunned for a moment, and asked cautiously, "Isn't Jingxi a little inexperienced?"
"Which veteran reporter didn't start as a newcomer? Did you, Lao Zhang, start as Team Leader Zhang right from the beginning?" Editor-in-Chief Yao joked.
Old Zhang laughed and said, "Since you put it that way, then I'll arrange for Jingxi to do the interview."
After leaving the office, Ni Jingxi learned that the person she was supposed to interview was a very influential figure in Jiangsu's private economy. Originally, it was Wen Tang who was supposed to be interviewing this kind of important person.
Although Ni Jingxi didn't like Wen Tang in some ways, she also admitted that Wen Tang did have his own strengths.
Wen Tang is the kind of person who is good at chatting with interviewees, and doesn't just limit herself to interviews. She once wrote an interview with a certain economic tycoon, and because she unearthed stories about this tycoon's youth, the market response was so good that that issue of the newspaper sold out.
Even Lao Zhang told her, "Wen Tang does have her strengths. You're colleagues, not enemies. You should learn from each other where possible."
"I understand, team leader," Ni Jingxi said politely.
However, Ni Jingxi then found the old newspaper and read the interview. But she found that Wen Tang was more interested in the stories behind the characters than the professional aspects.
Ni Jingxi bit her lip and began to frown again.
She spent the entire morning thinking about this interview.
Even what was happening in the office didn't register until the surrounding noise grew louder. She raised her hand and looked at Wen Tang, who was standing not far away, holding a coffee and looking relaxed and content.
"Wow, this article on WeChat has also surpassed 100,000 views, and the popular comments below have also exceeded 10,000."
Someone was standing next to Wen Tang with their phone in hand, talking and laughing.
Wen Tang smiled and said, "This is all thanks to everyone. How about this, I'll treat everyone to lunch. Anyone want to come?"
"I."
"And me too."
Several voices of agreement rang out in the office, and Wen Tang smiled at Ni Jingxi: "Jingxi, do you want to come along?"
Ni Jingxi: "No need, Team Leader Wen."
"Jingxi, don't distance yourself from us. We're all colleagues in the same office." Wen Tang said with a gentle smile, emphasizing the importance of unity among colleagues.
Ni Jingxi remained unmoved and said, "Sorry, I already have an appointment."
She did have an appointment; Tang Mi was coming to have lunch with her today.
However, Wen Tang continued to try to win her over, saying, "Jingxi, we're all going, are you really not going?"
"Thank you, but really, it's not necessary," Ni Jingxi said calmly.
Just then, a very small voice said, "Forget it, Team Leader Wen won't force things. Why don't you treat us? I'll eat more."
Wen Tang put down her water glass and said casually, "Since Jing Xi doesn't have time, let's go together."
After they left, the office immediately fell silent.
"What are you looking at? Aren't you going to eat?" Ni Jingxi asked, noticing Hua Zheng staring intently at her phone.
Hua Zheng handed her phone to Ni Jingxi: "Shanghai Jiarui Middle School is trending on social media, and a lot of people are criticizing it."
Ni Jingxi wasn't surprised; after all, everyone cares about school food safety. Many media outlets were following up on the trending topics, while Wen Tang remained calm, knowing she had inside information from the parents.
Soon it was afternoon, and Wen Tang was not at the newspaper office; it was said she had gone to school.
The Shanghai Municipal Education Bureau reacted extremely quickly, sending personnel to the school almost immediately and deciding to handle the matter in a transparent and open manner.
When evening came, Ni Jingxi returned home exhausted.
After lying on the sofa for a long time, she heard the door open, and a moment later Huo Shenyan came to her side. He looked down at her on the sofa and reached out to touch her forehead.
The body temperature is not high.
He asked gently, "What's wrong?"
“Tired.” Ni Jingxi uttered a single word. Sometimes working at a newspaper can be tiring. She just wanted to report the news quietly, but the complicated interpersonal relationships within the newspaper were quite exhausting.
After Huo Shenyan sat down next to her, he let her rest her head on his lap.
He reached out and gently pressed her forehead several times before asking in a low voice, "Are you unhappy at the newspaper?"
Ni Jingxi was lying flat on her back looking at him. From this angle, his nose looked straight and prominent.
She reached out and touched it, seemingly mesmerized: "But looking at you, I don't seem so tired anymore."
No wonder everyone loves a beautiful woman. When she was so tired, seeing such a handsome face in front of her made Ni Jingxi feel relaxed. She stared at his face and could hardly bear to look away.
Huo Shenyan reached out and took her hand in his. His hand was warm and felt especially comfortable.
When it was quiet, he gently massaged her fingers, from the knuckles to the fingertips and finally to the palm, giving her a tender massage.
Ni Jingxi lay comfortably on his lap, feeling his warm palm gently tracing the lines of her fingers.
It wasn't until Huo Shenyan asked in a low voice, "If you weren't working at the newspaper, what would you want to do?"
Ni Jingxi thought for a moment: "Freelance writer."
Independent, autonomous, and unrestrained—it's a pity she hasn't reached that level yet. Or perhaps she'd be willing to go to harsh, war-torn places; currently, China still lacks war correspondents.
“Then become a freelance writer,” Huo Shenyan nodded.
Ni Jingxi laughed and said, "Do you think you can just become one whenever you want? If no magazines or newspapers publish my articles, I'll have to rely on you to support me."
"Then I'll take care of you."
"Thank you, honey," Ni Jingxi said sweetly.
Then Huo Shenyan spoke up, "Did your newspaper report on Shanghai Jiarui Middle School today?"
"You saw this news too?" Ni Jingxi was a little surprised.
It's not that Huo Shenyan doesn't care about the news, it's just that his time is too tight. He's always fully booked with work, and now that it's the end of the year, he's been dealing with work every day when he gets home.
Hengya Group's communications business spans the globe, and he frequently travels to various parts of the world.
He said in a low voice, "Were you involved in the follow-up reporting of this news?"
"No," Ni Jingxi replied truthfully.
Huo Shenyan gave a soft hum and said in a low voice, "This matter is not as simple as it seems on the surface. There should be a new turning point before tomorrow."
"How did you know?" Ni Jingxi sat up abruptly.
She sat on the sofa and looked back at Huo Shenyan.
Huo Shenyan was unaware of this matter at first, but in the afternoon, the young master of Shangrui Group called Huo Shenyan and asked him as soon as he opened his mouth: "Brother, we're not involved in this news, are we?"
Huo Shenyan only learned about this at this time. After reading the news, he confirmed to the other party that Ni Jingxi was not involved.
The other party then bluntly stated that once this report was published, Shangrui Group's stock price would plummet, and he would definitely not let this reporter off the hook.
Huo Shenyan listened to his words with displeasure, telling him to stop making such irresponsible threats and to rectify the school as soon as possible and apologize to the public.
"Admit your mistake? Bro, this time it really isn't our school's fault. You wait, anyway, the education department has already moved into the school, we can withstand any investigation into right and wrong."
Ni Jingxi hesitated and said, "Did he really say that?"
Since the other party is so certain, then the school is probably really fine.
Huo Shenyan looked at her and asked in a low voice, "Is it possible that your newspaper would fabricate fake news in pursuit of trending topics?"
Ni Jingxi took a deep breath.
The next day, the school's food was sent for third-party testing, but there were no new developments. However, online public opinion remained extremely indignant. Students are the future of society, and anything involving schools becomes a major focus of public attention.
On the third day, the press conference officially began, and it was confirmed that all the food in the school's warehouse met the regulations after inspection.
The images circulating online are fake images deliberately created by the parents to attract more attention.
The incident caused an uproar.
Initially, netizens didn't believe it, until the authorities released chat logs from several of the parents involved in the incident. It was clear that they were discussing how to create fake images, and even planned to enter the school cafeteria warehouse to destroy the stored food.
Immediately, public opinion reversed.
No one expected this turn of events, but Ni Jingxi remained remarkably calm thanks to Huo Shenyan's reminder.
In the afternoon, Wen Tang was called into the editor-in-chief's office. Ni Jingxi went to the front desk to get something and happened to see a student-looking boy with a backpack walk in.
"Hello, is reporter Wen Tang here?" The young boy was exceptionally polite.
Seeing his well-behaved manner, the receptionist smiled and asked, "Excuse me, do you need to see Team Leader Wen?"
“I am his younger brother,” the boy said obediently.
When Ni Jingxi heard that it was Wen Tang's younger brother, she looked up and saw that the boy looked a little nervous, with his head slightly lowered and his eyelids drooping.
"Please wait a moment, Team Leader Wen is a little busy right now, he'll be here shortly." Upon hearing that he was Wen Tang's younger brother, the receptionist warmly invited him to wait at Wen Tang's seat.
Ni Jingxi followed behind them and saw Wen Tang coming out of the editor-in-chief's office.
The receptionist smiled and said, "Team Leader Wen, your brother is here to see you."
Wen Tang was already in a bad mood after being scolded, and when she looked up and saw the unfamiliar boy, she asked with annoyance, "Who are you?"
But as soon as he finished speaking, the boy, like a little leopard, suddenly rushed out and pounced on Wen Tang: "It's you who ruined my father."
The boy was actually not very tall, even shorter than Wen Tang.
But since it was a boy, he pounced on her so suddenly that Wen Tang was knocked to the ground. The boy's movements were too fast; before Ni Jingxi behind him could even react, he was already on top of Wen Tang, slapping her across the face with both hands.
The receptionist was so frightened that she screamed.
At this moment, Ni Jingxi stepped forward, grabbed the boy by the neck and dragged him backward. The boy was strong and was about to wrestle with Ni Jingxi when Ni Jingxi grabbed one of his arms and pulled him up sharply.
The boy immediately cried out and actually let go of Wen Tang's hair with the other hand.
Seeing that he was about to stand up and start fighting with Ni Jingxi, Ni Jingxi could no longer hold back. She grabbed his elbow and kicked him hard and accurately in the back of the knee with her ankle boots.
The boy accidentally fell to his knees with a thud, while Ni Jingxi restrained one of his hands.
"That's enough. If you hit someone again, I'm really going to get rough with you."
The boy whimpered, perhaps because he was in great pain.