Those Years When I Was Forced to Top the Forbes List

Chapter 63 I'm not a rock musician, you are
"Reporter Qin...is your boss easy to talk to?"

"Don't worry, we need this kind of subject matter. It's about serving the people, especially at this critical juncture. Everyone is whitewashing things too much... Hey, don't worry about that. Just answer whatever they ask later."

"Oh, no, I'm just worried that your boss might be difficult to talk to and might have trouble getting a car, so I'll have to charter a car in advance."

"The car...we'll take a look at it later."

Two hundred meters from the Times office building, Chen Xuebing introduced himself and then kept trying to find out about Qin Hai's relationship with his boss.

He noticed that when Qin Hai mentioned the leader, his expression showed a kind of struggle, as if he were facing a difficult person, and even the smile that was always on his face froze.

Chen Xuebing felt much more at ease. As long as the relationship wasn't too bad, it would be fine. Otherwise, there were some things that he really wouldn't be able to say in private later.

As the elevator ascended and the doors were about to open, Qin Hai suddenly said:
“Our leader is the chief reporter, you can call him Director Huang in a bit.”

Chen Xuebing nodded, indicating that he understood.

Chief reporter is a professional title, and in terms of rank, one enjoys the same treatment as a deputy director or director. However, treatment is one thing, rank is another, and position is yet another.

Upon entering, the lobby was spacious and nicely decorated. Along the way, there were more than twenty workstations, and some people were still working hard. Qin Hai walked to a brightly lit frosted glass booth and knocked on the door.

There are four similar glass partitions around the lobby, and two offices with solid walls and wooden doors.

There are corridors and other offices inside the lobby.

Just by looking at his office, you can tell that "Director Huang" is not a very important person.

Moreover, when Qin Hai knocked on the door, he called out "Section Chief Huang".

This young man is so honest. He knows perfectly well that his boss likes to hear how others address him, but he still refuses to do so.

He called himself "Director Huang" probably hoping to gain favor with his superiors and avoid jeopardizing his work.

Wow, what a wonderful child.

Shouldn't they continue to train at the grassroots level for at least another twenty or thirty years?

Thinking it over, Chen Xuebing quickly took out a wad of cash from his inner pocket, counted out three thousand, put it in the envelope containing the photo, and placed it under the photo.

Qin Hai came out a moment later and waved to Chen Xuebing.

Chen Xuebing walked over quickly, a smile appearing on his face.

As soon as he went in, Qin Hai casually remarked, "Huang Ke, he's the one who does construction."

Good guy.

Chen Xuebing quickly changed his address from "Director Huang" which was already on the tip of his tongue:
"Good leadership!"

People call me "section chief" just to save face. When I'm called section chief, it shows I know the hierarchy. But if you call me section chief, it reminds me that I'm not a section chief.

What if you just put up a show and then take it down, making people feel awkward?
It has the opposite effect.

It's better to just pretend you don't understand.

Section Chief Huang was unaware of Chen Xuebing's inner exhaustion, and his smile was approachable: "Hello, thank you for providing us with the materials, but our Chongqing News section is fully booked these past few days, so we may have to wait. Sending a car will also take some time. Is your matter not urgent?"

Before Chen Xuebing could even speak, Qin Hai retorted first:
"Section Chief, the TV station has already aired that city appearance promotional video. Now we have better close-up footage. There's no need for us to rehash old material, is there?"

Section Chief Huang frowned, and Chen Xuebing realized that the young man was already making things worse.

Before he and Qin Hai were dismissed, he quickly said, "Sir, actually, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you privately about this matter!"

"Ok?"

Section Chief Huang and Qin Hai both looked at him.

"Regarding this road construction matter," Chen Xuebing said without changing his expression.

Both of them realized something was wrong.

While Qin Hai was unaware, Chen Xuebing gave Section Chief Huang a meaningful look.

That look in his eyes... those who know, know.

"Ahem, Xiao Qin, you can go out now."

Qin Hai guessed what was going on, but without any evidence, he glanced at Chen Xuebing with a strange look, remained silent for two seconds, and then could only walk out the door.

"What is it?" Section Chief Huang asked, his eyes peering through the frosted glass at the indistinct figures outside.

Taking advantage of this moment, Chen Xuebing took out the envelope and placed it on the table.

"Boss, here's a picture of the child, take a look."

Section Chief Huang sensed something was off about the thickness of the envelope.

After hesitating for a moment, he opened it anyway, glanced inside, and his eyes immediately flickered.

Reporters still have opportunities to earn extra money. These days, whether it's a department's public relations efforts regarding hot topics or a company's affairs, they'll openly offer a favor, asking people to say some nice things.

Some of these are open secrets; they are simply placed together with the meeting minutes and distributed one by one on the participants' tables.

The amount depends on the organization's reputation, whether it's a newspaper or a TV station; the highest amount is for an exclusive interview.

For journalists like them, a trip to a newspaper is normally worth two or three hundred yuan. If a reporter is invited to attend a company press conference or similar event, giving them five hundred yuan for travel expenses afterward is considered generous.

Section Chief Huang is in charge of local news, which involves very little policy or business, and he can't arrange personnel. He also doesn't have much opportunity to collect other money.

Not to mention news stories with "victims"—there's definitely no money involved. People are interviewed, and the reporters are just fulfilling their regular, quota-based publishing targets. If the subject matter attracts attention and generates buzz, that's considered a performance bonus. All this makes the red envelopes inside almost blindingly bright.

Section Chief Huang glanced at it, then pushed the envelope to the center of the table, his face serious, and said, "What is this...?"

He immediately realized that this young man had come with Qin Hai, so was he trying to find some excuse to get rid of him?
So he moved with perfect precision. If Qin Hai suddenly came in, he would loudly reprimand the young man opposite him and tell him to take the envelope away.

Chen Xuebing was also meticulous.

Pick up the envelope and take out the photo.

"It's just a photo! Oh, boss, this is no longer needed, should I throw it away?"

Without waiting for a reply, Chen Xuebing glanced around, walked to the corner, threw the envelope into the trash can, and completed the coin insertion.

This set of actions clearly shows their sincerity.

Since I put it in myself, even if it was discovered before the other person took it, I can say I didn't know anything. We didn't say anything to each other, so having a recording pen or something is useless.

Section Chief Huang kept recalling the thickness of the bandage, a smile appearing on his lips. He picked up the photo of the child with his head bandaged from the table and sighed, "It's quite serious. We really should pay attention to it. He also sprained his ankle?"

Chen Xuebing then sat down opposite Section Chief Huang and said in a low voice, "Sir, the villagers' demand is that the town quickly repair this road that needs repairing. We also need this road for our construction. As long as we achieve our goal, that's fine. However... I think Reporter Qin seems to be too straightforward. I'm afraid he'll insist on reporting it. After all, we're just doing this for the sake of getting things done, so... could you please make the trip yourself? As for arranging the car, I'll still pay for the fuel!"

Section Chief Huang immediately understood.

This is "toll money"!
Once you've clearly explained your motives, things will be much easier!
Moreover, he was very satisfied with the young man's attitude that Qin Hai was too young and that he, as an old general, had to take charge.

"Tsk." Section Chief Huang nodded in deep agreement: "When we speak up for the people, we really need to pay attention to our methods and approaches. We can't do good deeds that end up doing bad things! Your idea is very correct!... What's your surname?"

"Xiao Chen, Chen Xuebing! I'm the one who contracted the wastewater treatment plant project over there!"

"Oh! Mr. Chen! You're young and promising! I think your report is very detailed. Putting aside the road issue, the fact that a wild man attacked villagers is also a hot news topic! It's worth going! The topic of the Shennongjia wild man is very popular lately! I think tomorrow... oh, tomorrow is indeed not feasible, I have an important meeting. How about the day after tomorrow?"

Section Chief Huang is a master at feigning ignorance. Even Qin Hai didn't believe that wild men were attacking the villagers, but he did.

"Okay! Then I'll trouble you, Section Chief Huang. I'll leave you my phone number!"

Chen Xuebing left his phone number, and Section Chief Huang got up and escorted Chen Xuebing to the door of the private room. The two talked for only a few minutes before shaking hands warmly.

Qin Hai, who had been keeping an eye on this area, immediately came over from his workstation.

"Section Chief Huang, how is Xiao Chen...?"

"Hey!" Section Chief Huang immediately began to reprimand: "What Xiao Chen! Xiao Qin, you don't need to go to General Manager Chen's place. I'm very interested in the subject matter, and I'll personally make a trip there. But you still need to go for the city appearance promotional video. We are mainstream media, and we need to keep up with the government's propaganda pace!"

Qin Hai was taken aback and looked at Chen Xuebing, trying to find some signal.

Chen Xuebing simply looked at the ceiling and sighed.

Qin Hai felt like he'd been tricked, but he still asked, "If the news is published, the other food stalls' news can't be taken down either. When will this be reported?"

At this, both Section Chief Huang and Chen Xuebing sighed.

This young man is still thinking about the news.

"Alright, forget about it." Section Chief Huang simply ignored him and turned to Chen Xuebing with a smile: "President Chen, then the day after tomorrow!"

Chen Xuebing smiled calmly, completely unlike the vulnerable man he had been when he asked Qin Hai for help an hour earlier.

"Thank you for your help, sir."

Qin Hai stared blankly at Chen Xuebing.

……

As Chen Xuebing walked out of the building, Qin Hai took the next elevator downstairs and followed him.

"Xiao Chen!"

Chen Xuebing turned to look at him and said slowly, "Don't ask anymore. I told your Section Chief Huang that I wouldn't let you go."

Qin Hai stopped in his tracks, but when he spoke, he didn't show any resentment, only a hint of anger:
"What do you mean... You're so unethical! You're kicking me while I'm down? I was the one who took this report! I was even planning to... Hey, what's the real story here? You're not kidding me, are you?!"

Chen Xuebing couldn't help but chuckle: "What, are you planning to have a big fight with the town government? It won't do you any good."

"This isn't a matter of whether you do it or not, just report the facts!" Qin Hai roared, frowning. He noticed Chen Xuebing's cold demeanor and softened his tone. He laughed self-deprecatingly, "Fine, fine, go ahead. I don't know what I came to ask you. Anyway, you've achieved your goal, haven't you? Nobody wants justice, they only want profit."

Chen Xuebing stopped walking, turned around, put one hand on his hip, and said, "I'm not a rock musician, what are you talking to me about spirit?"

Having said that, looking at Qin Hai, who was staring blankly at the sky, something from his youth was awakened within him.

A little envious.

Perhaps it's because he's always liked that chivalrous cape since he was a child, and he's always been wearing it.

Chen Xuebing also looked at the sky and felt that the "maturity" he had always maintained might not necessarily be a good thing.

This kind of maturity makes it difficult for people to feel genuinely happy.

Thinking about it, Chen Xuebing walked up to Qin Hai and patted his arm.

"Don't be discouraged. I don't need you, but there are many other people who do. I'm not a rock musician, but you are."

Qin Hai frowned and stared at him.

Chen Xuebing smiled and extended his hand to him: "My name is Chen Xuebing. Consider this reporting assignment owed to you. When I become successful, I will definitely give you my first exclusive interview."

(End of this chapter)