The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

Where are you going?

After a long silence, the taxi driver finally spoke.

As soon as the two got into the car, they told him to drive forward immediately.

Although he really wanted to drive around more and earn more money for the fare.

But wandering around aimlessly isn't a good idea either.

Xu Xi took the thermos from her brother, took a sip of hot water, calmed her breathing, and replied.

"Go to the TV station."

"A TV station?"

Xu Nian said incredulously.

"Yes, I have an interview to record today. If all goes well, my interview should air tonight."

Xu Xi said it calmly, as if describing something very ordinary.

Upon hearing this, Xu Nian's mouth dropped open in surprise.

In his mind, anyone who could appear on television for an interview was an extremely powerful and important person.

When I was a child, I saw people on TV news speaking eloquently in front of the camera, whether they were government leaders, high-ranking officials, successful businessmen, scientists with outstanding contributions, or heroes in the military.

And now, the younger sister sitting next to him is actually appearing on television with these people.

This is a great honor that can bring glory to one's ancestors.

Xu Xi took out a makeup mirror from her bag and carefully tidied her appearance.

In fact, television programs today are vastly different from those of the past.

In the era of rapid development of short videos, a smartphone has replaced most of the functions of a television.

With ratings plummeting, TV stations are trying every possible way to monetize their audience in order to survive.

Local news programs, in particular, can appear on screen as long as they pay money.

Even if you have no real skills, professional journalists can portray you as a great talent.

In their eyes, news has long since transformed from a program that records facts into a money-making service.

Xu Xi paid for this service to promote Xiaoxi Cafeteria and pave the way for its future expansion into other universities.

The taxi took the two to their destination.

Xu Nian got out of the car and looked up at the towering Yuncheng TV Tower.

The neon lights at the top of the tower shone brightly, flashing with dazzling light.

He knew it all too well; on every night he walked home from get off work, besides the dim waning moon, only the bright lights of the TV tower illuminated the dark night sky.

The TV tower is located in the prime location of the city center, on the Second Ring Road. Surrounded by high-rise buildings, banks, financial companies, office buildings, and other well-known enterprises are all vying for a place here.

Many businesses take pride in being able to establish a foothold in the city center.

For them, hanging their signboard here is a symbol of their strength.

Standing at the foot of the TV tower, even though it was the dead of winter, Xu Nian felt that the floor tiles were hot to the touch.

It is said that the minimum requirement for sanitation workers within the Second Ring Road is a university degree.

Does someone like him deserve to enter this place where elites gather?

"What are you standing there for? Brother, let's go."

Xu Xi tugged at the boy's sleeve and, leading her dazed brother, walked into the towering TV tower.

"Hello, do you have an appointment?"

The receptionist smiled politely at the two of them.

"Um, is Director Xiao here?"

Xu Xi showed her appointment information to the front desk.

"Yes, this way please."

The receptionist led the two people to the fifteenth floor via elevator.

She gently knocked on the door of an office building.

"Director, someone is looking for you."

"Come in."

Pushing open the door, a middle-aged man with receding hairline sat upright at his desk.

He stood up and greeted Xu Xi with a smile.

"Xu Xi, right? Hello, hello."

"Hello, Director Xiao."

Xu Xi smiled and nodded.

Director Xiao looked Xu Xi up and down, then clicked his tongue in amazement.

"What an amazing young lady! You're here for our interview, the youngest entrepreneur we've ever had."

"Master Xiao, you flatter me. It's just a business to make a living. We hope you will help us promote it."

Xu Xi politely replied.

"Young lady, you're too modest. You solved the problem of students having difficulty getting meals on campus, provided on-campus employment opportunities for hundreds of impoverished students, and even boosted the economy of an entire street. What an inspiring story! You're truly a role model for young people."

Director Xiao chuckled and flattered, his gaze falling on the young man behind Xu Xi.

"Who is this?"

"This is my brother."

Xu Xi linked arms with her brother and introduced him to Director Xiao.

"Hello, Director Xiao."

Xu Nian greeted him somewhat timidly.

Director Xiao frowned and carefully examined Xu Nian.

He racked his brains, recalling his life experiences, but couldn't find any words to say to this rough-skinned boy with shifty eyes.

Is he handsome? Not necessarily. He's seen many guys who are more handsome than him.

They say heroes emerge from among the young? But... is this really a young person?

He looks like a man in his thirties.

After thinking for a long time, Director Xiao finally managed to utter only one sentence.

"Young man, you're really mature."

"Thanks."

Xu Nian replied awkwardly.

"Shengnan, come in."

As Director Xiao finished speaking, a very capable-looking woman walked into the office.

"Xu Xi, let me introduce you. This is Lin Shengnan, our station's most outstanding reporter."

"Your interview will be conducted by Shengnan."

"Hello, Xu Xi."

"Hello, Sister Shengnan."

Xu Xi stretched out her small hand and gently shook hands with Lin Shengnan.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two went to the studio next door.

Xu Nian didn't know what to do, so she followed the two into the studio.

"Excuse me, please wait outside if you are accompanying someone."

Lin Shengnan said politely to Xu Nian.

"Oh... okay."

Xu Nian awkwardly touched her nose and left the studio on her own.

Outside the studio, in the corridor, there were no chairs, only a half-open window.

Xu Nian leaned against the window, quietly feeling the gentle breeze.

From the perspective of the fifteenth floor, looking down, the pedestrians on the ground look like tiny ants.

In the distance, on the commercial street, delivery drivers on electric bikes hurriedly ran through red lights, rushing around to make a living.

Looking further into the distance, one can see the shantytown where people once lived for a long time, now a noisy and chaotic place.

It's like a crooked nail, leaving an unsightly scar on a smooth, white wall.

Just like myself, like that bewildered outsider in this rapidly developing society.

He turned around and looked inside through the glass wall of the studio.

A beautiful young woman dressed in pure white is smiling and talking fluently in front of countless cameras.

That evening, Xu Nian sat in front of the television in the small supermarket on the street to watch the news program on Yuncheng TV.

The white rose I held in my hands has bloomed brightly, spreading its fragrance to every household.

The scrolling text below, in the largest font size, reads: Yuncheng's most outstanding young entrepreneurs.

"Look at other people's kids, they're already making money in college, starting their own companies, supporting over a hundred people. And look at you! You have no ambition at all, all you do is eat and drink for free! You can't even do a proper job!"

The shop owner glared at her son, who was playing video games beside her, and gave him a look of disdain.

Xu Nian found these words rather harsh.

He lowered his head and quickly left the small supermarket.

Why do I feel so empty inside?

My sister has made something of herself; we should be happy.

He forced a smile.

His weathered face was reflected in the glass.

His laughter looked like he was crying; it was extremely ugly.