Chapter 21 (1/2)

That night, County S Tv Station

stood like a solitary bulwark against the heavy rain.

Even though the broadcast was

over, it didn’t mean that everything was done. Many people, Se Cai included

still hustled about the station.

It was a general belief that a

reporter’s day ends with the broadcasting of news and for the most time, that was

true.

However, for unique cases like when

there was important news, the program team had to stay after initial broadcast to

cut and edit the film for reruns.

The reruns were for the station

higher-ups that were perhaps too busy to catch the initial broadcast. This was

beneficial for both because the program team thus had time to correct the mistakes

found during initial broadcast.

“Everyone must be tired after

such a long day, tonight’s supper on me.”

A tired-sounding Hai Dong

announced after the work was all wrapped up.

“It’s raining so heavily

tonight. Thank you, Director Bai but count me out.”

Se Cai said, rubbing his overworked

eyes.

Se Cai actually had been given

early leave for his impressive contribution but he had volunteered to stay to

replace the pregnant Editor Zao.

He was physically tired but was

mentally excited because a fresh harvest of News Point was coming in.

If his previous lead news in the

county station nabbed him 10 points, he expected more from this piece that

headed at least to the province station.

Se Cai might still be treating

everything like a game but subtly his perception of his job had changed.

Before this, Se Cai entered the

journalistic world because he admired the elegance and grandeur of the anchor

but after realizing the harsh reality, his interest towards his job was slowly

eroded.

However, thanks to the Eye for

News system, perhaps not even to his knowledge, his initial pa.s.sion was

reignited!

“I too shall be leaving, I’m

tired.”

Xin Yu added. She only stayed

because there was correction to the voiceover.

After a long day of repeating

the same script over and over again, she was no less tired than anyone else.

“Alright, you two be careful on

the way home then.”

Hai Dong patted Se Cai on his

shoulder before venturing out to the corridor for a cigarette break.

He had been hankering for one

for quite some time since the newsroom was a no-smoking zone.

“Uber is quite fantastic, I must

say. There’s still driver service so late at night.”

Se Cai observed after flipping

open his vibrating cellphone. If not for the incident that morning, Se Cai

would have asked Xin Yu who drove to work for a ride. Other than that, there

was the consideration of their different genders. Since Xin Yu didn’t offer, it

would be too forward for Se Cai to ask.

Se Cai waved smilingly at Xin Yu

before darting out the door.

The rain outside continued

pouring while Se Cai scoured the office corridor for an umbrella. His only find

was a semi-broken umbrella that had the word “X Realtors” printed on it. Few of

its skeletal frames were already broken but he was in no position to choose.

Se Cai braved the weather to get

to his ordered car. With just 2 steps, he was already soaking wet.

“So freaking cold, sir, please

get me to 105, XX Street.”

Se Cai slammed the door

hurriedly and said.

“Who are you?”

The driver had on a baseball cap

and sungla.s.ses. He asked rather rudely when Se Cai got in the car.

“I called Uber, your car plate

is PL0523 right?”

Se Cai pulled out his phone to

show the man.

“I’m sorry but you got the wrong

car, please get down.”

The driver replied in a rigid

tone.

“Driver sir, couldn’t you just

do me a favor? It’s already so late and it’s raining…”

Se Cai begged while pa.s.sing the

driver a cigarette reverentially.

One of Se Cai’s seniors tipped

him off to the importance of cigarettes in social conventions. Oftentimes, it

can be used as a relations.h.i.+p lubricant. Therefore, even though Se Cai didn’t

smoke, he always had a handy pack of cigarettes in his pocket.

“When I said no, I mean no. You’re

not my designated pa.s.senger…”

The driver didn’t even move to

accept Se Cai’s offer.

“How about I double the fare…

Please, driver sir, I’m begging you here…”

Se Cai pleaded with a helpless

expression.

Humans are realistic creatures.

As a reporter, Se Cai had seen plenty examples of human greed. He believed this