562 Most Stupid Thing I’ve Heard Today (1/2)
Although the news anchor felt that Iris Long made sense, he still didn't want to give up. He already started this provocation, so he might as well go all the way.
”Some people might think that you're just saying that to defend yourself because you're only a high school graduate,” he said. ”You came from a rich family and can afford to study at whichever school you're qualified to enroll in.”
His words insinuated that it was impossible for her to enroll in the country's top universities because of her poor academic performance in high school which became widely known when her former classmates, teachers and even school principal spoke out in response to her appointment as official interpreter and translator in the recent international business conference during the summer.
”Even if you're unable to enroll in any schools in the country, you can still afford to study abroad,” he continued. The next insinuation was that the requirements for admissions weren't as strict in some parts of the world compared, so she could still study even with a poor academic performance in high school as long as she had the money. ”Many are envious of you and want to be in your situation, but instead of using your privilege of wealth, you didn't bother pursuing higher education. Isn't that such a waste?”
Iris listened to the news anchor, not interrupting, allowing him to speak his full mind this time. Her eyes had completely gone cold even when her expression remained deceptively pleasant.
”Some might say that it's unfair. There are people who study hard and even work part-time just to support themselves through university. They toil tirelessly to obtain a diploma, but here you are, rich and famous. You have all the good opportunities available to you, presented to you on a silver platter, just because you were born into a wealthy family. Some might say that you shouldn't be called a businesswoman because you used a shortcut. If you want to be called a real businesswoman, you should at least have the education to back your claim.”
Behind the scenes, Tang Yiyi and Dom couldn't take it anymore. They confronted the director and complained, not caring that he was still working on the live program. While she was complaining, Tang Yiyi was thinking that she wouldn't blame Iris if she decided to walk out of such an insulting interview. It might not look good but it would be understandable given the poor reception the news anchor was giving her. If Tang Yiyi only knew that Iris would be treated badly like this, she wouldn't have booked this interview at all. However, it was too late to regret it now. It would be up to Iris how she would respond to the news anchor's repeated provocations.
As for Iris, there were no thoughts of walking out in her mind. Instead, she looked at the news anchor like he was the most stupid person in the planet while still having a pleasant expression. It was a feat to accomplish this kind of expression.
”That's the most stupid thing that I've ever heard today,” she said.
The news anchor's expression turned ugly. ”What do you mean?”
”I suggest that people look up what the term 'businessperson' means,” she replied in a deadpan tone. ”I have my own business, so I'm a businesswoman. Simple. If people don't want to call me a businesswoman, that's their problem, not mine. I'm busy running my own business in addition to being a musician. I don't have time to waste trying to explain to everyone what the term 'businessperson' means. If they insist on their own definition, that has nothing to do with me.”
As business reporter, the anchor felt like his face had just been slapped. Was Iris saying that he didn't know the meaning of the term ”businessperson”?
Behind the scenes with the cameras and the program staff, Tang Yiyi couldn't help but massage her temples while sighing. She could handle Iris walking out of the interview. At least this way, Tang Yiyi and Bright Summit could work in steering public opinion to favour Iris because she only walked out and didn't say anything. This time, however, was a different matter.
'Iris has been so good in interviews recently that I grew complacent,' she thought. 'Thanks to my repeated reminders, she learned how to act charming during interviews but her real personality—the straightforward, no nonsense way of speaking—still comes out whenever she's challenged like this. This bastard of an interviewer has rubbed her the wrong way, so now she's unleashing her razor-sharp tongue on him. He deserves it but I hope she doesn't go too far.'
Back under the spotlight, the news anchor quickly fixed his ugly expression and forced a ”nice”, professional smile, even though his eyes were showing how displeased he was by Iris' words. He wanted to say something but Iris beat him to it again.
”Although my words sound like I'm undervaluing a diploma, that isn't the case. My point is that not all successful businesspeople have diplomas. That's the reality,” she said. ”Besides, who said that I won't have a diploma? I don't have it right now but that doesn't mean that I'm not working to get one. I'll definitely earn a diploma in the future.”
For the first time since the interview started, the news anchors' eyes lit up with interest and curiosity. ”Oh, so you're studying right now?”
”Yes.”
”Where? Which school? Is it near here?”
”No, not here.”