Leading the group was Kang Junwen, the director of the television station.
“Governor, this is the News Center. Please, come in.”
He respectfully stepped aside to make way. A moment later, a tall, slender figure walked in with an air of calm composure.
He wore a conventional black administrative jacket over a neatly buttoned snow-white shirt. Dark trousers wrapped around his long, lean legs, and every step he took carried an aura of calm authority.
Everyone in the office immediately stood up to welcome him. Qiao Yimian was seated toward the back, with the people in front blocking her view. All she could see was a group of people streaming in through the doorway.
The handsome, sharp-featured face of the man surrounded by everyone flashed briefly into view. The natural air of nobility that came with being a man in power was especially unmistakable.
She only caught a glimpse of him through the gaps between people, but she recognized him immediately.
That was… the Hongqi car owner?
Fragments of memories quickly came together in her mind, and several things she’d never understood suddenly clicked into place.
Zhou Heng, whom Kang Junwen had treated with such deference, could only sit in the passenger seat of this important man’s car, dutifully carrying out whatever tasks he was assigned.
And then there was the extraordinary aura radiating from this man from head to toe. He was clearly no ordinary person.
Qiao Yimian had guessed that he was someone with power and influence, but she’d never imagined that he was actually the mysterious governor.
While her mind was racing with thoughts, that familiar, steady voice reached her ears. Compared with yesterday in the car, his tone was a little more serious and solemn.
“I’m very pleased to have this opportunity to communicate and exchange ideas with all of you working on the front lines of news and publicity… This afternoon, Director Kang and several department heads briefed me on the television station’s work over the past two years. Overall, the station has clear priorities and a well-defined focus, and everyone has demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility toward their work… Actually, before coming here, I also took some time to learn about the news and publicity work being done in the Beijiang region…”
At first, Qiao Yimian listened to him with a mixture of surprise and nervousness.
But as he went into greater detail, her restless heart gradually settled as she listened to his measured, unhurried speech.
She hadn’t expected this high-ranking official to actually put so much thought into his inspection instead of simply going through the motions. Every case he analyzed and every problem or shortcoming he pointed out was remarkably accurate.
After finishing his speech, he discussed the station’s future publicity direction with everyone, showing none of the aloofness one might expect from someone in his position.
While they were chatting, Qiao Yimian quietly took out her phone, unlocked it, and opened her contacts. She scrolled all the way down until she found “Hongqi Car Owner,” then secretly changed the name to “Big Boss”…
“How are things going in your new position?”
The steady male voice suddenly came from above her head.
Qiao Yimian hurriedly turned off her screen and looked up in alarm.
The governor, who had just been chatting with Song Nanxing and the others nearby, had somehow appeared in front of her without her noticing.
“Oh, very well. Thank you for asking, Governor.”
Qiao Yimian pretended not to know him, looking up at him with the kind of admiring, awestruck expression an ordinary employee should have when facing someone of his stature. She looked as though she were one step away from bowing to him in gratitude.
Li Yao was amused by her cautious, overly respectful manner and curled his lips into a smile.
His gaze dropped to her foot.
“Is your foot better? Can you walk now?”
Qiao Yimian’s heart began beating faster. She instinctively glanced at her colleagues beside her. Fortunately, the several officials were chatting with everyone else, and no one was paying much attention to them.
She quickly nodded.
“Mm. I can walk slowly.”
“That’s good. Injuries to the muscles and bones can take a hundred days to heal. Even if you didn’t break a bone, you still need to be more careful for a while.”
Qiao Yimian nodded again.
Li Yao was about to say something else when Kang Junwen walked over with a smile.
“This must be our new reporter, Xiao Qiao?”
Qiao Yimian was flattered.
“Yes, Director Kang. I’m Qiao Yimian. I had the honor of meeting you once last year when I came to Linchuan for the press conference.”
“I remember you too!” Kang Junwen burst out laughing. “You haven’t been working for very long, but your news articles are wonderfully written, with every word carefully chosen. The quality is excellent! The younger generation really is impressive!
“Come to think of it, when the Chucheng Evening News was sending someone here for exchange training this time, I specifically asked your editor-in-chief for you!”
Qiao Yimian was even more surprised.
No wonder she’d been able to get the position despite her relatively limited experience.
After receiving the praise, a happy, shy smile appeared on the young woman’s face.
Her eyes sparkled brightly, like stars scattered across the night sky.
“Director Kang, you’re too kind. I’ll keep working hard and write more and better articles!”
Kang Junwen nodded with a smile.
Li Yao asked from beside him, “Was it the article about caring for empty-nest elderly people?”
“Yes, that one. You read it too?” Kang Junwen’s eyes were full of appreciation. “That article made quite a splash throughout the entire Beijiang region at the time. All the cities took it very seriously. Later, we even produced a joint report, and the city government introduced related policies. It genuinely helped improve the lives of elderly people.”
Qiao Yimian became even more embarrassed by the praise.
Li Yao’s gaze shifted to her flushed face, and his expression gradually softened. Even his voice carried more warmth than usual.
“Reporter Qiao is very capable.”
After chatting with everyone for a few more moments, the officials finally left together.
Although they’d only stayed for a little over ten minutes, their visit had been like a shot of adrenaline for everyone. The somewhat gloomy atmosphere from earlier instantly brightened.
After they left, Yu Wan arrived late. When she heard that the governor had just left, she stomped her foot in frustration.
“I was only gone for a little while! How did I miss him?”
Several people who knew her well teased her, saying that if she went after them now, she might still catch up.
Yu Wan glared at them and returned to her desk, cheeks puffed out in annoyance, to continue working.
It was already time to clock out. Song Nanxing asked Qiao Yimian if she was leaving. She had just said, “Let’s go,” when her phone buzzed.
She opened it and saw that a WeChat message had come from “Big Boss.”
**[Big Boss: Your article really was very well written. Keep it up.]**
Qiao Yimian had no idea why he’d suddenly sent her such encouragement, but she still replied with a kitten-clenching-its-fist emoji and added:
**[Okay, Governor! I’ll work hard!]**
After thinking about it, she sent another message.
**[Thank you again for taking me to the hospital yesterday despite your busy schedule!]**
She expected him to reply with something like “Mm,” or “It’s nothing,” or perhaps not reply at all.
To her surprise, a few seconds later, she saw a “patting head” emoji appear in the chat box.
It was the exact same kitten as the one she’d just sent, the little thing still clenching its fist.
Qiao Yimian: “…”
She couldn’t help shivering.
There was simply no way she could reconcile that adorable emoji with the governor’s cold, stern face…
A few minutes later, Qiao Yimian finished packing up and left work.
In the elevator, she and Song Nanxing discussed what to eat for dinner. But he only grinned foolishly instead of answering.
“What’s with the stupid grin? Did you find money?”
“No…” Song Nanxing touched his nose, his smile growing even wider. “You’ll know in a minute. Someone’s going to have dinner with you.”
Qiao Yimian had no idea what he meant.
But the moment they stepped out of the elevator and left the television station building, she understood.
Parked by the roadside was a flashy, ostentatious yellow Maserati.
Shi Yan was leaning against the car door, smoking with a brooding expression.