“Why should it be her?!”
Yu Wan blurted it out almost without thinking.
Because of her aunt’s husband, Qian Zhenkui, she had long been accustomed to throwing her weight around at the station.
On top of that, she was beautiful and genuinely capable. During her two years of internship and employment, she’d built up quite a following, and her position at the station had become increasingly secure.
No one wanted to provoke her, and she had grown used to having the upper hand in every conversation.
Kang Junwen glanced up at her, a trace of displeasure flashing across his face.
Deputy Station Director Qian Zhenkui frowned. “Yu Wan, watch your tone.”
Yu Wan was always somewhat intimidated when dealing with her uncle-in-law.
Still, she couldn’t help feeling resentful and secretly curled her lips.
Aside from Yu Wan, several others in the room were clearly not entirely convinced either.
After all, Qiao Yimian had only just arrived and wasn’t even a permanent employee of the station. It seemed unfair to give her one of the television station’s limited spots to accompany the governor on his inspection tour.
Kang Junwen took in the expressions of everyone present. He picked up the documents beside him and held them up for everyone to see.
“As a new reporter, Qiao Yimian has had 406 articles published over the past two years, including 209 pieces she wrote independently. Multiple articles of hers have been reprinted by major media outlets across Beijiang. Several of her reports on people’s livelihoods have occupied substantial portions of the Chucheng Evening News, not only producing a positive impact in Chucheng but also sparking widespread public discussion throughout the entire Beijiang region…”
The concrete figures and evidence surprised many of those present. They exchanged glances, their initial doubts gradually giving way to acceptance.
Writing and getting articles published were basic requirements for any journalist, but everyone had once been a newcomer themselves. Especially during an internship, achieving results like these was no easy feat. The young woman was clearly both talented and hardworking.
Moreover, the Chucheng Evening News was only a small local newspaper. It had some reputation within Chucheng, but once you stepped outside the city, it hardly ranked among the major publications.
For someone to emerge from such a small organization and produce articles that resonated throughout the entire Beijiang region was genuinely impressive.
Kang Junwen paused for a few seconds, his tone becoming more serious.
“This inspection tour to Chucheng isn’t intended to sing the governor’s praises or promote his achievements. It’s meant to serve the actual needs of Chucheng and the development of the cities across Beijiang, and to improve the lives of the people in the region. No one here understands Chucheng better than Reporter Qiao. That’s the reason we ultimately chose her.”
The few people who had thought the decision was unfair were now thoroughly convinced.
Everyone except Yu Wan, of course.
A short while ago, she’d been resentful.
Now, however, what she felt was probably more sourness than resentment.
Kang Junwen turned to Qiao Yimian, his tone softening.
“Do you have any thoughts?”
Meeting the encouraging, trusting look in his eyes, Qiao Yimian answered seriously.
“I’ll do my best to complete the assignment and live up to your expectations and those of the station.”
After the meeting ended, Qiao Yimian went directly to Kang Junwen’s office.
“Director Kang, may I ask something? Was the decision about who would accompany the governor on this inspection tour… made by the Governor’s Office?”
Kang Junwen looked up at her, his manner gentle.
“Why do you ask?”
Qiao Yimian met his gaze honestly.
“I want to know whether I got this opportunity because of my own ability, or because of… something else.”
Kang Junwen suddenly laughed.
“Whoever made the decision, it was still because of your ability.”
Seeing Qiao Yimian remain silent, her lips pressed together and her expression stubborn, Kang Junwen could only ask in return,
“Everything I said in the meeting about your performance over the past two years—was any of it inaccurate?”
Qiao Yimian’s expression relaxed slightly. She instinctively touched the tip of her nose.
“Some of it was a little exaggerated… I don’t really have that much influence.”
“You’re certainly modest.”
Kang Junwen laughed again, shaking his head helplessly.
“But I have a lot of faith in you.”
He lowered his eyes and was silent for a few seconds before speaking frankly.
“To tell you the truth, I specifically asked you to come to the television station for this exchange and training because I wanted to see what you were really capable of. And, to be honest, I was also considering recruiting you.”
Qiao Yimian’s eyes widened.
Recruiting her?
Kang Junwen continued, “You’re not actually a permanent employee of the Chucheng Evening News, are you? I heard you’re only an outsourced employee and don’t have an official position.”
Qiao Yimian nodded.
“That’s right. According to the regulations, becoming a permanent employee requires passing an exam. I took the exam last month and passed the written portion, but the interview results haven’t been released yet.”
Regardless of its size, the Chucheng Evening News was ultimately a state-affiliated organization with permanent positions, stable income, and plenty of people eager to find a way in.
Among those who had taken the exam with her, two were outsourced employees of the newspaper, while several others were applicants from outside the organization.
It wasn’t exactly a battle where thousands fought for the chance to cross a single-plank bridge, but with only one permanent position available, getting it was still quite difficult.
Kang Junwen didn’t beat around the bush.
“So for this inspection tour, perform well and try to make a real contribution. You should also think about what I’ve said and start making plans for your future.”
Qiao Yimian cautiously asked, “You mean…”
Kang Junwen smiled.
“I’d like our station to have an excellent reporter like you. I also want to inject some fresh blood and new energy into our news team.”
Even after returning to her desk, Qiao Yimian was still somewhat dazed.
She never would have imagined that Kang Junwen actually wanted to recruit her to the television station!
After the shock and surprise came an excitement and happiness she couldn’t suppress.
This was Linchuan Television Station!
She couldn’t have been happier about the olive branch they’d extended to her.
Only after she’d calmed down a little did she belatedly remember that her original question had never really been answered.
But judging from his ambiguous response, this matter probably did have something directly to do with *that person*.
Qiao Yimian silently sighed again, feeling a little troubled.
The opportunity itself was excellent, but if other factors were mixed into the equation, things could become complicated.
“Xiao Qiao, congratulations!” Miao Ying leaned over to congratulate her. “Getting to accompany the governor on an inspection tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Qiao Yimian smiled shyly, but Miao Ying lowered her voice and continued,
“A couple of years ago, our station also had a host-reporter selected to accompany the previous governor on an inspection tour. Not long after he came back, he was transferred to the Publicity Department of the Governor’s Office.”
After saying that, Miao Ying mysteriously patted Qiao Yimian on the shoulder.
“Good luck, girl!”
Her words sounded like encouragement mixed with envy, but to Qiao Yimian, they felt like someone had placed a heavy stone on her heart.
That evening, a secretary from the Governor’s Office named Wu contacted Qiao Yimian and told her that a car would be sent to pick her up from her residence the next day.
Early the following morning, Qiao Yimian got ready and dragged her suitcase downstairs.
When she saw the familiar Hongqi sedan parked by the roadside, her steps gradually slowed to a stop.
A young man wearing glasses got out of the front passenger seat and walked over to greet her.
“Reporter Qiao, hello. I’m Wu Song.”
He took her suitcase with a smile.
“I’ll carry this. You can get in first.”
Qiao Yimian couldn’t see inside the car, but she knew the vehicle far too well.
It wasn’t hard to guess who was sitting in the back.
*Getting in the governor’s car again…*
*I don’t want to.*
Qiao Yimian asked cautiously, “Can I take another car?”
Kang Junwen had said yesterday that there would be seven people in total, including her. Obviously, one car wouldn’t be enough for everyone.
Wu Song paused before answering seriously.
“The other car is full. It already left.”
Qiao Yimian secretly let out a breath of relief, but she had no choice except to walk over slowly.
Wu Song opened the rear passenger door for her.
Qiao Yimian thanked him before ducking inside.
The moment she looked up, she met those calm, deep-set eyes of the most senior official in the city.