OSTF - 28

Chi Suisui went to the chief editor’s office empty-handed.

No one in the office area seemed to be paying attention to whether people were actually working overtime. Su Mian watched her straight back, feeling like she was walking towards a path of ascent.

Her long, wavy hair cascaded down her back, having been specially styled before she left home today, faintly revealing the diamond stud on her earlobe. The click of her heels echoed on the floor.

Elegant and confident.

As soon as Chi Suisui entered, she saw Zhang Yueran standing on the other side, her eyes a little red. She didn’t know if she had cried, but she looked rather pitiful.

Only when Chi Suisui looked at her did she turn her head.

Zhang Yueran had only glanced at Chi Suisui casually outside the door, but now that they were just a few steps away, she could clearly see her attire.

Exquisite to the point of making her jealous.

As someone who loved beauty, she often read magazines, watched fashion shows, and followed celebrity red carpets.

But Chi Suisui’s simple outfit left her stunned.

In fact, when the incident had just occurred yesterday and Zhang Yueran went to find Chi Suisui, Weibo hadn’t yet revealed that she and Lin Jingmu had eaten together.

She had intended to tell Chi Suisui to ignore the matter, letting the netizens speculate. Who knew that as soon as she arrived, Chi Suisui’s Weibo post had already been sent out?

This left no choice but to tear off the pretense of civility.

The chief editor was still very fair, at least not showing any bias in this matter. He turned to Chi Suisui, “Xiao Chi, why did you keep delaying your interview with Lin Jingmu until Thursday?”

Chi Suisui raised an eyebrow slightly.

She had thought that as soon as she came in, she would hear the chief editor’s questioning, after all, Zhang Yueran would definitely not miss any opportunity to slander her.

“I didn’t think the interview went very well,” Chi Suisui said calmly.

“It wasn’t very well, or wasn’t it finished at all?” Zhang Yueran suddenly interjected from the side, “Did you even put your heart into it?”

Chi Suisui glanced at her.

Although it was just a simple look, Zhang Yueran felt a chill.

“Xiao Zhang!” the chief editor reprimanded, then turned back to Chi Suisui, “I heard from the other side that your attitude towards the interviewee wasn’t very professional. Do you have anything to say about that?”

Chi Suisui’s lips curled. “Nothing to say.”

As soon as these words came out, Zhang Yueran’s eyes lit up.

One of the reasons she had dinner with Lin Jingmu was to talk about Chi Suisui. Although Lin Jingmu hadn’t explicitly said her attitude was bad, he had hinted at it.

For a reporter to have a bad attitude towards an interviewee could be considered putting the cart before the horse.

“As a news reporter, your attitude towards interviewees is paramount. How can you have an unprofessional attitude towards them?”

Zhang Yueran said sarcastically.

“Did you hear that from Lin Jingmu?” Chi Suisui suddenly turned her head, her gaze falling on Zhang Yueran. “Did he say that during dinner?”

“You—”

The mention of dinner made Zhang Yueran’s blood boil. She was lucky that Weibo hadn’t exposed her, otherwise her own Weibo would be in chaos now.

She glanced at the chief editor and insisted, “This has nothing to do with you. You used to interview everyone quite quickly. When it came to Lin Jingmu, you delayed it for two or three days and finally dumped it on my side.”

As soon as Zhang Yueran finished speaking, she saw the upward curve of Chi Suisui’s lips and had a bad feeling. Sure enough, she heard her next words—

“As a news professional, you should use professional language.”

Zhang Yueran didn’t immediately realize which word she was referring to.

Chi Suisui looked up, her expression calm. “Regarding my attitude, I have kept the video recordings of previous interviews. If the chief editor wants to see them, I can send them over.”

“...”

“Does Reporter Zhang also need to see them?”

Chi Suisui only cast a sidelong glance.

Hearing this, Zhang Yueran almost swore out loud.

So arrogant. It was obvious that there was nothing wrong with the videos.

The main thing was Lin Jingmu’s insinuation, which she had trusted too much.

Moreover, when she went to the interview, she had also chatted with his assistant, who said that Chi Suisui had twice hung up the phone on her own initiative.

This further corroborated her deduction.

So today, when Zhang Yueran was being questioned, she didn’t hesitate to drag Chi Suisui into the mix to share the chief editor’s anger.

The chief editor, however, felt that what Chi Suisui said sounded true.

After all, he wasn’t unaware of Chi Suisui’s abilities. When he saw her Weibo clarification yesterday, he also found it very direct.

This directness was quite rare.

She was good-looking, had excellent skills, and the interview drafts she usually submitted were impeccably well-written.

An interview with a celebrity wouldn’t be treated so perfunctorily.

Moreover, Zhang Yueran’s exact words were, “Maybe she interviewed He Xingwang, so she wasn’t very satisfied with this interview.”

Just then, the chief editor’s phone rang.

Zhang Yueran and Chi Suisui could only hear the chief editor’s responses. They couldn’t hear the voice on the other end and didn’t know what was being said.

After hanging up, the chief editor finally spoke, “This matter has greatly affected the reputation of the television station, so the station director requires strict handling.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yueran’s eyelids twitched.

“Zhang Yueran, you are suspended for one month and must write a five-thousand-word self-criticism,” the chief editor said. “It must be submitted within a week.”

“I—” Zhang Yueran felt a wave of dizziness. Not to mention the five-thousand-word self-criticism, a one-month suspension was too long, long enough for a newcomer to replace her. “What about her?”

It would have been better not to ask. As soon as she asked, the chief editor became even angrier. “She is also a victim in this matter, and you dragged her into it. You also need to apologize to Xiao Chi.”

“...”

Chi Suisui’s eyes curved into a smile.

A group of people were waiting outside the office. Being called back to work overtime on a perfectly good Saturday had caused some resentment, and their attitude towards Zhang Yueran wasn’t very good.

“This matter has nothing to do with Suisui, right?”

“I bet Zhang Yueran said something. Their relationship has always been bad.”

“I wonder how the chief editor will resolve this.”

Just as they were talking, the office door suddenly opened.

Zhang Yueran and Chi Suisui came out one after the other. One was smiling faintly, the other had a gloomy face. The result was obvious.

Su Mian, who had been waiting impatiently, eagerly asked, “How was it? What did the chief editor say? How will this be handled?”

Chi Suisui sat back in her chair and mentioned it casually.

Before she could finish speaking, the chief editor came out of the office and directly announced Zhang Yueran’s punishment: “...I don’t want this kind of thing to happen again. Next time, the consequences won’t be so lenient.”

“You are reporters. This profession allows you to interact face-to-face with interviewees, not to use such opportunities for personal gain.”

Zhang Yueran’s face was pale.

After the chief editor returned to his office, the originally planned meeting was also canceled. Everyone could go home; there was no need to work overtime.

The older colleagues gradually all left.

Su Mian, carrying her bag, asked excitedly, “Director Chi, let’s go. I’ll treat you to a meal to get rid of the bad luck.”

Before she could finish her sentence, Zhang Yueran couldn’t hold back.

“Su Mian, what do you mean by that?”

“I wasn’t even talking to you. Are you just assuming I was?” Su Mian had been a reporter for so long and wasn’t a pushover.

Zhang Yueran let go of the things she was packing. “You’re just a reporter who recently got a permanent position. Don’t be so smug.”

Although she was speaking to Su Mian, her words were directed at Chi Suisui.

“You haven’t even interviewed many people yet. Wait until you can’t rely on that face anymore, then come talk to me.”

Su Mian almost laughed out of anger.

Who wanted to talk to her? She was just having her own little fantasy there, mocking and taunting. Was she out of her mind?

Several interns who hadn’t left yet were watching the drama from afar.

This open and finally exposed feud was fresh and juicy gossip for them.

“Who are you saying relies on their looks?” Su Mian questioned.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Zhang Yueran gave a sarcastic smile. “In school, weren’t your opportunities on stage because of your face? It’s a fact that you’re pretty. What’s so bad about admitting it? You got all the good interviews.”

She was almost explicitly talking about Chi Suisui.

Anyway, she was going to be suspended and wouldn’t be coming to the TV station for the next month. There was no difference between tearing off the pretense now or later.

Chi Suisui asked, “Are you finished?”

Zhang Yueran snorted and lowered her head to pack her things.

Chi Suisui suddenly took out a small loudspeaker from her desk. She had bought it online before because it looked nice and had many functions.

“Come here, say it into this,” she said in a cold voice.

“What are you doing?” Zhang Yueran took a step back.

“Don’t be nervous.” Chi Suisui suddenly smiled. “It’s just a recording tool. At most, it can also amplify and play it back.”

“...”

“I’ll give you one more chance to elaborate. It’s okay if you don’t want to.”

As she spoke, Chi Suisui reached out and turned on the small loudspeaker, playing back Zhang Yueran’s words just now, word for word.

It even had a rhythm, like rap.

Not too loud, but the entire office area could hear it.

“...”

Zhang Yueran’s face turned completely green.

She didn’t even know when Chi Suisui had recorded it, let alone that it could amplify and play it back.

Several interns couldn’t help but laugh, even secretly taking out their phones to record videos and audio.

This was too damn funny.

“Reporter Zhang won’t be paid during this suspension period,” Chi Suisui said, slightly raising her chin. “Do you want me to recommend a recording studio for you? You should debut.”

Zhang Yueran’s eyes widened.

Chi Suisui placed the small loudspeaker on the desk, listening to the rap-like background sound, and mused, “What did you just say about me? That I’m good-looking?”

“Yes! She said Director Chi, you’re the most beautiful!” Su Mian chimed in, “Captivating all beings, divinely beautiful, peerless elegance...”

One idiom after another spilled out.

Zhang Yueran’s face turned even greener. When had she said that? How could Su Mian even say such things?

“Thank you for complimenting my looks. You finally told the truth.”

Zhang Yueran couldn’t say a single word.

Chi Suisui then said, “However, you still haven’t apologized to me.”

Just as she finished speaking, the office door opened, and the chief editor came out. Hearing this, he immediately frowned and said, “Apologize quickly.”

Zhang Yueran’s eyes were red-rimmed, and she apologized unwillingly.

Chi Suisui felt refreshed and gave her a gentle smile, almost causing Zhang Yueran to faint in the office area, her ears ringing continuously.

Her makeup today was very striking.

She was completely overbearing, noble and aloof when she retorted.

After leaving the TV station, the weather outside was very hot.

Su Mian chattered incessantly beside her, “That little loudspeaker has so many functions! It even has fast-forward playback. I’m going to buy one in case it comes in handy someday!”

She was even giving Song Miaoli real-time updates in their group chat.

After Su Mian said about ten sentences, Doctor Song finally managed to reply amidst her busy schedule: 【Suier nb (voice crack!)】

Chi Suisui declined Su Mian’s lunch invitation and returned home ruthlessly.

The Bai’an Mansion was empty.

She suspected that He Xingwang had probably been triggered by the party incident in the morning, so he couldn’t help but return to the shooting sports center.

It was perfect for her to be alone.

Chi Suisui brought the small loudspeaker back with her.

She had bought this small loudspeaker half a month ago and had been keeping it on the table as a decoration. Today, when Zhang Yueran was speaking, she suddenly remembered it.

A triple combo of recording, amplifying, and playing back.

The housekeeper had come in the morning to clean the house and had also placed a pot of cactus on the table, vibrant green and full of thorns.

With no one at home, she could surprisingly be unrestrained.

She turned on the small loudspeaker to play the recording. When she reached the stairs, the sound was too soft, so she went back and plugged the recording into the house’s sound system.

This time, it was 360-degree surround sound.

To be honest, although what Zhang Yueran said was ridiculous, playing it back at double speed was indeed a way to pass the time and was quite amusing.

Chi Suisui went upstairs, taking off her dress as she went, thinking about making herself a salad for lunch later.

After all, she had eaten a bit too much last night.

Thinking of this, Chi Suisui remembered that she hadn’t checked Weibo today and wondered which way the wind had turned.

The soundproofing in the Bai’an Mansion was excellent.

Even having a party was no problem.

When He Xingwang returned from outside with groceries, he didn’t hear any sound until he opened the door, and a wave of volume hit him instantly.

The words “captivating all beings,” “peerless elegance,” and “divinely beautiful” repeated rhythmically, accompanied by “you’re the most beautiful.”

He Xingwang stood in place for a few silent seconds.

This shouldn’t be a new song; the lyrics were simple, the meaning repetitive, and there was no melody.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the words “Director Chi” should be referring to Chi Suisui.

For a fleeting moment, He Xingwang had an unbelievable thought: Chi Suisui had specially commissioned someone to write a song for her.

This seemed somewhat like her style.

He left the entrance hall and entered the living room, then heard footsteps on the stairs. He looked up.

The sound of He Xingwang opening the door just now wasn’t quiet.

Hearing the noise, Chi Suisui subconsciously turned her head. “You’re back so early again?”

Her dress was only halfway off, revealing her fair back with two beautiful butterfly wings, the hollow of her lower back faintly visible, and further down, a sliver of her bra was exposed.

He Xingwang had seen Chi Suisui wear backless dresses before.

Beautiful, sexy.

But it was not enough to compare with the scene today.

He Xingwang withdrew his gaze from above, lowered his eyes, his Adam’s apple moved, and his voice was slightly deeper. “Not early.”

Concise and cold.

But Chi Suisui always felt that he could add the unspoken words with a blank expression in the next second: Not early, any later, and you would have been completely undressed.