At seven in the morning, Ping An, with a runny nose, was jolted awake by a shaking. He opened his sleepy eyes to see Lai Xiang's lecherous, fat face.
"Brother Ping An, you should get up. There was something last night..." Lai Xiang said with a fawning expression, the smell of leeks from his mouth assaulting Ping An's nose and instantly waking him up.
"What was it? Huh? Did my sister make leek pancakes?" Ping An sat up in bed and rushed into the bathroom.
"Around 2 AM, someone was fiddling with your windowsill. Gao Wei and I didn't pursue them, fearing it was an enemy trap," Lai Xiang confessed truthfully. "An hour ago, the Gao Detachment came and measured a set of footprints outside the window. They found a cigarette butt in the woods outside. After taking these, they saw you and your sister were still sleeping and left without disturbing you."
"I'll eat first. I have to go to work today. You two need to split up. One stays with my sister, and one stays with me. You decide how to divide it," Ping An told Lai Xiang as he walked out of the bathroom.
"I'll stay with you. Let Gao Wei stay with your sister," Lai Xiang quickly made his choice.
At the newspaper building, Ping An sat in his office, diligently handling his work. Since getting involved in the Niu Jian case the day before yesterday and sleeping through yesterday, two days had passed. In one more day, the social news section would be published, so Ping An was determined to do a good job today.
Ping An typed away at his computer while Lai Xiang dozed on a small stool, playing on his phone. Just then, the office door opened.
"Ping An, the Mass Work Department received a reader's letter, specifically addressed to you. I climbed the stairs on my way here to deliver it," said Editor Wang, who was in charge of mass work.
"Okay, Uncle Wang. Just put it there," Ping An replied without looking up.
"Ping An, haven't you checked today's WeChat official account?" Editor Wang clearly had something to say.
"Uh! I've had some personal matters these past few days and haven't paid much attention. What's up?" Ping An stopped typing and looked at Editor Wang, who was lingering.
"There's a WeChat official account called 'Hechuan is a Group.' Do you know them?" Editor Wang asked Ping An with a playful look.
"I suppose I know them. What's wrong?" Ping An glanced at Editor Wang guiltily, then quickly opened his phone, tapped WeChat, and searched for the official account.
"Take your time looking. Director Zhang heard you were coming to work today and was looking for you everywhere. I guessed you'd be in the office since your section is due the day after tomorrow, so I came to give you a heads-up," Editor Wang said with a smile before leaving the office.
One minute later, a sound like a pig being slaughtered erupted from Ping An's office, startling Director Zhang, who had just walked angrily to the office door.
"Lin Zexu! I'm going to kill you!"
It turned out that after Ping An and Lin Dang broke up that morning, Lin Dang returned to the company. Under the boss's persuasion, she wrote an online article titled "Teaming Up with a Famous Reporter to Unveil the Ins and Outs of the Headless Corpse Case." In the article, the headless corpse case became secondary; the highlight was how she "teamed up" with a legitimate reporter like Ping An.
"At the repeated request of reporter Ping An, our company's employee Lin Dang, with a professional journalistic attitude, reluctantly chose to cooperate in the reporting... Hahaha... It is reported that to cooperate with our company, reporter Ping An even paid our employee Lin Dang 100 yuan in cash... Hahahaha... With the advent of the integrated media era, excellent reporters like Ping An from our city have made wise choices. We welcome other traditional news reporters to join us in this grand endeavor... Hahahaha..." In Ping An's office, Zhang Reform read the sentences in the article with a sarcastic tone, chuckling after each one. Ping An, sitting on a folding bed, buried his head deep in his knees. Lai Xiang, sitting on his stool, looked at Ping An with concern, fearing that this renowned reporter, who valued his reputation more than his life, might do something drastic. The balcony nearby seemed like a ready option...
"It's truly a good article. In just one day, it's already over a hundred thousand views. Ping An, are you planning to leave? When will you submit your resignation?" At first, he really thought this "master" was going to jump ship. Knowing Ping An's ability and skill, Zhang Reform had rushed to find him. But now, seeing him almost driven to suicide by shame, his worries instantly vanished. Now, the worry was Ping An's.
Indeed, for the past two days, Ping An had been so focused on the Niu Jian case that he hadn't even logged into WeChat, let alone seen this article immediately. Now, the article had been published for almost a day. Many people initially thought it was a joke. But seeing Ping An's continued silence, they couldn't help but speculate, and his WeChat friends had been flooding him with messages.
"Ping An, did your head get stuck in the door?" Well, that was a message from the chairman.
"Get back! Get back here!" This philosophically worded message was from Zhang Reform.
"Ping An, come work for us! How about an annual salary of 800,000 yuan?" This was from the head of another WeChat official account operating company.
"Who is that Lin Dang?" This was a message from Fei Keqing.
"Ruyi Weight Loss Tea, for a Ruyi perfect figure—" This damn message was from a micro-business trying to ride the trend.
"Brother, you went to the police station? Are you changing careers? Don't work for others. I'll invest in you, and we'll be bosses!" The sender was "Oli Ge."
Reading this, Ping An's heart suddenly clenched—how did this fatso know he had been to the police station?
Thinking of this, Ping An called someone: "You scoundrel! Are you teasing me on WeChat? Do you believe I'll smash your desk?"
"Brother, I missed you! Let's have dinner tonight. Tell me if you're thinking of going independent," a male voice on the other end of the phone said enthusiastically.
"Okay, I miss you too. You pick the place, and I promise to be there," Ping An said.
"Seven PM, at Tong Tiantang Restaurant! Bring my sister An Jing with you," the male voice instructed.
"See you there!" Ping An said, feigning excitement.
"Bullshit, it's not that I'm lecturing you, but you need to address this matter. You must issue a statement so people don't spread rumors," Zhang Reform said.
"Didn't you tell me not to call you by your nickname? You can issue the statement. Let legal handle the complaints and lawsuits. I want to expose this integrated media company," Ping An said hysterically.
Less than 500 meters from the Hechuan Newspaper building, in a small alley, hung various "Advertising Production," "Printing," and "Media Production" signs. More than a decade ago, this alley, less than 800 meters long, attracted many advertising companies due to its proximity to the newspaper building. Thus, five years ago, during the Hechuan City landmark consolidation campaign, the civil affairs department named this alley "Advertising Alley." However, at some point, all the advertising companies, big and small, transformed themselves into "integrated media companies," and various WeChat official accounts spread from this small alley to every corner of the city and even the province.
"Hechuan is a Group" Media Services Company was an unremarkable small company in this alley, with a poor location, right next to the only public toilet in the alley. However, in the past two days, this company had become the hottest spot in the alley. People lined up to do business, build relationships, and discuss sponsorships, with the queue extending past the public toilet, leaving many unsure whether the people were lining up to use the restroom or to place advertisements.
The boss of this company had run a printing shop in this alley for nearly 20 years. Only in recent years had he switched to an integrated media company. However, his primary business was still photocopying, such as ID card copies for one yuan each. Lin Dang, 22, was an intern at this company. However, yesterday, after completing a "triple leap" from intern to formal employee to content director, she was officially fired for pouring a pot of tea on the boss's head. Currently, this young woman from out of town, with no relatives in a big city like Hechuan, had less than 200 yuan left in her wallet.
"Such a boss deserves to be hit by a car! Be shot by the police! Be bitten to death by wild dogs!" Just as Ping An saw the integrated media content that made him contemplate death, Lin Dang was driven out by the unscrupulous boss early in the morning under the pretext of "Since you're not my employee, you shouldn't live here." At this moment, she was standing at a breakfast shop with her luggage and a koala-shaped pillow, reluctant to leave.
"Girl, you need to go. You've been drinking this cup of soy milk since this morning. We're about to sell lunch. Why don't you order a bowl of noodles and have lunch with us?" the breakfast shop worker said helplessly to Lin Dang.
Dragging her suitcase and holding her soft pillow, Lin Dang walked out of the shop, looking back repeatedly. Where should she go? If she went back home, she didn't have enough money. If she stayed in a hotel, she also didn't have enough money.
Walking on the street, Lin Dang wandered aimlessly. Two months ago, after graduating from school, with the money saved from part-time jobs and the rent money from her family, she signed up for a "Dronexxxxxxxx" training course through an agency. Her reasoning was that a bachelor's degree in media was worthless nowadays, and when looking for a job, she would be "drowned" by waves of graduate students. But if she had an extra skill, like a legitimate "drone" operation certificate, it would mean an advantage—which advertising company wouldn't want a drone pilot with a proper "driver's license" for aerial photography? Unfortunately, dreams were grand, but reality was bleak. When she arrived at the training class full of hope, she found that her classmates were either burly men or people with stories etched on their faces. Thus, suspicious, she carefully re-examined the training class brochure and discovered that after the word "drone," there were a few small characters: "Basic Theory of Agricultural Irrigation"...
Tricked by fate, and with no hope of getting her money back, she decided to make the best of it and contribute her strength to the country's agricultural cause (after all, it was a certificate, and she could still find a job in an agricultural company). But in the end, she discovered that it was basically a "spellcasting" class, and the crucial point was that even after completing it, no certificate could be obtained.
Having taken the wrong training course, Lin Dang wasted her entire summer vacation. Finally, she was asked to leave by the dorm supervisor with the excuse that new students were arriving. With no other options, she was hired by a boss who was "eager for talent" as soon as he switched careers. But now, because the boss arbitrarily changed her manuscript and published it without her consent, she found it unacceptable. After a rash of actions, she was formally fired the day before she was supposed to get paid.
"Finding a new job, even as a waitress, would take at least three days. The money I have now isn't even enough for the cheapest capsule hotel. I need at least another 100 yuan to barely make it. Where can I find 100 yuan?" Lin Dang thought with annoyance. She had initially thought that even if she was fired, the boss would settle her wages. But the boss insisted that his wig was worth over 2,000 yuan, and her wages weren't even enough to cover it.
In early autumn, Hechuan was gradually getting cold. After leaving school, to move around easily, Lin Dang had mailed her autumn clothes back home. Now, she was still wearing a thin pair of jeans. A gust of autumn wind blew, and the chill drilled into her pants like nails, making her shiver. She looked up and saw the towering Hechuan Newspaper building.
"Oh, right! Teacher Ping An still owes me 100 yuan!" Lin Dang suddenly remembered the hundred yuan promised by Ping An and excitedly walked into the building.
At the reception desk on the first floor of the Hechuan Daily Newspaper building.
"Who are you looking for?" the reception staff asked, glancing at Lin Dang.
"I'm looking for Director Ping An in the Social News Department," Lin Dang said politely.
"Do you have an appointment?" the staff asked.
"No," Lin Dang replied honestly.
"Then I'm sorry. Perhaps you could call him now?" the staff member said, acting by the book.
"I don't have Teacher Ping An's phone number. Could you please call him?" Lin Dang asked.
"You don't have an appointment, and this is a bit inappropriate," the staff member said with difficulty.
"Call him. He'll definitely see me. I worked for him all night, and he still hasn't paid me. I'm here to get my money. If he doesn't see me, he can have someone send it down," Lin Dang said naively.
While Lin Dang was talking to the receptionist, Fei Keqing, swaying her hips, was seeing a client out. She happened to pass through the lobby and overheard their conversation.
"Worked all night? Asking for money? Who are you?" Fei Keqing asked Lin Dang with great curiosity and urgency.
"My name is Lin Dang. It's like this, Reporter Ping An owes me one hundred yuan," Lin Dang glanced at Fei Keqing, feeling that this person must be a superior, and quickly stated her request.
Fei Keqing looked at the girl in front of her with some confusion—she was tall, with a fair complexion, and slender, but lacking curves or allure. Could it be that Ping An, that old virgin, couldn't hold back and tricked a college student into spending the night? Hmm, she looked pretty, and not too old. But a pure girl like this, how could she compare to the mature and charming "thirst-quenching" appeal of this old lady! Ping An, oh Ping An, you really are indiscriminate in your desires! You devoured her, then ran off. Now she's come to the unit to ask for money. If you want to relieve your urges, come to me! I'm much more effective than "San Huang Pian" (a traditional Chinese medicine for constipation)...
Seeing Fei Keqing frown, Lin Dang still hadn't noticed the misunderstanding. She continued to play the victim: "Sister, do you know Ping An? Please ask him to come down. I'll leave as soon as I get the money."
"Just asking for money? Not lingering?" Fei Keqing probed.
"Yes, just the money. I worked for it, so I should be rewarded," Lin Dang nodded firmly.
"That's straightforward. Children these days look different from how they actually are. Forget it, how much money do you want?" Fei Keqing asked.
"100 yuan. We agreed on 100 yuan, right?" Lin Dang said.
"Only 100? That's... cheap... Is it? Judging by your appearance, it shouldn't be this price?" Fei Keqing said with some surprise.
"Sister, what are you talking about? I don't understand," Lin Dang finally realized something was amiss.
"Aren't you here to ask for payment for staying the night? You dared to come to the unit so openly, and now you're playing coy?" Fei Keqing said dismissively.
"You!" Now, Lin Dang completely understood. The woman in front of her had mistaken her for that kind of woman.
A strong girl who wanted to change her destiny through hard work, relying on her integrity and self-respect, she hadn't dated a boyfriend throughout college. As soon as she left school, she was tricked and bullied, and now she was in a dire situation, being misunderstood! Although she was from the countryside, every daughter was a treasure to her family. In just a few months, she had suffered hardships. Now, Fei Keqing's misunderstanding was like adding fuel to the fire, or the last straw that broke the camel's back. Lin Dang, who had been trying to be strong, could no longer hold back—
"Lin Dang! You liar! How dare you come back? What nonsense have you written? I'll deal with you..." Just then, Ping An and Lai Xiang slowly emerged from the elevator. Seeing Lin Dang talking to Fei Keqing at a glance, Ping An's suppressed anger erupted. He strode forward, rolled up his sleeves, and a bloody storm began.
"Slap!" A loud slap echoed throughout the entire first-floor hall.
Ping An, holding his gradually reddening left cheek, stared blankly at Lin Dang, who was teary-eyed and furious.
"You pervert!" Just as Ping An was walking towards Lin Dang, cursing, Lin Dang swung her right hand with all her might and slapped Ping An's left cheek fiercely. After delivering the slap, she looked at Fei Keqing in surprise, then spat out these three vicious words before turning and leaving.
"What happened to me? Hey! Lin Dang, why did you hit me? I'm so angry, and I didn't even want to lay a hand on you! Hey, hey, wait a minute! What do you mean by this?" Seeing Lin Dang walking away quickly, the stunned Ping An clearly didn't know what had happened. Instinctively, he ran after Lin Dang...
At noon, one hour after Ping An was slapped. In the most luxurious and expensive roasted lamb leg restaurant in Hechuan.
"Good sister, eat more. Look how thin you are, tsk tsk, poor thing. Being away from home, your family isn't around, and there's no one to take care of you. Sister is treating today, so eat more and nourish yourself well," in the private room, a plate of freshly roasted cumin lamb leg was placed on the table. Around the lamb leg, there were dishes from both southern and northern cuisines, such as Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms. Fei Keqing, with an awkward expression, placed various delicacies onto the small plate in front of Lin Dang.
Lin Dang lowered her head, not saying a word. She ate the food placed in front of her and drank the filled juice. Her eyes were fixed only on the dishes, not looking anywhere else.
Ping An, sitting opposite Lin Dang, hadn't eaten a single bite. He hugged his shoulders, his face swollen on one side, and glared angrily at Fei Keqing.
Lai Xiang had been so busy lately that he hadn't even had a hot meal. At this moment, he didn't bother "protecting" Ping An and was eating heartily on his own.
"Eat until you're almost full. Tell me, how should we settle this slap?" Ping An stared at Fei Keqing for a long time. Seeing that Fei Keqing was deliberately ignoring him, he turned his head to Lin Dang.
"The child is just playing with you. Are you still going on about it? You owe our department money! Consider it payment for my slap," Fei Keqing tried to smooth things over.
"Fine! I'll let the slap go for now. Here's one hundred yuan. Take it," Ping An took out 100 yuan from his pocket and placed it in front of Lin Dang. "Next, let's talk about that masterpiece you wrote by twisting concepts. Honestly, I can sue you for infringement, do you know that?"
"That wasn't written by me. My boss heard my account of the process and exaggerated it. His goal was to involve you and increase his WeChat official account's fame. I tried to stop him, but I couldn't. In the end, I lost my job, didn't get paid, and had nowhere to live. I was desperate, so I came to ask you for that 100 yuan," Lin Dang said cautiously, still keeping her head down.
"Where is the manuscript you wrote?" Ping An asked.
"It's on my laptop. I also have it in my phone's email," Lin Dang replied obediently.
"Open it and show me," Ping An instructed.
"Upholding social justice is the duty of every citizen. What is so strange about the current headless corpse case? How should citizen safety be guaranteed..." Looking at the article Lin Dang had written, both Ping An and Fei Keqing, who had come over out of curiosity, were industry veterans. At this moment, after reading Lin Dang's article, they couldn't help but want to exclaim "Good!"
"The article is good! She's a promising talent!" Fei Keqing patted Ping An on the shoulder.
"Stop making trouble. It's all because of you. There's a problem with your thinking. If I were looking for a woman, would I look for someone who charges? Would I look for someone like her?" Ping An scolded.
"Hey! What's wrong with someone like me?" Lin Dang, who had felt guilty about slapping him due to the misunderstanding, instantly became dissatisfied upon hearing Ping An's words.
"You're fine, you're fine. I mean, you're not that kind of woman," Ping An said somewhat awkwardly.
"What kind? Explain clearly!" Lin Dang was angry. No one took their reputation lightly.
"Alright, let's stop beating around the bush. I'll ask you this: do you have a place to stay right now?" Ping An's head was about to explode.
"If you give me 100 yuan, I'll find a hotel. Once I find a job, I'll have a place to live," Lin Dang said somewhat hesitantly.
"You were fired because of me. If you don't mind, you can stay in my office for now. It's hard to find a job. Be my intern temporarily. Instead of piecework, a fixed salary of 3500 yuan a month. How about it?" Ping An actually had other plans. He was busy solving the case, but he still had work at the newspaper. To do both effectively, he needed an intern to help. However, ordinary interns were not even up to par. Lin Dang, on the other hand, was a good candidate. Judging by her article, she was naturally gifted and could get started immediately without much training. As the department head, he could hire interns with the special personnel fund when he was busy.
"Really?" Lin Dang couldn't believe her ears. Becoming an intern at a legitimate media organization, even if her articles would only be signed as "intern reporter," she was still a "reporter"! This was exactly what she had always dreamed of!
"Really. I'll take you to the personnel department tomorrow to process the paperwork. We'll hire you for three months initially. I can even pay you your first month's salary in advance," Ping An said.
"That's great! You don't really have any ulterior motives towards me, do you?" Lin Dang, who had been tricked before, asked foolishly.
"Come or don't come! If it weren't for your writing talent, I wouldn't want you," Ping An said, slapping the table.
"Yes, yes! Sleeping in the office is fine. I'll bring my own sleeping gear!" Lin Dang quickly agreed.
"Then follow me this afternoon! We'll take your luggage to the office later," Ping An instructed.
"Yes, sir!" Lin Dang's previous grievances vanished, and she said with a smile.
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