[First an apology. I made a mistake in my previous translation. The Publicity/Multimedia Department should be translated as Public Relations Department. Corrections have been done. Again, I apologize.]“d.a.m.n!”
Hai Dong’s face fell.
He was familiar with StationManager Wei’s modus operandi after so many years at the tv station. He couldn’tfathom this ending well for Se Cai.
He stood up in a hurry, adding, “StationManager, let me do the preliminary examination. I’ll pa.s.s it to you after I’mdone.”
Se Cai didn’t have any experienceworking on a news this big before, he didn’t know the script had to becorrected multiple times before it could be sent to the central station.
Se Cai had completely his scriptin less than 10 minutes. That showed utter disrespect for his work and that wasStation Manager Wei’s biggest taboo.
Station Manager Wei started fromthe bottom as a reporter. He only reached his position after decades of hardwork. He treated his profession with utmost respect and demanded the same ofeveryone else.
He was infamous in the tvstation for his difficult to meet high expectations.
“Xiao Bai, you know that I havefull faith in you but we both understand how important this script is, so justleave it to me.”
Manager Wei strode to Se Cai’sside, pulled a chair and sat down.
With a heavy heart, Hai Dongmoved to the seat the Manager Wei had left empty beside him.
“Se Cai doesn’t have ajournalism-related degree and has only been here less than a year so please…”
Hai Dong trailed off. It would reflectbadly on him as the program producer if his men were found lacking.
Hai Dong made a mental note toconduct extra review meetings in the near future to raise the professionallevel of his team.
Manager Wei didn’t reply. Hepicked up a red ball pen and flicked through the newly printed script.
He was a traditionalist, hepreferred to do the editing on paper rather than on the computer.
The pen hovered over the scriptdangerously. Manager Wei made to move in on multiple occasions to writesomething but every time, he stopped and shook his head instead.
Hai Dong was perplexed watchingthis unfold. He expected Manager Wei to have a field day with Se Cai’s rushedscript.
Even his own handiwork wouldcome back riddled with red correction marks, noting the faults in punctuation,spelling and flow.
Once more Manager Wei tried tocorrect something but he stopped in mid-motion.
Hai Dong’s interest was piqued.He leaned in closer to scan Se Cai’s script and was dumbfounded.
It was unlike anything Se Caihad done before. All the mistakes he had come to expect from Se Cai was gone,and the piece flowed with impressive eloquence. It captured perfectly thefright and indignation surrounding the event.
It was a textbook sample.
“Xiao Se, I couldn’t find anerror if I wanted to, and trust me I want to. I’m mighty impressed. Send itover to the central news as it is. But next time, please mind us old folks anduse a bigger font size, would you?”
Manager Wei set his pen down andsaid. He fixed Se Cai with a dubious gaze.
As the station manager, he knewthe general standard of his every reporter. Their standard, as befitting the countystation level was on a low average, especially the reporters from . He knew Hai Dong had tried his best but he still frowned everytime a script from ’s reporters landed on his desk. However, Se Cai’s script hadovershot his expectation. It didn’t read at all like a script written by anamateur reporter!
“F*ck, you surely have cheatedsomehow, haven’t you?”
After Manager Wei left, Xu Ranstalked over angrily. He s.n.a.t.c.hed Se Cai’s script and scanned it. Even he hadto admit defeat. It was as Manager Wei said, perfect.
“Well done, Se Cai! I didn’tknow you could write so well! Looks like you have been biding your time,waiting for an important news to unleash your true talent.”
Hai Dong slapped Se Cai on hisshoulder and laughed heartily.
“Nah, Director Bai. Somehow, thewords just came easier today.”
Of course, Se Cai had nointention of revealing his Eye for News system, he added smilingly, “But,Director Bai, if there’s any more important script in the future, would youplease pa.s.s them to me? I promise I won’t let you down!”
“Best if they’re lead news orheadlines,” Se Cai continued in his mind, “that way he would earn the NewsPoint faster!”
“Finish this news first and we’llsee. We still have 40 minutes til broadcast, bring your script to Zhang Xin Yuand work with her on the voiceover. Be careful to make no mistake! In the meantime,I’ll help you contact the province city station’s liaison department.”
Hai Dong pa.s.sed the script overthe Se Cai and pointed at the dubbing studio.
Embarra.s.sing flashbacks fromearlier entered Se Cai’s mind and he hedged, “Do I really need to be therepersonally…? I’m sure Director Bai has full faith in Zhang Xin Yu’s performancequality, me being there will only distract her.”
“Cut the c.r.a.p. I’m giving you agood chance here, Xu Ran would have killed to take your place!” Hai Dong saidwith a wink.
“Yes, I go. I’ll gladly replaceSe Cai!”
Xu Ran sprung up like an eagerrabbit and volunteered earnestly.
If Se Cai wouldn’t embrace theopportunity of spending some precious alone time with the beauty, Zhang Xin Yu,he was more than willing to take his place.
“We don’t have time for allthese nonsense. I’m the producer here so listen to me. Xu Ran, you stay tofinish prepare the newsreel materials so that everything’s ready to go when thevoiceover’s completed!”
Hai Dong ordered in hisstrictest tone.
Having Xu Ran alone with ZhangXin Yu would truly distract the anchorwoman. Hai Dong wasn’t that dumb tosabotage such an important piece of news.
Xu Ran sat back down resentfullybut before he faded out of sight, he glared warningly at Se Cai.