“Withmy current 103 News Point, should I trade for this mind-reading skill?”
Se Caithought to himself.
Hischoices were the mind-reading unit or the storage unit. Since he felt storingitems in his eye was too awkward, and he didn’t really need such a skill, heopted for the other available choice.
“Tradesuccessful.”
AfterSe Cai’s confirmation, the voice announced in his mind. Instinctually, he felthis brain gained something extra.
“I’vebeen a reporter for almost a year and had published multiple news but those onlyadded up to 103 points? This system sure is stingy.”
Se Cairealized trading for the mind-reading skill had almost cleaned his collectedNews Point.
If thiswas how things would go, it would be another year before he could trade foranother item.
“Havinga lead news only nabs me 10 News Point, I’m sure normal news will get me less.I’ll have to work harder to get my hands on those other goodies.”
In anycase, the appearance of this mysterious system took his mind off hisunfortunate incident and Se Cai was itching to try his new mind-reading skillout.
Regrettably,Gao Xiang wasn’t around and there was no else in the room.
Rightthen, a series of footsteps sounded outside his room. Based on the commotion,it appeared to be quite a large group. Then, their conversation wafted into SeCai’s ears.
“Thesickbay ahead should be his. The d.a.m.n reporter himself asked for it by meddlingin our business…”
“Yup,all the reporters are the same, every one of them has that punchable face!”
“Shutit, you two. There are ears behind these walls. Later, you guys just standquietly while I talk to the guy. After all, he’s already a dead man forcrossing our Headmaster w.a.n.g!”
Theperson behind this last sentence had a nasally accent and had a commandingpresence because he shut down the whole gang with just one sentence.
Then,the corridor door opened with a creak. The sound of footsteps came closer andcloser.
Thenasally voice reminded Se Cai of something, then it dawned on him, “I recognizethis voice when the thugs was a.s.saulting me in front of the Blue Sky Rehab! Butwhy are they here… Could they possibly dare to create a scene at a hospital?”
Thenthe door to his room opened to reveal a gang of people.
Awell-groomed, obese middle-aged man walked in first. Based on the person’sbulging stomach, Se Cai was even more sure that this man was there at the BlueSky Rehab.
Behindthe man was a sizeable crowd and in a matter of seconds, his room was full.
“You’reSe Cai from County S Tv Station?”
The man offered in lieu of greetings, “You cancall me Wong, I’m the manager for Blue Sky Rehab’s security office. Previously,we mistook our reporter friend here for a thief, we’re so very sorry!”
The man’smouth curved into a smile and took from his briefcase a credit card. He set iton Se Cai’s bedside table, adding, “Of course Blue Sky Rehab will provide fullcooperation for the media’s investigative needs. As way of apology, ourheadmaster w.a.n.g would like to pay for Mr Se’s medical expenses… The pa.s.swordfor this card here is 8888-8888… Please take this as a form of repayment andaccept our apology.”
Se Caiwas startled by his effusive apology. This money coupled with promise ofsystemization, the people at Blue Sky Rehab really didn’t want this news out.
Se Caithought to say, “You think you can buy my silence with such pittance?” but heswallowed it.
The manhad been nothing but courteous but Se Cai understood the underlying threat. Atthe end of the day, he was only a temp reporter, there was no way he could winthis.
Se Caismothered his anger and forced a smile, “Headmaster w.a.n.g is being too kind. I’msure it’s all just a misunderstanding, plus the injury’s not serious because I’mleaving the hospital tomorrow…”
“It’swonderful that you’re being so understanding. I sincerely wish you a speedyrecovery…”
The mansmiled kindly as he moved to pat Se Cai on his shoulder.
“Something’swrong!”
Se Caiwas alarmed. The man was acting too courteous… and what about the things hesaid out in the corridor?
Hesuspected the man had hidden intentions.
“Ifonly I can read his mind… Wait, I can!”
Andwasn’t this the perfect situation for an experiment?
A rowof shining paragraph appeared above the man’s forehead, it said, “This dudemust have forgotten who our boss is. The money’s to buy one of his arms! Headmasterhas already bribed the doctor to tweak his medicine so he’ll no longer hold acamera again in his life. Next will be that reporter b.i.t.c.h. These people needto be taught a lesson!”
Se Caiexpected as much but to have the man’s actual thought exposed still came as ashock.
“Alright,young man, rest well and remember to cooperate with the doctor. Our headmaster wouldlike to invite you for lunch when you’re out of the hospital. He would like topersonally apologize.”
Unknownto the fact that his inner thoughts had already been exposed, the man kept uphis cheerful charade before retreating out of the room.
Usinghis super hearing, Se Cai picked up on the rest of the conversation thatcontinued outside his room, “Stupid reporter! Didn’t he realize he is literallynothing if compared to our boss?! Boys, this is the power of our boss… Withjust one order, he could make this reporter’s life miserable, stripping him ofhis livelihood!”
“F*ck,these people are unbelievable!”
Se Caislapped his bedside table angrily, knocking over the water gla.s.s that sat onit.
Itsalleged forceful detention aside, the Blue Sky Rehab had a.s.saulted reporters,and even bribed the hospital. Was there still law in the world?
It wasnot hard to believe the rehab’s closet to be filled with skeletons.
Se Caihad the heart to topple this Headmaster w.a.n.g and his supporter, the departmenthead w.a.n.g Run Fa but he was only a lowly temp reporter. He could barely savehimself much less pose a threat to others.
He waslucky to have escaped this tragedy with the aid of the mind-reading skill butwhat about next time?
“If allelse fails, I’ll expose this evil rehab on the provincial city station news oreven the central news, we’ll see where you hide then!”
Se Caiswore fervently.
Town Zbelonged to the jurisdiction of County S. As powerful as County S’ PublicityDepartment, its stranglehold didn’t reach beyond the county’s news stations. Ifthe news was brought to the provincial level, then even department head w.a.n.gcouldn’t suppress it.
Se Caithough knew this was a dream. The only way news from County S could reach thecentral news was through Town Z of County S’ city news then Provincial X’sprovincial news and then only finally the central news. And there weregatekeepers every step of the way.
Therefore,unless all the producers from County S went blind, there was no way a smallproducer from Town Z would purposely cross the County Publicity Departmenthead.
Rightthen, a crisp ding crossed Se Cai’s mind. It was followed by the familiar malevoice, and another row of shiny paragraph.
“Acquirednews lead, accept new a.s.signment? a.s.signment objective: Expose Blue Sky Rehabon Tv. Completion rewards: 200 News Point and 1 Rank E Authorization.”
“Thisthing even gives out a.s.signments?”
Asurprised Se Cai blurted. This system reminded him more and more of an onlinegame.
However,his attention was quickly grabbed by the 200 News Point. That amount wasgreater than the total of 103 points he had collected over a year!
Theattraction was definitely there!