, DirectorBai Hai Dong.
DirectorBai just turned 30 that year but he had joined the County Tv Station as an internsince he was 19. He had a pa.s.sable looks and was the friendliest of all thestation directors. He treated his subordinates like friends and always had asmile to greet the world.
Therefore,it came as a surprise for Se Cai when he heard Director Bai argued with thestation manager on his behalf. Director Bai failed to demand justice for Se Caibut he did end up winning Se Cai’s utmost respect and admiration.
“DirectorBai, h.e.l.lo,” Se Cai coughed after he picked up the phone.
“XiaoSe [Xiao means small, Xie Se is a term of endearment], nice to hear from you. Iintend to visit you today but Gao Xiang told me you were already dischargedyesterday afternoon. Are you sure you’re feeling fully rested?” Hai Dongintoned in his local accent, “Don’t leave early just to save the medical bills.I’ve given the station most of our youth, the least they can do is to pay yourmedical bills. Just send me your bills and I’ll get them reimbursed for you.”
“Ican cover the bills myself, Director Bai, thanks anyway.”
SeCai didn’t want to trouble Director Bai because he knew the company’s medicalbenefits didn’t extend to cover the temps. The fact that Director even cared tosuggest so was good enough for Se Cai.
“SeCai, you’re part of my production team so I swear I’ll fight tooth and nail foryou.”
DirectorBai paused before continuing in a disappointed tone, “Who am I kidding? Youmust have heard already, the best I can get the station to do for you was toscript you into the system… I’m sorry. But please take this opportunity torest. There’s no need to rush back to work.”
“Really,Direction Bai, I’m doing just fine.” Se Cai said appreciatively, “I still havea few scripts to finish at work plus I have no close families or friends inCounty S, instead of staring at my room’s four walls, I might as well head towork.”
Ofcourse, Se Cai’s true intention was to finish the script so that they can getpublished and earn himself some News Point.
“XiaoSe, you’ve got to learn how to take it slow… Fine, I’ll allow you to come infor the day but please take care of your health,” Director Bai advised beforecutting off.
Se Caiput down his phone and felt his heart warmed.
He knewthe phone call was perfunctory but he didn’t mind it in the least.
Afterall, it was Director Bai who helped him secure this rented house when he firstarrived at County S with no one to turn to. Now, it was again Director Bai whostood against the station manager for his behalf.
Se Cairushed in and out of the bathroom. On his way to the Tv Station, he bought abun to munch on.
CountyS wasn’t at all big so Se Cai’s rented apartment was only 10 minutes away fromthe Tv Station.
“Oh my,isn’t that the great hero that save our star anchorwoman? Why are you at work?People might think County S Tv Station are exploiting its workers.”
Agangly teen who had a camera in his hand said snidely as Se Cai stepped throughthe station entrance. He was in casual wear, sporting a white T-shirt, army-printslacks and a pair of fashionable sneakers.
Theteen was Xu Ran, County S Tv Station’s Vice Manager Xu’s son. It was an opensecret that he got his job only through his father’s connection. He had noofficial role and was initially part of the broadcasting team by name.
Hevoluntarily asked for a transfer to ’s team when Zhang XinYu arrived. Even the blind could see his intention. Xin Yuthough paid him no mind, barely acknowledging his existence. Now that Se Caihad saved Xin Yu, he had inadvertently stepped on Xu Ran’s tail.
Se Caiunderstood the open hostility but since he had no intention of having any relationshipwith Xin Yu, he decided to ignore the man.
“XiaoSe, how are you? Are you still hurting?”
A femalevoice behind Xu Ran asked concernedly.
Thevoice belonged to Huang Xi. The girl looked young in her sharp bob, small statureand professional suit. In reality, she was reaching 30, one of the founders of. “Thanksfor asking, Sister Huang. I’m fully recovered.”
Se Caismiled.
“That’sgood to know. When we visited you, you were still unconscious and the doctorsaid there was internal bleeding in your head. It looked worse than when I wasin the hospital… You surely gave us a fright.”
It sounded like Huang Xi had her ownrun-in with thugs before. Of course, it was not uncommon for reporters onsociety beat to run into altercations. However, things tended to be on thelighter side… Se Cai’s incident was one of the heavier isolated cases.
“Goodmorning, Director Bai. Any a.s.signments for me today?”
Se Caiasked with a smile as he waltzed into the newsroom.
Sittingin the deepest corner of the room was a short, stocky man wearing ablack-rimmed gla.s.ses. This was Bai Hai Dong, the producer and news director for. DirectorBai had in his hand a memo pad and was in the middle of a discussion with GaoXiang that sat beside him.
“XiaoSe, you’re here! Remember to take it easy. We’re just in the middle of amorning meeting,” Hai Dong replied as he lifted his head to smile at Se Cai,then he added with concern, “You’re still recovering, so I’m not going to giveyou any outstation a.s.signment. Just stay at your table and finish your scripts.”
The phone that sat in front of DirectorBai was their program’s hotline. People called in to offer news leads or tips.It was during morning meeting that Director Bai delegates his people to followup on these leads.
“No,Director Bai. My body’s fine so just treat it as any other day. Plus, Iunderstand that the station’s running low on staff…”
Se Caisaid pleadingly.
Therewere still some healing bruises on his body but Se Cai couldn’t wait to go outand earn some more News Point, to expand the features on his Eye for Newssystem.
Furthermore,there was truth to what Se Cai said. The station was running low on staff.Their program team had few contributors, not counting Hai Dong the producer andXin Yu the host, there were only 5 reporters.
If he was set off work, they would have toask other program teams for help.
“Don’tstress yourself, Xiao Se. Yes, the station’s low on staff but not until thestage where it needs to exploit the sick. So just stays put and finishes yourscript.”
HaiDong shook his head before turning to address the room, “that’s all thea.s.signments for today. If you have any additional leads, now is the time toshare. We might have a hotline but as a reporter, we must keep our eyes peeledbecause news can happen anywhere...”
“Sorry, Director Bai. We have nothing…” theroom echoed.
Withtheir a.s.signments readily handed to them, who would be so hardworking to findadditional work for themselves? This was why there’s a saying that goes, humanare born lazy.