That night, County S Tv Stationstood like a solitary bulwark against the heavy rain.
Even though the broadcast wasover, it didn’t mean that everything was done. Many people, Se Cai includedstill hustled about the station.
It was a general belief that areporter’s day ends with the broadcasting of news and for the most time, that wastrue.
However, for unique cases like whenthere was important news, the program team had to stay after initial broadcast tocut and edit the film for reruns.
The reruns were for the stationhigher-ups that were perhaps too busy to catch the initial broadcast. This wasbeneficial for both because the program team thus had time to correct the mistakesfound during initial broadcast.
“Everyone must be tired aftersuch a long day, tonight’s supper on me.”
A tired-sounding Hai Dongannounced after the work was all wrapped up.
“It’s raining so heavilytonight. Thank you, Director Bai but count me out.”
Se Cai said, rubbing his overworkedeyes.
Se Cai actually had been givenearly leave for his impressive contribution but he had volunteered to stay toreplace the pregnant Editor Zao.
He was physically tired but wasmentally excited because a fresh harvest of News Point was coming in.
If his previous lead news in thecounty station nabbed him 10 points, he expected more from this piece thatheaded at least to the province station.
Se Cai might still be treatingeverything like a game but subtly his perception of his job had changed.
Before this, Se Cai entered thejournalistic world because he admired the elegance and grandeur of the anchorbut after realizing the harsh reality, his interest towards his job was slowlyeroded.
However, thanks to the Eye forNews system, perhaps not even to his knowledge, his initial pa.s.sion wasreignited!
“I too shall be leaving, I’mtired.”
Xin Yu added. She only stayedbecause there was correction to the voiceover.
After a long day of repeatingthe same script over and over again, she was no less tired than anyone else.
“Alright, you two be careful onthe way home then.”
Hai Dong patted Se Cai on hisshoulder before venturing out to the corridor for a cigarette break.
He had been hankering for onefor quite some time since the newsroom was a no-smoking zone.
“Uber is quite fantastic, I mustsay. There’s still driver service so late at night.”
Se Cai observed after flippingopen his vibrating cellphone. If not for the incident that morning, Se Caiwould have asked Xin Yu who drove to work for a ride. Other than that, therewas the consideration of their different genders. Since Xin Yu didn’t offer, itwould be too forward for Se Cai to ask.
Se Cai waved smilingly at Xin Yubefore darting out the door.
The rain outside continuedpouring while Se Cai scoured the office corridor for an umbrella. His only findwas a semi-broken umbrella that had the word “X Realtors” printed on it. Few ofits skeletal frames were already broken but he was in no position to choose.
Se Cai braved the weather to getto his ordered car. With just 2 steps, he was already soaking wet.
“So freaking cold, sir, pleaseget me to 105, XX Street.”
Se Cai slammed the doorhurriedly and said.
“Who are you?”
The driver had on a baseball capand sungla.s.ses. He asked rather rudely when Se Cai got in the car.
“I called Uber, your car plateis PL0523 right?”
Se Cai pulled out his phone toshow the man.
“I’m sorry but you got the wrongcar, please get down.”
The driver replied in a rigidtone.
“Driver sir, couldn’t you justdo me a favor? It’s already so late and it’s raining…”
Se Cai begged while pa.s.sing thedriver a cigarette reverentially.
One of Se Cai’s seniors tippedhim off to the importance of cigarettes in social conventions. Oftentimes, itcan be used as a relationship lubricant. Therefore, even though Se Cai didn’tsmoke, he always had a handy pack of cigarettes in his pocket.
“When I said no, I mean no. You’renot my designated pa.s.senger…”
The driver didn’t even move toaccept Se Cai’s offer.
“How about I double the fare…Please, driver sir, I’m begging you here…”
Se Cai pleaded with a helplessexpression.
Humans are realistic creatures.As a reporter, Se Cai had seen plenty examples of human greed. He believed thiswas ultimately what the man wanted.
Se Cai knew he shouldn’t usurpsomeone else’s ride but he was tired and wet, he just wanted to get home andtake a warm bath.
“This is not a matter of money!”
The driver retorted with morethan a hint of impatience in his voice.
Se Cai’s frustration turned intoanger.
“Why are you acting like this?We’re all paying customers, right? What’s the difference between me and yourcaller who isn’t even here!”
Agitated, Se Cai used hismind-reading power to get into this man’s mind.
“Boss ordered me to kidnap thefemale anchor but this fella here is making my life miserable. I swear if hedoesn’t get out in the next minute, I’m going to shoot him and shove him in thetrunk…”
Se Cai’s face blanched. That wascertainly not what he was expecting. Then, the door opened.
A woman scurried into the car,permeating it with her perfume.
“It’s you?”
A shocked Se Cai asked.
“Wait, why are you here? This is car number PL0523,isn’t it?”
The woman wore a white T-shirtand carried a blue handbag. It was Zhang Xin Yu.
Xin Yu too had fallen victim tothe rain. Her white T-shirt was drenched and Se Cai could see the pink outlineof the clothing underneath… The pattern seemed awfully familiar.
I thought it was a phase but it seemed likeshe’s in love with loli-style bras, the thought popped into Se Cai’s mindbefore he shook it out.
Se Cai quickly shifted his eyesaway. He coughed, “You already have a car, don’t you? Why are you fighting withpeople like myself who doesn’t have that luxury?”
Se Cai put 2 and 2 together andunderstood the female anchor the man was thinking about must be Zhang Xin Yu.
He most likely was up to nogood. Se Cai suspected he was one of the lackeys from Blue Sky Rehab.
Of course, he didn’t expect themto masquerade as an Uber driver to set a trap for Xin Yu.
“My car’s broken down. The enginewon’t start.”
Xin Yu explained, clutching herhandbag tightly to her chest.
Obviously, she knew how she lookedand she wasn’t to let Se Cai ogle her.
You drive a Lexus, they don’tbreak down so easily, it’s so obvious it has been tampered with!
Se Cai wanted to yell at Xin Yubut was apprehensive of the driver.
After all, Se Cai knew the manwas armed.
“We’re colleagues, why are youacting like I’m some kind of s.e.xual predator.”
Se Cai tried to drag out theconversation, hoping to drop hints in it somehow.
Xin Yu retreated further intothe door, as if she was actually afraid of Se Cai.
“If you’re so afraid of being inthe same car with me, get out and get another ride.”
Se Cai saw Xin Yu’s reaction anddecided to play into her preconceived notion.
“You’re such an uncouth man. Icalled for this car, didn’t I?”
Xin Yu argued indignantly.
“Well, you know the real metoday. Behind you is the door if you don’t want to share a car with me.”
Se Cai crossed his arms andstared at Xin Yu.
However, out of the corner ofhis eye, he kept watch over the driver. If the man did anything weird, heplanned to drag Xin Yu out the car.
The driver though was watchingthe both of them silently through the rear view mirror. He didn’t seem like hewas going to make a move.
“You… hoodlum!”
Xin Yu spat while pointing anaccusatory finger at Se Cai.
She turned to open the doorbehind her and made to leave the car.
“Finally, the plan’s working!”
Se Cai’s mouth twitched in aslight smile.
However, before Xin Yu got out,she looked at the pouring rain outside and closed the door again. She slumpedin the seat and glared at Se Cai.
Her face was wet and it wasn’tall rain.
“Hey, star anchorwoman, are youcrying?”
Se Cai teased ratherunconvincingly. He was finding it hard to keep up the façade. He wanted toforce Xin Yu out, not make her cry.
Xin Yu was used to peopletreating her with respect or admiration. She was crying because she was feelinghelpless and mad at herself for her inability to handle a hoodlum like Se Cai.