Chapter 8: Tactful and Polite Guan Shan |
Seeing that even the president had been alerted, News Department Director Peng Fei quickly stepped forward to explain, "It's nothing, really. It’s about last night's fire. Director Jiang was asking if we got any first-hand material."
He was clearly trying to smooth things over for Guan Shan, changing the nature of the issue from "questioning one person" to "asking everyone."
This way, if Li Zhiying didn’t pursue it further, the matter would be settled as a general inquiry.
No matter how argumentative Jiang Siyang was, he wouldn’t dare to push against the president under such unjust circumstances and would have to let it go.
And the issue would be settled.
Though Peng Fei appeared silent and honest, he was actually much more cunning than Jiang Siyang.
However, Li Zhiying didn’t intend to accept this muddling explanation.
She glanced around, stopping for a few seconds on the angry Shen Dinghua and the still tense Guan Shan and Jiang Siyang, understanding the situation.
"For such a small matter, there's no need to call someone up for a separate questioning, is there?"
Jiang Siyang immediately put on a businesslike demeanor, smiling insincerely, "I was just giving some education to some young folks who lack ambition. They don't take their work seriously and can’t handle criticism. How can such people work properly?"
Although he had inexplicably lost some momentum earlier, he absolutely did not believe that Guan Shan could produce any real photos.
If there were any first-hand materials, those chasing hot topics like wild dogs would have released them already.
The lack of any news indicated either there were no witnesses, or the news was suppressed.
He knew this well; otherwise, how could he exploit it?
As long as this was certain, he didn’t believe Guan Shan could turn the tables.
Could he conjure materials out of thin air?
Since things were already confrontational, Guan Shan didn’t bother dealing with Jiang Siyang politely anymore. He stood tall and said calmly, "Director Jiang, my seriousness and work quality should be evaluated by Director Peng."
"And you… with all due respect, you spend your days drinking tea in the office, without even turning on your computer. How would you know how I work?"
Jiang Siyang was furious: "How dare you mock me?!"
Guan Shan gave him a strange look: "No, no, you misunderstood."
Jiang Siyang thought he was about to back down, his face softening slightly, only to hear Guan Shan continue, "I was just stating facts, how is that mockery?"
He smacked his lips and sighed, "Sometimes I find you quite amazing. Always unseen and untraceable, yet somehow, you are mysteriously omnipresent and noticeable."
Guan Shan said politely, "Have you ever thought you’re very much like a fart?"
Everyone in the office immediately bent over their desks, their shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter, the sound of muffled snickers rising and falling like a symphony.
Shen Dinghua outright laughed.
Seeing Guan Shan’s attitude shift, her worry vanished.
Xiao Shan always had his own ideas. Once he decided to do something, he must have considered the consequences and countermeasures.
At times like this, all she needed to do was support and wait.
"You!"
Jiang Siyang had never been publicly insulted like this before, his face turning livid as he pointed at Guan Shan, angrily complaining to Li Zhiying, "President, look at his attitude!"
"He’s already insulting his superior. Who knows what he’ll do in the future! Such a person should not stay!"
Guan Shan sneered: "Insult?"
"Even if you don’t understand or know the quality of my work, since I started, I’ve never missed a day, always completing my tasks on time, even if it means working late into the night. This can be verified by checking the records."
"But in your eyes, I’m a 'lazy, incompetent, unserious, unreliable' failure!"
His eyes burned with anger: "Who exactly is insulting whom?!"
Seeing the situation escalating, Peng Fei, sweating profusely, looked around, feeling helpless.
At this point, there was no way to mediate…
Sigh, Peng Fei thought, he really appreciated Guan Shan’s drive and principles. The young man usually knew how to be patient.
But today, he seemed ready to risk his career.
Now, it all depended on the president's stance! "Tap, tap, tap!"
Li Zhiying finally acted. She tapped the desk with her slender fingers, sternly saying, "Quiet, do you think this is the place for this?"
Jiang Siyang, almost bursting with rage at Guan Shan, was about to scold him loudly, but Li Zhiying's words silenced him, choking on his words and glaring angrily.
Of all times, why now?!
The kid had finished talking, and he had no chance to rebut, forced to put down his finger pointed at Guan Shan.
In fact, from the brief exchange, Li Zhiying already understood what had happened.
She knew Jiang Siyang's character and abilities well.
He was a middle-aged dilettante. His position in the newspaper was largely due to his elderly father's significant status in the newspaper industry.
Given the relationship between their elders, Li Zhiying had given him the position.
Today’s issue was likely Jiang Siyang making trouble out of nothing.
She was unexpectedly impressed by Guan Shan, this young reporter who had just recently become a full-time employee. He was bold… but Jiang Siyang’s behavior was indeed excessive.
She did need a reason to rein him in.
Guan Shan… might be a good choice.
But first, he needed to prove his ability.
Li Zhiying pondered, then asked Guan Shan, "You said you could get photos of the fire scene?"
Guan Shan nodded.
Jiang Siyang felt a pang of worry. This meant she was going to support Guan Shan!
If this kid got through today, his reputation would be ruined!
Jiang Siyang, disregarding his anger, quickly said, "He’s just talking nonsense. If even the media has no news, how can a junior reporter have the capability?"
Li Zhiying's sharp eyes silenced him: "As media professionals, we should let facts speak. How do you know he can’t?"
Her words mirrored Guan Shan's earlier mockery! But this time, it came from his superior…
Jiang Siyang had nothing to say, sulking in silence.
Li Zhiying turned to Guan Shan: "I’m preparing a special edition on fire safety for the upcoming fire safety day. If you can get the photos, they will be included in the recent fire examples. You and Director Peng will be responsible for the content."
She squinted her eyes, her gaze sharp: "But if you’re lying…"
Guan Shan glanced at Jiang Siyang and solemnly said, "Then I will resign myself."
"Good."
Li Zhiying nodded in satisfaction: "News is time-sensitive. I’ll give you only one day."
The matter was settled.
Jiang Siyang had initially panicked when Li Zhiying mentioned Guan Shan taking charge of the special edition, but then he realized Guan Shan couldn’t possibly get the photos!
This was self-destruction! Ah, this was solid! Thinking of Guan Shan’s inevitable exposure and angry resignation, Jiang Siyang felt his tea would taste sweeter.
"Just need to get the ceiling fixed…"