Xia Ling smiled gently as she spoke, "Our news department is filled with graduates from prestigious schools, well-educated professionals. I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding. Even if this were true, it couldn't have been anyone from our department."
"As for the prime-time hosting position, I have no intention of competing with Ci You for it. She can have it."
Xia Ling's voice was soft and soothing, as melodious as a songbird in the forest.
With just a few words, she smoothly shifted the conversation.
Vivian gave Xia Ling a grateful glance.
Not only had she protected her dignity, but she had also diverted everyone's attention by voluntarily giving up the prime-time host role.
Jiang Ci You chuckled coldly.
"It sounds like you're suggesting that the hosting position was already yours to give, and now you're kindly handing it over to me."
"Ci You, you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant at all."
"Then what did you mean?"
"Alright, enough. No more arguing."
Tang Fei finally cut in, clearly frustrated.
"Regarding the prime-time hosting role, here's what we'll do. Our station is planning to interview a very important figure. Whoever secures the exclusive interview will become the prime-time host."
"Of course, the interview must be completed within a week, so the two of you better hurry."
Someone curiously asked, "Director, who is this important figure?"
Director Tang responded, "The Crown Prince of the Jing Circle, Bo Jin Xiu."
The crowd was shocked. "Isn't the Crown Prince of Jing Circle supposed to be in the capital? And even the capital stations haven't managed to interview him. How could he possibly accept an interview from a small local station like ours?"
Zhao Yuan from the photography department chimed in, "Are you guys seriously journalists and don't know this? The Crown Prince has been living in seclusion in Rong City for the past three years. The mysterious BK Group here is actually a subsidiary of the Bo family. Rong City is about to start a central government-approved resort development project, and he's in charge. Only insiders know this; it hasn't been made public yet."
"If it hasn't been announced, how do you know about it?"
"I don't know much about the project myself, but my sister's classmate's cousin knows the Jiang family heiress. She attended Old Madam Bo's seventieth birthday banquet recently, where all the top families of Rong City were invited. That's how word got out about the Crown Prince living in Rong City."
Tang Fei nodded, "That's right. I'm sure you've all heard of Bo Jin Xiu. The Bo family is the wealthiest in the country, and Bo Jin Xiu is their sole heir. To this day, he's never accepted an interview from any media outlet."
"If the Crown Prince has never done an interview before, it proves he's extremely private. This could be a difficult task."
"The resort project is about to be announced. This is our chance. We should give it a try. Of course, even if it's a long shot, it's still a major challenge. If it doesn't work out, we'll just let it go. But if we succeed, it would be a monumental achievement, something even the top stations in the capital have failed to do."
Tang Fei's eyes gleamed, "I believe in you two. Whoever pulls this off will undoubtedly earn the prime-time hosting role. If neither of you succeed, I have other ways to evaluate your performance."
As they left the meeting room, Jiang Ci You's expression turned serious.
Xia Ling approached her, stopping by her desk, "Ci You, didn't you also attend Old Madam Bo's birthday banquet? Why doesn't anyone in the station know you're the daughter of the Jiang family?"
Jiang Ci You looked up, "Xia Ling, why did you come to work at the TV station? Taking away Yan Feng wasn't enough, now you want to steal my job too?"
Xia Ling still wore an innocent expression, "You've misunderstood me. I just feel that my skills are best suited for this job. I never intended to take anything from you, and as for Yan Feng, I didn't steal him either."
"Oh?" Jiang Ci You leaned lazily against her soft leather chair like a contented cat. "I've always wondered what happened during that summer camp you attended with Yan Feng. He wasn't the type to be easily swayed, was he?"
When Yan Feng was with her, he treated her with care and affection. Jiang Ci You could feel that he loved her.
But after returning from summer camp, Yan Feng was a completely different person.
All the love had vanished, replaced by cold disdain.
Xia Ling's face reddened slightly, as if recalling something from a few years ago.
Jiang Ci You seemed to guess what had happened. "Forget it, I'm not interested in dirty little details."
"No, it's not like what you think," Xia Ling hurried to explain.
But Jiang Ci You had lost her patience. She stood up, "Xia Ling, don't provoke me, or I might become the person I was three years ago."
"Move. I need to get my makeup done."
Jiang Ci You had to prepare for her midday news broadcast.
As Jiang Ci You disappeared from her sight, Xia Ling's expression suddenly turned icy.
Jiang Ci You, I will take everything from you. Your husband, your job, your family—I will steal it all. You'll be left abandoned, despised, and utterly ruined. I'm just waiting for that day.
Then you'll understand why I'm doing this.
That night.
Xia Ling returned to the suite at Kyoto Grand Hotel.
Yan Feng had already come back.
Xia Ling approached him with a delighted expression, "Didn't you say you were going to the Yan family estate today?"
Yan Feng came over, wrapped an arm around Xia Ling's shoulders, and rested his hand on her abdomen. "I missed you and the baby."
A shy smile appeared on Xia Ling's face. "Just hearing you say that makes me content, no matter where you are."
Yan Feng pulled her into his arms, "Xia Ling, I feel bad for putting you through this."
Xia Ling's voice was gentle, "As long as your heart is with me, I don't feel wronged at all. Ah Feng, once the baby is born, we'll be such a happy little family."
Yan Feng said, "Don't worry. I'll settle things with Jiang Ci You soon. I promise I'll give you and the baby a proper place in my life."
At the mention of Jiang Ci You, Yan Feng's face turned cold.
He seemed to remember something, "Today was your first day at the TV station. Did Jiang Ci You bully you?"
Xia Ling's eyes flickered slightly, "No... She knows. She resents me for taking you, so she's always like that towards me."
"Did she bully you? I knew it. I'll go settle this with her right now."
Xia Ling quickly grabbed his arm, her voice soft and seemingly filled with self-sacrifice, "Don't. Being with you is worth all the little grievances. Going back now will only make things worse, and your parents will dislike me even more. Some things I can endure and they'll pass."
Thinking about his parents' bias against Xia Ling, Yan Feng paused.
He pulled her back into his embrace and said, "If you ever feel wronged, you must tell me. I won't let Jiang Ci You continue to mistreat you. And remember, I was never hers to begin with. You didn't steal me from her. Jiang Ci You doesn't deserve me."
Leaning against Yan Feng's chest, a sharp glint flickered in Xia Ling's eyes.
Then she softly asked, "Ah Feng, have you ever met Bo Jin Xiu? Do you know much about the Crown Prince of Jing Circle?"