Chapter Seventy-Six: A Person of True Ability

The woman named Liao Tong was about thirty, mature, composed, and elegant—she was the type who appealed to all ages, both a perfect wife and mother. As the head of the news team, she clearly possessed both beauty and talent.

“You’re not here just to ogle pretty women, are you?” Bai Bing whispered behind Wang Zheng.

Wang Zheng glanced at her, his gaze saying plainly: You guessed right! Yet, faced with so many beautiful women, Wang Zheng wouldn’t sacrifice his poise to reprimand Bai Bing in public. Instead, he moved to stand beside Su Xue, pointed at Bai Bing and said, feigning confusion, “Who is she? I don’t know her. If she’s not a staff member, I suggest she be removed.”

“I’ll call security...!” Su Xue grinned, ready to leave. She was happy to see this side of Wang Zheng. But just as she turned, Chu Jun pulled her back.

“Enough playing, or we’ll really be late!” Chu Jun said, then addressed Wang Zheng, “Brother, we’re holding a mid-year work summary at the station. Would you like to join us?”

“Is that okay?” Wang Zheng’s eyes shifted to Liao Tong.

“No problem, follow us,” Liao Tong replied with a smile, leading the way into the room where Zhang Qianqian, the beautiful woman from before, had entered.

Wang Zheng was about to thank her when a sharp pain shot through his arm. He turned to see Bai Bing glaring at him as if she’d devour him, clearly still upset about earlier.

Your anger brings me joy—healthy, happy, good living!

Stepping into the room, Wang Zheng was startled—it was a conference hall, spacious as a large event venue. From the entrance to the front desk spanned over ten meters; it could easily accommodate more than a hundred people.

Perhaps their chatting outside had delayed them, for the hall was already filled with people in clusters, almost like little factions scattered around. But what caught Wang Zheng’s eye most, naturally, were the beautiful women—this TV station truly was a feast for the eyes.

“Do you all have little cliques here too?” Wang Zheng asked Su Xue quietly.

“There’s no rule, but people from the same department like to sit together. Our news department usually sits in front, just come sit with me,” Su Xue replied, striding forward confidently.

In every TV station, the news department is the core. Especially news anchors—it’s not a position just anyone can fill. Elsewhere, connections might get you hosting entertainment or children’s shows, but never news. And Jinghua TV Station broadcast not only to Jinghua City but also nationwide and even overseas. Imagine letting a children’s show host anchor the news—kids might love it, but would the big shots?

Wang Zheng sat in the front row, conspicuous, especially in his seat among the four star female anchors of the news team, plus Bai Bing—a lone man amid a sea of flowers, standing out even if he wanted to keep a low profile. Liao Tong and the others were known faces, but Wang Zheng and Bai Bing—especially Wang Zheng—were unfamiliar. Was he the new male anchor? But why hadn’t anyone seen him before?

Some sharp-eyed staff, after seeing Wang Zheng chat with Su Xue, immediately recognized him: wasn’t he the man who hugged Su Xue in the lobby days ago? That incident had shaken the entire TV center. But why was he here now? Peculiar!

Wang Zheng wasn’t bothered by the attention; his skin was thick enough. He openly turned to survey the room, as if reviewing a parade, searching for the group with the most beautiful women.

“Where’s the entertainment team?” Wang Zheng nudged Su Xue, whispering.

“Over there...” Su Xue saw Wang Zheng scanning the hall and understood his intent, her expression cooling as she replied curtly, “No idea!”

“If you don’t know, don’t act like you do! You got my hopes up for nothing,” Wang Zheng muttered, but it didn’t stop him from admiring the beauty around him.

“Wang Zheng, behave yourself—don’t embarrass me!” Bai Bing jabbed Wang Zheng’s chest with her elbow, feeling the pressure of sitting beside the “lecherous man under a hundred gazes.”

Bai Bing truly wanted to shout what Wang Zheng had told her at noon to everyone here: “I’m not with him!”

Had Wang Zheng listened to Bai Bing, he’d have returned to the organization instead of sitting here ogling. But Wang Zheng went his own way, brazenly admiring row upon row of beauties. Enjoying pretty women isn’t just pleasing to the eye—it soothes the soul and sparks endless imagination.

“Hey!” Wang Zheng nudged Su Xue, whispering, “Who’s the woman in the fourth row, far right?”

“No idea,” Su Xue replied, impatient.

“If you don’t tell me, you’re not going home,” Wang Zheng threatened.

Su Xue exhaled heavily, shot Wang Zheng a fierce glare, then glanced in the direction he indicated. Her gloomy face suddenly brightened as she smiled at Wang Zheng, “Don’t bother—she’s married, her kid could buy soy sauce already!”

“Oh, I just thought her forehead’s too broad—if she grew out her bangs, she’d look better,” Wang Zheng commented, shifting his gaze elsewhere.

At that moment, the hall doors opened again; six people entered, led by a man in his forties. His gold-rimmed glasses and slicked-back hair made him look every bit the elite—a model of success.

“That’s Chu Zihua, director of Jinghua TV Station and head of production, Chu Jun’s uncle,” Bai Bing explained for Wang Zheng.

“Chu Jun’s uncle?” Wang Zheng was taken aback, glancing at Chu Jun beside Su Xue.

Since Bai Bing spoke so softly only Wang Zheng could hear, Chu Jun was puzzled by Wang Zheng’s sudden questioning look. Wang Zheng felt awkward, quickly withdrawing his gaze, then whispered to Bai Bing, “How did you know?”

“When Su Xue mentioned job hunting to you, I thought you’d come here, so I researched the place ahead of time,” Bai Bing replied quietly. “Don’t underestimate Chu Jun—the Chu family has real influence in Jinghua City. Her father’s a soldier, likely your father’s old subordinate. Her mother’s dean of Jinghua University’s Physics Department, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a Cheung Kong Scholar... Want to hear more?”

“No, that’s enough!” Wang Zheng blinked. He’d always thought Chu Jun was just an idol, but now he realized she was a powerhouse. But Wang Zheng was still puzzled. He asked Bai Bing, “With all that family clout, why does she live with Su Xue—and now with me?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Make it short,” Wang Zheng pressed.

Bai Bing thought for a moment, organized her thoughts, and said, “When Su Xue left the organization and applied to be a host, the director found out. Through Chu Jun’s father’s connections...”

“No need, I get it!” Wang Zheng cut her off. So that’s the captain’s doing. No wonder Chu Jun’s parents let her mix with Su Xue—after all, they’re all in on it.

“Haha, you’re quick to learn!” Bai Bing nodded, verbally praising Wang Zheng’s understanding.

“Hey, get lost!” Wang Zheng quipped.

As they spoke, Chu Zihua stepped up to the podium, while the others took their seats. Chu Zihua checked his watch, then spoke into the microphone: “Aside from those dispatched outside, is anyone missing?”

After a moment with no response, Chu Zihua nodded, “Since everyone’s here, the mid-year summary will begin now. As usual, the news team leader goes first.”

As this was an internal meeting, there were no ceremonies—everything was straightforward and focused on substance.

With that, Liao Tong stood from the front row and approached the podium; Chu Zihua sat to the side, quietly conversing with another leader.

Liao Tong’s voice was graceful—though not as melodious as Su Xue’s or Chu Jun’s, it had a soothing, captivating quality that made her approachable. Wang Zheng listened attentively, more focused than the station staff themselves.

Bai Bing looked at this “hopeless” man beside her, convinced Wang Zheng was once again smitten with the woman on stage. She regretted not stopping him from coming to the station. For the nth time, Bai Bing jabbed Wang Zheng and whispered, “This is an internal meeting—shouldn’t we, as outsiders, leave?”

“It’s always news on TV; now I get to see it live—how great!” Wang Zheng replied, eyes glued to the woman on stage. Whether he was truly interested in the broadcast style or just the woman herself was anyone’s guess.

“Lin Xiaolei is wreaking havoc at Zhongtian, ruining the company you worked so hard to save—can you just sit here?” Bai Bing’s only thought now was to get Wang Zheng out of this “den of temptation.”

“I didn’t work that hard—companies like that, I could save hundreds in a day. Whether it goes bankrupt or not doesn’t concern me. If you’re anxious, go ahead—I’ll leave later.”

Bai Bing panicked. If Wang Zheng were left alone, unsupervised, what chaos would ensue? The women here would all be at risk!

With so many eyes watching, Bai Bing couldn’t forcibly drag Wang Zheng away, nor was she his match. Unable to persuade him, Bai Bing resolved to keep a close watch, shadowing him until he left the station.

Yes, that’s the plan!