Despite going to the editorial department, everyone who returned said that no matter how hard they tried to learn, they wouldn't be involved in their core business.
It was all errands, truly no learning opportunities.
"It's fine, Editor-in-Chief. Just let me go. I feel I still have much to learn."
"Darling, there's nothing to learn there."
"I know. Colleagues who returned said it's tough, but it's the editorial department. There must be something worth learning. Please, just let me go. Consider it like sending me to the mountains, Editor-in-Chief."
The Editor-in-Chief on the phone was quite perplexed, but hearing Shi Xinxin's tone, she seemed determined.
"If I were sending you to the mountains, that would be better. Going to the mountains might at least allow you to uncover news that other magazines don't have. But there, what is there? Just hardship."
"Then consider it my diet," Shi Xinxin chuckled carelessly.
"You insist on going? Are you sure? Have you thought it through?"
"I've decided. Editor-in-Chief, I've thought about it repeatedly. I really want to go." Shi Xinxin answered the Editor-in-Chief again and again.
"Alright then." The Editor-in-Chief reluctantly agreed. Although Shi Xinxin hadn't shown exceptional talent yet, since being appointed as the columnist editor, it was evident she was putting in her best effort to learn. She was a potential star.
Sending her to the editorial department as an intern for useless learning, the Editor-in-Chief felt somewhat unwilling.
"Editor-in-Chief, when do I leave?"
"That's not an issue. You can leave anytime, but the deadline is still far off. You can rest for a few more days. Didn't you request leave?"
"It's alright, Editor-in-Chief. I'm feeling much better. Can I leave tonight?"
"Ah? You're leaving tonight?!" The Editor-in-Chief was very surprised. Shi Xinxin's request was already unexpected, and she didn't expect her to be in such a hurry.
"Leaving tonight. I want to get there early to familiarize myself with the environment. The sooner I go, the more I can learn. If the editorial department is ready, I want to go tonight."
"That's not a problem. They'll be glad if you go sooner. But are you sure you don't need a few more days of rest?"
The Editor-in-Chief remembered how she looked when she came to request leave yesterday and couldn't help but worry a little.
She had also heard some rumors in the office these past two days. Although as an editor-in-chief she shouldn't listen to such things, it concerned Shi Xinxin, so she couldn't help but care.
"It's alright. Please, Editor-in-Chief, inform the people at the editorial department for me. I'll take the plane this afternoon."
"Okay, don't worry about that. I'll call them right now."
"Thank you, Editor-in-Chief." Shi Xinxin hung up the phone, not allowing herself a moment's delay, and rushed to her room to start packing.
She darted around her room like a spinning top, racing against time, as if she were about to miss her flight.
She dared not stop. She was afraid that if she stopped or faltered for even a second, her thoughts would drift back to yesterday.
She needed to immerse herself in work quickly. She knew the editorial department would use interns as laborers, and that was exactly the mode she needed right now.
Although she had plenty of work at her current magazine, it couldn't compare to the intensity and density of the editorial department.
Since she had this opportunity, it seemed heaven was helping her.
After packing, Shi Xinxin picked up her phone to book a ticket. Because it was an old phone, her previous photo with Tang Tang was still on the screen.
Going to headquarters for further studies would take at least over three months. For such a long time and to another city, she had to inform Tang Tang first.
After booking her afternoon flight, Shi Xinxin called Tang Tang and asked her to meet for lunch.
On the phone, her voice sounded no different from usual. Tang Tang didn't think much of it. She was completely unaware of the recent events at Shi Xinxin's company and thought it was just two good friends catching up.
Joyfully, she arrived at the restaurant and saw Shi Xinxin's suitcase, only then realizing that the restaurant they booked was also next to the airport.
"Are you going on a business trip?"
"Yes," Shi Xinxin said happily.
"Where to? How long will you be gone?"
"I'm going to H City to the editorial department for further studies. At least three months," Shi Xinxin said casually, as if she were going on vacation.
"What? You're going to the head office for further studies? Why? Your current performance and position make it impossible for you to go for further studies at the head office. How could this still be your turn?"
Tang Tang was very confused. Shi Xinxin had complained to her before about such matters of going to the head office for further studies.
They both felt the company was being unreasonable, using the pretense of further studies to exploit labor for free, which was a disrespect for human rights.
But as mere white-collar workers earning a salary, their protests had little effect. They could only vent to Tang Tang each year, and coincidentally be glad that she wouldn't be going.
But she never expected that this year, after Shi Xinxin became the chairman's fiancée, she would still be sent to headquarters for further studies. Tang Tang simply couldn't understand.
"Don't rush, pick something to eat. We'll talk while we eat."
"Eat what? Such a big thing, and you're still in the mood to eat? Does Sheng Chenjin know?"
"This is a long story. You should order your food first." Shi Xinxin insisted.
"I'm not eating! I'm not in the mood to eat. Tell me quickly, what's going on?" Tang Tang threw down the menu, giving Shi Xinxin the ultimatum that if she didn't explain things today, she wouldn't have lunch.
Shi Xinxin smiled, took the menu, glanced at the drinks, "Two coffees, please!"
After the waiter left, she forced a smile, "You have to drink something if you don't eat."
Shi Xinxin's smile made Tang Tang feel that something was a bit strange.
"Sheng Chenjin and I broke up."
Tang Tang couldn't believe Shi Xinxin, who said it as if she had bought a cabbage yesterday.
Seeing Tang Tang's wide-open mouth, Shi Xinxin even chuckled.
"Are you kidding me?" Tang Tang couldn't believe it at all.
Shi Xinxin seemed a bit helpless, "It's true. I'm not lying to you." Then Shi Xinxin told Tang Tang the entire story, from beginning to end.
"Then why didn't you tell Sheng Chenjin about this?" Tang Tang was very confused. Ye Yun and Ding Muyu had both come to trouble Shi Xinxin. This was something she should have told Sheng Chenjin.