Chapter 16: Competing for the Prime Time Female Host

Xia Ling spoke with a gentle smile, “All our newsroom staff are graduates from prestigious universities and have received higher education. I believe there must be some misunderstanding here. Even if this is true, it can’t be anyone from our newsroom.”

“As for the prime-time host position, I won’t fight you for it, Ci You. Let her have it,” she added.

Her voice was gentle and soft, like a nightingale singing in the forest. With just a few words, she deftly shifted the topic.

Vivian gave Xia Ling a grateful look. Not only had Xia Ling protected her dignity, but she also took the initiative to give up the prime-time host role in order to divert everyone’s attention.

Jiang Ciyou, however, laughed coldly. “You make it sound as if the host’s position was already yours and now you’re magnanimously giving it to me.”

“Ci You, you’ve misunderstood. That’s not what I meant at all.”

“Then what did you mean?”

“All right, enough arguing,” Tang Fei finally interrupted, his headache apparent.

“As for the host position, here’s what we’ll do. Our TV station is planning to interview a very important figure. Whoever gets the first exclusive interview with this person will become the prime-time host. Of course, the interview must be completed within a week, so you both need to hurry.”

Someone asked curiously, “Director, who is this important figure?”

Director Tang replied, “The Prince of Beijing’s elite circle, Bo Jin Xiu.”

Everyone looked stunned. “Shouldn’t the Prince of Beijing be in the capital? Besides, even the Beijing 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 spoke up, “And you call yourselves reporters? Don’t you know? The Prince has been living in seclusion in Rong City for three years. The city’s most mysterious BK Group is actually the Bo family’s branch here. Rong City is about to launch a central government-approved resort project, and he’s in charge of it. Only insiders know about this for now—it hasn’t been announced.”

“If it hasn’t been announced, how do you know?” someone challenged.

“I don’t know much about the project myself, but my sister’s classmate’s cousin knows the Jiang family heiress. She attended the Bo family’s matriarch’s seventieth birthday banquet a few days ago. All the top families in Rong City were invited, and that’s when it became known that the Prince is living here.”

Tang Fei nodded, “Exactly. I’m sure you all know of Bo Jin Xiu’s reputation. The Bo family is the richest in the country, and Bo Jin Xiu is their sole heir. To this day, he has never accepted an interview from any media outlet.”

“Since he’s never accepted interviews, that shows he’s extremely low-key. It’ll be nearly impossible to succeed.”

“The resort project is about to be announced. This is an opportunity. It’s a huge challenge, but if you succeed, our Rong City TV station will have achieved something even the Beijing stations haven’t.”

His eyes sparkled, “I have high hopes for you both. Whoever succeeds will naturally earn the prime-time host position. If neither of you succeeds, I have other ways of judging.”

After leaving the conference room, Jiang Ciyou looked unusually serious.

Xia Ling walked over to her desk. “Ci You, you attended the Bo family matriarch’s birthday banquet too, didn’t you? Why doesn’t anyone here know you’re the Jiang family’s daughter?”

Jiang Ciyou looked up. “Xia Ling, why did you come to work at the TV station? Was taking Yan Feng from me not enough—you want my job, too?”

Xia Ling maintained an innocent look. “You’ve misunderstood. I simply think my skills are best suited for this job. I never intended to take anything from you. And I didn’t take Yan Feng from you.”

“Oh?” Jiang Ciyou lounged lazily in her soft leather chair like a cat. “I’ve always wondered what happened during that summer camp you attended with Yan Feng. He wasn’t that easy to win over, was he?”

When Yan Feng had been with her, he’d cared for her deeply—Jiang Ciyou could tell he loved her. But after the summer camp, he changed completely. The love was gone, replaced by hatred.

Xia Ling’s cheeks flushed slightly, as if recalling something from years ago.

Jiang Ciyou seemed to guess her thoughts. “Forget it. I have little interest in filthy matters like that.”

“It’s not what you think,” Xia Ling hurried to explain.

But Jiang Ciyou had already lost patience. She stood. “Xia Ling, don’t make trouble for me, or I might become the person I was three years ago.”

“Excuse me, I have to get my makeup done.”

Jiang Ciyou had to prepare for the midday news broadcast.

Xia Ling watched as Jiang Ciyou disappeared from sight, her expression turning icy.

Jiang Ciyou, I will take everything from you—your husband, your job, your family. I’ll take it all, until you’re left utterly alone, disgraced and abandoned. That’s the day I’m waiting for.

When that day comes, you’ll understand why I’ve done all this.

—

That evening, Xia Ling returned to her suite at the Grand Capital Hotel.

Yan Feng was already back.

Xia Ling walked over, surprised and delighted. “Didn’t you say you were going back to the Yan family home today?”

Yan Feng came to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and placing a hand gently on her stomach. “I missed you and the baby.”

A shy blush colored her cheeks. “Hearing you say that, I’m content no matter where you are.”

He pulled her into his embrace. “Xia Ling, having you follow me like this, I know it’s hard on you.”

Her voice was soft and tender. “As long as your heart is with me, I don’t feel wronged. Ah Feng, once the baby is born, we’ll be a happy family of three.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll settle things with Jiang Ciyou soon. I’ll make sure you and the baby are recognized,” Yan Feng said.

At the mention of Jiang Ciyou, his expression suddenly darkened.

He seemed to remember something. “Today was your first day at the TV station. Did Jiang Ciyou give you a hard time?”

Xia Ling’s eyes flickered. “No… She knows I took you from her, so she’s always been like that toward me.”

“I knew it—she bullied you. I’ll go confront her right now.”

Xia Ling caught his arm, her voice gentle and tinged with resignation. “Don’t. Being with you makes any small grievance worth it. If you go, it’ll only make things worse. Your parents will dislike me even more. Some things, I’d rather just endure.”

Thinking of his parents’ prejudice against Xia Ling, Yan Feng stopped in his tracks.

He hugged her tightly again. “If you’re ever wronged, you must tell me. I won’t let Jiang Ciyou keep bullying you. And remember, I never belonged to her. You didn’t steal me away—she simply didn’t deserve me.”

Leaning against his chest, a cold gleam flashed in Xia Ling’s eyes.

Then, in a gentle voice, she asked, “Ah Feng, have you ever met Bo Jin Xiu? Do you know much about the Prince of Beijing?”