Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 145

“When people are pushed to their limit, they are capable of anything.”

“If those three ganged up to bully Aunt Lu, then it’s only right for her to retaliate like this.”

Yaya waved her little fist: [If that’s really the case, then they totally deserved it.]

Meanwhile, Ye Zhiqiu also found out about the incident, though she heard it from Tian Man.

Tian Man lived in one of the residential buildings further up front, where more people lived, so news traveled faster.

In this compound, apart from Lu Shuangshuang, Ye Zhiqiu was only close with Tian Man. The two of them got along very well and would get together every few days. Additionally, Ye Zhiqiu was continuing to learn knitting and crocheting from Tian Man.

She still had some time off work, and with nothing much to do, it was the perfect opportunity to knit more clothes and shoes for Yaya.

“Zhiqiu, why don’t you knit a scarf or a pair of gloves for Mingyuan? It would give him something to remember you by when he’s away,” Tian Man gently nudged Ye Zhiqiu’s arm.

Ye Zhiqiu stopped her work: “I don’t know how.”

“Scarves are easy to knit. You just keep going with the basic knit stitch. You can finish one in a few days. It would be perfect to bring to him when you and Yaya go visit Mingyuan.”

Tian Man’s suggestion appealed greatly to Ye Zhiqiu. She had been thinking these past few days about what gift to give Yue Mingyuan when she visited him.

“Sis, then please teach me.”

“It’s really simple, watch.”

Tian Man demonstrated once for Ye Zhiqiu, then handed the knitting needles over to her. Ye Zhiqiu copied the movements: “Sis, is this right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Now I’ll teach you how to cast on and bind off. It’s all very straightforward.”

After being shown just once, Ye Zhiqiu got the hang of it. Tian Man gave her a few knitting needles: “When you have time, go to the department store and pick out some yarn.”

Ye Zhiqiu nodded gently: “Okay, thank you, Sis.”

“Don’t mention it. No need to be so polite with me.”

Tian Man steered the conversation back to the matter of the Lu family: “This time, the Lu family has become famous throughout all our compounds.”

“The Lu family has always been pretty well-known.”

Though previously, it was Lu Shuangshuang who made them famous, as her spoiled and ignorant nature caused quite a few scenes.

Ye Zhiqiu had met Lu Guangrong before. The look he gave Lu Shuangshuang was filled with strong distaste, as if he wished he didn’t have to acknowledge her as his daughter, while he constantly praised his son, Lu Xu, instead.

Unexpectedly, their public perception had now done a complete one-eighty. Lu Xu had become the beast, and she heard that at the recent birthday banquet, Lu Shuangshuang actually comported herself with grace and poise, which surprised everyone.

“Did something happen to Shuangshuang?”

Tian Man also found it amazing: “She’s changed so much. Before, when she saw people, she’d look down her nose at them and wouldn’t even greet us. The other day, I ran into her, and she was all smiles. I almost didn’t recognize her.”

“People can’t stay blind and foolish their whole lives. Once they see things clearly, they’re bound to change somewhat.”

Ye Zhiqiu didn’t feel it was her place to say much about Lu Shuangshuang’s family affairs. Besides, Lu Shuangshuang hadn’t given her the details; she could only make an educated guess.

Tian Man nodded in agreement: “The old folks often say that going through things makes you grow up. Even though the process is painful, everyone has to go through it sooner or later. For Shuangshuang, it’s probably a good thing. It’s better than never seeing clearly and muddling through life in a daze, never understanding anything.”

“Let’s not talk about that anymore. Let me tell you my good news and bad news.” Tian Man looked at Ye Zhiqiu: “Zhiqiu, which one do you want to hear first?”

“Sis, let me guess.”

Ye Zhiqiu thought for a moment: “The good news is… you’ve been reinstated at work?”

Tian Man spread her hands: “Yes, after the investigation, I was cleared.”

“And that bastard Cao Yuejin had his journalist credentials revoked and was strictly forbidden from ever working in reporting again.”

Tian Man couldn’t hide her excitement: “You have no idea how thrilled I was when I heard the news.”

Ye Zhiqiu said coolly: “The wicked get their just deserts. He brought it upon himself.”

“Originally, I was very happy, but then I received some bad news.”

Tian Man’s shoulders slumped: “My editor-in-chief agreed to let me have a personal column, but he won’t let me write about legal cases. He wants me to keep writing about domestic matters and everyday life. He says that kind of content is more appealing and can increase sales.”

“Zhiqiu, a while back, I met Editor Hou from the ‘Guojing New Paper’. He tried to poach me, saying that as long as I agreed to move, I could set my own terms.”

“I’m having a hard time deciding. I’ve been at the Evening News for over ten years. The editor-in-chief has been good to me, and I’m familiar with all my colleagues. If it weren’t for this column issue, I wouldn’t be thinking of leaving.”

“But with the New Paper, I’m worried that Editor Hou might not be reliable either.”

Ye Zhiqiu tapped a finger gently near Tian Man’s chest: “Sis, I think you already have a leaning in your heart about this matter.”

“You’re right, as usual. I just haven’t made the final decision yet.”

Tian Man didn’t hide it from Ye Zhiqiu: “Tomorrow, I plan to meet with Editor Hou to gauge his attitude.”

After work the next day, Tian Man met with Hou Haihua at a pre-arranged teahouse.

At that hour, there were no other customers in the teahouse, but to ensure a private conversation, they still sat in a corner.

“Editor Hou, the fact that I called you means I’m interested in transferring to the New Paper. But I have one condition. I wonder if you can agree to it?”

Tian Man disliked beating around the bush, especially in matters like this; it was better to be direct.

“Xiao Tian, please, go ahead.” Hou Haihua made a gesture of invitation.

“I want to have a dedicated column, named after me.”

Hou Haihua didn’t seem surprised; it appeared he had anticipated this: “Xiao Tian, may I ask what topic area you intend for this column? Will it be similar to your two previous reports?”

Tian Man didn’t answer Hou Haihua directly. Instead, she sounded him out: “What did you think of my two previous reports, Editor Hou?”

“Very good. However, while such topics are fine for regular reports, I’m afraid having a dedicated column for them might not be appropriate.”

“A dedicated column, by definition, should focus on a specific area. Our newspaper’s positioning isn’t really suited for those major issues. But for minor matters… To be frank, and I hope you don’t take offense, I don’t see the necessity for a dedicated column.”

“If you want a dedicated column, you would need a particularly distinctive theme.”

“I have one. And it’s a very good, very meaningful theme.”

Tian Man was cautious: “However, Editor Hou, it’s not convenient for me to tell you what it is just yet.”

“Xiao Tian, I trust you. If you say it’s very good and meaningful, then it must be so.”

Hou Haihua decided to take a chance: “I can guarantee you this: as long as you agree to come to the New Paper, the second page will be reserved for your column.”

Tian Man was thrilled: “Editor Hou, are you serious? The second page for my column?”

“Unless there are special circumstances, the second page is yours. If there’s major news, you know the rules; major events definitely get the main page.”

“Editor Hou, you trust me, and I trust you.”

Tian Man made up her mind. She stood up and proactively offered her hand to Hou Haihua: “I look forward to your guidance in the future.”

“Xiao Tian, let me welcome you in advance to the team at the New Paper.”