The man looked at her with an impassive expression and said faintly, "Hello, Reporter Su."
Baili Qing was certain they had argued.
Currently, Chen Ziming was the one who was more upset.
"Director Chen, would you like some water?" The female secretary opportunely placed a cup of warm water before him.
Chen Ziming gave a shallow hum and shifted his gaze to the fingers of the girl in front of him, who was smiling courteously.
She wasn't wearing a ring.
His anger reignited slightly.
He subtly removed his own ring, then rested his arms on the table and took the initiative to explain the security arrangements.
"The Public Security Bureau has formed a security cordon on the outermost perimeter, deploying approximately a thousand officers. The specific deployment plan is classified. You can only interview this small portion."
As he spoke, he took two documents from a police officer accompanying him and pushed them towards the two people opposite him.
Su Yue suppressed her inner panic and carefully examined the text and diagrams on the papers.
"Okay, no problem," Baili Qing replied earnestly, temporarily setting aside their personal matters.
She added, "We need three things: first, a preliminary site visit; second, to confirm interviewees; and third, to align on the desired interview outcome."
Chen Ziming looked at her and nodded slightly. "That can be arranged. I'll be going to the site this afternoon, and you two reporters can accompany me."
Director Mu opportunely chimed in, "For the interview outcome, you can discuss it with our publicity department."
Once everything was settled, Director Mu announced the meeting was adjourned.
Chen Ziming didn't linger. He simply bid farewell to Baili Qing and turned to leave without any hesitation.
From beginning to end, he didn't glance at Su Yue again.
Su Yue knew this was a sign of his anger.
However, she didn't know what to do for the moment and could only dejectedly pack her things and leave with Baili Qing.
She knew he would be angry.
That's why she wanted to appease him.
But before she could try, she had already met him.
Su Yue then realized that Chen Ziming's anger was much greater than she had imagined.
On the way back, Baili Qing finally seized an opportunity to ask her question. Su Yue smiled absentmindedly and didn't answer.
Baili Qing almost thought they had broken up.
She was tactful and didn't press further, instead changing the topic and discussing the afternoon's arrangements.
During the lunch break, Su Yue couldn't resist and slipped away to a quiet corner to call Li Niannian.
"Niannian, I wanted to ask you something," she said after hesitating for two seconds.
"Mhm, go ahead."
"Chen Ziming, has he really not given anyone else a chance? Is he really not interested in anyone else now?"
She finally voiced the suspicion.
The suspicion she had been afraid to accept.
If there really was someone else.
She would endure the consequences of her unannounced departure, and despite the pain, she wouldn't think about him.
On the other end of the phone, Li Niannian paused.
Then, she said with a touch of amusement, "What are you thinking? He's always worn your matching rings. Just yesterday, a classmate working at the bureau mentioned it."
Her voice dropped, a playful smirk in her tone. "A girl from the city bureau went to deliver some materials and wanted to flirt with Chen Ziming."
"But Officer Chen didn't say anything. He picked up his water cup, took a sip, and clearly flashed his ring at her. The girl immediately backed off."
Rings...
Su Yue instinctively extended her own hand.
Her ring, due to frequent handling of microphones, had acquired some scratches and had been sent for repair that weekend after her return.
So he was the same as her.
He had been wearing his ring all along.
"Oh... then I understand," she said with relief, her voice carrying a hint of lightness.
"No, haven't you contacted him yet?" Li Niannian sounded speechless.
"Soon, soon." Su Yue felt too embarrassed to mention the surprise.
It would make her seem indiscreet.
In the afternoon, Baili Qing called her, bringing along the cameraman, and they headed to the agreed-upon location.
Thinking she would see Chen Ziming again, Su Yue still felt a sense of unease.
She could only remind herself repeatedly.
This is work.
Don't mix personal feelings into it.