My Terrible Life in Those Years

Before he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room seemed to be ignited, and it suddenly became lively.

Dozens of hands were raised high, like in an elementary school classroom, where everyone knew the answer to the question and everyone wanted to answer it first.

I watched all of this as if in a dream.

This occasion, this process, these ups and downs.

Then look at what I'm wearing! It really doesn't match.

"Please welcome this reporter from the city newspaper to ask a question!" Aunt Shu called out.

This is also an official media outlet that rivals the Daily News in terms of popularity and authority.

"We'd like to know who the colleague was who handled the situation on site? Could they please step forward so we can see them in person?"

Immediately, dozens of voices rang out: "Yes, yes, yes, we want to see which of your company's temporary workers is so capable, quick-witted, and decisive?"

A wave of bitterness washed over me.

I gave Aunt Shu a hard look: You, you didn't hire so many shills, did you? Why are they asking me, a temporary worker, instead of asking serious questions?

My scalp tingled, and I looked at my clothes again...

There's something I need to say...

Aunt Shu hadn't expected them to be so interested in this temporary worker.

But she reacted quickly, immediately saying, "This colleague is here. Please have Jiang Ning and all the media friends say hello!"

What can I do? I'm at my wit's end!

I just want to work hard, get a permanent position, earn some money, and seek career advancement, but I never thought about showing off!

So, I, dressed in old clothes and preparing to go to the construction site, stood up, faced the media, waved, and bowed, trying to make my expression relaxed yet slightly apprehensive—the normal reaction of a temporary worker seeing such a big scene for the first time.

Then, dozens of flashes went off in front of me, clicking and snapping, making my eyes blurry and a little dizzy.

It felt like I had never left flat ground before, and suddenly I was standing on a tall building.

I barely opened my eyes, greeted them, and quickly sat down.

A cacophony of noise erupted below:

"That's him!"

"She's alright looking!"

"She looks quite young!"

"Hey, dressed like that for work, you really are a temporary worker!"

……

I was speechless. This actually earns points??

Doesn't anyone want to ask about the details and the nature of this matter?

"I'd like to ask Jiang Ning, is he dressed like that to go to a construction site?"

It was a lady from a radio station who asked me; her voice was lovely, truly lovely.

Everyone laughed.

I was stunned for a moment, and glanced at Aunt Shu. How should I answer this?

Am I supposed to be suspended from my job now? I have nothing to do anyway, so I'm going to work on a construction site?

At this moment, Hong Panpan grabbed the microphone: "I can actually answer this question for him!"

"Actually, you can find the answer to this question in tomorrow's third report."

The crowd started discussing it again.

"Stop playing games with us, just tell us, Hung Tai-kei!"

"Exactly, just say it!"

"Alright, since everyone's here today, I won't keep you in suspense any longer!" Hong Panpan said with a charming smile.

"He was definitely getting ready to go to the construction site!"

The whole place erupted in a buzz.

I saw Aunt Shu pause for a moment, and Mr. Liu's eyes also narrowed.

What's going on?

Why go to the construction site when you should just be suspended from your post?

"As for why I'm so sure, it's because I went to the stadium construction site yesterday to take a few more photos of the migrant workers."

She paused, then gestured to me with her eyes: Kid, I haven't treated you badly, have I?

I was speechless!

Think again about where I'm still in pain, and I'll let go!

"When I arrived at the stadium, I found that this temporary worker was wearing old clothes and a safety helmet, and like other migrant workers, he had an old cloth draped over his shoulders."

I asked him why he came to do this heavy work.

He said that Uncle Qingguo, the migrant worker who was injured and hospitalized, and Uncle Hei, the foreman who took care of Qingguo, were not working on the construction site. They were too busy and it would delay the construction schedule.

Anyway, he had nothing to do during his suspension, so he came over to help out.

This is why I started this column. What kind of new face does the temporary worker in the new era present?

Hong Panpan's words immediately reignited the atmosphere.

Why suspend such an employee?

"Exactly, who made the decision?"

"That's so inhumane!"

"Trying to shift the blame to temporary workers?"

Good heavens, these temporary workers and migrant workers are already considered a vulnerable group in the eyes of these uncrowned kings, and yet I was suspended without having made any mistakes.

That's not fair, is it?

Aunt Shu never expected that I would go to the construction site, let alone run into Hong Panpan. She actually found out about my suspension. Given her personality, she would never lie!

How can this be resolved?

Who should take the blame?

Just as I was wondering what to say, Mr. Liu took the microphone.

"This decision was made by our company. From his direct supervisor to several of us senior executives, we all agreed that he is currently in the eye of the storm and it is not appropriate for him to start working normally."

We responded immediately with various mechanisms in place. This also included measures to protect our employees.

Now that the matter has been fully clarified, his suspension is now over. And, in recognition of his outstanding performance in this incident, his temporary employment is also officially terminated!

The meaning is clear, and I understand it.

This suspension was to protect me from excessive harassment.

I never expected to end up at a construction site.

Then, because of my outstanding performance, my suspension ended, and my temporary job ended too. Hmm? So I can be promoted to a permanent position now??

I wonder if the pay will be higher? I heard that for a permanent position, a labor contract is required?

Wu Bo's expression was quite unpleasant.

Things spiraled out of control, just like they did yesterday, and were even more beyond his wildest imagination.

At this moment, the middle-aged reporter from the provincial social news station raised his hand: "I'd like to ask Reporter Hong, your behavior today is quite different from usual. You never speak for either side, only stating the facts, but today you seem to be very biased towards this temporary worker named Jiang Ning?"

The entire venue fell silent for a moment.

Holy crap, who is this guy? Speaking so sharply? So personally targeting me? Did I step on your heel?

"Did you two know each other before? Or did you have a previous relationship with Brilliant GG?"

These are the sensitive issues!

This is quite sensitive, once again placing its glory in an awkward position.

If that's really true, then today's press conference will become a joke!

Even Hung Pan-pan herself may have her reputation ruined!

I tensed up slightly, but Wu Bo recovered quickly and his eyes lit up.