Chapter 55: I’ll Cover for You

This was Su Qinghu’s first time working at a newspaper. She held a camera in her hand as she left the office with Sister Li, still finding it hard to believe even after they’d arrived at their destination by bus.

That’s it?

Just the two of them?

No matter how much she’d played with cameras before, she was still a rookie in this field. Yet the photography team had just shoved a camera into her hands, waved goodbye, and gone their separate ways—without even giving her a chance to ask about any important details.

“Sister Li, do you have any requirements for the photos later?” Su Qinghu slung the waterproof camera bag over one shoulder, trying her best to phrase her question in a way Sister Li would understand. “Like lighting, composition, whether the interviewee’s face needs to be fully visible, things like that.”

Sister Li glanced at the camera bag dangling from Su Qinghu’s hand and couldn’t help but remind her, “Xiao Su, you need to be careful with that camera. They’re all accounted for. If you bump it and it breaks, not only will we be short a camera, but you’ll also have to take some responsibility…”

She almost spelled it out: if you break it, you’ll have to pay for it.

Su Qinghu smiled gratefully at Sister Li and obediently hugged the camera to her chest.

Only then did Sister Li speak up. “This assignment isn’t too serious, and the workload isn’t heavy. The main goal is to showcase the spirit of women in the new era. I’ll do the interviews, you take the photos—just capture these women looking energetic, optimistic, and upbeat.”

“Don’t worry. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll take a backup photo of them at the end.”

Su Qinghu accepted the kindness with a smile. “Thank you, Sister Li.”

She didn’t know if Sister Li was just naturally helpful or if the editor had given her special instructions, but Sister Li treated her with a warmth reserved for one of her own.

When they reached the entrance of the food factory, someone was already waiting for them.

Seeing Su Qinghu and Sister Li approach, a man who looked like the factory director hurried over, shaking Sister Li’s hand with a smile. “Thank you, Reporter Li. Sorry to trouble you both to come all this way.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Su Qinghu, who was following behind Sister Li—and froze.

He’d lived most of his life and met plenty of people, but he’d never seen a young woman quite like this: beautiful, warm, and with a presence that instantly put people at ease…

“Hello, Director,” Su Qinghu said, noticing his dazed look and worried he might embarrass himself later. She smiled and offered a compliment, “Your factory is really clean.”

Hearing her praise, the director snapped back to his senses, grateful for the save. He glanced at Su Qinghu, then proudly followed her gaze around the factory. “We’re a food factory—cleanliness and hygiene are our top priorities.”

After a few pleasantries, Sister Li and the director walked ahead, with Su Qinghu following half a step behind.

She kept her eyes straight ahead, but the women who had been standing with the director earlier kept sneaking glances at her, their eyes full of obvious admiration and excitement.

Su Qinghu suppressed a smile, then mischievously turned her head and met their sparkling gazes head-on, her eyes crinkling as she smiled.

The women froze for a second, then broke into broad smiles and edged closer to her.

One woman with a short bob asked softly, “How old are you? Are you a college student? Have you graduated?”

Who doesn’t like hearing that? Even though her original self was only twenty, being complimented for her youth still felt good. “I’ve graduated from college—just this year.”

“Having an education is great. Right after graduation, you get to work in an office,” sighed another woman, a bit older than the one with the bob. “If only we could have gotten a higher education back then—”

She trailed off, shook her head, and fell silent.

Su Qinghu said, “As long as you can read and do basic math, if you want something, you can always achieve your goals. My mother-in-law is studying accounting. Her teacher says she’s sure to get her certificate.”

“Your mother-in-law is studying too?” The older woman was clearly interested. “Where is she studying? What books does she need? Where do you sign up? Where do you take the test? Do you have to enroll in school after passing?”

“How much does it cost to study accounting?” another, more delicate-looking woman chimed in.

They chatted as they walked deeper into the factory, and by the time the three women finished their questions, the group had arrived at the meeting room.

Su Qinghu was a bit overwhelmed by all the questions—she really didn’t know the answers. She was just about to ask Sister Li for help when the director turned around and said, “I know about this—my granddaughter is studying for that certificate. Let’s do the interview first. Afterward, I’ll go to my daughter’s place and get all the details for you.”

Sister Li glanced at Su Qinghu and smiled without saying anything.

Young people are never short on enthusiasm and drive, but they do lack a bit of practical wisdom.

Su Qinghu noticed Sister Li’s look, glanced back calmly, and then looked away.

Now wasn’t the time for a Q&A session.

The director and the women to be interviewed led Su Qinghu and Sister Li around the factory. Sister Li stopped at an area off-limits to unauthorized personnel and asked Su Qinghu to stand back a bit to take photos.

The group stood by a window while Sister Li asked her prepared questions, and the women answered as they looked at her.

Inside the window, workers in white uniforms and hats were busy at their tasks.

In that instant, Su Qinghu understood what Sister Li wanted. She looked up at the sunlight and the shadows on the ground, thought for a moment, and found a gentle angle that could capture everyone. When they smiled, she pressed the shutter.

With a click, Su Qinghu checked the shot and flashed Sister Li an “OK” gesture.

Sister Li glanced at her, then continued the interview as they walked.

She didn’t know why, but this young woman made her feel especially at ease when working together. She couldn’t even bring herself to worry about whether the photos would turn out usable.

When the interview ended, Sister Li put away her notepad and pen, then called Su Qinghu over with a smile. “Come take a look.”

Su Qinghu handed Sister Li the camera and took the notepad from her. As she glanced down, she frowned in confusion—she couldn’t understand part of it…

“Which question did you like best? Which answer was your favorite?” Sister Li looked up, put the camera away, and asked with a smile.

Su Qinghu replied honestly, “I liked the eleventh question best, and the answer to it as well.”

“Why?” Sister Li pressed.

“Because it was the most genuine, and it’s a problem others might face too. Since the newspaper is a major channel for information, if this article is written well, it could help a lot of people take their first step—and it also gives the factory a positive image.”

“What kind of positive image?”

Su Qinghu looked at Sister Li, blinked, and smiled. “You didn’t say it, but I know you’re looking out for me.”

The factory’s own hard work and progress was one positive image; the director providing information about further education for female workers was another. Even though the focus was on women, the director’s presence was never overbearing.

“It’s not easy for a factory to train a skilled worker. When you mentioned getting certificates, that’s actually a loss for the factory,” Sister Li said, pausing and shaking her head thoughtfully. “But if you look at it another way, when these women learn new skills and move on, their positions open up for other women with less education. That’s a kind of help, too…”

“You…” Sister Li looked at Su Qinghu and suddenly smiled. “Just keep doing things your way from now on. If you ever need someone to cover for you, I’ll do it.”"