Chapter 368: Tasting The Salt
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Editor-in-chief office, Science Report editorial department.
Chief Editor Cai was sitting at his desk drinking tea while meticulously reviewing the draft article in his hand.
Although traditional media had become inferior to internet media, in the academic community, the Science Report journal still had its influence.
After all, they were directly affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Even though their newspaper wasn’t read by most researchers, most research inst.i.tute still ma.s.s-ordered their newspapers.
Because of this influence, Chief Editor Cai was extremely cautious when reviewing articles. Especially when it came to reports on controversial and trending figures.
After all, if he made a mistake, he would be personally responsible.
However, today’s articles were all pretty good quality. That was until he came across an interview with Professor w.a.n.g Haifeng, a well-known academic scholar.
He slapped the printed article on the desk and looked at his secretary.
“Get me Li Xuesong.”
“Okay.”
Secretary Zhou saw that Chief Editor Cai wasn’t happy, so he didn’t say anything else and quickly left the office.
Chief Editor Cai was the only person left in his office, and he tried to calm down by controlling his breathing.
However, when he looked at the article on the table, he became angry again.
During the meetings, he kept emphasizing to his journalists on how important politics was. However, this idiot obviously didn’t hear what he said.
If he didn’t review this article and the article got published, then he would be in trouble with the leaders.h.i.+p team.
He was furious.
Secretary Zhou found Li Xuesong in the cubicles outside.
“Chief Editor wants to see you, go now.”
Li Xuesong asked nervously, “Brother Zhou, Chief Cai… What does he want?”
I didn’t offend anyone recently, right?
“I don’t know.” Secretary Zhou frowned and looked serious as he said, “Also, this is an office, stop calling me brother.”
Li Xuesong was so anxious that he began to sweat. He then nodded and said, “Yes, I was wrong.”
Secretary Zhou said, “Just go.”
Li Xuesong was muddled, and he didn’t say anything as he walked toward the editor-in-chief office.
The people in the cubicles watched Li Xuesong while they whispered about what had happened.
Li Xuesong wanted to know the answer the most; he had no idea how he offended Chief Editor Cai.
He knocked on the door and was met with a cold reply, “Come in”.
He s.h.i.+vered a little as he walked inside.
When Chief Editor Cai looked at Li Xuesong, Li Xuesong asked quietly, “Chief Cai, are you looking for me?”
Chief Editor Cai didn’t say anything. Instead, he tapped his finger on the article.
“Did you write this thing?”
Li Xuesong immediately knew what was going on.
He guessed that the higher-ups weren’t happy with his interview, so he tried to explain.
“Chief Cai, I know my report might cause controversy, but what does it have to do with us? We’re in a neutral position, only objectively reporting on Professor w.a.n.g. It’s Professor w.a.n.g that is in a controversy, this is the only way we can receive publicity…”
“Publicity, my a*s!” Chief Editor Cai threw the article at this idiot’s head as he snapped, “When did I ask for publicity? If you understand the media so much, why don’t you quit and start your own media company?”
Li Xuesong was being scolded like a dog, but he didn’t complain.
He was just a normal journalist; he wrote whatever was said by the interviewee.
However, he was still responsible.
After all, the reason he interviewed w.a.n.g Haifeng was to hear about his problems with Lu Zhou.
The controversy was good content.
Everyone was more willing to watch drama than serious reports.
Li Xuesong stopped talking.
After a few more insults, Chief Editor Cai picked up his vacuum flask and drank some water to moisturize his throat. He then waved his finger and snapped, “F*ck off, change it!”
Li Xuesong said, “Change the whole thing? Including the interview part?”
Chief Editor Cai said, “No sh*t, are you dumb? The biggest problem is this part!”
Li Xuesong was a little hesitant. “But Professor w.a.n.g…”
I don’t want to p.i.s.s of Professor w.a.n.g, and I can’t just change his words, right?
“I don’t care about that,” Chief Editor Cai said. He then added, “Change it. Once the interview gets published, he’ll thank us.”
“Yes…” Li Xuesong said quietly before he walked away holding the draft article.
After some changes, the final report finally came out.
Professor w.a.n.g’s words were completely altered.
“Quite embarra.s.sing” became “talented”, “doesn’t look at the whole situation” became “scientific researcher who take risks”…
All of the negative comments said by Professor w.a.n.g were changed into positive ones.
Did Professor w.a.n.g have opinions?
He didn’t.
He couldn’t.
Just like what Chief Editor Cai said, when Professor w.a.n.g saw this report, he wasn’t p.i.s.sed off. Instead, he felt relaxed as the knot in his heart could finally be untied.
In the beginning, he really thought that the caged carbon molecules by Professor Stanley would solve the lithium-sulfur batteries problem. He never would have expected the industry to reject Professor Stanley’s plan and accept Lu Zhou’s invention instead.
After Lu Zhou won the Hoffman Prize, his face turned blue.
China wanted to use this politically significant medal to promote friends.h.i.+p with Germany.
It would be suicide if he tried to criticize Lu Zhou now.
He thought about calling Science Report to ask them to remove his interview. However, he was too embarra.s.sed.
Still, even though w.a.n.g Haifeng got lucky, he still felt a little distasteful after seeing this report.
But he couldn’t do anything other than whine.
After all, he had no ground to criticize a Hoffman Prize winner.
w.a.n.g Haifeng looked at the Science Report journal, and he scoffed, “Possible n.o.bel Prize winner?”
He sneered and ripped the newspaper in half.
It was like he didn’t learn his lesson; he started to criticize Lu Zhou again.
“Try staying in your own lane.”
The PhD student sitting next to his desk shook his head.
He couldn’t criticize his supervisor’s opinions.
However, he could taste the salt from here…