"Why do you want to be a reporter?" he asked.
Why? Want to be a reporter?
It was a profession that was much harder than being an influencer or a celebrity, and paid far less.
Yet, she had never wavered.
Su Yue remembered, it was when she was eleven years old. Su Minghua's affection for her had already begun to show, and she was trying very hard, in trepidation, to avoid him.
One day, she was playing at Li Niannian's house. A guest had arrived – a female reporter.
She looked to be about thirty, capable and elegant, and she captivated Su Yue immensely.
Before the meal, she and Li Niannian were playing in a corner of the living room, but their attention was focused on eavesdropping on the adults' conversation.
"This case of child exploitation, it's thanks to Director Li's help. I came specifically to thank you."
The reporter spoke, her voice carrying the steady maturity of an adult woman.
"You're too kind. The evidence and clues were obtained by you during your undercover work. We merely conducted the net-closing operation. We should be thanking you!"
Li Niannian's father replied.
"No, Director, this matter involved that influential figure... If it weren't for your strong support, I would never have been able to bring the truth to light."
They chatted like this, and Su Yue listened.
She noticed the words "child exploitation case" and her heart skipped a beat.
Later, Li Niannian's father received a phone call. Seizing the opportunity, she slipped away from Li Niannian and went over to the reporter.
"What a beautiful little girl, are you Director Li's daughter?" The reporter put down her water glass and looked at Su Yue with surprise, asking.
"She's not, I am," Li Niannian also ran over, answering with a giggle.
"So you're best friends?" The reporter smiled as well.
"Mm!" Li Niannian nodded.
"Niannian, I want some juice." Su Yue wanted to be alone with the reporter for a while, so she prepared to send Li Niannian away.
Li Niannian then went to make her some juice.
"Aunty, are you a reporter?" Su Yue, finally feeling at ease, sat down on the sofa and asked her sideways.
"Yes, I am."
"What case were you talking about with Uncle Li just now?"
Su Yue asked this because she wanted to know what to do if something unfortunate were to happen to her.
At that time, she truly lived in fear, so she was particularly sensitive to such topics.
She knew Su Minghua was a man of status. If something were to happen, it would be better to understand the situation beforehand than to find a solution later.
Therefore, her tone was somewhat anxious and nervous.
"Oh? You want to know about this?" The reporter looked at her with some surprise.
"Mm." She nodded firmly.
"It's not really appropriate to tell you," the reporter said, a hint of suspicion appearing on her face as she observed her.
It was indeed very strange. A little girl of only eleven, who had been playing just moments ago, was now eavesdropping on their conversation, and not only that, but she had actively come over to inquire.
Wasn't she a bit too concerned about this matter?
A hint of disappointment and sadness flickered across Su Yue's face.
"Little girl, is there something you want to tell aunty?" Seeing this, the reporter's suspicion grew. She had a professional sensitivity and was very quick to pick up on such subtle emotions.
"No, no," Su Yue quickly clarified.
She didn't want anyone to know about Su Minghua's perverse intentions towards her.
It was as if doing so would make her complicit in his uncleanness.
Li Niannian's father returned just then, saying he had to go to his unit. Seeing this, the reporter also got up to leave.
But she took a few steps, then stopped, looking back at Su Yue.
On the girl's beautiful face, there was a sadness and forbearance that belied her age.
After a moment of thought, she took out a business card and handed it to Su Yue.
"Little girl, if you want to come visit aunty, give me a call." She leaned down and said to her with a kind smile.
Su Yue looked at the business card in her hand with some surprise, and then hope ignited on her face.
The reporter leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "This case, I can tell you about it too."
Then she stood up straight and waved goodbye to Su Yue with a smile.
That was the first ray of light Su Yue encountered after being plunged into the fear of Su Minghua's unwanted affection.
She quietly slipped the business card into her pocket.
And her life seemed to have gained a sliver of brightness.