The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 182 - 177: Winning a Prize

Chapter 182: Chapter 177: Winning a Prize

These past few days, she had been eating at the cafeteria, and today, she even got her hands on her favorite dish, braised eggplant.

On the way back, she was considering whether to steam some rice.

Then, Editor Liu from the West City Daily showed up.

"Comrade Lu."

"Editor Liu, today is Sunday, don’t you guys take a break?"

"Hey, in our department, working overtime when we’re busy is normal. I came over just to tell you that your manuscript has been accepted."

"It’s been accepted? My article is going to be published?"

"Why wouldn’t it be? You’ve captured the resilience inherent in the ’educated youth,’ and you’ve also depicted the current situation of the ’educated youth’ today. We think it’s pretty good, but it needs illustrations, you know. Come on, let me take another look at your pictures."

Lu Jingqiu smiled, "Editor Liu, how many artists do you know?"

"Quite a few. Luo Xinyue, you know her, just last week we requisitioned one of her drawings, and then there are several veteran artists, and then there’s you. Besides, we also have photography, not all illustrations need to be drawn."

"Photography? I’ve got plenty, do you want to take a look?"

"Really, you have a camera?"

"Yeah, drawing stems from life, and I like to record things to find inspiration."

"Let’s go, let me take a look."

Lu Jingqiu took her to the study and brought out the photographs she had no idea how much money she’d spent developing.

Editor Liu was amazed; she felt that the money Lu Jingqiu earned from painting must have all been spent on this.

"Comrade Lu, I really admire you. Our newspaper has really found a treasure in you. Not to mention earning back the money you’ve spent on developing your shots, the money you earn from us can help share part of your expenses. Look, we’ll take these two photos, five yuan for each."

"Ah, that’s even more expensive than drawing."

"Of course. Our place only has one camera, and we don’t have as many scenes shot as you do. We also have to pay for developing photos."

"Okay, Editor Liu, whenever you need anything, feel free to find me, or let’s make an arrangement."

This time, Editor Liu also brought the payment for her article, and wrote her a note for the money for these two photos.

"Editor Liu, once you’re done with the photos, could you return them to me?"

"Sure, when I come over, I’ll bring them back to you."

"Great, if I have time, I’ll come over and collect them myself."

Holding a little over twenty yuan, Lu Jingqiu saw off Editor Liu, feeling utterly delighted.

...

Father Lu and Jiang Nanzhou had been out of touch for a month, and just as Lu Jingqiu was getting anxious, news suddenly came from the publishing house that her two picture books had won awards for excellent work.

The "Twenty-Four Solar Terms" won the annual award for outstanding artistic style, and "I Can Do It" also won first prize in the second national youth and children’s literary and art competition.

Both were first prizes for excellent works, which not only put their newspaper on the map nationally, but also made her, a newcomer, famous across the country.

For these two awards, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Yang even mentioned there was a cash prize, asking her to come to the office on Friday afternoon.

Professor Shi found out about it too and on Friday, after the second period, he let her leave early.

Upon arriving at the magazine, before she even had the chance to greet anyone, she was met with resounding applause from everyone.

Even the director came over: "Comrade Xiao Lu, when you joined us last year, I said that our society would rely on you young people in the future. We’ve all seen your hard work. Comrade Xiao Lu, with such talent, it must not be buried. Keep up the good work."

"Not only is there a reward from the National Art Society, but our province and even the city have rewards as well."

The president said this while taking a large red flower that had already been prepared and putting it on her.

He then gave her a certificate for personal excellence, as well as a red envelope, "All these are the rewards from our society. Although you’re still in school and can’t neglect your studies, you must still do your job well in the society.

You and Comrade Xiao Luo are capable, and although it’s not as convenient as when you were in the society, good things take effort. If there are any future tasks, the society will also try to consider your schedules," he said.

"Thank you, Mr. President, thank you for the society’s cultivation. I will definitely not let the society down and will strive to do every piece of work well," she replied.

Although they were no longer employees of the society, receiving recognition from the president naturally made Lu Jingqiu happy.

After the president had presented her with the large red flower, Deputy Editor Yang gave her a thermos cup and two more red envelopes.

He said that these were rewards from the province and the city, and the thermos cup was a reward from the society.

Looking at these items, Lu Jingqiu’s mouth stayed open all the way home.

Upon returning home, she was eager to share the news with her aunt, but as she walked through the door, she found her father, who hadn’t been home for a month.

Lu Jingqiu’s eyes immediately filled with tears, "Dad, you’re finally back."

Lu Xianrun, who had been away for a month, had lost weight and looked a bit disheveled and haggard when he returned. Fortunately, his daughter hadn’t seen him like that, or else her tears wouldn’t have stopped flowing.

"What are you crying for? Dad’s trip was no different than usual, just a bit longer this time. Why did you come back so early today?" he asked.

Lu Jingqiu quickly blinked her eyes and suddenly became excited, "Dad, I won an award, look, both of my picture books received first prizes, and they’re high honors too!"

"Really?" Lu Xianrun, who had been calm, suddenly became excited too. He hurriedly took the certificates from her hand, suppressing the smile on his face, and carefully read the text on them.

After reading them several times, he finally burst into laughter, "Good, good, good, my Qiuqiu is so accomplished. Qiuqiu, Dad will support you. You keep painting, and I’ll buy you whatever you need."

"Dad, I also received monetary awards, not just from Capital City but also from the province, the city, and the society," said Lu Jingqiu, hurriedly taking out the things from her pocket and placing them on the dining table.

"The province gave one hundred yuan, plus two art brush coupons and two art paper coupons. Capital City gave two hundred yuan, one industrial coupon, and two art brush coupons. The city gave fifty yuan and one art paper coupon, and the society gave me a thermos cup and one art brush coupon. Dad, this thermos cup is valuable; I’m saving it for you to use."

Lu Xianrun looked at his daughter’s awards and felt they were nothing compared to the two certificates. Those were his daughter’s honors and should be properly kept.

"Good, Qiuqiu is getting better and better at making Dad proud. I’ll get these certificates framed for you. You keep the money. Was there anything you needed this past month while Dad wasn’t home?"

"Nothing, just missing you guys," she said.

"You’re getting sweeter with your words. Go call your uncle over; let’s not cook tonight. Instead, we’ll go to your aunt’s restaurant; Dad wants to treat your uncle to a good meal tonight," he said.

"Okay, I’ll go right now. Should I also call Nanzhou?"

"No need to call him; he’s not in the squad right now."

"Huh?"

"One of his comrades was injured, and he should be at the Military District Hospital now."

"Dad, is Nanzhou okay?"

"Nanzhou’s fine, but it was Company Commander Yang who got hurt because of Nanzhou."

"Oh, then I should go to see him as well," she said.

"Yes, you should go see him," he agreed.

Lu Xianrun checked the time and said, "Alright, I’ll go get your uncle. You go ahead and come back quickly."

"Okay!"