The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 84 - 82: Won an award at the provincial level

Chapter 84: Chapter 82: Won an award at the provincial level

When they were almost home, Jiang Nanzhou handed over the car to her and watched her enter before leaving.

Lu Jingqiu knew what he was being cautious about; he was afraid of running into her father.

However, after arriving home, Lu Jingqiu didn’t get interrogated by her father.

Compared to other fathers, hers understood these young people well; at this time, going out with someone on a Sunday usually just meant watching a movie or strolling through a park.

The next day at work, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Yang called her into his office and mysteriously presented her with a certificate.

Lu Jingqiu took it and looked at the content, becoming so excited that her eyes reddened, "Deputy Editor Yang, did I win first place?"

Yang Ting nodded solemnly and smiled, "Congratulations, Comrade Jingqiu. You are the pride of our publishing house, a real talent. The management has discussed and wants to offer you a permanent position. What do you think?"

Lu Jingqiu also wanted to be made permanent, "Deputy Editor Yang, my results are coming out the day after tomorrow. If I don’t get into university, will the publishing house still make me permanent?"

"Of course. What if you do get into university?"

Lu Jingqiu replied, "Obviously, I can’t work every day if I’m in university, but if the publishing house needs me, you can still find me."

Yang Ting was thinking along the same lines, nodded, then took an envelope from the drawer and said, "This is the reward from the province, fifty yuan for the first place, plus fifty sheets of drawing paper. Additionally, the list of winners will be published in the West City Daily News tomorrow."

"Thank you, Deputy Editor Yang. I owe it to you for helping me register."

"It’s because your work is good, and it’s not just you who gets a reward—the publishing house has one too. The province has given us an award for advancement, as nurturing talent is also our responsibility. After the newspaper publishes it, the publishing house will publish your official twelve solar terms picture book. Here’s the contract for you to check out."

Lu Jingqiu briefly skimmed the contract, which basically stated her remuneration based on manuscript fees and the number of prints, amounting to the money she would receive.

Lu Jingqiu didn’t think about earning much; she was already very happy to get published.

Half an hour later, Lu Jingqiu left Deputy Editor Yang’s office.

Zhang Miao knew about this and, seeing the smile on her face, asked, "Did you get an award?"

Lu Jingqiu, hiding her excitement, nodded, "Yeah, and my book is going to be published. Miaomiao, don’t leave after work today; I’m treating."

"No problem."

Back at the office, Luo Xinyue also came over and looked at the certificate in her arms, "Did you really win an award?"

"Yes. Don’t leave this afternoon either; do me the honor and let me take you out for a meal."

"I’ll definitely take you up on a big meal, don’t worry," Luo Xinyue said, then glanced at Yang Bo’s work station, "What’s Editor Yang been busy with lately? He hasn’t been coming to work."

"I don’t know, he said he took some leave."

"Oh. Too bad for him, he’ll miss out on this meal."

After five o’clock, Lu Jingqiu took Zhang Miao and Luo Xinyue to a nearby state-owned restaurant.

She boldly ordered braised pork, stir-fried pork with garlic shoots, smashed cucumbers, three servings of dumplings, and three bottles of soft drinks.

Zhang Miao clicked his tongue twice, "I haven’t had braised pork in a long time, today is a real treat."

Luo Xinyue said, "I heard your book is going to be published; I’m so envious of you."

"There’s nothing to be envious of. You don’t know how busy I was during that time, having to review and draw. I was working all day and night, and I lost several pounds."

Zhang Miao responded, "Effort always pays off. Jingqiu, are your results coming out soon?"

"Yes, the day after tomorrow."

Zhang Miao said, "Ah, I always feel like our time as colleagues won’t last much longer."

Lu Jingqiu liked hearing that; she too looked forward to getting into university.

Luo Xinyue said, "I think not coming to work might be nice. Our publishing house will definitely look to commission you in the future. Getting commissions to write is way more profitable than making drawings at work."

Zhang Miao agreed with this point, but they needed different styles, and not every artist with a distinct style could be brought into the office to work.

The salaries alone were significant, so on the whole, it was more cost-effective to find someone to contract for the work.

No matter how much she earned, Lu Jingqiu only wanted to live a life of modest comfort, to be able to afford things when she wanted to buy them.

Lu Jingqiu was very satisfied with her current situation. She was much better off than she was in her previous life.

After returning home, Lu Jingqiu went straight upstairs and took out her piggy bank, which was actually an empty Malted Milk tin can, containing the money she had saved over the year.

With today’s addition, the total was over eighteen hundred yuan. Excluding the fifty yuan provided by the province and the more than two hundred yuan from the office, she had over sixteen hundred before.

If things continued this way, she might be able to save up to two thousand yuan by the end of the year.

The thought of the tin can being filled excited Lu Jingqiu beyond measure.

After going downstairs, she fed Hua Hua a raw egg in her good mood. She then went to the hen’s nest and felt around, "Ah, good things come in pairs, the chicken actually laid an egg; Hua Hua, you’ll have quite the treat from now on."

"Meow..." Hua Hua seemed to understand and rubbed against her.

Today, Lu Jingqiu had not told her father about her award because she was waiting for her results.

On the day the results came out, Lu Jingqiu took a day off from the office. Her father also took leave, and early in the morning, the father and daughter duo rode their bicycles to check her scores.

Lu Xianrun was even more nervous than Lu Jingqiu. By the time they arrived, the area in front of the bulletin was already crowded with people.

Some had already seen their scores; those who passed whooped with joy, and those who did not sank into silence and walked away.

After squeezing in, they promptly found her name at a glance.

Lu Xianrun exclaimed joyfully, "Qiuqiu, 426 points, in the second row; with these scores, you’re definitely getting in."

Lu Jingqiu was also very excited, patiently looked further back, and found no one with the same name as hers; the smile on her face grew increasingly radiant, "Dad, with this score plus my subject marks, I also think there shouldn’t be any problem."

"Good, good, my Qiuqiu is going to university. Let’s go home and spread the news."

Seeing her father’s enthusiastic actions, Lu Jingqiu laughed helplessly.

When they arrived at the compound, Gao Qing had also returned. She pulled Lu Jingqiu aside and asked, "Qiuqiu, how many points did you score? I only got 387. Could I be admitted with these scores?"

Lu Jingqiu replied, "Do you have additional marks for your subject? Total everything up, and it should be at least four hundred points. I reckon there won’t be any problem."

With Lu Jingqiu’s affirmation, Gao Qing felt significantly more at ease, "Really?"

Lu Jingqiu nodded, "Even if you don’t go to Capital City, getting into West City’s art school shouldn’t be a problem."

Gao Qing nodded in relief, and Lu Jingqiu then inquired about Gao Yi’s results.

Gao Qing giggled foolishly, "My brother actually scored 452 points, Qiuqiu. With a total of 500, he definitely won’t have an issue."

Lu Jingqiu sighed and said, "Qingqing, we’ve been talking every day about making a surprise comeback, but it turns out your Third Brother is the one who sprang a surprise. He did it so stealthily without any fuss, and suddenly he brings us this amazing shock."

Gao Qing laughed, "Indeed, my parents are overjoyed. We’re definitely having a feast today. I won’t keep you any longer; I’m heading home first."

"Alright." After parting ways with Gao Qing, the father and daughter hurried home.

When they got to the aunt’s house, only the second cousin was there.

Upon hearing his cousin’s excellent results, with university in the bag, he quickly cycled off to inform his mother.

"Tell aunt to come home early today, and come to our place for dinner."

"Okay."

After Lu Xianrun brought the bike inside, he headed to the office. Without a doubt, he was going to show off.

After the excitement, Lu Jingqiu regained her composure; she still had to go to work.