I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Zhang Wanqing stood in the lobby of the newspaper office. The air was still thick with the scent of ink and paper, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the espresso machine. Her heartbeat quickened slightly, for her first article since arriving at the newspaper had garnered praise from her supervisor and colleagues. While it still had many flaws, for a rookie reporter, it was a respectable achievement.

Being able to pass the exam and work at this prestigious newspaper in the city was already fresh and exciting to Zhang Wanqing. Her eyes wandered among the busy reporters and editors until they fixed on a figure who had just walked in from the door.

He stood tall and straight, with a calm demeanor. Though dusty and exhausted, the sharpness and determination in his eyes were unmistakable. He was Fu Siyuan, the man who had scored first on the exam and joined the newspaper. Among the new reporters, he was undoubtedly the star. Fu Siyuan had just returned from a business trip. He put down his backpack and pulled out his camera, ready to copy his latest photos to his computer.

At this time, Zhang Wanqing took a deep breath, plucked up her courage, and walked towards him.

"Hello, Teacher Fu, I'm Zhang Wanqing, and I just joined the newspaper." Her voice was a little nervous, but more of it was expectation and respect.

Fu Siyuan turned around, his face showing fatigue from the journey, but when he saw Zhang Wanqing, a gentle smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Welcome aboard, Zhang Wanqing. I'm Fu Siyuan. Why do you call me teacher? I joined the company with you, so how can I be your teacher?" His voice was deep and contained a reassuring power.

Zhang Wanqing felt an inexplicable comfort, and her tension gradually dissipated.

"Although we were admitted to the newspaper together, you were already a somewhat famous reporter before joining this newspaper. I have read the reports you wrote, they are great! I also admire your courage and integrity very much. Compared to you, I am just a rookie reporter with no experience. So, Teacher Fu, I should learn more from you and learn from you!" she said sincerely.

"If you continue like this, we can't be colleagues anymore. Haha, just call me Fu Siyuan, or Xiao Fu!" Fu Siyuan said with a smile.

He gestured for Zhang Wanqing to follow him to the rest area of ​​the newspaper office. They found a quiet corner. Fu Siyuan poured himself a cup of black coffee and poured Zhang Wanqing a cup of latte. The steaming hot coffee in her hands made her feel a little warm.

He pointed at his black coffee and said, "This is too bitter. It's not suitable for you. Your latte has sugar in it, so it's sweeter."

Zhang Wanqing immediately felt that Fu Siyuan was a humorous, interesting, and graceful man, and it seemed easy to be with him. So Zhang Wanqing began to ask Fu Siyuan for advice on how to become a brave reporter.

"Being an honest and courageous journalist is no easy feat," Fu Siyuan began their conversation. "It requires not only courage, but also wisdom and persistence. You can't just be brave; you also need strategy, or wisdom, to handle emergencies while reporting. When you encounter difficult people or situations, don't give up immediately. Instead, change your mindset and come up with a new solution."

Zhang Wanqing listened attentively, her eyes gleaming with a thirst for knowledge. "So, how do we maintain our integrity and courage in this complex world?" she asked.

Fu Siyuan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "This requires us to have firm convictions and a fearless spirit. We may face pressure from all sides, even threats to our lives, but we must uphold our professional ethics and not succumb to any form of coercion. Because journalists are not only the mouthpieces of the Party and the government, but also watchtowers that expose the truth and speak the truth for the people."

After he finished speaking, his eyes became deep, as if he was recalling the difficult times in the past...

In a country devastated by a natural disaster, Fu Siyuan was one of the first journalists on the scene. He not only reported on the devastation but, more importantly, on the solidarity and mutual assistance shown by the people in the face of disaster. His footage captured touching moments of volunteers risking their own lives to rescue trapped people, and these reports inspired humanitarian aid worldwide.

Fu Siyuan also uncovered a high-level political scandal. His report, based on in-depth investigation and irrefutable evidence, exposed corruption and abuse of power. This report triggered a political earthquake in China, ultimately leading to the resignation of the officials involved and legal reforms.

On another occasion, during a major social movement, Fu Siyuan was on the front lines of reporting. He not only documented the scale and impact of the movement but, more importantly, delved deeply into the social issues and public demands behind it. His reporting provided a multi-dimensional perspective on the movement and played a role in promoting social change.

Fu Siyuan also reported on an environmental crisis caused by industrial pollution. His report detailed the impact of the pollution on the local ecosystem and residents' health, as well as the responses from companies and the government. This report heightened public awareness of environmental issues and prompted relevant departments to adopt stricter environmental protection policies.

These reports not only demonstrated Fu Siyuan's professionalism and courage as a journalist, but also his unwavering pursuit of truth and justice. Although he was only a trainee reporter at the time, these reports established a high reputation in the journalism world and became a role model for young journalists like Zhang Wanqing.

Fu Siyuan said: "I was once detained by local armed forces during an interview. They tried to make me give up my reporting. But I did not give in because I knew that my reporting could expose their crimes and bring justice to innocent people."

Zhang Wanqing was deeply moved by Fu Siyuan's story, and she felt an unprecedented passion burning in her heart. She knew that being a journalist was not just a job, but a mission, an unremitting pursuit of truth and justice.

"Teacher Fu, oh, no, Fu Siyuan, I'm deeply inspired by what you said." Zhang Wanqing's voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were firm. "I hope to be like you, using my pen and camera to bring a ray of light to this world."

Fu Siyuan looked at Zhang Wanqing and saw the fire and hope in her eyes, which reflected her love for journalism and her dedication to the truth. He smiled and nodded, expressing his encouragement and support for her.

"Remember, Wanqing," Fu Siyuan said in a low but powerful voice. "The truth may be frightening, and may even bring up many things you don't want to believe or see. But as journalists, we can't be afraid! We must face it bravely, expose the truth, and let the world see the light. This isn't just a slogan; it should be a belief that sustains us."

Zhang Wanqing took a deep breath and felt a new strength surge within her. She knew this road wouldn't be easy, but she was ready. For the truth and justice, she was willing to give everything.

They continued their discussion in the lounge, time slipping by unnoticed. If being a brave and upright journalist was Zhang Wanqing's inner conviction, then Fu Siyuan had suddenly become another conviction in her heart, though she couldn't quite articulate what it was.

As the sun gradually shone outside the window, the atmosphere in the lounge grew warmer and more tranquil. Zhang Wanqing felt her heart brimming with strength. She knew this would be the beginning of her journey to becoming an outstanding journalist.