The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Art Editor Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Art Editor Yang Ting smiled, “We’re currently looking to hire an art editor.” She didn’t elaborate further, as several leaders from her publishing house had just returned from a meeting the previous afternoon, and she had arrived early this morning.

Yang Ting suspected that the candidate might be a relative of one of the leaders. Even if that was not the case, there was a possibility it could be someone recommended by higher-level leaders. However, the vacancy had not yet been publicly announced, and there was still going to be a unified exam.

As Jingqiu drafted her ideas, she conversed with Yang Ting, “Art editor, are there any specific requirements?”

Yang Ting smiled and did not reply.

Jingqiu did not ask further, focusing intently on her drawing.

In fact, her works were all watercolor paintings, but since watercolor requires drying before applying different colors, the process was slow, so she had turned to crayons.

About half an hour later, her artwork of a little squirrel holding a pine cone in a tree was finished.

After comparing the style, Yang Ting confirmed it was indeed the work of one person, “Hmm, your foundation is solid. However, we currently are not in need of artists. We are looking to hire art editors, but the notification hasn’t been sent out yet. You can pay attention to the West City Daily in the next few days. We’re hiring two art editors, and an exam will be necessary.”

Jingqiu inquired, “May I ask, what will the exam cover? When will it take place?”

Yang Ting did not hide the details, “Chinese and art.”

With a smile and a word of thanks, Jingqiu left the publishing house excited.

Being an art editor was indeed a good opportunity, and she was determined to prepare well for it once home.

As soon as she arrived home, Jingqiu eagerly shared the good news with her mother.

Zhou Lanping looked at her daughter in surprise, “You, a young girl, went straight to the leaders to discuss job matters without knowing anyone inside?”

Jingqiu nodded affirmatively, “Yes.”

Zhou Lanping asked, “The leaders at the Juvenile Children’s Publishing House didn’t give you a hard time, did they? Usually, in such situations, if they politely reject you, that’s already considered quite nice.”

Jingqiu replied, “No, the leader was very nice. Besides, they are in need of someone like me who can illustrate. I even brought my works there and the leader asked me to draw a piece on the spot and told me to look out for the newspaper in the next few days.”

Zhou Lanping was nonetheless very relieved. Her daughter had her own opinions and was working hard to achieve them. Knowing this, she would be much less worried about her future.

“Ever since you were little, you loved writing and drawing. I never thought you could turn it into a job as you got older, especially one that you enjoy. If you really get in, it would be a great place for you.”

“Yes, that’s what I was thinking too. Mom, to celebrate, I’ll cook a few dishes for you and Dad tonight.”

Zhou Lanping smiled, “Alright, it was too hot at noon, so we just had a simple meal of noodles. This afternoon, we mother and daughter can go to the co-op and have a look together.”

Jingqiu still remembered that in their city, there was an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor. Not that he claimed to cure all diseases, but he had special remedies for many complicated illnesses. She planned to seek him out to help improve her mother’s health.

In the following days, while Jingqiu kept an eye on the West City Daily News, she also accompanied her mother to various places.

They visited department stores, co-ops, and when the weather wasn’t too hot, they went to the outskirts to pick wild vegetables.

They also tried to find that old Chinese medicine doctor, but without success.

As three or four days passed, the Juvenile Children’s Publishing House posted a recruitment notice in the West City Daily News. The position was open for individuals aged 18-40, with at least a middle or high school education, and a good foundation in art, capable of independently completing a children’s work among other qualifications. The notice also included details about the job description as well as the location and times for the written test and the interview.

A week’s time for registration, and the test would begin the day after registration ended.

Lu Jingqiu did the math; if the interview concluded, she wouldn’t have much of her one-month holiday left.

Lu Jingqiu went to the publishing house to register on the morning she saw the newspaper.

The person who received her was Zhang Miao, a colleague from the Juvenile Children’s Publishing House with whom she was very close in her previous life.

Lu Jingqiu wanted to be more friendly with her, but considering they were still strangers now, she simply inquired about the examination procedure before heading back.

In just one day, many had already registered, and toward the end of the day, the president, two chief editors, and someone from finance came to take a look.

In total, there were twenty candidates, ranging in age from teenagers to over thirty.

Yang Ting noticed Lu Jingqiu’s name at first glance, smiled silently to herself, and pointed to her name, saying to the leaders, “This young comrade is very bold. She came once, brought some works with her, and they were quite good, meeting our publishing house’s standards.”

Master Zhang glanced at her and asked, “Do you know her?”

Yang Ting shook her head, “I don’t know her, nor do I know if it’s a coincidence or…”

Before she finished speaking, she turned to look at President Li and Vice President Wang.

President Li shrugged, “I don’t know her either. For a fine arts editor, we only want the most suitable. In recent meetings, the higher-ups have placed great emphasis on children’s enlightenment education. Currently, there are few books aimed at 3-5 years old enlightenment on the market. Preschool education is beginning to take hold.

We should take advantage of this time to publish more children’s enlightenment picture books and comic strips. Deputy Editor-in-Chief Yang, your department will be in charge of the picture book project for young children.”

Yang Ting nodded, “Rest assured, President, we have received quite a few submissions on our end, and presently we are negotiating a few copyrights. We’ll find some high-quality works, publish a few to see how they sell, and when the time comes, we will need Vice President Wang to give us more promotion.”

Vice President Wang nodded, “You two departments just go ahead and do it; I’ll take care of the market side.”

…

Lately, Zhou Lanping had bought a lot of fabric, and early that day, she started teaching Lu Jingqiu how to make clothes and quilts.

“It will be hot for just over a month more this summer, and afterward, you should make your own quilts. You know where the cotton fluffing place is, right? It’s just out of our compound, turn right, down that small alley, there’s a shop.”

“Mom, making quilts in the summer is too hot. Let’s wait until it gets cold when we need to change our quilts for washing. Then you can teach me. Recently, I had Qingqing inquire about the old traditional Chinese doctor’s address. I’m thinking of visiting today.”

“What do you need to see an old traditional Chinese doctor for? I’ve taken medicine these past few days, and my health has improved considerably. Your dad has also submitted a leave form, and his vacation should be approved soon. In a few days, our family will go to Capital City for a visit. Come, learn how to make a quilt with mom. Haven’t you always wanted to learn how to make clothes? Mom has bought you a piece of fabric for a skirt, tomorrow I will teach you how to cut it.”

Lu Jingqiu watched her mother spread out the base fabric on the floor and chatter away in the living room, feeling that there was something off about her, yet the medicine bottles her mother usually took indeed were for treating gastroenteritis.

Because her father had been particularly busy trying to arrange his leave, he hadn’t had time to ask her mother if she was feeling uncomfortable or had any stomachaches at night.

“Mom, you’ve taken medicine for the gastroenteritis, but your gums have been bleeding continuously and haven’t gotten better. What’s really going on? Didn’t Uncle Zhang say anything?”

Without looking up, Zhou Lanping casually replied, “It’s caused by the gastric fire from the gastroenteritis. Once the gastroenteritis is healed, the gums will naturally recover.”

Half-doubting, Lu Jingqiu asked, “Is that so?”