High-Altitude Worker, Unfortunately a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role - Chapter 43

The next morning, the two set off again.

Qiao Shuxue said she had trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds, so Zhao Ke drove again.

Good morning, everyone! (Though it’s already afternoon in China.)

Wow, the scenery here is amazing!

“Keke, the production team just sent a new notification!” Qiao Shuxue said, waking up from a nap when her phone buzzed.

“Yeah, I saw it. They want us to conduct an interview,” Zhao Ke replied.

“I can’t believe the director of the nearby mine is Chinese! What a coincidence!” Qiao Shuxue’s cheeks flushed with excitement.

“I’ll draft an interview outline first. How about we split the work? I’ll handle the interview, and you can focus on filming, Keke?”

“Sounds good.”

Zhao Ke had no objections. She wasn’t skilled at interviewing anyway, so she was grateful for Qiao Shuxue’s enthusiasm.

Reporter Shu Xue is online! Woohoo!

Meeting a Chinese person in remote Africa is so exciting!

Chinese people are everywhere, lol!

Dust swirled around the mine as Zhao Ke stepped out of the car and closed the door, sending a cloud of sand billowing into the air.

The sun beat down fiercely on the terraced landscape, resembling an ancient Roman amphitheater. At the bottom, countless workers toiled under the scorching heat.

“It’s truly magnificent,” Qiao Shuxue murmured in awe.

“I’ll go down and take some photos. You wait here for the mine’s liaison to arrive?”

Zhao Ke kept her mission firmly in mind.

“Alright, I’ll call you later,” Qiao Shuxue said, waving Zhao Ke off.

Hurry up and leave, she thought disdainfully. I can handle this interview myself.

Qiao Shuxue remained where she was. Before long, a Chinese man wearing a yellow hard hat jogged toward her.

“Hello, hello! Are you from the Distant Lands production team? I’m Chairman Zhao’s assistant. Just call me Xu Yong.”

Xu Yong’s face lit up with a smile. He never expected to find journalists from his homeland interviewing him in such a remote place. Our motherland is truly great!

“Hello, I’m Qiao Shuxue,” she said, introducing herself with a smile.

Contrary to her expectations, Xu Yong remained polite and welcoming.

“Ah, Reporter Qiao, welcome, welcome! It must have been a long and tiring journey to get here.”

Xu Yong’s gaze swept over Qiao Shuxue. Strange, why isn’t she wearing a press badge?

The name Distant Lands was deceptively official, sounding more like a documentary series than an entertainment variety show. Yet, it fit perfectly on a factual, official channel.

The production team hadn’t realized this when they contacted Xu Yong, simply stating they were a program from China seeking an interview.

Thus, Xu Yong naturally assumed Qiao Shuxue was a genuine journalist.

As for celebrities, what were those? He’d been in Africa for over a year and had long since lost touch with the entertainment industry.

Qiao Shuxue’s smile stiffened momentarily, but she quickly masked her reaction. “You must have faced tremendous challenges mining here, so far from home. My main purpose in coming here is to interview your chairman. I hope he can inspire young people to strive for success.”

Xu Yong chuckled, scratching his head. “It’s tough work, sure, but the pay’s good.” He didn’t really find it that difficult.

But he couldn’t say that on camera.

“The boss is down in the pit. Come on, I’ll take you down.”

Qiao Shuxue followed his gaze. Everyone below wore small yellow helmets, making it impossible to distinguish the chairman.

Frustration welled up inside her. She’d finally gotten rid of Zhao Ke, only to have to climb down into the pit herself.

Why can’t the chairman just stay in his office like a normal person? What’s he doing down there?

Forcing a bright smile, Qiao Shuxue looked at Xu Yong with feigned gratitude. “Thank you so much for your help.”

Unaware of her true intentions, Xu Yong led Qiao Shuxue down into the mine.

The mine was vast. Zhao Ke wandered around the other end, stopping occasionally to take photos.

Mining was a harsh environment, demanding specialized skills, meticulous attention to detail, and physical endurance.

Not bad, Zhao Ke nodded to herself. This job suits me perfectly.

Zhao Ke chatted with the resting workers in her broken English.

Miners at the Gold Mine earned higher wages compared to other mines, especially skilled technicians and experienced miners who commanded even higher pay.

Moreover, most mining companies here offered hazard pay, housing subsidies, medical insurance, and other benefits—none of which Zhao Ke had received during her time as a high-altitude aerial work instructor.

The more Zhao Ke learned, the more excited she became, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

Several local workers noticed her interest and mentioned that the mine was currently short-staffed. They suggested she could start as an unskilled laborer if she was interested.

“Keke, are we even going back to the Domestic Entertainment Industry?”

“Seriously, look at Zhao Ke’s face—she actually wants to do this!”

“Well, that’s it. She’s really going to become a miner now.”

“A gold miner, no less! I’m dying of laughter!”

“Calm down, Keke! The Domestic Entertainment Industry needs you! I need you!”

The local workers gestured wildly, indicating they would take Zhao Ke to meet the boss and inquire about opportunities. Zhao Ke readily agreed.

Qiao Shuxue followed Xu Yong, trudging through uneven terrain for a long time, until they finally spotted Zhao Sheng on a hillside.

A plain safety helmet sat atop his head, beneath which was a sun-darkened face of a middle-aged man. Deep wrinkles framed the corners of his eyes, his gaze toward Qiao Shuxue a mix of sincerity and scrutiny.

Qiao Shuxue’s eyes fell on Zhao Sheng’s polo shirt, which resembled an old man’s undershirt, and she inwardly scoffed.

Chairman Zhao? This is it?

The bullet screen buzzed with speculation.

Ahhh, if the assistant hadn’t said anything, I’d never have guessed he was the chairman!

You can tell, though. Among all the workers, he’s the only one with a beer belly, haha!

This is great! What’s wrong with being a chairman? They sit in offices all day, talking without lifting a finger. Chairman Zhao’s mingling with the workers—if I were one of them, I’d be thrilled!

If the chairman supervises the work daily, the mine’s safety should be guaranteed, right?

Despite her initial skepticism, Qiao Shuxue offered a warm smile and stepped forward to greet him. “Chairman Zhao, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Qiao Shuxue, a reporter from the Distant Lands production team here to conduct an interview.”

“Ah, hello, hello.”

Zhao Sheng had just finished scolding two employees for not wearing their safety helmets properly, so his expression wasn’t exactly friendly.

“It must have been quite a journey flying all the way here,” Zhao Sheng remarked.

Qiao Shuxue smiled shyly. “It was a bit tiring, yes.”

“But compared to the hard work you’ve been doing in such a remote part of Africa, my efforts are nothing.”

Zhao Sheng’s expression remained neutral. “Ask your questions.”

Unaware of the growing tension, Qiao Shuxue pulled out her prepared manuscript and began her interview.

“Chairman Zhao, what inspired you to develop mining operations in such a distant place like Africa?”

“Why mine in Africa? The official answer, of course, is to expand markets. I’m a businessman, driven by profit.” Zhao Sheng chuckled.

“And the unofficial answer?” Qiao Shuxue pressed.

This was a gold mine, after all. Compared to that, the Qiao Family’s business seemed insignificant in Chairman Zhao’s eyes.

“The unofficial answer? For my daughter. I want her to live a happier life.” Zhao Sheng’s face lit up with pride and longing as he spoke of his daughter.

“That’s wonderful. You’re truly a great father,” Qiao Shuxue said, her voice filled with admiration.

If the Qiao Family had Chairman Zhao’s kind of influence, she might consider giving them a warmer reception.

Family, doesn’t Chairman Zhao look familiar to anyone?

No, he just looks like an ordinary person.

No, no, no! Watch the interview closely. Chairman Zhao just mentioned that before going abroad, he was in the mining business in China. Plus, his surname is Zhao!

Oblivious, Qiao Shuxue chuckled. “I wonder who will be lucky enough to become your daughter. I’m truly envious of her.”

Zhao Sheng waved his hand modestly. “Don’t say that. Ah, I didn’t mean to bring up my daughter. I’m just patting myself on the back.”

Qiao Shuxue pressed curiously, “Chairman Zhao, do you only have one daughter?”

She had completely veered off-topic from the interview.

Zhao Sheng shook his head, his gentle expression turning slightly colder. However, with the cameras rolling, he couldn’t directly refuse to answer Qiao Shuxue’s question.

“No, I also have a younger son.”

!!! It all adds up!

What adds up?

Surname Zhao, mining industry, one daughter and one son, went abroad about a year ago… Chairman Zhao is Zhao Ke’s father!

Ah, what are you talking about? What does this have to do with Zhao Ke?

Don’t you remember? When Zhao Ke and Qiao Qinglu debuted around the same time, they were immediately branded as the “Resource Kids Duo.” Back then, rumors were rampant that Zhao Ke was the child of a coal boss.

I think I vaguely remember something like that. Didn’t it later come out that Zhao Ke’s family’s mining operations were struggling and eventually went bankrupt? So Boss Zhao didn’t just give up; he pivoted to international markets instead!

No way, this can’t be a coincidence! They don’t even look alike!

Wait, if you look closely, there are some similarities. It’s mostly that Chairman Zhao has gotten so tanned.

So what I’m watching right now is Qiao Shuxue interviewing Zhao Ke’s… father?!

Hold on, does Zhao Ke even know? She seems completely unaware!

“May I ask, is Young Chairman Zhao currently in China?” Qiao Shuxue asked curiously.

Judging by Chairman Zhao’s age, his son must be in his twenties, she guessed.

Zhao Sheng frowned slightly but answered honestly, “No, he came to Africa with me. He’s not at the mine today; he went to the city to handle some business.”

“Which channel is your production team from? It doesn’t seem like the business channel.” Zhao Sheng suddenly changed the subject, turning the question back on Qiao Shuxue.

Hearing this, Qiao Shuxue smiled radiantly. Finally, someone was asking her about it.

“No, Chairman Zhao, Distant Lands is actually an outdoor self-driving travel variety show.”

“A variety show? The entertainment industry?” Zhao Sheng scrutinized Qiao Shuxue.

Qiao Shuxue covered her lips and took the initiative to introduce herself. “Yes, Chairman Zhao, I’m Qiao Shuxue, an actress. Have you perhaps seen any of my dramas?”

Qiao Shuxue noticed a flush rising on Zhao Sheng’s face and felt a surge of elation. Her fame had reached such heights that even the immensely wealthy Chairman Zhao was familiar with her.

In reality, Zhao Sheng hadn’t paid any attention to Qiao Shuxue’s introduction. He only heard the word “yes” and became emotionally agitated.

He was about to say, “My daughter is also a star in the entertainment industry,” when an uncertain voice called out from behind him.

“Dad?”