Ye Zhi continued, "The more aggressively they smear us, the lower users' expectations will be. When users receive their packages, even if they were initially indifferent, they'll naturally compare and find Shun Da Express to be quite good! In fact, many Shun Da users have already spontaneously defended us today. In a couple of days, once most users receive their packages, I believe public opinion will shift."
Qi Xuan chuckled, "So, you should thank them then?"
"Perhaps not. Directly mocking them is rather impolite," Ye Zhi said with a slight curl of her lips. "Besides, it's best not to celebrate before the race is won. Once public opinion has completely reversed, it won't be too late to thank them!"
Qi Xuan found it both amusing and exasperating. Was she aiming for a more assured mockery?
"Miss Ye, Young Master, here is some cut honeydew melon for you to try," the butler said, placing the melon in front of them.
"Thank you, Uncle Butler," Ye Zhi replied with a gentle smile.
Seeing that they seemed poised to discuss work again, the butler grew a little anxious. At this rate, when would they get together? He decided he had to probe their intentions for his young master!
The butler asked, "Miss Ye, how old are you this year?"
"I'm 24."
"My young master is 26," the butler said with a smile. "That's good, you're both still young..."
"Butler, you can go ahead and attend to your duties," Qi Xuan said with a hint of helplessness, guessing the butler's intentions.
"I have nothing pressing to do. I want to chat with Miss Ye," the butler insisted stubbornly.
Qi Xuan: ... He was starting to doubt if he was indeed the young master.
"Of course, I quite enjoy chatting with Uncle Butler too," Ye Zhi said, pushing her portion of melon towards the butler. "Uncle Butler, please sit down too. Let's eat together!"
"Then I thank you, Miss Ye," the butler said, smiling and sitting down near her. He picked up a toothpick, speared a piece of melon, and ate it. Then, he couldn't help but give a thumbs up, "Miss Ye, the melon you picked is truly sweet!"
"Naturally! I'm very good at picking fruit!" Ye Zhi declared proudly.
"Miss Ye, you are beautiful, intelligent, capable, and virtuous. Whoever marries you in the future will truly be blessed!" The butler glanced at Qi Xuan subconsciously and asked tentatively, "Miss Ye, what kind of man do you prefer?"
"I haven't really thought about that yet. I'm only 24, which is the best age," Ye Zhi said, tasting a piece of melon. "It would be a shame not to focus on building a career!"
The butler: ... The best age should be for building a career? The butler was a bit bewildered. Could this be the remarkable Ye Zhi?
He asked with a hint of unwillingness, "Then when do you plan to consider matters of the heart?"
Ye Zhi thought for a moment and said, "After I turn thirty! By then, my career should be largely established."
The butler breathed a sigh of relief. That was acceptable. At least it was only another five or six years, not fifty or sixty.
After a few more casual remarks, the butler left to attend to his duties.
After dinner, Ye Zhi bid farewell and left. Qi Xuan escorted her to the door and watched until she safely returned home.
Seeing Qi Xuan return, the butler spoke with a mournful tone, "Young Master, do you really intend to wait for five or six more years?"
"It won't take that long," Qi Xuan said in a deep voice. "Ye Zhi is very ambitious and has clear plans. She's currently waiting for the right opportunity. If that opportunity arises, she can make Taoxun a domestic internet giant in about three years."
The butler was exasperated. "... Is that what I meant? Forget Miss Ye, why are you also only thinking about your career?"
"Since her goal is to achieve something significant, I naturally want to support her in realizing that goal sooner," Qi Xuan said calmly. "Only matters of the heart cannot be rushed; rushing them is useless."
The butler looked like he was disappointed in his protégé. "Fine, fine, you just wait! If you're not in a hurry, I won't worry about it anymore!"
Qi Xuan found it somewhat amusing. He promised, "Butler, don't worry. When Ye Zhi achieves her aspirations, I will definitely put in my effort."
"Effort for what?" the butler retorted. "By then, Miss Ye won't even need your investment. What use will you be as a walking ATM?"
Ouch!
Qi Xuan stiffened slightly. That remark was indeed cutting. After a moment of silence, he said uncertainly, "By then, she'll probably like someone who can cook, someone with similar values and who understands her… a companion, right? At least I'm good-looking."
"Look at your pathetic state!" The butler was amused by him. "Alright, alright, you do your best."
*
The next day, Ye Zhi went to the game department again to find Feng Jie.
Ye Zhi asked, "Feng Jie, in your circle, do you know any friends who are capable, have good character, and could perfectly fill the role of an assistant?"
Feng Jie immediately became wary. He couldn't help but ask, "Ms. Ye, is there something wrong with my work?"
"It has nothing to do with you. No," Ye Zhi paused. "Actually, it does have something to do with you. A friend of mine wants to start a business, and I'm looking for a good helper for her. It's just a shame you can't be in two places at once."
Seeing Ye Zhi's regretful expression, Feng Jie was speechless. Thank you, Ms. Ye! I really appreciate your recognition of my abilities!
Suppressing his inner thoughts, Feng Jie said, "I'll ask around later. If anyone is looking to switch jobs or is unemployed, I'll recommend them to you."
"Okay," Ye Zhi nodded.
As Ye Zhi turned to leave, Feng Jie couldn't help but ask, "Ms. Ye, aren't you going to ask about the public opinion regarding Shun Da online?"
"Don't you have it under control? I trust you to handle it," Ye Zhi said casually.
Feng Jie: ... Ms. Ye truly trusts me!
After Ye Zhi left, Feng Jie let out a helpless sigh. Last night, Ou Minghan contacted him again, asking why there was no activity from Ye Zhi's side, and if she had simply accepted defeat. He was still contemplating how to help Taoxun conceal the situation when he heard Ou Minghan causing a scene, after which Ou Minghan hung up. Feng Jie was truly speechless. He was acting as a double agent, and both of them trusted him so much!
After reviewing the progress of the game department, Feng Jie went directly to the public relations department. Yesterday, as per Ye Zhi's instructions, he had people create official accounts for Shun Da Express and, acting as customer service, inquire about tracking numbers and understand the situation for every post. Many posts couldn't provide any information. Even for those that could, the public relations department could directly verify the authenticity of the content and provide reasoned responses.