Chapter 076: There Is a Ghost

Gao Xiang was, after all, the undisputed top agent in Jiuzhou. It wasn’t just her shrewdness; the vast network of resources she wielded was enough to leave her peers far behind. In less than a day, Gao Xiang had managed to reverse the entire situation, even shifting public opinion in Song Wan’s favor.

Throughout it all, she had done only five things—

First, she hired internet trolls to control the narrative, ensuring the tide of opinion didn’t turn overwhelmingly against them.

Second, she asked familiar celebrities to speak up for Song Wan online—not to lavish her with praise, but simply to state that such incidents were entirely normal.

Third, she dug up similar cases from the past, gathering them together to divert some of the concentrated criticism away from Song Wan.

Fourth, she enlisted Haohan Luxury to publicly deny that Song Wan had become their brand ambassador through improper means.

Fifth, she contacted the other parties involved in the incident, and though she only managed to persuade two artists in the end, it was already enough to shift the balance.

That was all. It seemed deceptively simple, yet Gao Xiang wielded her influence with such precision that, by the end, even the bystanders online began to feel that Song Wan was being unfairly targeted:

Wasn’t this sort of thing entirely normal? Why were so many people ganging up on a young woman? Why not direct the same outrage at other celebrities who’d done the same thing? Weren’t they just picking on Song Wan because she seemed easy to bully?

After this episode, not only did Song Wan’s reputation among the general public improve, she even gained an unexpected wave of new fans.

Everything had played out just as Gao Xiang had anticipated. The only thing that surprised her was that Haohan Luxury didn’t just release an official statement; their own CEO, Mr. Ji, had personally stepped forward to speak for Song Wan.

“Signing Song Wan was my decision alone. There’s nothing shady about it—I simply saw her potential,” he declared.

“Potential? Ha. Take a look at how quickly Song Wan has risen in less than a year since her debut, the extraordinary resources she’s secured, and her exceptional acting ability. Then you’ll know why I chose her.”

“Before you speculate about all sorts of unsavory things, consider who I am,” Mr. Ji said with a faint smile. “I’m a businessman who never makes a move without profit. Even if someone were to climb into my bed, if she couldn’t bring me any benefit, I’d only toss her a bit of cash at most.”

“I would never gamble with my own company.”

...

Jin Youqian watched the interview video on Weibo, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Wu Yi, what’s Haohan Luxury worth? What’s its growth potential? Does it overlap with any of our group’s luxury subsidiaries?”

Wu Yi was momentarily stunned, only recovering after a long pause. “Sir, Haohan Luxury is among the top luxury brands in Jiuzhou, highly recognized domestically, and its prospects are quite promising. They focus on affordable luxury, so there’s little overlap with our group’s luxury subsidiary.”

Jin Youqian idly rubbed his finger over his phone screen—a habitual gesture when he was deep in thought.

“How likely is it that we could acquire Haohan Luxury?”

Wu Yi blinked in disbelief. “Sir, while Haohan Luxury has great potential, acquiring it wouldn’t really benefit our group.”

“Just answer my question.” Jin Youqian’s gaze was flat, neither pleased nor angry.

Yet that look alone sent a chill down Wu Yi’s spine; he knew he’d crossed a line.

“If we’re willing to pay a significant premium, the chances are about fifty percent.”

“How much are we talking?”

Wu Yi glanced at him cautiously. “A conservative estimate—over one billion.”

Even without factoring in Haohan’s brand value, just their established sub-brands alone were worth that much.

However...

“Oh, that expensive? Forget it, then,” Jin Youqian said lightly.

Wu Yi was speechless. What happened to the tycoon who’d spend lavishly just to make a beauty smile? What about the cold, domineering CEO?

Sir, I never expected you to be this kind of boss!

Wu Yi swallowed all his advice, feeling so stifled he wanted to hit someone.

“See if there are any projects we can collaborate on with Haohan. Find a way to give them a boost,” Jin Youqian mused. “Do your best to push Haohan into the international market—as long as it doesn’t harm our group’s interests.”

Wu Yi was still a bit confused. “Sir?”

“My wife can’t be endorsing some small company that hasn’t even set foot in the international market.”

Haohan Luxury, a small company? Sir, could you stop talking nonsense with a straight face? What about those top-tier stars fighting for the chance to be Haohan’s ambassador—how do you expect them to feel?

But he only nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll look into it right away.”

Jin Youqian waved his hand. “Mm, you may go.”

—

It must be said, there are plenty of clever people in this world. When Peak International’s letter of intent for collaboration landed on Haohan Luxury’s desk, every board member except Mr. Ji stared at it in shock, unable to believe their eyes.

“Um, Mr. Ji, is this real?”

“Would it be fake?” Mr. Ji replied, half-smiling at the speaker.

“But Peak International already owns luxury brands much bigger than ours. There’s no need for them to—”

“Peak International’s luxury business isn’t some side venture like ours.” Mr. Ji’s lips curled faintly, as if recalling something amusing. “If acquiring Haohan wasn’t so expensive, maybe Mr. Jin would’ve just bought out our little workshop outright.”

A company renowned throughout Jiuzhou reduced to a mere ‘little workshop’ in Mr. Ji’s words—what would others think to hear that?

But none of the others present objected. Compared with Peak International, wasn’t their company just a small workshop?

Gao Xiang was, after all, the undisputed top agent in Jiuzhou. Not only was she skilled, but her vast network of resources was something others could only dream of.

In less than a day, Gao Xiang had already reversed the course of the whole affair.

And all she’d done was five things—

First, she hired internet trolls to control the narrative and keep public opinion from becoming one-sided.

Second, she called on familiar celebrities to speak for Song Wan online—no need for effusive praise, just a simple statement that such things were normal.

Third, she dug up similar cases from the past to redirect the focus away from Song Wan.

Fourth, she got Haohan Luxury to step forward, denying that Song Wan became their ambassador through illegitimate means.

Fifth, she reached out to other parties involved in the incident, persuading two of the artists to speak up—which was already enough to change the current situation.

That was all. It seemed straightforward, yet Gao Xiang handled the tempo with uncanny precision. In the end, even the online bystanders began to believe Song Wan was simply unlucky to be caught up in this storm—

Wasn’t this kind of thing entirely normal? Why single out a young woman? Why not criticize the other stars who’d done the same? It’s just that Song Wan seemed easier to bully!

After this, not only did Song Wan’s favorability among strangers rise, she even gained a fresh wave of fans.

Everything was within Gao Xiang’s calculations. The only thing that surprised her was that Haohan Luxury not only spoke out as a company, but their CEO, Mr. Ji, personally appeared to speak for Song Wan.

“Signing Song Wan was my own decision. There’s nothing underhanded about it—I simply saw her potential.”

“Potential? Just look at how fast Song Wan has risen within a year of debut, the richness of her resources, her exceptional acting skills—that’s why I chose her.”

“Before you start guessing about all sorts of nonsense, remember who I am,” Mr. Ji smiled faintly. “I’m a businessman who never acts unless there’s profit. Even if someone were to get into my bed, if she couldn’t bring me any benefit, I’d just toss her a bit of cash.”

“I’d never gamble with my company.”

...

Jin Youqian watched the interview video on Weibo, eyes narrowing as he pondered. “Wu Yi, how much is Haohan Luxury worth? What’s their growth potential? Any overlap with our luxury subsidiaries?”

Wu Yi was stunned for a long moment before replying, “Sir, Haohan Luxury ranks among the top luxury brands in Jiuzhou, with a strong domestic reputation and promising prospects. They focus on affordable luxury, so there’s little overlap with our subsidiaries.”

Jin Youqian absentmindedly rubbed his finger on his phone screen—a habitual gesture when deep in thought.

“What are the chances we could acquire Haohan Luxury?”

Wu Yi blinked in disbelief. “Sir, though Haohan Luxury has promise, acquiring them wouldn’t really benefit our group.”

“Just answer the question,” Jin Youqian said, his gaze calm.

That look alone made Wu Yi’s back go cold; he knew he’d overstepped.

“If we’re willing to pay a hefty price, about fifty percent.”

“How much would that be?”

Wu Yi answered cautiously, “At least a billion, conservatively.”

Just their well-known sub-brands were worth that much.

Yet...

“Oh, that expensive? Forget it,” Jin Youqian said lightly.

Wu Yi was speechless. What happened to splurging for the sake of beauty? What about being the cold, domineering CEO?

Sir, I never thought you’d be like this!

Wu Yi stifled his advice, feeling so frustrated he wanted to hit someone.

“See if there are any projects we can work on with Haohan. Try to give them a push,” Jin Youqian said after a moment. “Do your best to help Haohan break into the international market—as long as it doesn’t harm the group’s interests.”

Wu Yi was still a bit lost. “Sir?”

“My wife can’t be the ambassador for some small company that hasn’t even entered the international market.”

Haohan Luxury, a small company? Sir, could you stop lying with a straight face? How are those A-list stars fighting for Haohan’s endorsement supposed to feel now?

But he only nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll look into it right away.”

Jin Youqian waved his hand. “Mm, you may go.”

—

There truly were many clever people in this world. When Peak International’s letter of intent for collaboration arrived at Haohan Luxury, all the board members except Mr. Ji stared at it in stunned disbelief.

“Mr. Ji, is this real?”

“Would it be fake?” Mr. Ji replied, half-smiling.

“But Peak International already owns luxury brands much bigger than ours. There’s no need for them to—”

“Peak International’s luxury business isn’t some side gig like ours.” Mr. Ji’s lips curled slightly, as if he recalled something amusing. “If acquiring Haohan wasn’t so expensive, perhaps Mr. Jin would’ve just bought out our little workshop directly.”

A luxury brand renowned across Jiuzhou, yet reduced to a ‘little workshop’ in Mr. Ji’s words—what would others think if they heard?

Yet none of those present objected. Compared to Peak International, wasn’t their company just a small workshop?

Small workshop.