fame and fortune

The system was practically in tears, trying to awaken the host's conscience.

However, Qu Shiyao just blinked innocently: "Huh? Is that so? Why?"

system:【……】

A feeling of "heartache" instantly overwhelmed its core.

Very well, the host not only has no conscience, but she also suffers from selective amnesia!

The system went completely crazy; it silently drew a circle around itself in the sea of ​​data and shrank back into it.

And I've decided to give this cold-blooded host the silent treatment for at least three minutes! No less!

"Okay, okay, just kidding, Tongzi, be good." Qu Shiyao knew when to stop and used a coaxing tone to soothe her.

"I know, thank you for your hard work. Here's what I'll do: I'll check the latest situation in the comments section later, get involved myself, and 'vent your anger' for you! I guarantee they'll be thoroughly humiliated!"

【Hmph!】The system let out a haughty nasal sound.

[If you go and yell at them now, they'll just send me private messages, and then I'll get cyberbullied again!]

That being said, its tone became noticeably more lively, clearly indicating that it was pleased with the host's declaration of "support".

"By the way," Qu Shiyao cleverly changed the subject, "you just said the rating is still 8.6? It hasn't gone up or down? Have you found out why?"

The system immediately switched from "pitiful wife" mode to "professional analysis" mode: [After investigation, in summary, there are two main reasons.]

First, there's the issue of plot tension.

The system retrieves the analysis report.

Compared to the high-energy, non-stop conflicts of the first chapter, the content of this second chapter is indeed much milder. The main plot revolves around starting the job, office gossip, and receiving an impossible task. Although the ending leaves a suspenseful cliffhanger with the assistants' concern for you, the overall impact is lacking. A chapter like this that gains even a small score is already a success; a significant increase will be difficult.

Qu Shiyao nodded thoughtfully: "Hmm, that makes sense..."

[Host, don't panic!]

The system reassured me: "During the initial stages of a new story, especially an adaptation, it's normal for the first three chapters to determine its fate. Stabilize the initial readership; only then will you have a chance to unleash your full potential later."

As for the second reason... the system's tone became somewhat subtle.

[It's those fans of the original novel.]

It pulled up the backend data, and a red bar representing negative reviews stood out: [A large number of fans of the original work flooded in, with a 'spectator' mentality. Although some of them may have been influenced by the new plot and style, most...] The system paused.

[Yes, we're here to clean up the environment and defend the original work, so naturally the ratings will be ruthlessly dragged down.]

Qu Shiyao seemed to have expected this, her face remained calm, and she even showed a knowing look of "I knew it".

The system was a little puzzled: [Host, aren't you worried? These fans of the original work are the 'main force' dragging down the ratings!]

"Worry? Why should I worry?"

Qu Shiyao's lips curled into a sly smile. "I'd be more worried if they didn't come! Our adapted novel has a very weak readership. To quickly expand our base, we need to attract more readers! Even negative publicity is still publicity! As long as they click through and read it, they have a chance to become our readers! This is called 'using someone else's strength against them,' understand?"

[Could it be... that you personally engaged in heated online arguments with those readers just to attract the attention of fans of the original work?!]

The system was shocked! It had always thought its host was simply short-tempered, petty, narcissistic, reckless, and violent...

Who knew there was such a profound strategic consideration behind this?!

Fortunately, Qu Shiyao didn't hear the system chirping behind her back, otherwise it would have caused trouble for a while.

She rolled her eyes elegantly: "Otherwise what? Do you think I'd waste my time on pointless emotional outbursts? I remember that to upgrade my system permissions to level 3, besides needing a rating of 9.0, I also need to accumulate at least 10,000 real followers, right? With the current number of new followers, how long would it take?"

The system was instantly overwhelmed with emotion, its virtual data stream seemingly glistening with tears: [Host… Waaah… So you've always remembered my upgrade needs! I thought you only cared about your salary and how to annoy me… I never imagined you'd been planning so much for our future behind the scenes… I… I misunderstood you…]

Qu Shiyao looked at the system with the kind of loving gaze one might give a "rich man's silly son," and added earnestly, "Silly child, don't overthink it..."

"If I don't upgrade, it means I could be dragged back to the main storyline at any time. I'm doing this so I can live more comfortably, and I'm just helping you along the way. Don't be too touched."

The system's newly formed bubble of emotion burst with a "pop," completely shattering; the emotion had come too early.

【...Host! Can't you just lie to me and let me be moved for a little longer?! Even just three seconds!】The system angrily accused.

Qu Shiyao ignored it and quickened her pace toward the assistant's office.

As soon as Qu Shiyao pushed open the door to her assistant's office, she was met with five pairs of eyes that focused on her like searchlights!

Her eyes were filled with tension, worry, curiosity, and an urgent need to "tell me, tell me!" Even the system was startled by this scene and subconsciously "scanned" behind Qu Shiyao—nobody was there?

Li Yue rushed forward, quickly closed the door, and locked it behind her.

Shi Qingqing quickly dragged a chair over and placed it in the center of the office with a clatter.

Chen Xu then pulled out a treasured limited-edition cucumber-flavored potato chip from her drawer as if by magic, and tore it open with a "rip".

Zhuang Rou'er and Gao Huixin, one on each side, supported Qu Shiyao who had just entered the room, and half-supported and half-"forced" her to sit on the chair!

In an instant, Qu Shiyao was surrounded.

The five people formed a circle, looking down from above, creating a perfect interrogation formation.

"Confess and you'll be treated leniently; resist and you'll be punished severely!" Gao Huixin, as the leader, took the initiative and demanded, "Tell me! Did you mess up that invitation from Dingfeng? Did President Xu reprimand you?"

She stared intently at Qu Shiyao's face, trying to find any clues.

Chen Xu followed closely behind, shoving a bag of potato chips into Qu Shiyao's hand, trying to soften the "culprit" with snacks: "Shiyao, don't be afraid! If you messed up, you messed up! We'll hold the sky up if it falls! There's still time, sisters, let's think of a solution together! Three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang! Five of us are better than two!"

Li Yue, Shi Qingqing, and Zhuang Rou'er nodded frantically, their eyes shining with the light of "deep sisterly affection, advancing and retreating together".

Just kidding, Shiyao is so great! Gentle, kind, and she can even get delicious steamed buns! She's a million times better than that last colleague who was such a spoiled and pretentious jerk! They don't want to change her again!

Qu Shiyao was left speechless, both amused and exasperated by this sudden display of "deep affection".

She picked up a potato chip and popped it into her mouth with a crunch, saying indistinctly, "What are you thinking about? With your imaginations, you're wasting your talents by not writing novels!"

She swallowed a potato chip, and under the tense gazes of everyone, slowly offered a reassuring reassurance: "I suspect this invitation might go smoothly. Dingfeng Industry will most likely come to us on their own initiative."

Shi Qingqing's mind worked the fastest. Connecting the dots between President Xu's earlier summons and Qu Shiyao's current certainty, her eyes lit up: "President Xu... has there been news?"

Qu Shiyao smiled mysteriously, raised a finger to her lips, made a "shush" gesture, and glanced around.

Everyone immediately understood and bent down, their six heads instantly huddled together, forming a tight, gossipy little circle in the center of the office.

Qu Shiyao lowered her voice and, with great enthusiasm, described the conversation and attitude she had just had in President Xu's office, adding embellishments to the story.

Of course, the emphasis was placed on Mr. Xu's final sentence, "You did a great job."

The system, observing this scene resembling an "underground party rendezvous," twitched at the corner of its mouth: [...]

Your CAQ assistant office has a truly unique corporate culture.

"I see!" Li Yue exclaimed in realization, then crunched another potato chip.

"So, in that case, our mission... is complete, right? We're responsible for bringing them here. As for whether they'll be treated as honored guests or become easy prey, that's up to the big shots up there to decide!"

Gao Huixin stroked her chin, looking every bit the seasoned veteran, and analyzed, "Theoretically, yes. President Si's order is to 'ensure that the people from Dingfeng step through the doors of CAQ.' As long as we get this big shot through the door, we've accomplished our mission! What happens after that is none of our business!"

"So..."

Qu Shiyao stood up from her chair, dusted off non-existent dust, and calmly drew a conclusion to this "intelligence" report.

"Don't worry! The sky isn't going to fall! Even if it did, it wouldn't hit us! Eat and drink as usual, and don't take anything to heart!"

These words acted like a powerful reassurance, instantly calming the anxiety in the women's hearts.

Yes! They're just lowly assistants, responsible for carrying out the "invitation" gesture! As for the rest...

That's not important! What's important is that they've arrived! Pots? Forget about them!

Everyone dispersed, satisfied, and returned to their posts, restoring the superficial calm to the office.

[Host, I still don't quite understand.]

After Qu Shiyao sat down, the system couldn't help but ask, "Even if you can complete the mission, why doesn't Xu Lixuan hold a grudge against you? After all, if the cooperation terms are truly extremely unfavorable to CAQ, he, as the general manager, will also bear responsibility. It's a matter of shared success and shared failure, isn't it?"

As Qu Shiyao turned on her computer, she slowly replied in her mind, "System, you should go back to the factory and upgrade the business logic module. Think about it carefully, why is CAQ Group so eager to cooperate with an established giant like Dingfeng Industry? Is it just for that little bit of profit sharing?"

"Isn't that right?" The system was a little confused.

Isn't the purpose of doing business to make money?

"shallow!"

Qu Shiyao scoffed without hesitation, "If you want to make quick money, there are plenty of highly profitable projects. Dingfeng is such a tough nut to crack, yet CAQ insists on taking it on. What's the point?"

She paused for a moment, then offered her answer, "What I'm after is the prestigious reputation behind the name 'Dingfeng Industry'! What I'm after is the brand effect and industry standing that comes with partnering with them! Simply put, it's about prestige!"

She watched as the system continued its in-depth explanation: "CAQ Group hasn't been around for very long, and while it earns huge profits each year, it's still not among the top-tier groups with deep-rooted connections and top resources..."

"And once we successfully tie ourselves to the Dingfeng ship, the value it releases will be enormous! What will other large groups that are watching think? 'Even Dingfeng has chosen to cooperate with CAQ, so this upstart really has some tricks up its sleeve!' Won't their future paths naturally broaden?"

Qu Shiyao pointed them out one by one, "Potential cooperation opportunities, resource allocation, market trust... these intangible assets cannot be bought with any amount of money!"

The system felt as if a new door had been forcibly opened to its data perspective!

[So that's how it is! Even if the profit margin from the collaboration itself is meager or nonexistent, CAQ can still gain the more important 'reputation' and 'industry entry ticket'! This is a strategic investment focused on the future!]

It instantly understood Xu Lixuan: as long as they could bring the people from Dingfeng here, it would be a great achievement!

As for how to maximize benefits at the negotiating table, that's the domain of another group of people!