Chapter 55: Let's see how she responds.
The new branch of Lexingdao in a prime location in northern Beijing officially opened today.
The entire atrium of the mall was booked out, with a red carpet stretching from the entrance all the way to the ribbon-cutting platform. Celebratory flower baskets and ribbons were everywhere, and the air was filled with the mixed aroma of champagne and flowers.
Invited media and online influencers filled the venue, with flashes of light constantly going off, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Today, Ruan Yao wore a white dress that Huo Jing had personally chosen for her. Following beside Huo Jing, she looked like a novice assistant, curiously and nervously observing everything around her.
"Yaoyao, what are you thinking about? You seem distracted."
Huo Jing's voice pulled her back to reality.
Ruan Yao quickly shook her head.
"It's nothing, Director Huo. It's just that it's my first time participating in an offline ribbon-cutting ceremony, so I'm a little nervous."
"This is nothing. There will be many bigger events in the future." Huo Jing patted her on the shoulder and handed her a document. "You'll give the opening speech later."
Ruan Yao was stunned.
"I?"
"Yes, you." Huo Jing's tone left no room for doubt. "Many of the concepts for this new store were proposed by you, so it's most appropriate for you to explain them."
"I plan to entrust this new store to you as a pilot project for future blind box projects. Having you on stage today is just a way to introduce you to the media and consumers in advance and generate buzz."
Ruan Yao understood that Huo Jing was giving her an opportunity, but also testing her.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
"good."
Just then, a gentle and elegant voice came from the side.
"Our Yaoyao is so amazing, she's going to give a speech on stage!"
Ruan Yao turned around and was pleasantly surprised to find Ye Mei looking at her with a smile.
"Auntie? What brings you here too?"
"Of course I have to come and support you on such a big occasion," Ye Mei said warmly, taking her hand and looking her up and down. "This dress is so beautiful, it makes our slender girl look like a fairy. Don't be nervous, Auntie is cheering you on from below."
Huo Jing watched from the side, a slight smile playing on her lips.
With Ye Mei's encouragement, Ruan Yao's nervousness dissipated considerably, replaced by a warm feeling.
She must do well and not let her aunt and uncle down.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony went very smoothly.
When the auspicious time arrived, Huo Jing and several senior executives of the shopping mall cut the red silk together.
Golden sequins fell from the sky, and the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Next, it will be time for the speeches.
The emcee invited the speaker to the stage in a passionate voice.
"Next, please welcome Ms. Ruan Yao, representative of Lexing Island, to share with us the design concept and future vision of the new store!"
Under everyone's gaze, Ruan Yao walked to the center of the stage.
She held the microphone, looking at the sea of people below the stage, and was momentarily dazed.
In her past life, she had never experienced such a moment of being the center of attention.
She always hid behind the crowd, timid and uneasy, like a moth that couldn't bear the light.
And now, she stands here, speaking out for the cause she loves.
She composed herself, and a bright and serene smile bloomed on her face.
"Distinguished guests, friends from the media, good afternoon, I am Ruan Yao."
At first, her voice trembled slightly, but when she saw the encouraging expressions of Huo Jing and Ye Mei below the stage, she gradually calmed down.
She discarded her prepared script and began to speak in her own words about her understanding of trendy toys and her vision for the future of Happy Island.
Her voice was sweet and gentle, and when she talked about what she loved, her doe eyes sparkled and were full of charm.
The guests and media in the audience were all drawn to her and listened quietly.
Ye Mei looked at her, her face filled with undisguised pride and affection.
Huo Jing nodded in satisfaction; Ruan Yao's performance was even better than she had expected.
After the speech, the audience erupted in even more enthusiastic applause than during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Ruan Yao bowed deeply, her face flushed with excitement, her heart filled with a sense of accomplishment.
In the ensuing Q&A session, the first few questions were fairly standard, mainly concerning the future development plans of Lexing Island and the details of its cooperation with the shopping mall. Ruan Yao handled them all with ease.
Just as Ruan Yao thought everything was about to end smoothly and was about to step down from the stage, a hand suddenly rose up from the group of reporters.
A young male reporter wearing black-rimmed glasses had a malicious smile on his face.
"Mr. Huo, I have a question for Ms. Ruan."
The focus of attention instantly returned to Ruan Yao.
Huo Jing frowned slightly, but still gestured for Ruan Yao to step forward.
The male reporter pushed up his glasses and spoke in a sharp tone.
"Ms. Ruan, I've noticed many online comments saying that Lexing Island's trendy toys are essentially just expensive plastic figurines, a way to exploit young people's 'intelligence tax.' Moreover, compared to its competitor 'Trendy Toy Chronicle,' Lexing Island's IP updates are slow, and its designs lack originality. What's your opinion on this?"
The question immediately silenced the room.
All attention was focused on Ruan Yao.
This question is too sharp; it's practically slapping Lexingdao's "dirt" directly in the face and also dragging down its strongest competitor in the industry.
Huo Jing's face darkened.
Ye Mei's brows furrowed with worry.
Ruan Yao's palms were sweaty as she held the microphone, but she still maintained a polite smile on her face.
Just then, at the very back of the crowd, at the entrance.
The Huo family's old butler quietly pushed a wheelchair to a stop in the corner.
Sitting in the wheelchair was none other than the pillar of the Huo family, Old Master Huo.
He was dressed in a traditional Chinese jacket with knotted buttons, his face serious and dignified.
"Sir, that reporter has been bribed and is deliberately causing trouble," the butler said in a low voice. "Should I go and deal with it?"
Old Master Huo raised his hand to stop him.
His gaze passed through the crowd and landed on the slender girl on the stage who stood ramrod straight.
"Need not."
His voice was old and steady.
"I want to see how this little girl will respond."
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