Chapter 56 This matter is left to Grandpa.
Faced with the reporter's pointed questions, the scene fell into a deathly silence, with everyone's eyes fixed on Ruan Yao like searchlights.
Huo Jing and Ye Mei were both on tenterhooks.
However, Ruan Yao, who was in the center of the stage, calmed down after her initial surprise.
She held the microphone, a faint smile even spreading across her face.
"Thank you for your question, reporter. It's a very insightful and genuine question. It shows that you, like many consumers, have a high level of interest in and expectations for our Lexing Island."
Instead of directly refuting her, she first flattered the other party.
The male reporter was stunned for a moment, and his prepared follow-up questions seemed to hit a cotton ball.
Ruan Yao continued, "Regarding the term 'IQ tax,' I think the definition of 'value' is different for everyone. If calculated by cost, a Van Gogh painting might only be worth a few dozen yuan for the canvas and paint. A rare vinyl record is essentially just a piece of plastic. Their value lies in the emotions, memories, and unique artistry they carry."
“At Lexing Island, we never consider ourselves to be selling ‘expensive plastic figurines.’ Behind every IP is a complete story, a soul given to it by the designer. From a concept, a drawing, to countless 3D modeling modifications, and the ultimate pursuit of mold precision and painting process, it carries the hard work and passion of a group of people. This emotional value cannot be simply measured by cost.”
Her voice was calm and clear, carrying a convincing power.
"As for comparisons with our competitor 'Trendy Play Chronicle,' I have great respect for them. Every brand has its own pace and principles. Lexingdao prefers to spend time developing an IP with depth, a story, and the ability to accompany everyone for a long time, rather than blindly chasing short-lived trends. We believe that good things are worth waiting for."
Ye Mei and Huo Jing, sitting in the audience, exchanged a glance and both saw surprise and approval in each other's eyes.
Ruan Yao looked at the still somewhat unwilling male reporter, and her smile became even brighter.
"Of course, nothing beats seeing it with your own eyes and touching it with your own hands."
She turned around, faced all the guests and media in the audience, and pointed to an area that had just been unveiled not far away.
"The most distinctive feature of our new store is the product experience area. To thank everyone for coming today, I will personally spend the next half hour there demonstrating how Lexingdao's products serve the aesthetics of modern life for consumers. Welcome to join us!"
After speaking, she handed the microphone back to the emcee, bowed gracefully, and walked off the stage amidst enthusiastic applause.
This move turned a difficult problem into an opportunity.
The product experience area was instantly packed with people.
The male reporter who asked the question stubbornly squeezed to the front, arms crossed, his face full of mockery, waiting to see what would happen.
He wanted to see what tricks a young girl like her could pull.
Ruan Yao walked to the booth, where the latest collection from Lexing Island was on display.
Instead of giving a dry, sales-like presentation, she casually picked up a series.
"This is our latest 'Mountain and Sea Cute Beasts' series. As you can see, the packaging of this blind box features a faintly visible image of mountains and seas. We use a special pearlescent ink that will show different lusters at different angles, just like a legendary fairyland with dazzling colors."
She opened one of them, and inside was a charming and adorable nine-tailed fox.
“Look at this little fox,” she said, holding the tiny doll in her palm and showing it to everyone. “We didn’t use simple printing for its eyes; instead, we inlaid them with extremely fine glass beads, which is why it looks so lively and expressive. And the gradient color of its tail—our designer spent a whole week in the factory, experimenting with more than thirty color schemes, to create this most natural ‘sunset gold’ color.”
When she recounted these details, her eyes sparkled like stars—the kind of brilliance that comes from truly loving something.
"Everyone can feel its texture. Under this frosted coating, we added an extremely thin layer of soft gel, so it feels warm, delicate, and close to the texture of real fur."
A few people who were nearby couldn't help but reach out and touch it, letting out a small gasp of surprise.
"Seriously, it feels so unique!"
"This detail is so well done!"
The crowd, who had initially been just there to watch the spectacle, gradually became drawn to her.
She wasn't just introducing products; she was sharing stories about beauty and the dedication to craftsmanship.
The male reporter, who had initially tried to find fault, had long since frozen in a mocking smile.
He realized that no one around him was paying attention to him anymore; everyone was captivated by Ruan Yao and the little doll in her hand, listening with great interest.
He wanted to interject again, but found that he couldn't find an opportunity at all; the lively discussion around him had already drowned him out.
Seeing that he had not only failed to embarrass Lexing Island, but had instead become their best "shill," pushing the atmosphere to a climax, the male reporter's face turned from green to white, and finally to an embarrassing liver color.
He sheepishly packed up his camera, squeezed through the crowd, and fled the scene in a disheveled state.
In the corner, Old Master Huo took in everything, a barely perceptible hint of appreciation flashing across his usually dignified eyes.
"Go and send the evidence of that reporter taking money to their editor-in-chief," he casually instructed the butler behind him.
"Yes, sir."
After a half-hour presentation, Ruan Yao was surrounded by enthusiastic consumers and media, and it took her a while to escape.
"Yaoyao!" Ye Mei and Huo Jing rushed over immediately, their faces beaming with pride.
"You really made me proud today!" Huo Jing patted her shoulder excitedly. "Perfect reaction, perfect professional skills! I hereby declare that your end-of-month bonus will be doubled!"
"Auntie knew our Yaoyao was the best!" Ye Mei held her hand affectionately, her eyes overflowing with love. "The way she did that just now, she really had the air of a general!"
Ruan Yao blushed slightly at the praise, saying, "It's all thanks to Director Huo's excellent teaching."
Just then, the butler slowly pushed the wheelchair forward.
"Miss Ruan."
Ruan Yao turned around and was somewhat surprised when she saw the person in the wheelchair.
It's Grandpa Huo.
How did he end up here?
Huo Jing and Ye Mei were also taken aback and quickly went forward to greet them.
"Dad, what brings you here?"
Grandpa Huo waved to them, but his gaze remained fixed on Ruan Yao.
It was a highly oppressive scrutiny, as if it could penetrate one's very soul.
Ruan Yao realized what was happening and greeted him warmly, "Grandpa Huo, it's been a long time."
"Hmm." Old Master Huo responded with a grunt. "That performance just now was quite good. You have both courage and brains."
Receiving personal praise from Huo, the pillar of the Huo family, is more exciting than receiving any award.
Ye Mei and Huo Jing were both happy for Ruan Yao.
Ruan Yao breathed a sigh of relief, but dared not be complacent; she simply smiled modestly.
“Little girl,” Old Master Huo raised his chin and pointed to himself, “pull me to the lounge, I have something to ask you.”
Upon hearing this, both Ye Mei and Huo Jing were stunned.
Should Ruan Yao push him over alone?
Ruan Yao was also a little confused, but since the old man had spoken, she composed herself, walked to the back of the wheelchair, and took the push handle from the butler.
"Grandpa Huo, please take it easy."
Under the scrutinizing gazes of everyone, Ruan Yao pushed Old Master Huo slowly toward the VIP lounge not far away.
The door to the lounge was closed, isolating it from everything outside.
Ruan Yao pushed Old Master Huo to the window, and was about to ask him if he wanted some water when she heard a deep, steady voice behind her.
"Little girl, would you like to marry my grandson?"
Ruan Yao froze instantly, her mind going blank.
She...she didn't hear wrong, did she?
Old Master Huo was asking her if she wanted to marry Huo Yanzhi.
She turned around abruptly and met Old Master Huo's all-knowing eyes, her heart pounding wildly.
This question is too sudden, too direct, and too... tempting.
Ruan Yao's cheeks instantly flushed red, her face turning red all the way down to her neck.
She looked into Old Master Huo's eyes and confessed somewhat shyly.
"think."
Ruan Yao bit her lip and added, "I really want to."
After saying that, she lowered her eyelashes in disappointment, and her voice became softer.
“But Grandpa Huo, this isn’t something I can do on my own.”
"Yanzhi... I don't know what he's thinking."
Seeing her aggrieved expression, a faint smile slowly appeared on Old Master Huo's perpetually taut face.
He looked at her as if she were a junior who hadn't yet learned to keep her secrets.
It's about time his grandson got married.
Old Master Huo spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of amused certainty.
"Don't be afraid. I watched him grow up. He might fool others, but he can't fool me with his little tricks."
Ruan Yao's eyes lit up. "Grandpa Huo, do you think this has a chance?"
Grandpa Huo was amused by her appearance, and his smile deepened.
"Girl, of course there's a chance."
He pointed to the view outside the window.
"I'll take care of this."
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