Xu Qingzhu answered the phone: "Teacher Liang, what's up?"
You could tell from the rising intonation at the end of her voice that she was in a good mood.
Liang Shi paused for a moment, seemingly hesitating whether to speak or not, knowing that speaking would spoil her good mood.
But in the end, they chose to face reality: "Have you seen the trending topics?"
"What trending topic?" Xu Qingzhu's understanding of trending topics was still stuck half an hour ago. She laughed and said, "Teacher Liang, is your makeup photo trending? I saw it."
“No,” Liang Shi said, “Bai Weiwei and Chen Liuying bought you black entries.”
Xu Qingzhu's expression changed. "What do you mean?"
After asking the question, he felt it was unnecessary and immediately said coldly, "Never mind, I'll see for myself."
The office fell silent the moment she answered the phone.
Therefore, Liang Shi's words were accurately relayed to Lin Luoxi and Sally's ears.
While Xu Qingzhu was refreshing the trending topics, Lin Luoxi asked in confusion, "What kind of trending topics could those two buy for you? The bathroom incident last time?"
Sally said, "But wasn't it obvious that Bai was being unreasonable that time?"
"Those in the entertainment industry aren't just good at heart," Lin Luoxi scoffed, having already seen the video. "Their methods are dirty too."
Sally: "?"
However, no one answered Sally's question.
After watching the video and reading the fabricated articles by those marketing accounts, Xu Qingzhu felt a chill run down her spine.
She never imagined that one day she would meet Bai Weiwei online in this way.
She closed her eyes, wanting to pick up her phone to send a message, but found her hands were shaking. She took a deep breath, suppressing her bad emotions, and tried to think about the problem calmly.
Just as she was about to search for the recordings on her phone to head out, there was a knock on the office door.
"Deputy Director Xu, have you seen the trending topics?" said the head of the public relations department.
"I saw it." Xu Qingzhu resumed her cool and indifferent demeanor. "I accidentally injured her in self-defense. I didn't hit her intentionally, nor did I bully her, so there's still hope for a resolution."
"The sales department just contacted me, saying that because of this trending topic, sales of our autumn new products have dropped significantly. There are also quite a few fans of Chen Liuying returning products and leaving negative reviews. This matter must be handled as best we can," the public relations manager said. "But since it involves you, I still hope to get your opinion."
Before he could finish speaking, a voice abruptly interrupted, "Sales are declining? Which model?"
The public relations manager was taken aback, but subconsciously replied to the author's imposing voice, "All the models launched today."
Sally, who was watching the drama unfold, said, "Zhou Yi'an, here's your most outstanding work."
Zhou Yi'an, one hand in her pocket, a black denim jacket casually draped over her shoulders, wore a very casual outfit, yet she still managed to pull it off with great style. A flash of annoyance crossed her eyes, and then her gaze passed over the head of the public relations department to Xu Qingzhu. "Was it your best friend who did this?"
Xu Qingzhu: "..."
She composed herself, cleared her throat, and said to the head of public relations, "Let's go, let's have a meeting."
She had the recording from that day, so she wasn't afraid.
Both Lin Luoxi and Zhou Yian requested to attend the meeting.
Xu Qingzhu originally only wanted to have a meeting with the public relations department, but looking at Lin Luoxi's eyes, she guessed that she might have some better ideas, so she agreed.
As for Zhou Yi'an...
In her arrogant and overbearing tone, it was like saying, "It's affecting my work's sales, shouldn't I care?"
Xu Qingzhu: "..."
As soon as they entered the conference room, Liang Shi called again.
"Where are you now?" Liang Shi asked.
"The company," Xu Qingzhu replied, "is holding a related meeting for public relations."
“The online public opinion has already escalated significantly, even spreading the conflict to Dongheng. Second Brother is with me now. We’ll go find you and coordinate our statements.” Liang Shi subtly reminded him, “After all, you have another identity now.”
Xu Qingzhu understood her unspoken meaning, "I understand."
She turned on her computer and kept refreshing the trending topics.
The hashtag saying she assaulted someone has topped the list, stealing all the buzz from the official announcement of "Yu Guang".
Liang Shi's statement that the war had spread to Dongheng refers to someone uncovering her relationship with Liang Shi. While Liang Shi wasn't implicated, it was revealed that she was the third young mistress of the Dongheng Group.
So Dongheng was also criticized online.
Incidentally, there are also many people who try to take advantage of the situation.
It's said that the third young lady of the Liang family was originally a spoiled brat, arrogant and domineering. You can't sleep in the same bed with two different kinds of people, so it's understandable that Xu Qingzhu could do such a thing.
Netizens felt even more sympathy for Chen Liuying.
Even after being beaten, they can still keep smiling.
Actors can't compete with capital.
It seems everyone has forgotten who was vehemently criticizing them for pandering to capital after Chen Liuying's manager jumped to her death.
But none of that matters.
Online discussions are in an uproar, and Xu Qingzhu is at the center of this storm of public opinion.
First they scolded her for being arrogant, then they dug up her identity as the young mistress of Dongheng.
Following this, rumors surfaced that she married Dongheng to obtain financing, and that she had a chaotic private life during her school years, frequently having suitors and keeping a "pond of fish" (i.e., having many suitors).
In short, what everyone's original purpose was is no longer important.
Having gone too far down the path of gossiping, I've long forgotten why I started.
The office was deathly still.
Meanwhile, Sally was quietly doing something big outside, posting a Weibo message in her not-so-fluent Chinese: "Compared to Blanche, it's obvious Blanche is prettier and more delicate. Why say Blanche hit someone? When our Blanche was in school, she wouldn't even step on an ant."
Marketing accounts quickly reposted her Weibo post and labeled it as: a friend speaking out.
Netizens also flooded her Weibo comment section:
[You wouldn't even step on an ant, yet you dare to hit someone?]
[They're all dogs raised by capital; what wouldn't they dare to do?]
[Just because someone is pretty and seemingly delicate doesn't mean they're a manipulative woman! Does being pretty give her the right to hit people?]
[If I were good-looking, would I slap you?]
[...]
Sally's comment section was immediately a mess. Lin Luoxi was the first to notice. She frowned, went to the office area to call Sally in, confiscated her phone, and deleted the Weibo post she had made.
In matters like this, the more you say, the more mistakes you make.
We must maintain a unified narrative and deliver a fatal blow to the opponent.
The prime time for public relations is two hours. In this era of information overload, netizens only have time to see you release definitive evidence.
Instead of tearing each other apart, which would only attract more criticism.
Sally, still annoyed by the lecture, went over to Zhou Yi'an to look at her phone and discovered that Zhou Yi'an wasn't looking at Weibo, but playing a match-3 game.
Sally: "..."
She was just stirring things up out of boredom, "Come on, your sales are dropping! You can't prove you're better than Cherry anymore, aren't you worried?"
Zhou Yi'an glanced at her indifferently: "Shut up!"
Sally: "..."
Everyone is closely watching the developments on Weibo, and as time goes by, the sales volume of Minghui's new autumn products is the one most affected.
It is showing a rapid downward trend.
Amidst the online outcry, a large number of accounts suddenly appeared, stirring up trouble.
[Does nobody really think their new products are absolutely gorgeous?]
[I absolutely love that 'Light in the Autumn Night' necklace! I've already placed my order; nobody can compete with my beautiful jewelry.]
[And that 'Autumn Sound' is absolutely gorgeous! So beautiful it made my nose bleed, seriously, ladies, you won't regret it!]
[If you're on a tight budget, I recommend the 'Falling Smoke' ring; it offers the best value for its price range.]
[...]
After a sharp drop in sales, the sales figures began to rise again after just over ten minutes.
At the same time, Liang Shi and Liang Xinhe brought over the head of Dongheng's public relations department.
The first thing Liang Shi asked Xu Qingzhu when he saw her was in a low voice, "Are you alright?"
"Huh?" Xu Qingzhu asked in surprise, "I'm fine."
Liang Shi: "Weren't you saddened by Bai Weiwei's behavior?"
Xu Qingzhu replied with unusual rationality, "What's the use of being sad?"
Liang Shi: "..."
They whispered a few words to each other, and then settled into a businesslike manner.
Both companies' PR departments followed the same strategy: to issue a lawyer's letter as quickly as possible, then have Xu Qingzhu's account release the recording, buy the top trending search, and then subtly criticize and discredit someone for spreading rumors.
Playing the victim and pretending to be strong has always been a common tactic.
After listening, Liang Xinhe glanced at Xu Qingzhu and asked, "Qingzhu, what's your opinion?"
“Just do it this way…” Before she could finish speaking, Liang Shi suddenly said, “Wait, don’t do it yet.”
All eyes turned to her. The head of public relations at Dongheng said, "If we miss the golden period for public relations, it will leave a fixed impression, and Minghui Jewelry's reputation will decline. Moreover, sales are already declining."
He genuinely believed that Liang Shi was an outsider who knew nothing.
Does Liang Shi, a wealthy heiress, understand marketing? Does she understand public relations?
She didn't understand! She just wanted to make her presence felt in such a big setting. If it weren't for President Liang being there, he would have said even harsher things.
Even though he tried to tone it down, the contempt in his tone was still unmistakable.
Hearing this, Liang Xinhe frowned and said sternly, "Wu Sheng."