The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 56: Deception. Empty Promises. Psychological Tactics...

Chapter 56: Deception. Empty Promises. Psychological Tactics…

Early morning, cheerful birdsong drifted through the window as Ye Baoling woke in her own bed.

She yawned and got up to wash up. Last night had been rather intense, leaving bruises all over her body. Afraid Sister Ping might notice later, she quickly changed into a conservative outfit of pants and top.

Sister Ping brought her a plate of beef tendon pasta, a milkshake, and some fruit.

A wonderful day starts with breakfast.

Young Miss, your father wants you to see him after breakfast.

While eating her beef, Ye Baoling asked: What does he want?

Sister Ping couldn’t help muttering: Who knows? I heard from Sister Qin that your father argued with that old vixen last night. Probably your father was too happy about your performance at the company, and the vixen got jealous, making trouble out of nothing. Since giving birth to that son, she’s stopped pretending to be virtuous.

Ye Baoling couldn’t be bothered guessing what her father wanted. Most likely nothing important. After finishing breakfast, she went straight downstairs to drive to work.

Now that she didn’t need to hide her identity, she could finally drive her luxury car out.

But just as she drove out of the underground vault, her father was waiting at the garden entrance.

Ye Baoling had to stop and roll down the window: Dad, what is it?

Didn’t I ask you to come see me?

Ye Baoling smiled evasively: I was thinking about company matters on my way down and forgot.

How could she forget that?

Clearly she didn’t take her father seriously.

Ye Kaimin was half-convinced but couldn’t call her out on it.

She asked: What did you need?

Nothing important. Ye Kaimin bent down slightly, whispering to his daughter in the car: I just wanted to remind you – after yesterday’s big commotion, keep a lower profile at the company. Don’t give anyone leverage to complain to your grandfather.

Ye Baoling sounded slightly impatient: You don’t need to worry about my work. I know my limits.

To Ye Kaimin, this sounded rather limitless, but in the garden, he couldn’t say much. Tone down your arrogance. At the company, properly guard the empire for your brother!

Ye Baoling nearly rolled her eyes to the back of her head. She really wanted to retort: Go get a DNA test for your son first.

Dad, if you say something like that to me again, I’ll tell Grandfather. Who am I guarding the empire for? I’m guarding it for the Ye family, for the Oldest Branch.

Ye Baoling held back from saying she was guarding it for herself.

Ye Kaimin quickly made shushing sounds: Quiet, ancestor. You understand what I mean.

I don’t want to understand. I’m in a hurry, leaving now. Ye Baoling rolled up the window and, without waiting for her father to step back, hit the accelerator toward the gate.

This startled Ye Kaimin into hastily stepping back, looking quite flustered.

With servants working nearby, Ye Kaimin could only curse this unfilial daughter in his heart, completely helpless.

*

Ye Baoling drove to Jade Dragon Mansion, finally able to openly take the elevator to the 7th floor.

Before even entering the office, she overheard colleagues saying: Did you see? The young miss drove a brand new luxury car to work?

Someone immediately asked: What luxury car?

Looks like a V7. There are only a few in Hong Kong, very expensive.

Tsk tsk! I really admire the young miss. How could she hide it so well before?

If it were me, I’d want to drive luxury cars and wear designer clothes every day, showing off in front of you extras.

Shh shh shh! Someone reminded them to stop talking.

Several people turned around and saw Ye Baoling arriving, dressed in a long-sleeved top and trousers from some unknown high-end brand.

Good morning! Ye Baoling greeted everyone with a smile.

The group quickly responded, Good morning, Miss!

Ye Baoling didn’t correct them to call her Manager Ye, as she didn’t mind.

After the young miss entered her office, everyone excitedly resumed their discussion.

Her ‘good morning’ felt like gold sprinkling down—so charismatic.

Isn’t that a bit exaggerated?

Did any of you recognize what brand she’s wearing? It looks really nice.

I couldn’t tell, but I could smell the scent of money. It must be expensive.

…

What Ye Baoling wore today was actually just an ordinary, lesser-known brand costing a few hundred for the set—something she had worn before.

That’s how people are: when your status changes, others’ perceptions of you change along with it.

After setting her things down, she first called the third team in for a meeting.

She briefly explained her intention to win over Lisa.

So, besides discussing Xian Bi’s advertisement with Lisa, we also need to gain her trust. Through her connections, we should find a way to discuss with her husband how to expand the Jasmine Iced Tea market in the U.S.

A Zhen suggested, Since it’s probably Lisa’s first time in Macau, why don’t we book a VIP room at a casino and invite her for a round?

Ye Baoling shook her head. No, Lisa’s father was a gambler. He lost the family fortune gambling and ended up shooting himself, which made her childhood extremely tragic. Gambling is a nightmare from her past—we can’t arrange that.

Yang Baozhu asked curiously, Miss, how did you know her father was a gambler?

I had a friend look into it.

A Zhen immediately flattered, It’s great working with you, Miss. You have such wide connections.

Gao Lizhen nodded vigorously with a smile.

Ye Baoling instructed, Lisa likes crystals. Later, go buy a small rabbit pendant made of crystal—not too big, something she can wear as a chest accessory.

A Zhen asked, Won’t that be too cheap?

Yang Baozhu thought for a moment. We can make the packaging nicer.

Ye Baoling already had a plan. If this crystal has a story, it won’t be cheap.

After the meeting and assigning tasks, Ye Baoling went upstairs to find Lin Zhong.

Lin Zhong was in particularly high spirits today, after all, his competitor had been effortlessly eliminated thanks to Ye Baoling.

He greeted her with a smile. Yesterday, your grandfather scolded me harshly—said I helped cover for you, that I have no respect for him as chairman. I didn’t dare say a word.

Ye Baoling laughed. Sorry, Uncle Zhong. I got you scolded too. When I got home, he yelled at me for almost an hour.

He scolds with his mouth, but he’s happy inside. Lin Zhong knew Ye Qizu’s temper well.

Ye Baoling’s main purpose today was to discuss the logistics department arrangements with Lin Zhong. After Qi Yuxiu was dismissed, someone else would definitely need to fill the manager position.

For the logistics supervisor role, Ye Baoling recommended Wang Simin.

Lin Zhong smiled. Miss, you know the logistics department best. Since you recommend her, it should be fine.

She’s capable at her job—just lacks connections. She’s more than qualified for supervisor.

Lin Zhong unscrewed his pen cap and wrote down Wang Simin’s name.

After exchanging a few words, Ye Baoling inquired, After Shen Wanjie was dismissed, who will become the general manager of the herbal tea company?

Lin Zhong placed his pen back on the pen holder: To avoid affecting the company’s listing, Shen Wanjie’s dismissal won’t be publicly announced for now. Cai Yongming will likely be transferred to serve as acting general manager, while Qu Zhengming will be appointed as deputy general manager. However, the final arrangement still needs to be discussed with the chairman.

This aligned with Ye Baoling’s expectations. My grandfather will follow your advice. Tomorrow, I’m meeting with Xian Bi’s agent to discuss an endorsement deal. If it goes through, it will greatly benefit the company’s listing, though it will require some spending. Uncle Zhong, please prepare my grandfather in advance.

Lin Zhong responded, Four million is too expensive—definitely not acceptable.

Of course I know it’s unacceptable. I’ll do my best to negotiate the price down to under one million. But I believe the benefits Xian Bi will bring to the company’s listing will far exceed tens of millions.

Seeing Ye Baoling’s determination, Lin Zhong agreed, I’ll try to persuade the chairman. But is there enough time? Ye Qingtang’s listing is just a few days away.

If we reach an agreement tomorrow, we’ll likely shoot the commercial within two days and air it on TV by this week.

Alright. You handle the negotiations, and I’ll do my best to convince the chairman. Even if I can’t persuade him, I’ll reallocate budget from other areas for you.

With Lin Zhong’s assurance, Ye Baoling felt relieved. Thank you, Uncle Zhong.

After finishing their work discussion, Ye Baoling prepared to leave. Lin Zhong asked if she wanted to have lunch together.

I have a date, Ye Baoling declined with a smile.

Lin Zhong chuckled, Young people should go on more dates.

In truth, Ye Baoling didn’t have a date—she was heading to Qiyuan because Hot Spicy had been performing exceptionally well. Liu Haonan had contacted her several times, asking whether they should sell.

No one dared to monitor her attendance now, so she left work early and drove directly to Lihua Building.

At Qiyuan, besides Ye Baoling, there were four employees, none of whom had private offices, making conversations inconvenient.

Since Ye Baoling needed to discuss confidential investment matters with Liu Haonan, Chen Yulan found an excuse to send the others out on errands.

Ye Baoling pointed to the left, Hasn’t the office next door been vacant all along? Let’s rent it, merge the spaces, and partition it into two or three offices.

Liu Haonan thought it was feasible—given their current funds, it was a minor matter.

Since Jiaming Shares was renamed Hot Spicy, its stock price has risen unrealistically. Recently, it’s gone even crazier—up more than four times. This stock’s performance is mediocre, and the price will eventually crash. Should we exit now? Or at least reduce some positions? We could take out the principal and leave the profits.

A fourfold increase wasn’t crazy—this stock was destined to rise twenty-two times! Otherwise, why would later generations call it a Witch stock?

Ye Baoling remained firm: No reduction. It might continue to surge. Our task now is to hold.

If Hot Spicy were a solid stock, holding would be easier. But honestly, my hands are shaking a bit now.

Just keep an eye on the trend. Notify me when the price hits six dollars.

Could it really rise to six dollars? Liu Haonan was astonished. Wouldn’t that mean a more than tenfold increase in a short time? That seemed insane.

But since the boss was resolute, he, as an employee, had to follow orders.

Ye Baoling asked another question, How is the 30 million we invested in the index performing?

The profits had already reached millions.

This was the beauty of accumulating substantial capital.

Ye Baoling instructed, Keep the U.S. stocks as they are. Sell the 20 million invested in the Hong Kong stock index. Once the funds are settled the day after tomorrow, gradually build positions in Golden Soybeans and Bright Eyes.

Liu Haonan didn’t understand the logic behind Ye Baoling’s choice of such stocks.

I thought you were going to invest in Ye Qingtang’s new offering.

Ye Baoling did intend to buy Ye Qingtang’s stocks, but not at this moment. She shook her head and casually offered an excuse, Hot Spicy has been performing so well. Perhaps stocks with similar names will also see good growth in the future?

This really feels a bit like gambling.

To others, it might be gambling, but not to her.

She played by no rules, equipped with her own cheat code.

Ye Baoling laughed, It’s fine, we can afford the loss. Don’t we still have ten million in U.S. stocks?

No matter what, she still had a financial cushion.

Liu Haonan had already heard from former colleagues that Ye Baoling was the eldest granddaughter of the Ye family. He had once assumed she was an illegitimate child of some Ye relative, never imagining she was the eldest granddaughter of his boss, Ye Qingtang.

She truly could afford to lose.

Liu Haonan smiled, Then I’ll proceed with building the positions as you instructed.

Go ahead.

*

They arranged to meet Lisa at her hotel in Macau.

They began with a warm embrace. Lisa complained that the local weather was driving her insane, the food didn’t suit her palate, and all she wanted was to return home as soon as possible.

Ye Baoling, ever the chameleon who knew just what to say to please anyone, naturally expressed understanding and sympathy.

As they chatted, Lisa suddenly sniffed the air, What delicious food did you bring? It smells amazing!

Ye Baoling smiled, We brought a variety of delicious dishes. Perhaps there’s something you’ll enjoy. I know you’re busy, so we can talk while we eat.

That’s wonderful. You’re so thoughtful, darling. We haven’t had lunch yet. Lisa and her assistant had been tied up with work.

He Jiayi and Yang Baozhu laid out the gourmet dishes they had specially brought from a French restaurant in Hong Kong.

Having grown up in France, Lisa had a French palate. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the fragrant butter-crusted galette, roasted frog legs, and gratin dauphinois…

She asked in delight, How did you know I love these dishes?

Ye Baoling replied, We heard yesterday that you hadn’t been eating well this past week. We searched all over Port City to find the most authentic French restaurant and brought these dishes, hoping you’d enjoy them.

It touched her deeply.

Lisa beamed, I absolutely love them. Just the aroma has me eager to dig in.

They sat down to eat. With the first bite of potato gratin, Lisa was moved almost to tears.

Only food could truly win over a person’s heart.

Darling, you’ve saved me.

They sat together, eating and chatting. Ye Baoling had a smattering of knowledge about everything from local customs to international culture, so she could engage in any topic effortlessly.

When Lisa grew thirsty from eating, He Jiayi promptly handed her a chilled Jasmine Iced Tea.

Impressed by their attentiveness, Lisa couldn’t help but compliment, This iced tea is really delicious.

Is it really good?

Absolutely. We all love it.

Ye Baoling smoothly steered the conversation, Lisa, do you think this iced tea could find a market in the U.S.?

Lisa glanced at the bottle, Are you thinking of selling it in the American market?

We’re considering it.

First, you need to understand that the American beverage market is highly competitive. Without brand recognition, it will definitely be difficult at the start. Lisa clearly had experience in this area. Then she shifted her tone, However, the American market is enormous, with many people who love drinking beverages. If you can find a very powerful local distributor, there might be an opportunity.

Ye Baoling nodded, That makes sense. Lisa, you seem quite knowledgeable about the beverage market?

Lisa smiled mysteriously, Yes, you’ve asked the right person. My husband is the largest beverage distributor in the United States.

Ye Baoling showed genuinely surprised expression, Really?

He Jiayi and Yang Baozhu watched Miss Ye’s natural acting. Had they not discussed it beforehand, they would have thought she was completely unaware.

Really.

Lisa proactively asked, Would you like me to help make an introduction?

Of course! If that’s possible.

Ye Baoling was so excited she hugged the other person.

Lisa gave them a warning, But you need to be prepared mentally. My husband is very picky, and I can only make the introduction. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to convince him to distribute your products.

When the time comes, bring a case of our iced tea back with you. I’m confident that after your husband tastes it, he’ll be interested.

OK!

Finally, it was time to discuss Xian Bi endorsing Ye Qingtang Jasmine Iced Tea.

Lisa immediately changed her attitude, Although we’re friends, on this matter, I don’t have much room for compromise.

Ye Baoling responded, Yes, although we’re friends, as we say, ‘business is business.’ Last time I mentioned changing the cooperation method – no endorsement, just shooting a video advertisement. We hope to negotiate the price down.

Darling, shooting a video advertisement is essentially a form of endorsement.

Ye Baoling glanced at her watch. It was almost half past twelve, and there was a television in the hotel suite. May we turn on the TV?

Lisa didn’t know what she intended to do but quickly nodded, Of course.

He Jiayi went to turn on the TV and tuned it to HKTV.

At exactly half past twelve, Ye Qingtang Jasmine Herbal Tea’s advertisement began playing on television.

Lisa was very surprised. She had only heard about the news of Xian Bi drinking herbal tea being very popular, but she didn’t expect they had already produced an advertisement.

The advertisement only mentioned a man who wanted to watch the soccer king’s friendly match but couldn’t make it. It didn’t mention Xian Bi’s name at all, nor did it show Xian Bi’s portrait or image. However, it created a strong psychological suggestion that this advertisement was related to Xian Bi.

You made an advertisement so quickly? Clearly, besides being surprised, Lisa was somewhat angry.

But she couldn’t show it, since this advertisement really contained no information about Xian Bi at all.

Ye Baoling knew the other party would feel uncomfortable after watching it, but she still had to show it to her.

She explained, This advertisement was already in production before the news about Xian Bi drinking jasmine herbal tea came out. At that time, we were preparing for both scenarios. If we could secure Xian Bi’s endorsement, this advertisement would be the first in the series, with Xian Bi shooting the second one.

Lisa nodded, Quite interesting.

Ye Baoling continued, The viral news about Xian Bi drinking herbal tea was completely unexpected. Actually, whether Xian Bi endorses us or not doesn’t make much difference now. But as the planner, I hope we can shoot a sequel to this ad series. Of course, as you’ve seen, even just the first installment is already more than enough for the company. In Port City, Ye Qingtang Jasmine Iced Tea’s brand recognition has already been established. It’s just that I have some personal regrets.

Lisa understood—for the company, shooting the ad was optional, but Ye Baoling personally wanted it done.

She said straightforwardly, $150,000, darling. That’s the best I can offer.

With just a wave from Ye Baoling, Yang Baozhu quickly produced a folder, opened it, and placed it on the table.

Lisa, this document compiles the endorsement fees of star players with the title ‘Ball King’ over the past two years. $100,000 is the annual endorsement fee. As I mentioned earlier, we only need to shoot one video commercial, no print ads. $50,000 is a more reasonable price.

That was an aggressive bargain!

My God, that’s impossible, Lisa refused, still munching on grilled bullfrog.

Ye Baoling served her some bullfrog legs. Think about it—if the endorsement is $100,000, then $50,000 for print ads and $50,000 for video ads, $50,000 each. Isn’t that fair?

Could it be calculated that way?

Lisa blinked. You Chinese are so shrewd. Even if the annual endorsement is $100,000, when you only need part of it, that part should definitely be more expensive.

Instead of arguing, Ye Baoling nodded. You make a valid point. Let me calculate—$50,000 is about 390,000 Hong Kong dollars. How about we round it up to 400,000 HKD? It’s a very auspicious number.

That was only an increase of just over a thousand dollars.

How is it auspicious?

In our dialect, ‘4’ means ‘prosperity.’

Oh…

He Jiayi and Yang Baozhu nearly laughed.

Ye Baoling didn’t give her time to think and continued, Xian Bi only needs to spare one hour, and we can finish shooting the ad. 400,000 HKD for one hour—who else but Xian Bi can command that? You have to understand, this isn’t the U.S. America has over 200 million people, while we only have just over 5 million here. This fee is already sky-high for us. For you, it’s just a one-hour trip to Port City for some fun. Also, if we collaborate in the U.S. market in the future and the ad airs there, we’ll pay the market rate to make up the endorsement fee. We can even supply Xian Bi with free Jasmine Iced Tea for 10 years…

Ye Baoling’s English was excellent, and she was articulate; her promises were enticing and convincing.

Why turn down such a profitable deal—400,000 HKD for just one hour?

Ye Baoling said, We really like Xian Bi and hope to cooperate with you, Lisa, but the company has only allocated this budget. If it works, let’s finalize it today. If not, we can just treat this meal as a pleasant gathering.

Lisa blinked and finally said, I need to discuss this with Xian Bi. Please wait here.

Lisa and her assistant went out to find Xian Bi.

About twenty minutes later, she returned with a smile and said, Xian Bi likes your iced tea. He agreed.

He Jiayi and Yang Baozhu nearly jumped for joy. Who would have thought that an asking price of 4 million could be negotiated down to 400,000?

Before coming, they had even discussed trying to settle for under 1 million.

Ye Baoling opened her arms and hugged Lisa. Thank you, dear.

Before leaving, Ye Baoling gave Lisa another prepared gift.

Lisa opened it to find a crystal rabbit pendant hanging from a red string.

Oh, how beautiful.

In China, we have the 12 Zodiac Animals. Your zodiac sign is the rabbit, and this rabbit has been Consecrated. Ye Baoling explained what Consecration meant, then said: It can protect your financial security.

Really?

Really.

Lisa was half-convinced and half-doubtful. She had heard about certain mysterious powers in the East being powerful, but she had never encountered them and didn’t believe in them.

Ye Baoling took a small card from the jewelry box, on which was written: October 8th, Thursday.

This is the Witch Doctor’s instruction for you.

Lisa looked puzzled: Witch Doctor? What instruction?

On October 8th this year, your family might suffer a significant financial loss. The deity suggests you stay away from casinos and the stock market before October 8th.

We don’t gamble.

Then stay away from the stock market.

Is it really that miraculous?

If it were a prophecy from Jesus, Lisa might have believed it immediately.

But in her imagination, a Witch Doctor was like a witch.

Ye Baoling suggested: You could sell your stocks before the 8th and see what happens on that day. If nothing occurs, you can buy them back. Then call me, and I’ll help you take down the Witch Doctor’s sign.

This successfully made Lisa laugh, but she still didn’t believe it.

Of course, Ye Baoling knew she wouldn’t fully believe—and that was exactly the point.

Ye Huaizhang usually went out in a very low-key BMW driven by the family chauffeur.

Today, he had arranged to meet friends to discuss private matters, so he took the keys and chose his favorite car from the many luxury vehicles in the garage.

After getting in, he fastened his seatbelt and opened the center console to put something away, only to find a yellowish-orange tablet inside, with dirt still stuck in the texture gaps.

He froze for a few seconds before remembering it was the Bronze Tablet he and Ye Baoling had picked up at the Silver Snake Summit last time.

He couldn’t help but pick it up for a closer look. Previously, at the summit, it had been pitch black with almost no light, so he hadn’t seen the textures clearly. This time, he got a proper look.

The texture looked familiar.

Where had he seen it before?

He suddenly recalled seeing it in his grandfather’s diary…

Meanwhile, Ye Baoling, having returned to the company, immediately went to find Qu Zhengming and Lin Zhong. When they heard that she had secured Xian Bi’s TV commercial rights for 400,000 Hong Kong dollars, they were both astonished.

How did you manage that?!

Deception. Painting rosy pictures. Psychological tactics.

Ye Baoling joked: By coercion and enticement.

With the budget under 500,000, Lin Zhong had the authority to make the final decision directly, so he immediately approved and instructed the legal team to proceed with the contract.

Two days later, the commercial featuring Xian Bi and the depressed youth was released, with numerous media outlets following up. Although Ye Qingtang hadn’t publicly announced hiring Xian Bi as their spokesperson, the media widely reported that Soccer King Xian Bi Finally Becomes Ye Qingtang’s Spokesperson.

The key figure behind this achievement was none other than Ye Qingtang’s young lady, Ye Baoling.

This was also the first time the media formally reported on Ye Baoling—

The previously undisclosed fifth-generation eldest granddaughter of the prominent Ye family in Hong Kong.

Author’s note: Lisa: How did I agree to this?

Ye Baoling: Four hundred thousand for an hour, we’re making a killing.