Turning Clouds and Rain? Just the Basics

Chen Xiaojun turned to look at Liu Ruyan and greeted her. "Sister Ru Yan, you're here."

Liu Ruyan replied with a smile, "Xiaojun, I heard Xiao Yi was back, so I brought over some of the latest clothing styles for Xiao Yi to see if she likes them."

In truth, Xiao Yi's clothes over the past few years had always been custom-made by the Liu Clan according to her original measurements, then delivered to Chen Xiaojun, who would pass them on to the Green Vine Clan.

Although Xiao Yi had grown one or two centimeters taller than she was three years ago, clothes made to her old measurements were only slightly looser, and she could still wear them.

However, over these three years, Xiao Yi had ultimately developed into a fuller, more exquisite figure, so clothes that were too tight would not do. They would offend a man's eyes.

In fact, even if Liu Ruyan had not come, Xiao Yi would have taken the initiative to find her and change into clothes that suited her better.

So it had to be said, Liu Ruyan truly knew how to handle things. At such a young age, she was already the president of the Liu Clan, supporting the entire family business.

Chen Xiaojun picked up the thread and said seriously, "Sister Ru Yan, you came at just the right time. There's something I need to tell you."

"You know about the attack on Skywolf Forging Market this time, right?"

Liu Ruyan nodded, her expression grave. "Mm. Please go on."

Chen Xiaojun continued, "Have your people spread the word. The general idea is that the market guards fought bravely and held off an attack led by the three great Wolf Bandit Leaders."

To explain here, Liu Ruyan did not only manage the Liu Clan's own products; she was also the director of the Publicity Department under the Chen Clan's Management Department.

A flash of understanding passed through Liu Ruyan's eyes. "Xiaojun, you mean to turn crisis into opportunity, positively promote our market's deeds, and use this incident to raise our market's visibility and credibility?"

Chen Xiaojun nodded. "What year have the wolf bandits not attacked people?"

"It's a fact that we repelled such powerful wolf bandits this time. Why shouldn't we use it for publicity?"

"We need to let everyone know that our market has strength and guarantees."

Liu Ruyan nodded in agreement. "Young Master is wise."

Chen Xiaojun went on, "Also, not just this one piece of news."

"Privately release some mixed, true-and-false news as well, and muddy public opinion."

"Positive information should be the main focus, but it should also be mixed with some negative. Something like a seventy-thirty or eighty-twenty split."

Liu Ruyan's eyes lit up. "Xiaojun, are you worried the Crimson Church will have follow-up moves and spread rumors about us, so you're laying the groundwork in advance and using this news to drown out their voices?"

Chen Xiaojun raised his thumb. "Sister Ru Yan, you're truly brilliant."

"That's right. Mix this negative news into the positive information and let it be drowned out, brushing over our losses in passing."

"I just want them to know that no matter how they spread rumors, we've already made preparations."

"In the tide of our news, their rumors will be like a few little ripples among it, unable to stir up any great waves."

Liu Ruyan said in admiration, "Xiaojun, that move of turning clouds and rain was truly beautiful. I'll go arrange it right away."

Chen Xiaojun smiled calmly. "Just the basics. Nothing worth mentioning."

His eyes revealed a kind of confidence and composure, as though everything was under his control. Uh, he was just missing a fan.

At that moment, a beautiful young matron slowly walked in through the doorway. Her features bore some resemblance to Liu Ruyan's, and the Divine Charm between her brows and eyes undoubtedly revealed that she was Liu Ruyan's relative.

There was no need to think much about it. The one who could appear here was naturally Liu Ruyan's aunt, Liu Yueyi.

Liu Yueyi stepped lightly over to Xiao Rou Rou's side and said gently, "Rou Rou, it's time for us to go back."

Xiao Rou Rou was having fun, so how could she be willing to leave? Her little face twisted away, and she said stubbornly, "No!"

Seeing this, Liu Yueyi's face tightened slightly, and she said sternly, "Your sister has already taken you out to play for a long time. If you still won't behave, I won't let you come out to play next time."

When Xiao Rou Rou heard that, her little mouth puckered, and she burst into tears with a wail. "Mommy's bad."

Liu Ruyan hurried forward, gently patting Xiao Rou Rou's back as she comforted her. "Third Aunt, Rou Rou is still little. Don't scare her."

Chen Xiaojun also smiled and greeted her. "Eleventh Aunt, you're here."

Liu Yueyi nodded slightly at Chen Xiaojun, then still firmly picked Xiao Rou Rou up.

Xiao Rou Rou struggled in Liu Yueyi's arms, her little tears falling like pearls from a broken string.

But Liu Yueyi forcefully lifted her up and even swatted Xiao Rou Rou's little bottom.

Seeing this, Chen Xiaojun changed the subject. "Eleventh Aunt, what is Eleventh Uncle doing?"

When Liu Yueyi heard this, a faint smile appeared on her face. "He's drinking with Sixth Brother."

"The two of them started chatting nonstop the moment they met and even dragged me into drinking a few cups with them, but I don't have their capacity."

Chen Xiaojun's eyes lit up. "Sixth Uncle? Sixth Uncle is back?"

Liu Yueyi nodded with a smile. "I heard he rushed back last night."

Chen Xiaojun was delighted. This was truly a pillow arriving just as he grew sleepy.

Before he could say anything, he then saw Xiao Rou Rou being held in Liu Yueyi's arms, her little body twitching with sobs. But the stubbornness from before had already vanished from her eyes, replaced instead by a sense of grievance and attachment.

Chen Xiaojun could not help sighing inwardly. As expected of a woman of the Liu Clan.

He did not know if it was because the Liu Clan had more yin than yang and was weak in men, but the Liu Clan's women were all rather forceful, each one no less capable than any man.

Do not be fooled by Liu Ruyan's gentle warmth in front of him, like a well-read and reasonable young lady from a great family. Chen Xiaojun had heard that in front of her subordinates and attendants, Liu Ruyan was always icy cold, and her work style was even more decisive and vigorous, without the slightest ambiguity.

It was precisely because of this that women of the Liu Clan were quite popular among the noble families of the several commanderies near Chang'an. Many noble families and Powerful Clans liked to marry Liu Clan women as wives to keep the household steady!

They felt the women possessed dignity in proper measure, could manage a household, and could hold up the sky at critical moments.

Chen Xiaojun smiled and said, "All right, Eleventh Aunt, please pass on a message for me. I'll go visit Sixth Uncle in a bit. I haven't seen him in a long time."

Liu Yueyi agreed, exchanged greetings with everyone, then left with Xiao Rou Rou.

Xiao Rou Rou even looked back at Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi, her little eyes misty and adorably soft.

Before long, Zhu Wuneng came jogging over, panting as he shouted, "Time to eat! Time to eat!"

Before they even got close, a rich, savory aroma rushed into their noses, the scent stirring everyone's appetite at once.

Chen Xiaojun thought to himself that Zhu Wuneng and the others must have had the kitchen prepare another table full of sumptuous delicacies.

A dozen or so people sat down around the round table. It was covered with all kinds of dishes, complete in color, aroma, and taste, dazzling to the eye.

A few of them were even signature main dishes they had specially gone across the street to Moon Gazing Pavilion to buy.

To be honest, on the Douluo Continent, Western-style rectangular tables were the mainstream way of dining, but in the past few years, Chen Xiaojun and the Seven Absolute Bow Yang Family had jointly promoted round tables, and they had also been welcomed by some clans.

This was especially true for the Chen Clan itself. Aside from solemn banquets and similar occasions, they had already begun using round tables in daily life.

Dining at a round table, everyone sat together in a circle, making the atmosphere more harmonious and communication more convenient.

After all, it was dining-table culture!