When Su Mian saw Zhou Tian's reports, she thought of a term she had learned in her major: white noise bomb tactics.
White noise is a type of noise that is widely present in nature. The rustling of leaves and the dripping of rain are examples of white noise, which is easily overlooked.
White noise bombs are the same; they post seemingly ordinary things online.
It was ignored, just like the sound of rain.
But in reality, it influences people's perceptions at all times.
The job she did before... involved using this principle to achieve some nefarious goals.
Duan Xuanyu leaned back on the bench, staring intently at her, waiting for her to continue.
He always said that when he listened to her speak.
A focused, deep gaze conveys a sense of willing submission.
To be honest... Su Mian was quite clear about it too.
His attitude was cultivated by her.
When she first transmigrated to his era, she used her knowledge of that period of the story to show off in front of him, the young prince, every day.
They treat him like a dog.
Gradually, the puppy developed a kind of adoration for its owner.
Thinking about it this way, I do feel a little guilty.
Su Mian avoided his gaze. "Actually, I'm not that great. I used to be... just an ordinary office worker."
Duan Xuanyu's voice was soft, yet impossible to ignore. "Anyway, she's the best in my heart."
Su Mian took a deep breath. "The company I used to work for... it sold a product, and its taxes were extremely high. The taxes it paid every year were higher than those of large internet companies like Goose Factory."
"But that stuff is also extremely harmful; it can cause many diseases and is addictive, so it cannot be publicly advertised."
"And someone like me, who has studied marketing, is hired at a high salary to do covert advertising."
(Author's note: This industry does not exist; it was fictional to enrich the character's information.)
"A common tactic is to say that buying this kind of thing is contributing to the country's military spending... linking this harmful product with patriotism."
"Then some people who know it's bad but can't resist buying it will spontaneously endorse and promote it, creating a white noise effect."
"But that's not actually the case at all. The taxes collected on this are simply not enough to cover the medical insurance costs incurred by people who get sick because of it. Medical insurance is also a major part of tax revenue."
"Saying it's used for military spending is pure embellishment... because all consumption is taxed. I even pay taxes when I spend money in games to raise virtual men, but no one will promote that raising virtual men is building aircraft carriers for the country."
"Only the high taxes are 30% true; the remaining 70% are all fabrications, yet people still believe them without a doubt."
"When the volume of voices supporting a particular issue exceeds one-third, it triggers the herd mentality."
"When more than two-thirds of the respondents had voiced their doubts, they dared not speak out at all, because they would be attacked if they did."
"Those of us who manipulate things behind the scenes can completely distort the truth."
In the realm of public opinion, a loud voice is a fact.
Su Mian finished speaking.
Duan Xuanyu remained silent for a long time.
She looked up and met his gaze. "What?"
Duan Xuanyu raised his hand and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his eyes looking somewhat aggrieved for some reason. "What kind of virtual man are you keeping? Is there anything he can do that I can't?"
Su Mian: "..."
Is this the key point?
After a moment of silence, he became serious. "Don't blame yourself."
"If it's the kind of big business you're talking about, it's not something you can control alone. Its significance goes beyond just taxes; a single product can stimulate the entire economy, even if it's harmful... those in positions of power must consider the big picture."
"The role you played in it wasn't that important at all. And besides, you're no longer doing it now. That's considered turning over a new leaf."
Su Mian didn't speak.
There is a significant information gap between them.
He didn't know she was referring to the original world before she traveled through time.
However, she really didn't want to do this well-paid and respectable but unethical job anymore.
Once she travels back in time, she will resign.
He took a huge fortune and then simply lay down and did nothing.
Duan Xuanyu leaned closer to her, his hand resting on the chair, and asked, "What is that thing?"
"Paying so much tax must indicate a huge industrial chain. Northern Liang has been in dire need of reconstruction in recent years, and creating more job opportunities can help maintain stability."
"So if the Northern Liang also has it, I'll nationalize it and sell it too."
Su Mian: "... If there's a lack of job opportunities, you can ask them to dig canals and build the Great Wall; criticizing them now will benefit future generations."
People with different identities have very different perspectives on issues.
I've already said something heinous and immoral, and he still asks.
I feel that Duan Xuanyu is a cunning strategist like Jia Xu.
For the greater good, they'd send plague-infected corpses into enemy bases.
He pressed further, "What is it? Tell me. Is it easy to invent Northern Liang?"
Su Mian didn't want to talk about it anymore and changed the subject. "I want to eat an ice cream."
Duan Xuanyu didn't ask any more questions, "I'll go buy it for you."
A few minutes later, he brought the ice cream back.
Su Mian took it, opened it, and was about to eat.
Duan Xuanyu suddenly tore open a package and sprinkled it on the ice cream.
A layer of grayish powder.
Su Mian looked at him. "What the hell?"
Duan Xuanyu: "It's too cold, I was worried you'd catch a cold, so I bought you a packet of Banlangen granules."
How considerate!
How thoughtful!
Duan Xuanyu's eyes crinkled at the corners, his gaze full of seeking praise!
If it had a tail, it would be wagging its tail by now!
Su Mian was silent for a moment, then looked heartbroken at losing the game. "Fine, you win this round. But your methods of manipulating others are much more sophisticated!"
Duan Xuanyu: "..."
no?
I've been genuinely kind and considerate to you, and you think I'm just playing with your feelings?!
And even if it's manipulation, what's so clever about this method?
Su Mian took a bite of the isatis root-flavored ice cream, pondering to herself.
No, we must bring this scoundrel back.
Her personality wouldn't allow her to lose in any way.
Oh, and she also had a Bluetooth earphone in her bag.
The other one is missing and hasn't been found yet.
Su Mian took out the earphone and handed it to Duan Xuanyu: "Smell it."
Duan Xuanyu, not understanding why, actually leaned over and smelled it.
Perhaps it's because I've been in contact with her hair for a long time, but it has a faint Baihe scent.
Su Mian: "Do you remember this taste?"
Duan Xuanyu nodded. "Mm."
Su Mian: "Go find my other one."
Duan Xuanyu: "..."
Oh my god, I like her so much.
Without her, who would still treat him like a dog?
-
Some people are playing with dogs, while others are breaking down.
In the afternoon, Fang Nuonuo made plans to socialize with various wealthy young ladies.
She also discovered midway through that the dating reality show was secretly live-streaming.
Therefore, she pays even closer attention to her every move.
Every gesture and movement exudes the poise and elegance of a wealthy heiress.
I got home in the evening.
She happily opened the internet.
I want to see if the internet is already flooded with criticism of Su Mian for acting like a diva, boasting about her daily life as a rich heiress, and clamoring to become her servant.
When she looked, her world had collapsed yet again!