Chu Qingxue replied with composure, "The cosmetics industry is somewhat inflated right now, to the point of saturation. Currently, the overwhelming majority of women have an earnest desire for beauty and use a wide variety of cosmetics, which are constantly being released. Against this backdrop, a series of counterfeit and low-quality products have started appearing. Hence, there are many reports of allergies or skin damage due to cosmetics, and most cosmetics have an irritating effect on the skin... Spirit of Nature is a cosmetic product created by Chu Corporation that causes no irritation or harm. Instead, its effects are significant, capable of making your skin as soft and delicate as that of a newborn baby."
"Wow..." Applause rippled through the room once more.
Another journalist stood up and asked, "President Chu, what cosmetics do you normally use?"
As soon as this question was raised, an uproar spread across the room.
This journalist’s question was quite astute; he knew that Spirit of Nature had not been on the market for long. By asking what cosmetics she typically used, he was aiming for a specific outcome. As long as Chu Qingxue mentioned the name of any cosmetics, his objective would be achieved. Today was the launch of Spirit of Nature, and if the President of Chu Corporation mentioned some other brand, what would people think?
His question was indeed tricky.
Employees of Chu Corporation even started cursing under their breath, condemning these media representatives as no-good meddlers.
"Thank you, I do not use any cosmetics—not even Spirit of Nature. My skin is naturally good and does not need them. Spirit of Nature is intended to improve the skin of women who are not as fortunate," Chu Qingxue answered without a hint of panic, her response calm and collected.
"Chu Qingxue doesn’t use cosmetics? Has she always been without makeup?" The crowd below was buzzing with speculation once again.
The journalist’s heart sank, dissatisfied with the response. He couldn’t help but ask again, "President Chu, you really don’t use any cosmetics?"
Chu Qingxue shook her head, "No, I don’t. If you don’t believe me, take a look."
As she spoke, Chu Qingxue even leaned her face forward to give everyone a better view.
"President Chu really isn’t wearing makeup!"
Upon closer inspection, everyone could see that Chu Qingxue was indeed barefaced, yet still stunningly beautiful. Her skin was so impressive that even without makeup, it was smooth, tender, and glistened with a moist luster.
At that, the journalist was completely taken aback, at a loss for words; Chu Qingxue was truthfully makeup-free.
Ye Chenfeng felt an urge to laugh. When it came to strategies, Chu Qingxue was indeed formidable. Whether she usually went without makeup was unknown, but she had specifically chosen to go barefaced today, likely in anticipation of this question.
"Do you have any more questions?" Chu Qingxue asked the journalist with a smile.
"President Chu, how do you view the series of crises that have arisen at Huating International, a commercial titan in Jiangnan?" another journalist queried.
"Sorry, today is just the launch of Spirit of Nature. I refuse to answer questions about anything unrelated."
"President Chu, two weeks ago, Japan’s renowned Jintian Corporation and Jiang Group, along with eight other companies, established the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. However, Chu Corporation did not participate. There are rumors suggesting that Chu Corporation will be suppressed by the Chamber of Commerce. Is Spirit of Nature’s market launch a response to the Chamber, particularly an attack on Jiang Group’s dominance in the cosmetics industry, with Chu Corporation aiming to replace them?" The journalist quickly pointed out the crucial issue.
Chu Qingxue smiled, "Hello, your question contains two points that could potentially spark rumors. First, Chu Corporation has not been suppressed by the Chamber of Commerce. Can I assume that you’re slandering the Jiangnan Chamber? I wonder what your intentions are. Second, we have a friendly relationship with Jiang Group, with numerous collaborative ventures between us. But as soon as Spirit of Nature launched, you suggest that Chu Corporation intends to usurp Jiang Group’s dominant position in cosmetics. Are you trying to stir up trouble? I’m finding your motives increasingly impure. May I ask which news outlet you’re with?"
Chu Qingxue had seen her share of storms and was even more adept at deftly handling these kinds of predicaments with just a few words.
Chu Qingxue’s response to the journalist was incisive, swiftly painting him as a troublemaker spreading rumors, and all eyes turned to him.
Especially with Chu Qingxue’s last question asking for his media affiliation, her words had greater impact.
This caused other media to turn on him, eager to drag a colleague through the mud, which could easily result in headlines like: "Such-and-such media fabricates rumors during Chu Corporation’s new product launch..." Such titles could doom that particular media outlet.
Suddenly, the journalist broke out in a cold sweat, teetering on the brink of collapse.
With a trace of a smile, Chu Qingxue asked, "Alright, does anyone else have questions?"
With that single phrase, Chu Qingxue redirected everyone’s attention, and the journalist nearly slumped to the floor, casting a grateful look Chu Qingxue’s way. After all, she had extricated him from a difficult spot.
Chu Qingxue didn’t push matters to an extreme, which would have sufficed to make him suffer greatly.
"President Chu may I ask..."
Questions from journalists followed, but Chu Qingxue handled them all with ease. The multitude of media personnel were disheartened; Chu Qingxue was truly formidable, giving them no advantage and quite possibly outmaneuvering them.
"Miss Mikako, Chu Qingxue is truly formidable. In the words of the Divine Land, she is like tough meat that does not soften in oil or salt," observed someone from Jintian Corporation in the shadows.
"Then let’s shift our approach; let’s stop trying to trouble Chu Qingxue," Mikako stated.
"Could I ask you a question, Mr. Ye Chenfeng?" Suddenly, a journalist directed his query toward Ye Chenfeng.
The employees of Chu Corporation tensed, but Chu Qingxue’s expression remained unchanged. If compared to her, Ye Chenfeng was the real tough meat.
"May I ask for some information about the lady with whom you filmed the promotional video? Of course, this is absolutely related to Spirit of Nature." The journalist quickly added this line, wary of Ye Chenfeng brushing off the question as irrelevant to the event.
Ye Chenfeng smiled, "Do you want to know?"
"Yes," the journalist eagerly nodded.
"I’m not telling you," Ye Chenfeng suddenly beamed with joy.
Everyone was shocked, not expecting Ye Chenfeng to crack a joke in such a setting.
"Mr. Ye really has a sense of humor," the journalist wiped his sweat, "I still request that Mr. Ye shares with us that lady’s information."
"Do you think I would joke at such an event? Now I’m wondering how you got your press ID. And let me ask you, didn’t your mother ever tell you when you were young not to pry into other people’s privacy? President Chu just said that she prefers not to participate in such settings, which couldn’t be any clearer—she wants to keep a low profile. Can’t you understand plain language?"