The Interstellar Florist is Very Fragrant Chapter 35.2

Part 2

In less than an hour, the shop “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance” had transformed from a “treasure shop” in many people’s hearts to a counterfeit shop selling fakes. The speed at which public opinion shifted was instantaneous.

Lao Zou from Starbuy’s Marketing Department fueled the fire: “Xiao Zhang, ‘Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance’ is in big trouble. Fortunately, we didn’t sign an exclusive contract with them, or our Starbuy would be a laughingstock among peers~ to sign an exclusive contract with someone selling fakes is simply an industry disgrace!”

“Tomorrow’s promotion for ‘Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance’ should also be cancelled. Young man, this incident teaches us to be steady in our work.”

Lao Zou didn’t support “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance” in the first place, and today’s sudden incident reflected that his steady and conservative approach was correct. Zhang Jun from the Operations Department was gnashing his teeth, yet he maintained a surface peace: “The matter isn’t settled yet; it’s too early for Director Zou to draw conclusions.”

Lao Zou was dismissive: “Could there be any reversal? The experts have spoken; can this be fake?”

Zhang Jun snorted coldly: “Are the experts always right? Don’t forget, the product certificate for ‘Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance’ was given by our Starbuy! For experts to question ‘Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance’ is to question Starbuy’s verification system!”

Zhang Jun: “I believe in Starbuy, and I believe in ‘Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance.’ As for Director Zou, don’t be fooled by those ‘watered-down’ experts.”

Just as Zhang Jun theorized, the Starbuy platform was indeed hit by the negative sentiment surrounding “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance.” Competitors took the opportunity to kick them while they were down, questioning Starbuy’s verification capabilities and spreading rumors that many items sold on Starbuy were fakes.

At Starbuy headquarters, Leon sat on his office sofa drinking daisy tea, watching the heated online meeting with a half-smile. Some felt that Starbuy’s verification was linked to the Interstellar’s largest database and couldn’t be wrong, so the plants sold by “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance” were definitely real. Others felt that since so many experts had spoken, there must be a problem, and Starbuy should actively apologize to salvage its public image.

Leon noted the names of the employees suggesting Starbuy apologize. Apologizing for something non-existent? No way!

At the same time, Leon received a message from Zefaer: [Resolve the controversy surrounding ‘Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance’ before noon.]

Leon smiled: [I didn’t know you cared so much about public opinion.]

Zefaer had always ignored public opinion, which contributed to his poor reputation. But who would have thought that today, this seemingly indifferent Emperor would take the initiative to demand a resolution?

Zefaer: [The relevant departments have already been contacted. Have Huinai coordinate.]

Leon: [Alright, alright, resolving it now.]

Leon tapped the table. The thud thud sound traveled through the video into the meeting room, and the people arguing incessantly suddenly went quiet.

Leon said with a half-smile: “I didn’t know that any Tom, Dick, or Harry could slander Starbuy’s verification system with just their mouth.”

“And those ‘experts’ probably haven’t even seen the plants in ‘Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance,’ so where does their questioning come from?”

“Public Relations, be tougher. Send lawyer’s letters directly to hold them accountable. Say that since the experts question the database calculation capabilities of the partnership between Starbuy and the Interstellar Museum, the Communications Department, the Military, and others, then demand the so-called experts publicly provide evidence, or see them in the Interstellar Court.”

“I have already communicated with those relevant departments. PR, coordinate directly for evidence collection.”

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As soon as Leon said this, the PR group fell silent. Those who had advocated for a public apology shrank back like quails. Those who had supported “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance” were elated. Leon’s lateral support of the shop was enough. Simultaneously, those in the meeting felt that Leon truly deserved to be the owner of Starbuy; his decision-making was top-tier.

Leon’s decision shifted the conflict concentrated on “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance” to the interstellar industry giants who had co-built the Starbuy database. A small shop like “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance” couldn’t withstand the pressure, but those industry giants feared no one. A lawyer’s letter for each person without hesitation. Those experts who made irresponsible remarks had truly hit a brick wall this time! Those experts were definitely finished.

Leon was truly impressive, having communicated with all the leading enterprises in just half an hour. His network was vast.

The PR department acted quickly. Not only did they draft a statement within ten minutes, but they also obtained proof from multiple relevant departments within twenty minutes, confirming that Starbuy’s verification system had no issues. People from the industry giants stated that the “experts” online were simply talking nonsense. What a joke—they were top-tier departments; how could they make a mistake in a simple verification system? What kind of piece-of-sh*t experts were they? Probably academic frauds.

Thus, at 10:00 AM, within two and a half hours of the negative sentiment appearing, Starbuy App issued a statement:

[Regarding the questions from Li XX, Ai XX, Fang XX, and others about the Starbuy App verification system, Starbuy has forwarded the feedback to the First Interstellar Museum, the Interstellar Allied Military, the Communications Headquarters, and other departments.] [Feedback details are as follows…] […] [After verification from multiple parties, the Starbuy App verification system is operating normally, and there is no behavior of exploiting loopholes for falsification. Therefore, our company will pursue legal action against the aforementioned individuals who started and spread rumors.]

As soon as this statement came out, the gossiping crowd shut their mouths. Everyone knew that the Starbuy verification system was co-built by the Interstellar’s industry giants. If the verification system was wrong, it meant one of the prestigious departments had made a mistake. The statement included the stamped test results from multiple departments, all stating the system was “normal.” Since the verification was fine, it indirectly proved that the certificates for “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance” were also fine.

So, obviously, the problem could only be with certain “experts.”

Wait… so many experts making a collective mistake? That’s unlikely. That means someone deliberately smeared “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance”?

Which idiot smeared the shop! This was the only shop in the entire Interstellar selling natural plants; if the owner stopped because of this, who could pay for that loss?

The netizens, who were almost used as tools, were furious. They used high-tech methods or directly confronted the experts to trace the source, eventually locking onto the culprit—Yan Han, the painter marketing himself as a “Young Artist.” The netizens followed the trail and discovered Yan Han’s bribery of academy teachers to suppress students and his use of family wealth to pressure galleries into low-balling prices. His methods were despicable.

What a “Number One Young Interstellar Artist,” what an “Outstanding Young Artist,” what a “Noble Young Master.” Who would have thought he was such a person? Soon, a crowd rushed to Yan Han’s public platforms to mock him, and some reported his behavior to the art academy. The reputation of the Yan family, an interstellar art lineage, was ruined because of this.

Zhu Ran woke up naturally around 11:30 AM. The lavender aromatherapy in the room had stopped, but a lingering fragrance remained in the air. Ever since making the lavender essential oil, Zhu Ran had used it at night. Not only did his sleep quality improve, but the spiritual sea repair process also accelerated slightly during sleep.

Zhu Ran felt refreshed from head to toe. He stretched and lingered in bed for a while before getting up. After washing up and changing, he walked out of his room. Two portions of lunch were already set on the open bar. Z, dressed neatly, sat on the sofa, calmly reviewing information on his optical computer.

Z was wearing a dark blue shirt with black cufflinks today. The shirt was buttoned tightly all the way to just below his Adam’s apple. His golden hair was brushed back, revealing his broad forehead and unique blue and gold eyes. He looked steady and reserved, with a faint, underlying sense of pressure.

Seeing Zhu Ran arrive, Zefaer looked up. Because Zhu Ran had just woken up, his eyes were misty, and his cheeks were flushed; he looked very healthy. His mood didn’t seem affected by the online drama at all, remaining bright and gentle as usual.

Zefaer had been handling and following the “Zhu’s Shadow and Fragrance” situation since early morning, and it was only now, seeing Zhu Ran’s appearance, that his heart settled. It was good that Zhu Ran was okay.

The aura around him gradually relaxed, and the pressure receded like a tide. The darkness in Zefaer’s eyes turned bright, and he nodded to Zhu Ran: “Morning.”

“Morning… wait, good afternoon.” It was near noon; saying morning was indeed a bit strange. Zhu Ran felt a bit embarrassed. ” I woke up a bit late. If you’re hungry in the future, you can eat first.”

“I already had breakfast.” Zefaer closed his optical computer and walked to the open bar. “I was waiting to have lunch with you.”