"In a way, it's the same thing," Ju Lanlan said.
"The same thing?" Jiang Ye frowned.
"Pu Nian is quite good in many aspects, but he has one flaw: he lacks restraint when it comes to women. Most of his income is spent on that," Ju Lanlan said with a meaningful smile. "I visited his home once. He had a large swimming pool filled with women in swimsuits, floating and swimming in the blue water like fish in the sea."
Jiang Ye was stunned.
"Some of the women in the pool were familiar faces – new generation singers, two of the four most popular young actresses on Jiang Ye Star, and the leader of a girl idol group. Not to mention countless aspiring models, supermodels, and internet celebrities," Ju Lanlan took out her phone and showed Jiang Ye the profiles of a few celebrities.
"My goodness, this guy looks so honest, but he's like this in private?" Jiang Ye was shocked.
"He is indeed honest. He's polite to everyone, even his subordinates. He's a bit weak and shy," Ju Lanlan said. "But being honest in work and daily life doesn't mean he's a little lamb in private."
"This..." Jiang Ye scratched his head.
"I think it's not a bad thing in a way," Ju Lanlan said.
"Not a bad thing?" Jiang Ye tilted his head to look at her.
"It's leverage. His reputation for being lecherous is already well-known. Everyone knows, but no one openly points it out. This is leverage, a weakness," Ju Lanlan said. "If he does his job well and is loyal to the planet, you can turn a blind eye to his private life. If he has ulterior motives or makes other mistakes, this leverage becomes a reason to deal with him. Personal conduct might seem insignificant, but it can be a heavy burden when scrutinized."
Jiang Ye stared at Ju Lanlan, a meaningful smile appearing on his face, and he didn't comment.
"Have you heard this ancient saying? 'Entering the pass now, taking no wealth, favoring no women, their ambitions are not small. I have observed their aura, and it is all like dragons and tigers, forming five colors. This is the aura of an emperor. Strike quickly and do not miss.'" Ju Lanlan changed the subject.
"Not only have I heard it, but I was often tested on it when I was a child," Jiang Ye nodded.
"Sitting in Pu Nian's position, he has access to immense resources, vast connections with high-ranking aliens, and his own income is huge," Ju Lanlan continued. "If he had no vices and no blemishes, it would actually pose a certain risk. Humans are not plants; suppressing one's nature might indicate other schemes. But he spends most of his time, income, and energy on such meaningless entertainment, which is actually a reliable guarantee."
"It seems you really value him. You can even come up with such excuses to turn his flaws into strengths, black into white," Jiang Ye suddenly laughed. "Old Ju, you have such a silver tongue!"
"Heaven knows, I'm laying my heart bare for you, and you're still complaining about it being raw!" Ju Lanlan looked genuinely annoyed.
"Whether a person is reliable, if judged by things that cannot be brought to light, the results are often absurd," Jiang Ye smiled. "What if he isn't actually indulging in that entertainment, but is deliberately performing to satisfy your assumptions, Ju Lanlan?"
"You should understand better than I do that acting is also part of the game rules," Ju Lanlan said. "Acting often becomes reality. Scientifically speaking, behavior influences psychology, psychology influences behavior, and they intertwine. I've interacted with Pu Nian for some time and understand him quite well. Apart from the stain on his private life, he is reliable in other aspects. In some ways, he's even noble. For example, he has been anonymously donating large sums to associations for the disabled and environmental protection. He's a genuine philanthropist."
"Alright, have some water," Jiang Ye smiled. "I have no intention of removing him. Since you recommended him, I'll let him work for a while and observe his performance."
Ju Lanlan shrugged and took a sip of her water.
"Have you finished the handover with Fu Qiuyan regarding the Xinke Asteroid Belt?" Jiang Ye asked.
"The handover was completed yesterday. There are still a few minor procedures pending approval from the Galactic Empire, which should be approved in three to five days," Ju Lanlan said. "I'll start my new post tomorrow."
"Do you have a specific plan?" Jiang Ye asked.
Ju Lanlan tapped on her phone and placed it on the coffee table.
A holographic projection immediately appeared from the phone, and an electronic document materialized before Jiang Ye.
"You plan to establish... Lanjiang Interstellar Mining Company?" Jiang Ye opened the first page, his eyes widening. "This company name... it's not what I think it is, is it?"
"I originally wanted to name it Jianglan or Jiangju Interstellar Mining Company, but you said the Xinke Asteroid Belt is not under your direct rule and shouldn't have too many connections," Ju Lanlan explained. "So I put you at the end, Lanjiang Interstellar Mining Company."
"Putting me at the beginning or the end is the same! Anyone who sees it will know there's a connection to me!" Jiang Ye was speechless. "Didn't I repeatedly tell you that I don't manage the Xinke Asteroid Belt, and you have free rein to rule it, to distance ourselves? After all, it was taken from Fu Qiuyan. If she knew I, Jiang Ye, took it, it would ruin my reputation!"
"Of course, she knows! Anyone with a little intelligence knows I'm your person!" Ju Lanlan gave him a look as if he were an idiot. "Do you think it can be completely hidden? Such a big matter cannot be kept entirely secret."
"How can it not be?" Jiang Ye laughed in exasperation. "Change the company name, don't include my name."
"Then... how about Lanju Interstellar Mining Company?" Ju Lanlan shrugged.
Jiang Ye flipped through the plan.
It was very detailed, and it seemed she had done a lot of research.
Ju Lanlan planned to build the company headquarters on Jiang Ye Star, then acquire the existing mining factories and mining ships in the Xinke Asteroid Belt for excavation and production.
It also specified the mining sequence, starting with larger asteroids to establish mining bases, and then using smaller mining machines to spread to surrounding asteroids for mining, a tactic of "blooming in multiple spots." There was nothing too fancy, as mining itself didn't require elaborate operations. Solid, safe production would lead to immense wealth.
After reading the entire plan, Jiang Ye nodded and pushed the phone back.
"How is it? Do you agree?" Ju Lanlan sought his opinion.
"Change the company headquarters. Don't put it on Jiang Ye Star, put it on Daughter Star," Jiang Ye said. "Discuss it with Fu Qiuyan, place it in the capital city, and pay taxes according to local standards."
"How can that be?" Ju Lanlan frowned. "This company actually belongs to you, so it should be on Jiang Ye Star. Why pay taxes to Fu Qiuyan?"
"I'm speechless. If we're going to put on a show, we have to go all the way!" Jiang Ye sighed. "Leak the news that the Xinke Asteroid Belt was handed over to you because you defected to Fu Qiuyan. If the company headquarters is built here, wouldn't that be slapping ourselves in the face? Paying taxes to Fu Qiuyan is just a formality; I'll get the money back from her in the end!"
"I hope you remember that both the Xinke Asteroid Belt and your company should be as detached from me as possible on the surface. Don't reveal our connection until it's absolutely necessary," Jiang Ye said.
"Alright, whatever you say," Ju Lanlan nodded reluctantly.
"Are you staying for dinner?" Jiang Ye asked.
"I've already eaten before coming. You're busy, and I have a lot of things to go back and handle," Ju Lanlan stood up.