Chapter 688 - 688: Win-Win

Seeing Ying Ji's puzzled expression, the Matriarch smiled and explained, "Right now, everyone in the Cultivation Realm is trying to find out who Little Ghost is. If someone were to discover that Little Ghost's shipping address is our Ying Family's Old Mansion, what do you think would happen?"

Ying Ji replied, "People would suspect that Little Ghost is a member of our Ying Family?"

"Exactly!" The Matriarch nodded. "Although our Ying Family is a Witchcraft and Divination Family with a thousand-year heritage, we've never managed to break into the ranks of the top-tier Noble Families and Sects. Why? It's not a lack of strength, but a lack of prestige! If people believe Little Ghost is one of us, we'll gain immense prestige. After all, Little Ghost is the Wan Family's Master, a great benefactor praised by everyone in the Cultivation Realm! As for trouble and danger? The Ying Family isn't afraid of that!"

Ying Ji thought for a moment, then frowned and said, "But isn't this just lying and taking credit for something we didn't do? If people find out the truth later, wouldn't our Ying Family's reputation plummet? The loss would far outweigh the gain!"

The Matriarch chuckled in amusement. "Who said we were going to lie and take credit?"

Ying Ji was stunned, her expression one of utter confusion. Before she could ask, the Matriarch spoke again, "Not only are we not going to lie, we're going to do the exact opposite. From start to finish, we will deny that Little Ghost is a member of the Ying Family."

Ying Ji was a sharp woman; it only took a moment of thought for her to understand. "You mean, you want to let people guess for themselves?"

The Matriarch said, "In this world, there are some things that people won't believe if you admit to them, but the more you deny them, the more convinced people become!"

Ying Ji nodded, thinking that the Matriarch's words made a lot of sense.

After all, Zhao Yuan had set the shipping address to the Ying Family's Old Mansion. Once this news got out, nine out of ten people in the Cultivation Realm would suspect Zhao Yuan was connected to the Ying Family.

If the Ying Family were to vehemently deny it at that point, not only would it fail to dispel people's suspicions, it would make them think they had discovered the truth, and that the Ying Family was just refusing to admit it for some reason! If he wasn't one of the Ying Family, why would the shipping address be the Ying Family's Old Mansion? The Ying Family's denial would just seem like a clumsy, transparent ploy.

Thus, people would become utterly convinced of their speculation, and the Ying Family would get to ride the wave of hype and gain prestige. Even if the truth came out later, it wouldn't affect them much, because they had never lied—they told the truth from start to finish. If people refused to listen and insisted on making wild guesses, what could they do?

Once she understood these key points, Ying Ji was filled with boundless admiration for the Matriarch. She couldn't help but praise her internally, 'The older the ginger, the spicier it gets!'

But she had another worry. "Doing this will indeed benefit the Ying Family greatly, but won't it make Zhao Yuan unhappy? After all, we're using him."

The Matriarch sighed softly. "Jie'Er, in cultivation, you are indeed the greatest genius our Ying Family has seen in centuries. But when it comes to understanding people and handling matters, you're still a bit lacking. I can guarantee you, doing this won't displease Zhao Yuan. In fact, by setting the shipping address to our old mansion, he was hinting at a partnership. He gets peace and quiet, while we gain prestige. It's a win-win."

"Is that really true?" Ying Ji's jaw dropped, her face a picture of disbelief.

The Matriarch smiled. "If you don't believe me, give Zhao Yuan a call right now. Tell him our plan and see how he reacts."

Ying Ji considered it for a moment, then actually took out her phone and called Zhao Yuan.

At that moment, Zhao Yuan and Zhao Ling were already back home. The private tutors Ying Ji had helped find had also arrived. There were two of them, both female teachers. Though their looks were average, they seemed very capable.

Zhao Yuan asked them a few questions about the curriculum and found their teaching abilities to be very solid. Reassured, he signed contracts with them to tutor Zhao Ling in her weaker subjects.

The two teachers immediately got down to business, drawing up a tutoring schedule on the spot and starting the lessons that very day.

Zhao Yuan left the living room to them and went into his bedroom. He had just turned on his computer, preparing to log into his alternate chat account and the Cultivator Forum, when he received Ying Ji's call.

After hearing Ying Ji's explanation, Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "Alright, let's go with that plan. It's a win-win situation. I have no objections."

Ying Ji had him on speakerphone, so the Matriarch heard Zhao Yuan's reply loud and clear. She said with a laugh, "Well, Jie'Er? Believe me now?"

"Oh, is the Matriarch there too?" Zhao Yuan heard the Matriarch's voice and quickly offered a polite greeting. "Greetings, Matriarch. This junior pays his respects to you over the phone."

"How insincere," the Matriarch chided playfully. "It's been so many days and you still haven't come to visit an old woman like me. Do you think I'm too old and boring, that we have nothing in common to talk about?"

Zhao Yuan quickly replied, "Of course not. I've just been swamped with things lately. As soon as I'm free, I'll definitely come visit you, Matriarch. I'd love to hear more of your teachings."

"Oh, stop. I wouldn't dare teach you. You're the Wan Family's Master now, after all," the Matriarch said with a laugh. She was very fond of Zhao Yuan.

"Matriarch, please don't tease me," Zhao Yuan pleaded.

After a bit of friendly banter, the Matriarch got down to business. "Since you agree to our arrangement, let's proceed with it. We'll shoulder the trouble for you, and in return, we'll gain the prestige we need."

"No problem," Zhao Yuan said with a laugh. "I was just worried that all this fame would crush my little frame. Your willingness to help couldn't be better."

The Matriarch said, "You may have a 'little frame' now, but in the future, who knows what kind of pillar of the sky you'll become! At that time, our Ying Family will have to rely on your care."

Zhao Yuan was a little embarrassed by the praise. "Matriarch, you're praising me too much. You flatter me!"

"I'm only speaking the truth," the Matriarch's tone was completely serious. "I've lived for many years, and I dare say I'm quite a good judge of character. Your future accomplishments will be anything but ordinary!"

Zhao Yuan smiled. "Thank you for the good omen. I hope that day will truly come."

The two of them discussed a few more details of the plan over the phone.

When the Matriarch learned that Ying Ji had made a Spiritual Oath, she also made one to Zhao Yuan over the phone. This way, both sides could feel more at ease and trust each other more, while also strengthening their bond.

It had to be said, the Matriarch was truly an old fox who had lived for over a hundred years. Her technique for currying favor and building goodwill was brilliant. Not only was it not off-putting, it actually made one feel grateful. One could predict that in the future, if the Ying Family had any cultivation questions for Zhao Yuan, they would absolutely receive his most careful guidance!

After hanging up the phone, the Matriarch said with deep satisfaction, "This time, the revival of our Ying Family is truly within our grasp!"