Chapter 1521
Hospitality
Hua Yi treated everyone to a meal, and everyone was overjoyed.
The stock price has risen, now exceeding 60 billion.
It has finally returned to halfway point of its listing day...
"Mr. Wang, congratulations."
"Congratulations!"
"The stock price is rising steadily."
A group of relatives and friends started praising her.
"Thank you everyone." The king raised his glass in thanks.
"Next, on the day of the signing, we will hold a grand signing ceremony."
"We invited celebrities from all walks of life to attend."
"Everyone should come and support us then."
"It can definitely rise again!"
"Good!" The shouts continued.
Because those sitting at the table either hold shares or have bought stocks.
"Xiao Gang's film has now finished shooting."
"If the film is a box office hit after its release, it will also boost the company's stock price."
"Everyone should book out the entire venue and promote it when the time comes."
"must."
"ensure!"
Amid cheers, Feng Xiaogang stood between the two bosses and raised a glass to drink with them.
He holds 2.88% of Huayi's shares, close to 3%.
The sales ban period is about to expire.
Of course he'll sell them off, and then wait for the secondary market to take them over.
Naturally, the higher the stock price, the better, so he can earn more.
After drinking and praising the two bosses for a while, and saying some old things about wanting to work in Huayi for a hundred years, he sat down and showed a hint of worry.
Because the information he gave Zhang Yuan was selective and misleading.
He pretended to be stupid, acting as if he didn't know what his boss was planning.
Actually, he agrees.
Because Feng Xiaogang climbed up from the bottom, and the methods he used to climb up were not exactly honorable, he didn't care about morality or reason; as long as it was beneficial to him, that was all that mattered.
In order to increase the company's stock price and to make more money by selling his shares, he naturally chose the path that was "beneficial" to him.
But that's what I'm worried about now.
Because he also understood Zhang Yuan's personality.
Given their intelligence, they would have realized it immediately.
He kept waiting for Zhang Yuan's call, waiting for the other party to call and scold him.
But I never received a call.
This only made him more panicked.
This calm and quiet attitude towards himself reminded him of Yao Cheng back then.
After Yao Cheng switched jobs, Zhang Yuan did not take any action.
It wasn't until several years later that everyone realized the guy hadn't forgotten; he remembered it very clearly.
The unknown is the source of fear.
He was both unaware of what Zhang Yuan was going to do and terrified.
But I don't regret it, after all, everyone looks out for themselves.
We can't just give up the money because we're afraid of the consequences.
While they were having a joyous party, someone tipped off Zhang Yuan.
After all, there are no secrets that stay hidden forever.
Big Dog called him and told him everything his friend had seen at the party.
That's absolutely unethical!
After hearing Zhang Yuan's description, Dog Brother said indignantly.
"It's nothing, I'm used to it."
"And this time they're all making excuses."
“They can’t do anything about it; the shareholders don’t agree,” Zhang Yuan said calmly.
"Why didn't you say so earlier if you disagreed?"
"Making money in business shouldn't make you forget about being a good person."
"Alright, even if we swear and throw a tantrum, no one can hear us."
Zhang Yuan, in turn, tried to persuade him.
He also contacted the fiber optic company, but their attitude was lukewarm.
You guys fight it out, I'll just focus on doing my job well.
He seemed completely detached from the situation.
Wang Changtian's attitude is also the reason why he was able to continue to thrive, unlike other film and television companies whose bubble burst during the downturn.
Zhang Yuan was not angry at his attitude.
There's no reason for others to share your hatred of the enemy.
In the adult world, it's already quite moral to not kick someone when they're down.
You can't ask for more.
Besides, he never thought of asking anyone for help.
Mountains crumble when you rely on them, and people run away when you rely on them.
Zhang Yuan understood perfectly well that he was the only one he could truly rely on in this world.
As long as there are no problems with Meituan, he can accept other losses.
But being able to accept it doesn't mean being willing to accept it.
After all, as the instructor once said, "Ten thousand years is too long; seize the day."
……
"WELCOME, Smith."
A day later, at his enthusiastic invitation, Commissioner Smith once again brought his team to China.
The foreigner gave him a warm hug upon seeing him, showing no shame whatsoever for having his cake and eat it too.
Just like Director Feng, everyone looks out for themselves, so what's there for me to be ashamed of?
They were not ashamed of it, but rather proud of it.
If I can fool you, it means I'm smart and capable.
In fact, China is a country "cursed" by etiquette.
We are so particular about "etiquette" that we are incompatible with the habits and characteristics of humanoid species in most parts of the world.
People in most places share the same mindset as Indians.
Zhang Yuan feigned politeness, flashing the same smile as the white man, and then hugged, shook hands, and joked with him.
"The Germans drive very nice cars."
After the other person got into his car, they uttered the same exclamation.
"Italians are also very good at making cars, but unfortunately they're not very good at fighting." The foreigner also made a joke about the Axis powers.
“They’re also very good at cooking,” Zhang Yuan agreed.
"It's not just cooking, Italian women are quite good too." He gestured with his hand, indicating a curve.
As the authentic home of old Rome, Italy is indeed quite remarkable.
It is a place recognized worldwide for producing women with excellent body proportions and elegant appearances.
According to white people's values, girls from North America are considered "country girls".
Italian girls are the real city folks.
Take Monica Bellucci, for example. Anyone who has seen "Malèna," especially the uncut version, will understand.
Zhang Yuan recalled the young Godfather played by Al Pacino in "The Godfather".
After his Italian wife was murdered, he returned to North America and married his former lover from the Beacon of Italy.
Italian women are not only family-oriented and beautiful, but they also understand everything the Godfather did.
And this "lighthouse wife," while living off her husband, also looked down on and disapproved of the Godfather family's actions from the bottom of her heart.
This is a cultural difference.
He glanced at the Italian model beside him, who was spitting as she described how sexy she had seen on a yacht.
Zhang Yuan could tell from his words that he seemed to have failed and was therefore somewhat resentful.
Regarding sexual repression...
My previous treatment of him was too Chinese in nature.
I was wrong in not respecting North American culture enough and failing to acknowledge cultural differences.
Therefore, he decided to entertain the other party in a more American way this time.
"The women in Italy have smoother skin than the women back home," he remarked.
Zhang Yuan thought to himself, "That's right."
You country bumpkin girls from the North American South have more hair on your hands than I do.
A golden lion is fine to eat occasionally, but if you're looking to see it every day, a black-haired, fair-skinned lion is more pleasing to the eye and also helps you age faster.
“That still doesn’t compare to our Chinese women.” Zhang Yuan understood the unspoken message. “I’ve talked to Zhang Ziyi.”
“She is different from ordinary Chinese women. She has been to Hollywood, so she is more passionate and outgoing.”
"And she also wants to go to Hollywood again."
"Oh!" The foreigner understood.
"Of course I will help her get back to Hollywood, it's that simple."
It's just an empty promise anyway, so feel free to issue it.
This kind of thing is very common in the entertainment industry. Many new female stars are tricked into bed by producers who make all sorts of promises, and then after the producers have made those promises, the girls deny everything.
"Each gets what they need, right?" Zhang Yuan said with a mysterious Eastern smile.
"That's absolutely right!" The foreigner bumped fists with him: "Dude, you've got it."
After all, Zhang Yuan had refused him last time with a lot of "principle".
But then he offered to do it, and the foreigner was overjoyed.
"However, I also have my own little request," Zhang Yuan said with a mysterious smile.
"understand."
Smith repeatedly praised, "I have always been very optimistic about our cooperation plan."
"After all, you're the one who truly understands Hollywood."
"As for Huayi, I have already lodged a formal protest. Their unauthorized announcement has angered both me and the company."
“Tour has already contacted them by phone and angrily rebuked them.”
Zhang Yuan believed this, since it had ruined their plans.
"That's good. Hopefully, we can sign a contract after this trip."
"Of course, I have already sent my men with the new version of the cooperation agreement. We will also discuss the investment and profit sharing of Pacific Rim in detail."
"That's great." Zhang Yuan shook hands with the other person very formally.
A deal was struck... at least on the surface.
"Besides the capital, I would also like to invite you to visit Hengdian in southeastern China."
"There is the largest film and television city in the country, with a large number of film and television bases and shooting locations, both ancient and modern."
“And I have a cooperation agreement with a local company.”
"Hopefully, this part can also serve as a reference for cooperation."
"By the way, we won't be taking a plane, but rather China's newest high-speed train. I've already had the tickets bought."
"Also, that place was called Jiangnan in ancient China, and it has a professional training system for special service personnel."
Smith was still considering going somewhere else.
Upon hearing this, he was no longer sleepy!
The four major types of prostitutes in ancient China.
Boat girls on West Lake, slender horses in Yangzhou, old women from Shanxi, nuns from Mount Tai.
Both of them are specialties of the Jiangnan region.
Why did Emperor Qianlong frequently travel to the south of the Yangtze River?
Why did his father, Emperor Yongzheng, repeatedly criticize the gentry and wealthy households in Jiangnan, even to the point of swearing and cursing in the streets?
Their inner world was empty, but their outward affairs were extravagant. Their clothes and houses were extremely luxurious, and their food and utensils were all exquisitely crafted. They entertained actors and musicians, constantly dancing and singing, and held banquets and frolicking almost every day. They regarded money, pearls and shells as dirt.
Even their servants and slaves lived and ate like officials, overstepping their bounds and disregarding their duties. They were arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute, and this became a common practice.
This is the original text by which Emperor Yongzheng criticized merchants in Jiangnan, especially salt merchants.
I'm so angry at this workaholic.
If he knew that his son was indulging these people in openly making money for his own amusement, he would probably rise from his coffin and write several more scathing critiques.
Unfortunately, this kind of content did not only exist in ancient times.
The smoothness and speed of the high-speed rail were impressive, truly an eye-opener for the foreigners.
Zhang Yuan didn't tell them that the first-class seats they were sitting in cost over a million yuan each...
Anyway, that's the quote.
Upon landing, the bustling Hengdian World Studios opened this guy's eyes once again.
Especially in the Ming and Qing palaces and gardens, with their magnificent buildings and ancient-style architecture, foreigners often mistake them for real ancient buildings.
"Director Zhang Yimou's 'Curse of the Golden Flower' was filmed here."
"Thousands of extras were used, making it a grand spectacle."
"Unlike Hollywood, which uses special effects, we prefer to use real people."
The most famous example is the beach landing scene in "Saving Private Ryan".
What appears to be a massive army is actually a few dozen extras pretending to be thousands, achieved through post-production CG.
"Wow, the style of China's film and television industry is really different from ours." Smith looked around.
"Of course, we have a huge population advantage."
"These demographic advantages can be transformed into a huge consumer market, as well as a huge labor market."
"We can do many things that Hollywood can't do."
After the tour, he took the other person to have a meal with the people from Hengdian.
After learning that Zhang Yuan had an investment contract worth hundreds of millions of yuan with the other party, the foreigner repeatedly praised it, saying that it was very good and would be an advantage for the production of big-budget films.
After finishing his meal, Smith couldn't wait to find him.
Actually, I couldn't quite control myself while eating.
"Zhang Ziyi, hasn't she arrived yet?"
I just want her.
You think Zhang Ziyi is that beautiful? Not really.
But sometimes, it has nothing to do with whether someone is pretty or not.
Just like the protagonist in "House of Cards" said.
Everything is related to sex, except for sex itself, sex is about power.
At home, whoever earns the money and makes the decisions holds sexual power.
Conversely, the person who generally holds the sexual initiative also holds the power of discourse within the family.
This is why many men experience a rapid decline in their family status after reaching middle age.
Because exports can't keep up with domestic demand, that part of the body can't get firm, and naturally, the backbone can't get firm either.
The same applies to the business world. Often, some men pursue women not for physical stimulation, but for psychological stimulation.
That's why many big shots and handsome men have affairs with women who aren't good-looking, or even ugly.
Because this has nothing to do with the physical body.
Zhang Yuan understood that Smith wanted to demonstrate his power through sex.
Determine the subordinate relationship between the two parties.
"You know, as a big star, Zhang Ziyi is very busy."
"She has a lot of work scheduled."
So it won't arrive until tomorrow.
"Is that so?" The foreigner looked regretful, a little impatient.
We need big stars!
I want the top, most famous actresses in China to be my toys.
That's what gives you a sense of conquest.
"However, I won't let you be lonely."
"I've prepared an appetizer for you."
What kind of appetizer?
"My men will take you there. I hope you enjoy tonight." Zhang Yuan winked, giving us a knowing look.
The foreigner grinned and showed his teeth.
good good!
That's more like it!
Led by his bodyguard, Smith arrived at a luxury suite in a hotel.
As soon as I opened the door and entered the house, two heavily made-up women with long, flowing hair came forward.
"Hi!"
She raised her hand in a charming greeting.
"Wow!"
"It seems that Zhang knows my preferences very well."
Zhang Yuan specially arranged for two girls with small eyes and flat noses.
People like that are easy to find; many models look like that.
The bodyguard closed the door, and from then on, it was time for one dragon to fight two phoenixes.
The foreign gentleman worked until midnight before finally falling asleep, satisfied.
After confirming that the foreigner was asleep, the two professionals quietly collected and bagged the clothes containing his DNA.
They also picked up several used umbrellas from the trash can and put them into a plastic bag.
then……
These items were quickly delivered to Zhang Yuan, who was resting with his eyes closed in the next room.
He looked at these things, but did not take them with his hands; instead, he had them sealed away.
“Civilized methods won’t work.” Zhang Yuan turned to look at the monitor next to him.
The screen is displaying the events in the next room in real time, with multiple cameras and angles.
"Then we'll have to follow the island's rules." (End of Chapter)