Chapter 1587
Messed Up
When Zhang Yuan saw the old man Bernard pointing at the newspaper, he understood why the other man had come to see him in person.
Sure enough, there is no free lunch in the world.
These wealthy tycoons are all incredibly shrewd.
It's the same old story: you're after other people's interest, but they're after your principal.
No wonder they pulled out a newspaper and said I was very famous.
At first, he thought the other party was focusing on the fact that he and He Chaolian were photographed together.
He and Miss He were mutually attracted to each other and were both happy about it.
Both sides need exposure.
Zhang Yuan needs to create hype to pave the way for the company's IPO.
Miss He needs to increase her influence within the family.
Zhang Yuan thought that the He family was quite well-known worldwide, and that the Frenchman even recognized Miss He; he had a sharp eye.
He underestimated himself; all people cared about was his shares in the racing team.
He glanced at the old man sitting opposite him.
He was not young, but his eyes still gleamed with a thieving light.
After the 08 financial crisis, the valuation of sports events worldwide plummeted. After all, it's a service industry; if there's no money, who's going to be entertained?
Especially the world's three major sporting events.
Most people might not know this and think it's something like the NBA, but it's not.
These three are the Olympics, the World Cup, and Formula 1.
Even though the NBA is very popular, like the NFL, it's still only a North American league.
World-class events must be "world-class".
The advantage of F1 is that the annual race schedule covers a dozen to twenty countries and regions around the world, which in turn boosts logistics, tourism, and consumption.
The economic benefits of this event are not on the same level as those of the Olympics and the World Cup.
Fortunately, it is held every year, and it has a wide range of side benefits and influence.
With its wide reach, it is very beneficial for brands to advertise. Sponsoring a race or a team can allow them to travel the world and enhance their brand influence.
The old man is so rich that, in addition to advertising, he also noticed that the prices of races and racing teams were significantly lower.
Buying it and becoming a shareholder makes it easier to support one's own group.
This company has grown so large by acquiring resources and creating a collective effect.
He also owns the globally renowned DFS duty-free shopping mall and is a major shareholder.
Most of the luxury products sold in the mall belong to his companies.
The old man now looked at him as if he were looking at prey.
But rabbits can kick eagles, and deer can leap; prey are not simply left to wait for their doom.
Besides, Zhang Yuan is neither a rabbit nor a deer.
"You mean you're interested in Formula 1 racing?"
“Our Chinese friends are very clever,” the old man praised.
“But, sir,” Zhang Yuan said, feigning curiosity.
"You are French, and if you want to participate in this sport, you should not prioritize the Renault team, which is also a French brand."
Why did you choose the Mercedes-Benz team?
Is it appropriate for French people to choose German brands instead of French brands?
What, are you unhappy about the shampoo barbers leaving Paris back then, or what?
The old man remained expressionless, but his silence conveyed his helplessness.
It's not that he doesn't want to, it's that he can't.
Because the largest shareholders of the Renault Group are the French government and BNP Paribas, he has no say in the matter.
As a revolutionary base area, although it is a capitalist country, France is far less like North America where the government is controlled by capital.
Moreover, the people were quite fierce. Notable events included Renault's massive layoffs leading to the CEO being "executed" in the street, the government's increase in fuel taxes resulting in the "Yellow Vest" movement, the destruction of 90% of traffic cameras throughout France, and millions of people taking to the streets in protest.
In France, capitalists are not omnipotent.
Zhang Yuan was reminding him that he wasn't omnipotent either.
Furthermore, even if you could get involved with the Renault Group, would they sell?
Damn it, you know it's a low price now and you want to buy at the bottom, but others don't?
I have no idea?
“I’m offering 3000 million euros to buy your shares in the team.”
"And it will make you a global brand ambassador for Dior."
"She is also the first global ambassador for China."
"You will make history and be forever recorded on the monument of world fashion history."
The conditions offered by the other party were very tempting, and their words were even more so.
Which celebrity could resist such temptation?
Throughout the entire country, only I, a humble servant, could withstand it.
Other celebrities would probably be eager to kowtow to the old man as soon as they see him.
The shares I hold in the racing team could increase more than tenfold in a few years, once the team wins consecutive championships. Why would I sell them for a global ambassador title?
That would be like being so concerned with saving face that you suffer for it.
I don't need that 3000 million euros right now, it's not like you're being very generous.
That's exactly what they think.
Despite her polite demeanor, she secretly looked down on him.
Old Paris was also very arrogant.
And he quickly and thoroughly displayed this arrogance.
"This is my offer."
"That was also my final offer."
There will be no second price.
It's like they're forcing me to buy; they're saying I'm doing them a favor by buying from them.
Zhang Yuan responded with a smile.
"I have no objection to your offer."
"That's great, it seems we're about to make a deal."
"However, I think that although the price is right, money is not what I want."
"What I need is something else."
"Doesn't this violate your principle of not offering a second price?" Zhang Yuan asked very politely.
“You’re testing my patience, but I’ve decided to hear what you have to say first.”
"What do you want?" the old man asked, his attitude unchanged, using a mix of coaxing and deception.
Zhang Yuan quickly said something that almost made him lose his composure.
“I want shares in the LVMH Group; I’ll trade them for my racing team shares,” he said sincerely.
The contrast between his words and expressions was so great that the Frenchman was momentarily taken aback.
You cross the river, and I cross the river too.
You covet my principal, and I covet yours.
"Hehehe..." The old man chuckled for a moment: "Do you know what the current market value of my LVMH Group is?"
"Around 900 billion US dollars, right?" Zhang Yuan had just checked before coming.
"Since you know that, why are you still saying it? Are you joking with me?"
“You were the one who joked with me first.” Zhang Yuan blinked his big eyes: “Your aggressive and disrespectful bidding attitude just now, wasn’t that a joke, but your true way of treating guests?”
The old man looked serious and straightened up, leaning against the sofa with his back bent.
He realized that the person in front of him was much more experienced than he had imagined, and was not a child who could be easily intimidated.
"I sincerely propose cooperation with you. Perhaps my attitude just now offended you, but that was due to cultural differences." The old man smiled flexibly.
"Looks like our jokes were a success," Zhang Yuan cursed inwardly.
I've worked in the entertainment industry, and our line of work is full of snobs. I know exactly how to deal with arrogant people.
The Hong Kong entertainment circle used to be so arrogant, but now I've almost tamed them.
There are no unruly people, only whips that are not swung hard enough.
You Frenchmen were quite obedient after being tamed by the Iron Cross.
“I sincerely want to work with you and with Dior.”
"However, I have no intention of selling my shares in the team for the time being." He made his thoughts clear.
"Why do you feel like you don't have enough money?"
You just said you wouldn't give a second price, and now you're asking for a price again... Zhang Yuan cursed inwardly several times.
"It's not about money, it's about my personal preferences. Just like you love your LVMH Group and won't easily sell your shares, so do I."
The old man shook his head and muttered softly in French, "A waste of time."
He then got up, straightened his clothes, and the smile that had just appeared on his face disappeared again.
"Send him away from my manor," he ordered his subordinates. "Hahaha," Zhang Yuan said, standing up.
If they don't achieve their goal, they immediately turn on you.
It resonates with the mindset of an elderly person who has been successful their entire life.
“Mr. Bernard, I’ve heard they call you a Gallic barbarian.”
This is what the Hermès family said to the media after he was discovered trying to steal from their home.
They said they wanted to drive Bernard, that barbarian, away from Hermès' doorstep.
It means he wanted to break into our house and rob us.
When the old man heard this address, he turned around and looked at him with a hint of anger in his eyes.
That really hit home.
He considered himself the most civilized person in the world, but in reality, he built his business empire entirely through barbaric and bloody means.
Zhang Yuan's words were just like what Jiajing had read in Hai Rui's "Memorial on Public Security".
"Jiajing means that every household is clean and has no money."
Lies don't hurt, truth is the knife.
"Coincidentally, in China, many of my colleagues call me a mad dog."
"I thought barbarians and mad dogs would be a good match."
"Get out!" The old man couldn't hold back any longer when he heard this address.
"No need to see me off, I can go by myself." Zhang Yuan took off his Dior suit jacket and placed it on the other person's sofa.
"I look forward to the day you invite me again. See you then."
He walked away with a smile on his face and a confident stride.
The old man was furious!
He walked away laughing, not taking it seriously at all. Doesn't that mean I lost this conversation?
After leaving the manor and getting into the car, Zhang Yuan fell silent.
He felt a little regretful.
It was January, and it was still in the suburbs, so it was very cold. He had just taken off his suit jacket to show his attitude.
The walk from the building to the car almost made him freeze so badly his penis shrank back to its pre-ejaculate.
You can't be trembling all over, that's so unrefined.
I sneezed several times in the car.
As for falling out with the old man, he doesn't regret it.
All these years I've worked diligently and climbed the ladder so that I wouldn't have to depend on others.
You French barbarian, you think you can give me attitude?
Pooh!
I'm not serving you anymore!
As the saying goes, even if a deal falls through, goodwill should remain. These people are truly barbaric; they don't even understand this basic principle, and they have no idea where the so-called civilization that public intellectuals talk about is.
Perhaps in the imaginations of those spineless individuals.
In another 10 years, the whole of Europe will be bleeding from both the Russia-Ukraine war and being drained of its own blood by the United States.
Let's see how many more years you can be so arrogant.
He was genuinely sincere in expressing his desire for LVMH shares.
Don't be fooled by the fact that its current market value of 900 billion US dollars is already quite impressive.
Don't let his job as a wine and bag seller fool you.
This group later rivaled Samsung in market capitalization!
We still need to go up.
He knows he can't get it right now, so I can't just talk about it.
From the moment the other party set their sights on his assets, the current situation of turning against him was already inevitable.
Do you want to receive preferential treatment and respect without having to sell your team?
There's no such thing as too many good things in the world.
"If they won't keep me here, there are plenty of other places that will."
"Make a nuisance call first."
He took out his phone and called his agent, Zeng Jia.
"I have something to tell you. I asked you to keep an eye on it before, to discuss with Dior about raising the level of your endorsement."
"You don't need to follow up on this matter, because there's been a slight problem with the whistling sound."
"What happened... did you have a conflict with the other party?" Zeng Jia's heart tightened when she heard this.
This level of endorsement is extremely lucrative; it would be a real shame to lose it.
"more or less."
"You..." She wanted to say something blaming, but she didn't dare.
"The role of an agent is to act as a communication bridge between artists and brands," she adjusted her attitude.
"You didn't do anything, did you?" the man asked cautiously.
"No, that's not it." Zhang Yuan thought to himself, "If I punch that old bastard, he'll die on the spot."
"That's good. I'll try to mediate and find someone to apologize. Maybe we can salvage the situation."
"By the way, who are you having a conflict with? I'll contact them."
"Chairman of the LVMH Group."
Zeng Jia: ...
Then what's the point of me contacting them?
Zeng Jia couldn't understand how her boss had offended the other party.
All day long, they avoid trouble on earth but provoke trouble in heaven.
I said the boss has been quite peaceful these past few days, ever since he spoke up for Zhao Wenzhuo on Weibo a while ago.
The boss was being quiet all the time; he must be up to no good.
"If that's the case..."
"Will all the artists in our company be affected?"
“LVHM owns many fashion brands. If we are excluded by them, we will face enormous pressure in terms of fashion resources.”
"Hmm...maybe." Zhang Yuan thought for a moment, "I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble."
"It's okay, I'm used to it."
Zhang Yuan: ...
Why are you making it sound like I'm the one causing you trouble?
I don't admit it.
"Well... I'll think of something else to get some other fashion resources."
"Don't worry, I'm here."
"I hope so..." Zeng Jia replied helplessly.
Zhang Yuan: ...
He put down his phone and went to a hotel in the city.
I've been thinking along the way and have a general idea of what to do.
Just as he was about to take out his phone to make some arrangements, someone called him.
"Hey, where are you?"
"I'm at home." The other person's attitude was no longer as gentle as it had been a few days ago; it was a bit colder.
Are you feeling better?
"It's alright," Miss He said in a low voice.
"Did you already know about Wu Ke-qun?" the other person suddenly asked.
"Why are you asking that?" Zhang Yuan sensed something was wrong.
"Since you knew all along, why didn't you say so when you first contacted me?"
"So you only said it after you found out I had feelings for you?"
"At first, I thought we were just friends," Zhang Yuan explained hypocritically.
"Stop lying to me."
"I have a question for you now."
Will you date me?
“I don’t think our relationship has reached that point yet,” he said, still pulling at the issue.
But the other party seemed like a completely different person and wouldn't buy it at all.
"If you don't want to, then forget it."
"I'll pretend I never had you as a friend."
"We don't need to see each other again."
With a snap, the other party hung up the phone.
Zhang Yuan listened silently to the busy tone coming from his phone, his eyes showing a look of confusion.
Did they mess it up? (End of Chapter)