“Of course, my boss, I now really think your trip to Africa was a brilliant idea.” Sun Wendi laughed heartily.
“Then the second question,” I sighed, “is that since we do business with Country G, our only point of contact is the Country G government. Because Country G is very poor, they don’t have any large companies that can cooperate with us, so we can only negotiate purchases and sales directly with their government. But I doubt their government’s ability to pay… You haven’t been there. The Country G government is very poor. Although the person himself is very rich, his government is very poor.”
“That’s even better. They can use resources to pay for the goods directly.” Sun Wendi smiled like a typical shrewd businessman: “If their government doesn’t have money, they can use diamond ore, or even timber, or other things as payment. We don’t care anyway.”
“Okay, the third question…” I thought for a moment, “Sun, you might have forgotten, this is China. Not Canada… Doing business in China is very different from doing business in Canada. We are a trading company, but China’s exports to Africa are subject to national restrictions… Well, the government sets a quota every year, and we have to find a way to get that quota to export to Africa. Otherwise, our goods won’t even be able to clear customs.” At this point, I couldn’t help but glance at him: “You… you’re not thinking of smuggling, are you?”
I frowned because of the terms of my deal with Ren Lei and the others. I would return to China, but I would guarantee that my business in China would be legal. They knew that I was the biggest smuggling ringleader on the west coast of Canada. No one would allow a smuggling oligarch like me to return to China and engage in large-scale smuggling operations that would harm national interests.
In other words, I am not allowed to smuggle goods within China. That's the condition. Of course, they also gave me many preferential treatments, which I won't go into detail about.
“Boss, have you forgotten? We’re a Canadian company.” Sun Wendi smiled slyly. “Look, we can purchase goods domestically under the guise of exporting to Canada—Chinese goods are very cheap, and their biggest advantage in the international market is their affordability and quality. Our goods aren’t shipped to Africa through Chinese customs; they’re shipped to Canada! Then, they’re shipped from Canada to Africa! As for customs issues…”
He stopped talking abruptly, then looked at me with a meaningful smile.
I immediately realized I had made a foolish mistake...
Customs in Africa?
What a joke! My goods need to go through customs to enter country G? I even doubt whether country G has customs.
Once my goods enter Country G, as long as General Kunta nods in agreement and issues a single sentence, who will stop me?
Well... although this is definitely illegal, I only promised not to do illegal business in China, but doing it abroad... well, that's fine.
Sun Wendi described a very enticing idea to me...
"We can procure all kinds of necessities for national production and daily life domestically, and then ship them to Africa and trade with G country, making huge profits. If the G country government doesn't have the cash to pay, we can have them use diamond mines as payment, or... timber! The diamond mine business, boss, can be handled by our branch in Africa, and as for timber, we don't need to ship the timber back, but instead set up a timber processing plant in G country. G country is a small East African country with very cheap labor (when he mentioned cheap labor, I suddenly thought of those slave-like miners in the mines), which will greatly reduce our costs. Then we can ship the finished products, such as paper, chopsticks, furniture, etc., to China and Canada for sale. This is an extremely profitable business."
Then Wendi Sun told me a very classic business case:
About twenty years ago, when China's economy was just beginning to take off, the Japanese cleverly tricked the Chinese! They purchased large quantities of peanuts in Shandong province at extremely low prices.
After these peanuts were loaded onto the ship and set sail, they were not transported back to Japan. Instead, the ship stopped in international waters, where processing machinery was used to process the peanuts on the spot. The peanut kernels were pressed into peanut oil, and the peanut shells were made into fiberboard!
Then, the Japanese cargo ships immediately returned to China and sold peanut oil and fiberboard to the Chinese at high prices!
This cunning approach yields astonishing profits!
I talked with Wendi Sun for a long time. I couldn't help but sigh, "Dear Sun... if this continues, I'm afraid I'll soon become a capitalist myself."
“My boss…” Sun Wendi smiled slyly and looked at me: “You’ve been a capitalist for a long time.”
...
I've always admired Wendi Sun; he possesses absolute business acumen and is incredibly driven. Of course, I want to keep such a talent firmly on my side. I gave him a stake in the company and then simply handed over the Shanghai branch of Huaxing Company to him. Naturally, the Vancouver branch was handed over to someone else.
For the opening of the Shanghai branch, I held a small banquet and invited some officials from local government departments, including those from the industry and commerce bureau, tax bureau, inspection bureau, and court, as well as some other clients.
I did not attend the banquet; I left it to Wendi Sun to handle.
What surprised me afterward was that I received interview requests from some media outlets.
Moreover, the media outlets that requested interviews with me were not business or financial media... they were all entertainment media.
Damn, they really think I'm a celebrity...
I initially intended to refuse all offers, but then I changed my mind and agreed to an interview with a television station. My reasoning was that I still owned a film company, and there was always a chance I could get involved in the domestic entertainment industry in the future; perhaps doing so would be beneficial.
The person who interviewed me was supposedly a famous female host of a local entertainment program in Shanghai, and the interview took place in my office.
"Mr. Chen, your Billy Hill Films in Hollywood produced a blockbuster action movie this year based on a true story. What's the secret behind it?"
"As you said yourself, it's based on a true story, and that's a selling point."
"What other movies does the company plan to produce next?"
"Yes," I said, without going into details.
"Will Lei Xiaohu still be the lead actor? Chinese movie fans really like Tiger and believe he will become the next generation of action movie superstars."
"Yes, I will." I was a little bored.
"I have another question... I heard you came back to China to invest and do business... Are you planning to invest in movies? Or other entertainment industries?"
"Not for now... but we can't rule out the possibility in the future." I smiled.
"So, do you know anything about the entertainment industry in China?"
"..." I thought for a moment and smiled, "I've been abroad for several years now, and I haven't been paying attention to the domestic entertainment industry during this time... Speaking of which, a thought suddenly struck me, and I couldn't help but smile, "Oh, I do know a name... Hmm, she must be very famous now, right? Jenny, isn't she?"
The female host deliberately feigned surprise, then laughed and said, "Oh? Jenny? My goodness, Mr. Chen, you didn't know? Jenny is incredibly popular right now, and she'll be holding a solo concert in Shanghai soon. It seems Mr. Chen really admires Jenny... I wonder if there will be a chance for them to collaborate in the future?"
"Possibly." I smiled.
"Hmm..." The female host noticed my distraction and asked another question: "In fact, in that recently blockbuster movie, the character Lei Xiaohu played was based on your true story... In other words, he was playing you in the movie. Are you satisfied with his portrayal?"
I laughed... I don't know how many times I've been asked similar questions on interview programs I've participated in in the United States.
"Hmm... I think he did a great job. First of all, his kung fu is excellent, and secondly, he's young and handsome. I'm very happy to have such a handsome young man play me."
"Hehe..." The female host chuckled a few times, glanced at me, and complimented, "Actually, you are also very young and handsome... I'd like to ask another question on behalf of many of your fans, Mr. Chen, you are so young, yet you are already a big shot. You are also known as a rising star in Hollywood, and your current status in Hollywood can be described as pivotal. How can you achieve such a successful career at such a young age? What is your secret?"
I shook my head, preparing to give the kind of diplomatic response I would use when facing the media in the United States, when suddenly a thought struck me...
I'm currently in the country!
Thinking about this, a strange idea popped into my head.
I sat up straight and looked seriously into the camera lens in front of me.
“I want to thank someone.” A strange smile played on my lips, my gaze deep. I said slowly, “If it weren’t for him, I would probably still be struggling in this country, still a nobody… If he hadn’t given me a push at a crucial moment, I wouldn’t have the position I have today.”
The female host next to me looked at me with a puzzled expression, while I continued to say my last words to the camera:
"Thank you! Everything I have today is thanks to you!"
...
"...Thanks to you..."
When those words were broadcast to countless homes on television, I had no idea that somewhere in a certain city, in front of a television set, as those words were uttered, a pair of cold eyes were fixed on me on the screen, and then…
bite!
A hand crushed a stemmed glass with its bare fist, shattering it. Shards of glass cut the flesh of the palm, drawing bright red blood... Yet, the owner of that hand seemed unconcerned, his fist clenching even tighter...
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere, in front of another television, a beautiful face with distinctly mixed-race features was filled with emotion, her alluring eyes brimming with tears. She stared at the television, then murmured, "He still remembers me...he hasn't forgotten me..."
After returning, I found myself feeling much more relaxed and in a much better mood than in Vancouver.
Anyway, with Sun Wendi overseeing the company, I spent two days doing nothing but having Tu drive me around the streets of Shanghai.
None of us knew the roads in Shanghai, but that didn't matter. We just drove around aimlessly, sometimes from morning till night, and I never got tired of it. As long as I saw Chinese signs everywhere and people with yellow skin and black hair, I felt especially happy.
I didn't go to any of the scenic spots; I was happy just strolling around like this.
Every night, I call Yandi… I didn't bring Yandi back with me because I just returned to China, and who knows what trouble might arise? After all, I know very well that I still have a major enemy back home. So, for safety's sake, I've left Yandi in Vancouver for now. I'll bring her over once everything is settled here.
My leisurely days came to an end that day, because I welcomed a guest.
Wu Gang.
"Alright, Wu Gang, don't be so serious." I invited him into my office, but Wu Gang kept a straight face.
"Chen Yang." He had just sat down when he frowned at me. "You've been back for so long, why haven't you gone to see Nannan?"
I was speechless... I couldn't answer that question, and I didn't know how to answer it.
“Nannan knows you’re back, and I know she really wants to see you. But she didn’t come. I asked her, but she wouldn’t say anything… Damn it, why do you two have the same reaction!” Wu Gang said impatiently, “She’ll be coming to Shanghai in a few days. You two can handle it yourselves then! I can’t control that much… But if you dare to bully her… Humph!”
I gave a wry smile and remained silent.
"Never mind!" Wu Gang waved his hand. "I have important business to attend to this time."
"What is it now? You're not going to ask me to do something for you again, are you?" I smiled wryly.
"Of course it's a good thing!" Wu Gang snorted. "Are you planning to do import and export trade with Africa? You know our country has restrictions on trade with Africa, and I was worried you wouldn't be able to get trade quotas for imports and exports to Africa. Ren Lei also put in a lot of good words for you. This way, you don't need to think of any ways to find loopholes. The higher-ups won't treat someone like you who has contributed to the country unfairly. Now we can specially approve some quotas for you! It will make it easier for you to directly conduct import and export trade with Africa."
Oh? That's a good thing!
This way, I don't have to go through the trouble of shipping the goods to Canada and then transshipping them to Africa, saving me time and a lot of money.
"There's one more thing, about Fang Nan... well, but she won't let me tell you. How about this, she'll be coming to Shanghai soon, and if you're willing, let her tell you herself when you meet her."
Part Three: The Pinnacle, Chapter Forty-Seven: The Grown-Up Angel
"Jenny! Jenny! ~ Jenny! Jenny! Jenny!!"
"Jenny! Jenny! ~ Jenny! Jenny! Jenny!!"
"we love you!!"
Downstairs at the Four Seasons Hotel in Shanghai, a large group of young men and women stood, crowding together and almost blocking the intersection next to the hotel. They were all excited and enthusiastic, some even with a hint of fanaticism. They held up various huge banners, posters, CDs, photo albums, glow sticks, and so on.
In the lobby downstairs at the hotel, a large number of security guards were on standby, along with police officers to maintain order. The young male and female fans were pushing and shoving each other, but their enthusiasm remained undiminished. They had been shouting for over an hour, and their voices showed no signs of waning.
Such an occasion makes me sigh; it's true that no era lacks passionate fans.
As my car passed the hotel, I patted Tu on the shoulder from the back seat and said, "Let's go around from the back."
Then I looked at the wooden-headed Aze and the others next to me and said with a wry smile, "I really didn't expect... Jenny is so popular now? It's terrifying..."
Jenny, of course, is the mixed-race beauty I met in Vietnam. After returning to China with Mu Tou and the others, I never expected that she, now using the pseudonym "Jenny," would become such a popular idol.
We took the elevator directly up from the hotel parking lot. We're here to meet some friends today.
Jenny will be holding a solo concert in Shanghai tomorrow night and will be staying at the Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai. Jenny is currently signed with Fang Nan's "Deep Blue Entertainment Company," and naturally, Deep Blue Entertainment arranges her schedule. This time, it's not just Jenny who's coming. Some of my old friends from Deep Blue Entertainment will also be there, such as my former colleague, Ms. Ning Yan. I remember I helped her get rid of her scumbag husband; I wonder how she's doing now. Also, Jenny's younger sister, the adorable angel YoYo, who used to have a leg injury—of course, her leg is healed now.
And... Fang Nan!
Regardless, although I know it would be awkward to meet her, it would be too much to pretend I don't see Fang Nan if I knew she was coming. So, after much deliberation, I decided to come with the other three wolves.
The 33rd floor of the hotel had been entirely booked by the organizers. When we arrived, we were immediately blocked from entering. Then, Mu Tou made a phone call, and soon Ning Yan came out with a group of people to meet us.
Ning Yan looked more capable. I remember she was an outstanding person before. In the past three years, she looked a little thinner, and her hair was cut short, which looked refreshing and simple. She was dressed in a professional outfit and looked very energetic. Her delicate features carried a hint of a strong woman.
When Ning Yan came out, she saw Mu Tou and the others and immediately smiled. However, she then noticed me standing behind A Ze. I was wearing sunglasses and a hat, with my head slightly lowered. Ning Yan initially looked puzzled, but then immediately recognized me. A look of surprise appeared on her face, and she opened her mouth as if to call my name. However, she quickly regained her composure and returned to her normal expression. Although her eyes still held a hint of surprise, her voice was very calm: "Oh, Mu Tou, you're here... um, come in quickly, YoYo really misses you."
Ning Yan then gave some instructions to the people next to her and led us inside.
We followed Ning Yan to a suite. Ning Yan dismissed all the other irrelevant people, even the employees of Deep Blue Company, leaving only the few of us in the room. Ning Yan closed the door and turned around, exclaiming with delight, "Xiao Wu! Chen Yang! It's you! You've come!!"