Huayu: Starting from the top talent show

Chapter 590 France, Your Emperor Has Returned
On the morning of September 1th.

Shen Juan boarded a private jet and departed for Paris, France, officially beginning his long-awaited and highly anticipated overseas trip.

On the plane, considering that Xiao Shen had been playing games almost all night, and Wang Chuan, who had met up with Shen Juan's team this morning and was planning to celebrate his birthday in Paris this year, was catching up on sleep in the next bedroom, Yang Yang Jin, feeling depressed and with a sense of emptiness, had no choice but to keep a low voice and chat with Shen Juan about work so as not to disturb their rest.

"First of all, the endorsement contracts with Indonesian e-commerce platform Tokopedia and Thailand's Kasikorn Bank are about to expire, so they want to continue their cooperation with us. They have increased all aspects of their treatment, including the endorsement fee, by 30%. However, due to the size of the market, it is definitely not comparable to those big brands you wear."

Shen Juan nodded slightly: "What's the problem now?"

"The question now is whether or not to renew the contract."

"Why not renew it?"

“But according to our observations, their efforts to leverage your influence in Thailand and Indonesia over the past two years have been quite significant.”

This is similar to Taylor Swift endorsing JDB or Ronaldo endorsing Jin Sang Zi throat lozenges. Being favored by international superstars of this caliber is a stroke of luck. So even if the brand didn't originally plan to invest much in public relations and promotion, it now has to go all out and seize this hard-won opportunity!

Otherwise, competitors would probably laugh at them behind their backs, saying they're hopeless because they can't even play with a max-level account that just appeared out of nowhere, and they might as well go raise pigs!
“That’s fine. Anyway, we rarely operate in Southeast Asia. Their doing this will only help me to continue to expand my popularity and influence. This is different from how Huawei and Xiaomi consume my information in China. In regions with high activity frequency, we need to maintain our high-class image, but it’s okay to be consumed in regions with low activity frequency.”

“Okay, then here’s the specific itinerary for the next few days in France.” Yangyang tapped her fingertip on the tablet to bring up the detailed schedule: “Shooting advertisements for brands like LV, Saint Laurent, and Estée Lauder is naturally the top priority, but as you requested, we’ve also included some performances and charity events in between the shoots.”

"For example, after we land, there's a show called 'Cà vous' tonight. Um, I don't know if I pronounced it right, but it's a very popular and influential talk show in the area that you need to participate in. The show is very simple, just casual conversation, not too risqué, and the questions aren't sharp."

"I think I saw this show before. Do we need a translator?" Shen Juan asked a nonsensical question to tease her.

Yangyang Jin rolled her eyes in exasperation: "If you think you can adapt 100% to a French-speaking environment, then don't bring it."

"Then let's bring it along. Although I can communicate in French for most daily tasks, it's obviously safer to have a translator with me."

"Following that, there's an Adidas one-on-one interview live party and a Seine River cruise concert scheduled for the next few days. You must take good care of your voice and get into good shape these days. The concert is live, and although you'll only be singing ten songs, there are too many people watching you, and any mistake will be magnified."

"Hmm, are there any other jobs?"

“There is indeed something that must be followed up closely and cannot go wrong.” Yangyang Jin swiped her finger on the tablet, and her tone immediately became serious: “On the evening of the 21st, French CEO Ma Kelong has invited you, Mbappe, and LVMH’s head Bernard Arnault to attend his private dinner.”

"This dinner brings together key figures from the entertainment, sports, and fashion industries. It's a very high-profile event. As the only foreign guest at this private dinner, whether you like it or not, you are implicitly representing China. Therefore, you must make thorough preparations in advance and not be careless!"

"Why do these things always happen? It would be better to spend more time at children's hospitals chatting and playing games with the kids."

Seeing Shen Juan's listless and slightly furrowed brows, Yangyang Jin couldn't help but laugh: "Don't pretend you're innocent after getting such a good deal. Do you think every celebrity who comes to France gets a special banquet hosted by Zong Tong? This is both an acknowledgment of your social status and an opportunity to help you move to the next stage!"

“It is indeed an opportunity.” Shen Juan sighed softly, his tone tinged with helplessness. “But I still feel that matters involving Zhengzhi are always very complicated and cumbersome. It’s a bit strange to feel constrained and struggling in an area I’m not good at. For me, this is no longer as simple as stepping out of my comfort zone.”

Of course, he himself knew this.
Having achieved such global fame and influence, he is no longer an ordinary artist.

At this moment, he is not only the face of the country to the outside world, but also a spiritual support and opinion leader for many Gen Z teenagers.

Every song he releases sweeps the global charts, receives repeated reviews and is widely sung. Any words or actions he makes in public quickly make headlines in various countries, becoming the focus of public opinion and a topic of conversation. Moreover, his words and deeds are likely to influence the life trajectories of countless people.

Behind those seemingly casual words lies a heavy pressure and psychological burden that is hard for ordinary people to imagine.

The higher the moral bottom line, the greater the pressure.

However, people with low moral standards are unlikely to gain so much support and affection to reach this position.

In the 21st century, the internet connects the world, and the words and actions of public figures are amplified and repeatedly interpreted by public opinion.

Concealing one's true nature is no easy task.

Good people never say they are good people.

On a public or more macro level, whether an individual is good or bad is often defined by the public's interpretation of them.

His own word doesn't count.

So, is Shen Juan a good person?
Maybe.

At least his original intention was good.

Execution is also good.

He is highly regarded by both fans and the public.

The vast majority of people believe that he is beneficial to society.

That's right!

Everyone wants to do what they love.

Everyone wants to work in a relaxed and enjoyable way.

But in this real world, there are always people, and there are always times, when they have to accept the reality that they are not in control of their own lives.

And at this moment, he seems to be completing a long transformation from an artist, or rather, from a person, into a symbol of the times and a cultural icon.

So let's just accept the saying "With great power comes great responsibility," a classic movie line that has been interpreted in various ways over the past two years, as having some merit!

You don't need to become Hokage to gain everyone's recognition.

It is only by being recognized by everyone that one can become Hokage.

Now that his fans have elevated him to such a high position, he will do everything in his power to make the world a better place.

This is not his obligation, it is his responsibility.

The times call for nothing but responsibility.

After landing, the dinner venue was Le Gabriel, located at 42 Boulevard Gabriel in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, inside the Hotel La Risère, just steps away from the Champs-Élysées. This three-Michelin-starred restaurant opened in 2015 and can accommodate up to 40 people.

The restaurant offers two set menus.

One is the virée set menu, which pays homage to the chef's hometown of Brittany, while the other is the périple set menu, which takes diners on a journey through flavors from countries such as Japan and Türkiye.

Seven courses cost 298 euros, and nine courses cost 398 euros.

Including miscellaneous expenses and extra dishes, the total cost for these people was about five thousand euros.

It's a bit pricey, but it's not exactly a top-tier luxury restaurant.

Moreover, when the restaurant manager heard that Shen Juan had come to dine, the guy immediately asked for a free meal in exchange for a photo together.

Shen Juan naturally couldn't find a suitable reason to refuse.

"Damn! Why is this pigeon meat so raw?" Wang Churan took a bite with great joy, and then collapsed in despair.

"That's basically how it is here. If you're too familiar with someone, they'll think you're a country bumpkin. Who told you to be so eager to bite?"

"Because I was hungry after sitting on the plane for so long."

"There's food on the plane, why don't you eat?"

"Since we're already in France, we're thinking of eating foreign food, aren't we?"

Shen Juan rolled her eyes at her, then turned to look at Shen Yujie, who was looking down at her phone, and asked, "Is it to your liking?"

"I'm fine, but this is trending."

What's wrong with trending topics?

"Zheng Yuxun is in trouble!"

"Zheng Yuxun?"

Shen Juan and Wang Churan simultaneously took out their phones and opened Weibo to take a look. At this moment, she was almost the only one dominating the trending topics.

In short, Zheng Yuxun and Zhang Heng had a son and a daughter in the United States through Dai Yun, which later led to a loan dispute over a 2000 million yuan transfer. When Zhang Heng issued a statement denying the allegations, he posted photos of himself with his two children and also provided the media with relevant recordings and the children's birth certificates through friends. In the recordings, Zheng Yuxun and her parents mentioned the idea of ​​abandoning their children. Zheng Yuxun first responded on Weibo, saying that she had not violated national instructions or foreign laws and regulations. She then posted a long article accusing Zhang Heng of having an affair. Afterwards, Zhang Heng released another recording in which Zheng Yuxun's mother suggested that since the relationship was over, the children should be given away. Zheng Yuxun said that this would be a good deed.

This news immediately sparked a heated debate across the internet.

Almost the entire internet is condemning Zheng Yuxun's despicable behavior.

Despite their fierce resistance, the fans of Zheng Shuang, who were previously known for their overwhelming fighting spirit, were ultimately unable to withstand the surging tide of public opinion.

Interestingly, whether it was due to desperate fans grasping at straws or anti-fans seizing the opportunity, a rumor inexplicably surfaced on Douban about Shen Juan's illegitimate child. The rumor claimed that the reason Shen Juan risked loyalty to go to the United States was mainly because Dai Yun's child had been born there.

They also cut off the beginning and end of Shen Juan's previous statements, saying that although he did not want to get married young, he had long wanted to be a father. He said that his trip to the United States to produce a promotional album was fake and was just a cover for him to go to the United States to see his child and bring the child back to China! His sense of being a husband and father was already obvious to the naked eye!

So the group of uninformed onlookers started discussing who the mother of this fictitious child was.

[So that's why Shen Juan has become so composed lately, making people want to call him "Daddy"—he's a father now!]

[You're being a bit dramatic, becoming a father at 22. This shows a complete disregard for your fans. I feel sorry for you, my fans.]

[I was wondering why Sister Tian had suddenly become so gentle lately; turns out she's a mom now, hahaha! Tian, ​​the carefree mom!]

[But they didn't seem to have gone through a lot of pregnancy either!] [Idiot! Didn't they know to ask Dai Yun?]

[Dai Yun broke the law. Shen Juan, who values ​​his reputation so much, surely wouldn't do that, right? The risk and reward are completely disproportionate!]

【Why not? He loves them so much! Your idol and his wives are so loving, he definitely wouldn't want them to suffer.】

[I've unfollowed him. He tested the limits of fans time and time again. I guess I gave all my love for the past three years to a dog.]

[Your main job is all about Xiao Zhan, and you still have the nerve to say that? I'm so angry I want to fire your mother! May all those scoundrels who spread rumors and stir up trouble die!]

[But I still feel it's a bit unbelievable. How could someone suddenly become a father? Let's wait for official confirmation and see how things develop.]

[Actually, I think we can tell who the child's mother is by looking at which of the women in the fishpond accompanied Shen Juan abroad these past two days.]

Wang Churan was a little confused when she saw this comment.

Wardfa bro?

Are you serious?

Shen Juan has a child, and the person who went abroad is the child's mother. If she were recognized under these circumstances, the domestic trending topics would probably explode!

Is it really okay to come to Paris for your birthday and suddenly become a mother?

But she was also secretly excited.

I don't think this is entirely a bad thing.

After all, what she had been looking forward to all along was a grand entrance to announce her arrival to the world.

She started later than others.

If we don't work hard, it will be very difficult to catch up!

So just be a mom!
Anyway, as a young wife, this was bound to happen sooner or later.

If Shen Juanjue weren't still too young and didn't want to be a father for the time being, she probably would have already asked to try the peach tea!
Shen Yujie, who was standing to the side, was also a little tempted.

Is she only 19 years old and already a mother?

Isn't that a bit too early?

but
If the person is a senior from school, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

In fact, she spends a lot of time every day on fantasies that make her feel good and marvel at the wonder of the world.

So she had already thought about her married life with Shen Juan, their daily routines, and even the names of their children.

However, she definitely couldn't say this out loud, because that would make her seem like a delusional woman with psychological problems.

She felt that she was still quite normal.

Compared to Xin'er, that immortal cultivation girl, and Bao Bao, who has a sweet appearance but is actually a carnivore, she is perfectly normal!
"By the way, you two, come with me to the children's charity hospital tomorrow night! You can play games with the kids there."

Shen Juan's voice brought them back to reality.

"Can we go too?"

"If you want it, there's nothing you can't do."

"I'm just worried that netizens will gossip."

"Yes, they have a sharp tongue."

Seeing their hesitant expressions, Shen Juan chuckled softly. He roughly knew what they were thinking at that moment.
The person the child wants to see is Shen Juan.

Why would a nobody like you go along?
Are they using his influence to put on a show?
They've lost all sense of shame in their pursuit of self-promotion!
Even Sister Tian was never this disgusting!

"Why care about those people? We're doing charity work, not anything else. They're the ones who are talking nonsense."

"But."

"No buts, come keep me company!"

"All right."

At 8 PM, the recording site of "Cà vous".

The lighting was soft, and the stage was set up in a cozy, loft-like atmosphere. Flowers and coffee were placed on the wooden tables. The host, Anne Elizabeth Lemo, dressed in a simple and elegant beige suit, smiled at Shen Juan. Fans and audience members wearing transparent masks below the stage cheered and screamed continuously.

As the applause subsided, Anne Elizabeth, now fifty years old, spoke gently with her signature elegant smile: "Bonsoir! This is Cà vous! Today we've finally invited this globally popular pop star to our studio. Alex, please say hello to the French audience first!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Juan smiled gently, exuding charm, and waved gracefully at the camera. Then, in his self-taught but later corrected French pronunciation, he said softly, "Hello everyone, I am Alex Shen Juan! I am very happy to be in Paris and to be in the studio of 'Cà vous'."

The audience, consisting of dozens of Alovers of different ages, erupted in screams once again.

With his confident and poised demeanor, elegant and refined manner, clear and magnetic voice, sincere dedication to learning French, sophisticated attire showcasing his considerable wealth, top-tier career achievements, a well-proportioned physique achieved through moderate exercise, and eyes that seem to gaze with deep affection even at telephone poles, coupled with his romantic and passionate nature as a heartthrob, Shen Juan embodies all these exceptional qualities. In the eyes of these Parisian women, he is nothing short of the perfect male lead straight out of a French romantic film. His mere presence captivates everyone's attention, making him a figure capable of making hearts flutter and succumb to his charm!
Although there are differences in aesthetic preferences between Europe and America and East Asia, there are always people who can transcend racial boundaries and gain double the love.

It looks good, that's all.

Charm is charm.

Furthermore, the domestic culture has always valued restraint and moderation, disliking ostentation, while foreign countries tend to favor outward expression of emotions and the display of individuality.

So to some extent, the foreign country has become Shen Juan's comfort zone to display his charm. Those words and deeds that might be regarded as pretentious, arrogant, breaking established rules, or being unsociable in China can be transformed into straightforward, frank, and confident qualities in a more tolerant foreign country, which are highly favored by foreigners!

Anne's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward slightly, her tone becoming increasingly friendly: "We know you've been to Paris many times before, and our show happens to love sharing our guests' fresh impressions of Paris, so after landing today, have you made any new discoveries that are different from your previous impressions?"

Shen Juan lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then looked up and nodded in response: "That's right, every time I come to Paris, I have a new feeling! The first time I came to Paris was for work, so I only had time to see iconic buildings like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Those buildings were as exquisite as works of art, the cafes on both sides of the street were filled with fragrance, and even the pace of the passers-by seemed to have a lazy elegance. At that time, I felt that Paris was like a postcard full of romance. But as I came to Paris more often and stayed longer, I gradually discovered that the romance of this city is not just the exquisite buildings, but more about the relaxed feeling hidden in daily life."

Anne smiled and nodded, then chimed in at the opportune moment: "Relaxation? That's a very unique description. Could you elaborate?"

"Of course!"

Shen Juan chuckled and explained, "It's actually that kind of unhurried, completely true-to-life freedom, where you don't have to chase after anything or deliberately cater to anything. It allows you to calm down and truly feel the beauty of this world."

Just as Huang Renxun boasted about K-pop's dominance in North America to South Koreans, and Sung always claimed to be half from a certain region wherever he went, Shen Juan, having only recently come to Paris, naturally wanted to say something to please the French, thereby bridging the gap with local fans and the general public and trying to gain their favor.

As Chinese people, if we want to gain more voice and influence in the West, we naturally have to put in more effort.

Anne nodded thoughtfully, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table, and continued, "When many people mention Paris, their first reaction is that it's the fashion capital and the city of romance. As someone with a lot of influence in the fashion and art fields, how do you interpret the fashion and romance of Paris? We all know that in 2019 you launched the Leviathan Era tour, which swept the globe with its pop storm, and visited many countries and cities. So, compared to those places you've been to, what makes Paris unique?"

Shen Juan pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "Personally speaking, I think that French and Parisian fashion is not about deliberately pursuing trends, but rather a core aesthetic ingrained in their very being. They may not consider themselves romantic, but romance and art are etched into their genes."

"You'll find that the people here dress very simply, not as flashy as you might imagine, but they pay attention to the details. They don't blindly chase the latest trends, but rather care about whether the clothes suit their own style. This effortless and carefree fashion sense is actually a respect for one's own life."

"It's like a commitment to ritual. Even without any dramatic moments, when friends get together, we still carefully prepare flowers and candles. Even for a simple dinner, we'll lay out a clean tablecloth and play our favorite music. A romantic soul will never bow down to a mundane life."

"This is not only my feeling about the city of Paris, but also the philosophy of life I want to convey. Most of our lives are mundane and boring, but there is no shortage of light in the ordinary. Just like what Sisyphus wants to express, even if the days are as repetitive as pushing a boulder uphill, we can find our own value and meaning in perseverance and dedication. I am like this, and I believe you are too."

The audience members were instantly ignited with resonance and excitement upon hearing this, and they all stood up and applauded with all their might.

They had only one thought in their minds.
Alex is so insightful and understands life so well!
They understand them so well!

This Chinese man is damn sweet!

Not only is he young, rich, good-looking, and a great singer, but he's also incredibly charming and has such a sweet tongue!

It's really hard for them to resist!
With just a few words, they accurately captured the perseverance hidden in their ordinary daily lives and the beautiful expectations they secretly cherished.

That profound understanding and sincere empathy instantly evoked a strong sense of identification in everyone present.

His empathy is incredibly strong!
These praises of Paris are not superficial flattery, but rather a genuine immersion in the lives and minds of ordinary people. This profound understanding is enough to make everyone feel the warmth of being seen and understood. Is this why he keeps dating ordinary people?

Only by constantly interacting with ordinary people and absorbing their unadorned authenticity of life can one compensate for the lack of everyday life that may be missing under the spotlight of stardom, and thus remain true to one's original aspirations and true nature while one's career soars like a rocket and one becomes an idol of the times.

Thinking about it this way, it suddenly became clear that Alex had gone to so much to get to us!
He really... I'm devastated.
He truly deserves to be called a world-renowned pop superstar!

No wonder it's a source of spiritual sustenance for so many people!

He truly deserves to be called the undisputed number one in the world!

----------------

French artist Alovers updated his Instagram: "This is supposedly a textbook specially written by Chinese fans for marrying Alex."

US Alovers: Holyshxt! This is fucking insane! We need this too! We want to marry Alex too!

Alovers UK: [British companies should seriously reflect on why they lost out to France in terms of attractiveness, making France Alex's first stop after leaving China.]

Ariana Grande reposted and commented: 【Cool! So can someone tell me if this is real? If it is, then I really have to give a thumbs up to the Chinese fans for their responsiveness! btw: I'd pay $100 for a copy.】

(End of this chapter)