Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 586 Liu Yifei's Artistic Sacrifice, Boss Lu's Crazy Freebies, Little Pino's Last-Minute Defection
The woman whom Isabella Leong mistakenly imagined as sharing a "fate" with her is now comfortably reclining in her seat on a private jet bound for Paris, sketching and writing on the first draft of the script for the second season of "The Book of Peace".

Lu Kuan, sitting opposite him, stared intently at his computer screen, which displayed concept sketches and research materials for his next film.

The young director frowned slightly as he pondered and designed the background information and appearance of the monster protagonist. This monster originated from an ancient Chinese painting and was trapped in a Western laboratory, making it one of the core elements of the film.

The essence of tragedy is to shatter something beautiful for people to see. If it is always hideous and terrible, then the ending of returning to the painting or being imprisoned in the museum will at most be regrettable, but will never arouse the heartache and resonance of the Chinese people and the audience of the country whose cultural relics have been looted.

In the West, stories of humanity and salvation brought about by marginalized "others" such as Soviet spies, homosexuals, Black people, Chinese Americans, and people with disabilities are less likely to resonate with the public.

Unlike Lu Kuan's previous works such as "The Sky of History" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which contain subtly nationalist narratives, this film satisfies both Chinese and Western political correctness and will be very popular at European film festivals.

Boss Lu's choice to adapt this film was somewhat of a personal choice, with some tricks along the way. While the Sixth Generation filmmakers liked to make films about the contradictions and problems of Tokyo University to curry favor with international film festivals, he made a film about American social trends to warn the world and bring LGBT issues into the American public's view ahead of time.

This is a blessing for them.

After reading the part about Gu Nan following Huo Qubing on his thousand-mile march and sealing the wolf's lair, Liu Yifei quietly closed the script in her hand and shifted her gaze from the pages to the other side.

The clouds outside the porthole were edged with gold by the sunlight, and a beam of light slanted across his face.

Today, Lu Kuan was wearing a light blue formal shirt that his wife had just bought for him. He was writing with great enthusiasm, and Xiao Liu could only see his handsome brow bone for the time being.

His brow bone was exceptionally well-formed, steep like a mountain ridge, making his eye sockets appear exceptionally deep. His nose was straight, but the lines were not delicate, carrying a kind of sharp, chiseled strength.

Xiao Liu rested her smooth chin on the back of her hand, gazing at him with fascination at his unconventional and dashing demeanor. Although he was handsome, he was completely different from the effeminate pretty boys of the increasingly popular Korean drama scene.

He is more like a landscape painting in ink and wash, with blank spaces full of spirit and character. Especially now, his contemplative expression adds a touch of quiet strength.

Liu Yifei couldn't help but think of her two little ones at home, wishing they could grow up faster.

Especially Tie Dan, will he become more like me or him in the future?

Even setting aside the enormous wealth he naturally inherited, his carefree and easygoing nature, the "bad boy" charm he picked up growing up with his father, plus that face...

I wonder how many young girls he'll ruin in the future.

At this moment, Lu Kuan is like the person in Bian Zhilin's poem who stands on the bridge looking at the scenery, completely immersed in his creative world, while Xiao Liu becomes the bystander watching him from the window.

He chases after the soul of the monster character, while she secretly captures the long years of the future behind him.

The plane's engines emitted a low hum as it cruised at an altitude of 10,000 meters. A sudden, slight tremor startled the two people from their reverie.

"We should be almost there, right?" Lu Kuan looked up as if waking from a dream, saw his wife smiling brightly at him, and then pushed open the sunshade of the porthole next to him, letting the sunlight pour in.

Xiao Liu exclaimed excitedly, "It seems like we're over the English Channel right now!"

Lu Kuan looked in the direction she was pointing. The English Channel below shimmered with tiny silver lights in the sunlight, like a huge, unfurled ribbon.

The narrowest part of the Strait of Dover has already passed, and the outline of the French coastline is faintly emerging on the horizon.

Boss Lu laughed and said, "A good omen. It seems this trip will go smoothly."

"What do you mean?"

"In 1940, Hitler organized the Manstein Blitzkrieg. The elite tank units of the German Army Group A crossed the Ardennes Forest and penetrated into the heart of France, encircling hundreds of thousands of British and French troops in northwestern France, ultimately forcing the British to carry out the Dunkirk evacuation."

Lu Kuan pointed towards the faintly visible cluster of French cities: "Our route mirrors the historical trajectory of the German painter; he was ultimately defeated, and we will surely prevail."

Liu Yifei teased, "Are you Lu A-Q? If we followed their marching route, you would definitely say that since they forced the Dunkirk evacuation, we could surely make Neil and his men suffer the same fate, right?"

“That’s right.” Boss Lu nodded with a smile. “Ball Lightning tells us about the strength and importance of willpower and the observer. We must always remind ourselves and observe ourselves.”

Xiao Liu, annoyed by the glare of the sun, excitedly sat down next to the man, hiding behind his shoulder. "Let me see how your design is coming along?"

Lu Kuan shook his head: "The conditions are limited, I need to go back and look at some ancient paintings to find inspiration."

"The monster's form and origin are crucial." He spoke as if to himself, yet also as if explaining the core of his creative process to his wife, "How do we make the audience fall in love with the monster and this female protagonist whose appearance isn't particularly appealing?"

He enlarged a design drawing, which was a creature that combined the auspicious beast "Fuzhu" from the Classic of Mountains and Seas with the bizarre appearance of "Heluo Fish". At first glance, its shape was strange and even defied common sense.

"Therefore, design must follow a principle: the initial impression is that it is not of our kind, but upon closer inspection, it hides an ancient mystery, or even clumsy elegance."

Lu Kuan continued to explain, his eyes sharp, “Its eyes cannot be fierce, but must be innocent and full of spirituality, with the sorrow of being imprisoned, and its skin texture should be like the mineral pigments peeling off an ancient painting, with some mottled time and cultural texture.”

"As the plot unfolds, the audience will gradually discover its pure heart, wisdom, and yearning for freedom through the eyes of the female protagonist. Its 'frightening' appearance will slowly be interpreted as a unique beauty full of Eastern mysticism. The audience will begin to find it adorable, feel sorry for its plight, and be moved by its cross-species relationship with the female protagonist."

He looked up at Liu Yifei: "Only in this way, when the ending comes, when it chooses to give up the struggle in order not to implicate the heroine, or because of some inescapable rule, and returns to the cold canvas with its love for the heroine and its longing for its homeland, becoming a silent exhibit in the British Museum again, will the pain of having beauty forcibly taken away and hope completely crushed reach the hearts of the audience."

"What the audience will regret is not just the disappearance of a monster, but the fact that a cultural symbol with a soul and emotions has been imprisoned once again in a cage symbolizing colonial history. This resonance is the source of the film's power."

Lu Kuan said firmly, "Character design is the emotional fulcrum of all this."

Liu Yifei was deeply attracted by his description. Once the story had a poignant and magnificent humanistic connotation, the subsequent expansion and development of it seemed to have a loose form but a cohesive spirit.

"Can I play the female lead?"

“Sure, let’s give it a try when the script comes out.” Lu Kuan laughed. “But the female lead has to make a big sacrifice. It’s not a glamorous role, and it’s completely different from your bare face in ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree.’ This is a complete uglification.”

He pinched his wife's smooth chin and looked her over from side to side: "Your neat little white teeth need to be hidden, but your freckles need to be made more prominent. They will instantly disrupt the most delicate balance on your face."

Liu Yifei subconsciously pursed her lips, and Lu Kuan continued with a smile: "Then maybe it's the hairstyle. Cut your long, straight black hair into a unkempt, frizzy, ear-length bob, and add a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses to cover up the sparkle in your eyes."

He paused, mentally sculpting a face using his wife as a template, his fingers already gently sliding from Liu Yifei's chin to her profile. "The face shape also needs to be changed. Use a special gel to create some slight puffiness, making your features more ordinary."

"The eyebrows will be trimmed sparsely and messily, and the skin should have a pale appearance, as if the person has been indoors for a long time without sunlight, and fine acne scars."

Xiao Liu chuckled: "Go ahead and do whatever you want, turn me into Gollum from 'The Lord of the Rings'! Then I won't remove my makeup after filming, which will help you quit pornography."

She winked at her husband: "And let's see if you love my looks or my soul, and what you like about me."

“If that’s the case…” Boss Lu frowned, “then I’d still prefer you to stay away from me.”

He used his physical defense to block his wife's elbow, and quickly changed the subject: "It's not the kind of ugliness that Gulu has, not the kind of ugliness that's fantastical, it's just a real kind of 'ugliness' that belongs to ordinary people."

"So the key is still the portrayal of the actor's expression. The actress playing the female lead should habitually hunch her back slightly, and her eyes should convey a sense of evasion and inferiority formed from being neglected for a long time. But occasionally, when looking at that monster, she should reveal a kind of raw, unrefined gentleness and stubbornness that only people from the lower class have."

Liu Yifei listened intently, showing no resistance whatsoever, but rather becoming even more eager to try: "Like Nicole Kidman in 'The Hours,' completely reinvent yourself?"

In "The Hours," Nicole Kidman used an elaborately designed silicone prosthetic nose to almost completely conceal her iconic, overly beautiful face.

That slightly droopy, somewhat wide nose instantly transformed her from a Hollywood stunner into Virginia Woolf, a sensitive, repressed female writer deeply mired in mental distress.

Charlize Theron's dramatic transformation into serial killer Erin Wurnos in the 2003 film "Monster," involving weight gain, shaved eyebrows, and patchy skin, earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Sacrificing one's appearance for a role is an important way for many talented actors to break through their limitations; Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, and others are all beneficiaries of this.

But pretending to be ugly and acting ugly are two different concepts.

"You don't think playing an ugly woman is easy, do you?"

Lu Kuan laughed and said, "Being ugly on the outside doesn't mean you have an ugly demeanor or temperament. We often talk about an actor's sense of conviction. Someone like you who has been beautiful for over twenty years and is very vain, if you were suddenly asked to believe that you are an ugly woman, no matter how much you try to convince yourself, you wouldn't believe it."

"Imagine some little girls who are told they are ugly from a young age, and they can't get rid of that kind of inferiority and timidity even when they grow up. That's a psychological suggestion that lasts for more than ten years. Now you're asked to build that kind of belief in a few months. It's not easy to do it to the extreme."

Liu Yifei was taken aback; it seemed to make sense.

There are often so-called ugly women in sitcoms or commercial films, but the audience clearly sees a beauty who is temporarily obscured. Why is that?
From a performance perspective, "playing ugly" is merely a technical physical transformation, while "acting ugly" involves the actor's profound internal psychological development and the unity of external physical control.

Actresses like Liu Yifei, who have been beautiful since childhood and praised since childhood, have almost always played roles that reflect their true selves and normal appearance standards. Their body language, eye expressions, postures, and even breathing rhythms have become elegant and confident muscle memory.

Even if an actor changes their appearance through makeup, if the actor cannot fully believe in and accept their role as someone who is "not noticed" and "insecure and sensitive," the audience will be keenly aware of the alienation that "a beautiful woman is playing an ugly woman."

She will reveal her true self through many small gestures and expressions, such as unconsciously straightening her back, habitually flipping her hair, and the lingering sense of superiority in her eyes; these will betray the authenticity of her performance.

Liu Yifei became even more excited upon hearing this; what an interesting character!

This was absolutely the first time in her life that she had encountered the emotions of a character that she couldn't draw upon based on real-life experiences.

ugly?
It has absolutely nothing to do with her.

"Director, please consider me!" Xiao Liu said with a grin, hugging the washing machine's arm. "How about we talk about the script in your room tonight?"

The washing machine sighed dramatically, "Hey! Before, only I could see your freckles. Now that you're actually acting, the whole world can see them. It feels like something's missing in my heart."

"Don't be so selfish!" Little Liu declared righteously. "We should all sacrifice our teeth for art!"

As the plane descended and passed through the clouds, the pastoral scenery of the outskirts of Paris gradually came into view, and it finally landed smoothly at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Through the porthole, you can see the airport's busy runway and the iconic Haussmannian architecture of Paris in the distance.

As the plane came to a stop, Liu Yifei stood up and said with a touch of emotion, "It's a pity that Dad is already working in the United States, otherwise I could have had a meal with him."

"Didn't he just go back to see his grandson and granddaughter last month?" Lu Kuan laughed. "Your current position should be moved down two places. Don't flatter yourself."

Xiao Liu ignored his teasing, casually tossed her hair, and walked down the gangway: "It's okay, as long as you're number one in my heart."

The convoy drove out of the airport and merged into the city's traffic.

In early June, Paris was bathed in gentle breezes and sunlight filtering through the sycamore leaves, casting dappled shadows. The outdoor seating areas of the cafes lining the streets were filled with leisurely patrons, and the Haussmann-style building facades shone with a warm beige hue in the sunlight.

Perhaps influenced by the romantic atmosphere, Liu Yifei rolled down the car window and suddenly said with some emotion, "We've known each other for almost ten years, and we've traveled all over Europe, America, and even South America."

Her eyes were filled with longing: "Will I have the chance to visit every place in the world someday?"

"Isn't that easy? If we weren't so busy, we could fly to South Africa anytime to watch the World Cup and explore the African continent while we're at it."

Mr. Lu pointed to the blue, white and red tricolor flags hanging in the shop windows and on the lampposts, as well as support posters featuring the portraits of key French players such as Henry and Ribery.

As the convoy drove through the main city streets, the upbeat theme song of the South Africa World Cup, "Waka Waka," drifted through the car windows. The French team, which finished as runners-up in the previous World Cup due to Zidane's headbutt, clearly had a large following.

Just looking at the fans wearing blue home jerseys on the streets, it's almost like the whole nation is mobilized.

The convoy slowly made its way through the crowds toward today's destination—the Paris Stock Exchange-Pinault Collection.

This private collection and art gallery of the French Pinault family dates back to the 16th century and was once used as a wheat warehouse and corn trading market.

In 1889, it was transformed into the Paris Stock Exchange in preparation for the World's Fair, so the Pinault family simply added a suffix to it to reflect its history.

While Lu Kuan and his entourage were stuck in traffic in the center of Paris, François-Henri Pinault, the head of the French wealthy family, was sitting in his office with documents about the Eastern tycoon on his desk.

About his business empire, cultural influence, international network, and recent activities.

The drawer contained information about Hong Kong and the Li family in England.

He's been studying it all day.

He originally thought it would be a simple art transaction, and he was also looking to get revenge after being ripped off by Chinese businessmen last year by demanding exorbitant prices in a seller's market.

However, this Chinese tycoon first expressed his willingness to communicate through a friend in Ankang, a French ambassador to China;
Then came the private hints from Neil, the director of the British Museum in London, who had previously introduced them, and the third generation of the Li and Zhuang families, who have huge businesses in Hong Kong, Britain and France, who asked him to cooperate in setting up the scheme.

What he needs to do is very simple:
First promising to sell the bronze animal heads, then breaking the deal at the last minute, is just like the auction mishap that happened to Christie's, which is controlled by the Pinault family, last year. This is a reciprocal retaliation, and no one can say anything about it.

Of course, in addition to purchasing the two bronze animal heads at a high price, the Pinault family would also gain benefits such as special treatment from Christie's in the Hong Kong photography market and business cooperation in the European market.

Generally speaking, when making such decisions, it is necessary to make a rough assessment of the wealth, status, advantages and disadvantages of both sides.

What was the Pinault family's position in France or the world in 2010?

This French tycoon, whose business empire began in the 60s with the timber trade, has a business empire mainly divided into two parts:
First is Kering Group (now PPR), a publicly listed company with an impressive portfolio of luxury brands, including Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, and more. Furthermore, its current chairman, Henri Pinault, acquired a 70% stake in the sportswear brand Puma two years ago.

Secondly, there are strategic and functional assets held, the most famous of which are Christie's, a top global auction house, FNAC, France's largest bookstore chain, the famous French magazine "Le Point," and top-tier wineries such as Château Latour.

Because not all of its businesses are publicly traded, the Pinault family's total assets are not precisely measured, but patriarch Henri Pinault himself ranked 77th on last year's Forbes list with $87 billion.

Judging solely from a very limited and incomplete view of paper wealth, he is naturally inferior to Li Jiacheng, who is ranked 14th globally, and Lu, who is ranked 17th.

However, rankings cannot fully reflect an individual's strength and negotiating power.

Moreover, this is only personal assets. As the manager of the entire Pinault family's assets, Henri can actually mobilize and control much more resources, and his influence in France is extremely strong.

Just like Lu Kuan, who may seem to be just the richest man in mainland China, the sheer size of his business empire and network of connections when fully mobilized is terrifying, which is why Henry Pinault hesitated for two days before agreeing.

On one side is the unfathomable richest man in China, and on the other side is the Li family, which is thriving in Europe, and Neil, the old curator with close ties to the British authorities, who has repeatedly sent him artworks under the guise of "theft".

Ultimately, he chose the conditions that were more realistic for him.

"Boss, the guests have arrived."

"Okay, please wait a moment, guest."

Henri Pinault was not particularly tall, but his demeanor exuded the composure of an old French bourgeoisie. He stood up, took a bottle of Pour Homme men's cologne from his desk drawer, sprayed it lightly on his wrist, and straightened his well-tailored dark suit, appearing calm and sophisticated.

Only then, carrying a faint scent of tobacco and leather, did I walk towards the main hall on the first floor.

This reflects his self-discipline as an elegant French man, and even more so, his caution in the face of this wealthy Eastern businessman:
Among all the materials he reviewed, Henry discovered a characteristic that set him apart from many Asian and unkempt artists—

This richest man in China always appears impeccably dressed, at most in business casual attire, and has never been impolite. When facing such an opponent, the logic of a robber can be set aside for now; outward respect and caution are necessary as an opening.

Inside the Pinault Collection at the Paris Stock Exchange, the magnificent circular hall with its soaring dome and classical reliefs juxtaposed with modern art installations creates a striking contrast. As Henry approached, he watched a perfect young couple standing in the center, looking around.

The man smiled calmly, and from his gaze, it seemed he was discussing the art movements and styles of the murals with his wife.

Henri Pinault stepped forward, flashing a perfectly warm smile: "Lu, I've heard so much about you. Your 'Ball Lightning' was highly praised at Cannes. I regret that I couldn't be there. I look forward to enjoying this visual feast in Paris at the end of the month."

His English was fluent, with a French accent.

Lu Kuan shook hands with him and responded with a smile: "Thank you. I saw many guests wearing Gucci and Balenciaga jewelry on the Cannes red carpet. They were very popular and impressive."

Henry's gaze then fell on Liu Yifei.

She wore a beige Chinese-style dress with dark green leaf and branch prints, and the high slit on one side of the skirt cleverly accentuated her slender and elegant figure.

The Chinese actress stands sideways, arm in arm with her husband, her expression serene and composed. Her eyes are bright as stars, and a faint smile plays on her lips. She exudes a fresh, natural, gentle, and moving temperament. Against the backdrop of classical art, she further highlights the softness and composure of Eastern women.

Henry Reynolds clicked his tongue in admiration, and for some reason felt that she was missing some Gucci jewelry.

"This must be Mrs. Lu. You are even more radiant than on screen." The Frenchman naturally bowed slightly, making a gesture as if to take her hand and kiss it, a gesture of the utmost respect for a lady in French social interactions.

Liu Yifei did not extend her hand, but smiled and politely declined in clear and fluent French: "Thank you for your compliment, but we are more used to shaking hands."

Her French had a slight accent, but her vocabulary was accurate and her intonation was appropriate.

A genuine look of surprise flashed in Henry's eyes, quickly turning to admiration. He responded in French, speaking slightly faster and with typical French flattery: "My goodness! Crystal speaks French so well! What a delightful talent!"

"You flatter me." Liu Yifei smiled modestly and switched back to English. "My father worked in France for a period of time, so he can only speak some everyday phrases."

“It’s already outstanding,” Henry said sincerely, then gestured invitingly, “May I show you both around this historic building?”

Mr. Lu cut to the chase gently yet directly: “Thank you for your kind offer. However, perhaps we can discuss business first, and then appreciate this unparalleled art collection in a more relaxed manner.”

"Of course, please."

Henri, a self-proclaimed elegant Frenchman and head of one of the world's top three luxury goods groups, led the way, though he was somewhat conflicted.

Listen carefully to the tone of their words, and judge a person by their appearance.

In this first encounter, the demeanor, cultivation, and bearing of Lu Liu and his wife gave him the impression of being profound, well-rounded, and cultivated.

From a purely practical standpoint, even if the plan succeeds and causes a falling out with this person, it will have minimal impact on his and the Pinault family's foundation in France. They can also take the opportunity to sell the bronze animal heads that they were forced to buy last year at a high price, seemingly a sure-fire way to make a profit...

But Henry felt something was off. ...

Inside a quiet VIP room in the museum, the rat and rabbit heads are displayed quietly in bulletproof glass cases. Soft lighting shines on the bronze statues, and the weathered metal surfaces reflect a dim luster.

Lu Kuan and Liu Yifei stood in front of the glass case, gazing at the two cultural relics that carried too much national humiliation and emotion.

The rat head is depicted with a lively design and delicate whiskers, while the rabbit head is both docile and alert. The artistic level of the design embodies the pinnacle of craftsmanship of the Qing Dynasty court artisans and symbolizes the perfect fusion of Eastern aesthetics and Western mechanical timekeeping.

For the Chinese people, these artifacts are not only artistic treasures, but also silent witnesses to the catastrophe that destroyed the Old Summer Palace, and a deep scar in the national memory.

Xiao Liu couldn't help but touch them through the glass. Suddenly, she remembered the "monster" in her husband's script, which originated from an ancient painting and was trapped in a Western laboratory. How similar they were! They were both crystallizations of Eastern wisdom, but they were forcibly separated from their homeland and became "others" being gazed upon behind glass domes in foreign lands.

The silent posture of the beast head before me echoes the monster's soul in the script, yearning to return home.
Their very existence is a silent indictment of a history of plunder. At this moment, art and history, fiction and reality resonated in her heart, giving her a profound understanding of the deep compassion her husband attempted to express on screen.

This experience of creating a script from scratch and being immersed in the story allowed her to witness the birth of a work of art more fully.

Henry Pinault stood a step back, speaking calmly: "Louis, as you know, last year's unpleasant incident had a rather negative impact on Christie's reputation. In order to quell the incident and maintain the brand's long-term credibility, Christie's had no choice but to repurchase these two animal heads from the original collector in a private capacity."

He paused slightly and stated a figure: "Including the rat and rabbit heads, the total cost was 3200 million euros. This does not include subsequent maintenance, insurance, and storage costs."

"We are willing to transfer them to you at the original buyback price, plus reasonable related fees. This is based on both respect for the culture and a desire to put an end to this unpleasant past."

Henry didn't have much hesitation anymore; he just wanted to move forward with the plan as quickly as possible.

Once Lu Kuan agrees to this seemingly "fair" price and completes the transaction, Neil in London and the Li family in Hong Kong will immediately launch a media campaign to portray this richest man in China as a hero who brought back national treasures, forcing him to donate them, thus using flattery to kill him.

Then they tore up the agreement.

However, after a long silence, the tall man with his back to him said something in a low and clear tone that completely surprised Henry:
"You... do you really intend to sell this to me?"

Henry paused slightly, a surge of anger rising within him, and a crack appeared in his carefully maintained facade of elegance.

I was already considering whether to take advantage of the situation and rip you off when I agreed to sell it to you, and now you're turning around and making fun of me?
He almost laughed in anger, his voice turning cold: "Lu, what do you mean by this? I'm sincerely offering a solution; this is not a joke."

Boss Lu turned around, the gentle and calm expression on his face vanished, leaving only a deep solemnity:

"We both know perfectly well the origins of these artifacts. I have no interest in arguing with Neil at the British Museum. And here, I don't want to repeat well-known history to you either."

He then shifted his tone, mentioning Christie's embarrassing situation last year: "I regret that you were tricked by a Chinese businessman last year. Although I personally don't entirely agree with his methods, there's one point I must make clear—"

"These animal heads can be destroyed, or they can never return to China, but they absolutely cannot and should not be sold back to China!"

His gaze was sharp as a knife, seemingly able to pierce through people's hearts and cut straight to the most fundamental issues.

Lu Kuan’s voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable force: “The purpose of my visit today is to ask you to return these two bronze animal heads to China free of charge in the name of the Pinault family and Christie’s.”

“Absurd!” Henry Pinault could no longer maintain his composure; he abruptly stood up, his face grim.

This demand sounded like a fantasy to him, a complete humiliation for him, a local French tycoon. No wonder Neil and the Li family were trying to trip him up.

It is truly hateful!

Henri Pinault suppressed his anger and tried his best to maintain the last shred of gentlemanly etiquette, but his gesture to see his guest out was already quite clear.

He flung open the VIP room door, his voice icy: "Mr. Lu, this is not your film set, and I am not one of your actors."

"If your professional instincts kick in, you and your actress wife might as well leave first. There's no need for us to continue talking."

The owner of the world's third-largest luxury goods group found it rather darkly humorous. Neil and the Li family were still plotting against him, they probably never imagined he could be so shameless.

They're even more shameless than us Westerners!
You think you can take back what you stole for free?

As Xiao Liu was still admiring the two animal heads that bore the marks of time and history, she turned her head and saw her "rascal" husband calmly sitting back on the sofa, crossing his legs as if it were now his domain.

She was naturally aware of the negotiation plan for this trip, but she didn't know that her insistence on her stance would inadvertently thwart their unknown underhanded tactics.

Boss Lu smiled as he watched Henry Pinault's face grow increasingly ashen. Outside the door, Afei glanced inside, his poised posture suggesting he was truly turning the office into a no-go zone for negotiations.

"Henry, everyone's time is precious. You have to believe me, I don't have time to entertain you or talk to you Westerners about what historical judgment is."

He paused for a moment: "Today, I'm only talking to you about benefits! You can listen to my script first, and then decide whether you want to become a glorious actor—"

"An actor who can gain more favor with Kering Group's luxury goods by targeting the Greater China market."

Henry Pinault's gloomy and angry expression faltered slightly. He stood tall by the door without saying a word.

The other party was not offering vague moral principles, but rather tangible commercial interests, which struck at his core concern.

Seeing his silence and deliberation, Boss Lu knew that a crack had been pried open in the negotiation. He began to direct his chosen "actors" like a director, his words clear and logical:

"First, regarding Christie's," Lu Kuan said calmly, "the 2009 auction of the bronze animal heads triggered a great deal of negative public opinion in China, which seriously hurt national sentiments. This directly led to Christie's business expansion in mainland China being severely hampered. I have some friends who can mediate and help Christie's gradually resume normal business operations in mainland China, which is crucial for Christie's long-term strategy in the Asian market."

"But you must not repeat what happened in 09, or you will bear the consequences!"

Henry slightly raised his eyelids, which hit the nail on the head.

After 09, due to Christie's obstinacy, the Bureau of Cultural Relics of Dongda University immediately issued a notice requiring a strict investigation of all cultural relics imported and exported by Christie's, which resulted in a major blow to the latter's business in China.

The reasoning behind this is quite simple. For a top auction house, if its products lose the Greater China market, the probability of losing high-quality clients who can provide top-quality cultural relics will greatly increase, because the business in this field relies on the free flow of cultural relics.

Since you're already struggling to make ends meet, why don't we list our items at other auction houses? Why insist on going to Christie's, which has been blacklisted by Dongda University?

However, Henry Pinault was unfamiliar with the situation in the East and sometimes found it hard to understand how this young director could get involved to this extent and how he could continue to mediate in such a national-level ban.

"Secondly, Gucci, YSL, Balenciaga, and other brands under the Kering Group..." Boss Lu continued his analysis, as if analyzing a character's background, "After the 2008 financial crisis, it is an undeniable fact that consumer spending power in the European and American markets shrank. However, with the rapid development of China's economy, a new wealthy class has risen rapidly and has a strong desire for consumption upgrades."

"In the future luxury goods market, the growth engine of the East will far surpass that of the West. This is similar to the current global film industry, where box office growth also depends on Eastern faces. Ignoring the Chinese market is tantamount to cutting off one's own arm."

“Third,” the young director offered the most tempting yet controversial condition, “Wenjie Pictures and Wuyue Media possess China’s top-tier artist resources, Eagle King has deep roots in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry, and Wenjie Capital has absolute influence in the internet public opinion sphere. We can form a deep partnership—”

"From selecting brand ambassadors and spokespeople to integrated marketing and promotion across all channels, we create a comprehensive online and offline luxury brand communication matrix. The publicity and celebrity resources I can utilize can ensure that your brand receives the most efficient and positive exposure in China."

Hearing this, Henry Pinault couldn't help but be tempted.

In 2010, Kering's Gucci brand was estimated to be worth around $8 billion, ranking third in Forbes' "Top 10 Global Platinum Luxury Goods".

品牌在大中华区2010年迄今的销售额高达4亿欧元，折合人民币40亿不到，占据了集团近20%的全球份额，今年4月在郑州开业的豫省首店当日销售额就突破了100万人民币。

As he said, with the world economy still recovering, the distant East has become a market that luxury brands cannot ignore.

The number of middle-class people there has skyrocketed, and their consumption is in a frenzy. They are still in a period of irrational enthusiasm for luxury goods, and they look at brands and what celebrities wear and use. They are quite "foolish and rich".

Henri Pinault almost completely toned down his confrontational gestures, casually returned to the sofa and sat down, then, like Neil, invited his distant Eastern friend to sample some local specialties, such as thirty years of his top winery's cellar.

But this third point left him somewhat bewildered. Was I crazy or were you crazy?

“Lou, I admit your script is very interesting.” Henry Pinault twirled the ring on his hand, organizing his thoughts. “Before today, my understanding of you was entirely based on written words, not very three-dimensional, but what you just said compels me to express my respect.”

He leaned forward, his gaze sharp, then suddenly took on the arrogance and prudence characteristic of luxury giants: "But Kering's Gucci, YSL, and Balenciaga are all top-tier brands in the global luxury goods pyramid."

“We have extremely strict standards and independent judgment when selecting brand ambassadors and spokespeople in Asia. This is because it is about the brand’s tone and global image. Many top artists would kill for this, so how can you use this as a ‘condition’? It sounds more like you are seeking benefits for the artists under your management.”

"Benefits? Whose benefits are they anyway?" Boss Lu looked like he'd heard a hilarious joke.

He reached out and put his arm around the woman's waist, then began to snuggle against his wife with a clear conscience: "My wife has consistently ranked among the top tier in terms of the number of followers on Weibo, China's largest social media platform. She is widely recognized as the most popular actress in the country. The films she has starred in are the highest-grossing films in Chinese film history and across Asia to date."

"Even his personal Mytube channel, which has been inactive in the US for two years, still has over five million active subscribers."

Mr. Lu spoke nonsense with a straight face: "But she has never accepted an endorsement from any luxury brand. Do you know why?"

Xiao Liu rolled her eyes at the scoundrel in her mind: "Because you used them all to bait the way to attract male prey back then, I couldn't be bothered to take them back."

The scoundrel didn't give Henry much time to think, speaking calmly as if stating an obvious fact:

"She currently only has two global brand endorsements, Pepsi and Disney. For us, endorsements that are not sophisticated enough or do not align with the brand's philosophy are simply not within our consideration."

"Henry, you can go and find out in the industry how many top luxury brands have pursued her through various channels and with such generous terms in the past few years, hoping to cooperate with her."

He leaned forward slightly, his aura suddenly becoming extremely oppressive: "You just said 'to seek benefits for the artists under your management'?"

Lu Kuan chuckled lightly, with a hint of sarcasm, "I think you've got it backwards. If we're talking about perks, the numerous top-tier Chinese artists I can utilize, along with the vast audience appeal and influence I've built throughout East Asia through my film works, that's the 'perks' we can offer to Kering Group."

"This is the key to help your brand open up and take root in the Asian market more deeply and efficiently. It's a benefit for you, not for me."

Liu Yifei maintained her elegant and proper demeanor on the surface, but couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Looking at Henri Pinault's expression, which had changed from initial arrogance and prudence to a clear moment of stunned silence, flickering eyes, and hesitation, she knew he was close to becoming lame.

“I…” Henry Pinault hesitated for a moment, “I have no doubts about Crystal, but I think we need to do some background checks on the other actresses you mentioned.”

He suddenly remembered a "stone from another mountain" that he had used to deflect and shut down the man in front of him: "As far as I know, the female star with the highest fashion value in the Chinese market right now is Bing. She's not someone you're asking about, is she?"

Boss Lu sneered and was about to speak when his wife suddenly pinched his arm hard and then spun him around and jumped. He barely managed to suppress a grimacing expression.

I haven't finished installing it yet!

“Mr. Pinault may not know this yet,” Xiao Liu said with a smile, “My husband can make Bing, whom you mentioned, immediately terminate his contracts with all brands and only cooperate with Gucci, YSL, and Balenciaga with just one word.”

"this!"

Henry Pinault was completely bewildered. How could this couple be such a braggart?

It wasn't impressive; it was a past event between the two before their marriage that they couldn't tell outsiders. Only under Xiao Liu's "domineering" hands could the truth be revealed.

Although he didn't know why his wife was suddenly jealous, Washing Machine was always quick-witted in this matter. "Henry, if you have any hesitation, we can sign a betting agreement."

"Follow my plan to build an endorsement matrix and promotional plan, for a period of one year. If the resource combination I lead can enable the sales and brand influence index of the brands you designate in Greater China to reach the growth targets we agree on, the endorsement fee for the next season will increase by the agreed percentage, and the depth of cooperation will be strengthened."

Henry raised an eyebrow: "If it doesn't meet expectations?"

“If the endorsement is terminated, I will compensate you for the difference, and I will give you the promotional resources under Wenjie at a discounted price.”

Even based on natural growth, brands like Gucci will definitely meet their performance targets next year, let alone if he develops a special targeted advertising plan.

Unfortunately, it missed the chance to collaborate with "My Love from the Star," which premiered this month.

But Mr. Lu's fundamental goal was to use this method to bind the Pinault family, who controlled Christie's, and to use them as a channel to continuously carry out the operation of returning cultural relics.

Secondly, it will provide scarce fashion resources for Su Chang, Jing Tian, ​​Tong Liya, and others, allowing them to gain a foothold in this increasingly powerful market in mainland China.

As for Bingbing and Xiao Liu, they don't actually need him to "get orders" through this method. As he said, the brands actively pursue them. It's just that the time travelers are using it as a traffic-generating tool.

Two money trees planted ten years ago:
She has already become the female president of Wuyue Plaza, but she is still closely bound to his Wenjie war chariot, charging into battle everywhere;

Even after becoming his wife, Yi Ke couldn't escape the fate of continuing to create wealth, adding bricks and tiles to this "unbearably rich" little family, and saving money for her son Tie Dan's future dowry.

It can only be said that the washing machine treats everyone equally; you are all the exploited class.

The office fell into a brief silence as Henri Pinault pondered, and at this point, the balance had already subtly shifted.

Before today, even though the head of Kering Group had studied all the information about the richest man in China in front of him, there were still different national conditions in Tokyo, and there were some things that he could not understand.

The presentation of these conditions, especially the latter's confident betting agreement, made Henry Pinault truly begin to examine the prospects of this cooperation, and he even completely forgot about the "little episode" in the communication between the Lee family and Neil and him.

In fact, if the time traveler hadn't happened to step in this year to facilitate the return of the animal heads, the Pinault family would most likely have "voluntarily" donated them three years later, just like in the previous life.

He didn't have a change of heart; he was afraid.

Due to the impact of the 2009 auction, Christie's business volume in Greater China declined by nearly 50% for three consecutive years. The most challenging issue was that high-quality clients had lost trust in Christie's due to the official ban.

If you can't sell my goods and they can't circulate freely, then the auction house loses its value.

At the same time, due to the rapid development of the domestic luxury goods market, this lucrative market has forced the Pinault family to consider sacrificing some of their wealth, exchanging a pair of animal heads worth only about 3 million for a luxury goods market worth billions. Who wouldn't do that kind of business?
Therefore, this French local tycoon took the opportunity during his visit to China with President Hollande in 2013 to "magnanimously" make a donation in an attempt to ease tensions.

Boss Lu's intervention now is like a bolt from the blue, not only facilitating the comeback ahead of schedule but also securing luxury brand endorsements for his own artists.

Not only Su Chang, who has already appeared in Hollywood, but also Tong Liya, who is likely to squeeze out Huang Shengyi and enter the ranks of the Four Little Flowers with this endorsement, as well as the rich girl Jing Tian, ​​and other male stars.

At the same time, it was also an attempt to "appease" the Pinault family by appealing to their interests, establishing a cooperative relationship based on mutual benefit, and keeping it for future use.

Of course, they had no idea that the arrow that nearly struck them from behind was now a useless piece of silk, too weak to pierce even the finest silk.

Henry Pinault's gloomy and angry expression had vanished, replaced by a solemn one, even one tinged with relief and appreciation.

He straightened the front of his suit jacket and reached out his hand: "Lu, I must admit, you are a great director."

"Even if not all of your films suit the French taste, today has given me the urge to become an actor for the first time."

Henry Pinault paused, seemingly wanting to say something but ultimately refrained from revealing the true intentions behind the Li family and Neil's scheme.

Businesses typically unite for mutual benefit and dissolve when that benefit is gone.

Their cooperation has just been established, and the leverage to betray the other two "allies" is far from enough. Besides, keeping this connection might be useful for something else in the future.

Since Lu Kuan will never know, keeping this secret to himself is the best option in the short term.

Boss Lu was unaware of, and couldn't care less about, so he said: "It's a pleasure working with you. In fact, you'll find that the actors in my productions always receive more than you can imagine."

"Regarding the ceremony for the return of the animal heads," Henry asked, "when do you think would be the most appropriate time to hold it? We need a platform with sufficient influence."

Lu Kuan pondered for a moment: "Ball Lightning will premiere in North America at the end of June. At that time, we will jointly release a statement with the official team announcing the Pinault family and Christie's decision to donate the rat and rabbit heads back to China free of charge. This in itself is a very positive piece of news, which can generate buzz for the film and bring additional attention."

He continued planning, his mind clear: "When the film has its grand premiere in China in a few days, please come to China in person. We will officially exhibit these two animal heads at the premiere."

"I will introduce you to some friends at that time so that we can communicate face-to-face and completely resolve the historical issues Christie's faces in the Chinese market."

Henri Pinault's eyes lit up, and he nodded with a hint of excitement: "A perfect arrangement! We French have a proverb—friends are the best bridge on the road of life."

"I believe our cooperation will be a strong and glorious bridge!"

Boss Lu felt a bit disgusted listening to this. All foreigners are the same, they all like to spout those ridiculous proverbs, like the Jewish An Lushan.

Liu, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, suddenly interjected, taking advantage of Henri Pinault's preamble, his gentle tone carrying just the right amount of slyness:

"Mr. Pinault, have you noticed that Crystal Palace, a football club in England, was recently acquired?"

Boss Lu glanced at his wife without making a sound, and had a premonition that they shared a deep connection.

Henry Pinault, who simply got up to see her off, still only saw her as a beautiful but useless woman by the side of a wealthy man, unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

He didn't hesitate to offer French flattery: "Of course, beautiful lady, it is an honor to share an elegant name with you."

"Thank you!" Xiao Liu flashed a charming smile. "The team's operations are now on track, and the recruitment and promotion efforts are about to begin, but..."

She flashed a set of innocent-looking white teeth: "The only thing we're missing right now is a top-tier kit sponsor, and Puma, under Kering, has a long history of success in the football industry, what do you think?"

Ok?
Henry Pinault blinked hard twice, as if the man and woman in front of him had merged into one!

They're all so shameless!
I'll give you the animal heads, I'll endorse you, I'll sponsor you, and you two can just pack up and leave.

So you guys aren't ordering any dishes at all, and you want me to add one to my order?
The French tycoon took a deep breath, looked at the beautiful and charming Eastern woman in front of him who seemed "exceptionally shrewd" at this moment, glanced at the calm and composed billionaire beside him who seemed to have nothing to do with it, and finally shook his head helplessly.

He lamented once again why Neil and the Lee family were trying to trip him up, resorting to such legal insults—it was utterly despicable! He deeply hated them!

But for the sake of Kering Group and Christie's future, they were willing to endure humiliation...

“Very well, very well,” Henri Pinault displayed his French gentlemanly elegance for the last time today, “let us add another brick to this strong bridge of friendship!”

(End of this chapter)