I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 219 Escape from Toulouse

After seeing Andrei off, Liu Jin felt very hungry.

However, he made sure to take care of the three little ones first before riding his motorcycle out.

There's no time to cook a meal on the spot!

He simply went to Chinatown to ask Old Zhong for a free meal.

Old Zhong's little courtyard was still deserted.

Sometimes, Liu Jin wondered, with such a slow business, even if Lao Zhong had the best skills, he couldn't possibly survive.

But judging from his expression, he didn't seem to care at all.

Today we have stuffed tofu, a Chaoshan dish.

There was also poached chicken and a bowl of pork trotter and peanut soup.

As Liu Jin savored Old Zhong's cooking, an idea flashed into his mind, and he knew what article to write for the Humanitarian Daily!

Clothing, food, housing, and transportation!

Regardless of whether they are Chinese or French.

The French are proud of their cuisine, and "A Bite of China" is definitely the best choice.

Thinking of this, he immediately felt a surge of appetite.

Before leaving, taking advantage of Lao Zhong's inattention, he also smuggled two jars of tiger bone wine.

By the time Lao Zhong noticed, he had already ridden his motorcycle and disappeared like the wind into the narrow streets of Chinatown.

……

The interview with Andrei has ended!
But Liu Jin found himself in trouble.

The reason was that Farnese, a reporter from Libération, had originally arranged to come with André for the interview, but on the way, he went to Marseille instead, found the fisherman named Ernest in the Marseille fishing port, and conducted an interview with him.

This is the prototype of The Old Man and the Sea.

Fanell was very knowledgeable about current events and took a picture of Ernest.

A dilapidated fishing boat, a weathered old man, dark skin, and a face radiating a confident smile.

The title is: The Old Man and the Sea, the spirit of France lives on!
Freedom, courage, and fearlessness are the very essence of France…

When Liu Jin saw this newspaper, he couldn't help but burst into a tirade of curses.

Damn it, you habitual white flag bearer, the rooster of the blast furnace who claims "there is no defeat as long as you surrender quickly enough," what right do you have to say such things?

If you had any courage, you wouldn't have lost so quickly during World War II!
But Liu Jin could only grumble about this to Chloe in private, and then he would get a smooth and scathing scolding from Chloe.

That's right, it's Chloe, not Mela.

Mela has already set off for America and Bruheimer Films to begin negotiations!
Last week, "The Old Man and the Sea" was released in France for the second week, selling 630,000 copies.

He was 10,000 short of breaking the record set by Harry Potter 4.

The French are really disappointing!
Damn it, The Old Man and the Sea is the prototype of you French people, a French story, and you can't even compete with the little wizard of England?

No wonder they surrendered so quickly during World War II!

Look at America, in its fourth week of release, it sold 1.7 million copies, successfully surpassing the 4 million mark in sales.

If you look at the Spanish-speaking region, in Spain alone, it sold 700,000 copies in its first week.

Ms. Balses even made a special phone call to congratulate Liu Jin.

The Spanish version of "Pirates of the Caribbean" sold over one million copies in two weeks, setting a sales record for Spanish-language novels since the turn of the millennium.

Meanwhile, the German version also achieved remarkable results, selling 760,000 copies in its first week.

Sometimes, you have to acknowledge America's influence.

A novel with monthly sales of four million copies is enough to attract the attention of readers across Europe.

As a result, the sales of Liu Jin's other novels also skyrocketed.

Ottilie said: Not counting Pirates of the Caribbean and The Old Man and the Sea, Liu Jin swindled at least two million euros in the first month of 2002.

Old Zhong was so envious that his eyes turned red.

I just regret that I don't have that ability...

He tried to write last year, but in ten days he managed to squeeze out a little over a thousand words. Then, he was so discouraged by Ottilie, a professional editor, that he completely lost his dream of writing!
Not only Old Zhong, but also Toulouse Business School has seen a surge in writing.

According to Delphine, who spoke to Liu Jin privately, Joannup has also started writing and even came to ask for advice on writing techniques a couple of days ago.

"How is his writing?"

"pretty good!"

"what?"

"With some modifications, it could be published as financial news."

Liu Jin was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

On February 2nd, Liu Jin was interviewed by Farne.

Compared to André's interview, Farne's interview lacked the same level of professionalism.

His interview focused more on Liu Jin's insights and some interesting experiences during his year-long stay in France.

This guy was smuggling in a lot of personal agendas.

Fortunately, Liu Jin was very careful and dealt with each situation.

Then, he added more personal opinions, such as his views on everyday life and his views on stealing from his fellow countrymen.

To promote "Silenced," he also revealed some information about a school for the deaf.

The main point is to create a sensation! Farne doesn't care about this approach; what he wants is sensationalism, excitement, and entertainment.

Liu Jin provided him with abundant emotional value.

However, with the release of the third week's data for "The Old Man and the Sea" in France, the French critics could no longer remain silent!

In the third week, The Old Man and the Sea sold 720,000 copies.

Sales in three weeks are approaching two million!
As a result, reviews of "The Old Man and the Sea" sprang up like mushrooms after rain.

It's as if you're not considered a cultured person if you don't offer some comments.

The cultural and entertainment sectors have all sprung into action.

Isabelle Adjani took the opportunity to announce that "Amélie" would be submitted to the 55th Cannes Film Festival.

It has attracted a lot of attention.

Miramax, far away in America, inquired about the adaptation rights to "The Father Trapped in Time" through Isabelle Adjani.

Adjani said, "Harvey also had his eye on Pirates of the Caribbean, but he also knew that he didn't have the resources to compete with Disney."

"Bruheimer and Disney have reached an agreement?"

"No, but even without Bruheimer, Disney was interested in the project."

Pirates of the Caribbean 1 is said to have the potential to sell over ten million copies.

If Disney waits until it surpasses ten million copies before buying the rights, it will likely have to spend a fortune.

Therefore, they also planned to contact Liu Jin.

This is probably why Bruheimer suddenly requested to start negotiations ahead of schedule.

"Amos, you have to attend this year's Cannes Film Festival! It won't be complete without you, the original author."

You don't feel it's incomplete.

Are you trying to ride the wave of "The Old Man and the Sea" to increase Amélie's chances of winning an award?
But, one should see through it but not say it.

After considering it for a moment, Liu Jin didn't give a definite answer, but he told Adjani that he would definitely go if he had time. After all, last time, he didn't even get to have his fill of fun before Sophie Marceau forcibly took him away.

……

The popularity of "The Old Man and the Sea" has finally affected the school's teaching.

Starting Monday, a large number of reporters appeared around the school.

Those who follow the rules should apply for interviews with the school.

Those who lack discipline either harass students or sneak into the school.

At first, Old Pi was happy!

After all, it's a great opportunity to show off.

However, if it disrupts the normal teaching order, it cannot be tolerated.

Old Pi was also troubled by this.

So he secretly approached Liu Jin and made his request.

"You should ask for leave!"

"what?"

In fact, Liu Jin is also in a terrible predicament right now.

Imagine he walks into the school restroom, is about to unzip his pants, and suddenly a reporter jumps out and asks for an interview.

On one occasion, it was a female reporter.

Startled, Liu Jin urinated on his trouser leg. Under the intense gaze of the female reporter, he stuffed the urination into his crotch and fled in a sorry state.

I just don't know if she managed to take a picture!
"It's only February... I promised you I wouldn't take any more leave before the end of the semester."

"If you don't leave, we won't be able to have classes properly!"

"But my credits..."

"Don't worry about this, I'll handle it."

Liu, you've seen it too, it's so hot at The Old Man and the Sea! Why don't you disappear for a bit and come back when the heat dies down.

It seems that this is the only way!
After careful consideration, Liu Jin agreed to Lao Pi's request.

The three little ones were once again entrusted to Ottilie's care.

February 4th, Monday.

Under the cover of night, Liu Jin secretly went to the train station and boarded a train bound for Paris.

"Sophie, I'm almost in Paris!"

"But I'm not in Paris."

"what?"

“I told you, the Berlin International Film Festival invited me to be a jury member this year, and I even asked you to come with me, but I haven’t heard from you since. I thought you didn’t have time… After all, you were in the spotlight so much in January.”

"What should I do? I'm almost there!"

"Why don't you come to Berlin?"

Over the phone, Sophie Marceau offered Liu Jin some advice.

……

(End of this chapter)