I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 227 Intentions (Please subscribe and vote!)

For many Chinese people, the term "big shot" is certainly not unfamiliar.

The absurd plot, the humorous yet detached dialogue, and the outstanding performances of the actors...

Most importantly, twenty years later you'll find that the plot of "Big Shot's Funeral" seems to have all come true.

Housing prices, internet operations, and the clown-like performances of various online celebrities in pursuit of traffic—all these things have appeared in people's lives.

But now, people are watching more with a sense of spectatorship.

Sometimes I really feel that the plot of "Big Shot's Funeral" is more like a prophecy!

Liu Jin came out of the Cultural Palace and sat down in front of a coffee shop by the roadside.

I ordered a coffee and enjoyed the view of the World Culture Palace bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun; it was very pleasant.

The spring chill lingers, and the temperature is a bit low.

He suddenly realized something: the Spring Festival is almost here!

What day was it again?

He couldn't quite remember.

It's 5 o'clock now, but back home... it should still be before midnight.

He took out his phone and dialed his home number!
……

As expected, I got a good scolding from my mom.

The old man is a light sleeper. He finally fell asleep, but was woken up by a phone call, which made him feel a little unhappy.

Yes, I understand!

The 11th is Lunar New Year's Eve, and the 12th is the Spring Festival.

There are two days left until Lunar New Year's Eve.

Mom is a little sad.

She misses her son a little.

But she also knew that Liu Jin wouldn't be able to go home for the Spring Festival this year.

"Mom, how about you come to Toulouse next Chinese New Year?"

“If I go, what will happen to your dad? He’s a grown man, and he’s always been poor when I’m around. If I’m not here, do you believe me? On New Year’s Eve, he’ll probably just eat steamed buns and pickled vegetables. The Spring Festival is all about the family being together.”

"I'm not asking you to come back. I know you're busy."

Yeah, call back a few more times. Your dad's biggest weakness in life is his mouth; he never knows what to say.

Okay, I'm going to sleep now. Take care of yourself.

Liu Jin felt a little upset after his mother hung up the phone.

Sitting on the side of the street, he lit a Davidoff cigarette and watched the bustling traffic, his thoughts a little scattered.

Night falls.

Berlin's lights twinkle.

Liu Jin went to the Berlin Wall Memorial Park, and then strolled along the East Gallery, which is said to be the world's largest open-air gallery.

It was already dark, and the temperature was dropping.

But the gallery on the east side was still brightly lit.

On September 28, 1990, 180 artists from 21 countries created paintings on different themes on the 1316-meter-long Berlin Wall. Walking here, one can vaguely feel the terrifying atmosphere of East-West confrontation on the eve of that dramatic change ten years ago.

Liu Jin suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He took out his notebook from his backpack, scribbled something on it, and then let out a long sigh.

……

It was already 10 p.m. when we got back to the hotel.

The front desk manager stopped Liu Jin and handed him a package.

Liu Jin thanked the manager, gave him a ten-euro tip, and then took the package back to his room.

The phone rang at that moment.

It was Ottilie on the phone.

Liu Jin unpacked the package while chatting with Ottilie.

He confirmed that the sample book had been received, and then inquired about the situation in Toulouse.

"A couple of days ago, quite a few reporters came over and applied for interviews."

But you weren't there. I told them I couldn't reach you, and Mela was in America. I couldn't make the decision, so they had to give up.

However, it's best if you don't come back in the next week.

Your address has been exposed, and a lot of paparazzi are lurking there again. Just wait a bit longer; things will get quieter after this period."

"you sure?"

"Um, how about two weeks? By the way, 'Life Is Beautiful' will be released on the 12th, and Midnight Press and Hachette Press will both be promoting it. I'm not sure what the effect will be, but you'd better be prepared."

"I know!"

"In addition, the verdict has been reached in the case of the three South Korean exchange students."

"How to say?"

"Compensation, plus jail time."

Park Joong-won was sentenced to three years, and the other two were sentenced to one year. All three are also ordered to pay your classmate 18,000 euros in compensation.

Park Joong-won's father has been making a lot of noise lately.

It seems the Chinese embassy in France also protested, but it didn't cause much of a stir.

"What did his father say?"

He said you colluded with the Toulouse police to frame him maliciously.

They even said he was robbed and assaulted, and that you were the mastermind behind it. Anyway, it's caused quite a stir, and given your current fame, a lot of people are paying attention. However, you previously had Ms. Sylvie publish articles in some newspapers about the behavior of several Korean students, and the general public opinion is in your favor. Chloe said that the Toulouse police have arrested the other party on charges of false accusation and are preparing to prosecute them.

This Korean is really arrogant!

Liu Jin thought for a moment and said, "Please tell Chloe that I also want to sue him."

"Hehe, I knew you wouldn't pass up this opportunity to kick someone when they're down... Don't worry, Attorney Mario has already secured the evidence and will probably submit it on Monday."

"What about the furnace?"

"You're going to keep me so busy!"

Ottilie was a little unhappy.

"It's still being proofread. According to the plan, it will be released in May."

"Hehe, thank you for your hard work... I'll bring you some Berlin specialties when I get back."

"Don't forget what you said!"

Ottilie hung up the phone, while Liu Jin held the sample book, which still smelled of fresh ink.

He thought for a moment, then picked up the hotel room phone.

Legend has it that Hong Kong movie stars are all night owls, and it's unknown whether Leslie Cheung was resting.

The call was answered, and my brother's deep voice came from the other end.

"This is Leslie, who is this?"

It sounded a bit chaotic on the other end of the phone; it seemed like people were talking.

Liu Jin didn't waste any time and said, "I'm Liu Jin, Amos Liu Jin. Are you free tomorrow, brother?" "Amos? Is something the matter?"

"Well, something's come up. If you have time, I'd like to visit you."

"No, I'll find you. Tomorrow morning at 10:00, Universal Hotel."

"No, no, no, I've already checked out. I'm currently at the Adlon Hotel on Budapest Street."

Okay, I'll treat you to crispy pork knuckle for lunch tomorrow. The restaurant at the hotel is really authentic; I've made a reservation in advance.

"No problem, then eleven o'clock?"

"Okay, eleven o'clock, Adlon Hotel restaurant."

Liu Jin arranged a time, contacted the front desk, and reserved a table and crispy pork knuckle.

After finishing his work, he turned on his computer.

The document contained the phrase "A Bite of China".

After thinking about it, I wrote down the subtitle: The Family Flavor of Rice Cake.

My mother is from Jiaxing. Although she has lived in the north for a long time, some of the customs of her hometown have remained unchanged.

For example, rice cakes!

Especially when Liu Jin was a child, his mother would make rice cakes every Spring Festival and then use them to make all sorts of delicious food.

It seems like my mom hasn't done it since I went to college.

Suddenly, Liu Jin felt a pang of craving for rice cakes!
……

"Whose phone number?"

There were other people in the guest room.

After Leslie Cheung hung up the phone, Anita Mui asked, "It's so late, is someone still looking for you?"

"Amos!"

Leslie Cheung sat down at the mahjong table.

The Spring Festival is just around the corner. In previous years, at this time, a group of people would gather together to play mahjong.

He absolutely loves mahjong!
To satisfy his craving, he spent the whole day running around and finally found mahjong in Chinatown.

As soon as they got back to the hotel, they called their friends and family.

Fortunately, the crew of "Men at Forty" had nothing to do that evening.

Director Ann Hui, Anita Mui, and Lin Chia-hsin all came.

The "God of Songs" did not come to Berlin this time because he was holding a concert in Hong Kong Island.

But it doesn't matter, we have enough manpower anyway!
When Liu Jin called, Leslie Cheung was having a great time chatting with Anita Mui, Director Hui, and Maggie.

Lin Jiaxin, who was standing to the side, watched longingly. When her brother answered the phone, she immediately sat down in his seat.

Xu Anhua discarded a two of bamboo and asked with a smile.

"It's Amos."

"Who?"

"A writer, a Chinese writer who is very famous in Europe and America."

By the way, the book I showed you before, *The Old Man and the Sea*, is his work. He happens to be in Berlin too; my brother and I had dinner with him yesterday.

By the way, guess who he brought?

"Who?"

As Xu Anhua spoke, he picked up a card.

Sophie Marceau.

"Who?"

Xu Anhua was taken aback.

On the other side, Meryl Streep laughed and said, "Last time in Paris, I could tell that his relationship with Sophie Marceau was unusual."

Those rumors might not be false.

"Him and Sophie Marceau?"

Director Xu made a strange expression.

Leslie Cheung immediately realized she had misunderstood and quickly explained, "He's not a gigolo; he earns his living honestly through his own abilities. I heard he made over 100 million last year from writing books! This year, he'll probably make several hundred million more."

They're working with director David Lynch, and they're about to work with Disney.

Sophie, I reckon they're not really boyfriend and girlfriend, just people who hang out when they're bored. She's really handsome!

"so smart?"

Lin Jiaxin couldn't help but speak up, and then played a card.

As a result, Mei Gu won the hand.

"You've played such a good hand so badly. Move aside, let me take over."

Leslie Cheung got impatient, chased the little girl away, and sat down at the card table.

Xu Anhua then realized, "You just said, The Old Man and the Sea?"

"Yes!"

Leslie Cheung was a little smug, feeling that this young brother he had just met had made him proud.

As Mei Gu arranged the cards, she asked, "Did he want to see you about something?"

"Okay, let's have lunch together tomorrow."

However, for some reason, he moved out of the Universal Hotel and into the Adlon Hotel. Perhaps he and Sophie Marceau had a falling out.

"He was staying at the Universal Hotel before?"

Xu Anhua paused, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Yes, that's what he said."

Maggie looked at Anita Mui.

Anita Mui smiled.

"He's really considering Sophie Marceau's feelings; is he trying to avoid any appearance of impropriety?"

"I guess so."

Xu Anhua said, "Besides us, this film festival also features directors Feng Xiaogang and Zhang Yimou from the mainland."

Director Zhang has already decided not to compete for awards, so Director Feng... they both come from the mainland, they'll definitely support each other.

His words conveyed a sense of disappointment.

In this respect, Hong Kong Island is indeed inferior to the mainland in terms of resources.

She is very confident in her work, but wants to compete for awards? Directors on Hong Kong Island certainly don't have many connections.

Leslie Cheung shook his head.

"Amos isn't that kind of person, I can sense that."

It might not be to avoid suspicion; it's probably to avoid trouble, which is why they moved out... That's fine too, more freedom, isn't it?

……

(End of this chapter)