I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 367 An unexpected person
"A group of scholars?"

Mela sounded a little surprised on the phone.

But she quickly realized what was going on and said with a smile, "What do you plan to do?"

"I will definitely go and meet them."

Liu Jin thought for a moment and said, "However, I won't make any promises."

"That's right!"

Mela said, “Scholar Publishing is a behemoth, it’s good to get in touch with them. But, like you said, don’t make any promises, let me talk to Lauren. Also, you can leak some information to Random House, just keep it vague. As for everything else, you can push it all onto me…”

"Then wouldn't you be the scapegoat?"

"Isn't this what agents do?"

Mela chuckled and said, "Anyway, you don't need to promise anything, just push it onto me."

I also think that HarperCollins alone isn't enough to elevate your status; adding a scholar would surely bring in more resources. By the way, who do you plan to publish the Kung Fu Panda manga volumes?

"what do you mean……"

Scholar is a publishing company targeting young adults and children, and its comic book company has a global distribution network.

I was also not very satisfied with the slow payment process from IMAGE before.

We chose him before because we had no other options and could only agree to Langdon's recommendation. Now that scholars have approached us, it's the best opportunity. I'll discuss with them about publishing a standalone Kung Fu Panda book. Liu, you're going to make a fortune!

Liu Jin was taken aback, but quickly realized what was happening.

The sheer size of the academic community, and their connections with the American Ministry of Education, might be able to push for Kung Fu Panda to be included in the recommended extracurricular reading materials for American primary and secondary school students. If successful, that would indeed be a significant gain.

Just think of Harry Potter, and you'll understand the power of a scholar.

"Mera, I've just finished 'The Eye of the Ferocious Beast,' and I'll send you the document later."

Could you help me see if scholars would accept this book?

"it is good!"

Mela didn't stand on ceremony and readily agreed.

"And one more thing!"

Just as Liu Jin was about to hang up the phone, Mela stopped him.

"The reason the scholar contacted you may be related to something else."

"what?"

"You've probably been busy writing lately and haven't been paying much attention to what's going on outside. The Scholars have announced that the fifth Harry Potter book, 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,' will be released globally on June 21st. I suspect the Scholars have their eyes on the global bestseller list and may be trying to further boost sales by meeting with you."

"what?"

"Liu, don't underestimate your influence."

If the scholars announce an agreement with you or reveal information about their contact with you, it will boost the stock price of the academic group and also help with the sales of *Harry Potter*. If you go there tonight, the media will definitely be following you.”

"Do I have that much influence?"

"Hehe, you're a Pulitzer Prize winner and the 2002 world's richest writers, don't you think?"

"What championship?"

"Forbes has already compiled your earnings from last year and will likely release the latest rankings soon."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jin fell silent!

"Okay, I know what to do."

"Relax, this is a good thing... You've shown your abilities and will earn more respect."

That's how the world works; some things are hard to hide forever. Being exposed isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, your life may change drastically afterward, so you need to be prepared.

"You mean, security?"

"Definitely."

Liu Jin thought for a moment and asked, "What did Genevieve Dumont, the woman I asked you to contact for me before, say?"

"Her price is not low."

"how much is it?"

"Annual salary of 200,000 euros!"
However, after inquiring about her background, I learned that 200,000 euros isn't too expensive for someone with her abilities. She was previously a captain in the 13th arrondissement police force in Paris, having served in the French Gendarmerie and possessing extensive experience. The reason she left the police force was because she killed three refugees during an operation. And those three refugees took turns assaulting a little girl…

The police originally wanted to protect her, but for some reason, she still resigned.

It's a resignation, not a dismissal.

Personally, I think this person is quite suitable... but how do you know her?

Liu Jin recounted how he met Du Meng.

"That must be her!"

"Decided?"

"Ok!"

Liu Jin had already made up his mind.

"How's the house?"

“Ottilie has found you a very nice house in the Saint-Étienne neighborhood, right on the street behind the Saint-Étienne Cathedral. It’s a three-story detached house facing the street with a yard in the back, but no garage.”

However, there are four parking spaces facing the street.

The lighting is excellent, but the exterior looks a bit old.

"You'll see the Saint-Étienne Cathedral as soon as you step outside..." "How much?"

"Less than three million euros."

"So cheap? How big is the area?"

"It's cheap because you can pay in full upfront, and the other party needs the money urgently. As for the area, it seems to be over 600 square meters, almost 700 square meters. It has a layout of six bedrooms and three living rooms. On the third floor, there is a 180-square-meter bedroom, where you can make a huge mess; there are three bedrooms on the second floor and two bedrooms on the first floor, for a total of seven bathrooms."

"It's a bit big, isn't it?"

"Don't you like big houses?"

Mela laughed and said, "Now, is it big enough?"

"Okay, I'll go back and take a look before deciding."

"no problem!"

The call between the two ended there.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Jin called Sen Quluo again.

He briefly explained that he was going to meet with Lauren Tasis.

Sure enough, Sen Quluo got anxious on the phone!

She and Liu Jin agreed that she would visit him the day after tomorrow.

I reckon he'll be able to ask for 25% royalties on his next book...

……

It was getting dark.

As night falls in New York, neon lights begin to twinkle.

Le Bernardin is a three-Michelin-starred French restaurant located in Midtown Manhattan.

It's not too far, only a ten-minute drive.

When Liu entered the restaurant, he gave his name.

The waiter quickly led Liu Jin into the restaurant and to a seat that was somewhat secluded and in a very private setting.

Two men were already waiting here.

"Mr. Tasis?"

Liu Jin looked at one of the slightly aged men and asked.

"Haha, I knew he would mistake you for someone else... Liu, you've mistaken him for someone else, he is the editor-in-chief of Tasia."

The middle-aged man next to the old man smiled and extended his hand.

“Tarsis, Lauren Tarsis, it is a pleasure to have you here, Mr. Amos.”

"Sorry, I'm late."

"Haha, it's not late, we just arrived too."

Liu Jin's gaze fell on the old man.

At first, he genuinely believed the old man was Tasis.

Judging from the reactions just now, Tasia is clearly dominated by the elderly.

If he isn't Tasis, then who is he?

The old man had gray hair and wore a very well-fitting suit, looking quite elegant.

His face was slightly thin, with a high nose bridge and a pair of hawk-like eyes that shone with an unfathomable light.

When Liu Jin looked at him, the old man smiled.

"Blumenshal, Werner M. Blumenthal, Liu Jin... I didn't misread it, did I? Is the house comfortable?"

Liu Jin, who was about to sit down, suddenly straightened up again.

"Hello, Mr. Blumenthal."

"Just call me Michael. How's my Chinese?"

"Va Yao Te Ling E!"

"Haha, your Shanghai dialect isn't very fluent either."

Blumenthal smiled and waved to Liu Jin, who quickly stepped forward, and Blumenthal reached out and hugged him.

“Every time I go back to Shanghai, I really want to find someone to speak the Shanghai dialect, but they always speak English to me.”

"Are you a foreigner?"

"Haha, that's right, I'm a foreigner, of course I have to speak English."

Liu Jin couldn't help laughing either.

He had considered meeting Blumenthal.

But I never imagined we would meet at this time, in this place, and in this way.

He glanced furtively at Tasis beside him; Tasis was smiling, showing no displeasure at being overshadowed, and appeared quite calm.

Liu Jin's heart skipped a beat, as if he understood something.

Perhaps, tonight's meeting wasn't as simple as he imagined...

(End of this chapter)