I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 368 Just Talking

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three of them took their seats.

"You have an event tomorrow, so how about we have some sweet wine?"

"Sweet wine? I have no objection."

Blumenthal turned and glanced at Tasis again.

Tasis laughed and said, "I don't know much about sweet wine."

"Then let's use gold leaf."

Blumenthal gestured for a waiter to come over.

The waiter recommended the 91 vintage of Sauternes to the three of them, and Liu Jin agreed.

Château d'Yquem, located on the southernmost hill of Sauternes in Bordeaux, has a history dating back to the 12th century.

Sauternes is the smallest of the wine-producing regions in southern Bordeaux.

However, it is extremely famous because of the noble castle.

The castle belongs to the Lusalus family, one of the oldest noble families in Europe. Château d'Yquem is also part of the Lusalus family's estate.

The Singer family is considered an ancient family.

But compared to the Lysalus family, they are clearly not on the same level.

Sauternes is also the most famous sweet wine from Château d'Yquem.

The 1991 vintage of Sauternes is extremely rare and has a pure taste... Liu Jin also has a bottle at his home in Toulouse.

"Mr. Amos, has your new book from last year, 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' been signed with Random House?"

Tasis got straight to the point.

Liu Jin said, "Editor-in-Chief Tasia, I'm not really sure about this."

For my book, I only handle the writing and collecting payment; everything else is handled by my agent, Ms. Mela from Singella Publishing. *Notre-Dame de Paris* should be released in France next month, but I haven't inquired about the specifics… You know, I've been very busy lately, working on new works…”

"Mera? Mela Singer?"

"Yes!"

"In that case, could you please give me her contact information? I will discuss this with her later."

"No problem at all."

"Liu Jin, you trust that Mela a lot, don't you?"

"Yes!"

Blumenthal smiled and nodded, then turned to Tasia and said, "She should be a member of Steve Singer's clan. Before Liu Jin's book 'Life Is Beautiful' was published, it was delivered to me through Steve."

He then said, "I'm sorry, I was busy with other things at the time and didn't read it immediately."

Liu Jin hurriedly said, "That matter was actually quite presumptuous."

Because that book… as you know, there were many difficulties. If it weren't for the success of *The Old Man and the Sea* and *Pirates of the Caribbean*, Random House might not have agreed to publish it. I couldn't think of anyone suitable at the time, so I thought of you.”

"Liu Jin, I'm so glad you thought of me. It makes me feel a long-lost sense of trust."

As he spoke, he said to Tasis, "You can follow up on this matter. That book doesn't conflict with Harry Potter, so don't worry too much. It's a... a work that will stand the test of time, a classic."

"I see!"

Tasis nodded, indicating that he understood.

At this point, the meal was served; it was authentic French cuisine.

Blumenthal chatted with Liu Jin, reminiscing about his past in Shanghai, his face always showing a look of nostalgia.

Liu Jin realized that the host of today's meal was probably not Tasias, but this Michael.

Sure enough, after the dessert was served, Tasis took a few bites and then got up to say goodbye.

Doesn't it feel strange?

"Yes, that's true, a little bit."

“I am a shareholder of the Scholars Group and also a director of its board.”

"so……"

"So this meal today is at my request."

You're a smart kid, you should know that my identity is somewhat special, and there are many things that are inconvenient for me to reveal.

"Ever since that 'bread boy' appeared in your beautiful life, I've wanted to meet you."

As he spoke, he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Of course, it was just a casual chat."

"It was an honor."

"Your father is a soldier?"

"Yes!"

"Grandfather too?"

"Ah."

"Then why don't you join the army? There's an old saying in China: 'The son follows in his father's footsteps'... Am I right?"

Blumenthal speaks fluent Chinese.

Having lived in China for many years, he could even speak the Shanghai dialect, and the old-fashioned kind of Shanghai dialect at that.

Liu Jin rinsed his mouth and then took a sip of coffee.

“My personality isn’t suited for it… I’m a lazy person, not someone with great ambitions, and I don’t like being constrained. My dad initially wanted me to join the army, but later he realized I wasn’t suited for it, so he didn’t force me.”

"You, I'm sorry, but I personally feel that you're a bit Westernized."

"Probably, it might be related to the fact that I read a lot of world classics when I was a child."

My circumstances aren't bad, so I have access to many resources that ordinary people don't. As for being Westernized, not necessarily, I just don't like being constrained. Actually, I personally feel that I'm a very traditional Chinese person.

"Tradition?"

"Yes, I really admire the traditional system of having multiple wives and concubines."

Blumenthal paused, then realized what he meant and burst into laughter. "That old lecher is just an old lecher, 'traditional culture' all he talks about..."

But Blumenthal had to admit that Liu Jin was indeed somewhat different from the Chinese people he had encountered before.

"Don't you like a simple life?"

"It seems that most Chinese people wouldn't like it."

"However, as far as I know, the small business provided a lot of assistance to China after the reform and opening up."

"It's just a matter of each getting what they need... does that count as helping?"

"Isn't it?"

"is it?"

"..."

Blumenthal's question seems rather casual.

Liu Jin's answer, however, was somewhat sincere.

A hint of appreciation flickered in Blumenthal's eyes.

Only a tiny bit, not much.

"I heard you've written another book about everyday life?"

"Hahaha, agreed."

"Finished writing?"

"Yes, just finished."

"If possible, could I get a sneak peek?"

"It was an honor."

"I heard you're planning to continue your studies?"

"Yes, a combined Master's and PhD program."

"Still in France?"

"Yes, my application for the combined Master's and PhD program at Toulouse II has been approved."

When Liu Jin answered this question, he showed a hint of pride.

Blumenthal smiled and said, "Why not come to America? With your qualifications, applying to an Ivy League university here wouldn't be too difficult."

"America, of course I've thought about it, but it seems too difficult."

Besides, I bought a house in Toulouse, and then coming all the way to America to study would be another hassle. To be honest, I don't really like all that hassle.

"Hehe, but I think you like it."

……

The two talked for a long time.

It took about two hours.

Blumenthal's driver came in and urged him to rest, at which point Blumenthal stopped talking.

"That's enough for today, I should go back and rest."

"Michael, it's a pleasure to meet you. I had a very pleasant chat today."

"Me too!"

Blumenthal stood up and asked again, "When are you leaving?"

"It'll be at the end of the month, I need to go back next month for my dissertation defense."

"Then I wish you good luck with your defense... I still think you should study at America University."

"Haha, if I have the chance, I will."

"If you come to America next time, remember to tell me that I have a manor in Maine called No. 59 Zhoushan Road. I hope you can come and visit me then."

"must!"

"By the way, if you have any good works, remember to give me a signed bound copy."

"Haha, that's no problem, as long as you don't find it annoying."

How could one ever get tired of reading?

After Blumenthal finished speaking, he hugged Liu Jin again, and then, urged by the driver, walked out of the restaurant with Liu Jin.

A Lincoln, which wasn't particularly luxurious, was parked at the entrance.

He said goodbye to Liu Jin and got into the car.

Liu Jin stood by the roadside and watched him leave before turning around, getting into the Ford Thunderbird sports car, and speeding away.

As he drove, the smile on his face gradually faded.

I'm very nervous.

Because he keenly sensed that today's meeting with Blumenthal was not a simple meeting, but more like an audit.

Blumenthal maintained the initiative throughout.

Although many of the questions sounded casual, as if they were just casual inquiries.

but……

He dared not take the victims' group lightly.

He never overestimated their sense of morality.

According to their doctrine, they are the only group in the world that can be called human beings, while everyone else is a commodity, a slave, or not even human.

How could Liu Jin possibly trust such a group?
However, he handled it well.

To be honest, if he hadn't been reborn, and if he hadn't had the experience of two lifetimes, he might have fallen into their trap during his conversation with Blumenthal.

What does he, or they, want to do?
Liu Jin felt a little confused.

……

(End of this chapter)