I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 561 Les Miserables
To be honest, the design of the Ural armored vehicle 750 doesn't fit Liu Jin's aesthetic.

In 1998, Ural Motor Company was acquired by a private consortium.

This is definitely a good thing for the Urals brand. The new company brings new development concepts, new management methods, and modern design and manufacturing processes. At the same time, quality has also been significantly improved.

Better quality control, better processes, better materials, and more precise molds.

Strict tolerances, new paint and chrome plating processes make the Ural sidecar tricycles look more attractive and perform more reliably.

But is this still a Soviet-style product?

It's exquisitely crafted, resembling a work of art, but lacks the rough and bold feel of Soviet-style industry.

If I want something exquisite, wouldn't a BMW sidecar be better?

In terms of craftsmanship, technology, appearance, and design, what can the Ural have to compare with BMW?
Even an old BMW R75, after numerous modifications, is far more exquisite than an armored vehicle...

However, this Ural vehicle in front of him really caught Liu Jin's eye!
"Customized version?"

"Freddy, can you introduce me?"

Abel called over the owner of the motorcycle shop.

Freddy is not young anymore; his hair is all white.

He explained with a smile: "The Ural armored vehicles are divided into three types: civilian version, sports version, and limited edition."

The civilian and sport versions don't need introduction, as they're unrelated to this vehicle. This is a limited-edition armored vehicle; the buyer was a Russian veteran who was very nostalgic for the characteristics of early Soviet industrial products. So, after receiving the original vehicle, he brought it to me for modification.

I replaced the frame with a solid frame to highlight the characteristics of the Soviet-style steel behemoth.

They even commissioned a custom-made inline three-cylinder engine from BMW, with a displacement of 1330cc, while the original was only 750cc. So you can imagine how powerful it is. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just six seconds, comparable to a race car…”

Freddie talks endlessly about the modified Ural.

You can tell he's very proud.

"I added front and rear ABS, belt drive, and other configurations."

I spent 50,000 euros modifying this car... and then last year, after the modifications were completed, that damned old Russian bastard died. A sudden heart attack... all that money I spent went down the drain.

His wife refused to accept it, and his children had no interest in Soviet-style craftsmanship, only knowing how to drive that beat-up Peugeot.

By the end, the old man was furious.

Liu Jin could understand.

The configuration alone cost 50,000 euros, not to mention the old man put in a lot of effort to recreate the rough texture of Soviet-style craftsmanship.

The entire vehicle is military gray, with chrome plating on the body giving it a sense of ruin after being ravaged by war.

But what's even more shocking is that it's so powerful!

"how much is it?"

"what?"

Abel couldn't help but say, "Name your price."

Freddy quickly agreed and began rapidly tapping away on his calculator to do the math.

Configuration, modifications, frame replacement, electroplating, and various other things...

"Eighty thousand euros, I really didn't make any money."

"Eighty thousand? You're crazy, this is just an Ural."

"But it's an Urals that old Freddy personally modified!"

The old man looked very confident.

Liu Jin liked it very much.

He had a feeling of riding a modified motorcycle from a military factory when he was a child.

"Let's leave it at that, I like it!"

"Haha, I knew it, you're a discerning Asian."

The old man was so happy that his beard trembled.

We finally got rid of this car; otherwise, it would have been a real liability.

Fredi really didn't want much; a limited edition Ural car itself costs between 30,000 and 50,000 euros.

He modified and added features, which cost him over 40,000 yuan.

80,000...

Freddy didn't even ask for his wages.

And he genuinely liked the makeover; if his family hadn't been in a rush to spend the money, he wouldn't have done it so hastily.

It needs at least 100,000!
Liu Jin readily paid the money and completed the formalities.

Old Freddy still had quite a bit of influence in the San Cyprian district; he could handle all the paperwork for a small fee.

After completing the photo taking and other formalities, Liu Jin bought a set of equipment from his shop.

While in Toulouse city, he rode this enormous beast directly.

Rumble!
The horsepower is really strong.

If Freddy hadn't warned Liu Jin beforehand, he might have driven into a ditch.

Abel drove his Z8 and raced against him all the way, but he almost couldn't catch up with the sidecar motorcycle.

As it entered the city, the roaring engine attracted many people to open their windows to watch, and people would occasionally ask questions.

Yes, yes, yes, that's the feeling!

I'm the coolest kid on this street...

Even if the Z8 were next to me, it would pale in comparison.

……

"Eighty thousand euros? You're really willing to spend that much!"

That evening, Mela and Chloe came to Liu Jin's house and couldn't help but admire the motorcycle that almost took up the entire parking space in front of the door.

"Wow, he's really handsome!"

Chloe couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Genevieve nodded repeatedly.

Someone like her, who had served in the military, loves cars with a rugged style!
The house was spotless after Lala had it cleaned by someone.

Old Zhong and Ottilie also came.

Upon seeing the Ural motorcycle, he grabbed the keys without a word and sped off into the street in his sidecar. What man can resist the allure of a big sidecar?

This made Ottilie and the others laugh non-stop, saying that Old Zhong looked just like a twenty-year-old young man!

"What exactly is the deal with the cooperation with Kasimi's side?"

"I don't really mean it. Investing money is fine, and sharing box office revenue is no problem either, but you can't participate in our actual operations."

"Now I understand!"

Mela then asked, "How are the preparations for the film going?"

"I plan to hand it over to Isabelle Adjani to direct; she has already started preparing the script."

This is a French film, and Isabelle Adjani's prestige is enough to control the crew; we don't need to worry about her.

Furthermore, I will have Ms. Béart as producer and Ms. Juliette Binoche as lead actress; I will not interfere in anything else.

“I suggest you bring Leonardo in.”

"Ok?"

"Since you say it's a French film, I know you're not planning to rely on North American box office."

But you can choose not to rely on it, but you can't ignore it... After all, *Life Is Beautiful* just finished its run in theaters and caused such a huge uproar in North America; you need to soothe the emotions there. Let Leonardo handle things in North America then; you don't have to get involved if you don't want to. In short, you need to maintain this relationship with Leonardo.”

Liu Jin thought about it and nodded in agreement.

Chloe suddenly asked, "My father asked me to ask you, are you still going to write that novel about immigrants?"

Why is he concerned about this issue?

Chloe looked troubled.

"My dad is going into politics!"

"what?"

“He was originally a member of the People’s Movement Union. Since my incident, he has started to participate in some activities and was elected as the Secretary-General of the People’s Movement Union at the end of last year. He’s driving me crazy. He’s been urging me to get married every day.”

Liu Jin blurted out, "Your dad doesn't know..."

"Ok?"

Chloe gave him a death stare.

Mela, on the other hand, rolled her eyes at her.

Liu Jin felt a chill run through his body and immediately shut his mouth.

"Next, I'm going to start writing 'Les Misérables,' and I estimate that in the first half of the year... well, at least three months, I won't have time."

"I'll consider that novel after I finish Les Misérables."

"Les Misérables? Just the name sends chills down your spine."

Ottilie couldn't help but mutter to herself.

Meira had heard Liu Jin mention this book before, and asked curiously, "Is it the story of the male protagonist named Jean Valjean?"

"Yes!"

"That's difficult. If you write it well, it will surpass 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'; if you don't..."

Liu Jin curled his lip, revealing a somewhat crooked-mouthed war god-like demeanor.

"Don't worry about my writing!"

I think that all the skills I've developed in my life have been focused on writing.

"Pfft!"

Lala, who had been eating quietly, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

……

Liu Jin quickly entered a writing state.

The state of mind when I was writing Notre Dame de Paris.

Fortunately, not long after, in mid-January, Alizee returned to Toulouse from America and took on the task of caring for Liu Jin.

Liu Jin asked the school for leave.

Professor Michel Ranke readily approved the plan after learning about it.

Doctoral students' courses are basically controlled by their supervisors.

Michelle took Liu Jin on as a student because she hoped he could maintain this extraordinary creative state.

Deep down, Michelle was also quite looking forward to it.

Liu Jin is in very good condition.

It is even more astonishing than when he wrote Notre Dame de Paris.

He has been writing diligently for five years. Although he is known as a plagiarist, he has still written several million words, including some large volumes.

His continuous practice has made his writing skills increasingly profound.

This also gives him a feeling of divine inspiration when he writes.

The story is complete!
No need for any rethinking or modification...

The structure is clear.

His improved writing skills enabled him to write more fluently.

However, Alizee didn't really like this story.

It's so painful!

It's somewhat like... the movie "To Live".

In fact, Les Misérables was originally titled Suffering.

It took Hugo thirty-two years to complete this work, during which time he experienced various upheavals, disasters, persecution, escapes, and exiles...

He changed the name to "Les Misérables" only after he finished the work!
A truly genuine Les Misérables!
Given Alizee's age and her experiences, it's difficult for her to truly understand the meaning of the words "Les Misérables".

However, she doesn't need to understand.

All she needs to do is take care of Liu Jin!

……

(End of this chapter)