I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 693 The Sacred Flame Ignites
Liu Jin stayed in London for a week.

Aside from filming, I just wander around aimlessly.

Of course, Portobello Market, famous for its connection to Notting Hill, is also a must-see.

The place was filled with stalls.

Selling flowers, vegetables, fruits, antiques...

Liu Jin bought several antiques, but he wasn't sure if they were genuine.

There are many small shops on both sides of the street.

It mainly deals in antiques, jewelry, old books, and works of art.

One of the small shops had a blue wooden lintel with paint that had turned black from wind and rain, and a sign with white painted lettering.

This is the little shop in Notting Hill where Hugh Grant plays William.

However, it has now become a must-visit destination for tourists.

The movie Notting Hill has turned this place into a tourist hotspot.

After browsing the market, Liu Jin seemed to feel a great weight lifted off his shoulders and walked away with light steps.

In his past life, he always wanted to come here for a visit.

After all, he was the most loyal viewer of that movie, even though he watched a pirated copy, he genuinely loved it.

Especially the songs in it...

Seven years have passed in the blink of an eye!
Julia Roberts rarely makes movies anymore, and Hugh Grant... has gone from a British gentleman to his current infamy.

It's in the past!

He remembered that the first song he heard on the day he was reborn was the theme song from Notting Hill.

But now, you can rarely hear those songs on the streets anymore!

……

Before leaving London, I made an appointment with Guo Jingfei to meet in Toulouse.

Then, Liu Jin flew directly to Zurich, spent a weekend with his mother in Bourg, and then hurriedly returned to Toulouse.

By the time we got back and forth, it was already the end of January!
Upon returning to Toulouse, Liu Jin immediately began his writing and comics.

Just like before my mom and the others came, I went to class during the day and wrote comics at home at night. Time just slipped away quietly like that.

Gone with the Wind has finally become a hit in the North American book market.

From January 3rd to March 1st, it held the top spot for seven consecutive weeks, selling a staggering 4.3 million copies.

The momentum began to slow down, especially after March.

However, it still holds the top spot on the bestseller list with weekly sales of 700,000 copies, firmly surpassing Rowling's Harry Potter.

Ivy League universities, led by Columbia University, have praised this book highly.

After two months of silence, book critics and book reviewers have returned to the stage, offering a plethora of analyses from various angles.

Nancy Miller was overjoyed!

Random House's stock price surged three percent in a month due to the publication of "Gone with the Wind".

This is a growth stock amidst a general economic downturn in America, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting and the subprime market in a slump.

However, it's not all good news.

Thomas Middlehoff, CEO of Bertelsmann Group, resigned in February.

Nancy told Liu Jin: Thomas's resignation was inevitable.

As early as 02, he had a conflict with the Moen family, the founding family of Bertelsmann.

He spearheaded Bertelsmann's digital transformation and national expansion, including the joint venture with Sony to establish Sony Bertelsmann Music. However, the company later suffered losses, leading to Bertelsmann's resignation from the board, and the company was subsequently renamed Sony Music Entertainment... Sony leveraged Bertelsmann's channels to establish a firm foothold in the global music market.

This loss also served as the trigger for the conflict between Thomas and the Moen family.

Founder Reinhard Moen was very dissatisfied, believing that Thomas had betrayed Bertelsmann's interests.

Thomas, on the other hand, wanted to expand his influence at Bertelsmann, so the two sides began to argue constantly starting in 06.

Ultimately, Reinhard brought in investments from the ZD Group and the Abu Dhabi Group, thus ousting the Bertelsmann Group's Little Life Group.

"Then you're in trouble?"

Liu Jin knew that Nancy Miller was one of Thomas's people.

After Peter Olsen resigned in disgrace in 06, Bertelsmann Group executives recommended Marcus Duller to take over Random House.

Thomas, however, blocked the Moen family's recommendation, arguing that Durham had never been involved in the book industry.

Subsequently, Nancy took over Random House.

Nancy Miller remained silent on the phone.

After a moment, she said softly, "It doesn't matter. If Mr. Reinhard is not satisfied and insists on replacing the senior management of Random House, there's nothing I can do. Right now, I just want to do my job well and make sure that Random House can develop under my leadership... But Amos, if I really leave, I hope you'll take care of me."

Sengoro was the editor-in-chief promoted by Nancy Miller.

If Nancy leaves, Sengoku will definitely be affected.

Liu Jin asked, "Do I have that ability?"

"Haha, Amos, don't underestimate your influence. You're Random House's bestselling author right now."

An author who can boost market value!

As long as Liu Jin maintains his partnership with Random House, his influence will not diminish.

"So, you're really leaving?"

"I have no idea!"

"If you leave, who will take over?"

"It's most likely Du Lemeng. He's someone the Moen family favors, and he's been here for two years and is familiar with the publishing industry."

I think Random House will have a result by the time Bestarman's next CEO is confirmed.

"Nancy, what are you going to do?"

"I?"

Nancy Miller laughed and said, "I might retire, or I might continue working."

"But don't worry about me. Although I've only been at Random House for two years, thanks to you, things have gone very smoothly. Not to mention the recent publication of 'Gone with the Wind,' which has given me enough experience to find a good job."

……

Liu Jin knew that Bertelsmann respected him greatly.

But he knew even better that he couldn't change the changes at the top of Bertelsmann.

After promising Nancy that he would maintain good communication with Sengoku, he put the matter out of his mind.

Sales of "Gone with the Wind" continue to grow.

The North American book market seems unaffected by the subprime mortgage crisis, and even appears to be performing better than in 07...

Post-production on "The Bélier Family" has also been completed.

Liu Jin then submitted his application to this year's Cannes Film Festival through SNEG.

Actually, he didn't need to worry about it. Olivier's reputation in Cannes was enough to guarantee his nomination, not to mention that EMI also provided strong support.

EMI, as a co-producer of "The Bélier Family", specifically allocated three million US dollars for public relations.

In mid-March, the Cannes Film Festival announced its selections for this year's festival, and "The Bélier Family" was successfully included.

Meanwhile, Liu Yifei successfully passed her audition in Hong Kong.

She will play the role of Ren Wan'er in "Overheard", which is the same role played by Zhang Mouchu in the original timeline.

The celestial being was not very happy about this.

She complained on the phone, "That role wasn't challenging at all, and it didn't feel as good as 'The Bélier Family'."

How dare a celestial being comment on a character?

Liu Jin couldn't help laughing.

When Leslie Cheung returned to Toulouse from Hong Kong Island, he specifically mentioned this incident.

"The script is indeed good, but her character is very stereotypical, a typical Hong Kong female character, with nothing particularly outstanding."

I've spoken to Felix about this.

That's the tone... however, he said he'd give that character some more screen time.

"My brother still has more influence."

“It has nothing to do with me. I just told Felix that you are Sissi’s uncle.”

"You have no idea how much influence you have in Hong Kong," Felix said, immediately assuring him that he would definitely take good care of Sissi.

Felix is ​​one of the directors of Overheard, Felix Chong.

Why is he afraid of me?

"He's afraid you'll blow up his house."

"I'll say it again, I've never blown up anyone's house."

Leslie Cheung gave a forced smile and changed the subject!
I'm a writer of literary geniuses, not some Hong Kong dwarf, why would I blow up houses? It's all nonsense. "What have you been writing lately?"

"A dystopian novel for young adults."

"That sounds very profound."

"Ha, you wouldn't be interested anyway."

"Maggie will be back next month."

"Oh? Going back to Paris? Things haven't been peaceful there lately."

A bunch of demons and monsters..."

Liu Jin was speaking when he suddenly remembered something and shut his mouth.

Leslie Cheung was used to this.

"It's because things are a bit chaotic over there that she decided to come to Toulouse."

"By the way, is your estate in Gruysand finished yet? I'll take care of the first steps for the new house."

"Don't even think about it!"

Liu Jin laughed and scolded.

What's the date today?

"Twenty-four, you're living such a chaotic life."

"No, today seems to be the Olympic torch lighting ceremony!"

As Liu Jin spoke, he quickly turned on the television.

The news channel is rebroadcasting the Olympic torch relay ceremony in Olympia, Beijing.

His gaze suddenly became somewhat profound.

Picking up the phone, he dialed Lao Zhong's number. "Lao Zhong, let's go on a trip."

"what?"

Did you see the torch lighting ceremony today?

"Of course I watched it!"

"There will definitely be a torch relay ceremony next. Do you think we should follow the torch and travel around Europe?"

"Um, are you free to leave?"

Old Zhong was somewhat tempted, but he immediately said, "Anyway, I can't leave; my child is still young."

But if the Olympic torch relay is in France, I might go and take a look... What, you want to go out and have some fun again?

not at all!
Liu Jin smacked his lips, thinking that what Lao Zhong said made sense.

However, it seems that only a few European countries will participate in the Olympic torch relay: France, the UK, Turkey, Russia... Russia definitely won't go, it's too far! As for the Husky, forget it.

But Britain and France can!

London, the schedule is arranged, it's just a few days.

Oh, and the Paris Olympic torch relay...

Liu Jin had just thought of this.

In his past life, when the Olympic torch was relayed in Paris, he had already returned to China.

But in this life...

"Old Zhong, I heard that when the Olympic torch is relayed in Paris, some lawless elements might jump out and cause trouble!"

I think we should go and protect them.

"Who did you listen to?"

“Abel, you know, that guy is very well-informed.”

"I definitely have to go. By the way, when will the torch relay be held in Paris?"

"It seems so. Wait a minute, I need to check."

Liu Jin ran into the study, turned on the computer, checked the relevant information, and then said on the phone: "London on the 6th, Paris on the 7th... How about this, we go to London on the 5th, start escorting the torch relay from London, and then go to Paris on the 7th."

It's just two cities, and only three days.

"This is a once-in-a-century Olympic Games; we can at least express our gratitude, don't you think?"

Old Zhong was silent for a moment on the phone.

"Then it's settled. We'll protect the Olympic flame in London and Paris."

Count me in!

Leslie Cheung stood at the door of the study, a cigarette dangling from his lips, looking wistful.

Liu Jin was taken aback, then smiled and nodded.

"Okay, then you can count on!"

……

Originally, it was just an activity involving three men.

As a result, Old Zhong, being a blabbermouth, told Ottilie that very night, and then Ottilie told Mela and Chloe the next day.

The two French girls are incredibly bored lately.

Chloe, in particular, had her first hearing in January after submitting evidence, and is now awaiting a verdict.

The efficiency of French courts...

The New York District Court has ruled that Robert Bennett's list of names and organizations is guilty of spreading rumors.

Several media outlets, including Next Magazine, are required to pay Liu Jin a total of US$1900 million in damages for defamation.

A total of 139 individuals were compensated, with a total compensation of three million US dollars.

Judge Caprio ruled harshly against the media outlets and individuals who spread rumors about Anita Mui.

Liu Jin expressed his gratitude and then had the New York court's ruling delivered to China, requesting cooperation from the Chinese authorities.

Of course, the domestic authorities will definitely not cooperate.

But this momentum had to be created... After all, public intellectuals were still very powerful at this time, praising America highly.

Now that their American daddy has made a ruling on them, what should they do?
Liu Jin was quite looking forward to it!

As for France, they can only wait; Chloe has no other options.

Upon hearing that Liu Jin and his friends were going to participate in the torch relay in London and Paris, they all became very interested and insisted on joining.

Liu Jin didn't mind and readily agreed.

then……

Alizee found out about it, and so did Eva.

They are in Burg, accompanying their mother for her medical treatment.

Alizée has finished her world tour and is resting with nothing to do.

Eva had just finished filming "Night at the Museum" and, having nothing else to do, they went to Switzerland together for a relaxing trip.

This is such a fun event, of course I have to participate.

So, Sophie Marceau heard about it, and after she found out, Isabelle Adjani and Emmanuelle also found out.

Following closely behind, French actresses like Audrey Tautou and Marion Cotillard, who were close to Liu Jin, heard about it and also called to join in the fun.

On March 29, Liu Jin packed his bags to go to Switzerland to visit his mother.

But then I received a call from Leonardo DiCaprio.

"Count me in for something this interesting."

"Are you sure you can handle this? It's a relay race between two cities, can you really keep up?"

"Amos, don't underestimate me. I just finished filming Shutter Island, and I'm in great shape."

Liu Jin could only laugh in response.

After landing in Zurich, he rented a car and prepared to head to Burger.

On the way, the phone rang again.

"Amos, Amos, I heard from Sister Maggie that you're going to organize an event to protect the Olympic torch relay."

Count me in, count me in... Oh, and one of my girlfriends too!

"Aren't you filming a movie?"

Liu Jin asked, puzzled.

"That's all the scenes I have. I've already finished filming my scenes."

Changchang came to visit me, and we were wondering where to go when we heard about what you guys were doing. I want to join in too!

Well, this team seems to be getting bigger and bigger!

……

(End of this chapter)