The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 120 Rewards and Punishments

The chill of a winter night in Beijing was kept out by the heavy curtains.

The only sound in the suite was the low hum of the air conditioner.

Fan Bingbing nestled in Shen Shandeng's arms, her delicate body trembling slightly.

She felt a dizzying sense of disillusionment, and then glimpsed an even more unsettling and powerful force in the man beside her.

Shen Shandeng placed Fan Bingbing, who seemed to have had her bones removed and was almost as limp as a puddle of spring water, on the large bed and made her lie face down.

“Mr. Muller, the ground is cold, get up. It’s just an artistic discussion, a clash of opinions, there’s no need for this.”

Shen Shandeng slowly got up and walked to Mark Müller.

He extended his hand, no longer in a condescending manner, but as if treating an old friend.

This sudden act of kindness stunned Mark Müller.

Marco Müller looked up blankly, his vision blurred by tears, and all he could see were Shen Shandeng's unfathomable black eyes, a calm and profound depth.

This extreme contrast did not dispel his fear; instead, it deepened his confusion.

He was trembling and was almost pulled up by Shen Shandeng by half his arm.

Shen Shandeng took out his phone, whispered an instruction, and then considerately patted non-existent dust off his suit.

soon.

The door opened silently, and Ma Youde slipped in.

The first thing he saw was Shen Shandeng, who stood with his hands behind his back, looking calm and composed, as if he had just finished an ordinary conversation.

Then came Mark Müller, who slumped onto the sofa, looking as bewildered as a frightened bird.

This artistic director of the Venice Film Festival was managed to be so obedient by his boss in such a short time!
Ma Youde was deeply shaken; his loyalty to Shen Shandeng had reached an unprecedented level.

As for Fan Bingbing, who dared not even breathe loudly in bed, Ma Youde didn't even glance at her.

Ma Youde took out his notebook and pen, his eyes filled with undisguised shock and admiration, and asked in a low voice, "Boss, what's next?"

“You’re virtuous.” Shen Shandeng nodded, his voice steady: “Spend some time with Mr. Muller and let him calm down. Communicate with him properly and make sure he fully understands our goodwill.”

With keen insight, Ma Youde poured a glass of warm water and handed it to the absent-minded Marco Müller, asking with an invisible pressure, "Boss, should we use some methods?"

Of course, Ma Youde meant whether it was necessary to record some consensuses to avoid misunderstandings in the future.

Marco Müller's hand trembled and he almost knocked over his water glass. He had misunderstood; at the dinner party earlier, Ma Youde's demeanor was that of a "street hustler," and he thought Ma was going to use physical means.

These local bullies are too ruthless!
She looked at Ma Youde in alarm, then at Shen Shandeng, waving her hands repeatedly: "No, no need! I understand, I completely understand! Mr. Shen, please rest assured, in the future, many people may speak to me, but your voice will always be the most important one!"

Shen Shandeng glanced at Ma Youde, secretly pleased. Old Ma had indeed improved: "Youde, look at you, you scared Mr. Muller. We are friends, and our cooperation is voluntary."

"Mr. Müller is an internationally renowned master of art, and we should give him full respect. The Western system of rules is mature and efficient, and the market and politics operate so perfectly that it is worth learning from."

“Like the ‘Dark Surge’ project, I think it has high artistic value and can be launched at any time to let the world see the masterpiece inspired by Mr. Müller.”

Marco Müller's face turned pale again, and he was covered in cold sweat.

He understood.

Without any guarantees or threats of violence, Shen Shandeng's possession of this "taboo" subject matter is his most lethal weapon.

If even the slightest leak of information, or even just a rumor, occurs, the West's "rules" will automatically kick in and crush it.

Shen Shandeng didn't even need to take action himself.

Who told him to come over on his own initiative, bringing along a cultural traitor and a cultural comprador? No matter how much Marco Müller later claimed it wasn't his influence, who would believe him?
This is his job!

I've been doing this job for decades!

Moreover, his original purpose was to win over Shen Shandeng. If Shen Shandeng actually takes the film, wouldn't that just prove that he did a good job?
He's a bit of a useless person, no, he's a complete failure.

Marco Müller hated people, those damn Americans!
Shen Shandeng observed Marco Müller's expression and, seeing that the time was right, prepared to put the collar on him.

He took two steps closer and said frankly, "You are first and foremost an Italian, not a mouthpiece for Americans. Italy and China are both ancient countries with long and rich civilizations. We have so much in common and shared interests in the film industry. Friends should help each other succeed. We are friends, aren't we?"

Shen Shandeng deliberately used a more intimate form of address.

Fear is hard to subdue. Except in colonies.

Only beauty can capture the soul.

Yes, this is also a case of learning on the spot, a distorted logic learned from the other party.

"Yes." Could Mark Müller say no?

"As for Venice, and even other future collaborations, rest assured, even if we need you to provide some convenience in terms of awards in the future, we are seeking a win-win situation, not killing the goose that lays the golden eggs."

Shen Shandeng's long-term goal is to make the three major European countries his dogs.

Those are three good dogs.

Does it mean that only Americans can support them, but Chinese people can't?

There is no such thing.

The West can form a system through media and commerce.

Conversely, you can also practice in reverse.

China will be the largest luxury goods market in the future. If it can threaten France's luxury goods narrative, wouldn't Cannes listen to its voice more?
This path is very challenging, but Shen Shandeng likes to do things that others cannot.

Climb those insurmountable mountains!
"You don't need to worry about how to explain things to the Americans. I will give everyone a way out by having a public dialogue with the director of Paperclip."

Turn around.

What was once a bottleneck at both ends has now become a smooth passage.

Marco Müller could hardly believe his ears. The transformation from hell to heaven was too fast; he was flattered and even stammered out his concern for Shen Shandeng: "Won't this put you in a difficult position, Mr. Shen?"

Shen Shandeng chuckled and said, "I like seeing some people who clearly dislike us, yet have no choice but to sit down and work together to build the Chinese film industry."

"Isn't this kind of scene quite interesting?"

Marco Müller felt a chill run down his spine; these words were directed at more than just the paperclip.

then.

Shen Shandeng seemed to remember something and said, "By the way, Marco, didn't you say you wanted to travel around and see more of China this time?"

"Don't rush back. Your resume is very impressive. You not only headed Venice, but also served as president of important film festivals such as Locarno and Rotterdam. You have a wealth of experience."

"In the future, both my company and China Film Group intend to prepare a film festival with greater international influence, and we need experts like you to provide long-term advisory support."

"Even if you step down from your post in Venice in the future, there will still be a lot of room for cooperation between us. You are a cultural bridge for us, and you are doing this for your own country."

"Remember, no matter what you encounter, in the far East, you will always have a friend like me."

Marco Müller is a master at winning awards, but when it comes to making empty promises, Shen Shandeng is the real master!
Mark Müller's eyes suddenly brightened.

Not only has the immediate crisis been temporarily resolved, but even future career plans and retirement life have been incorporated into the planning.

Immediately, Mark Müller's feelings became extremely complicated.

Shen Shandeng has learned all their moves and used them to their fullest extent, even surpassing them in skill.

Does he have a choice?
On one side lies the abyss of utter disgrace and homelessness, while on the other is a long-term meal ticket that guarantees one's status and even the possibility of further advancement.

When he left the suite, Marco Müller's steps were still a little unsteady, but his eyes showed more sincere admiration.

At least the Shen Shandeng he knows now is the kind of Chinese person who values ​​friendship.

In comparison, those damn Americans are the real bastards!

Marco Müller even began to console himself by saying that he was Italian and that cooperating with China was in his national interest.

Shen Shandeng is a powerful friend, not an enemy.

This was just an international exchange where "no fight, no friendship".

The door closed gently.

Only Shen Shandeng and Fan Bingbing remained in the suite.

Fan Bingbing remained in a prone position, her curves alluring. Sensing Shen Shandeng's sharp gaze, she slightly twisted her body, issuing a silent invitation, anticipating the king's favor and blessing.

however.

Shen Shandeng walked to the bedside and looked down at the graceful body that undulated beneath the silk. His eyes held no desire, only a cold scrutiny.

This woman is a truly wicked woman!

They have to be taught a lesson!

Previously, Shen Shandeng had clearly analyzed the reasons for the failure of "Apple" at the Berlin Film Festival, pointing out the stereotypes of China held by Western film festivals.

Fan Bingbing has indeed changed to some extent, but she is thinking of reversing her current situation.

Shen Shandeng is reinterpreting Western narrative in reverse, while Fan Bingbing is reinterpreting his narrative in reverse.

Isn't this just going back to the old path of Western narratives?

How can we not teach them a good lesson?
This is a bad woman. Her inherent vanity and opportunism have not changed after she has witnessed darkness; they have simply shifted in direction.

Therefore, punishment is necessary.

"I have a very bad temper!"

Shen Shandeng raised his hand, not to caress, but to slap her hard on her pert buttocks.

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound was accompanied by Fan Bingbing's unexpected cry of pain.

"Ah! It hurts."

Tears welled up in Fan Bingbing's eyes instantly, a mixture of grievance and confusion on her face.

She was met with an even heavier lash!
"Snapped!"

"Remember this feeling!"

Shen Shandeng's voice was devoid of any emotion, chillingly calm: "Remember those eyes of yours, yearning for the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award!"

Shen Shandeng leaned down, pinched her chin, and forced her to raise her face and look directly into her hazy yet alluring eyes.

"After seeing how hypocritical that so-called artistic freedom is, you still have your eyes on that Venetian stage."

Fan Bingbing froze instantly, her face turning deathly pale.

"You're tempted when you hear that an award for Best Actress can be promised like a commodity."

Fan Bingbing understood; her desire for empty fame and recognition at that moment had not escaped his notice.

"Fan Bingbing".

Shen Shandeng tore open the packaging and called her by her full name: "You're a bad woman. You're inherently vain and ambitious, and you can't change that."

“Tonight,” he leaned down and said, “what you need to learn isn’t how to be an actress. It’s how to be a little dog who knows who its master is.”

"Making the wrong choice and revealing inappropriate thoughts will be punished. Tonight, there will be no reward, only punishment."

(End of this chapter)