The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 136 Smith's Awakening (34)

Smith bowed slightly and gently advised, "Commissioner, please cheer up. A moment of enthusiasm means nothing. No matter how capable Shen Shandeng is, he is still just one person, one voice."

"Once this wave of enthusiasm subsides, we will still have the channels and experience."

“You don’t understand!” Chalperic interrupted him rudely.

Alcohol and frustration made him no longer want to maintain his composure: "This isn't just hype! This is a paradigm shift!"

"He set a completely new paradigm, revolutionizing our paradigm! Hey, what am I talking to you about? You don't even know what a fraternity is, you state university loser."

Smith lowered his head and silently clenched his fists!
Chalperic muttered to himself, "He's provided a logic that excites, makes them proud, and makes them money! What we should be doing now isn't thinking about how to beat him."

Charperic, panting heavily, stared unfocusedly at the ceiling, as if praying to God for an answer: "We need to think of how to get him, to bring him into our system. Even if it's just cooperation, yes, cooperation."

These words.

For a specialist whose mission is cultural infiltration and value export to say this is tantamount to admitting utter failure.

A barely perceptible glint flashed across Smith's lowered eyelids.

His boss's breakdown was more complete than he had anticipated.

Very good, that's good.

“Your insights are always so profound; I will carefully consider your instructions.”

Smith's voice remained steady, even carrying a touch of just the right amount of sorrow: "Perhaps you need to rest, Commissioner. Tomorrow will be better."

Chalperic waved his hand, already lost in his defeat and the numbness of alcohol.

He gestured for Smith to leave, as if shooing away flies.

Seeing this, Smith said nothing and gently closed the office door.

If we treat him like a fly, so what if he becomes a fly?

Born into a working-class family in the beautiful West, he was the first college student in his family.

Like Charperick, a distinguished alumnus of the Ivy League, a member of the secret elite fraternity "Skull and Bones," from an old money family on the East Coast whose history can be traced back to the "Mayflower," with his eldest brother in politics, his second brother in finance, and himself working in cultural media.

They truly are from two different worlds.

Ironically, he initially held onto some illusions.

After he was admitted to university, his family immediately stopped him from pursuing his dream, saying that he should just apply to a community college, where the tuition would be lower and there would be a good chance of getting a scholarship.

However, he felt that state universities, being public in some respects, offered better career prospects, so he chose to attend university.

The result was terrible.

State university tuition is indeed cheaper than those private Ivy League schools, but only relative to the Ivy League.

It is still a large sum of money for him.

The worst part is that student loans start accruing interest from the moment you start school, and early repayment is impossible.

He was still lucky. Given the various demonizations surrounding this place, his family had prepared themselves not to see him again before he came.

Smith gritted his teeth and headed for the low cost of living.

Later I found out that everyone was tacitly complaining, so as not to be transferred.

And some of my classmates from back then have disappeared, vanished without a trace. Any unemployment, divorce, or other setback seems to make them disappear.

Smith straightened his suit and tie, and the humble and worried expression on his face quickly faded.

When they arrived at the Starbucks, a popular spot for cultural and media professionals, Smith once again became the "international friend" who was all smiles and surrounded by people.

Several newspaper editors and cultural figures joined him in their hatred of the enemy.

"Mr. Smith, don't worry about it. That guy surnamed Shen just got lucky for a moment!"

"Yes, he's just pandering to angry young people; it won't last!" "We all support your and Mr. Chalperrick's work; we need truly open and diverse voices!"

Smith raised his glass with a smile, dispelling the gloom that had hung over Chalperrick's office.

He enjoyed the feeling of being needed and flattered.

“Thank you, everyone,” Smith said sincerely. “The difficulties are temporary. My love and faith in culture have never changed. It is precisely because of the challenges that we need to work together and strengthen communication, isn’t it?”

Smith paused, then casually dropped a bombshell: “Speaking of which, I’ve recently secured some new resources to promote this kind of in-depth cultural exchange.”

"Next month there's a high-level forum in New York on 'Eastern Narratives in a Global Perspective,' and there are also some, well, international media exposure opportunities that are very helpful for the participants' resumes."

The eyes of everyone at the table lit up instantly.

Old Hu also wanted to go on a trip—no, he wanted to go study—and took the opportunity to lower his voice and complain, "If you ask me, Chai Jing really let you down last time; she acted too much."

Smith smiled and waved his hand, interrupting him: "No, don't blame Miss Chai. She did her best. Facing an opponent like Shen Shandeng, it's hard for anyone to gain the upper hand."

Smith spoke in a gentle tone, even with a hint of admiration: "On the contrary, I think that influential and persistent hosts like Ms. Chai deserve more attention and support from the international community."

"I am planning to formally invite her, on behalf of the Commissioner's Office, to attend the forum as an outstanding representative of Chinese media."

There was a moment of silence at the table after he said that.

After exchanging glances, the media professionals felt a warmth in their hearts.

These are the true international friends! Unlike those here who bully the powerful and humiliate the weak, even if you encounter setbacks temporarily, you'll still have a bright future if you follow them.

Smith took in their reactions and sneered inwardly.

He knew all too well what these people were thinking.

These traitorous bastards have no student loans, not even a mortgage. Smith despises them from the bottom of his heart.

If Da Piao Liang could provide him with such a comfortable environment, he would never betray him.

Smith took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "Gentlemen, we must understand one thing. Sometimes, the existence of a strong opponent is not entirely a bad thing."

He looked around at the puzzled yet eager faces and said slowly, "It is precisely because Shen Shandeng is so powerful and so 'dangerous' that media professionals like you who dare to voice different opinions and insist on independent thinking are all the more precious and valuable."

"Your work needs to be seen, supported, and given more resources and opportunities."

What he didn't say was that this was also the opportunity he was facing at that moment.

Is Shen Shandeng's power a bad thing?
The one who suffered the loss was Da Piao Liang; what does it have to do with him?

Could you waive his student loan? He can repay the principal, but could you waive the interest?

Even if it's not waived, surely he can pay it off early?

No, that won't work. He loves his country, but does his country love him?

Chalperic was disheartened, and many privileges had been quietly transferred to him.

Smith took advantage of these resources and the timing of the Olympics to more quickly build his network and seize his share of the profits.

Shen Shandeng's assertiveness, ironically, became his opportunity.

After chatting with the group of media professionals who had different motives, were sycophantic, and eager for fame and fortune, Smith hurriedly went to another coffee shop in the city.

It's not Starbucks, but a hand-drip coffee shop.

“I have an appointment with a guest.” Smith was led by a waiter to Marco Müller, the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival.

This once-powerful figure, who was a man of great influence in Europe and wielded considerable artistic authority, now had a ruddy complexion.

He completely shook off his listless state from the previous few days.

Smith's face darkened.

(End of this chapter)