National Tide 1980.

The private dinner, featuring wine tasting, lasted for about two hours.

It starts at 7:00 and ends at 9:30.

Then everyone dispersed, returning to their rooms to rest, play cards, chat, or arrange their own activities for the evening.

Needless to say, men are naturally more energetic and unrestrained at night than women.

Especially after drinking a little too much, almost none of Ning Weimin's male friends were willing to stay overnight in the quiet winery.

They all wanted to leave the winery to seek pleasure and experience the glitz and glamour of life.

Seeing that it was still early, the group quickly reached a consensus in private. Alain Delon would ask Ning Weimin for a car, while Luc Besson would arrange for several beautiful girls who wanted to be actresses. They decided to go to Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, to party at a nightclub.

If we follow the local rule that nightclubs generally open late.

11 PM is the liveliest time, and nightclubs are full at midnight. They can party until 4 AM, and there's plenty of time to have another round of fun.

They also invited Ning Weimin to go along, and it was Alain Delon who personally went to invite him.

Unfortunately, from Ning Weimin's perspective, whether it was out of the need to entertain guests or because he had other matters to discuss with Catherine Deneuve, he could not accompany her and could only politely decline.

"What? Isn't he coming?"

When Alain Delon came out of the room alone and got into the car, Jean Reno and Luc Besson, who were already waiting in the back seat, were a little surprised. Jean Reno couldn't help but ask him a question.

“Well, he has important business to attend to, so he told us to go have some fun on our own…” Alain Delon replied.

Do you have important business to attend to?

After thinking for a moment, Jean Reno, being straightforward, couldn't help but continue to ask, "I'm very curious, Mr. Ning, why are you so dedicated to your work? Doesn't he ever want to relax and unwind, like a hermit monk? This dinner just now was like a business meeting, and when we finally managed to free up some time, he preferred to stay and continue discussing work rather than go out and relax with us."

“On the contrary, I don’t see it that way…” Luc Besson suddenly interjected, a mischievous and greasy smile spreading across his chubby face. He deliberately lowered his voice, looking like he knew what was going on but wouldn’t say it.

“I think it’s the normal choice for him to stay. Let’s think about it. This winery not only has three young and beautiful girls, but also Catherine Deneuve, the ice queen who captivated all of France. If we leave, it will be quiet here. If it were me, I would definitely stay too. Who would turn down such a blessing?”

This blatant and vulgar speculation left Jean Reno speechless, his mouth agape for a long time before he could recover.

He was a kind and honest man, and he clearly did not expect Luc Besson to say such offensive things, so his expression became somewhat unnatural.

Seeing this, Alain Delon was about to explain that Ning Weimin really did have a film project to discuss with Catherine, but the womanizing Luc Besson didn't give him the chance at all, continuing to interpret things haphazardly with his greasy mind.

Moreover, his tone became increasingly certain, with a hint of gossip and a desire to get to the bottom of things.

"Come on, Alan, you don't even believe your own stories, do you? Ning is a young and promising man with a huge fortune. How could he be as innocent as you claim? Besides, didn't you notice how much Catherine's eyes were practically drooling when she looked at him? That's just how it is between men and women in this circle. Just tell me honestly, haven't Ning and Catherine been having an affair for a while? You're so close to them, you must know the inside story. Don't hide it from us. They've already done it, haven't they?"

"Hey, director, it seems you've really had too much to drink today, your head isn't clear."

Alain Delon's languid expression vanished instantly, his tone suddenly turned cold, and although his voice wasn't loud, it carried an undeniable authority that instantly suppressed the frivolous atmosphere in the carriage.

"I advise you to take back these dirty jokes immediately and stop talking nonsense. Don't blame me for not reminding you, you need to be careful who you're joking with."

He turned to the side, his eyes sharp as knives, and swept them directly at Luc Besson in the back seat. The usual friendly camaraderie between them vanished, replaced by a stern warning.

"Ning is impeccably clean in his relationships; he's genuinely loyal to his family and devoted to his wife, like a saint. Although I can't quite understand it, it's all true. Especially his wife, who's coming to the Château de Saint-Tropez next month to reunite with him. And they'll also be taking advantage of the Château de Saint-Tropez hosting an international ballroom dance competition to film scenes for a new movie..."

Alain Delon emphasized his words, uttering each one with utmost seriousness.

"...So you really need to watch your mouth. From now on, all those dirty guesses of yours should stay buried in your stomach forever; don't utter a single word. Understand? Ning isn't just our friend; he's also the financier who invests in all our film projects. Good heavens, are you crazy? How dare you gossip about him like that behind his back! Haven't you considered the consequences if these words reach his ears?"

Luc Besson's greasy smile froze instantly, his heart skipped a beat, and he sobered up considerably.

Putting everything else aside, he has been in the French film industry for many years and knows that Alain Delon is not only a superstar with unlimited glamour, but also has a powerful background that others dare not easily provoke.

He is usually easygoing and humorous, seemingly cynical, but once he gets angry and serious, the consequences for those who offend him will be severe.

Luc Besson has rarely felt such a sudden surge of fear in his life.

He met Alain Delon's cold, piercing gaze, and then saw the driver staring at him intently through the rearview mirror with killer eyes. A cold sweat broke out on his back, and an overwhelming chill ran through him.

He hurriedly waved his hands frantically, like pounding garlic, and quickly changed his tune, begging for mercy.

"Oh, I must have been out of my mind... I think I drank too much to talk nonsense... Alan, thank you... thank you for reminding me. I, I won't do it again. I promise."

A moment of silence fell over the carriage. Jean Reno, sitting next to Luc Besson, felt a mixture of pity for his disheveled state and intense curiosity about the information Alain Delon had revealed. He had little contact with Ning Weimin and knew very little about this mysterious Chinese tycoon. Grateful for Luc Besson's patronage, he finally couldn't help but speak, attempting to ease the awkward atmosphere by changing the subject.

"Alan, I'm really curious. Since Mr. Ning is able to come up with such an astonishing film investment plan, how much money does he actually have? Just how wealthy is he?"

Luc Besson, not being naive, quickly chimed in, "Yeah, I also have a question I don't understand. Alain, why are you more invested in the 'Resident Evil' project than in 'Taken,' which you starred in? Are you planning to invest in that movie too?"

Upon hearing this, Alain Delon's anger indeed lessened, and his emotions returned to normal.

He leaned back in his chair and spoke slowly, his tone full of conviction.

"I don't know exactly how much Ning is worth. I only know that his businesses are currently spread across China, France, and Japan, involving the catering, fashion, tourism, finance, real estate, and film industries. He also has partnerships with three fashion brands: Pierre Cardin, Saint Laurent, and LVMH. He is a true business tycoon. But what I can say for sure is that in the years since I became friends with him, my wealth has multiplied. Even if I just listened to him and bought some stocks, I would have earned more than when I was at the height of my fame. As for me now, you should all know that I have not only become a top star in France again and have commercial endorsement contracts, but I have also bought a winery, manage a luxury castle hotel in Saint-Tropez, and three high-end restaurants."

He paused, finally stopping his recitation of "Versailles," but continued speaking.

"My good fortune is all thanks to Ning. His greatest strength is that he has never made a wrong decision. His judgment is incredibly accurate. Whether it's investing in real businesses, buying stocks, or making asset allocations, he never makes a mistake. Following him, you can only make money, and it's quite stable. You don't even experience huge fluctuations, let alone losses."

"As for why I'm so interested in Resident Evil..."

Alain Delon spoke frankly, gazing into the darkness in the distance with a playful smile on his lips.

"Of course, it's not just about the paycheck. More importantly, I'm Ning's business agent in France, handling his various collaborations and industrial affairs here. If 'Resident Evil' is a huge success, it won't just boost the box office, but also his entire industrial chain, including fashion and catering. As his agent, I can naturally get a share of the profits, earning far more than I would earn as a top star for a single movie. This is a long-term benefit, not just a short-term paycheck. Besides, a box office smash is also possible. Who can say for sure that this movie won't sell in the US and sweep the globe like a Hollywood film? And besides the box office, there's also the profit from the videotapes. As for whether I'll invest, that depends on Ning's decision. I'm willing to contribute some money, but Ning probably won't. However, if possible, I'd be happy to gamble on my luck by acting for free and get a contract with him for box office and videotape revenue sharing. If I lose, I'll just act for free for a few days. If I win, I could become rich overnight."

Jean Reno was stunned, his eyes widened, and he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"Are all people this greedy? Alain, you've already made a fortune, you're well-off, and you have status and wealth. Why take such risks to pursue even more wealth? I'm sorry, I don't mean to doubt you, but everyone knows the problem: France has very few examples of films with such huge investments succeeding. There have been quite a few failures, like 'Revolution in France,' which was made two years ago with an investment of 300 million francs, and its global box office was less than one-tenth of its investment. It was practically the most disastrous failure in the history of French cinema."

"It's different. Ning carefully considers every project before taking action, even planning for the worst-case scenario. His investments are always pragmatic; he never gambles on fleeting luck. And those who invested in 'The French Revolution'? They naively thought that an epic historical event and numerous famous stars would guarantee both box office and artistic success. They never considered increasing revenue or reducing costs through means other than box office success. I can only say they are all simple-minded fools, completely incomparable to Ning in terms of business acumen. Believe it or not, I believe that even if the film fails at the box office, Ning will find a way to salvage the situation."

Alain Delon chuckled, his tone frank and without the slightest attempt to hide his sarcasm.

"Besides, what's wrong with greed? No one in this world will complain about not having enough wealth; there's never enough money. With more money, you can live a better life, support a more sophisticated woman, and stand more firmly in this glamorous world. This is a very realistic truth that none of us can escape. Moreover, I think betting on Ning already has a more than 60% chance of winning, and if you add the director, it increases the probability by another 20%. It's worth taking the gamble either way."

You know what, some things in this world are just that interesting.

After this conversation, Alain Delon was not influenced by Jean Reno; on the contrary, the latter was persuaded by him.

After a moment of silence, Jean Reno also expressed his opinion to Alain Delon, saying that he hoped to do the same as him, offering a free performance in exchange for a chance to gamble on his luck.

But speaking of Luc Besson, this lecherous fat man really doesn't learn his lesson and is incorrigible.

Upon hearing this, his eyes lit up, and the lustful thoughts he had just suppressed resurfaced.

This guy wasn't thinking about how to make a good movie; instead, he was eyeing someone he shouldn't have coveted.

"Wait, wait, wait, Alan, according to your logic, since Ning is faithful to his marriage like a saint, then the two young female models he brought this time must not be his lovers?"

Although he didn't say it outright, Alain Delon immediately understood his wicked intentions.

His tone became exceptionally stern again, showing no mercy whatsoever.

"Luc, I'm reminding you one last time: if you want to become a world-class director and gain a foothold in Hollywood, don't get any funny ideas about the girls Ning brought. Neither of those girls will do!"

"First, Ning is a very patriotic person. He has been actively promoting Chinese models in France. Because of his influence and support, Chinese models are becoming increasingly popular and have better resources in the French fashion industry, taking away a large share that originally belonged to Japanese and Korean models. The Chinese girl he brought today is clearly someone he has deliberately promoted. He brought her to us today, and although he didn't say it explicitly, his intention is obvious. He simply wants to help her enter the film and television industry. If you dare to have any bad intentions towards her, Ning will definitely be furious."

"Secondly, that model named Monica goes without saying. She's Ning's handpicked lead actress for the Resident Evil series, and one of the core members of this project. Moreover, as far as I know, Ning not only wants to sign her to a long-term contract for six films in the series, but also a five-year global endorsement contract for the Pierre Carton brand. What does this mean? This girl is a crucial part of Ning's entire business and film strategy. If you cause even the slightest scandal and ruin the entire project, Ning will absolutely not let you off the hook, and you can't afford the consequences. Don't think that just because you're his preferred director, you're the one he'd choose between you and that girl. He might not be the one to keep you."

These words, spoken with such force and conviction, completely dispelled Luc Besson's last remaining thoughts, instantly clearing his mind and sobering him up.

"Okay, okay, I understand, Alan. I completely get it now, don't worry. I'll never say those words again. I absolutely won't have any wicked thoughts, and I'll definitely keep myself in check. Thank you for reminding me, I will definitely be more careful in the future and never do anything foolish."

Alain Delon, seeing that he was completely awake, finally nodded in satisfaction, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, and his tone returned to its usual calm.

"Good to know. Apart from that, you can do whatever you want. But never forget that we still need Ning to go further."

The carriage fell completely silent as the train sped towards Dijon.

As night deepened, the men, each with their own thoughts, abandoned their earlier frivolous jokes.

All that remained was respect and apprehension towards Ning Weimin, as well as a re-evaluation and reconsideration of future cooperation. (End of Chapter)