National Tide 1980.

As several men pierced the deep night of Burgundy with their car headlights and drove toward the bustling city of Dijon, Ning Weimin and Catherine Deneuve were alone in a private meeting room at the winery.

The warm yellow light inside the room was soft and inviting, yet the atmosphere was undeniably ambiguous.

To be fair, Luc Besson's wild speculations in the train carriage weren't entirely unfounded.

Given their current situation of being alone together, coupled with Catherine's slightly tipsy state, there were indeed signs of things going too far. Anyone else would probably have already lost control.

"You've had a bit too much to drink today; you don't look too good. Are you still able to keep up and continue our business?"

Ning Weimin frowned slightly, carefully observing the woman beside him. Catherine's cheeks were flushed with the effects of alcohol, her eyes were glazed, and even her posture was somewhat limp, clearly indicating that she was drunk and her mind was a little hazy.

"No, I didn't drink much..."

Catherine quickly shook her head in denial, her voice soft and tinged with the smell of alcohol. Her slender hand waved aimlessly in the air a few times, trying to prove that she was sober. But the next second, she completely let loose under the influence of alcohol.

Without the slightest hesitation, she moved sideways to Ning Weimin's side, leaning gently against his shoulder. She then slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes glazed with intoxication as she pressed her warm cheek against his, her breath filled with the scent of red wine and her unique, elegant fragrance.

"Last time in Paris, I let you get away. This time, you won't run away again, will you?"

It is often said that blonde, blue-eyed white women have a short lifespan and their youth fades quickly, but this rule does not entirely apply to Catherine Deneuve, who is in her forties.

She has long since shed the delicate naiveté of her youth, but is like a ripe peach, having lost its rawness and left only with a mellow sweetness and a unique mature charm, every detail exuding the elegance that comes with the passage of time.

Such temptation would be fatal for any normal man.

Ning Weimin was not entirely unmoved, but he knew better than anyone that for a man who wanted to achieve great things and plan for the long term, a firm sense of career and a firm bottom line were always more important than momentary pleasure or ambiguity.

Although he was not the reincarnation of Liu Xiahui, who remained unmoved by temptation, he still managed to resist the allure with his strong willpower and sense of responsibility to his family.

"Alright, stop fooling around. You really do look quite drunk."

Ning Weimin spoke gently but with an unapproachable distance, subtly pushing her arm away and slowly standing up.

"I'll make you a cup of hot black tea with some milk and honey to help you recover. Drink some, otherwise you'll have a terrible headache tomorrow after the hangover."

Under the guise of caring for her, he subtly and completely broke free from Catherine's embrace, firmly upholding the bottom line of a good husband without overstepping any boundaries.

A moment later, he returned with a steaming cup of black tea, along with a small pot of fresh milk and a jar of honey, allowing Catherine to mix and match to her liking.

This time, however, in order to completely eliminate the possibility of ambiguity, we must maintain an appropriate safe distance.

He simply moved a single chair over from the side and sat down across the large glass coffee table, deliberately creating distance between himself and Catherine on the sofa, not giving her even the slightest chance to get closer.

"Ning, why have you become so cold?"

Catherine picked up her teacup, her fingertips gently tracing the inside of the cup, her eyes filled with grievance and dissatisfaction.

As she spoke, she deliberately raised her long, slender legs slightly, maintaining her alluring posture.

"You didn't treat me like this at Maxim's in Paris. You were so enthusiastic then. Don't tell me you've changed your sexual orientation..."

The last sentence almost made Ning Weimin choke.

How could he not sense her deliberate probing and seduction?
But he couldn't respond at all at this moment, because he knew that if he got entangled with them, he would not only fail his family, but also disrupt all his business and film projects, bringing unnecessary trouble to his life.

He took a deep breath, intending to forcefully steer the topic back on track.

"Stop joking around, let's get back to business and talk about serious matters. Catherine, the reason I called you here tonight after the banquet is actually to discuss a collaboration on another film project..."

But before he could finish speaking, Catherine interrupted him, slamming down her teacup and speaking with a sour, resentful tone.

"Oh my god, is that all you care about? I know, in your eyes, I'm not as good as young and beautiful girls like Monica and Kelly. They're youthful, vibrant, and that's what attracts you. Am I right?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Weimin immediately frowned and retorted earnestly and solemnly.

“Catherine, you’ve really misunderstood. Why do you have to say such hurtful things? You’re a legend in French cinema, the epitome of elegance, and the charm that time has given you is something that young girls can’t match. The reason I’m deliberately keeping my distance from you is simply because I want to be faithful to my marriage and protect my family. It has absolutely nothing to do with what you’re saying.”

He paused, then earnestly explained the differences between Eastern and Western perspectives.

"You've been there, so you should know that in our country, men have always valued responsibility and commitment. Marriage and family are things a man must protect. Our approach to relationships is also different from the Western emphasis on love above all else and living for the moment. What we care about most is how to spend our lives with our spouse. So since I've married, I must always remain loyal. This is my bottom line and my principle in life."

The problem is, Catherine doesn't believe this at all; Eastern values ​​can't be understood in just a few words.

To her, this was the most hypocritical excuse imaginable.

A self-deprecating smile curled at the corner of her lips, her eyes filled with certainty as she stared straight at Ning Weimin.

"Don't try to fool me with these grand principles. You probably don't even believe what you're saying yourself. Actually, I know that you invested hundreds of millions of francs in 'Resident Evil,' taking such huge market risks to make a zombie blockbuster that no one has ever tried before, not for commercial gain at all. Admit it, you have ulterior motives; you just want to make Monica Bellucci famous!" Her tone was sour, but she had to admit it.

"However, I must say, Monica is undeniably beautiful and sexy. She has a unique charm, possessing both angelic gentleness and Medusa-like fatal allure. If I were a man, I would also be attracted to her and fascinated by her. It's perfectly normal for you to want her; there's no need to rush to deny it. I completely understand..."

Ning Weimin did not shy away from the question. He frankly admitted that he had selfish motives, but at the same time denied her other accusations.

"I admit that I did want to make Monica famous when I made 'Resident Evil,' and I don't deny that. I made her famous and gave her the opportunity to become famous, and that was also to gain more benefits from her. That was my selfish motive. But what I wanted was not what you think. I absolutely had no bad intentions towards her."

He sat up straight, his tone becoming exceptionally serious, full of rational business planning.

“I’m a businessman, and I always consider profit first in everything I do. I’m optimistic about Monica’s future potential. Her looks, temperament, and versatility are all exceptional. She’s born for this career and is destined to become a huge star, go international, and become a globally renowned celebrity. So the commercial value she can bring me is immeasurable, not just in terms of movie box office, but also in terms of fashion endorsements and industry chain linkages. For me, this is a long-term investment that is sure to make a profit, not just a fleeting romantic interest.”

After saying that, he even added a compliment to soothe Catherine's emotions.

"Besides, I chose Monica based on your level of beauty when you were young. She's very similar to you back then, don't you think? You're both naturally beautiful, with enough charm to captivate the world, which is one of the reasons I value her. And let me be frank with you, Monica hasn't officially signed any film series or endorsement contracts yet. I invited her to the dinner tonight to make her understand what kind of opportunity I'm presenting her with. If she hasn't made up her mind by tonight, or if she has even the slightest hesitation, then I won't hesitate to replace her. This is France after all, there are backup options. At worst, I'll talk to Isabelle Adjani's agent."

When he mentioned Shi Kaili, his tone became even more candid.

"As for Shi Kaili, that girl from Beijing, China, she used to be my colleague. I've always treated her like a younger sister. Now she's barely managed to establish herself in the French fashion industry on her own, and sometimes she even helps other Chinese girls find jobs. You should know that I've always been very caring towards my compatriots. So if I look after her and give her some opportunities, it's the same as helping many other Chinese girls in France. What's there for you to doubt? I really can't believe you think of me like that."

Ning Weimin truly has a clear conscience.

The problem is that perhaps the men around her in her life have always been hypocritical, and Catherine remains skeptical.

She leaned forward slightly and asked tentatively in a soft voice.

"Ning, then tell me, do you believe in pure friendship between men and women? That kind of Platonic relationship where there's no ambiguity, just mutual appreciation?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Weimin sat up straight, his eyes firm, and gave his answer without the slightest hesitation.

“I believe it. But it’s definitely not a Platonic, spiritual love. Like I said, I value mutual interests. So as long as there are sufficiently solid common interests, and both parties can respect each other and maintain appropriate boundaries, men and women can absolutely have pure cooperation and friendship. I firmly believe this, and I hope we can build such a relationship.”

Ning Weimin no longer wanted to dwell on ambiguous topics, so he took the opportunity to reveal his true purpose for the evening, looking sincerely at Catherine.

“Catherine, I also have a question for you. I know you love movies and are a good actress. But now that you've reached the pinnacle of your acting career, do you have any other plans for the future? For example, have you ever thought about transitioning from in front of the camera to behind the scenes, becoming a filmmaker? I mean, you could totally be a director or a producer…”

Upon hearing this, Catherine's previously dazed and sorrowful expression vanished instantly. She was startled, a look of disbelief flashing in her eyes, before falling into deep thought.

She is now well past the prime of her acting career, and although she seems to hold a prestigious position in the French film industry, her situation is actually becoming awkward.

Most of the middle-aged female characters are mediocre supporting roles, while the young and beautiful female lead is simply too old to be involved.

Therefore, he has been confused and helpless in his transformation, and can only barely rely on his past fame and the excuse of being very picky about scripts to keep things going.

The role of the ex-wife of the male lead in the "Taken" series is a rare and excellent one for her, almost as if it were tailor-made for her current situation.

But this movie is about to have its third installment, and she will die in this one. What will she film next?

The path proposed by Ning Weimin undoubtedly pointed her to a completely new way out, which could not only preserve her status and dignity, but also allow her to continue to work in the film industry she loves, and even have greater influence in the industry.

Thinking about her current awkward situation, and seeing the sincerity and determination in Ning Weimin's eyes, she was instantly moved. Her previous feelings and emotions had long since vanished because of this sudden opportunity.

"Can I do it too? Do you really think I have that talent?"

"What's so special about that? I dare say that in the French film industry, or even in the whole of Europe, no woman understands how movies are made better than you. Not only do you understand the film production process, but you also have taste and style. You can definitely do a job that even those idiots in Hollywood can handle. If you're willing to give it a try, as long as you nod your head, I can invest in you."

For the self-important Catherine Deneuve, Ning Weimin's recognition of her talent pleased her even more than praise of her appearance. Moreover, Ning Weimin wasn't just talking; he seemed genuinely planning to invest money.

"Are you serious? You really want to invest in me? Do you already have a script?"

"Of course it's true. I already told you, I asked you to come here because I want to collaborate on a film project. It's a romantic love story, with an investment of about 20 million francs. You can learn to be a producer first. Don't think it's too little. This amount is purely for production costs and does not include the salaries of the male and female leads. And importantly, the filming location for this story is right here, at my Jinpo Winery. So the budget is actually quite generous."

“What? Here?” Catherine Deneuve was a little surprised.

"Yes, this is it. I won't lie to you. The story of this film is about Paul, a WWII veteran, who encounters Victoria, a college student who is pregnant out of wedlock. To help Victoria, who is afraid to face her strict father, Paul has to pretend to be her husband to deal with her vineyard owner father. The main conflict of this film lies in the contradiction between traditional morality and family ethics, and the main plot takes place in the vineyard. In the end, the fake becomes real, and the male and female protagonists really fall in love during the process of pretending to be husband and wife. I won't lie to you either, I want to call this movie 'A Walk in the Clouds,' and I plan to cast John Lone, the most popular Chinese actor in Hollywood, as the male lead, and Monica as the female lead. As for whether this romance movie can make money, that's secondary. As I said at the dinner earlier, my real purpose is to use the movie to leverage my business. If I can make my Golden Slope Winery more famous through this, and the wines of Golden Slope Winery can also gain popularity among movie fans and increase their prices, that would be even better."

Catherine silently picked up her teacup and took a sip of the warm black tea. The sweet warmth slid down her throat, but it was far less real than the shock she felt in her heart.

She stared at the man before her, whose expression remained calm and composed, whose every word was laced with precise calculation, and now she finally believed him.

Okay, they're not even pretending anymore, they're just going to treat this movie like a commercial.

It's amazing that he came up with this idea.

But this opportunity is truly exceptional. If I seize it and succeed, I will no longer be distracted by anxiety, nor will my talent fade with time. I will shine eternally in the French film industry in another form. (End of Chapter)