Great Power Reclamation

After Park Soo-ah left, Ye Yuze sat in the room for a full hour. He had experienced countless ups and downs in his life, from the turbulent business world to the cutthroat world of business, but he had never encountered a situation like this before.

This feeling was even more unsettling than when he was surrounded by armed groups in Africa years ago.

"What kind of mess is this?!"

He plucked a strand of his already thinning hair and sighed deeply.

Cursing Yang Geyong? That was just said in anger. In the end, it was because he couldn't control himself... or rather, he didn't push that little girl away firmly enough.

Looking back now, Park Soo-ah's gaze towards him had long exceeded the scope of a goddaughter; he had simply been using the "father-daughter relationship" to numb himself.

What's done is done, and there's no use in regretting it now. Ye Yuze forced himself to calm down. The most urgent thing was to handle the aftermath properly. He absolutely couldn't let this matter affect Park Soo-ah, and he couldn't let even a whisper of it get out.

He immediately summoned the hotel manager and, expressionless, gave the following instructions:
“I drank too much last night and stayed in my room the whole time. Miss Park didn’t come back at all either. Understand?”

The manager had worked for him for over a decade; what didn't he understand? His eyes flashed, and he immediately lowered his head.

"Understood, Mr. Ye. The surveillance footage from all the relevant floors has been processed, and the staff on duty last night will be given a long leave."

Ye Yuze nodded, feeling a little more at ease. Sometimes, the power of capital needs to be used in places like this.

In the days that followed, Ye Yuze deliberately reduced the number of times he went to the film set. Even when he did go, he mostly stayed with Yang Geyong or the director, trying to avoid being alone with Park Soo-ah.

His attitude towards Park Soo-ah seemed unchanged; he still cared, but there was a hint of subtle distance and an elder-like authority.

Park Soo-ah, however, was like a flower after the rain, even more beautiful and charming. Her eyes held a newfound brilliance and confidence, and her acting was exceptionally good, with almost every take being perfect. Even the director was amazed, privately telling the assistant director:
"Boss Ye's 'incentive' method may be a bit of a hair-burner (referring to Editor Wang), but the effect is truly remarkable."

Although the little girl was full of vigor, when she looked at Ye Yuze, her undisguised admiration and shyness always made Ye Yuze's scalp tingle, and he could only pretend not to see it with a straight face.

Yang Geyong saw the subtle atmosphere and was overjoyed. He would nudge Ye Yuze with his elbow from time to time, winking and making faces, which earned him a murderous glare from Ye Yuze.

With Ye Yuze's financial support and "special incentives," the production team worked with astonishing efficiency, completing the originally planned four-month shooting cycle in just over three months with high quality. "A Bite of Fate" successfully wrapped filming.

At the wrap party, Ye Yuze held a wine glass and looked at the top South Korean filmmakers gathered below the stage, feeling a surge of pride.

He gave a brief speech, thanking everyone for their hard work, and especially praising the director, veteran actors, and—

"My daughter, Park Soo-ah, is very talented and hardworking. She has a bright future!"

The spotlight shone on Park Soo-ah, who was dressed in an evening gown and looked stunning. She bowed deeply in Ye Yuze's direction, and when she raised her head, her eyes were filled with tears of admiration and gratitude.

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience, but it was impossible to know how much of it was genuine and how much was just out of respect for Boss Ye and for the sake of future resources.

Ye Yuze was smug, feeling that everything was under control. The movie was finished, and now it was time to reap the rewards of the awards and box office success. He could almost see his goddaughter standing on the awards stage, shining brightly.

However, he underestimated the stubborn resistance and narrow nationalism of certain forces within South Korea.

After the film was submitted for review, it seemed to have sunk without a trace, receiving no response for a long time. The Korean company responsible for distribution stammered and finally said helplessly:
"Mr. Ye, it's not that the movie is bad, it's just that... the public pressure is too great. All the major cinemas are worried that its release will trigger a public boycott, or even more violent actions, so..."

Ye Yuze tried many connections, even using some high-level contacts, but they all said they couldn't help.

"President Ye, this film has touched a nerve with some people. They cannot accept a 'glorified' history that is influenced by Chinese culture. Unless public opinion changes drastically, it will be extremely difficult to release the film."

"Bullshit about beautification! I'm filming history! It's the truth!"

Ye Yuze was furious in his office, so angry he almost overturned the table. He had invested hundreds of millions and put in so much effort, and this was the result?

Yang Geyong remained calm, munching on an apple:

"Old Ye, I told you long ago, you were just trying to curry favor with someone who wouldn't let you. Now you're in a bind, aren't you?"

Ye Yuze glared at him, but he was too exhausted to argue. He calmed down, lit a cigar, and as the smoke swirled around him, his eyes gradually sharpened and became disdainful.

"Fine, don't bother! I don't even want to put it in your tiny little place!"

He sneered, "You really think my money is so easy to earn? The film is finished, and I've paid you every penny of your fees and labor. Now you want to hold me hostage? Dream on!"

He immediately ordered: "Notify the domestic authorities to complete the import procedures. I'm bringing this film back to China for release! How big is the Chinese market? Enough to make me break even and generate buzz!"

With the combined influence of the Warrior Group and Ye Yuze in China, the import process was incredibly fast. "A Bite of Fate" was quickly scheduled for release during the summer season in China.

The promotional slogan was extremely catchy: "Investing hundreds of millions, gathering superstars from China and South Korea, restoring a forgotten history of food culture exchange!"

"A masterpiece by Ye Yuze, creating a grand feast of Eastern culinary aesthetics!"

Chinese audiences are full of curiosity about this film, which claims to be "not the best, but the most expensive" and is highly topical.

On its opening day, the box office exploded! The exquisite visuals, meticulous details, solid script, superb acting skills of veteran actors, and Park Soo-ah's fresh, refined yet slightly clumsy realism all won praise from the audience.

In particular, the scene where the character is so spicy from the chili peppers that she questions her existence, and the scene where Park Soo-ah cries while making dumplings, became a viral meme with an astonishing number of views.

The film's box office soared, easily surpassing 1 billion, 2 billion... RMB.

Ye Yuze not only recouped his investment but also made a fortune. Domestic media lauded it, calling it "a stylish and meaningful commercial blockbuster" and "a successful export of Chinese food culture."

Ye Yuze was in a great mood, thinking the result was pretty good. As for South Korea, he couldn't be bothered with it anymore; he didn't care.

That day, Ye Feng called his father and casually mentioned this matter. Ye Feng was now one of the most influential figures in the entire West, his vision and perspective far exceeding national boundaries. After watching the movie, he pondered for a moment.

"Dad, this film is of excellent quality, it's a pity it's only being shown in China. Besides, it's not just about making money."

Ye Feng said slowly, "The cultural exchange and historical truth it conveys should be seen by more people. The more South Korea tries to cover it up, the more we should expose it to the world."

Ye Yuze raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"

Ye Feng smiled and took out his phone: "Yuan Fang is now in charge of Brothers Films' global distribution business, so we can make use of her resources."

Yuan Fang, Ye Feng's wife, is now a renowned figure in Hollywood and the global film industry. Under her management, Brothers Films has invested in and distributed numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful international blockbusters, and her connections and distribution channels span the globe.

The call connected, and Ye Feng briefly explained the situation. Yuan Fang chuckled softly on the other end of the line.
"Dad is still as...decisive as ever. Okay, leave this to me. It just so happens that global streaming platforms are currently lacking high-quality non-English content. This film has a unique subject matter and excellent production quality. I'm confident in its success."

Thanks to Yuan Fang's full efforts, "A Bite of Fate" was quickly launched into the international market. It first landed on streaming platforms in several countries and regions, including North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, and was also scheduled for screening in some art-house cinemas.

The exquisite visuals of Eastern cuisine, the unique historical perspective, and the dramatic yet entertaining story instantly captivated audiences worldwide.

It sparked heated discussions, especially among food connoisseurs and historians. Many international film critics gave it high marks, praising it as "visually stunning," "narratively smooth," and "offering valuable cultural insights beyond entertainment."

Its influence quickly extended beyond the film industry, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Topics such as "the history of chili pepper dissemination" and "the influence of Chinese food culture on East Asia" became popular hashtags on social media.

As awards season approached, "A Bite of China" received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and an even more prestigious nomination for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (formerly Best Foreign Language Film) for its superb artistic quality and cultural value!

The news caused a global uproar!
A film boycotted and unable to be released in South Korea has surprisingly achieved box office success in China, then gone global, and even received a nomination for one of the highest honors in the film industry—the Oscars! This is nothing short of a resounding slap in the face to certain conservative forces and media outlets in South Korea!

Public opinion in South Korea exploded instantly, plunging the country into a huge divide and controversy.

"Our disgrace! A film that can't be shown in the country has received Oscar recognition!"

Doesn't this prove the narrow-mindedness and stupidity of some of us?

"The film's quality has been recognized worldwide; shouldn't we reflect on our own attitude?"

"It must be released immediately! This is an honor for Korean filmmakers to participate in its production!"

Those who had previously been the most vocal in their resistance were now speechless, their faces ashen.

The actors and filmmakers who had previously secretly envied or even regretted their actions felt a mix of emotions, both a sense of triumph and a profound sense of irony.

Under immense international acclaim and overwhelming public pressure, the attitudes of the Korean Film Council and major cinema chains underwent a complete 180-degree turn.

They immediately reassessed the situation, swiftly passed the review, and arranged a release date with the highest standards, while the promotional message became "the pride of Korean filmmakers."

"A Korean story going global (although the script and investment are from China, most of the actors and directors are Korean)."

"A Bite of Love" has finally been released in South Korea.

On the day of the release, the scene outside the cinema was unusual. On one side were protesters holding signs and chanting "Boycott".

On the other side, countless curious viewers lined up, eager to catch a glimpse of the film that had sparked global discussion. The media, with their cameras and microphones, were there, reporting on this divisive scene.

However, when people actually went into the theater, almost everyone was captivated by the film itself.

The film's meticulous research into costumes, props, and etiquette, its rigorous attitude of respecting history, and its superb acting, especially the fact that it does not deliberately belittle or elevate either side but objectively presents the history of that period of food culture exchange, make it easier for people to accept.

In the film, the veteran actor playing the elder imperial chef earnestly says:
"Food knows no borders; true deliciousness comes from inclusiveness and learning." This statement resonated with countless viewers.

More and more South Korean viewers are beginning to reflect: "Are we being too sensitive?"

"Accepting the influence of history does not mean denying ourselves."

"This movie is beautifully shot and very realistic."

"Park Soo-ah acted so well, the way she made dumplings was so cute!"

Although the controversy and criticism have not completely subsided, positive evaluations and rational thinking have become the mainstream.

The biggest beneficiary was undoubtedly Park Soo-ah.

This newcomer, with her pure and flawless image, slightly immature yet incredibly genuine acting skills, and especially her portrayal of a naive, hardworking character with a deep love for food, has captured the hearts of countless viewers in South Korea and around the world.

Her name and image instantly swept across major media outlets, magazine covers, and billboards, making her a true sensation and one of the most sought-after new generation actresses in South Korea, far surpassing the status of those actresses who had previously tried to curry favor with Ye Yuze.

Ye Yuze watched all this, his feelings becoming even more complicated. He had single-handedly propelled Park Soo-ah to the top, but the unexpected events that occurred during that process left him unsure how to face her.

At the celebration banquet, Park Soo-ah was the absolute star, enjoying immense prestige. Holding her wine glass, she bypassed all the people who came to offer their congratulations and went straight to Ye Yuze.

She wore a haute couture gown, her makeup was exquisite, but her eyes remained clear, carrying a hint of tension and determination.

“Father,” she whispered, her voice barely audible to the two of them, “thank you. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Her gaze was intense, and the emotions it contained far exceeded gratitude.

Ye Yuze looked at her, and the radiant superstar in front of him overlapped with the timid little girl in his memory who called him "Dad".

Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, he finally let out a barely audible sigh, raised his glass, and said in a standard, elder-like tone:

"It's the result of your own hard work. Keep going and do your best in the future."

He touched her glass, but didn't drink the wine. He then turned and walked towards Yang Geyong and the others.

Park Soo-ah stood there, watching his back. The light in her eyes dimmed for a moment, but then became even more determined.

She took a small sip of wine, a complex smile, the kind that belongs to a mature woman, playing on her lips.

Does her father still want to escape?

The Seoul night view outside the window is dazzling and mesmerizing; a feast of culture, capital, desire, and emotion is far from over.

Ye Yuze's adventures in South Korea have clearly entered a new and more challenging chapter that he never expected.

Yang Geyong put his arm around Ye Yuze's shoulder and handed him a glass of strong liquor.
"Well done, Lao Ye! Your goddaughter has truly become the 'nation's daughter' now, and she's on her way to becoming an international superstar. You've really given her a lot of praise!"

Ye Yuze took the wine and downed it in one gulp, the burning sensation traveling from his throat all the way to his stomach. He glared at Yang Geyong with annoyance:
"Shut up! I've really lost out this time!"

Only he himself knew the extent of the loss. The omitted 1300 words became a heavy stone in his heart, carrying a strange sweetness. For the first time, he felt somewhat uncertain about whether the future would bring fortune or misfortune.

The matter in South Korea is finally settled, and the two are going back to their California farm. It's not that they don't want to stay in the military settlement, but their identities are too sensitive, and going back would cause too much trouble.

Yang Geyong nudged Ye Yuze: "How about we take a trip to Japan? I'm thinking of going..."

Ye Yuze nodded: "Yoshi..." (End of this chapter)