money player

"Relax, I have no interest in what you have, large-denomination certificates of deposit, your secret weapon to counter Ms. Hutton." Xian Yaowen spread his hands, "I didn't touch any of them."

Hearing this, Mathison's shrewdness returned to his brain, "You want me to persuade Ms. Hutton to hand over the funds to you for management?"

"Bingo!" Xian Yaowen nodded. "No matter how much I get, you will get 10%. You can take it as compensation or dividends. It doesn't matter."

"You're going to swallow up Ms. Hutton's assets?"

"No, no, no." Xian Yaowen straightened his suit and said, "Graham, the person sitting in front of you is a businessman worth tens of millions of dollars, not a gangster. What I want is a win-win situation.

Investing Ms. Hutton's funds and getting returns, Ms. Hutton gets the most lucrative share, and you and I each get a small portion, and our interests are aligned."

Then he said to Xie Tingyun: "Call New York. The wonderful vacation is over and the children should go to school."

"Yes."

Xian Yaowen nodded to Mathison and said, "Graham, I'm very sorry. In order to seize the initiative, I have to do this. Don't worry. Only your wife knows the truth. Your children think it's a surprise."

As he spoke, he took out an envelope and pushed it in front of Mathison. "The children said they haven't seen their father since last Christmas. Go back as soon as possible and buy some gifts for the children."

Mathison took the envelope and opened it. He saw a stack of Franklin inside. He became happy and said, "Mr. Hepburn..."

"Adam, call me Adam."

"OK, Adam, I'll take 10% of your profits?"

Xian Yaowen nodded, "Yes."

“How many do you expect?”

“I can’t give you an exact number now, but I can give you a minimum guarantee. Starting from the day I take full control of Ms. Hutton’s funds, you can get at least $20 a year, even if the 10% dividend is less than $20.

Moreover, the dividends between you and me will be settled twice: $10 at the beginning of the year, and the rest at the end of the year."

Xian Yaowen looked into Mathison's eyes and said, "Deal?"

"mine……"

Without waiting for Mathison to finish, Xian Yaowen said directly: "Graham, I don't know anything."

"make a deal."

Xian Yaowen raised his glass and said, "When I reach a cooperation agreement with Ms. Hutton, I will pay you $5 in legal fees. I suggest you don't let your wife know about this money."

"Why?" Mathison vaguely guessed that there might be something green on his head.

Xian Yaowen spread his hands.

Mathison was instantly furious, "Fuck, Fela the bitch."

Xian Yaowen chuckled and said, "Graham, it seems you have no right to be angry."

"Why?" As soon as he said that, Mathison realized that his situation in Paris must have been investigated by the other party. His anger dissipated a lot, and he muttered, "I work hard to make money to support my family..."

"Graham, you have to admit that you are not young anymore. You have given your passion and body to the Parisienne. What else is left for Fela? She can't get it from you..."

"I understand, I understand." Mathison stopped Xian Yaowen from speaking further.

Xian Yaowen shrugged and turned to look at the street, leaving a quiet space for Mathison to adjust his mood.

A few minutes later, when the waiter began to serve the appetizers, Mathison, who was enjoying the colorful nightlife in Paris, no longer worried about his wife's infidelity. He and Xian Yaowen enjoyed the food while chatting.

“Adam, can you share your story of increasing your assets by more than 4000 times in one year?”

"Of course." Xian Yaowen put down his fork and told the story he had just made up that morning, "I am from Hong Kong. 3500 US dollars is 2 Hong Kong dollars, which was all I had at the time. I used this money to buy a house worth 10 Hong Kong dollars at a premium, and agreed to pay the balance in three months. If I cannot pay on time, I will not only lose the house, but also the 2 Hong Kong dollars I have already paid.

I used this house as collateral and borrowed 10 Hong Kong dollars from a loan shark. I could only get 10 out of the 9, and when I had to pay it back I had to pay 14.

The interest rate was very high, but I still borrowed it because I noticed the abnormal gold price in Hong Kong at that time. "

Mathison said, "You succeeded?"

Xian Yaowen smiled faintly and said, "Of course, 9 yuan became 25 yuan. I paid off the loan sharks and paid the balance of the house purchase. I now own a house and less than 3 yuan in cash."

He pointed at the suit he was wearing and said, "I spent nearly 1 yuan on my outfit. I frequented the bars that the British liked to go to every day. I met an English woman, an old woman. She was years old at the time, and we fell in love."

Mathison laughed and said, "Adam, with your looks, you can definitely find a young noble lady."

Xian Yaowen spread his hands and said, "I had no choice. I urgently needed money for another investment with a very lucrative return. That woman was a shrewd British woman. After being played by her for half a month, she agreed to lend me 50 Hong Kong dollars for one year with an annual interest rate of 40%.

I took the money to Singapore and bought cheap rubber plantations by buying houses, and then mortgaged them to borrow money. At the end of the year before last, I had 400 million Hong Kong dollars in funds, but more than 650 million Hong Kong dollars in debt. I invested all the money in rubber futures.

Mathieson exclaimed, "The Korean War?"

Xian Yaowen nodded, "I predicted the outbreak of the Korean War and the United States' participation in the war. I don't need to say much about the rest. The war in the past few years has already told us what the United States will do economically once it joins the war."

“How long do you hold your futures until?”

"As soon as the war broke out, savvy businessmen approached me and bought all my rubber plantations at a premium. After the futures positions were closed, my net worth became $50. Then, I went to New York and bet on the decline of the Dow Jones Index. In less than a month, $50 turned into $512 million."

Xian Yaowen took a bite of the dish and continued, “The rest of the story is rather boring. I was optimistic about the long-term trend of the U.S. stock market, so I invested $400 million in buying stocks and used the remaining $100 million to start a business.

In one year, I became the major shareholder of a clothing company valued at US$1400 million and a major shareholder of a company with real estate and film and television businesses. The Ode De Lieu that I asked you to register is the French subsidiary of this company.

I also invested in and founded many other businesses, too many to list one by one, but the flower club is quite famous among them..."

"Playboy?" Mathison exclaimed again.

"uh-huh."

“Jorge Guino invested $800 million?”

"It's not buying shares, it's selling shares. I sold him 25% of the shares."

"Flower Society is valued at $3200 million?"

"Probably so."

Mathison said breathlessly, "Adam, your assets are far more than $1500 million. I don't think Ms. Hutton is necessarily richer than you."

Xian Yaowen smiled faintly and said, "Graham, you are not someone without any financial knowledge. The valuation of some stocks cannot be taken seriously."

"I believe you can make the stock valuation come true. No, it should be higher than the current valuation." Mathison took out the envelope he had just put away and pushed it back in front of Xian Yaowen. "If you are willing, I want to use all my cash to invest in Huashe."

Xian Yaowen laughed and said, "First of all, Huashe's valuation is no longer 3200 million US dollars, it should be 5500 million US dollars now. Secondly, Graham, Huashe is not short of money, nor is it short of financing channels. If you want to invest, there must be a reason that I must accept."

Mathison said confidently: "I am a lawyer and I have familiar colleagues in many states. Playboy often has to go to court, doesn't it?"

Mathison was right. Although the cost of suing in the United States was quite high at this time, Huashe still received a lot of letters from lawyers. The United States is in a period of great social change, and various thoughts are surging. In Xian Yaowen's opinion, Huashe will have to spend a lot of money in legal-related fields every year in the next few years, so having a lawyer shareholder is not a bad thing.

"Graham, I can give you an equity increase contract. You can first purchase 5500% of my shares at a valuation of $1 million. One year later, depending on your performance, you can purchase a second share. Of course, the valuation is still $5500 million.

What do you think of having a buying opportunity every year for three consecutive years until your stake reaches 3%?

Mathieson thought for a moment and said, "The effect should be clearly quantified and written into the contract."

"Of course." Xian Yaowen raised his glass.

"cheers."

With a sip of wine, the two men reached a closer strategic partnership.

The two did not talk about more nutritious topics at the dinner table. They just chatted about the customs and culture of Paris and celebrity gossip, and then moved on to Bazaar to have a frank conversation.

As the two men sat naked in the hot tub, Mathison asked, "Adam, how are you going to approach Ms. Hutton?"

"I have been in contact with Ms. Hutton, Graham, and I need to confirm some information about Ms. Hutton."

"please say."

"Is she introverted and has low self-esteem?"

"Introversion, I'm sure. Low self-esteem... I'm not sure, I guess."

"She's drinking, abusing drugs, taking drugs?"

"Yes."

"..."

Xian Yaowen asked about every detail about Barbara Hutton, trying his best to outline Barbara Hutton's personality and behavioral characteristics.

When he left Bazaar, it was already three o'clock in the afternoon.

He arrived at the hotel where Marilyn Monroe was staying and waited in the car for a few minutes before Clay Simpson got in.

"Is Marilyn feeling better?"

"I'm in good shape." Simpson glanced at Xian Yaowen, "I'm not in a good mood."

"Why? Because I didn't sleep with her and I started to doubt my own charm?"

Simpson chuckled and said, "Possibly."

"Tell her to hold her skirt tighter. The Flower Society is creating opportunities for her to play the leading role in big movies. She doesn't have to climb into every bed."

"Boss, Jorge Guino (agency) wants to sign her?"

"No, it's just pure friendship."

……

Rebirth of the Brick Factory.

In the brick kiln, Yang Jingru turned two corners and came to Qi Weiwen. "After asking, I found out that he witnessed the rape of Jiying, but he didn't dare to stop it. He waited until the Taoist fell unconscious before he dared to go out and kill him."

Qi Weiwen chuckled and said, "A useless lover, whoever meets him will be unlucky. I'll leave first, and have a midnight snack after I finish dealing with it."

"clear."

Qi Weiwen left silently, walked a mile away, and got into his car.

Half an hour later, she sat in a food stall in Sham Shui Po, ordered a bottle of beer, and ordered a plate of snacks to drink.

Xian’s House, Building No. 9.

The phonograph was playing Mozart. Zhou Ruoyun was lying on the sofa, holding an English version of "Robinson Crusoe" in her hand and reading aloud.

She learned about the theory of prenatal education from her doctor and began to try it.

Building three.

Su Lizhen played a card and unconsciously looked in the direction of Building No. 9, but was immediately pulled back by the words "Twelve cards, self-drawn".

"Boss Su, why are you still typing?"

Su Lizhen glanced at the cards in her hand and said calmly, "Don't worry, I'm lucky today, Boss Yang may not win."

She was also trying to make a straight set of Wanzi. All the broken Wanzi cards were in her hand, so she had no chance of winning. Boss Yang also had no chance of winning with a single Wanzi. There were still thirteen Wanzi cards left to play. She was sure that Boss Yang was reluctant to give up making a straight set of Wanzi.

Besides, it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose in business mahjong.

"Coffin." When it was her turn to play a card, she said, "Boss Zheng, can the sample be ready tomorrow?"

"Coffin, Gang, I have three coffins." Boss Zheng showed three eight-piece cards, picked up the eight-piece card played by Su Lizhen, touched a card at the end of the card, wiped his hand and played it out with a disappointed look on his face, "It will be ready tomorrow morning, I'll deliver it to Boss Su?"

"No, I'll go to the factory at 2pm. Boss Zheng, please get ready. The client will go with me."

Boss Zheng said with a smile on his face: "I will prepare well."

The other two partners were jealous at the same time. "Lao Zheng is lucky this time. He can keep the orders for dolls for two years."

Midnight.

Qi Weiwen waited for nearly two hours, and Yang Jingru finally arrived and sat down opposite her.

Qi Weiwen poured Yang Jingru a glass of wine and took out a cigarette to light it for her. "I'm going to send you to India."

Yang Jingru blew out a smoke ring and asked calmly, "Where is India?"

"First go to the Chinatown Taba in Kolkata. There is the Siyi Guild Hall. You can find a man named Li Dunxiang. He is just someone introduced by an acquaintance to help."

Yang Jingru nodded, indicating that she understood Qi Weiwen's meaning.

"There are many leather processing factories run by Chinese in Taba. You can settle your identity in Kolkata and go to Mumbai under the guise of doing leather business."

"Long-term lurking?"

“It could be a lifetime.”

Yang Jingru said quietly, "I still have thirty years to live, so I still have a lot of time to live."

Qi Weiwen chuckled and said, "As long as you have money, India is a paradise. The foreigner will discuss your treatment with you personally. He is my man, don't think of taking advantage of him."

"Tsk." Yang Jingru rolled her eyes, "Your man is Jia Baoyu?"

Qi Weiwen didn't answer, but picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

Paris.

When dinner time came, Xian Yaowen brought Steve to have dinner with Deliou and her "son" Jacques Decoin.

Xian Yaowen disapproved of Deliou's decision to arrange his younger brother Olivier to take up a higher position in Odd Deliou two days ago, but he had agreed to Jacques' appointment as general manager without hesitation.

The reason for the different treatment was, firstly, because of her relationship with Delicious at that time, he had to give Delicious some face; secondly, Jacques's father Henri was a director with a certain status in the French film industry and had extensive connections in the circle. Even if Jacques did not have the ability to be the general manager, he could still be given the position of general manager based on his connections alone, and at most the position would be slowly sidelined later.

Olivier is just a small-time actor, a nobody in the film industry. His only connection is Deleuze. He can't bring anything new to the table, and drawing a salary without doing anything is the biggest privilege he can receive.

It is rare when making a movie that there is only one actor who can play a role. Usually there are several actors with similar styles who can do the job. Who to use and who not to use is nothing more than a matter of interests and closeness. Faced with this situation, having connections is more useful than having abilities.

Now is the golden age for actresses, who surpass male actors in terms of pay. Actresses are the commodities that talent agencies want to promote. The benefits of small profits but quick turnover cannot be given often. A voluntary reduction in pay always requires a reason that others recognize as an exception, otherwise it will be difficult to increase it again once it has been reduced.

Sincerity cannot be given casually. Sleeping first is the norm in the circle. Sleeping with someone is not a secret weapon, but an old-fashioned one-on-one. To appear sincere, it is nothing more than satisfying some perverted demands, which is tantamount to not treating the actress as a human being.

Concessions and sincerity don't work, and having abilities is difficult to display. Having connections is obviously much more useful.

"Danielle, do you remember the song 'Lover' I told you about last time?"

"Adam, I don't have amnesia."

"Hmm." Xian Yaowen nodded, "I want to strive for a 'high-quality film' for this project."

After World War II, in order to resist the impact of Hollywood films, France passed legislation to establish a film subsidy system to provide financial support for films that met the standards. Films that met the standards were called "quality films."

Deliyou put down the knife and fork in her hand and said seriously: "Have you learned about the selection requirements for high-quality films?"

“Adaptation of literary classics, stage-like style, and participation of celebrities.”

“Is The Lover an adaptation of a literary classic?”

"It can be." Xian Yaowen wiped his lips with a napkin and said slowly, "Danielle, you should consider the intention of the French government to establish quality films, and then pay attention to the fact that it is difficult for French films to go beyond France."

As he spoke, Xian Yaowen looked at Jacques and said, "The Lover has the ability to go beyond France, enter the Chinese cinemas in Saigon, and enter the theaters in North America. Just based on this, it is qualified to receive the Excellent Film Award.

Moreover, we can be generous and donate half of the funds we receive to charity.”

"What kind of charity?" Deliyu asked puzzledly.

“Charity for the selectmen.”

Deliyou rolled her eyes at Xian Yaowen, "Adam, everyone does this."

Xian Yaowen smiled faintly, "Compared to money, I value the title of excellent film more. We can do better. Jacques, can you fight for it?"

Jacques nodded, "I think it should be fine."

After dinner, Xian Yaowen returned to Fei Baoshu's house early. He did not let Fei Baoshu come back yesterday, so he stayed overnight at Sun Shuying's place.

Xian Yaowen took Camilla from Fei Baoshu's arms and sat on the sofa, teasing Camilla while flipping through the documents sent by Desais.

The documents show that the inheritance Alice received includes the house she lives in, a castle, and 10.3 hectares of land near the castle, of which the castle accounts for the bulk of the inheritance value.

"Castle Saint-Ergo?"

Xian Yaowen had never heard of this castle, but he had heard of the similarly named Saint-Fargeau Castle. Obviously, this could not be a typo. Looking at the marked address, Saint-Fargeau Castle is not far from Saint-Fargeau Castle, so it is probably an imitation.

If a castle is not the former residence of a celebrity, has no story to tell, and is listed as a historical monument, it can be regarded as garbage and even a dog would not live in it. However, it is hard to say for a castle that was built less than 20 years ago.

Xian Yaowen looked at the construction date 1928, and his imagination ran wild.

French stories about treasure include Levasseur's treasure map, Napoleon's disappeared carriage, Louis XVI's treasure, the legacy of the Knights Templar, and the 1850 million gold coins of Rennes-le-Château. None of them could possibly be related to the Château de Saint-Gaud, but the same cannot be said about the Jewish treasure.

There is no need to verify it. Just from the perspective of human nature, there were many selfish people among the Nazis who confiscated the wealth of the Jews. Some of this wealth must have been hidden away privately, especially the SS in charge of concentration camps and forced labor camps. It was very easy for them to hide their wealth as long as they had evil thoughts.

Not to mention the distant past, Coco Chanel's lover must have had quite a few in her private collection.

If the Castle of Saint-Germain had ever fallen into the hands of the Nazis, one could imagine that there were Jewish treasures hidden in the castle.

This possibility is not high, but Xian Yaowen has to think in this direction. A shitty castle will cost him a lot of money, so he can only remain optimistic.

According to Desais, there is room for Alice to maneuver her debt, but she still has to pay off at least $17. $17 is not a small amount, and it hurts him a bit.

"What the hell, what bastard did this valuation? He valued a broken castle at $30."

Although Xian Yaowen had prepared himself mentally that Alice's inheritance was worthless, he would feel much better if there was room for appreciation that only he could see.

Judging from the current situation, he can only prepare for the worst - $17 is considered as an initial investment.

Just as he was lost in thought, Camilla grabbed his sleeve and shook it, "Pipi."

Upon hearing this, Xian Yaowen put the little guy on the ground. The little guy slipped on his slippers and walked to the bathroom by himself.

Following the little guy into the bathroom, Xian Yaowen turned around, put down the documents, and looked at Aisha. The little guy was in better condition and occasionally smiled while watching TV. (End of this chapter)