America: My Time

Chapter 1204 Zipper Dun's Scheme
Chapter 1194 Zipperton's Scheme

Becoming famous early is something their agents always remind them of. A woman's prime isn't that long. Once you're young and older, you lose your appeal. After all, the industry changes so quickly, and if you're not willing to sacrifice, there are plenty of people willing to do the same for opportunities and further development.

Let alone now that these people have entered the industry and witnessed the dark side of film sets, even if they haven't witnessed it themselves, they've heard about it from others. After all, there are quite a few such rumors in schools, and those with ambitions naturally keep them in mind and develop ideas about them.

"Bingbing, why are you giving up halfway? Do you know how difficult it will be to get another opportunity like this after you back down?" Seeing Fan Bingbing's hesitation, her mother, who had always been by her side, sighed. She understood the cruelty of this industry and how long it would take to catch up later if she didn't seize the opportunity when it presented itself. Time is crucial for women, and everyone knew that Phoenix Group had already begun building momentum for them, preparing numerous opportunities. If they didn't compete now, the best resources would be snatched away by others.

Why did Li Bingbing react so quickly? Because she understood that without status or position, a newcomer had to make sacrifices to succeed. If she couldn't even do that, she probably wouldn't have much of a future in this industry. Even though they were from the same company, the competition between them was far more intense than outsiders realized.

Of course, Wang Jinhua also had her own ideas. The reason why she reminded Li Bingbing and Fan Bingbing instead of others was because she had brought them here herself. Unlike those from Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama, they wouldn't be criticized. After all, those people had teachers behind them, but these two were completely different!

Most importantly, Wang Jinhua understood that there would be big productions coming up in Hong Kong and Taiwan, so they all had opportunities. However, who could participate would depend on their own efforts and abilities. In Hong Kong, there was TVB, and in Taiwan, there were many more television stations, including Phoenix TV. There was also competition from Phoenix TV. Often, even if someone wanted to find suitable actors, it wasn't easy; there would be obstacles behind the scenes.

“I don’t want to back down either, but she’s already beaten me to it, so I can’t do anything about it. If things get out of hand, neither of us will be able to back down, and it will also anger the boss, which would be even more of a loss! Besides, I’m younger than her, and I’ll have other opportunities in the future. There’s no need to fight with her now. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain to Sister Wang, since she’s the one who trained us!”

Even at a young age, Fan Bingbing had already seen through the ways of the world and made the right choice. Although it was only a step away, she lost the initiative because of that one step and had to back down to avoid making things difficult for Wang Jinhua or even making a fool of herself at the celebration party and embarrassing the big boss!
"You're overthinking it. Being young is your only advantage. You could pretend you know nothing, at least make an appearance in front of the big boss, then step back. At least let him know you. You're still too young; you don't think things through! However, your big boss is no simpleton. If you can seize the opportunity, it will save you a lot of trouble. Actually, you have many competitors, not just one or two. And if you keep holding back, even if you get many opportunities, it won't matter. Many times, you only have a chance if you do something; doing nothing means no chance at all! Don't think that Yu Feihong got a Hollywood opportunity without any effort. That's just an exception, not a role model. She was just lucky. Look how many people get such opportunities. Even Gong Li, an international film star, did she have the chance to enter Hollywood? Remember, don't hesitate; youth isn't your biggest advantage!"

While Fan Bingbing and her daughter were talking, many people were also chatting amongst themselves. Just as the beautiful Li Bingbing took the initiative to throw herself into his arms, an unexpected event occurred. John's personal secretary, Ava, walked in with a mobile phone and quickly approached John, saying, "Boss, it's the White House!"

Upon hearing this, John's gaze sharpened. It seemed he had overestimated Richardson's patience, or rather, his foresight. For him to call him now meant his album had finally reached its limit, or perhaps the guy had become arrogant after his re-election. John's stance was clear, yet this guy insisted on contacting him. What was his intention? What did he want?
John didn't believe that Laugh Tale was unaware of his situation. Those guys at the US embassy weren't just for show; they must know what he was doing. Yet this guy still called. John couldn't believe there wasn't some ulterior motive. What was he scheming? John could also guess. Laugh Tale wouldn't believe that he had kept a low profile this time and hadn't invited any outsiders, so he had no idea that the 'person' he was hoping for wasn't at his victory celebration!
"Don't be nervous, it's just a small matter!" Seeing Li Bingbing's slight nervousness and even bewilderment, John smiled calmly. If he were to ask this beautiful woman to step aside at this moment, it might have some impact, or even allow Zipperton's scheme to succeed. In that instant, almost everyone's eyes were fixed on John. They all wanted to know what important matter had made the secretary so eager to see John. Women are very curious, and many were eavesdropping.

"What's wrong? Calling me at this time, you're not trying to persuade me, are you? If so, I think there's no point in communicating between us. We're not on the same page. Soros and I are not on the same side, and I won't give up my own interests!" John said bluntly, without giving President Lloyd Duncan any face.

Although it was just a phone conversation, John's actions were a slap in the face to Laugh Tale and an expression of his anger. The fact that John didn't directly expose Laugh Tale's scheme after seeing through it was already a sign of respect. If John had previously harbored resentment towards Laugh Tale, at this moment it wasn't just resentment, but utter rage. Choosing this moment, under these circumstances, to scheme against him, John's restraint in not unleashing a torrent of abuse was already considered polite!

However, those present were unaware of the background. When they saw John's reaction, they were all shocked. That was the White House—the President of the United States! Just one sentence was enough for them to understand how powerful John was. To disregard the President was something no ordinary business tycoon could do!
“John, you should understand that this is not Soros and Oilfield Capital’s decision, it’s everyone’s decision, and we need your help!” Although faced with John’s sarcasm, zipperton still held back. After all, it wasn’t that he was determined to be John’s enemy or to scheme against him, but that someone intervened and forced him to do so!
"Enough! Don't give me that. I haven't earned your approval. If you had consulted with me beforehand, there might have been a chance. Now there's no chance at all. I won't sacrifice my own interests for yours. What you think and what decisions you make are your own business and have nothing to do with me. As long as Soros's actions affect my interests, I will retaliate. Don't think I don't know what that guy is doing. I'm waiting for him to make his move. He's not trying to establish his authority by using me; I want to see how capable he really is! And you don't really think I know nothing, and you really think I'm easy to talk to, do you?"

Upon hearing John's words, Zipline's face turned ashen on the other end of the phone. As the president, he had taken the initiative to inquire about John's situation and seek his understanding, but John had directly slapped him in the face, showing him no respect whatsoever. This was far too arrogant, showing no regard for him, the president, what a disregard for his authority.

At this moment, it seemed that this guy, Zipperton, had forgotten that he had previously intended to go back on his word and take back Gulfstream Aerospace's arms export rights. John hadn't directly scolded him, which was already giving him enough face. If it were back then, his behavior would have been suicidal and he would have been shot in the back.

When these guys were discussing the Asian financial crisis, using Soros and Oilfield Capital as pawns, they didn't consult John. And they didn't just discuss it for a day or two, but for a long time. Yet John, a bigwig of American financial groups, a Wall Street giant, and a member of the US Federal Reserve, was simply forgotten and excluded. Now that problems have arisen, they've thought of him again. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Even if Richard Leighton intervened, or even Morgan Stanley intervened, it wouldn't make a difference; John wouldn't accept it.

"John, everything is negotiable. As long as you agree, I believe everyone will give you a satisfactory explanation!"

"No need. I don't believe you. You don't represent them, you can't even represent a donkey. Don't try to play tricks on me, I won't believe you, and I won't accept it. If you don't have anything else, then hang up. I have things to do and don't have time to argue with you!" Just like that, John hung up the phone without waiting for a reply from Zipperton, leaving him no face at all!
(End of this chapter)