Reborn in Russia as a Big Shot

Chapter 122 Fan Bingbing (2)

"You have to start doing business from what you know. What industry do you know?" Li Xiang interrupted Yong Ge's daydream.

Yong Ge counted on his fingers and said, "Bars, KTVs, saunas, massage parlors, foot massages, I used to think about pooling some money to open one myself, but now it's no use thinking about it. Everyone's going north, Chinatown is all closed."

Li Xiang followed up on Yong Ge's words, saying, "This is a basic need. As long as there are people, there will be demand. You can consider going to Menggu. South Koreans like to spend money there."

"Can we really make it here, since we don't know anyone? I've heard the business environment there isn't very good, and it's not very friendly to us." Yong was somewhat tempted, but still had doubts.

"You can say you're South Korean. They all look the same. If you just keep speaking Korean, can they tell the difference? If you find learning a new language too stressful, you can hire someone—a real South Korean," Li Xiang asked. "You've met Sister Wuyun, haven't you?"

Yong replied, "I've seen him, the one who manages the cafeteria."

Li Xiang explained in detail: "She is from Outer Mongolia. She married a Russian during the Soviet era. You can cooperate with her, have her stand in front to maintain appearances, and handle the political and business relations in Ulaanbaatar. You will be responsible for the specific operations."

"That sounds great." This time, Brother Yong was genuinely interested.

"Sister Wuyun has done a lot for me, so I'll take this opportunity to show my appreciation and not let her work for nothing." Li Xiang promised, "I'll pay for the first store, and I'll cover all the losses within the first two years. You two will each own half of the shares."

"If you really make money and want to open a chain, I won't be responsible for the rest; you'll have to bear all the profits and losses yourself."

"Okay, we can give it a try," Yong said with a grin.

Li Xiang took out his wallet, pulled out all the cash inside—all hundred-dollar bills—and handed it to Yong Ge.

"Go to South Korea and do your own research. See how Korean karaoke bars are run. Don't just assume things."

"You're carrying so much cash with you?" Yong Ge took the payment, feeling quite pleased with himself, and found Li Xiang more and more pleasing to the eye.

"It's so much better to spend cash, there's no record of the transaction. I do have a lot of cash on hand, so I'll spend whatever I can."

Yong-ge knew that Li Xiang was laundering money, but he didn't know the specifics.

Li Xiang changed the subject and asked, "I've already arranged everything for the casino for you, why are you suddenly backing out?"

"Didn't that guy surnamed Mi tell you?" Yong asked cautiously.

"What happened?" Li Xiang frowned slightly.

Yong hesitated for a moment before truthfully saying, "He wants you to help him get his dad out of trouble. He said if you can do it, he'll give me the whole casino. It scared me to death."

Li Xiang revealed, "Seven people died in his father's case, and the bodies were publicly displayed. His father was like Mr. He from St. Petersburg; if it hadn't been done so publicly, he wouldn't have ended up in jail."

"But the Russians have no choice. If they don't stand up to provocations, they'll be easy to bully and suffer even worse consequences."

"He told me it was minor casualties, but I immediately guessed there were deaths. I didn't expect it to be this serious." Yong couldn't help but ask, "Are you really capable of handling this? Your connections in Russia must be really strong, right?"

"Why should we care? He's just grasping at straws in his desperation." Li Xiang whispered in Yong Ge's ear, "My girlfriend's father got medical parole and was released before the New Year."

"Good thing." Yong Ge's expression was slightly embarrassed.

"Opening a casino in Russia is indeed quite troublesome. Let's just forget about it. If you need money in the future, just ask me. Don't be shy." Li Xiang didn't expect Yong Ge to be so sensible.

"That's enough. If I need more money, Baizhi can give it to me," Yongge quickly said.

"Remember to tell me if something like this happens again, and I'll talk to him about it later." Li Xiang changed the subject again, "I haven't shown up at all since Bai Zhi got pregnant. What's your sister-in-law's attitude towards me?"

"No complaints, I'm satisfied, 100% satisfied," Yong Ge said, making things up.

Li Xiang said, "You're obviously not telling the truth."

"I forgot, you could tell." Yong slapped himself lightly. "She's having some issues now. She's going through menopause and doesn't like anyone. When I went to deliver New Year's gifts, she accepted the gifts but wouldn't let me in the door."

"Once Menggu's KTV opens and Shopee makes money from its funding round, she'll naturally be satisfied with you. If you really want to get along with her, then lower your stance and give her a way out."

"We're brothers, so we can do whatever we want. Doesn't she think of herself as a mother-in-law? Even if she's standing up for Baizhi, she still has to say a few words to you."

Yong Ge tried to salvage the situation by saying, "If you don't want to see him, then don't. It doesn't matter, as long as you and Bai Zhi can maintain a good relationship."

Zhang Baizhi stayed at Yong Ge's place and didn't leave. Li Xiang returned to the hotel, took a shower, and was about to rest when he discovered that Han Jiayin had sent him a Facebook message.

"Little Fatty Fan, why did you suddenly think of me?"

Han Jiayin did not give Fan Bingbing Li Xiang's private number, but only promised to pass it on.

Li Xiang turned on the TV, poured himself a glass of wine, leaned back lazily on the sofa, and dialed the phone number Han Jiayin had sent him.

In February of last year, Fan Bingbing's six-year contract with Huayi Brothers expired, and she started her own business, establishing Fan Bingbing Studio.

In the same year, the studio also produced its own drama, "Rouge Snow," which just finished airing on Shanghai TV with an average viewership rating of 10.92, setting a record for the beginning of the year.

Logically, this should have been a great start, but unfortunately, it was ill-timed. Affected by the US subprime mortgage crisis, mainland film and television capital tightened across the board, with companies reducing their balance sheets and deleveraging.

Last year, investors would flock to a project and offer money, but now they can't even get funding even if they beg.

Two months ago, Fan Bingbing had just finished filming "Shinjuku Incident," a Jackie Chan film. Filming was already complete, but the production company, Yinghuang, didn't have the funds for promotion, so the release date was postponed to 09.

The second film produced by Fan Bingbing's studio, "Jin Da Ban," is also facing a shortage of funds.

Fan Bingbing originally thought that after "Rouge Snow" aired, its commercial value would be tested by the market, and it would be easier to make money.

The result was that the subprime mortgage crisis continued to worsen, and not only was it impossible to attract new funds, but even the money that had already been promised was being withdrawn under various pretexts.

Although legal provisions stipulate that unilateral withdrawal of investment should incur penalties, in a society based on personal relationships, if one truly disregards sentiments, they can forget about working in the industry in the future.

Regardless of whether they could raise enough funds, "The Golden Era" had to start filming on time according to the contract, so they could only try to find a solution while filming.

When it's her turn to breach the contract, whether or not people will show any consideration for her is another matter.

Fan Bingbing was worried about money when she attended the Hong Kong Golden Horse Awards. She noticed the investors behind Guo Zijian and felt that they looked familiar. Suddenly, she remembered Li Xiang, who owed her a favor.

Whether there's a chance or not, you'll only know if you try.

"You're really putting on airs. When you were begging me, you were asking me for help, but now that I'm looking for you, you won't even give me your phone number." Fan Bingbing tossed and turned in bed, waiting for her call.

She had already verified with Han Jiayin that New Century UK and New Century Japan Island are the same company, both owned by Li Xiang.

"It's not going to happen tonight, huh?"

The phone rang; it was a number starting with +7. Fan Bingbing now knew that +7 represented Russia.

Fan Bingbing composed herself for a moment before answering the phone, "Hello, who is it?"

"You dare answer international numbers? Aren't you afraid of being scammed?"

Fan Bingbing no longer remembers Li Xiang's voice, but since it's a Russian number, it should be correct.

Fan Bingbing softened her tone and asked sweetly, "Who are you calling so late?"

"Li Xiang, you're looking for me but you don't know who I am?" Li Xiang didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Out of money, huh?"

"You want me to give you some money?"

"You promised to introduce me to resources, but why didn't you remember me when you were filming 'Rouge Snow'? Now you can't raise the money to start filming, and you expect me to fill the gap for you? Is this how you treat your friends?"

"Don't forget about the Snowflake incident; you owe me a favor." Fan Bingbing knew in her heart that since the phone call had come, there was a chance, and she could do something for him, no matter what.