Chapter 2235 Italy

Xue Yuanfang was summoned to Zhao Fusheng's home.

Zhao Fusheng didn't beat around the bush. He told Xue Yuanfang about the Apple dealership and explained that although this phone seemed unremarkable, if he could secure the agency rights, he would make a lot of money for at least a decade.

As for beyond that time, to be honest, Zhao Fusheng himself didn't know.

How much profit?

Zhao Fusheng gave a figure that left Xue Yuanfang dumbfounded.

Watching Xue Yuanfang's hurried departure, Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly.

In the end, he had become the kind of person he despised most.

Officials and businessmen—at any time, they probably really can't be separated.

Fan Baobao and Zhao's mother and the others stayed at home for a while and then planned to return to Italy.

It wasn't that they found it boring in China; rather, Zhao's mother thought it would be a shame not to live on the island they had bought.

Zhao Fusheng had no choice in the matter.

His mother was getting older; whatever she said, he would go along with it. As her son, he just had to listen.

But since he happened to be going to Europe anyway, he simply had the private jet drop the whole family off in Italy on the way.

The reason for going to Europe was simple: Let the Bullets Fly was going to participate in international film festivals.

Jiang Wen and Ye Jing both felt that no matter what, even if domestic box office was high, the film should be sent to foreign film festivals. On one hand, it was for publicity; on the other, any additional copyright revenue was extra income—money doesn't bite.

Zhao Fusheng agreed wholeheartedly.

…

…

"What a drag. Sometimes I really hate this kind of scene."

Jiang Wen sat in a tavern in Venice and said helplessly to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily: "What, you don't like it?"

"It's not that I don't like it; I think foreigners are too hypocritical."

Jiang Wen shrugged.

Their group first took Fan Baobao, Zhao's parents, and the children to the island, along with Jiang Wen's wife and kids who also went on vacation, and then came to Venice for the Venice Film Festival.

But clearly, Jiang Wen wasn't keen on this kind of occasion.

"Hypocritical or not, as long as you can make money, why worry about that?"

Zhao Fusheng said irritably: "Drink some red wine, then go back to sleep. Starting tomorrow, you'll be busy."

Jiang Wen nodded helplessly, naturally understanding what Zhao Fusheng meant.

Just as Zhao Fusheng said, starting tomorrow, he would have to show his face at some European film festivals with Ye Jing, wear suits, walk red carpets, do publicity and photo shoots, strike nice poses. There would also be press conferences and banquets of all sizes...

These were not mere formalities but necessary film festival etiquette.

Film festivals need media, need stars, need atmosphere. Only by heating up the scene can you create a sense of reverence, standing alongside the world's finest filmmakers to showcase your work.

With that reverence, then comes the film itself.

So, if you don't respect this etiquette, you might as well not come.

Many people think the Oscars or major film festivals have become fashion shows. The reason is simple: everyone treats them as a stage to show off.

Of course, some people walk the show with their work, while others do it by freeloading.

This has been true throughout history, in China and abroad.

Carpet stars are not unique to the Chinese entertainment industry. Even Sophie Marceau did such things back in the day, but later she became famous, and naturally, this dark history turned into a good story.

"But, we're attending the film festival—what are you going to do?"

Jiang Wen looked at Zhao Fusheng curiously: "Aren't you staying on the island with your wife and kids? Why come out?"

At first, he thought Zhao Fusheng would tag along with him and Ye Jing to the film festival, but unexpectedly, the guy had no such intention. Having dropped him off, he was planning to leave.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "I have a date with Tan Kaixuan. That guy asked to meet me."

"What, is he planning to drag you into investing in Italy?"

Jiang Wen asked casually.

He had heard from Zhao Fusheng about Tan Kaixuan's investments in Europe. Now that Tan Kaixuan was meeting Zhao Fusheng, Jiang Wen instinctively thought he wanted to invest together here.

"Invest?"

Zhao Fusheng shook his head and denied: "I'm not crazy. Why would I invest in Italy?"

"Uh, is Italy's economy in bad shape?"

Jiang Wen asked, puzzled.

He didn't understand economics, but he couldn't quite grasp Zhao Fusheng's words. Logically, Italy seemed to be doing okay—why wasn't it suitable for investment?

Zhao Fusheng chuckled but said nothing.

The biggest pain in life is that you can't control your own destiny. Heaven and hell are often separated by a single thought. One moment it's sunny, the next it's thunder and lightning.

Take the Italians, for example. Once, Italy's economy was incredibly prosperous, with rapid growth. The most obvious manifestation was its globally renowned luxury goods manufacturing industry, and Milan was one of the world's fashion capitals. At its peak, Italian football boasted the 'Seven Sisters' of Serie A, waving checkbooks to buy the world's most famous players. Countless stars considered it an honor to play in Serie A.

But with the outbreak of the global financial crisis and the advent of the internet age, Italy's economy began to decline.

Jiang Wen, being in China, was undoubtedly unaware of this. Even Zhao Fusheng only learned about it inadvertently because he used to enjoy watching football and later noticed that Italian football's performance was getting worse, to the point where Serie A had almost no voice worldwide.

So, he had no intention of investing in Italy.

Europe was too deep; it wasn't for him.

But Tan Kaixuan was different. He held a green card and a US passport. Many things that Chinese couldn't accomplish, Americans could.

Though unwilling to admit it, that was the fact.

"Look at you, just say it."

Zhao Fusheng's silence left Jiang Wen completely confused, and he couldn't help asking.

Chuckling softly, Zhao Fusheng looked out the window: "Old Jiang, what do you think of Italy as a country?"

"Not much."

Jiang Wen answered instinctively upon hearing Zhao Fusheng's question.

"Too lazy."

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's curious expression, Jiang Wen said frankly: "I always feel that people here lack the industriousness we have back home. They seem to like going with the flow."

Zhao Fusheng nodded in agreement: "Yes, Italians really are like that."

He paused and said seriously: "So, when they're in trouble, they don't think about how to break free; they easily give up. What do you think will become of a country like that when its economy runs into difficulties?"

Jiang Wen was stunned but already understood what Zhao Fusheng meant.