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Chapter 451: The Chinese Are the Richest
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Baselworld was also a limited edition outlet. Everyone in the hall went crazy. Such beautiful jewellery at such good prices!
Because of the economic crisis though, buyers from occidental countries were much more prudent than they used to be. They hesitantly realized that the situation was out of control.
In the first row, countless paddles were going up and down around the woman who had just bought the raw gemstone.
"Where are they from? They look so bold!"
"They are from China. It's the first time Baselworld invited buyers from the mainland..."
"That explains it. We are tied up in the Iraq war while they silently develop."
The hammer of the host fell down. Each of the Chinese ladies had gotten a bracelet. Only half of the Cartier bracelets were sold out and Chinese buyers had taken 80% of them.
The director of Cartier was depressed. The amount they had put on sale was actually the annual sales volume they had counted on. They had only sold 10 at the auction, which could be considered a failure.
Is the global economy really that bad?
The whispers around them didn't influence the Chinese women, who were in a really good mood. After the introduction of the host, Qin Guan got on the stage again. The ladies started screaming.
"Am I dreaming? Is that an Asian model?"
"When did Tiffany hire an Asian model for its final exhibition? We missed the press conference while we were at the watch exhibition!"
"What a pity! I love Asian models!"
"Don't jump to conclusions." A short-haired woman cast a contemptuous look at the stage. "Maybe he is from Japan or South Korea."
The girl with the moon-shaped face was not angry. She just watched Qin Guan carefully.
"Hey, Sister Zhang! I think he looks familiar... Wow! I know him! It's Qin Guan! He's Chinese!" She attracted everyone's attention.
"Chinese?"
"Sure enough!"
After confirming his nationality, they all became excited. They wanted to support the compatriot they had come across in another country. Whatever Qin Guan exhibits, we will just buy.
"This is Tiffany's latest 2003 collection, which is unprecedented for men's jewellery... There are only 100 sets all over the world. After the purchase, Tiffany can carve the name of the buyer on them..."
That was so considerate.
"The price is 300,000 dollars... Anyone?"
Before his voice could fade away, the girl with the moon-shaped face raised her paddle high.
"10 sets! Special service included!"
Before the other buyers could see the details of the set clearly, the Chinese buyer had made a risky decision.
The host was stunned. "Congratulations! No. 58 got the limited edition of the Tiffany men's set!"
It had taken Qin Guan only two minutes. One and a half for the introduction and 30 seconds to sell it. He returned to the backstage area and saw Michael rubbing his hands excitedly. He cheered up at the sight of Qin Guan.
"Wait a moment, Qin Guan. Hold this. You have to get on the stage again."
Qin Guan took a tray with a set of gorgeous diamond ornaments on it. It was for ladies.
He shot a look at his female peer. The girl was staring at him furiously, as if Qin Guan had killed her whole family.
It was a spontaneous idea Michael had gotten from the Chinese ladies. He could do nothing but apologize to the female model, who had lost a chance to appear before the rich buyers.
If 30 seconds were too short a time for Qin Guan, the male model could also exhibit jewellery for women! He mounted the stage again with the tray.
"This is the Tiffany collection for ladies. 108 gems, including sapphires, emeralds, rubies and diamonds, connected in a hollowed-out mosaic. The sets differ based on their varying quantities of gems."
Qin Guan lifted the tray up slowly. The host was talking eloquently next to him.
"Splendid colors… Exquisite design… Exclusive luxury... You will never come across another set like this... 1.88 million each..."
The introduction reminded Qin Guan of the cable channels in China, which were always broadcasting news in an exaggerated way. He smiled in spite of himself. It felt like a breeze blowing over. Both the Chinese women and the reserved European ladies got lost in his smile.
In a few seconds, the small paddles were held up like bamboo shoots after the rain. The sets on sale weren't enough to meet the customer demand.
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Chapter 452: A Display of Ignorance
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Suddenly, a battle between jewellery lovers and collectors broke out. There were Saudi Arabian tycoons, European billionaires, American rich elite and Chinese ladies.
The most powerful battles took place among races with a long history. The occidentals didn't get any of the jewellery. Arabian customers got two pieces, and the Chinese ladies got three.
After three minutes, Qin Guan got off the stage with the tray. Michael had nearly died of laughter.
The curtain was pulled down slowly, and the staff took away the chairs. Backstage, the agencies in charge of cutting the gemstones and the security guards were busy working.
Cong Nianwei had finished her graph way before the auction was finished. She was packing silently with Qin Guan. Suddenly, Michael and some Asian strangers walked over to them.
"They are customers of ours. They are also Chinese and would like to meet you before you leave," he said before returning to his work, leaving them alone.
"Hello, Qin Guan. I'm Zhang Li from Diamond. I'm in charge of material purchases all over the world." She was an elegant middle-aged lady who had just spent a large amount at the auction.
Smiling, she stretched her hand out for a handshake. Qin Guan took it politely. His hand was caught by her chubby claws.
It was the excited girl with the moon-shaped face. "You're so handsome..."
"Cough, cough..." Zhang Li couldn't help it. The girl retracted her claws immediately.
"I'm here to see the first Asian model in a top jewellery fair. Besides, I would also like to invite you to become a global Diamond representative."
Diamond was the best jewellery brand of the mainland. Considering its large range and fame, its shops were an inevitable attraction for ordinary people in China.
A common model would have been over the moon, but Qin Guan was hesitant. "I appreciate your offer, but my agent has signed a contract with Tiffany. They are my priority. You have to talk with my agent and the director of Tiffany about the details..."
This was a common situation for a top model. He could only sit somewhere silently, waiting for the outcome. The calls for offers would come one after the other.
Qin Guan didn't plan on returning to the US with the Tiffany team. This was a precious chance for him to go on vacation with his girlfriend.
Switzerland was famous for its watches, chocolate and sabers. In fact, unlike other modern products, Basel had its own steady, low-profile style.
The next morning, Qin Guan opened the curtains before sunrise. The warm streetlights were still turned on outside. The winded, twisted paths looked enchanting amid the misty light.
Cong Nianwei spread a map on the table. They planned on going on a day trip into town. It was romantic to go on a spontaneous trip with your lover.
Breakfast was simple at the hotel. A giant loaf was laid in the middle of the table. It was too hard for the Chinese. Qin Guan preferred to cut it with his jaw. He made a fool of himself again. He saw a small basket with all kinds of colorful balls inside. He thought they were fruit and decided to get some for Cong Nianwei.
"Wei, what do you want?"
Surprised, Qin Guan realized they were colorful eggs. They had green, blue, brown, and orange stripes! Cong Nianwei burst into laughter at the colorful eggs. He is so funny!
After breakfast, they set off. Cong Nianwei was walking in front, wearing her wide baseball cap. Qin Guan followed her, burping. He had eaten eggs of four different colors! The smell of his burps needs not be described. The two of them were completely amazed by the Basel Minster.
As a historical site of the 19th century, the church was made of red bricks. Green moss was climbing up its walls and some damage was visible in the shadows.
The city hall was across the street, and it was also red in color. There were golden frescos on its walls and green ruffles as decorations. The hall was filled with an alien glamor. To their surprise, the city hall was open to the public.
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Chapter 453: Sweet Life
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Staff was shuttling back and forth in a hurry inside the building while tourists of different nationalities were lingering around on the square up front. Fortunately, there were few tourists in Basel. If this had been in China...
Some European tourists even slept on the grass in the daylight as the Chinese couple was searching for food. Following their sense of smell, the two foodies reached their first destination.
Good wine needed no referrals. There was a big piece of candy wrapped in paper by the entrance with the Swiss national flag printed on it. The scent was coming from a common shop. People could watch the bustling scene through the large windows.
The small shop sold handmade candy. People always thought of chocolate and forgot about candy. In fact, chocolate was only one category of candy.
The fat boss had typical Swiss blonde hair and blue eyes and was wearing a white chef uniform and gloves. He took a large iron tray from the air-drying shelf and put it down on the table with a bang.
Outside the window, Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei exchanged a glance and then pushed in. The doorbell jingled happily.
"Welcome... Pick what you like..." the boss told them in his poor English. Then he got absorbed in the candy that came fresh out of the oven.
"Thanks. We're just taking a look," Qin Guan said in standard German. I love you, Joseph.
The man looked up in surprise. They are Asians, yet they can speak German.
"What's the problem? If my memory serves me right, German is an official language of Switzerland..." Qin Guan murmured before switching to Italian.
The boss rushed to explain. "It's okay, I was just surprised. Asian visitors usually speak English. I didn't expect you to speak German."
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei smiled at each other. The boss made a cut with his knife.
They were an elegant Chinese couple. The girl was delicate and pretty, her eyes as clear as a brook in the suburbs. As for the boy... His poor education made it hard for him to express his feelings, but the boy reminded him of the powdered sugar his father used to give him as a present when he had been a child. He used to dip his little finger into it to taste it.
When he came back to his senses, he didn't regret the cut. After some consideration, he managed to cut the soft candy into two thumb-sized figures.
"A sample for you."
The man stared at Qin Guan's face with an unprecedented flattering smile, holding a tray in his fair hands.
"This figure is you. It's pretty, isn't? That one is your girlfriend. I'm don't want to boast, but my products are the best in Switzerland."
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei looked speechlessly at the two lovely candy figures. Should we eat them or not? Is it okay to eat yourself?
As two foodies, they couldn't resist the temptation. They stuffed them into their mouths.
The elastic candy was easy to bite into. It tasted like plum, yellow peach and butter. The soft candy was made in the oven and dried in the air of the Rhine. Its unique sugar made it a delicious food of the mortal world.
It tasted sour, sweet, salty… The candy was like a human life.
Qin Guan and Cong Nianwei swallowed it with sparkling eyes. Then they began shopping like crazy.
The boss was shocked. They seemed to pick up all the products from the shelves. The passersby couldn't resist at the sight of their crazy shopping. Candy was a good medicine for unhappiness. European people were very fond of it. Suddenly, the shop was crowded with customers.
"One kilo of liqueur chocolate, please!" There was only a hollowed-out piece of paper left in the small basket.
"Hey! Hard cocoa candy is sold out!"
"Boss..."
"Boss..."
A tourist guide was talking about the town, when his group of tourists suddenly poured into the shop. The fat boss was both exasperated and happy. He was stirring syrup in a large bucket with effort. He called his wife and son to come and help him immediately.
The culprits had left with a big package of candy, the musical sound of the cash register ringing around the shop.
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Chapter 454: An Office on Wall Street
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Switzerland was definitely a country with a sweet aftertaste.
After returning to the big melting pot of America, Cong Nianwei continued to user her inspiration in the gallery, while Qin Guan began to search for a location for his accounting firm.
Wall Street was south of Manhattan, stretching from Broadway to the East River. It was the narrowest street in New York, with a width of only 11 meters. There were double motorways, bikeways and walkways there, so there was always terrible traffic.
Obviously, its status as the American financial center also contributed to the traffic jam. The Morgan Consortium, the Rockefeller oil baron, the DuPont Consortium, The New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, the US Stock Exchange, the New York Future Exchange Center… Most giant financial centers were gathered on that narrow street. An inch of land was worth an ounce of gold there.
Following the manager of WeWork, the largest real estate agency in America, Qin Guan visited all the offices that were up for renting on Wall Street. As a small accounting firm owner, who had just started business, Qin Guan could at best earn a hundred thousand dollars in annual profits.
There were three important reasons for renting an office on Wall Street. Firstly, Liu Tianxia would be doing graduation field work that year, so the girls would need a formal office to work in.
Secondly, the Chinese preferred to have a formal accountant, so Qin Guan's luxury-car club friends had urged him to find a formal location.
Finally, in order to develop his career, it was necessary to be involved in the financial circle. An office on Wall Street was a favorable advantage and a reflection of power.
"This way, please, Mr. Qin. This is the center of Wall Street. The New York Stock Exchange is right across the street. You'll like this location."
Qin Guan looked at the small room with a poker face. It reminded him of a cloakroom. It could fit three desks at most. Besides, what's that window for?
It was the only window in the room. Qin Guan went over to pull it open...
Bang! The window frame fell down. The two of them looked at each other. Qin Guan's Armani suit was covered in dust. Meanwhile, a naughty spider crawled away from the dirt.
The small room was a combination of the perfect location and terrible internal conditions. Is there maybe a better option? The larger offices are far away from the center, yet you showed me this one...
"I have to pay a visit to the Aijia agency. WeWork is unworthy of its reputation."
Qin Guan flicked the dust off his body calmly and casually showed off his silver Tiffany sleeve buttons.
The manager was a little surprised. Wow! Did I misjudge him? Is he an Asian planning to start his own business after graduation?
He was right. The average American college graduate would rather get a job with a steady salary. They couldn't spend much on starting a new business. The Chinese were the best at saving though. They might deposit a large amount in a bank and not withdraw any money during their whole life.
He had originally thought that Qin Guan had rented the Armani suit from a second-hand store, but at the sight of the Tiffany buttons, he knew he had misunderstood. Those silver buttons could cost up to 200 dollars judging by the brand and the design. No beggar would be able to wear something made by Tiffany.
He had misjudged Qin Guan. This was actually a gift from Tiffany for his hard work. He couldn't sell the silver men's set. It was worth 20,000 dollars, but he would rather use it to pretend to be somebody important.
"I have a large, luxurious office perfect for a talented young man like you." The manager looked cheered up. He led Qin Guan to a modern mansion beside the shabby building excitedly.
It was on the 16th floor, which was a lucky number for the Chinese. After taking a turn, they reached the luxurious office.
"It's 1,000 square feet." Qin Guan was standing speechlessly at the door of the office. In the US and Hong Kong, people used square feet to measure surfaces. If he converted that to square meters, it meant...
Sometimes one read in newspapers that a star had bought a luxurious apartment of 1,000 square feet. This actually meant that they'd bought a common apartment with two bedrooms and a living room.
Qin Guan was standing at the entrance of an empty office of about 90 square meters. Several desks could fit inside. It was perfect for a small accounting firm. Qin Guan was satisfied, but he did not move a muscle of his face.
"How much?"
"110 dollars per square foot."
"What? That's robbery! It's 110,000 dollars a month!" It was as much as his total income from the films and Armani.
The manager made a grimace. "I meant a year..."
Qin Guan let out a long breath of relief. With a flattering smile, he handed the manager an American Spirit cigarette and lit it up for him. It was the only tobacco-made cigarette without a fragrance, so it was the favorite of American people.
The manager took a deep drag of the cigarette. "Smith is an honest man. I would never increase a price."
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hapter 455: The Grocery Store Robbery
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
"Here, small firms open and close every minute. Offices in this area are very popular, but only old firms can afford such large offices. You are still young. You should rethink that high price."
Qin Guan was shocked by the kind-hearted real estate agent. Men like him were rare in such a materialistic society.
"It's not expensive, I can afford it. I thought the rent was 110,000 dollars a month, which would mean that I'd have to expand my business really fast. But 110,000 a year is a great price. My firm can afford it. Thank you for your advice though."
Smith was shocked. "How old are you?"
"Twenty two. No, actually twenty one. My birthday is soon."
"Are you a graduate student?"
"No, I'm still in college."
As the best salesman of his previous agency, Smith always accepted a challenge. Actually, if he had been a senior manager in New York, he would not have been impressed by the young man. Talented boys were common on Wall Street.
A rising index could make people millionaires, and a change of policy could turn tycoons into beggars. Smith had just arrived in New York from Texas though, so he still felt like a peasant in the bustling metropolis.
The QC firm offices had been decided.
WeWork would take care of the following procedures. Qin Guan had trusted Cong Nianwei with the decoration. Cong Nianwei had made great achievements in the design and construction of small houses, as well as their gallery and designing studio. Couples were always good at doing business together.
Lately, Qin Guan had deliberately prevented Cong Nianwei from going out though. She had a lot of work to do, so she would stay at college or at home for several weeks. This was because of all the panic that had spread all over the US after May.
War had broken out in Iraq in March. Originally, everyone had thought that it was only a verbal battle between politicians. It was supposed to be a united action of UN, but most soldiers sent to the battlefield were Americans.
Even during the Oscar ceremony, there had been many speeches filled with anger made by people who were involved in relative industries.
Anti-war marches were taking place all over the country. The upcoming Memorial Day was also reminding people of the sorrow caused by war.
Several people were standing at a window for veteran benefits in the City Hall, while a crowd also gathered outside. Some anti-war groups were standing there with posters and banners with phrases like "No War" and "Stop That Foolish War".
The semi-finished floats made for Memorial Day passed by them slowly, adding a sarcastic vibe to the scene. Franklin went out of the City Hall with a blank expression. He was wearing camouflage clothing, which indicated his identity as a soldier. If it wasn't for his empty sleeve, he would have been considered a handsome man .
War was cruel though. Franklin went out with his pension in his backpack. The money was not enough to last him for the rest of his life. The crowd reminded him of something as he squeezed out through it.
...
It was another uneventful evening in New York. As usual, Qin Guan was looking at the backyard from the kitchen. No uninvited neighbors yet. The evening was perfect.
Suddenly, the sound of glass breaking was heard on the quiet street. Joseph looked out of the window and shouted, "F*ck!"
The window of the grocery store at the corner of the street had been smashed. Some black men had broken in, searching for anything valuable.
"Are they crazy? How dare they commit a robbery here! The police will come immediately!"
They rushed to the window, watching the process and talking about it.
"Shall we call the police?"
Beep... Before his voice could fade away, the alarm started ringing. Suddenly, they saw the owner rushing out of his house with a gun.
"You bastards!"
Bang!
The black men escaped with the cash register money. The fat owner ran after them. After a few meters, he gave up.
"My store!" he cried out at the entrance. "That f*cking police! I'll file a complaint! Honest taxpayers are paying those f*cking shits!"
Qin Guan felt strange as he watched the owner cry.
"Under normal circumstances, a car alarm would have attracted patrol cruisers in three minutes. Why has nobody come by now?"
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hapter 456: Reinforcements
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
The Batiste brothers were stirring their noodles with their hands as they said jokingly, "Has New York been conquered by aliens? Or was there a terrorist attack again?"
Unfortunately, they had a point. The late police car had confirmed that.
"I can only report the crime now. My boys have all been sent to the center of Manhattan."
Sam opened his mouth. "What's happening?"
"An anti-war demonstration. The number of protesters increased suddenly for no apparent reason. Originally, there had barely been more than 100, but in the evening there were as many as 1,000."
"Fights broke out. I wonder if there were any leaders. Whey they began to attack the City Hall, we noticed that there were many sturdy men involved."
"Aren't they veterans? Ha ha!"
Sam fell silent at the news. He was frightened. They were far from the City Hall, but the riots downtown indicated a great danger. The city was short on public security, so it was natural for its residents to be scared.
"Well, it's too late now. I'll drop by the police station tomorrow."
Uncle Sam rushed back to his home with his shotgun. Those smart criminals will fish in troubled waters in the turbulent night. They might skip a broken store, but would they set fire to my store if they failed to find anything? Oh, my!
Cong Nianwei, who had also witnessed the whole thing, wanted to shout. She laid her boiling noodles aside and shouted at Qin Guan, "Will our gallery be safe?"
All the foodies fell silent. Qin Guan recalled his own art studio, which enjoyed big fame at the Chelsea Fair. He was not rolling around in money, but the annual profits were hundreds of thousands of dollars. Besides, Lan Jin had just brought several cases of Chinese products... Shrewd men were everywhere.
Chelsea Street was a heaven for art studios. Those Negro gangsters would not be interested in them, but the Russians had good taste. They were good at smuggling artwork in oil tankers. Qin Guan couldn't bear to think about it.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
"Hey! It's Lan Jin. I heard that you were robbed! Don't worry. I'm coming. Don't forget me when you get rich!"
You are the shame of Chinese compulsory education.
"Hey, don't cause any more trouble..." Lan Jin hung up. Qin Guan noticed that Cong Nianwei was getting ready to go out.
"You going to the gallery?"
"Yes." Cong Nianwei nodded. "Lan Jin must have gone there. We have to go too. If he comes across any robbers..."
Qin Guan pictured Lan Jin shouting at a group of tall, strong robbers to stop.
"Okay, let's go. Joseph, would you please wash the bowls for me? We'll be gone for a while." Qin Guan reached for his car keys.
"Wait, I'll come with you." Joseph wiped his mouth elegantly with a tissue and smiled at Qin Guan.
"Me too! Your noodles were a little raw, Cong Nianwei..." The two naughty brothers were concentrated on their food.
"May I put on a warrior costume before I come with you?" Coulibaly, the Congo Prince, looked like an African warrior ready to die a heroic death.
Cella wiped her mouth on the white table cloth. "Stop that rubbish. Let's go!"
I have a UN army on my side.
In the parking lot, Qin Guan tried to persuade them a final time. When he saw Joseph's armor, the paint on Coulibaly's face and the feathers on his head though, he swallowed his words.
Cella's car filled with strange people. The two cars dashed towards the Chelsea Fair. The people on the streets were careful and vigilant. In a few minutes, they pulled up at Chelsea Street. Most of the stores were closed at the time.
Qin Guan cast a glance at the J Clothing store and saw that its banners were still floating above the roof. He let out a long breath of relief. It seemed that his store was safe from the riots.
Smiling, he shouted at his friends, "Get out! It's alright. We'd better take any expensive products back home just to be safe though."
Joseph and Coulibaly, who were both fully armed, were speechless. They had suddenly become free labor workers.
They went into the store in their strange costumes.
As a weapon lover, Joseph was carrying firearms from all over the world. Coulibaly's face was painted like an actor of the Peking Opera. He had a blowgun in his hand.
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Chapter 457: The Importance of Special Weapons
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
If he had a spear on his back, he could have been invited to the famous TV program "Man vs. Wild". They were busy carrying commodities, when somebody shouted outside, "Hey! Who dares enter my domain?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Qin Guan went out and saw Lan Jin. He did not look silly like usual. Instead of his luxury car, he had driven a worn truck all the way from Long Island. Xu Xiaoxiao was in the passenger seat.
Qin Guan felt helpless against the two guys, who were much more excited than usual. Birds of a feather always flocked together. Why were all the men around him so unreliable?
He shot a glance at Cong Nianwei, who was wrapping ceramics in cotton cloth carefully. On the contrary, the women around me are calm and capable.
Xu Xiaoxiao jumped out of the truck, surprised to see Qin Guan there.
"Stop! Lan Jin! It's one of us! Hold your fire!"
He was waving a big broadsword around. It seemed to be his choice of a defensive weapon. What was his father thinking? Does he believe so much in his son, or has he given up on him?
The broadsword was shining coldly in the night. It had to be a martial arts demonstration prop. It was pretty, but basically useless.
His UN army could not tell the difference though. They were in awe of Qin Guan's friend, who looked like a martial artist.
"Stop that rubbish! There's only a few things left. Let's finish as soon as possible." Cong Nianwei couldn't stand those clowns. They were delaying their work.
"I'm coming..."
There was a car parked across the street. Charlie was observing the situation through his binoculars, sitting in the passenger seat next to Franklin.
"It seems like the boss is packing things up. They are not like those artists on the Upper East Side though. They are bad boys like us."
Franklin threw his cigarette butt out and replied calmly, "Let's just try them." He shot at the store without a warning. Bang!
The quiet was broken by the shot. Qin Guan suddenly stopped in his tracks. Who? Where? What happened?
Hiding behind the car, he waved at Cong Nianwei, who was inside the shop. Run! Leave me here! Go to the back garden through the side door!
He was hoping that it was just some thieves who wanted to make a fortune, but Joseph and Coulibaly were really excited. They shouted at Cella together, "Turn off the lights!" Then Coulibaly disappeared silently.
Qin Guan was shocked by his heroic actions. Suddenly, he saw Joseph take the gun that was behind his back and load it. Am I about to watch an action film for free?
Bang, bang, bang...
Sparkles were shining on the dark street. Joseph was shooting from behind the car with a happy smile.
"Bloody hell!" Franklin and his partner rolled away from the car.
Bang! A bullet flew over their heads. Franklin shot back.
"Ha! They are not far away! There! Northwest!" Joseph smiled wide in the dark as he turned his gun in that direction.
"Bastards! If only I had superpowers!" Xu was terrified in the face of real danger. He had thrown his broadsword away.
"Qin Guan, you throw something to divert them. I'll take them out with my gun!" Joseph shouted at Qin Guan.
Qin Guan looked around. Throw what? A ceramic? I'll go bankrupt. I better find some bricks...
He threw a few bricks at their enemies.
After an accurate calculation of gravitational acceleration, wind force and angle, Qin Guan found his target. The two men escaped from the bullets, but were caught by the bricks. They started shouting abuse at them. Can't you just stick to the gunfight?
Qin Guan was happy with his achievement. He ran out of ammo soon though.
Franklin cheered up at the lack of flying bricks. "Bastard! Ran out of ammo, did you? Ha ha... You piece of dogsh*t!"
Americans loved dogs a lot more than the Chinese.
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Chapter 458: Complete Victory
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Dogsh*t was piled on the streets, especially on patches of grass. Qin Guan wrapped up a piece of dried dogsh*t in a cotton cloth carefully and dipped it into some fresh sh*t.
Using the wind and humidity to his advantage, he threw it away. Franklin and his partner got one each. The distinctive smell drifted out as Franklin grabbed it subconsciously.
"Oh, bullsh*t!" Wrong! It was dogsh*t.
They were both furious, when suddenly a soft sound was heard from around the corner. Both of them felt a sharp pain on their necks.
"Was it a f*cking mosquito?"
"I'm fainting..." Before they could figure out what was going on, they collapsed on the ground.
"Ha ha..." Coulibaly jumped out of the flowers, laughing proudly. His friends finally spotted him thanks to his glowing white teeth.
Now they realized why he had asked them to turn off the lights and where he had gone in the dark. Taking advantage of his complexion, he had sneaked behind their enemies in secret.
"All clear!" He waved at Qin Guan.
The lights were turned on again. Standing in a heap of bullet shells, Joseph looked perfectly satisfied. Qin Guan walked to their enemies' car curiously, wondering how Coulibaly had taken the two strong men out silently.
Coulibaly kicked the two robbers, who were lying on the ground like dead pigs.
"It's a weapon my African tribe uses for hunting." He waved the blowgun around proudly.
"It's opium, but it's not toxic. If it was the poison we used to use, they would have been in Heaven by now."
He pulled the thin needles out of their necks.
"Cunning guys... And very professional. Thanks for the diversion, Qin Guan."
He put the needles carefully into a small case. "That's dogsh*t... Watch your hands," Qin Guan warned him kindly.
Everyone had gathered around them. They burst into laughter at his words as the two criminals snored on the ground.
"What shall we do with them?" They called the police. Ten minutes later, nobody had come yet.
"I'll take them away." Xu Xiaoxiao pointed at his old truck. There was enough room inside for them.
The shabby truck drove to the police station along Chelsea Street with the two troublemakers in it. The dense smoke made it look like a steamship. The international students looked at each other and burst into laughter again.
The shining spears and armoured horses were only a brief interlude in their ordinary lives. A few weeks later, Qin Guan asked for leave from his tutor. He had gotten perfect scores in the seasonal tests.
The city of Cannes was famous for its film festival. In May, stars and pilgrims from all over the world poured into the city with the most luxurious hotels, romantic marine drives and significant cinemas. Cannes combined French romance with style and fashion, which blossomed splendidly on the dazzling beach in the spring.
Qin Guan was waiting for Sister Xue at the airport with his ticket. Meanwhile, Cong Nianwei was busy working in his new office without any distractions. She preferred a quiet house over her boyfriend or a chance to visit Cannes.
Actually, Qin Guan had a tight schedule, so he wouldn't have any spare time in Cannes.
The opening ceremony was the most important part of the whole festival. All the stars, producers, film lovers, and distributors would get together for the grand feast.
On the way to the hotel, Sister Xue was telling Qin Guan about his order of appearance again and again. Unlike at other festivals, the order of appearance was very important at the Cannes festival.
The festival combined the culture of commerce and the tourism industry. During the ceremony, small stars would get more chances to promote themselves. Even if their film was not nominated, they could still enjoy themselves on the red carpet.
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Chapter 459: Busy All Day Long
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
If only one had a firm… You know...
To make money. Oh no... To better differentiate between the people on the red carpet. There were three groups of guests.
The first group were the participants, including talented actors and directors. Famous or not, they would all get the highest respect from the media and the audience. Queen Gong, who was in that group, was one of the representatives of the Chinese film circle.
Those guys were really devoted to indie films. Maybe one day a shining star would rise from them.
When the people of the first group went by, people shut up and took as many pictures of them as possible.
The second group were the representatives of famous brands. They were not nominated for any awards, but they had been invited because they belonged in the fashion circle. They usually showed off and competed for the public's attention.
The third group were those who had come uninvited. They had paid agencies to come for a chance to promote themselves.
Qin Guan read through the regulations of the Cannes festival and checked his schedule. Interesting! I have to be on the carpet with the first group for "Elephant", then twice with the second group for Armani and Tiffany. That's three times! I'll be the only one in Cannes who does that.
"Sister Xue, may I combine Armani and Tiffany? Would only one time be okay?"
Sister Xue, who was unpacking, shot him a supercilious look.
"How will the host introduce you? Will he thank both Armani and Tiffany for the clothing and the jewellery at the same time? Do you think this is a domestic bazaar? Other people would have done anything for such a good chance!"
While Sister Xue was cursing at full volume, Qin Guan got distracted by the beach and the sea.
"Keep doing what you are doing, Sister Xue. I need to take a walk along the seaside to calm down. Please make arrangements with Director Gus."
Before his voice could fade away, he had already disappeared.
Liar! Are you really nervous about the festival?
The opening ceremony would take place on a square only 200 meters away from the beach. The Palais des Festival beside it was only where the final award ceremony would be held. After the opening ceremony, the nominated films would be played there.
Qin Guan strode over to the beach, which was open to the public. He enjoyed the blue sky, the white sand and the soft waves. The beautiful view reminded him of his hometown. It was not as enchanting, but it was beautiful in its own way.
He took off his socks and shoes and stood on the sand on his bare feet. Cannes was beautiful in May. The sky was blue and transparent, and the air was wet and salty. After taking a few steps, Qin Guan felt sleepy. He sat down on the sand to savor the moment. Wow! This is so nice...
A blonde woman in white shorts and sunglasses walked by leisurely, followed by a group of reporters. Nobody dared get too close to her. She looks familiar. It's Nicole Kidman! The most powerful nominee for best actress!
The actress seemed to relax on the beach.
Qin Guan felt like an extra in the background. I'm just enjoying some free time...
Click, click… Another handsome actor ran past Qin Guan in sportswear, followed by a group of crazy reporters. It was Keanu Reeves.
One of the reporters managed to take some pictures and shared the experience with his peers.
"I saw a passer-by in my photo. Look at him carefully. He is really handsome, isn't he?"
"Yes, he looks good. He seems familiar. God knows who he is. There are stars everywhere around here. Is he Asian?"
"Yes. Chinese or Japanese. They are nominated for an award this year."
Qin Guan was shocked. A Chinese film? Which one? Who?
Meg Ryan passed by. Qin Guan lost the chance to watch the flying seagulls.
Monica Bellucci passed by... Dirt and dust were floating before Qin Guan's eyes.
Hey! Enough!
The beach was not as quiet as Qin Guan had anticipated. It was as noisy as a bazaar. Before he got up to leave, a man called his name from somewhere behind him.
"Qin Guan! What are you doing here?"
Qin Guan turned around and saw Lou Ye walking up to him in a pair of shorts and slippers. The man beside him was dressed formally. Jiang Wen?
"What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?"
They spoke at the same time. Qin Guan shrugged. "Are you the director of the only Chinese film to be nominated for an award?"
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Chapter 460: Acquaintances in Cannes
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Lou Ye felt proud at his question. Even though I'm a Chinese director, I can also make a film that will interest an international festival.
He shrugged and began to make jokes. "Wow! And you? Why are you here? Did your agency pay for you to appear on the carpet, or do you have a big brand as your sponsor? Well done, Qin Guan! After one year, we meet again in Cannes!"
Qin Guan shot a supercilious look at him. "As a director participating in the festival, shouldn't you know who your competitors are? My film is also nominated. I am the leading actor!"
Surprised, Jian Wen sized Qin Guan up from head to toe. The boy looked as clean as seawater. He could only be compared to clouds and bamboos. What indie film would cast such an actor? He's the best choice for domestic commercial films!
Lou Ye was just as stunned. He dag in his ear, and then burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha! I must have heard wrong. I heard that you were the lead in an indie film! I'm sorry for laughing, but what silly director would have cast you as the protagonist? If you were a girl, you would definitely have been my exclusive female lead! Are you playing a woman in the film? Impossible! You are too tall..."
Lou had lost his role as a representative of the 6th generation of directors. Qin Guan shot a disgusted look at him again and stood up, flicking sand off his bottom.
"I'm not kidding. You can watch my film after the opening ceremony. It's called 'Elephant'." Lou stopped laughing abruptly. Jiang Wen winked.
Jiang Wen had been invited to be a judge at the festival. "Elephant" was the first film that would be evaluated after the ceremony.
It was said that the indie American director had aroused a discussion during the small-scale test screening. The film was a documentary, which was a favorite of the senior judges.
"Really? What kind of film? You're the protagonist? I'll watch it tomorrow."
Excited, Lou asked Jiang Wen for an invitation to the test screening.
Giving him a polite smile, Jiang replied in a low, deep voice. "You are asking the wrong person. He will be the hero of the premiere. Getting you an invitation would be easy for him."
He pushed the responsibility to Qin Guan. According to Qin Guan's observations, Lou must have been causing Jiang a lot of trouble those days.
Listening to Jiang's advice, Lou hugged Qin Guan around the neck and started talking rubbish. "Qin Guan, get me an invitation tomorrow after the opening ceremony. Please! I'll introduce some beautiful girls to you in return. Zhang! Little Zhang! Come here!"
Who is little Zhang? Qin Guan was out of breath, when a pair of bare, clean feet appeared in front of him.
The complexion of the feet was not fair, but they were as smooth as pure honey. Their bones were slender, and the muscles under them were strong and elegant, like winter jasmine on a cliff.
Qin Guan looked up slowly. It was a girl with freckles on her nose. She was Zhang Ziyi, a rising international star.
The film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in 2002 had made an international impact, and the Western audience had kept her in mind after the film.
She was the heroine of Lou Ye's "Purple Butterfly". She had come to Cannes to beat the drums for Lou.
Lou began to beg for her forgiveness as Zhang smiled.
"Hello, Zhang Ziyi."
Qin Guan shook hands with her. "Hello, Qin Guan."
"I also played a small part in 'Heroes'. It was a pity that I didn't get to meet or cooperate with you."
Compared to Lou, Zhang had a favorable impression of the elegant boy.
He is a normal man. Lou is unworthy of his title as one of the leaders of the 6th generation.
They talked happily on the beach as the reporters began taking photos again. Luckily, Qin Guan was no longer in the background. Thanks to Jiang and Zhang, he took up one fourth of the picture.
Nobody knew who Lou, the guy in the shorts, was.
"Let's take this chance to take a group photo!" Lou did not like being ignored. He hugged Jiang and Qin Guan around the shoulders and told Zhang to stand beside them.
"Attention! You, the photographer over there! Three, two, one, cheese!"
They smiled in joy as the foreign media recorded the memorable moment.
It was sunny on May 25th, 2003. Sister Xue helped Qin Guan get dressed for the ceremony and walk out of the hotel leisurely.
The blue carpet on the stairs of the Palais des Film had been replaced by a red one, which was only used for special occasions.
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