Chapter 203 What Discount Do You Want: I'll Sell the Tickets

Unfortunately, this was Gasparov's first time organizing a concert.

Before that, he was a wine merchant.

Being an outsider to the field, he had no idea that, given the current trend, the concert could very well be canceled.

MJ wasn't some trainee who hadn't even debuted yet. He had to grit his teeth and perform on a stage where the audience outnumbered his bandmates.

He is someone who can rival Elvis Presley, so why would he come here and embarrass himself like this?

Gasparov grew up under the Soviet model, and even now, as a typical capitalist, he finds it difficult to understand its intricacies.

Or perhaps he doesn't want to discuss this topic, or he's unwilling to collaborate with Wang Xiao and share the MJ concert resources he has.

So he insisted on saying one thing: "Michael will come. Everything is arranged. We will witness the greatest concert in Moscow's history."

After saying that, he walked directly towards the stadium, checking with his subordinates as he went, "Is everything ready? 45 bicycles, computers, and black leather furniture. Oh, and golf carts, and Aerospace hot air blowers, hot air blowers."

His subordinates were in a dilemma: "We can't borrow golf carts; the golf club won't lend them out."

Ivanov chimed in, "Perhaps I can lend a hand. Hey! My friend, if we work together, this could be a win-win situation."

Wang Xiao also emphasized: "We can definitely collaborate and turn it into an even more successful concert than the one in Bucharest."

Gasparov continued walking: "No, we can do this ourselves."

Wang Xiao had to admit that her short legs put her at a disadvantage when walking. She chased after him and shouted, "Are you sure? Putting aside the golf cart, aerospace means space travel. What does that have to do with a hot air blower? God, I really doubt whether you guys even understood Michael's team's proposal."

Gasparov paused for a moment, then strode inside, showing no intention of continuing the conversation.

“That guy,” Ivanov said, disgruntled. “Did he really have to ruin the concert?”

Fearing that Wang Xiao would be upset, he quickly comforted her, saying, "It's okay, we can get Michael's team's contact information and hold a concert in Beijing."

Wang Xiao blinked, having changed her mind: "No, holding the concert in Moscow is the most suitable. Because we want to promote fleece products in Moscow."

Ivanov frowned slightly: "Should we contact Michael's team directly and take over the concert production ourselves?"

His hesitation wasn't because they were novices in organizing concerts. If necessary, poaching Gasparov's team wouldn't be a problem.

Of course, he believed that this Dessa company wasn't very professional either. After all, Gasparov had been busy selling alcohol to make money before this.

Ivanov's real hesitation stemmed from the fact that intercepting the deal seemed somewhat inappropriate.

In Moscow, the best way to do business is to be amicable and make money.

Unless absolutely necessary, avoid offending people, especially those who have already made a name for themselves and have connections.

Otherwise, you never know when a bullet might come.

In this day and age, someone you met just this year might become the subject of a news story tomorrow, lying coldly in the first morgue in Leanosov.

Oh, and it's also Moscow's only morgue.

Ivanov meant that since Gasparov hadn't given up on the concert, they'd better not interfere.

"No."

Wang Xiao looked up at the newsstand next to him. The newspapers displayed there clearly showed today's date: September 7th.

"It's alright, we can wait now. When he can't wait any longer, he'll come looking for us."

She smiled slightly, "At that time, we will decide the price."

She turned to her assistant and instructed, "Place an order with the farm's factory. As soon as the fleece garments arrive, embroider the letter 'M' on the back."

She originally wanted to refer to MJ's signature, but firstly, the signature was too complicated, and the clumsy embroidery machine might not be able to handle it in such a short time; secondly, it might involve unnecessary trouble and disputes.

So let's keep it simple: the letter M can represent so much that it was enough to cheer for Michael Jackson in Moscow in 1993.

Ivanov became excited, chased after Wang Xiao to get on the bus, and asked with great interest, "What discount do we want to get the tickets?"

Wang Xiao did finger exercises, glancing out the car window with a meaningful look: "It depends on how long he can hold on."

Gasparov is clearly a tenacious man, or rather, he is very good at exploiting information gaps and creating misconceptions.

In 1993, Russia, as portrayed by Western media, was a disordered East, a paradise for countless gold prospectors.

So, on September 12th, MJ's private jet arrived at Sheremetyevo Alexander Pushkin International Airport on time.

Wang Xiao got the time ahead of schedule and even bought a bouquet of flowers to pick him up at the airport.

Honestly, she had seen so many concerts before she time-traveled, but this was truly her first time picking someone up at the airport.

Her bodyguards and assistants were all ready to make sure she could squeeze in front of Michael as soon as possible and present him with flowers.

When they arrived at the airport, they realized that they had been overly nervous.

There were fans, some of whom had made their own banners, and others had held up Michael Jackson posters they had drawn themselves, but there weren't many people.

Wang Xiao estimated that the number of people was definitely no more than a hundred.

She even suspected that there were more staff members and reporters at the scene than fans.

So she ran to the front with almost no effort and presented a large bouquet of sunflowers.

She shook Michael's hand and said only one sentence: "Welcome to the country where the national flower is the sunflower."

That's right, although it might seem a bit incongruous at first glance, the national flower of Russia is the sunflower. The colder the place, the more people chase the light and love the sunshine.

She only said that one sentence, and then forgot everything else.

It wasn't that she was overly excited; rather, she was taken aback.

Michael's hands were icy cold, like the chill of autumn in Moscow.

Of course, even if Wang Xiao remembered what else he wanted to say, he no longer had the chance to say it.

A large group of people had already escorted Michael into the car, where he was going to stay at the Metropolitan Hotel.

Seeing Wang Xiao standing there in a daze, Ivanov grabbed her hand and said, "Hey! It's not that bad, darling. I'll arrange for you to have dinner with him. Hey! Your hands are so cold."

“It’s not my hands that are cold, it’s his,” Wang Xiao said, pointing to the car’s departing shadow. “They’re ice cold.”

Then she sighed, “Don’t you think he’s a perfect fit for Moscow, or even all of Russia? His hands are cold, and Russia is a cold country; his favorite flower is the sunflower, which happens to be Russia’s national flower. Because the sunflower symbolizes the sun, a warm, bright, and hopeful sun. He’s like Peter Pan who never grew up, a child forever living inside him, taciturn, and not good at communicating with people. Russia is the same way. Admit it, at least politically, you’ve never matured!”

Ivanov's eyes widened at first, and he seemed about to retort, but when politics came up, he immediately lost his temper.

How can he deny it?

If it weren't for extreme political naiveté, how could the Soviet Union have collapsed? And how could Russia have ended up where it is today?

A frustrated Ivanov asked her, "Where are we going now? The Metropolitan Hotel?"

Wang Xiao was already walking quickly towards the car: "Of course, I couldn't bear to pay too low a price for the tickets. He's my favorite singer."

When they arrived at the Metropolitan Hotel, they gave the waiter a $10 tip and were smoothly taken upstairs and escorted to the door of the luxury suite.

The waiter knocked on the door for them and introduced them, saying, "Sir, these gentlemen and ladies would like to discuss the next concert with you."

A tense voice came from inside the room: "What, the next concert?"

Wang Xiao laughed: "Dear Mr. Gasparov, have you forgotten? We talked about it a few days ago, the Beijing concert, in China."

The door finally opened from the inside, and Gasparov's expression was not pleasant: "I'm very busy right now, I don't have time to talk about this."

Ivanov had already firmly blocked the door, and greeted the people inside in English with a smile: "Hello, gentlemen, we are friends of Gasparov. We know that he is organizing a concert by the world's greatest artist, and we hope to bring this concert to China so that the people of the world's most populous country can also enjoy such a wonderful performance."

Michael sat at the very back, surrounded by what appeared to be bodyguards and other staff. He looked tired and listless, and didn't say anything, but his expression wasn't one of weariness; in fact, you could even vaguely see a kind smile on his face. He just didn't move.

The middle-aged man who had been sitting outside him stood up. He was Michael's producer, and he cast a questioning glance toward the door.

Gasparov had no choice but to bite the bullet and introduce them: "These two are well-known businessmen in Moscow, involved in both retail and real estate. They mentioned the Beijing concert earlier, but I thought they were joking."

“Of course I’m not joking,” Wang Xiao denied with a smile. “My dear Gasparov just forgot to mention something: we also work in the cultural industry. Last year, Michael held an unparalleled concert in Bucharest that the whole world cheered for. I don’t know if you’ve heard of a Romanian TV series called ‘The Hero’? That was produced by our company.”

The producer's expression became more relaxed, or rather, more approachable. He walked over and shook hands with Wang Xiao and Ivanov, his tone appreciative: "Of course, it's a very excellent TV series. I'm in a hotel in Bucharest, and the TV station is showing it right now; it's a very interesting show."

Wang Xiao smiled and said, "We are currently filming a related movie. If there is an opportunity to release it in the United States, we hope to invite you to the premiere."

After exchanging pleasantries, she got to the point, "Besides investing in and producing TV series and movies, our cultural and entertainment company in China also handles performances by foreign artists. Um, we spearheaded the import of Romanian TV series into Chinese theaters. I don't know if you understand what I mean, but we also have some friends in the approval departments. In addition, because our company is responsible for the domestic work of a large number of foreign artists performing in China, we are also very experienced in this area."

"Michael is the greatest artist in the world. In China, he is a superstar on par with Elvis Presley and The Beatles. He has a huge fan base, and countless fans yearn to attend his live performances and experience his unparalleled charm in song and dance."

"Therefore, we hope to invite the esteemed Mr. Jackson to hold a concert in China. I guarantee that it will be a truly historic and great concert."

She delivered this speech with the passion and enthusiasm of a fan.

Michael remained silent, simply sitting there listening quietly, like a shy child.

The producer was a bit shocked, and it took him a while to remember: "Michael has held a concert in China, just this month, on September 4th, in Taipei, Taiwan."

Uh, Wang Xiao paused for a moment.

She really didn't know about this.

But this didn't affect her performance at all: "But China is huge! Look, the population of just one province in China is equivalent to that of an entire European country. With such a vast country and such a huge population base, China needs more Michael concerts. Believe me, he will receive an overwhelming welcome all over China."

She smiled at Michael and said, "I love you. My family, my friends, and my colleagues all love you. At the concert in Moscow, you'll see many people with black eyes and black hair like me. In fact, since we learned that you were coming to perform, many Chinese people in Moscow have been very excited. We are looking forward to a great concert."

This time, Michael's smile deepened, and he nodded to Wang Xiao, saying something like "yes."

However, he seemed unwilling to engage in further conversation.

Wang Xiao did not force him.

Singers should focus on their singing and dancing; everyone has their own area of ​​expertise. Other things should be the responsibility of the producer.

The producer hesitated slightly: "Will it pass the approval? I know that a socialist country has its own considerations."

“Of course.” Wang Xiao said confidently, half-jokingly and half-seriously, “China follows the socialist path with Chinese characteristics, and Chinese culture has always been inclusive and tolerant.”

The producer greeted Michael and suggested that he take a break.

He himself needs to have a good chat with the new ladies and gentlemen.

Michael nodded slightly to them, and when Wang Xiao and the others left, he even stood up to see them off.

This made Wang Xiao feel flattered, because he was Peter Pan.

Ivanov winked at her, he had a lot to say, but now was not the right time.

The producer took Wang Xiao and the others to his room. There were some topics that no one wanted to discuss in front of Michael.

"Tickets. Will concert tickets sell well in Beijing?" This is what he's really concerned about. "I mean, people in different countries and regions have their own consumption habits. Are Beijing residents willing to spend money on concert tickets?"

Wang Xiao smiled: "Of course, it's probably because Western media rarely report on it, so people aren't very aware of the situation. In fact, the concert market in China has been gradually heating up since the 1980s. In the last two years, concerts in China have been extremely popular. The biggest problem for ordinary people is the difficulty in buying tickets, because a large number of tickets are bought up by their work units, that is, companies, as a benefit, inviting employees to watch the concert together. Therefore, my plan is to minimize this situation when Michael holds a concert, so that more individual fans can buy tickets."

Ivanov chimed in, "The performance market in China is booming, and the people are very enthusiastic about watching performances."

He had a sudden inspiration and added, "Moreover, China is a very warm and welcoming country. If you go there, you will find that each of them is like a blooming sunflower, sunny and full of hope. They are kind and warm-hearted, and I believe Mr. Jackson will enjoy his trip to Beijing this time."

“OK!” The producer finally made up his mind. “We need to conduct an on-site investigation. As the organizer, we need to investigate the actual situation of your company. There are also some issues that we need to understand more about.”

“Of course,” Wang Xiao smiled. “Our head of the cultural company in China will also be coming to see the concert on the 15th. We can have a detailed discussion after the concert. Please believe me, we will definitely create a miracle together and witness a concert that will go down in history!”

Gasparov was extremely nervous at first, fearing that Wang Xiao and his group would raid his Moscow concert.

Later, after listening to them talk about the Beijing concert from beginning to end, he finally relaxed and even chimed in, "Of course, the people of Beijing will be happy, it's a Michael Jackson concert!"

Wang Xiao smiled slightly at him, her tone particularly concerned: "How many tickets are left? Can I buy them all?"

Gasparov's expression changed drastically, and he anxiously emphasized, "Today's tickets will definitely sell very well and will sell out quickly. Before, everyone was just worried about Michael's situation, afraid that he wouldn't be able to come to Moscow, so they had doubts. Now it's different. Everyone has seen it, everyone knows that this is not a dream, and the tickets will sell out very quickly."

Wang Xiao clutched his chest, a look of relief on his face, as if he were talking to himself: "That's great. I was so afraid the tickets wouldn't sell, and Michael would have to perform on an empty stage. God! That would be such a terrible thing. He's the greatest artist in the world, how could he suffer such humiliation?"

“I can imagine how those horrible, treacherous people will slander him, mock him, and insult him.”

"They will definitely spread rumors that he is a pedophile, so he is disliked by the people of Moscow and no one wants to come to his concerts."

"This is a terrible lie, a vicious rumor. In fact, we all saw it. At the airport and at the hotel entrance, so many fans were eagerly waiting for him. Everyone was so happy about his arrival."

"What will happen if the stadium is completely empty?"

"Everyone knows Michael is already in Moscow. How are we going to explain this concert? If it falls through, we really won't be able to explain it to the public."

Looking at Gasparov, whose face was growing paler and paler, Wang Xiao sighed heavily, as if a huge burden had been lifted from his heart. "Thankfully, none of this will happen. As a loyal Michael fan, I can finally rest easy."

The assistants and bodyguards all kept their eyes down, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings.

Good heavens, it's true what they say, "One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black."

Look, their female boss has been spending a lot of time with the male boss, and she's started to act like a character too.

If everyone wasn't together every day, and an outsider came in, you wouldn't immediately notice the hidden meaning and sarcastic tone in her words.

She wasn't relieved that none of this would happen; she was clearly emphasizing: to date, hardly any tickets have been sold. Just wait! Michael is about to face this incredibly embarrassing and terrifying situation.

The producer opened his mouth, as if to say something.

Wang Xiao, as if she hadn't seen him, stood up and reached out her hand to him: "Then, let's look forward to the most exciting concert on the 15th. I wish you all the best, and then we can talk about our Beijing concert."

The producer spoke up: "Miss Wang, about the Moscow concert..."

“Sir!” Gasparov interrupted him. “Please believe me, we will resolve the ticket issue soon.”

Changing partners midway through a collaboration is clearly not something a mature adult would do easily.

After a brief silence, the producer finally smiled and nodded at Wang Xiao: "I hope we can hold a great concert in Beijing."

Wang Xiao smiled and nodded, then made a phone call gesture: "My number is on the business card. You can call us anytime."

She smiled at Gasparov again, "Since the tickets aren't sold out yet, could you sell us a few more? You don't know, I'm a god to my friends now, they all want to see Michael's concert."

Gasparov forced a smile: "Of course, who wouldn't love such a wonderful concert? How many tickets do you need?"

“All of them!” Wang Xiao chuckled. “Of course, I know that’s unrealistic. Give me a thousand tickets. My friends are flocking from all over the world, eager to experience it in person.”

Gasparov tried to keep his expression calm: "No problem, Miss Wang, they'll definitely have the most wonderful night of their lives."

Together with the producer, he escorted Wang Xiao, Ivanov, and the others out of the hotel.

When Wang Xiao arrived at the door, she subconsciously looked up and bumped into Michael standing by the hotel window, curiously watching the outside world.

Wang Xiao nodded and smiled at him, then turned to the producer: "I know there are a lot of terrible voices maliciously slandering him right now, but I know they are all lies. Peter Pan would never do such terrible things."

“I think Michael must be very sad right now because he has been falsely accused. Maybe later, other children will come forward to accuse him. Everyone says that children don’t lie. But every adult was a child once. Who hasn’t lied when they were young? To get the attention of the public, especially their family, every child will lie, and if they lie so often, they will even confuse the difference between the truth and the lie.”

“I’m not good at comforting people, and I don’t know how to express my feelings to Michael. I just want to say that when one person criticizes him, there are a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand people who believe in him and support him.”

"It's not that whoever shouts the loudest is right."

"Silence can sometimes be a form of support, an expression of unwillingness to compromise one's principles."

"We all hope he's doing well."

Wang Xiao looked up again, smiled and nodded at the people who were still curiously looking out the window, then said goodbye and left.

As he got on the bus, Xiao Gao clicked his tongue and said, "He doesn't look like it at all."

These words seemed nonsensical, but everyone on the bus knew what they meant.

Although Ivanov was jealous of this world superstar because he could easily drive Wang crazy, he still spoke his mind: "I don't think it's quite right either."

He said this because he had a friend, well, a former friend, who was also a third-generation pedophile.

In the 1980s, when this disgusting guy was caught and about to be arrested, his parents did everything they could to send him to the United States.

Good heavens, there was a reason for the collapse of the Soviet Union. Due to privileged practices, criminals went unpunished and escaped punishment.

This is really not a pleasant topic.

Ivanov, his interest piqued, changed the subject: "Your Majesty, what price should we use to buy the tickets?"

Wang Xiao's business acumen kicked in: "I could have given him a 30% discount today, but he didn't want it, so I can only offer him a 20% discount at most."

It seems that Gasparov is going to have to give up his dream of making movies this time.

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Note: There are many theories about why Michael Jackson never held a concert in mainland China. I haven't found any particularly authoritative official information. Also, the concert market in mainland China was indeed booming in the 80s and 90s. In 1989, Fei Xiang held a concert at the Shanghai Stadium, and tickets originally priced at 12 yuan were scalped for 65 yuan. In late 1992, tickets for Alan Tam's concert in Guangzhou could be scalped for 1000 yuan (I doubt I read that correctly), so many fans were happy to pay for their own travel to see him in Shanghai. In 1993, tickets for Andy Lau's Shanghai concert were 90 yuan. Haha, back then, real estate prices hadn't skyrocketed, and many state-owned enterprises still covered their employees' education and healthcare. So, the extravagance many people displayed was quite astonishing.