Chapter 342: Glory
In the early morning of May 13th, members of the "Flowers" group were enjoying breakfast in the restaurant of an ordinary hotel in Paris.
Yang Zi was drinking milk and browsing Weibo when she suddenly exclaimed, "Wow!"
Liu Tao, who was sitting next to her, was startled by the sudden sound and gave Yang Zi a sidelong look in reproach: "What's wrong, sister Zi? You are so startled every day!"
Yang Zi looked at Liu Shishi who was eating quietly and excitedly: "Sister, you are on the hot search again!"
"What's the big deal? Your senior sister has been on the hot search list these days!" Huang Xiaoming chuckled and cut the fruit on the plate.
Ever since Yi Jie perfectly interpreted oriental aesthetics in Paris, France three days ago, the entire "Flowers and Youth" group has become the focus of the media.
They have frequently appeared on hot searches, and now their every move in Europe is closely watched by netizens. Even many international students in France have made a special trip to visit them on set.
"Tell me, Shishi, what made her a hot topic this time?" Jia Jingwen could not hide her envy.
Liu Shishi's popularity has been incredibly high recently. Her Weibo fans seem to be increasing all the time, and the number has skyrocketed to over one million in just three days.
Yang Zi slid her fingertips across the phone screen and introduced it to her brothers and sisters: "Today, Forbes magazine released the 2011 Chinese Celebrity List!"
Everyone suddenly realized that with Yi Jie's current status and popularity, she would definitely be on the list, and her ranking would probably not be low.
Liu Shishi looked calm, but she couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's my ranking?"
Yang Zi browsed the detailed data: "Senior Sister, your overall ranking is 19th, but your income is so high, 64 million. Although Brother Xiao Ming ranks 11th, his income is only 18 million."
When several people heard this, they were shocked at the money-making ability of the Big Sister. An annual income of 64 million is one of the few in the entire entertainment industry.
"Silly girl, the Forbes celebrity list only counts the income of celebrities in the entertainment industry. Your brother Xiao Ming is a rare investment expert. He has made hundreds of millions from the stocks of Huayi Company alone."
Liu Shishi smiled and thought silently in her heart.
Not counting the rental income from fixed assets under her name, her investments in "Lost on Journey" and "Love Apartment 2" last year, plus film remuneration and endorsements, did bring her income of more than 60 million.
Yang Zi was so surprised that she couldn't close her mouth. At this moment, she had a deep understanding of the commercial value of the top celebrities in the entertainment industry.
A hint of pride flashed in Huang Xiaoming's eyes. Subscribing to Huayi shares was indeed the most correct decision he had made in the past two years.
Not only did he make a fortune, but because of this, he was highly valued by the two kings of Huayi. His status in the company rose rapidly and he got a lot of good resources.
“Don’t say that!” Huang Xiaoming modestly waved his hands in front of Yijie: “I can’t compare with you, Shishi. Now netizens say that you are the richest woman in Chinese entertainment.”
“But seriously, the film pay and endorsement fees in the circle have increased a lot in the past two years. It is indeed easier to make money than before.” Liu Tao sighed softly and took out his mobile phone to check the Forbes celebrity list.
Chen Hong's expression moved slightly, and she nodded with deep emotion. She couldn't help but think of the time when she was filming "The Story of the Palace of Eternal Life" in the millennium. At that time, a star who could earn millions a year was already at the top of the circle.
Only ten years have passed, and the income of first- and second-tier stars has generally increased by more than ten times, making her itchy and she wants to come back to filming.
When everyone was discussing the changes in the entertainment industry, there was a sudden commotion outside the restaurant. Soon, director Liao Ke walked in quickly, followed by two foreigners in suits.
Liao Ke turned slightly and introduced: "Teacher Liu, these two are from Gucci, and they want to see you."
Under the puzzled gaze of Sister Yi, one of them spoke first: "Hello, Ms. Liu Shishi! I am Kyle, the artistic director of Gucci, and this is my colleague, Eric, the president of Gucci Asia Pacific."
The visitor turned out to be an executive of the famous luxury brand Gucci! Although she was surprised and didn't understand why the two came, Liu Shishi still stood up and said politely: "Mr. Kyle, Mr. Eric, good morning."
Kyle said with admiration in his eyes: “Ms. Liu, the photos you took in front of the Louvre have a unique oriental charm and are amazing!
Eric and I are here on behalf of Gucci and sincerely invite you to be the global brand spokesperson for Gucci."
Several people at the table were stunned with disbelief on their faces!
Gucci, one of the six blue-blood brands, actually invited a Chinese to be the global brand spokesperson, making everyone think that they were not good at English and misunderstood the meaning of the words!
"Sorry!" Liu Shishi said in a cold voice, "If I heard correctly, you two are inviting me to be the global spokesperson for Gucci?"
"Yes!" Kyle nodded solemnly, "You will be the first global spokesperson in Gucci's history!"
After Liu Shishi understood the purpose of the two people's visit, she did not show joy, but frowned slightly, doubting Gucci's motives. It is important for people to know themselves, and what virtues and abilities they have!
Not to mention that she is not as good as those international superstars in Hollywood, she is not even the best among domestic female stars. How can she be qualified to be the global spokesperson for Gucci?
If we talk about her special features, compared with other actresses, her only advantage is that her man is the richest man in Asia. But if the other party is coming for her husband, then she has to be cautious.
"Could you tell me why Gucci chose me as its spokesperson?" The first sister looked calm, and she did not lose her mind because of being chosen by the famous luxury brand.
Kyle answered sincerely: "Ms. Liu, please rest assured that Gucci comes with sincerity. In the future, Gucci will focus on developing the Chinese market, so it is appropriate to choose a Chinese as the global brand spokesperson.
In addition, we have also conducted a detailed investigation and found that you are very popular in China. Your image combines oriental charm with modern temperament. Your commercial value and potential are obvious to all."
Eric added at the right time: "Ms. Liu, Gucci attaches great importance to this cooperation. If you serve as the brand spokesperson, Gucci will launch a global promotion plan for you!
We place advertisements in airports and shopping districts in Asia, Europe, America and more than 50 countries and regions around the world. We also provide top-level fashion resource support.”
Liu Shishi nodded slightly, thinking about something, and suddenly remembered that her husband had analyzed the luxury goods market with her earlier. This sudden olive branch may be a microcosm of the change in the discourse power of fashion in the East and the West.
Although the other party's words were sincere, the matter happened so suddenly that Liu Shishi did not dare to agree rashly. She did not believe that Gucci chose her as the first global brand spokesperson without considering her husband's influence.
"Thank you Gucci for your favor to me. I still need to communicate with my agent about the specific matters of business cooperation."
"Of course!" Kyle immediately took out a gold-stamped business card from his suit pocket, "Here is my contact information, please accept it.
I will be in Paris in the next few days, and I look forward to your agent meeting with us as soon as possible, Ms. Liu."
Liu Shishi took the business card with both hands: "No problem, I will ask my agent to come to Paris right away."
After watching the two guests leave, under the envious gazes of the members of the Youth League, Liu Shishi picked up her phone and said, "Excuse me, everyone."
Yijie went to the side to make a phone call to contact her husband and Cai Yinong. The people at the table could not help but talk loudly, with exclamations coming one after another.
Liao Ke was grinning from ear to ear. The scene of Gucci executives inviting Liu Shishi had been completely recorded by the camera.
He could imagine how big a sensation this segment would cause when the main film was broadcast. The popularity of "Flowers and Youth" would surely be unprecedented in the history of domestic variety shows.
In a secluded corner, Liu Shishi was talking to Song Ci on the phone, and asked softly, "Husband, can I take this spokesperson?"
On the other end of the phone, Song Ci weighed the pros and cons and quickly sorted out the information: "Gucci, PPR Group, French Pinault Family!"
Liu Shishi did not rush her husband and waited patiently. She understood that some things cannot be judged by appearance alone. There is no such thing as a free lunch. There may be more complicated considerations behind this matter.
About five or six minutes later, Song Ci slowly spoke: "You can accept this endorsement. Let Cai Yinong bring a professional team to discuss the contract details."
Hearing her husband's affirmative answer, Liu Shishi's tense heartstrings suddenly relaxed and she smiled happily: "I'll contact Sister K right away."
Three days later, on May 16, the Hua Shao group, which was originally scheduled to go to Germany, extended their trip in France due to certain issues.
On this day, Gucci, one of the six blue-blood brands and the world's top luxury brand, officially announced that Chinese actress Liu Shishi has become the global brand spokesperson for Gucci.
There was no probation period, and he was hired directly! This is the first time that Gucci has a global brand spokesperson, and it is an Asian face.
As soon as this news was released, the entire entertainment industry was in an uproar, and Liu Shishi once again topped the Weibo hot search list.
"Although Yijie is abroad, she is on the domestic hot search list every day and has been on the list for a week in a row!"
"As the first global brand spokesperson in Gucci's 100-year history, Liu Shishi is amazing and really brings honor to the Chinese people."
In the past, foreign luxury brands have always been aloof towards Chinese celebrities and never easily appoint them as spokespersons. This time, Liu Shishi's sudden appointment as Gucci's spokesperson has indeed brought a great shock to the domestic entertainment industry.
While netizens were shocked and proud of Liu Shishi's endorsement of Gucci, there were also some sour comments:
"It's all about the relationship with men!"
"I'm sure that without Song Ci's support, Liu Shishi would definitely not be able to get the endorsement of Gucci!"
However, the domestic turmoil had nothing to do with Liu Shishi at the moment, because she had received a more important mission and had no time to be distracted.
Just half a day after Gucci officially announced its global spokesperson, Henri Pinault, president of the French Paris Printemps Group, one of the world's three largest luxury groups, released a major statement on Twitter:
In order to promote cultural exchanges between China and France, he decided to return two Chinese treasures collected by the Pinault family, the rat head and the rabbit head of the twelve zodiac bronze animal heads from the Old Summer Palace, to China free of charge.
The group also invited Ms. Liu Shishi, the spokesperson for the Gucci brand, to serve as the ambassador for the return of cultural relics and asked her to bring the rat head and rabbit head back to China.
The news of Henri Pinault's return of the national treasure was like a bolt from the blue, instantly shaking the entire China and even alarming the top leaders of the court. The embassy in France also came forward to confirm the matter as soon as possible.
It was 4 p.m. in Paris time, and it was already 1 a.m. in Beijing.
At this time, Song Ci was standing on the balcony, with the moonlight shining on his body, answering a long-distance call.
"Mr. Song, the leaders highly praised your wife's contribution to promoting cultural exchanges between China and France. The Pinault family's willingness to return the two national treasures free of charge has really boosted the morale of the Chinese people and inspired their hearts."
Song Ci was humble: "What my wife did was insignificant! It is only because our country is now prosperous that foreigners look up to us."
"Henri Pinault specifically asked you and your wife to attend the cultural relics handover party. I hope you won't refuse."
"Please rest assured, Mr. Kong. I will leave for Paris tomorrow and bring back the two national treasures with my wife."
Mr. Kong in France laughed out loud: "Great, great, great, let Rat Head and Rabbit Head return to their homeland as soon as possible, so that I can rest assured and avoid more troubles at night."
After ending the call, Song Ci couldn't help but sneer: "Henri Pino treats me as a comprador! But it's okay, Tengda does need such a powerful ally in Europe."
When things developed to this point, Henry Pino's plan became clear.
The Gucci spokesperson is just putting his own chips on the line, but the return of the two national treasures is the stepping stone for the Pinault family industry to fully enter the Chinese market.
After sorting out the matter and figuring out the key points, Song Ci no longer had any worries. WeChat monopolized the mobile IM market in Europe and was being targeted by the EU communications security department.
After cooperating with the Pino family, Tengda will be under much less pressure with the help of this local tyrant. However, if he wants the Pino family to help Tengda, he still needs to promise them huge profits.
After making some plans in his mind, Song Ci returned to his bedroom, took out his encrypted phone and called the other side of the ocean.
The call was quickly connected, and an enthusiastic voice came: "Dear Song, how come you have time to contact me?"
Song Ci chuckled: "Mr. Paulson, you must have made a lot of money by shorting the euro recently."
The person on the other end of the phone was John Paulson, the "short god" who had previously collaborated with Song Ci and frantically shorted the US stock market during the subprime mortgage crisis.
Paulson chuckled and said, "It's the same for me. If I earn a lot, then you also earn a lot, right?"
After a few pleasantries, Song Ci changed the subject and went straight to the point: "Paulson, I would like to invite a new partner to join us."
“Oh. Who is it?”
"Henri Pinault, the head of the French Printemps Group."
"French guy!" John Paulson hesitated, with a hint of caution in his tone, "We are shorting the euro and harvesting the European Union. You plan to invite a Frenchman to join us. Are you sure there will be no problem?"
"What does the European debt crisis have to do with the Pinault family? Do you think Henri Pinault would refuse a lot of money?"
Song Ci asked back, and his words hit home, "It will be more convenient for us to act in Europe if the local snake of the Pinault family joins us."
"That's right!" John Paulson asked himself. If he were in his place, he would not be able to resist the temptation of money. That is billions or even tens of billions of US dollars in profit. Whether the EU is good or not is definitely not something Henri Pinault would care about.
"Then it's settled. I'll fly to Paris tomorrow and invite Henri Pinault to short the Euro with us."
"Ok! It's up to you."
After hanging up the phone, Song Ci looked out the window at the night and sighed.
In order to build Tenda into a world-class multinational social giant, he has put a lot of effort into it and has had to win over European and American dignitaries. He has a long way to go!
(End of this chapter)
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