Chapter 207: The Most Important Investment for a Woman

Next up are the handover matters between the Hero Glory team and the Ubisoft team.

Hero Glory will also completely leave Steam and use Ubisoft's global servers; server management permissions will be handed over to Jade Rabbit for remote assistance.

As for that 10 million euros, which is 80 million soft sister coins, it will be injected into the gaming department to plug the previous hole.

The previous 300 million capital budget was used for developing the engine and Fortnite, and part of it was diverted to building the domestic Hero Glory servers.

On top of that, Hero Glory was already making money domestically.

So once these 80 million are poured in as a capital pool, there will still be tens of millions left, which will be used to build an operations service team and a security department to combat cheats and improve the global ban mechanism and reporting mechanism.

In other words, specifically building a good ecological environment for the game and doing a good job in services.

This is something Ma服 can't do — spending tens of millions to build a game's ecological environment, with so much money, they'd rather use it for the Propaganda Department.

So the cultures of the two companies are different.

Ubisoft will also officially take over Hero Glory's operations work; the first thing to do is translate it into various languages and roll it out globally, since previously there was only the English version.

Then gradually cancel skin trials and start making money.

At this stage, the cooperation won't have major problems; it depends on the follow-up situation.

With matters here settled, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian took the train from Rennes to Paris; the journey takes about 2 hours or so.

France is just this tiny little place, but the ticket price is very expensive — over two hundred, much more expensive than back home.

There were quite a lot of foreigners on the train; after all, it's Paris — a big city in France, a big city in Ouzhou — so quite a few people go there.

Liu Tianxian sat in her seat, watching the countryside, the endless green wheat fields, and the quiet villages flash past outside the window, feeling pleased.

"What are we going to Paris for? Aren't we going back to the country? I have a lot of things to be busy with." Fang Hong leaned over and said.

"Busy, busy, busy — all you know is busy."

Liu Tianxian shot back, then looked outside: "You need to enjoy life more. Look how beautiful the scenery is out there — countryside and fields — my mood has relaxed a lot."

Fang Hong glanced out the window: "I grew up in the countryside as a kid, it's nothing new to me, I've seen it to death."

Countryside is what city people yearn for — so-called rural life — but rural people themselves don't really yearn for it; few people, few entertainment activities, lots of mosquitoes and bugs too.

After living there for a while, you find it very boring.

"Hey, so what were you doing as a kid?" Liu Tianxian asked curiously.

"Catching loaches, poking at bird nests, playing with mud, stealing pears — there was a pear orchard near us, and my buddies and I would climb over the fence to steal their pears, and then we'd get caught—"

As Fang Hong spoke, Liu Tianxian listened quite attentively, a pair of beautiful eyes clear and bright, very lucid.

"Someone chased after you, the others all climbed back over the fence and ran, but you got caught stealing pears — your hands and feet are really too clumsy, aren't they?" she said with a smile.

"If the people in front hadn't blocked my path, I could've run too." Fang Hong defended himself.

Liu Tianxian couldn't be bothered to expose him: "So what happened after that?"

"Nothing happened. I was a kid, they didn't make things hard for me. My dad came to bail me out, handed them a few cigarettes, and they let me go. My dad was still around back then." Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian nodded understandingly.

The train sped along the road; the two chatted about childhood fun stories. Liu Tianxian also shared some fun things from her own childhood, as well as living in the United States and filming after returning to the country.

Two hours passed quickly, and the train stopped at Paris.

Fang Hong carried a backpack and dragged the luggage; Liu Tianxian looped her arm through his, and together they walked out of the train station.

The weather in Paris was similar to Rennes, also around 10 degrees. Today happened to be bright and sunny; the two, each wearing a woolen coat, went into a Western restaurant.

"After we eat, you put the luggage at the hotel and keep me company shopping." Liu Tianxian said, holding her knife and fork.

"You're way too free!" Fang Hong was quite reluctant — shopping was really too tiring.

"I kept you company during negotiations, and you can't even be willing to keep me company shopping — have you no conscience?"

Liu Tianxian gripped the knife and fork, making a gesture to stab at his hand resting on the table.

Fang Hong hurriedly dodged, not daring to say a word of nonsense.

After the two filled their stomachs, they put the luggage at the hotel — it was only temporary — and in the evening the two would take a night flight back to the country.

Afterwards, Fang Hong, suppressed, accompanied her as she began shopping.

Liu Tianxian took two pairs of sunglasses out of her bag, put one on herself, and seeing Fang Hong's long face, said: "Smile."

Fang Hong pulled up both corners of his mouth, revealing a smile he considered good-looking.

"That's more like it."

Liu Tianxian put the sunglasses on him, tossed the handbag in her hand to him to carry, and didn't care how the man felt — today she was going shopping, period.

The two wove through the crowds, walking to Osman Avenue's Galeries Lafayette, with the Paris Opera right beside it, in the commercial heart of Paris.

The exterior of the Galeries Lafayette building looks like a giant medieval castle palace; entering the main hall, overhead is a resplendent Byzantine-style glass dome.

Sunlight poured down from the dome, shining on the dazzling array of luxury goods, like a super luxurious palace — the sensory impact was very strong.

It was Fang Hong's first time at this place; his vision received a strong冲击 — everywhere he looked was resplendent, surrounded entirely by dazzling luxury goods.

It's said that the world's most famous luxury goods and high-end brands gather here.

The world of the rich really is different.

The two were now browsing the first-floor women's wear area, full of exquisite clothing everywhere, as well as women's shoes, evening gowns, and so on.

At a denim clothing store, Liu Tianxian picked up a denim jacket and was holding it up against herself in front of the mirror, while a shop assistant nearby introduced it in rapid-fire chatter.

"Why do you like wearing denim so much?" Fang Hong asked curiously.

"You don't like me wearing denim? Then I won't buy denim." Liu Tianxian was very decisive, handed the denim jacket to the shop assistant, turned around, and left.

The shop assistant was completely dumbfounded — never expected that a big commission would be gone just because of one sentence from that man.

The two walked to the entrance of another dress shop; Liu Tianxian pointed and said: "Dresses are okay, right?"

"Whatever you want." Fang Hong had just said it casually.

Indeed, looking at Liu Tianxian, apart from when she appears in public at events, she rarely wears dresses normally — either long pants or jeans.

The two entered the store, and a shop assistant came to attend to them. Liu Tianxian picked out a brightly colorful big-flower dress, held it against her lower body, faced Fang Hong, and said: "What do you think of this one?"

"Are you looking at this because it's especially eye-catching?" Fang Hong couldn't help saying.

This skirt is just like those colorful candies—looks downright tacky.

"Hehehe, yes!" Liu Tianxian admitted.

"It looks good—you've got the figure to pull off anything," Fang Hong understood why she never wore skirts normally—this taste was beyond words.

Liu Tianxian, satisfied, snapped her fingers; "I'll take it!"

She paid for it herself—very lavish.

They wandered store by store, picking out clothes one by one; Liu Tianxian showed no fatigue, buying anything she liked.

Fang Hong became the packhorse, carrying bags and following behind.

Without realizing it, they'd bought many casual outfits, sportswear, shoes—bags hung from his hands, draped over his neck.

He watched the energetic Liu Tianxian ahead, shook his head, and panted as he caught up.

They wandered into the men's section, but the clothing here wasn't nearly as abundant as the women's—first floor was fine wines, second floor was apparel.

"Come here."

Liu Tianxian held up a casual suit, ran her fingers over it—the fabric was extremely premium, shimmering visually with exceptional texture.

Fang Hong, exhausted, approached and waited for instructions.

"Put down your things and try it on—see if it fits," Liu Tianxian held the suit against him, measuring with her hands.

"Oh!"

Fang Hong set down the bags in his hands, removed the ones hanging from his neck, looking utterly drained.

"Snap out of it—if anyone sees you like this, they'll think I can't afford anything." Liu Tianxian scolded him.

Fang Hong lifted his head, straightened his chest, and rallied his spirits—not to embarrass the big spender.

"That's better—go on, put it on and let me see," Liu Tianxian handed him the suit.

Fang Hong took it to the fitting room, and when he emerged, his demeanor had changed drastically—he radiated a unique elegance.

Liu Tianxian's eyes lit up—clothes really do make the man! "We'll take this one."

Liu Tianxian signaled the clerk; Fang Hong was about to head back to the fitting room to change out of it, but she stopped him: "Don't take it off—wear it like this."

"That's not right—I'm too handsome, I'm afraid I'll blind everyone else," Fang Hong joked.

"Then why aren't you afraid some female rogue will drag you away?" Liu Tianxian said.

"You're the female rogue," Fang Hong replied.

"Get lost—you're the rogue!"

Liu Tianxian feigned a kick, then reconsidered and retracted her foot.

They were speaking Chinese—no one understood; Fang Hong meant Liu Tianxian had dragged him out shopping, so she was the female rogue.

"Do you have shoes? Leather shoes!" Liu Tianxian pointed at Fang Hong's feet and told the clerk.

"Yes, the latest Hermès model."

The clerk led them to the shoe section on the other side.

Liu Tianxian gestured for Fang Hong to sit on the soft stool and try on shoes; after testing a few pairs, one caught her eye.

She knelt down, lifted one of Fang Hong's feet, and studied it closely: "How does it feel? Is it tight?"

"Fine, very comfortable," Fang Hong nodded.

"Then we'll take this pair."

Liu Tianxian released his foot and stood up.

Fang Hong now wore the brand-new suit and gleaming leather shoes—his aura transformed completely, drawing glances from several French women.

Previously he was a country bumpkin; now he was a nobleman. His spirit was still a bit dull—if it were brighter, he'd be even better.

Liu Tianxian bought him a shirt, accessories, men's perfume—those were the essentials for a man.

By the time they finished shopping, it was nearly evening; they returned to the hotel, stored the items, and Fang Hong collapsed onto the bed, 只想休息, utterly exhausted.

"Get up, don't wrinkle your clothes," Liu Tianxian tapped his leg.

"I don't want to get up—I just want to lie here," Fang Hong groaned.

"Come with me to eat," Liu Tianxian said.

"Bring the food here—I just want to lie down," Fang Hong repeated.

He also admired Liu Tianxian—she wasn't tired at all.

Liu Tianxian glanced at her wristwatch and threatened: "I'll count to three—if you don't get up, I'll beat you to death."

"No need to count—just beat me to death right now," Fang Hong said indifferently.

"Then I'll ignore you."

Liu Tianxian turned and walked away.

Fang Hong jolted upright and immediately followed: "If you ignore me, my heart turns icy cold."

"I'm taking you to meet someone," Liu Tianxian smiled.

"Who?" Fang Hong leaned in from behind.

"You'll find out when we get there," Liu Tianxian said.

"So mysterious—are you planning to sell me?" Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian elbowed him: "Who'd want someone like you?"

"You'd want me."

"I'd be blind."

"."

Laughing and chatting, they entered a high-end, elegant restaurant—dim lighting, soothing music, a touch of romance.

If he hadn't heard that Liu Tianxian still had someone to meet, Fang Hong would have thought they were here on a date.

The two of them stopped beside a private booth-style table, where a middle-aged man in a sharp suit was already seated, looking especially upright and proper.

The middle-aged man was curiously sizing Fang Hong up and down.

Seeing this man, Fang Hong suddenly felt a little uneasy, realizing what was going on.

"This is my dad!"

Liu Tianxian introduced him to Fang Hong, then said again: "Dad, this is the boyfriend I told you about, his name is Fang Hong."

She said it very matter-of-factly, as if it were nothing unusual.

"Hello, Uncle!"

Fang Hong stepped forward and extended his hand to An Shaokang, looking quite formal.

No wonder Liu Tianxian had dressed him up so handsome today — turns out she was bringing him to meet her father-in-law.

But why didn't she say so earlier? So suddenly, he hadn't even had time to prepare himself mentally.

"Hello."

An Shaokang reached out and shook his hand, nodding calmly, but his gaze kept examining him, as if trying to see right through the young man.

The three of them sat facing each other, and the atmosphere fell silent.

Fang Hong was a bit ill at ease, not daring to speak carelessly for the moment.

Liu Tianxian, on the other hand, seemed very casual — she poured tea for both of them, picked up the menu, and asked: "Dad, what do you want to eat?"

"Anything's fine," An Shaokang said.

So Liu Tianxian ordered casually, without asking Fang Hong's opinion — this man didn't know foreign food, and naming something he wouldn't understand would be pointless.

"What are you here to France for this time?"

An Shaokang was still interested in Fang Hong.

After all, his daughter bringing her boyfriend to meet him meant she approved of him in her heart; he just found him unfamiliar and needed to get to know him.

"Business negotiations, but they're already wrapped up. I was just about to head back to China — came in a rush today."

"Dad, this is a gift Fang Hong bought for you."

Before Fang Hong could finish, Liu Tianxian took out an exquisite gift box from her bag and handed it over.

"Thank you, thank you!"

An Shaokang took it and set it beside him.

This made Fang Hong feel embarrassed, and he turned to look at Liu Tianxian beside him.

Liu Tianxian gave him a playful wink.

An Shaokang noticed their little exchange but said nothing, and asked again: "What do you do?"

"Oh, I have a small company, we do film, games, animation, that sort of thing — content-related," Fang Hong answered honestly.

"Is it your own company? How big is it?" An Shaokang confirmed again.

"Yes, just started a year or two ago. Currently we have a little over two thousand employees," Fang Hong said.

An Shaokang nodded, getting a rough idea — this fellow wasn't really part of the entertainment circle.

The two went back and forth with questions and answers; Liu Tianxian didn't interject — she had just brought this man for her dad to take a good look at him and get familiar.

Soon the dishes arrived, all local specialties here in Paris.

"French cooking methods are still somewhat similar to Chinese cooking methods, the flavors are about the same — you should find it easy to eat."

An Shaokang gestured with his hand, appearing polite, and stopped asking about personal family and career matters.

Asking too much would seem deliberate — it was just a meeting and a meal, after all.

"I'm not a picky eater, I can eat anything," Fang Hong was also very polite.

"Would you like some wine?" An Shaokang picked up a bottle of red wine.

"I don't drink," Fang Hong shook his head.

"Oh," An Shaokang set it back down.

"You can drink, it's fine," Fang Hong said.

"No more drinking, just a casual bite and a chat will do," An Shaokang seemed very gentlemanly.

The two chatted politely and ate genteelly — An Shaokang was naturally like that, while Fang Hong was putting on an act, a bit ill at ease.

Only Liu Tianxian was stuffing food into her mouth in big bites — she'd been out shopping all day and burned through a ton of energy.

"Excuse me for a moment."

When they were nearly done eating, Fang Hong stood up.

"Where are you going?" Liu Tianxian looked up and asked.

"Nowhere in particular, just a little something," Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian didn't stop him, but made way for him — she guessed he was going to settle the bill, and found it rather face-saving.

After he left, Liu Tianxian leaned forward and asked her dad in a low voice: "So, what do you think?"

"How can you tell from just one meeting? As long as you like him yourself, that's fine — but you should also keep your eyes open, and ask your mom's opinion more often.

The most important investment a woman makes in her life is choosing the right husband. If you choose right, you'll be happy for a lifetime; if you choose wrong, you'll suffer for it. Looking more carefully is never wrong."

An Shaokang spoke with deep feeling — after all, she was his own daughter.

And he didn't have much of a grudge against Liu Xiaoli either; after all these years, whatever needed to be let go had already been let go.

Liu Xiaoli had seen and experienced a great deal, with rich life experience — that's why he told Liu Tianxian to listen to her mom's opinion more.

Liu Tianxian nodded, indicating she understood.

Just then Fang Hong came back, and the father and daughter sat back in place without changing expression.

Fang Hong sat back down and asked in a low voice: "Did you already pay?"

"I already paid. I thought you'd gone to the restroom." Liu Tianxian pretended not to know.

"You didn't even give me a chance to show off." Fang Hong said.

"It's fine, my dad doesn't know — he thinks you paid." Liu Tianxian cupped a hand beside her mouth and whispered something in his ear.

Fang Hong felt an inexplicable surge of gratitude. Liu Tianxian had arranged everything for him.

All he had done was eat a meal and meet someone! The meal was utterly ordinary, just a single meeting, nothing much to say, and they were still rather strangers.

"Dad, take good care of yourself here."

Outside the restaurant, night had already fallen. Liu Tianxian hugged An Shaokang: "You must take care of your health."

"Alright, you two be safe on the way back."

An Shaokang nodded, parted from his daughter, then shook hands with Fang Hong and said warmly, "Come visit Wuhan when you're free."

"Sure, Uncle!" Fang Hong bowed politely.

An Shaokang left and returned to the Confucius Institute.

Neither of them said anything — everything was left unsaid. Each understood the other's feelings. They went back to the hotel, picked up their many bags and packages, and once again boarded the night flight home.

On the plane, Liu Tianxian watched Fang Hong wolfing down the airline meal: "Why weren't you eating earlier?"

"In front of your dad, I had to play the gentleman, didn't I?" Fang Hong mumbled through a mouthful of food, his words slurred.

Liu Tianxian found it funny and leaned her head on his shoulder.

(End of chapter)