Chapter 436: Sending Charcoal in Snow, Building Friendship

Chen Nuo walked down the gangway.

Tang Tang Nade greeted him, opened his arms, and hugged him with extreme enthusiasm, "Welcome back." After speaking, he handed the flowers in his hand to him.

Chen Nuo took them, looked at this bouquet of brightly colored, exaggeratedly packaged tropical flowers, and asked with a smile: "Tang Tang Nade, why are you here?"

"Hahaha, this is a surprise." Old Tang was truly smiling, "Ivanka, come, didn't you say you missed Chen very much?"

Ivanka brought a bit of helpless smile and walked up to Chen Nuo to hug him lightly under old Tang's loving gaze.

Chen Nuo whispered in her ear: "Why?"

Ivanka was clearly prepared, and the next moment she answered: "Bank."

Oh, Chen Nuo understood.

It turned out the debt collectors were at the door, waiting for him to save their lives.

After separating from Ivanka, Chen Nuo turned to look at Qi Yuntian, who was smiling. This wasn't the time for conversation, so the two just hugged simply, and everything was said without words.

Subsequently, at Tang Tang Nade's warm invitation, Chen Nuo got into the stretched Lin Ken brought specifically by the other party.

As soon as the car door was pulled open, the rich aroma of champagne mixed with the mellow scent of leather seats rushed toward him.

After sitting in the car, Chen Nuo discovered that it was a different world—this Lin Ken wasn't an ordinary stretched version, but a private space carefully customized and modified.

Two rows of leather seats were set opposite each other, and in the middle was an exquisite liquor cabinet with obsidian edges. On the counter were vintage champagne, brandy, and three different origins of whiskey, and a gold-plated small ice bucket on the side was chilling several bottles of Evian.

Even more eye-catching were the two beauties in the car.

One blonde and blue-eyed, one with hair like a waterfall, both wearing sexy short skirts. Four long, beautiful legs wrapped in flesh-colored silk were crossed, and under the low-cut neckline, the fair skin trembled lightly with breathing, and their faces wore professional sweet smiles.

This feeling, if someone said it was specifically for receiving royal guests, Chen Nuo would believe it 100%.

No wonder this old man drove Ivanka to another car.

This really was treating him as one of their own.

After the car started, the two beauties sat on his side, one on each side.

"Rebecca" on the left, with black hair, was opening a bottle of Evian for him, pouring it into a goblet, and handing it to him with a smile.

Chen Nuo took the cup, thanked her softly, and then continued to listen to Tang Tang Nade's endless speech.

"... My Mar-a-Lago is now the top club in the US, none other." Old Tang's hands were like a pair of wings, opening and closing, his voice very high-spirited, full of energy.

"When I acquired it back then, no one was optimistic. Not a single person, but I knew it was a treasure, a diamond buried in the sand. Now, it is a diamond."

"Did you watch the news last week? We held a charity gala, do you know how many people were queuing to attend? Over three hundred! All are American billionaires with an annual income of over one billion."

"Senators, billionaires, princes, rock stars—everyone wants to come."

"Our club now has over a hundred super-rich members, they spend a lot of money here every year, a lot, a lot of money, one million, ten million... I don't want to say it like this, but these people are not smart, they like to spend money here, making me richer and richer."

Speaking of this, he paused slightly, then sighed: "95 million, I really shouldn't have told you this price. If others knew, they would go crazy. Really, this price is too crazy. But I like you, Chen. You are a winner, a natural winner. Winners should be with winners."

At this time, "Barbara," the blonde beauty on his right, reached out to refill old Tang's champagne.

Old Tang raised his glass accordingly.

Chen Nuo raised his glass, clinked it lightly with his, and then drank it in one gulp.

He understood at this moment why old Tang arranged this kind of battle—nothing more than wanting Chen Nuo to understand that 95 million USD was absolutely an underestimated price, so feel free to lend it, it was impossible for Tang Tang Nade to default.

But looking at old Gold Hair's sincere look, Chen Nuo could guarantee: if it weren't for that thing later, if this person really wanted to pay back the money, that would be a ghost. Or rather, if he could really afford to pay back the money, that would be strange.

But now, Chen Nuo just wanted to say one sentence: Don't worry, Brother Tang, I have confidence in you. If you really lack a mouthpiece, I can blow for you.

But this situation was exactly what he wanted.

48 million USD was not a small amount. Although he could take it out, he wasn't a philanthropist. Even if he was, he wasn't an American philanthropist. Even if he was an American philanthropist, it was impossible to be a philanthropist for Tang Tang Nade.

He was willing to lend such a large sum of money, so he must pursue the maximization of benefits.

And what is the maximized benefit?

On this matter, Chen Nuo thought for a long time, and finally came to an answer:

Friendship.

Don't look at these two words, they sound as ordinary as the grandfather at the entrance of the vegetable market knows.

But in reality, to reach this conclusion, Chen Nuo could be said to have racked his brains. This month, except for roadshows, he almost exhausted all his energy on this matter.

He didn't boast, this absolutely reached the realm of "seeing mountains is still mountains."

Anyone who knows a little about the United States and Western culture should understand one thing, and that is business is business.

In official business, Americans talk about return mechanisms, not friendship. For example, if you donate a sum of money to a candidate, after he is elected, he opens a convenient door for you within the scope of his authority—no problem, reasonable and reasonable.

But if you expect a senator, a governor, or even a... to help you out of some "friendship" outside of political commitments? That's wishful thinking.

But old Tang... he felt that talking about friendship with this person outside of human feelings wasn't completely impossible.

This judgment wasn't Chen Nuo's baseless fantasy, but based on interviews, news reports, what he saw and heard in his previous life, plus his personal contact in this life, pieced together bit by bit.

Absolutely unique in the world.

Because only he in the world would seriously study a "real estate businessman," a "reality TV star," and it should also be only he who knew that under that greedy, lustful, and loose-mouthed shell of old Tang, inside was a gang boss who valued "loyalty" extremely highly.

This point was vividly expressed when he held power later—appointing confidants, promoting family members, and those who remained loyal to him when he was in crisis often received heavy rewards.

This is a kind of gang logic.

In this way, he was easier to be pried by "friendship" than traditional American elites.

Of course, wanting to establish a true friendship with this kind of top old fox wasn't easy. But this "sending charcoal in snow" situation right now was indeed a god-given opportunity.

Absolutely worth betting on.

After drinking the water in the cup, Chen Nuo straightened his expression and said seriously: "Tang, I understand what you mean, but you don't necessarily understand what I mean... How much Mar-a-Lago is worth actually has little to do with me. Do you know why? Tang Tang Nade."

The old man was a bit puzzled: "Why?"

"Because it is your heart's blood, your beloved." Chen Nuo looked at him calmly, "Anyway, I will never take it away from your hands. Just like Trump Tower will only ever be surnamed Trump, Mar-a-Lago will only ever have one owner, and that is you. Only you deserve to own it."

These words... not worthy of being the classic famous quote in the bestseller "300 Best Lines for Picking Up Girls" ranked first in Xinhua Bookstore in the previous life, just slightly modified, changing the bag to a manor, and it achieved a very good effect.

Tang Tang Nade was moved on the spot. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but Chen Nuo, who had entered the performance state, had countless golden sentences he had seen in books in his mind, reached out with great power, stopped the old man from speaking, and continued in a deep voice:

"Actually, I help you, not because of these material things, just because of one thing. That is I love... the friendship between us. In fact, I have always regarded you as my best friend in the United States."

About an hour later, the motorcade stopped in front of Chen Nuo's Palm Beach villa.

He got out of the car, first hugged Ivanka who got out of the car behind, and then turned back to shake hands with old Tang. The two agreed to meet at Mar-a-Lago at nine o'clock tomorrow morning to sign the loan agreement. After saying that, Chen Nuo waved goodbye to old Tang and the others, and only then returned home.

As soon as he entered the door, Qi Yuntian asked with curiosity: "What did you talk to him about? Why does that old man look so strange."

Chen Nuo really didn't want to recall the words he said just now. Although the effect was significant, saying it made Tang Tang Nade's expression change, and the way he looked at him changed, but for him, it was simply a mental torture.

He deliberately changed the topic and said: "Didn't say anything. It's you, you've worked hard recently."

Qi Yuntian saw he didn't want to say more, so he didn't pursue it, sat on the sofa and laughed: "Where did I work hard? Nothing more than sitting and arguing with Warner people, and it wasn't me alone. You are the one who really lost weight. When you go back to China, your parents see you like this, I'm afraid they will explode again. That movie... do you really still want to shoot? Should you consider it again?"

At this time, Guli Nazha and Linghu came in with several large boxes.

Seeing this, Chen Nuo said: "Let's pack things tomorrow. It's not early, everyone is tired, rest early."

"Okay, Chen Zong." Guli Nazha responded.

She glanced at Qi Yuntian on the sofa, just meeting his gaze. The eyes of the two met in the air.

Guli Nazha's heart skipped a beat, she lowered her head and turned away, her mind already starting to compile a bloody small theater of "beauty is a disaster, brothers turning against each other."

Qi Yuntian looked at her back disappearing into the corner of the stairs and said with a half-smile: "Is she useful? Can she be promoted?"

Chen Nuo nodded: "Indeed smart, also understands the rules, can be cultivated. It's the end of the year, you tell Li Jing, give her a bigger year-end bonus."

"How much?"

"According to Tang Qing's standard."

"US dollars or RMB?"

"What do you think?"

"US dollars, anyway we are not short now."

"Hahahaha."

Chen Nuo, who had been holding back laughter since seeing Qi Yuntian, finally laughed out loud.

Having traveled around the world for almost a month, the biggest change compared to a month ago wasn't his weight, but the US dollars he could control.

Why could he take out 48 million USD to lend to Tang Tang Nade?

That's because—

The first global profit-sharing meeting for "Inception" had just concluded. Warner finally accepted the 10% distribution fee, which could be considered giving face to the future "Batman 3."

Thus, all participating parties received their first round of earnings.

As the largest shareholder of the film, holding 45% of the shares and also the one who invested the most, Huanxin Company's 110 million USD initial investment had all been recouped.

And the bulk of the profit share also naturally entered Huanxin's account.

Huanxin Company's overseas account balance had exceeded 300 million USD.

And this was just the first round. As of today, the global box office of "Inception" had exceeded 2.4 billion USD. In the next two weeks, the shares from the Japanese market and North American second-run theaters would also arrive one after another.

Conservatively estimated, two weeks later, there would be 550 million USD lying in Huanxin Company's account.

Even after deducting employee expenses, lawyer fees, and various bonuses, at least 500 million would remain.

More importantly—this wasn't over yet.

At this profit-sharing meeting, Huanxin Company, this "new soldier in the global film circle," finally witnessed what the money-sucking ability of a "Hollywood blockbuster" was.

Compared to the one-off income of domestic movies, the "follow-up income" here was simply a money-printing machine.

Among them, the streaming authorization revenue in North America and globally. Warner was currently negotiating exclusive playback rights with platforms like Netflix, HBO, Disney+, etc., which was expected to be a large contract bringing about 80 million to 100 million USD in the next 5 years.

North American and overseas TV station playback rights, expected 30 million to 50 million USD.

Afterward, it was Blu-ray and DVD sales. Although the situation today is different from the past, for blockbuster movies like "Inception," many senior movie fans are still willing to buy a disc to collect, and there is still a market. Estimated total revenue 20 million to 30 million USD.

Finally, there was authorization for airlines, cruise ships, and hotels. Although this kind of long-tail income was not obvious, it was extremely stable, and it was estimated that it could contribute about 10 million USD.

In short, in the next five to seven years, several shareholders would have about 140 million-190 million USD in earnings arriving one after another.

Among them, the share belonging to Huanxin Company would be about 63 million-85 million USD.

In other words, from today on, even if Huanxin did nothing, even if it closed down, it could sit and collect 90 million to 120 million RMB in profit every year.

For those film and television companies in China that struggled to make one movie a year and had to rely on connections to fight for theater scheduling, it was simply a fantasy.

In the end, the "Inception" project would bring Huanxin Company a total profit of as high as 600 million USD.

Among them, Chen Nuo could personally share over 400 million USD. Even without counting the long-term part, he still had 400 million.

What kind of concept is this?

Last year's "Forbes" said Cameron took 350 million USD from "Avatar," which could be said to be sensational and attracted global attention.

Yet he had over 100 million more than him!

Really don't know how "Forbes" will arrange him next year?

Because it definitely couldn't be hidden, it was estimated that he could only deal with it when the time came.

After being happy for a while, Chen Nuo said with emotion: "Finally, we can share dividends this year."

Qi Yuntian said: "How much do you plan to take out to share?"

Chen Nuo thought for a while and said: "Don't pay back the Bank of China loan yet. For this year's year-end settlement, we have about 600 million USD available. Leave 100 million for the Hong Kong drama project, 50 million for Japan, and reserve some funds for domestic projects next year, and the rest... let's share it all."

Qi Yuntian was stunned: "Over 400 million USD? You said share it all?"

Chen Nuo nodded: "Share it. Haven't shared dividends for several years, it hasn't been easy. Everyone shares money this year, have a good year."

Qi Yuntian was silent for a long time, his lips moved several times, and finally squeezed out a sentence: "Fuck."

Chen Nuo knew why Qi Yuntian had this reaction.

Over 400 million USD, which is about 3 billion RMB, all taken out to share. According to the ratio, he could share about 2.5 billion, Qi Yuntian about 300 million, Fan Fan Binbing 100 million, Liu Yifei 36 million.

This... absolutely belongs to the rhythm of eating meat in big chunks, drinking wine in big bowls, one person attains the Dao, chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

The 50 million and 20 million borrowed by those two women back then had doubled in two years, and the return rate was considered quite good.

As of now, there shouldn't be anyone saying he was a soft-rice eater, right?

"Remember to keep it secret." Chen Nuo exhorted.

Qi Yuntian came back to his senses and nodded seriously: "I understand. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, Chen Zong. This act of showing off, you must keep it for yourself to perform!"

The next morning, under the witness of both legal teams, Chen Nuo signed the loan agreement.

After the contract exchange was completed, old Tang didn't mention how valuable Mar-a-Lago was in front of his children, but talked about so-called "friendship." This speech made Chen Nuo just smile in response.

Looking at the expressions of little Tang and Eric, and Melania's attitude of personally pouring him coffee, Chen Nuo knew—his "heart-to-heart" talk in the car indeed played a role.

Subsequently, Ivanka took the initiative to offer to take him to visit Mar-a-Lago, and Chen Nuo readily agreed.

It had to be said, perhaps it was because the mood was different. Before he was a guest, now, he could be considered half an owner. During the whole visit, the more he looked, the more comfortable he felt, the more he looked, the more he liked it.

"Chen, thank you. I really don't know how to express my gratitude..."

When the two walked to the end of a quiet arched corridor, Chen Nuo was concentrating on admiring an old painting on the wall. It was said that it was the old collection of the former owner of this manor—the once richest woman in the US. Although not famous, it also had a history of nearly a hundred years. Now, this painting... temporarily half of it belonged to him.

He was watching with great interest when Ivanka suddenly stopped, turned her head, and said solemnly: "This time you really helped Tang Tang Nade, helped our whole family a big favor. If it weren't for you, we... just like my father said, from today on, you are a true friend of our family."

Chen Nuo looked around, seeing no one around, he directly reached out and hugged her waist...

For a long time, their lips separated, and he whispered in her ear: "Do you know? Actually, this matter has nothing to do with your father. I just didn't want you to be sad. You know, I have always regarded you as my best friend in the United States."

Ivanka's body was softened by this scumbag's flirting, the whole person stuck to him, her lipstick was ruined, and her collar was a bit messy. Her eyes seemed to be filled with water vapor, and it seemed as if a cluster of flames was burning: "I know, actually you are also my best..."

"Shh, don't say it. Take me to that place last time."

"Uh... do you want to go to the room?"

"No, I like fresh air. What about you?"

"... I like it too."

The subsequent plot was naturally a matter of course.

Ivanka's actions were bolder than last time. Behind the row of trees where they peeked at Bieber and his father's absurd behavior together a few years ago, they "revisited the old place," and everything was more wanton and unrestrained than in memory.

Chen Nuo once had a little bit of conscience uneasiness. In the end, for the maximization of benefits, even if little Barron asked, he would say the little boy was his best friend.

But when she stuck to him, moving with indulgent gasps and rubbing against him, that little hypocritical guilt soon vanished.

Tang Tang Nade took the money Chen Nuo transferred and flew to New York to deal with bank affairs, while others stayed at Mar-a-Lago. Chen Nuo also took the opportunity to give himself a vacation, thoroughly experiencing the life of a top club VIP.

Going to sea with Eric, walking with Melania, playing golf with little Tang... the days were leisurely and fulfilling. He deeply realized that Tang Tang Nade wasn't bragging. Besides the top-tier hardware, Mar-a-Lago's software was also in place. The valuation of 95 million USD was indeed underestimated.

If it weren't for the fact that old Tang brought a guy surnamed "Ai" when he came back, Chen Nuo might have stayed for a few more days. But the other party acted like a brother and insisted on introducing them, and wanted to pull him to be good brothers, Chen Nuo could only find an excuse to return to China to get away.

As a result, Brother Ai insisted on lending him his private jet to send him back to China.

This... he really couldn't find any reason to refuse, so he had to board that plane that became very famous later after strictly forbidding anyone from taking photos on the plane.

It had to be said, the plane was a really good plane. No wonder Clinton, Andrew, and those people liked to ride it. He also liked it quite a bit. Especially the flight attendants were very professional, which immediately reminded him of "Rebecca" and "Barbara" in that Lin Ken car.

Chen Nuo dared to bet that these people were absolutely trained from the same system and the same place. As for where... his brain-filling ability was limited, and he could only associate it with a certain island.

He suddenly felt moved. After his private jet was delivered, should he also hire such a professional air service team?

Actually, think carefully, it's not impossible to consider. He is saving people from the sea of misery.

On November 2, 2011, Chen Nuo quietly returned to his long-lost motherland.

This return was arranged extremely low-key. Not only was there no wind from the outside world, the paparazzi at the airport were completely unaware, and even company employees didn't notice. Except for Li Jing, he didn't even tell Liu Yifei.

As a result, as soon as he landed in Shanghai, he heard a shocking inside story from Li Jing's phone:

—China Film Group Chairman Han Sanping was about to step down to the second line.

"When did this happen?"

"Just these two days, I heard it, it's not 100% accurate, the news that came out seems to be that there were still a few years, but recently his health is not good, so he is preparing to retire early."

"..."

For the saying "retiring due to illness," whoever believes it is a fool.

But why exactly? Was it because of the influence of "Inception"? Or was there another hidden reason?

The friendship between them was a bit lighter than at the beginning, but "the deal is not done

The meal hadn't even been eaten yet, but the person was almost gone?

Is that reasonable?

Chen Nuo was full of questions, and after thinking it over repeatedly, he immediately dialed Han Sanping's number.

On the phone, Han Zong had initially been very happy to receive his call, but as soon as he heard the question, he became listless, saying only that it wasn't convenient to talk about it over the phone, but that the original invitation still stood, and told him to find him for a gathering no matter what after returning to the capital.

After hanging up, Fan Fan Binbing's voice came from behind him, asking curiously: "Didn't you and Han Sanping have a falling out? Why are you so concerned about him?"

Chen Nuo said: "You don't understand."

He wasn't truly that concerned about Han Sanping. What he was actually concerned about was his world line, the waves stirred up by the butterfly's wings.

Although many things in this world had changed up to this point, the fact that such major changes were happening right beside him, and felt beyond his control, still gave him an instinctive sense of crisis.

Should he really go meet Han San, have a chat, and see what on earth is going on?

Chen Nuo was hesitating,

Fan Fan Binbing walked up and said: "If you don't tell me, how would I understand? Can't you teach me about the things I don't understand?"

Chen Nuo glanced at her, waved his hand, and said indifferently: "I hear the child crying, go soothe the child first."

(End of chapter)