Chapter 42

The plane landed at Pyongyang Capital Airport.

Chen Zhenghui slowly walked out of the airport terminal and was surprised to see two people waiting for him—Wang Anran and Wang Anping. Wang Anping's presence was completely unexpected, so Chen Zhenghui immediately changed his demeanor, bowing and scraping, "Sister Anping, how could I trouble you to come pick me up personally? It would have been enough for Anran to come."

"Hmph." Wang Anping snorted, "Do you think I wanted to come?"

Wang Anran gave Chen Zhenghui a sidelong glance, and the two exchanged a look before following Wang Anping like lackeys.

"You're doing great abroad, aren't you?"

"Just a bit of fun."

"You actually became a famous actor in Japan, and you still call it a bit of fun? The box office is said to be in the tens of billions of yen!"

"It's just over 20 billion yen in Japan, not much. Yen isn't worth much, and when converted to RMB, it's only a bit over 100 million. The company's share isn't much, and what I get is even less."

"Alright, I'm not here to tax you." Wang Anping showed a look of disdain, "I was just asking."

"Oh." Chen Zhenghui acted properly.

"You little brat!" Wang Anran tapped Chen Zhenghui's shoulder, "The Japanese film market is huge. You managed to get a 20 billion yen box office with just a casual effort."

"That wasn't a casual effort." Chen Zhenghui rolled his eyes.

"Alright, I know, but you played the lead role and got a porn actress to play the lead female role. How can you say it wasn't a casual effort?"

"Damn, have you seen the movie?" Chen Zhenghui felt extremely awkward being commented on like this. This work, even if he didn't take credit for it, was also a masterpiece by future Japanese horror film master Takashi Shimizu! Wang Anran, you're making it sound so easy.

"Of course I've seen it." Wang Anran sneered, "I've seen both the Hong Kong and Taiwan versions."

This movie couldn't be shown on the mainland, so if this guy wanted to see it, he must have watched a pirated version. The official discs weren't even out yet!

"Damn pirates." Chen Zhenghui muttered.

"But the final fight scene was really well done." Wang Anran stared intently at Chen Zhenghui, even trying to touch his abs, "When did you get six-pack abs?"

"I've always had them, I just didn't want to show them to make you feel bad." Chen Zhenghui dodged Wang Anran's hand and glanced at the pale and tender Wang Anran with a look of disdain, "I could take on ten of you."

"You're just boasting!" Wang Anran sneered, but after receiving a look from his sister, he changed the topic, "What are you planning to do this time?" Wang Anran asked, "I have to say, the animated film from your company scared the whole nation. Now, Shanghai Animation Film Studio is working hard to bring back their honor with 'The Lotus Lantern' on July 1st!"

"Shanghai Animation Film Studio's 'The Lotus Lantern'? I'm under a lot of pressure!" Chen Zhenghui rubbed his face.

"Act, act hard!" Wang Anping, walking in front, couldn't help but turn around to look at Chen Zhenghui with disdain.

"This isn't acting. Shanghai Animation Film Studio is strong, but they just use the wrong methods. We all grew up watching their animations, didn't we?"

"That's true." Wang Anran nodded.

Wang Anping smiled coldly, "Your point is that if Shanghai Animation Film Studio were given to you, you could use it correctly, right?"

"Hard to say."

"Sentimental!" Wang Anping said不满地.

"Indeed," Chen Zhenghui spread his hands, "Even if I became the factory manager, it wouldn't be up to me to decide."

"Are you going to say it's a 'system issue' next?"

"How could I? If it weren't for this system, how could I have achieved such high box office numbers and made so much money?" Chen Zhenghui smiled.

"Oh, you're quite honest about this, unlike some people who attribute their success to their own flexibility and wisdom and their failures to the government system."

"Hehe."

"Alright, don't worry about your little animation company. No one is interested."

Chen Zhenghui wiped a non-existent sweat from his forehead, "Ha, I'm relieved to hear that."

"Shameless!" Wang Anping scolded. The three of them walked out of the airport, and a business car was already waiting. Under Wang Anping's watchful eye, Wang Anran sat in the back, while Wang Anping and Chen Zhenghui sat in the middle.

The front and back of the car were separated, and the driver looked mature and steady.

"Tell me, what are you here for this time?" Wang Anping asked.

"Sister, do we have to be so formal?" Wang Anran was a bit embarrassed.

"Isn't it almost the New Year?" Chen Zhenghui replied.

"The New Year is still far away," Wang Anping responded, "What, are you not confident that we can take care of your assets for you?"

"Big Sister, you're joking." Chen Zhenghui licked his lips, "Although I'm in Japan, my roots are still on the mainland."

"Don't say that. Do you think I believe you?" Wang Anping sneered, "Your box office in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia is much higher than on the mainland." She paused, "Even with all the subsidies for your animated films, it still doesn't compare."

"We can't just compare the present; we have to look at the future. In terms of potential, the mainland is definitely first. Besides, my attempts to open up the Taiwan and Hong Kong markets are also preparations for eventually entering the mainland market."

Wang Anran widened his eyes, "Really?"

"So is this your goal?" Wang Anping pressed.

"Partly," Chen Zhenghui hurriedly said, "The domestic layout is still very important. Also, I wanted to come back and see how my animation industry chain is running." Chen Zhenghui said honestly.

Wang Anping kept tapping the armrest of the seat.

Wang Anran gave Chen Zhenghui a thumbs up, "You're really impressive. By the way, my grandfather wants to have dinner with you!"

Chen Zhenghui was genuinely surprised, "Really?"

"The nonsense you used to talk about has finally caught his attention." Wang Anping raised an eyebrow, "But I don't think it's necessary. Look at what you're doing now; you're not focused on your main business."

"Look at what you're saying. The main business is for outstanding people like Sister Anping. We ordinary people just care about eating, drinking, and having fun." Chen Zhenghui smiled awkwardly.

"During peaceful times, the Manchu nobles naturally indulge in eating, drinking, and debauchery. Is that what you're trying to say?" Wang Anping narrowed her eyes at Chen Zhenghui.

"Hehehe." Chen Zhenghui laughed, "Sister Anping, do you know anyone at Poly Group? I want to collaborate with them on film distribution."

"Go to Wang Anran!" Wang Anping said irritably.

"But isn't Wang Anran a government official? Shouldn't he avoid such things?"

"You bastard," Wang Anran leaned forward and tapped Chen Zhenghui, "You're setting me up."

"I'm genuinely concerned about your future. I'm counting on you to become the President!" Chen Zhenghui said seriously.

"Don't talk nonsense," Wang Anping sneered, perhaps feeling too serious, she added, "Don't say it outside."

"Alright, I got it." Wang Anran seemed unconvinced, "I know a few people in the military, I can introduce them to you."

"We're a small business, we'll follow the proper procedures." Chen Zhenghui quickly added.

"Alright, I got it. Even if I wanted to, I don't have those connections."

"Half of what I need to do in Beijing is already done in this car," Chen Zhenghui couldn't help but marvel, "At this speed, I can go back to Pengcheng tomorrow."

"Think again," Wang Anran laughed, "You won't leave the capital until you've been drunk ten times."

Wang Anping held her forehead, and after a moment, she said, "Tell me, what else do you need us to help with? The analysis article you wrote about joining the WTO that Grandfather recently dug up. Do you have any new ideas?"

"I have an immature idea," Chen Zhenghui pursed his lips, "It might not be significant until after joining the WTO, but I still want to mention it."

"What is it?"

"A suggestion to establish an East Asian Free Trade Zone."

"Do you have it in writing?" Wang Anran asked.

"Yes," Chen Zhenghui pulled out a stack of documents from his bag.

"Don't leave Beijing for a while. Grandfather might really want to see you." Wang Anping took the documents and started reading them in the car, ignoring the bumps.

Wang Anran gave Chen Zhenghui a sidelong glance, "You, I've got to say, you're always ahead of the game. After proposing the land finance policy, you bought real estate. Now, with the WTO negotiations, you're suggesting the establishment of an East Asian Free Trade Zone. You've already laid out your plans in Japan and the surrounding areas. Your foresight is truly impressive!"

Chen Zhenghui flicked his hair, "Use Soft & Smooth, that's how confident I am."

Wang Anran sneered, "Don't get too cocky. Just because there's no official action, who knows if someone might use extreme measures? Or use legitimate business tactics against you."

Chen Zhenghui sighed, "So there's still a lot to do."

"Alright, a few million RMB in box office is still a lot of work. Most people wouldn't even care."

"I'm afraid others won't see it that way."

"Forget it, everyone knows how this industry works. Only those who have a deep grudge against you or are in the same industry might envy you, but they won't go too far," Wang Anran glanced at Wang Anping, who was reading the documents with a serious expression, "My sister's company is still tied to yours!"

"I hope so." Chen Zhenghui breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Any news about that person?"

"Who? My cousin?" Wang Anran asked.

"Of course not, I know your cousin is in the U.S." Chen Zhenghui didn't notice Wang Anping's glance when they mentioned Sun Jingfang.

"If you're talking about that Li guy, I have to tell you, his father has been promoted to the provincial party committee. This guy is very powerful now. Be careful in Beijing, but he usually operates within his father's sphere of influence, so you don't have to worry too much."

Chen Zhenghui scratched his head, thinking, well, this guy has a few more years of glory left.

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