Simon deliberately engaged in a back-and-forth with Zhu Momo's mother, Mo Yiling, enjoying how her confidence and resolve grew with each exchange. Finally, he feigned defeat and said, "Alright, Ms. Mo. What do you want?"
Mo Yiling, seeing Simon Westeros finally yield, wasted no time. "Mr. Westeros, I hope that after my daughter leaves you, her career continues to follow its current trajectory."
Simon nodded readily. "Of course."
"And," Mo Yiling quickly added, "my daughter should have her own apartments, one in Beijing and one in New York."
"No problem."
Mo Yiling began to suspect Simon was being too agreeable but pressed on. "Additionally, Momo will give up the $200,000 annual allowance you provide. However, her current benefits, such as acting and modeling lessons, and her two assistants, should continue. These costs will still be covered by you for the next five years."
Simon pretended to hesitate before reluctantly agreeing. "Alright."
Not stopping there, Mo Yiling continued, "Regarding her assistants, I will personally select them. The two current ones will be replaced. One of them will be my younger sister, Mo Wuling, and the other is to be determined."
"That works too."
Though Simon had agreed to all her terms so quickly, Mo Yiling felt an odd sense of dissatisfaction. She refrained from pushing further and concluded, "Then, Mr. Westeros, I hope you will honor your word."
"Of course. I am a man of my word," Simon said, before slightly tilting his head to look past Mo Yiling at the partially visible Zhu Momo behind her. With a faint smile, he said, "Momo, from today onward, you're free."
Zhu Momo, sitting in the Beijing courtyard house, wanted to protest. She didn't want "freedom" at all. But under her mother's watchful gaze, she dared not voice her feelings. Watching the man's smile on the screen, she suddenly realized something.
After all, her mother couldn't always stay by her side. And as for her aunt? Humph—there would always be opportunities.
Mo Yiling also sensed something amiss in Simon's words and anticipated her daughter's likely thoughts. However, since he had agreed to all her conditions, it was no longer her concern if her daughter couldn't control herself. She said, "Well then, Mr. Westeros, it's been a pleasure meeting you. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Mo Yiling started to get up but paused, noticing Simon's calm and faintly smiling expression as he watched her leave. Irritated, she couldn't help but say, "Mr. Westeros, to be honest, I strongly disapprove of your attitude toward relationships. As the world's wealthiest man, I believe you should be someone with greater self-discipline."
"Thank you for the criticism, Ms. Mo," Simon said earnestly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to have a word with Chen Qing and Lin Su."
It was a polite way of showing her the door.
Mo Yiling didn't argue further. She left with her younger sister and daughter.
Now alone with Chen Qing and Lin Su in the study, Chen Qing unceremoniously sat in the seat Mo Yiling had just vacated. Lin Su sighed and pulled over another chair to sit beside her.
Simon looked at Chen Qing, who wore a mischievous smile, and asked with a grin, "What do you think?"
Chen Qing's smile turned wicked. "When a lion negotiates with a tiger, it's called a clash of titans. But when a lamb negotiates with a tiger, it's walking into the lion's den."
Simon chuckled but said, "Alright, tone it down. Don't always act so clever."
Chen Qing leaned toward the camera with a sly look. "Boss, what's our next move?"
Simon glanced at Lin Su beside her and replied, "With Lin Su here, let's not discuss shady plans openly."
Lin Su looked exasperated.
Changing the subject, Simon asked, "How are things in China lately?"
Chen Qing answered, "The State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television has begun forcibly implementing nationwide online ticketing for cinemas. Recently, theaters across the country have been complaining bitterly. Thankfully, they don't know who's behind it. Otherwise, boss, you'd be getting a lot of hate."
China's film industry was preparing for cinema chain reforms. But before that, nationwide online ticketing was being rolled out. Although box office fraud would still occur, nationwide integration with improved oversight mechanisms would prevent absurd situations like packed theaters reporting occupancy rates of just 10%.
In recent years, China's annual box office had hovered around one billion yuan, an abysmally low figure largely due to rampant ticket fraud.
Simon's decision to invest in building the Jingshu Cinema chain was based on research showing that popular theaters in China's major cities were highly profitable. Losses were mainly confined to theaters in lower-tier cities with outdated equipment and limited film selections.
But even in those cases, it wasn't always a lack of audience interest causing the losses.
In short, with a population of 1.2 billion, China's film industry had untapped potential despite its apparent stagnation.
Simon nodded. He wasn't afraid of criticism; he already faced plenty of it daily. "And what about the Renjianhui Club? Has there been any progress on finding a location in Beijing?"
Chen Qing replied, "The courtyard house you purchased near Guanghua Temple by Houhai is quite suitable. Many top clubs in Beijing are set up in courtyard houses."
"I'd prefer a more modern venue."
"The problem is," Chen Qing said helplessly, "there aren't many modern properties in Beijing suitable for a club. What about the China World Trade Center?"
"…"
The China World Trade Center was a direct competitor to the Levisson International Center. Renting space there would be… absurd.
Seeing Simon's expression, Chen Qing grinned cheekily. "So, boss, it's your decision."
After some thought, Simon said, "Alright, let's use the courtyard house at Houhai. Start drafting a membership list and have it ready within a month."
"Got it."
The Renjianhui Club would not accept passive applications. Membership would be by invitation only, with future members requiring sponsorship from existing ones.
Shifting focus, Simon turned to Lin Su and teasingly asked, "How's life as a Forbes-rich woman?"
Lin Su, pleased to finally be addressed, was about to respond when Simon's question made her want to roll her eyes.
Chen Qing chimed in, "Ah Su has been swamped lately. Invitations pour in daily—investment pitches, donation requests, speaking engagements, panel discussions… I'm so jealous."
Imagining the scenes Chen Qing described, Simon burst into laughter.
Lin Su glared at both of them. "You're ganging up on me."
Simon gestured at Chen Qing. "Help me bully her a little."
As Lin Su tried to dodge, Chen Qing leaned over and quickly planted a kiss on her cheek.
After a moment of playful chaos, Chen Qing gave Lin Su the floor.
Lin Su hesitated before speaking seriously. "Boss, I've been thinking about it. This money—it's too much. I can't take it."
Simon asked with a smile, "What do you plan to do then?"
After a pause, Lin Su replied, "I think… you should handle it."
"Alright then…" Simon leaned back in his chair, hands clasped in front of him. After a moment, he said, "How about we save it for our son?"
"…"
"…"
In the Beijing study, the two women momentarily thought they'd misheard.
Realizing what he'd said, Lin Su blushed furiously. "Boss, did you just say…"
Chen Qing, quicker to recover, interjected with mock grievance, "Boss, I want a son too!"
"…"
Ignoring Chen Qing's antics, Simon looked at Lin Su and said seriously, "I've been thinking about this recently. Ah Su, if you're willing, take care of your health. Avoid anything unsuitable, and let's have a son."
"What if it's a daughter?" Chen Qing teased before Lin Su pinched her waist, silencing her.
Blushing deeply, Lin Su avoided Simon's gaze before finally meeting the camera. Gathering her courage, she asked, "What would the child's last name be?"
Simon didn't hesitate. "Of course, Westeros. But if you'd like to include your surname, that's fine too—something like Simon Lin Westeros, as per Western naming customs."
Hearing this, Lin Su stared at him for a few seconds before nodding firmly. "Alright. Simon Lin Westeros."
With that, her courage seemed spent. She stood abruptly. "I'll leave you to talk with Xiao Qing."
Chen Qing watched Lin Su leave and then looked at Simon with mock pitiful eyes. "Boss, what about me?"
"What about you?" Simon asked with feigned ignorance.
"I can have a child too!"
Simon tempered his smile and replied, "You're not ready yet. Let's wait a couple of years."
Chen Qing leaned forward, gripping the edge of the desk. "I'm ready! If you'd said so earlier, I'd have been thrilled."
"Even so, you'll wait two years. If you and Ah Su both have
children now, who will handle things in China?"
Chen Qing blinked and then suddenly suggested, "Boss, how about Mo Yiling? You saw her earlier. She's capable. I've looked into her background. She's stuck at her current position due to some complicated history. If we pull some strings to transfer her out of Yunnan, she could be an invaluable asset."
"…"
Seeing Simon's silence, Chen Qing pressed on. "Let's do it. I'll handle it. With all our investments, swapping out a few officials is routine here. And we're not even breaking any rules—Mo Yiling's already in the system. A lateral move or minor promotion isn't a big deal."
Simon smiled faintly, knowing that with Chen Qing, the wheels were already in motion.
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