I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 31: Alizee's first album released (Happy New Year!!)

January 2000, 11, afternoon.

Ms. Julie, who was appointed as the head teacher of the Chinese International Class, finished teaching.

She packed up her textbooks and prepared to leave.

But Liu Jin came over.

"Julie, I'd like to take Monday and Tuesday off next week."

"Ask for leave?"

Julie was stunned and asked in confusion, "Are you preparing for Thanksgiving?"

Liu Jin was also stunned.

Only then did he remember that the 23rd was Thanksgiving.

Shaking his head, he smiled and said, "No, Chinese people don't celebrate Thanksgiving."

"Then why did you ask for leave?"

"A friend of mine is holding a press conference for her first album at the Paris City Hall on the 21st, and she invited me to attend."

"Ola la, Amos, are you kidding me?"

"Really, I won't lie to you about this."

"What's your friend's name?"

It’s not that Julie doesn’t trust Liu Jin.

But, how long has Liu Jincai been in France?
He has written a book and has signed it with a publisher.

She knew the name of Singla Publishing House.

It was once a very famous publishing house in Toulouse, but after entering the 1990s, it gradually faded into obscurity.

But he has indeed published many excellent works.

The most famous are André Gide's novel "The Narrow Gate", the prose poem collection "Bread of the World", and the works of Saint-John Perse.

Among them, Saint-John Perse won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

It's just that his works are a little difficult to read.

The Nobel Prize in Literature Committee commented on him: The soaring momentum and rich imagination in his poems sublimate the contemporary world into fantasy.

Teacher Julie was also a fan of Singla Publishing House during that period.

In Julie's opinion, it is already amazing for a Chinese to achieve what Liu Jin has achieved.

But now he says he is going to attend some press conference?

Where do his interpersonal relationships come from?

"Alizee Jacotet."

Liu Jin leaned close to Teacher Julie's ear and whispered.

The hot air exhaled from his mouth and nose made Teacher Julie blush and take a step back.

"Moi... Lolita?"

"Teacher Julie has also heard her songs?"

Julie laughed. "Of course I haven't heard of her. She's been super hot lately! She's been at the top of the charts for seven weeks in a row...and her music video, released earlier this month, went viral on M6. The French love Alizee, haven't you heard of her?"

"Um, I really don't know. I've been busy writing a book lately."

"Writing another book?"

"A new book."

"Ola, alright!"

Teacher Julie held her forehead with her hand and smiled in surprise.

"How do you know her?"

"Ha, I met him last time I went to Paris."

"In that case, I'll grant you leave! However, you must return to class on Wednesday."

"no problem!"

"Remember to give me a note asking for leave later. Don't say you're going to Paris for a press conference, just say you're not feeling well."

"Do you want medical records?"

"You don't have to worry about it!"

Teacher Julie is actually quite nice.

If I get married, I should be a good wife and mother.

"Thanks, Miss Julie... I have to catch my train now."

"Go quickly."

Teacher Julie smiled and waved, watching Liu Jin leave.

……

That’s right, it was Alice who interrupted Liu Jin’s writing.

Her debut album, Gourmandises, is about to be released.

The press conference was held at the Paris City Hall, which should be operated by the company behind her.

After all, Alijie’s MV is really popular!
Liu Jin didn't buy a TV. He's been busy writing a book lately and hasn't been keeping up with the outside world, so he didn't know. M6 radio plays her music videos almost every day.

And as Alizée continued to dominate the charts, her fame slowly began to spread from France.

It is said that her singing can be heard in Italy, Britain and Spain.

Alijie invited Liu Jin to attend the press conference and warned Liu Jin that he had promised to do so and he could not break his promise.

"Six Jin, if you don't come, I'll tell everyone that you bought me a beer."

"what?"

"So, you must come."

How come treating you to a beer has become a sin?

Who made him soft-hearted at that time?

Knowing that she was under the legal drinking age, he still gave her a bottle of beer.

Of course, Liu Jin also knew that this was just a joke.

I've been writing a lot lately, so I'd like to take this opportunity to relax and go to Paris for some research.

Otherwise, with such high intensity writing and the recent heart-wrenching plot, he was almost unable to hold on.

"Paris City Hall, you need a ticket."

"Don't worry, I've asked Sister Marlene to make the invitations."

"But how can I get it?"

"The day after tomorrow, at the same place, I'll give you the invitation."

“Why the day after tomorrow?”

"Because I'm in Milan today and tomorrow."

"You're not in France?"

"Yes, I'm in Italy doing promotions... I won't talk to you anymore, the interview is about to start, see you on Monday."

See you on Monday, doesn’t seem like a good thing to say!

Liu Jin seemed to have no other choice.

……

"What, you're going to Paris again?"

When Liu Jin got on the train to Paris, he received a call from Dadong.

"Why are you going to Paris? To collect folk songs?"

"That's it!"

Liu Jin bought a first-class ticket this time and sat in the soft chair, feeling somewhat relaxed.

"That's a pity. Two of my brothers are coming tomorrow and want to invite you to come along."

"Little brother?"

"They're also international students from Zhongzhou, but they're studying in a small city near Paris. They were introduced there by an agent, Fat Deng. They've always wanted to come visit us... Thanksgiving is coming up, so they took some time off to come."

I remembered!

Dadong was probably talking about Li Te and Cui Shi.

Two very good little brothers, Liu Jin actually knows them.

But they didn't come here to play.

They must have come to Toulouse to buy LV bags!

In the 2000s, the prices of LV bags and bags from many other well-known brands in Europe and Asia were very different.

Let me put it this way, a LV bag that costs 4,000 francs can be sold for 12,000 francs in Japan.

This price difference has given rise to a gray industry, the profiteers.

They purchase these designer bags from LV stores across Europe, taking into account geographical and time differences.

But European specialty stores are not fools either.

Especially when it comes to treating Asians, these European luxury brands have shown astonishing arrogance.

They will limit the amount that Asians can buy.

For example, in one store, one passport can only buy two bags at most.

However, since there was no Internet during this period, information was not very smooth.

So some international students organized themselves to find these luxury stores all over Europe, buy the goods, and then resell them to the smugglers.

Most smugglers are from Southeast Asia.

They will give international students a profit of about 200 yuan for each package.

Then, after accumulating a sufficient quantity, they would smuggle it to Japan and sell it to Japanese businessmen at twice the price in Europe.

Liu Jin also did this business in his previous life.

The people who introduced him to the profession were Li Te and Cui Shi.

They are finally here!
But this time, Liu Jin didn't plan to go back to his old ways...

(End of this chapter)