"The Hudson Theatre needs a new owner? What does that mean?"
Eric looked at Zhou Wenqiong with piercing eyes.
Zhou Wenqiong stared back intently: "It means exactly what I said. The Hudson Theatre has been poorly managed for a long time. After changing hands several times, it's still operating at a loss."
"Without an injection of capital, the theater won't last more than a year or two and will definitely collapse. My boss has actually been looking for someone willing to take over."
After hearing Zhou Wenqiong's explanation, Eric asked curiously, "Why is the theater's business so bad? What's the reason?"
"If it's due to irresistible factors, then it's useless for anyone to take over; it would just be throwing money away."
Zhou Wenqiong organized her thoughts: "There are mainly three reasons, and I don't believe they are irresistible factors."
"First, the current owner is Mrs. Valens. Originally, the theater was managed by her husband, but two years ago, Mr. Valens died in an accident, so the theater came under her name."
"It might sound a bit harsh, but Mrs. Valens really isn't a very business-minded person. She truly doesn't understand how to do business."
"Second, the Hudson Theatre's equipment is relatively old. Its long history has given it depth and accumulation, but it has also made it more aged and decaying."
"Now, all the theater's chairs, interior decorations, electronic equipment, etc., are outdated. Guests won't compromise their personal experience just because of your historical depth."
"Then there's the type of plays. The lack of funds prevents the Hudson Theatre from affording popular plays. The current productions are all relatively old-fashioned."
"Although we are trying new stage plays, and are even willing to support many new creators for free, hoping to find a few gems among them."
"But the 事實證明, not everyone is a master. Many newcomers are just impulsive; the plays they create are completely unstageable."
"Over time, in a vicious cycle, the Hudson Theatre is now on the verge of bankruptcy."
"Mr. Eric, my sister and Feifei both say you are a very capable person. Your vision and courage are unparalleled in all of Hollywood."
"Wait, hold on a second. Don't flatter me, Qiong. While compliments from pretty women are very pleasing to men, that's only if they're without any ulterior motive." Eric directly interrupted Zhou Wenqiong's flattery.
"No, that's not flattery. I'm just stating facts. To decisively invest in mainland China and establish Oriental MGM is something The Big Six wouldn't dare to do."
"Eric, and you, a young man of only 22, are actually taking the lead, being the first to enter China. This is a manifestation of courage and vision."
"China has already joined the WTO, and its economy will soon take off. Economic take-off will inevitably drive the prosperity of the film market."
"Perhaps in just a few years, MGM, daring to be a pioneer, will be able to enjoy this cake ahead of time."
"The Hudson Theatre is the same. What it lacks is capital and resources, and MGM has all of them."
"Now Disney occupies the New Amsterdam, why doesn't MGM take down Hudson?"
"As one of Hollywood's The Big Seven film and television companies, I don't think MGM has any reason to be inferior to Disney."
"Hahahahaha…"
Eric burst out laughing. This woman not only flattered him but even resorted to provocation.
However, she was too eager, her methods were not sophisticated, and her intentions were too obvious, making it hard not to suspect she had ulterior motives.
"Eric, what are you laughing at?" Liu Yifei asked with wide eyes.
"Nothing, I just didn't expect that a chance encounter and a meal would turn into a business deal."
"Qiong, there's one thing I don't understand. Whether the theater goes bankrupt or not is the owner's concern. Why are you so invested? Do you have shares?"
Zhou Wenqiong shook her head: "No, it's just that I worked so hard to get to this position. It's very difficult for Chinese people to get promoted in America, and I think you, Eric, know that."
"If there's a goal, it's only one: I hope that after you take over the Hudson Theatre, you'll continue to employ me as the drama director. Besides that, I ask for nothing else."
Zhou Wenqiong's answer was not satisfying, and a cloud of confusion still lingered in Eric's mind.
Because Broadway has hundreds of theaters, if Zhou Wenqiong was truly exceptionally capable, even if she left the Hudson Theatre, she could certainly find another job.
After all, as she said, she had worked hard to climb to this position, which indicates her considerable ability.
Truly capable people would never worry about a company going bankrupt.
So Zhou Wenqiong's explanation was somewhat contradictory and failed to convince Eric. His intuition told him there must be something fishy going on.
It couldn't be that this woman had developed feelings for the theater, that would be too fantastical.
"Qiong, your suggestion is very good. Broadway is indeed an area MGM is willing to enter, but buying a theater requires a large sum of money, and this isn't something I can decide on my own."
"Eric, there's no need to buy the theater entirely. You could also choose to inject capital and become a shareholder of the Hudson Theatre."
"Haha, if it's not full control, it's meaningless. MGM needs to seriously consider this matter before making a decision."
Perhaps realizing she was too eager, Zhou Wenqiong no longer insisted and changed her tone: "How about this? You can send someone to inspect the Hudson Theatre and then decide if it's worth it."
"No problem."
"Then I await your esteemed presence on Broadway!"
Seeing that their discussion was almost finished, Liu Xiaoli quickly busied herself: "Alright, alright, let's eat something first. It'll get cold if we don't eat now."
"You're right, Leonard's dishes are quite palatable, even for Easterners, they can get used to them."
"And the price is expensive," Liu Yifei complained, sticking out her tongue.
"The high price is because of its privacy. Besides, you're a big star, do you still lack this much money?"
"Of course I lack money! Who said I'm a big star? My pay is very low, alright?"
"Bai Xiuzhu from 'the story of a noble family' made you famous across the country. I remember you also have 'demi-gods and semi-devils', right? If this isn't a big star, what are other actors?" Eric continued to tease Liu Yifei.
"But 'demi-gods and semi-devils' hasn't aired yet. I heard the director say it will air in December this year, so it's still a long way from being a big star."
"Then you're still traveling in America. The special period in China should be over, right? Why aren't you hurrying back to film?"
"I can't just take any role. My mom said that if I'm going to film, I should choose influential ones, preferably big directors and big productions."
"Yes, the roles currently coming to Feifei aren't very good. We don't care about the pay, but the scripts aren't good, and the characters aren't outstanding enough. Instead of wasting time on these roles, it's better to study hard."
"Eric, now Feifei and I are following your advice. We've specifically hired a martial arts teacher and a private acting coach. We're practicing our skills to break into Hollywood in the future."
Saying that, Liu Xiaoli raised her glass: "Come, I'll toast you."
They both took a sip, and Liu Xiaoli continued: "I told you in New York last time, Feifei has been practicing for over two months now and has a certain foundation. I wonder if you could give her a role?"
Hearing this, Eric was startled, surprised that the other party actually dared to make such a request.
Jackie Chan and Jet Li took twenty years to break into Hollywood; you want to get in in two months? Is it a public restroom?
Who knew Liu Xiaoli would add: "I don't mean for Feifei to be the lead. She's still too young now and can't be a lead."
"Small roles, cameos, anything is fine. We're willing to start from the bottom. Everything has to have a beginning, right?"
Eric then nodded slightly, thinking, at least you know your place.
His fingers gently tapped on the table, each tap seemingly striking the hearts of the Liu mother and daughter.
After a while, Eric finally spoke: "MGM's projects have all started filming during this period, and most of the roles have already been cast."
"How about this, after I go back, I'll look through the scripts. If there's a suitable one, it wouldn't hurt for Crystal to play it."
Hearing this, Liu Xiaoli immediately smiled happily. I've caught you three times, and finally got something useful.
"Feifei, you should also toast Eric."
"Forget it, Crystal is still young. Let her avoid the drinking culture. This industry has already swallowed too many people. I hope you won't be contaminated by those bad influences."
"Mhm, I will!" Liu Yifei said emphatically.
"Don't worry, I will protect Feifei at all costs!"
The meal ended quickly, around eight o'clock. Showing gentlemanly manners, he called them a car to take them back to the hotel, and Eric went home.
He was tired after a day, especially after the big battle with the Olsen Sisters in the morning, which had consumed a lot of energy.
After taking a shower, Eric went to bed early.
He woke up in the middle of the night needing to pee. As he went to the bathroom, he glanced at his phone and found a text message from Liu Xiaoli. The content was just a short line.
"We're staying at the Rupert Hotel. I'll wait for you tonight."
However, the text message had been sent over an hour ago. It was past 1 AM now, and he didn't know if this slut was asleep or not.
Recalling how this slut had seduced him at the shopping mall, the two rabbits and a big white sheep danced in Eric's mind, making him somewhat imaginative.
He had been eating European and American food recently; a change of taste wouldn't be bad.
Moreover, after a nap, his energy had recovered quite a bit, so a night battle with eight moves would be no problem.
After thinking for a moment, Eric still replied to Liu Xiaoli's text message: "I just woke up. Are you asleep?"
He hadn't held out much hope, but the message came back quickly, still very brief.
"Tell me when you arrive."
"Damn it, battle until dawn!"
Dressing and going downstairs, the health wine Han Sanping had mailed had arrived. He took a shot first.
Then he took out the disgusting green liquid Sergei had given him from the fridge and took another shot.
Turning around, he walked out of the house and headed straight for the hotel. Twenty minutes later, he arrived at his destination, his body already hot.
Drinking both liquids together, the kick came on especially fiercely, a true blend of East and West.
His family doctor couldn't figure out the reason, so Eric even went to the hospital for a check-up, finding that it had no adverse effect on his body; instead, it made his sperm more vigorous.
The doctors at the hospital also didn't know the principle, but they still advised him not to overdo it, preferably no more than twice a week, and to come to the hospital for regular check-ups.
He checked into a room and headed straight to the fifth floor.
"514, come quickly!"
He sent the text message, and a moment later, there was a knock on the door outside.
Dong dong dong... Click!
The moment the knock sounded, Eric, who was waiting at the door, pulled open the handle and dragged Liu Xiaoli inside.
"Eric... Mmmph!"
Liu Xiaoli hadn't even finished half a sentence before she was pressed to the floor with immense force, her legs directly kneeling.
A few minutes later, she gathered all her strength and pushed Eric away, glaring at him and cursing, "You bastard, can't you give a person some warning?"
"Is it that exaggerated?" Eric chuckled.
"Pervert!"
Liu Xiaoli was so angry that she raised her hand to hit him, but she had so little strength that Eric immediately caught her, turned around, and carried her into the bedroom.
Bang!
With a muffled thud, the woman was violently thrown onto the bed.
At the same time, in another room, Zhou Wenqiong opened her eyes and looked at the door.
Although Liu Xiaoli's departure had been very quiet, it still woke her up. She had watched her cousin quietly leave the room.
A woman going out in the middle of the night, and sneaking out, one could largely guess what she intended to do.
Zhou Wenqiong was shrewd and immediately thought of Eric.
She got out of bed and walked to the adjacent suite of the Liu mother and daughter, finding Liu Yifei still sound asleep. She shook her head helplessly.
"Sigh! Feifei, you still don't know that for your future, your mother is being ridden by someone."
"But Eric Cooper is so handsome. From another perspective, it's actually your mother who's getting the better deal. Maybe she's even enjoying it."
At this moment, seeing the phone on the bedside table, Zhou Wenqiong hesitated for a moment, then quietly walked over and picked it up.
After unlocking it, she quickly found those few text messages, which also confirmed her guess.
Her cousin, as expected, had gotten involved with that young man.
"514, should I go and see?"
She mumbled to herself, then turned her head and dismissed this strange thought. However, another idea automatically formed.
"If my cousin, by sacrificing herself, can help Feifei get good roles, could I ask her for help?"
"Perhaps if she just pleases him a few more times, and MGM provides some resources, I might actually be able to become the drama director."
Zhou Wenqiong's mind raced, various thoughts constantly emerging and intertwining.