Chapter 201: Hunting

For a whole week, Simon spent his time in a state of full engagement.

By day, he busied himself with preparations for "Batman," and by evening, he attended various parties and receptions arranged especially for him.

Beyond the title of the world's youngest genius director, Simon's wealth was substantial enough to draw intense attention from Australia's upper echelons. Coupled with the Johnston family's deep connections, the grand party held at their Yarra River mansion on Saturday invited nearly all of Australia's political and business elites, with the current Prime Minister and Governor-General attending.

Simon also unexpectedly encountered Rupert Murdoch, the patriarch of the Murdoch family, which also originated in Melbourne. In pursuit of expanding News Corporation's business in the United States, this media mogul had emigrated to the U.S., although the control of News Corporation still remained with his family's holding company in Australia.

Given the absence of direct industrial competition, the Johnston family maintained excellent relations with several of Australia's major media dynasties.

Janet mentioned to Simon that Raymond Johnston had intended to introduce Murdoch to him at an opportune moment to aid Danerys Entertainment's development in Hollywood. However, Simon's rapid rise made this less critical.

As a young man who had created a series of miracles within just two years, Simon's trip to Australia also received significant media attention.

Within just a week, Australian media had thoroughly covered Simon's journey from obscurity to a billionaire.

Coincidentally, during Simon's week in Melbourne, "Instinct," in its eighth week of release in North America, grossed an additional $5.06 million from September 2 to September 8, bringing its total box office to over $100 million, marking Danerys Entertainment's third North American release to break the hundred million barrier that year.

Even in the previous year, there were only three films in North America that had crossed the $100 million mark.

Thus, the box office miracles created by Danerys Entertainment also became a focal point for the media. Due to News Corporation's influence, "Instinct" was released almost simultaneously in Australia as in North America. The film did not stir as much controversy in Australia, partly due to appropriate cuts and the strong media influence of News Corporation in the country.

With Simon's status as an Australian son-in-law, the media's coverage these days tended to be more laudatory.

Moreover, the upcoming Melbourne shoot for "Batman" naturally became a closely watched topic by the media.

The film's highly liberal and lenient tax rebate policy was soon exposed. Although everyone was aware of the Johnston family's influence, Melbourne officials were quite open about it, publicly praising the project for its strong promotional effect on the local film industry.

Even Australia's major media forces, usually at odds with each other, maintained a united front this time, with any dissenting voices being completely irrelevant.

Amid various busynesses and social engagements, time quickly advanced to September 10, Saturday.

According to the agreement with the four major TV networks, starting from Sunday, September 11, Danerys Entertainment's four reality shows, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," "Survivor," "Big Brother," and "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," would debut over the next week.

The specific scheduling was: ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" would air three times a week, on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. NBC's "Survivor," FOX's "Big Brother," and CBS's "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" were weekly shows, airing on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Wednesdays, respectively. The less popular Friday and Saturday TV slots were intentionally skipped.

Due to the Hollywood writers' strike that lasted over five months, this year's fall TV season was generally delayed until October. Therefore, what should have been the most competitive September slot became entirely dominated by Danerys Entertainment's reality shows.

It was clear that if half of these reality shows were successful, it would significantly undermine the American Writers Guild's confidence in striking again. Plus, the four major TV networks had spent a fortune to acquire these shows, hence they spared no effort in their promotion.

In the forests to the northeast of Melbourne.

Due to its coastal location, the temperate maritime climate meant the forests didn't experience the same barrenness as the inland during winter, remaining lush instead.

Early in the morning, Raymond Johnston took Simon hunting in the woods, a hobby Simon knew Janet's father enjoyed and saw as an opportunity for some private conversation.

Bang—

In the private hunting grounds of the Johnston family, a gunshot followed by the barking of several hunting dogs chasing a wild boar marked the leisurely walk of Simon and Raymond, each carrying an old-fashioned hunting rifle, towards the fallen animal.

"'Big Brother' is named after a dystopian novel from the 1940s, '1984,' which tells the story of humanity under the authoritarian rule of a leader known as Big Brother in the year 1984. Apple even created the famous '1984' commercial based on this book, where a woman smashes a big screen showing Big Brother's speech with a hammer, symbolizing Apple's innovation and breaking of conventions. The essence of Danerys Entertainment's reality show is to see if the contestants can achieve the same kind of team control as Big Brother, essentially catering to the viewers' voyeuristic desires," Simon explained the premise behind one of Danerys Entertainment's upcoming reality shows as they walked.

"'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' plays on people's greed, while 'Big Brother' exploits their voyeurism. Brilliant," Raymond Johnston commented, then suddenly asked Simon, "What are your desires?"

Simon thought for a moment and smiled, "Ray, I already have everything."

"Satisfied?" Raymond probed.

Simon shook his head, "Not satisfied, but I don't have any specific desires either."

"That's your problem," Raymond said. "Even though we've only been together for a short time, I can sense your confusion. Simon, you've had it too easy, gained too much, and now you're somewhat lost."

Simon fell silent, then nodded, "I feel that if I continue on this path, I might encounter more and more trouble, even danger."

As they reached the fallen boar, with lunchtime approaching, Raymond instructed his attendants to prepare the boar for lunch and chose a spot for them to sit down. He then asked Simon, "Do you know how our family came into wealth?"

Simon shook his head.

Raymond gestured around and said, "This land was once a penal colony. The Johnston surname doesn't have any glorious history; frankly, we're descendants of criminals. This land has gone through a century of people still longing for recognition from the mother country, willing to participate in two world wars for it. Some were ecstatic over a mere knighthood, but not the Johnstons. We're clear about our identity but never succumb to our fate; we believe in ourselves, in strength. The weak seek validation; we aim to be the validators. My father endured unimaginable hardships to expand our family's enterprises to their current scale. Once, just to transport a mere sixty tons of iron ore from the mine to the dock, he and twelve workers fought a fierce battle, resulting in five deaths and two bullet wounds for him. This wasn't an isolated incident. Later, feeling restricted by Britain's control over Australia, my father united others to push for the country's independence. Opposing inheritance tax, he worked in the shadows for seven years to abolish it. During this process, at least six officials and parliament members died in car accidents, heart attacks, or muggings..."

Listening to Raymond recount tales he would never share with outsiders, Simon was deeply moved.

The accumulation of capital is never smooth sailing, especially in the mining industry, which appears volatile and unprofitable from the outside, yet anyone with a bit of sense knows the industry's hidden profits.

Raymond seemed lost in his memories before turning to Simon, "Compared to you, your success came too easily. But at the same time, you've already stepped beyond certain boundaries, becoming a player in this world, not just a piece. Understand this: players cherish themselves because we control the game. Most of the time, we don't need to enter the fray ourselves; there are plenty of pieces for us to command. Thus, among players, as long as you follow certain rules of the game, you have nothing to fear. If you're stronger than your opponents, others will fear you."

Simon had an epiphany, recalling a thought he had days ago, and softly said, "Humans create rules, control rules, and break rules."

Raymond shook his head, "The strong control the rules; the weak follow them. You can use your strength to create new rules in your favor and then make others follow them. But don't deliberately break established rules; that's how you keep the game going long-term."

Simon nodded seriously, smiling as he thought of something, "I suddenly think Janet's grandfather must have really loved his granddaughter."

Janet's unyielding nature, as described by Raymond, was very much like Nicholas Johnston's from the stories.

Raymond paused, then laughed, "Of course, I admire my father, so I adore Janet's character. If she were interested in managing family affairs, I'd definitely train her to be the Johnston family's successor. So, take good care of her; she'll definitely be able to help you."

Simon nodded solemnly, "I will."

With that, Raymond stood up, "Let's go then. We'll prepare lunch ourselves; it's more fun that way. Maybe we can hunt a few rabbits too. By the way, do you know about the rabbit plague in Australia? The actress you used in 'Pulp Fiction,' Nicole Kidman, her great-grandfather Sidney Kidman was very familiar with that, haha."

As Simon and Raymond discussed Janet, Janet herself arrived at a high-rise apartment in central Melbourne. She had wanted to bring her boyfriend along, but unfortunately, Simon had been taken hunting by her father.

Familiar with the place, she took the private elevator to the top-floor apartment. After unsuccessfully ringing the doorbell, she used her key to enter.

The apartment was clean and minimalist, decorated in white, on the top floor of a 32-story building. Janet sniffed the air, sensing a familiar feminine scent, and thought how her aunt and a certain someone had something in common.

This was Veronica Johnston's apartment.

Hearing that her aunt had returned from Western Australia, Janet had eagerly come over, only to find the workaholic not home.

Making herself at home, Janet brewed a pot of coffee, turned on the TV, admired the cityscape from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and eventually wandered into the study.

The study still carried a comforting feminine scent, with shelves filled with business and management books.

Curiously, Janet found a book lying open on the desk.

It was a French novel, "The Count of Monte Cristo."

Janet, who had learned a bit of French, immediately recognized the title.

Why would her "Ice Queen" aunt be interested in Dumas's tale of revenge?

Who was she planning to avenge?

Pondering this, Janet dialed a number on the desk phone, "Hey, Iceberg... I'm at your place, let's have lunch... No time, huh? Who's this client you're meeting... I'll come with you, what if you meet a bad guy... Alone? Oh, you mean Simon; he's hunting with dad... Speaking of which, are you free tonight? Simon and I would like to take you out... Don't worry, not at our house, I know you don't want dad nagging you, how about here?... Don't be like that... In a few days, Simon and I are heading back to Los Angeles... Hello, Iceberg? Vinnie? Veronica?"

Hearing the dial tone, Janet frowned in annoyance, reluctantly hanging up.

It was all very strange.

Shaking her head, Janet decided not to dwell on it further, though she hadn't given up on showing off her boyfriend to her aunt.

Just you wait, she thought, refusing to believe her aunt would keep avoiding her.

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