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Arthur Smith's Hollywood Odyssey

In the 1990s, the United States officially launched its strategy to globalize entertainment, leading to a flourishing film and television industry with Hollywood's influence spreading worldwide. Arthur Smith, who has mysteriously traveled through time, begins a glamorous journey through the world of European and American cinema. Unofficial translation of 美娛從1989年開始 by 顏可顏.

Sayonara816 · Celebridades
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545 Chs

Chapter 221: Yu Feihong

Arthur visited the set of The Joy Lock Club, produced by Oliver Stone, in the morning. He recommended Vivian Chow for one of the leads of the movie. Her scenes will be over today.

Vivian introduced Yu Feihong, a friend she made while filming the movie, who was a supporting actress. She has applied for studying film and television production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Vivian Chow asked Arthur if he could take care of her while she attends the college. Arthur agreed.

After sending off Vivian, Arthur brought Yu Feihong to the Bel-Air mansion in Beverly Hills. She was astounded by the spacious, bright building and luxurious interior.

"How do you like it here?" Arthur hugged Yu Feihong from behind.

Yu Feihong placing her hand over Arthur's on her waist, "This is the first time I've seen such a lavishly decorated house!"

Arthur smiled. "The USC School of Cinematic Arts is downtown, and the security and environment there aren't as good as here."

"I'll live in the dorms," Yu Feihong said, curling her lips slightly. "I'm here specifically to learn about filmmaking, so I can't waste my time."

Yu Feihong would never stay in a place like Arthur's mansion; it was just too different.

"By the way, was everything okay during the recent riots in Los Angeles?" she asked.

"It was alright. Koreatown is still being rebuilt, but the area around USC wasn't too affected," Arthur said, kissing Yu Feihong on the cheek. "If you want to keep a low profile, I also have an apartment in Culver City. The environment is nice, and it's better than around USC. Plus, it's not far from Sony Pictures Studios!"

Leaning in Arthur's arms, Yu Feihong said, "What's wrong with living at the school? The dorms are nice too!"

"Having a place outside is better. Anyway, it's just sitting empty. Don't you think?" Arthur said, sealing her lips with a passionate kiss.

The Culver City apartment was one Arthur had previously rented for Sophie Marceau. After she finished filming A Few Good Men, Arthur decided to buy it.

After the kiss ended, Yu Feihong said, "A regular house is fine; it doesn't need to be too good."

Understanding her thoughts, Arthur kissed her ear and laughed, "Relax, it's just a two-story standalone house. There are many like it in America. I'll take you to see it this afternoon. It's not too far from USC!"

"By the way, the Olympics will start in Barcelona, Spain, on the 25th of this month. Want to go for a few days and have some fun?" Arthur changed the topic.

"The Olympics?" Yu Feihong's eyes lit up but then she said, "But I have to start school in September and need to return to China to prepare some things!"

Hugging her, Arthur said, "There's not much to prepare. Just a few days of travel, and we'll leave in early August. It'll be fine. I'll handle some things for you here in America so you can enroll directly from China."

"Hmm..."

...

Next morning, Arthur took Yu Feihong to the apartment Sophie Marceau stayed while filming A Few Good Men. 

Yu Feihong was quite surprised after looking at the house and said, "Is this the ordinary apartment you mentioned?"

Isn't this a standalone villa? There's no mention of three or four rooms, but there's a study, a gym, an entertainment room, and a small bar.

Arthur pulled Yu Feihong to sit on the bed, "It's almost like that, at least it's not so high-profile!"

"Mm," Arthur pulled Yu Feihong into his arms and directly kissed her lips.

"Mm-hmm," Yu Feihong responded while hugging Arthur, soon being pressed underneath him.

Arthur kissed the lady while unbuttoning her shirt and touching her bra. Soon, the bra was undone, and Arthur gently caressed her softness.

"Arthur," Yu Feihong breathed heavily, feeling the stimulation on her chest and hugged Arthur tighter.

While quickly undressing himself, Arthur said, "From now on, this will be your home in America, okay?"

After saying this, Arthur bent down and started kissing her chest.

"Okay, but sometimes I might stay in the school dormitory," Yu Feihong closed her eyes and cooperated by also removing her clothes.

"Of course, you can stay wherever you like, but if you stay here, I can come over anytime," Arthur said, pulling a silk sheet over them.

Quickly, a melodious nocturne began to play in the bedroom...

...

Schindler's List from Galaxy Pictures was set to be released in August, after the Olympics, but the promotional work had already started!

At the same time, a major scandal erupted in Hollywood. Famous director Woody Allen and his adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn's inappropriate relationship was reported.

It was because Woody Allen's girlfriend Mia Farrow accidentally found intimate nude photos of him and Soon-Yi, leading to the exposure of this hidden father-daughter relationship!

In the Galaxy offices, Arthur casually set down a copy of Vanity Fair. The cover featured Hollywood actress Demi Moore's painted nudes. Compared to her pregnant nude artistic photos from last year, these painted nudes were more artistic.

Arthur had already seen reports of Woody Allen's scandal. One could never think of Hollywood using common sense.

"Is the word of mouth from the preview of Schindler's List good?" Arthur asked.

Amy Pascal nodded, "It received unanimous praise. Not just from the Jewish community, but anyone who saw it found it profoundly moving."

"Releasing it in late August with more preview events might be good," Arthur said. A black-and-white film about the Holocaust wasn't easy to promote; other than director Steven Spielberg, the biggest star was Winona Ryder, who did a one-day cameo.

The Olympics were from July 25 to August 10, and Galaxy chose to release Schindler's List in late August after the Olympics to create a contrast.

In the evening, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Arthur met with his investment advisor, Jim Cortes.

The short-selling plan for the ruble turned Arthur's $40 million into over $100 million, with a net profit exceeding $60 million.

Arthur then heard some Jewish financiers talking about the British pound and the European Exchange Rate Mechanism!

Arthur immediately felt a surge of excitement and berated himself mentally; how could he have forgotten the British pound crisis of 1992?

The Quantum Fund? The European Exchange Rate Mechanism stipulated that member countries' currencies could only fluctuate within a 15% range of the central exchange rate.

Currently, the UK's and Italy's economies were poor, yet they had to maintain high exchange rates for the pound and the lira. Meanwhile, post-reunification Germany had an excess economy with inflation concerns, and the mark was undervalued!

Other European Community countries demanded that Germany lower interest rates to stimulate the economy and counteract the recession.

However, Germany's domestic demands were for raising interest rates to curb possible inflation.

Arthur immediately found Jim Cortes to understand this better. He responded quickly, "Indeed, many hedge funds are focusing on the British pound and the European financial markets."

"In February, the 12 EU member states signed the Maastricht Treaty. Many believe this treaty overvalues certain European currencies like the British pound and the Italian lira."

"These countries' central banks will face enormous pressure to either lower interest rates or devalue, unless they can coordinate their economic policies with economically strong Germany."

"Otherwise, if their markets become turbulent and they can't resist, will Germany as the core country sacrifice its interests to help them?"

Arthur laughed, "No, obviously not. Sacrificing one's national interest to help others?"

"This $100 million, leverage it and short the British pound as soon as possible. The exchange rate to the dollar and the mark, tsk tsk!"

Arthur's $100 million, with tenfold leverage, could borrow at least 500 million pounds. To maintain the pound's exchange rate, the British government would have to buy pounds themselves.

But when the international speculators and hedge funds led by Quantum Fund collectively offload pounds...

*****

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