The literary era since 1979

Chapter 279 Great Beauty

After coming to California from Florida, Fangyan stayed at Old Mike's house and became a hands-off boss.

He let Rodian and Mike negotiate with Steven Spielberg's agent on his behalf, while he stayed in his study, turning a deaf ear to the outside world, and buried his head in writing the script for "Saving Private Ryan". As for "Guns, Viruses, & Steel", he would put it aside for the time being, after all, it was not something that could be written overnight.

While eating, I talked with Old Mike about the progress of the foundation registration and the situation of the US stock market.

The United States imposes high capital gains taxes on income from stock investments, with tax rates ranging from 15% to 35%.

For example, if Bill Gates sells his long-held Microsoft stock, he will have to pay a 15% capital gains tax. If he cashes out short-term investment income, he will have to pay up to 35% federal tax. However, if he donates these stocks and properties to the foundation, he can be exempted from the capital gains tax on the first sale of stocks and the annual investment gains tax.

It can even offset 40% of income tax on wages and other expenses.

No wonder Bill Gates, Buffett, and Musk always like to donate stocks to foundations.

Three days passed like this, and then Rodion and his companions brought back good news.

"Both Katherine and Spielberg approved your marketing plan for this 'expensive script'."

Rodian crossed his legs and said, "But the prerequisite is that your script must satisfy Spielberg."

Fang Yan nodded and said, "What if you are not satisfied?"

Rodian said: "Then they are only willing to pay 15 for the adaptation fee, and your idea of ​​a 'sky-high-priced script' will be passed on to other screenwriters in Hollywood."

Fang Yan said: "It makes sense, I totally agree."

Luo Dai'an smiled and said, "Your plan has successfully attracted Spielberg's interest. He wants to meet you."

The dialect asked: "What time and where?"

"He and Lucas are now filming Indiana Jones 2 in Macao." Mike said excitedly, "When we return to China in July or August, we will definitely pass through Hong Kong. Then we can meet Spielberg and Lucas in Hong Kong and hand them the script in person!"

"That means you only have one chance."

Luo Daian asked curiously, "Can you finish the script in a month or two?"

Fang Yan said leisurely: "What I should consider now is what stocks to invest this 50 US dollars in."

Hearing the confidence in his tone, Old Mike and his family laughed out loud.

"Fang, I don't recommend you to invest in Hong Kong stocks."

Old Mike said that because Fangyan has been staying in the mainland for a long time and communication is inconvenient, he is not suitable for short-term and medium-term investment. The safest option is long-term investment, such as investing in blue-chip stocks with promising prospects.

Fangyan was quick to accept the advice and did not put all his eggs in one basket. He chose Coca-Cola, Berkshire and IBM.

"Coca-Cola? Are you serious?"

Rodian frowned and said that Coca-Cola's dominance was in jeopardy and that Pepsi, the challenger, was too strong.

Not only did it sign Michael Jackson as its endorsement, but it also signed American superstars such as Madonna and Cindy Crawford.

Under the pressure of the situation, Coca-Cola's stock continued to fall and has begun to enter a trough period.

“Someone once told me to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy when others are fearful.”

Dialect looks left and right.

Old Mike's eyes lit up, "Very insightful!"

"So, you're going to buy at the bottom when others are selling at a loss?"

Luo Dai'an said: "Be careful to buy at the bottom, you always buy halfway up the mountain."

"I believe my eyes. Coca-Cola has been in production in China for nearly two years. Many people will fall in love with this happy water." Fangyan made a simple analysis. "If you wait until then to buy Coca-Cola, it will be too late."

"The Chinese market is indeed huge!"

Old Mike looked serious and began to consider the feasibility of investing in Coca-Cola.

Since Fangyan has chosen to invest for the long term, Coca-Cola, which Buffett has held for more than 30 years, is undoubtedly an excellent choice.

Rodian reminded, "But I want to add one more thing. According to the Tax Reform Act, the foundation cannot hold more than 20% of any company's shares. If it exceeds the legal limit and does not reduce its holdings within 90 days, according to federal law, a 10% penalty tax will be levied when filing taxes..."

"20%?"

Fangyan shrugged, "I don't have that much money to buy 20%."

Luo Diane suddenly said, "You can buy it on the pink sheet market, where stocks are only a few cents."

"Ahem, that's too far off topic!"

Old Mike changed the subject and mentioned that there was an advertisement in the newspaper to recruit a secretary for the foundation.

Fangyan already has a reliable candidate in mind, that is Pan Yaoming.

"It's not enough. Two or three people would be better."

Old Mike said, "I think you can put all your demands in the newspaper."

The next day, Chinese newspapers in San Francisco, such as the North American Daily and Asian Weekly, published recruitment advertisements.

The news that Fangyan's foundation wanted to provide international students with "work-study" opportunities quickly spread in the Chinese community.

Many people didn't believe it and thought it was fake news.

Even some big overseas Chinese bosses rarely do this, let alone General Fang who has only been in the United States for a few months!

Even if "Saving Private Ryan" becomes a best-seller, it can't withstand such spending and probably won't last for a few years.

However, Chinese newspapers and magazines don't care and keep praising it.

The China Times praised Fang Yan as a "role model for Chinese people" and the Chinese Express called him a "philanthropic educator." For a time, Fang Yan's fame and the sales of his novels rose slightly, but he was still a little short of being called the "pride of Chinese people."

This advertisement gradually spread to the international student circle at the University of San Francisco.

"Big news, big news!"

"What's the big news?"

"Mr. Fang wants to donate money to support us international students!"

"real or fake?"

"How could it be false? It's clearly stated in the newspaper."

"Show me quickly."

Hearing the students' discussion, Li Zhi read the newspaper in detail and said, "I didn't expect Mr. Fang to be such a generous person."

So, I went to the address in the newspaper.

I saw that the office door was closed and standing at the door was a Chinese student who was also applying for the job.

Li Zhi waited in line patiently, hearing "next" over and over again until it was her turn, and she walked in leisurely.

When Fang Yan saw her, he was very surprised, as if he saw "Tang Xin" from "Twin Dragons".

Luo Dai'an's reaction to the man was not surprising. After all, he had to admit that the woman in front of him was very beautiful.

With a thin waist, thin shoulders and impressive measurements, she has the face of an angel and the figure of a devil. Pictures show the truth!

Then, I flipped through her resume and asked, "Can you speak Chinese?"

"meeting!"

Li Zhi said that she lived in Shanghai until she was 20 years old, and moved to Hong Kong with her father in 81.

Oh, we are from the same hometown as Gong Xing!

Fangyan said in Mandarin: "You speak English very well."

Li Zhi spoke in a soft Wu dialect and said that she discussed studying abroad with her father, so she returned to Shanghai to learn English. She also hired a special teacher. After studying hard, she successfully passed the TOEFL test and was qualified to study abroad at the University of San Francisco.

"At the University of San Francisco, I majored in business economics..."

“Can you speak Cantonese?”

“Yes, a little bit, but not fluently.”

Lizhi blushed.

Fang Yan said: "If you can't speak Cantonese well, you will be easily excluded in Hong Kong."

"Um, does this job require Cantonese?"

Li Zhi has deep feelings about this. When she first arrived in Hong Kong, she was often laughed at because of her poor Cantonese.

"It's not necessary now."

Fang Yan said: "But if you want to develop in Hong Kong in the future, it is very important to speak Cantonese."

Li Zhi met his gaze and nodded, "Mr. Fang, I have been learning."

"I am not worthy of the title of 'sir' yet."

"Whether in public or in private, just call me 'teacher'."

Fangyan and Luodian looked at each other and switched back to English: "Let's talk about something else."

When faced with their questions, Lizhi answered them flawlessly. If she encountered a question she really didn't know the answer to, she would honestly admit it.

Such a graceful and elegant demeanor left a deep impression on Luo Daian.

After completing the last typing task, Fang Yan smiled and said:

"Go back first. We will call you to let you know the interview result in about two days."

"Thank you, Teacher Fang."

Li Zhi stood up and took out a copy of Saving Private Ryan from her bag. "Can you sign it for me?"

After Fang Yan signed his autograph for her, he watched her back disappear out the door.

“The person has gone far away.”

Luo Dai'an glanced at her, "This woman is a bit scheming and wants to make progress. What do you think?"

"Just her."

"You didn't admit her because you thought she was pretty, did you?"

"In addition to her appearance, her language, professional knowledge, and abilities are all up to standard." Fang Yan said, "The key is that she also has an identity in Hong Kong. If we need to do something in Hong Kong in the future, we can ask her to run errands for us."

Luo Dai'an was surprised: "I thought you would be fascinated by her appearance."

"I can't stay in the United States forever. Even if she is a beautiful vase, I can't see her."

Fang Yan said: "Just like you, I recognize your ability, not your appearance."

Luo Dai'an smiled brightly, "Haha, I'll just take it as a compliment."

(End of this chapter)