Capítulo 316: Chapter 316: The Successful Opening of the "Hardy Supermarket Chain"
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Monroe is performing in Detroit at the baseball stadium. The crowd, numbering in the tens of thousands, is incredibly enthusiastic. Monroe has become one of the most captivating singers in the United States.
Recently, Playboy magazine featured Monroe on its cover, with a significant number of her photo albums inside. Though the issue contained minimal nudity, it featured various provocative and sultry poses. Despite this, the magazine sold out quickly.
The issue was reprinted twice, pushing Playboy's sales for this issue to over 1 million copies—marking the first time Playboy had surpassed a million copies in a single issue.
After the performance, Monroe's bodyguards escorted her back to the hotel. Upon arrival, the team leader smiled and said, "Miss Monroe, I received a call from Mr. Hardy. He knows you're performing and asked you to call him back after the show."
"Has he returned to the United States?" Monroe asked, surprised.
"Yes, Mr. Hardy is in Los Angeles."
Monroe quickly went to her room to call Hardy. As soon as the call connected, she exclaimed, "Hardy, I've missed you so much. It's been 128 days since I last saw you."
"Remember that clearly?" Hardy asked.
"Of course, I think about you every day."
Such expressions of affection are irresistible, and no one can remain indifferent to them.
"I'll send a plane to Detroit to pick you up and reschedule the show," Hardy said.
"That's great! I can't wait to see you," Monroe replied happily.
Reluctantly ending the call, Monroe chatted with Hardy about her recent activities, her excitement evident.
After more than an hour, they finally said goodbye.
The housekeeper had prepared dinner, but Hardy found himself unimpressed. He used to think his chef's cooking was quite good, but now it seemed bland compared to his current tastes.
He questioned whether authentic American food even existed. Hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and sandwiches seemed inadequate.
He instructed the butler to find a genuine Chinese chef, preferably one specializing in Cantonese cuisine, as he preferred lighter flavors.
"Cantonese food?" the butler asked, unsure.
After dinner, Hardy took a leisurely walk in the courtyard before heading to the gym for a workout. Although it had been four years since he retired from the military, Hardy maintained his fitness through regular exercise and boxing.
His superior recovery ability kept his physical condition well above average.
After two hours of exercise, Hardy swam in the pool, a key part of his training. Just as he was finishing his swim, Elaine burst through the door, and upon seeing him, squealed in delight before rushing into the pool.
Elaine swiftly swam to Hardy, wrapping her long legs around his waist and kissing him.
In addition to being a form of exercise, such moments also help improve endurance and explosive power.
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"How has the TV station been lately?" Hardy asked, gently caressing Elaine's curves.
"It's doing very well. Our station now features three talk shows, two TV series, two news broadcasts daily, as well as news reviews, TV shopping, financial programs, cartoons, concert broadcasts from New York, and sports programs like baseball and rugby. The content is quite diverse."
"The new season of 'Super Idol' is approaching, and preparations are underway. Given our experience, I'm confident it will surpass last year's performance and create another viewership boom."
"We've also licensed toys based on some of our TV shows and cartoons, like Sesame Street and Captain America, to the group toy company. Sales are going very well."
"CBS and NBC are trying to catch up, but we still lead in overall ratings."
"By the way, we've expanded to include several more local TV stations, increasing our coverage area."
Hardy nodded in approval.
ABC is a crucial part of his media empire. He wants to maintain its strong momentum. If the other networks make significant efforts, he'll be ready to introduce groundbreaking programs to keep them in check.
For example, a game show like "Millionaire" could create a major stir with its prize money, even if it's only $100,000 this year. It would still generate significant excitement.
"Also, the TV station has reached an agreement to expand into Canada, starting with Vancouver."
Hardy understood that Vancouver's proximity to Seattle made it difficult to block the signal, so the expansion would be straightforward.
Through their conversation, Hardy learned that the TV station was thriving, requiring little intervention from him as long as Elaine, the vice president, remained in charge.
Two days later, Monroe returned.
With her blonde hair, red lips, beauty mark, and a sultry yet youthful appearance, Monroe exuded a captivating femininity.
Upon seeing Hardy, Monroe didn't immediately jump up but instead danced gracefully by the door frame. Hardy, initially rising to greet her, smiled and sat back down to enjoy the show.
Monroe performed a soft song, moving gently and seductively toward Hardy. She caressed his cheek as she sang, then kissed him tenderly on the eyes, nose, chin, and chest.
What defines a good life? It's about enjoying the things you love. It's enough to savor the pleasures of life without overthinking it. He was once focused on wealth, but now, he aims to enjoy life fully, including indulging in a beloved partner.
"It's often said that while others may criticize, I find joy in living my life as I wish."
Soaked in passion, Hardy caressed Monroe's hair and said, "Monroe, I've asked Victor to start forming the 'Enthusiastic' crew. Your performances will be on hold as you prepare for the movie."
Monroe was thrilled. "Great!"
"The day after tomorrow, we'll attend the opening of the Hardy supermarket chain. We've arranged a performance for you there. Let's go together."
Monroe eagerly agreed.
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The opening of the first flagship store of the Hardy supermarket chain was widely advertised on the Global Times and ABC TV. It was announced that many celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe and Captain America, would attend.
The excitement was palpable, not just for Los Angeles residents but for people across the nation who envied the opportunity to see Monroe in person.
On the opening day, the Hardy supermarket chain was festively decorated, and a stage was set up nearby.
The event attracted 10,000 to 20,000 attendees. The entertainment included performances by two female singers and several TV stars, with Captain America's appearance eliciting cheers from the crowd.
When Marilyn Monroe took the stage, the cheers were deafening. She performed a lively song and welcomed everyone to the Hardy supermarket chain, wishing them happy shopping.
Sam Wharton and his team of managers cut the ribbon, officially opening the supermarket.
As the doors opened, customers eagerly flooded in. The supermarket's spacious, attractive environment and wide variety of goods impressed everyone. High shelves were stocked with numerous items.
Customers were pleasantly surprised to find that prices were significantly lower than at other stores. The Hardy supermarket chain's slogan, "Save every penny and buy the best products," resonated with shoppers.
The store's concept of purchasing directly from suppliers and eliminating intermediaries to offer better prices appealed to many. Shoppers who initially came just to see the event found themselves buying products, filling their carts quickly.
For those purchasing a large quantity, cashiers suggested applying for a discount card, which offered savings. Despite the $100 deposit required for the card, many opted to buy it.
The cashier explained, "Our discount card provides a 10% discount. If you spend $100, you'll save $10, effectively covering the card fee after ten purchases."
"The card is valid for life and offers discounts at any Hardy supermarket in the United States."
Although the card was pricey, its benefits, coupled with the event's excitement, convinced many to purchase it, including some affluent individuals from Beverly Hills.
While most customers enjoyed their shopping experience, some problematic behaviors occurred.
A white woman, after moving to a less visible spot, secretly stuffed items into her clothing, visibly expanding her upper body. She continued to hide more items in her lower body, quickly concealing them beneath her skirt.
Another individual, a black man, attempted to hide items in his pocket but was less successful.
Despite these incidents, the overall opening was a success.
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