The moment Carl Icahn signed the VAM agreement that day, the cold mechanical voice of the system had immediately sounded in Luo Zheng's mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for triggering a side mission: The VAM Agreement.]
Completion Conditions:
Produce a film with a total cost (production + distribution) under 100,000 US dollars, and achieve a return on investment exceeding 100 times, or force Carl Icahn to admit defeat voluntarily.
Mission Reward:
Gacha Draws × 3
After returning to his office, Luo Zheng opened the system interface again.
Besides the newly triggered side mission, there was another long-term mission quietly displayed on the screen.
Main Mission: The Rise of an Entertainment Empire
The reward section was still hidden.
Luo Zheng leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"If it's a system reward, it definitely won't be ordinary."
For a brief moment, his imagination ran wild.
Immortality?
Peak physical enhancement?
Unlimited wealth?
Or maybe something even more outrageous.
As he was still lost in thought, his phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the screen.
A familiar name.
Julie.
The corners of his lips curved upward as he answered the call.
"Hello, Miss Julie. I didn't expect you to call so soon."
A charming laugh came from the other end.
"Luo, I think our time has come."
Luo Zheng smiled immediately.
Of course he understood what she meant.
She must have seen the newspaper.
Otherwise, this call would never have happened.
"I'll be at the company all afternoon," he said in a calm voice. "I'll inform the front desk that Chairman William has an appointment with the beautiful Miss Julie."
A soft laugh came through the phone.
"Oh? I like that name, Mr. William."
Her voice dropped slightly, becoming more seductive.
"I'm very much looking forward to our meeting this afternoon."
The call ended.
Almost at the same moment, there was a knock on the office door.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Lilith walked in first, followed by a young man whose slightly receding hairline already gave him a more mature appearance.
"Boss," Lilith said respectfully, "this is the head of the IP Asset Management Department—Kevin Feige."
The moment Luo Zheng looked at him, his eyes lit up slightly.
Kevin Feige.
The future architect of the entire MCU.
In his previous life, this man had practically built the Marvel cinematic empire with his own hands.
Although Kevin was only twenty-seven now, he was already deeply involved in comic adaptations.
He had participated in X-Men and was also involved with the upcoming Spider-Man project.
"Please, have a seat, Kevin."
After a brief handshake, Luo Zheng got straight to the point.
"Over the past two days, my decisions should already be known throughout the company. I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Kevin clearly looked a little nervous.
For some reason, this chairman—who was younger than him by several years—gave him an inexplicable sense of pressure.
Still, he gathered himself and spoke.
"Boss, I believe both of your decisions are correct."
Seeing that Luo Zheng was listening attentively, he continued.
"First, cutting the unprofitable comic lines while simultaneously raising employee salaries was a brilliant move. It reduced unnecessary expenses while increasing morale and internal cohesion."
He paused for a moment.
"Second, although I personally believe establishing a film division right now is somewhat premature, it is undoubtedly the company's future."
As he continued speaking, Kevin's confidence visibly grew.
He began discussing everything he had learned from his involvement in X-Men and the upcoming Spider-Man.
The more Luo Zheng listened, the more surprised he became.
Kevin already had early ideas that closely resembled the future MCU framework.
They were rough.
Unrefined.
But undeniably ahead of the era.
Very good.
Exactly what he needed.
Luo Zheng smiled.
"Kevin, I was right about you."
Kevin froze.
"The position of President of Production for Marvel Studios belongs to no one but you."
For a second, Kevin simply stared.
Then he stood up abruptly.
His face was filled with disbelief and excitement.
"You… want me to lead the new studio?"
"That's right."
Luo Zheng nodded calmly.
"The position is yours."
Kevin's breathing quickened.
For him, this was more than a promotion.
This was a dream.
He had loved Marvel since childhood.
Turning those heroes into films had always been his true goal.
"Thank you, Boss!"
He bowed deeply.
Luo Zheng waved his hand.
"No need to be so formal."
Then his tone shifted slightly.
"You should already know about my bet with Icahn."
Kevin hesitated before speaking honestly.
"Boss… I think you were a little impulsive."
He took a breath.
"A film under one hundred thousand dollars with a hundredfold return… under normal circumstances, that's impossible."
Luo Zheng smiled faintly.
"Then take a look at this first."
He slid a folder across the desk.
Kevin opened it.
His eyes immediately narrowed.
Title:The Man from Earth
Genre: Drama / Sci-Fi
Production Budget: $14,000
Distribution Strategy: Limited release + high-return expansion
As he continued reading, Kevin's expression gradually changed.
Shock.
Excitement.
Admiration.
By the end, he was almost unable to sit still.
This was genius.
Absolute genius.
Meanwhile, in the Douglaston wealthy district, the atmosphere inside Chen Guoli's home was much less harmonious.
"Xixi, hurry and pack your things," Liu Xiaoli said coldly. "We have an early flight tomorrow morning."
Liu Xixi immediately looked up.
For once, she did not obey.
"No, Mom!"
Her voice was filled with rare defiance.
"We agreed we wouldn't return to China until next week."
"And I already promised Cousin I'd visit his company tomorrow to learn about filmmaking."
Liu Xiaoli's expression darkened instantly.
"Look at you now!"
Her voice rose sharply.
"You've really been led astray by that brat Luo Zheng."
"His company is already on the verge of collapse, and now he's gambling with the shareholders?"
"That's pure fantasy!"
Her anger only grew stronger.
"And what kind of movie can possibly be made with one hundred thousand dollars?"
"I absolutely forbid you from seeing him!"
Xixi's face turned red.
Tears began to gather in her eyes.
"I won't let you talk about Cousin like that!"
Her voice trembled.
"You're mean! I'm not talking to you anymore!"
She turned and ran back to her room.
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
After crying softly for a while, she slowly pulled out the hidden phone beneath her pillow.
Her fingers quickly found Luo Zheng's number.
Then she pressed call.
Outside, Chen Guoli sighed helplessly.
"Xiaoli… she's still just a child."
"Please be quiet."
Liu Xiaoli shot him a cold glare.
"Sleep in the study tonight."
Bang!
Another door slammed shut.
Chen Guoli stood alone in the hallway and muttered softly,
"Xiao Zheng… you must succeed."
By evening, back at Marvel Headquarters, the office phone rang.
"Understood," Luo Zheng said after answering. "Bring Miss Julie to my office."
He looked up at Kevin, who still held the proposal like a treasure.
"That's enough for today."
"Take the plan with you."
"I'm giving you three days to assemble the crew."
Kevin reluctantly nodded.
He was already convinced.
This film could absolutely win the bet.
As soon as Kevin left, Lilith led Angelina Jolie into the office.
Julie stood there in elegant heels, a teasing smile on her lips.
Lilith quietly withdrew, clearly sensing that something far from professional was about to happen.
Luo Zheng smiled and patted his thigh.
"Miss Julie, what are you standing there for?"
Julie slowly approached, her red lips curving upward.
Then, without hesitation, she settled herself into his arms.
"Luo," she whispered, "you're quite direct."
She leaned closer.
"Didn't you prepare anything?"
Luo Zheng wrapped an arm around her slender waist and smiled.
"Prepare what?"
Then he leaned close to her ear.
"There's an old Chinese saying."
Julie looked up curiously.
"Oh?"
Luo Zheng's voice lowered.
"Talking about love is useless."
Julie blinked, then slowly smiled.
Her eyes turned soft and alluring.
"Then what's the second half?"
Luo Zheng stood up, carrying her effortlessly in his arms.
A dangerous smile appeared on his face.
"I'll tell you somewhere else."