The sudden sound of the system notification made Luo Zheng pause for a moment.
Then his eyes instantly lit up.
A mission?
Ever since obtaining the system, he had gradually figured out one thing: every mission reward was ridiculously generous. More importantly, missions often represented opportunities. The harder they were, the more outrageous the rewards usually became.
But what surprised him this time was that the trigger wasn't Jane Zhang.
Instead—
it was Huang Bo.
Luo Zheng lowered his gaze toward Huang Bo, who was still kneeling dramatically on the floor in front of him. A strange expression appeared on his face.
At the same time, the system interface appeared before his eyes.
[Congratulations Host for triggering Side Mission: Debut Album to Godhood]
Achievement Conditions:
Huang Bo's first album must reach No.1 on annual sales charts.
Song quality cannot be lower than 80 overall.
At least three songs must exceed 90 quality points.
Mission Reward: Lottery Draw ×10
Luo Zheng stared silently.
Then blinked.
Then looked again.
"..."
Good lord.
This wasn't a side mission.
This was practically murder.
Ten lottery draws sounded incredible, but the difficulty level was absurd.
Even Jane Zhang's debut album, which had practically exploded across Asia, wouldn't easily satisfy such strict conditions.
No song below eighty.
Three above ninety.
Annual sales champion.
This meant one thing:
He had to bring out the real arsenal.
No holding back.
No experimenting.
No "let's see how it goes."
He'd need genuine king-level songs.
Luo Zheng slowly looked at Huang Bo.
His gaze shifted.
First thoughtful.
Then worried.
Finally—
merciless.
Because to be completely honest, Huang Bo's singing ability wasn't extraordinary.
It wasn't terrible either.
But compared to real top singers?
There was still a gap.
Professional level at best.
Maybe...
around the same level as Luo Zheng himself after receiving Singing Skill +1.
The problem was, a singer could rely on songs, but songs alone couldn't create miracles forever.
Huang Bo still needed training.
A lot of training.
Hell-level training.
Meanwhile, Huang Bo remained kneeling on the floor.
Originally he was still immersed in excitement after unexpectedly receiving a role and recording opportunity.
But slowly...
he noticed Luo Zheng's expression.
Especially those eyes.
From concern...
to seriousness...
to outright ruthlessness.
Cold sweat suddenly formed on his back.
Wait.
Something feels wrong.
Very wrong.
Could President Luo be regretting it?
No way.
No no no.
That couldn't happen.
"Boss..."
Huang Bo swallowed nervously.
"I..."
Before he could continue pledging loyalty, Luo Zheng waved a hand and interrupted him.
"Don't overthink things."
His tone became calm again.
"Prepare properly for recording."
"The company will arrange professional vocal training for you."
"And put acting aside for now."
The moment the last sentence came out, Luo Zheng looked directly at Huo Wenxi.
She instantly understood and nodded.
"Understood."
Meanwhile Huang Bo's emotions became complicated.
On one hand—
President Luo was personally arranging coaches and training.
That meant he valued him.
On the other hand—
put acting aside?
Didn't that mean his film opportunities might disappear?
His expression kept changing repeatedly.
Eventually he nodded forcefully.
"Boss, don't worry."
"I'll definitely work hard."
Luo Zheng laughed.
"Get up already."
"And pay attention to your image."
Only then did Huang Bo climb up awkwardly.
Beside him, Wang Baoqiang scratched his head with a silly smile while Jane Zhang covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
That afternoon.
Blue Whale Entertainment conference room.
Luo Zheng gathered all company executives.
Because he wasn't sure how long this upcoming trip to America would take, he decided to settle future arrangements beforehand.
Inside the conference room, Zhang Hui stood before a projector and began reporting.
The newly released PowerPoint software from Microsoft had already entered company operations. The presentation flowed smoothly, proving Zhang Hui had clearly spent effort preparing.
After reviewing overall development, Luo Zheng nodded silently.
Blue Whale Entertainment had developed rapidly.
Very rapidly.
At first, it was merely a startup company relying heavily on Luo Zheng's reputation.
But now things had changed.
Jane Zhang's album exploded.
Film projects continuously advanced.
Blue Whale had gradually escaped the category of "new company."
But there remained one problem.
Lack of foundation.
Lack of heavyweight projects.
Lack of true industry status.
Thinking this, Luo Zheng looked toward Chen Guofu.
As head of film and television operations, company growth heavily depended on him.
Chen Guofu immediately opened another presentation.
"Boss."
"These are selected scripts and television projects."
"Please take a look."
Several project images appeared.
Luo Zheng glanced casually.
Then suddenly sat upright.
Because the first project unexpectedly was:
The Talented Man and the Beautiful Woman
His eyes brightened.
This drama had been unbelievably popular in his previous life.
Back then, Lu Yi's popularity practically exploded.
Even office fashion trends had been influenced.
Without hesitation, Luo Zheng mentally marked it.
Use company talent.
Next:
Drawing Sword
Conquest
Treasure Basin
Pink Lady
Originally he remained relaxed.
Then—
he saw Drawing Sword.
Instantly his expression changed.
"Old Chen."
"How did you get this?"
Chen Guofu smiled proudly.
"I've always liked Du Liang's novels."
"Especially Bloody Romance and Drawing Sword."
"Unfortunately Bloody Romance rights were already sold."
"So I paid a premium and bought Drawing Sword."
"And invited Du Liang himself."
Luo Zheng immediately laughed.
"Well done."
He genuinely meant it.
Drawing Sword wasn't merely a television drama.
It was a phenomenon.
"Don't rush production."
"Script quality comes first."
Chen Guofu nodded.
"Understood."
Afterward several investment proposals appeared.
Supreme Beauty.
Young Emperor.
Detective Dee.
Luo Zheng frowned slightly.
Detective Dee?
Before he could ask, Chen Guofu explained:
"CCTV contacted us through Chairman Han."
Understanding immediately dawned.
Han Sanping.
CCTV.
Favor exchange.
Human relationships.
Classic industry methods.
After reviewing everything, Luo Zheng nodded.
"Invest."
"Except CCTV projects, we take controlling stakes."
Chen Guofu immediately wrote it down.
Then hesitated.
"What about casting?"
Luo Zheng stood.
"Discuss later."
Meeting concluded.
As evening approached, everyone gradually left.
But before leaving, Luo Zheng privately called Chen Guofu into his office.
Then handed him a folder.
"Acquire these rights too."
Chen Guofu lowered his head.
After reading several titles, surprise flashed through his eyes.
Because every project listed looked strangely specific.
As though Luo Zheng had already seen their future.
Still, he wisely didn't ask.
He simply nodded.
"Understood."
By the time Luo Zheng left company headquarters, night had nearly arrived.
Soon his car stopped before a familiar apartment building.
His private little nest.
The place he occasionally stayed with Xu Jinglei.
The moment he entered, warm light illuminated the room.
Soft music played.
Xu Jinglei sat on the sofa reading.
Hearing movement, she looked up.
Then deliberately turned away with a cold expression.
Clearly still upset.
Luo Zheng immediately smiled.
Instead of comforting her, he attacked first.
"Got the script for A World Without Thieves?"
Xu Jinglei paused.
Then immediately looked over.
Her expression changed instantly.
Because she knew exactly how valuable that role was.
Countless actresses were fighting over it.
Yet Luo Zheng had simply given it to her.
Without conditions.
Without bargaining.
Without asking.
Just handed over.
The irritation in her heart instantly disappeared.
A sweet feeling quietly spread.
She stood and walked over.
Then naturally crouched beside him and placed slippers near his feet.
Afterward she took his coat.
Hung it carefully.
Like a wife waiting for her husband to come home.
Luo Zheng sat down.
"This role isn't easy."
"Huayi originally wanted another actress."
"I rejected them."
"You need to prepare seriously."
Xu Jinglei looked at him quietly.
Then smiled.
Actually...
she hadn't gone out these past few days.
She had truly been studying the role.
Because she knew.
This opportunity...
wasn't easy to obtain.
Thinking this, she suddenly stepped closer.
Closer.
And closer.
Luo Zheng looked up.
"Hm?"
Next moment—
a figure suddenly leaned down.
Soft lips instantly covered his.
Luo Zheng blinked.
Then smiled.
Looks like...
someone's way of saying thank you had become much more direct lately.
As for everything afterward—
well.
The shower could wait.