The morning after the auction, the entire Hong Kong entertainment industry seemed to explode with excitement.
Almost every major newspaper carried the same story on its front page.
The headlines were larger than usual, the language more dramatic than ever.
Everyone wanted a piece of the sensation that Hero had created.
[The Most Expensive Chinese Film in History! "Hero" Sells Overseas Rights at a Record-Breaking Price, Jet Li and Tony Leung Become Global Box Office Magnets!]
[Hollywood Battles for Chinese Cinema! Zhang Yimou's "Hero" Secures More Than 30 Million USD in Overseas Distribution Deals!]
[Chinese Cinema Steps onto the World Stage! Hero Opens a New Era for International Distribution!]
Even mainland newspapers joined the frenzy.
For years, Chinese filmmakers had dreamed of breaking into the global market.
Now, according to the reports, Hero had seemingly done exactly that.
Thirty million dollars.
More than two hundred and forty million RMB.
The number itself was enough to leave countless industry insiders speechless.
The success story spread across television programs, entertainment magazines, radio stations, and industry forums.
Everywhere people discussed the same question.
Had Chinese commercial cinema finally found a path toward globalization?
Had Hero opened the door to the international market?
Had Zhang Yimou become the pioneer of a new era?
Very few people questioned the deal.
Even fewer knew what kind of storm was quietly brewing beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, at a luxurious villa in Hong Kong's Mid-Levels district, Luo Zheng slowly opened his eyes.
Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains.
The room was unusually quiet.
Beside him, Ah Sa was still sleeping soundly beneath the blanket.
Her long hair was spread across the pillow.
One arm hugged the blanket unconsciously while her lips remained slightly parted in sleep.
She looked completely exhausted.
Luo Zheng glanced at her and couldn't help smiling.
Just as he was preparing to get out of bed, his phone rang.
The caller was Chan Fai Wang.
As soon as the call connected, the man's anxious voice came through.
"President Luo, reporters are everywhere."
"Everywhere?"
"They've surrounded the company entrance."
"Some are even waiting outside nearby restaurants and cafés."
"They all know you attended the Hero auction yesterday."
"They want your opinion."
Luo Zheng leaned back against the headboard.
For a few seconds he remained silent.
Then a meaningful smile slowly appeared.
Since Zhang Weiping wanted attention...
Why not give him even more?
"The reporters want news?"
"Then give them news."
Chan Fai Wang immediately straightened up.
"What should I say?"
Luo Zheng looked out the window.
"Tell them Hero didn't just sell rights worth thirty million dollars."
"Tell them distributors around the world are optimistic."
"Tell them demand is extremely strong."
"Tell them multiple regions are still negotiating."
"Make it sound even better than it already does."
Chan Fai Wang paused.
Then understanding dawned.
A grin spread across his face.
"I understand."
The call ended shortly afterward.
Luo Zheng tossed the phone aside.
Most people thought success could destroy enemies.
In reality, excessive success often did a much better job.
The higher someone climbed...
The harder they fell.
Zhang Weiping was currently standing at the highest point of his career.
The entire industry was praising him.
The media worshipped him.
Investors admired him.
His confidence had likely expanded beyond recognition.
And that was precisely why the eventual collapse would be devastating.
Harvey still hadn't paid.
The contract still wasn't settled.
Yet Zhang Weiping had already begun celebrating.
When the truth finally surfaced...
The embarrassment would become legendary.
While Luo Zheng was enjoying the thought, movement beside him caught his attention.
Ah Sa had woken up.
Still sleepy, she rubbed her eyes and stared at him.
For several seconds she simply watched.
Her expression carried the unmistakable affection of someone completely captivated.
Unfortunately for her...
Luo Zheng interpreted that look differently.
One hour later.
Ah Sa was asleep again.
This time she was unlikely to wake before afternoon.
After freshening up and changing clothes, Luo Zheng finally left the villa and headed toward Emperor Entertainment.
Albert Yeung had practically been hunting him for weeks.
Ever since they agreed to collaborate on a project, Luo Zheng had either been in America or the mainland.
Every time Albert wanted to discuss business, Luo Zheng disappeared somewhere else.
Now that he was finally in Hong Kong, Albert immediately arranged a meeting.
The old fox clearly feared Luo Zheng might forget the agreement.
To be fair...
He almost had.
Fortunately, among the scripts collected by Marvel's Asia-Pacific branch, Luo Zheng had discovered one particularly interesting project.
The Twins Effect.
The script was still rough.
The storyline contained plenty of flaws.
But the core concept had potential.
More importantly, it suited Emperor Entertainment perfectly.
When Luo Zheng's car arrived downstairs at Emperor Headquarters, Albert Yeung was already waiting personally.
Several senior executives stood beside him.
Anyone who didn't know better might think they were welcoming a government official.
The moment Luo Zheng stepped out of the car, Albert enthusiastically grabbed his hands.
"Brother Luo!"
"I've been looking forward to this meeting for ages!"
Luo Zheng laughed.
"Looking forward to me?"
"I think you're looking forward to the movie."
Albert Yeung burst into laughter.
Neither bothered hiding the truth.
Businessmen understood businessmen.
After exchanging pleasantries, the group headed upstairs.
Inside the office, Luo Zheng immediately placed a script on the coffee table.
Albert's curiosity instantly grew.
The room became quiet.
For the next twenty minutes, only the sound of turning pages could be heard.
Eventually, Albert closed the script.
His face practically glowed.
"Excellent."
"Very excellent."
"This feels like a Hollywood commercial movie."
Luo Zheng shook his head.
"The original concept wasn't mine."
"The company acquired the script."
"I simply revised it."
Albert didn't care.
In his eyes, revision from Luo Zheng was already valuable enough.
After all, Luo Zheng's reputation in Hollywood was growing rapidly.
His projects consistently generated profit.
His instincts had become extremely respected.
The two then discussed casting.
Ekin Cheng.
Nicholas Tse.
Twins.
Various supporting actors.
Albert agreed with nearly everything.
When Luo Zheng suggested inviting Jackie Chan for a cameo appearance, Albert nearly applauded on the spot.
That alone would significantly boost publicity.
The discussion lasted nearly two hours.
Everything proceeded smoothly.
Until the very end.
Albert suddenly hesitated.
Then he carefully asked:
"Brother Luo..."
"What about Edison?"
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Luo Zheng already knew who he meant.
Edison Chen.
In fact, replacing him with Nicholas Tse in this project had already demonstrated Luo Zheng's position.
Albert obviously hadn't understood.
Or perhaps he simply didn't want to give up.
After all, Emperor had invested considerable resources into promoting Edison.
Luo Zheng calmly replied.
"I don't want to discuss that matter anymore."
"I'm not targeting him."
"But I won't deliberately help him either."
The answer was clear.
Albert sighed internally.
His final hope disappeared.
Still, he knew better than to push further.
After all, maintaining a good relationship with Luo Zheng was infinitely more valuable than protecting one rookie artist.
Soon afterward, the meeting ended.
Luo Zheng returned directly to Marvel's Hong Kong office.
Another important project awaited his attention.
War and Beauty.
The script had already undergone multiple rounds of revision.
Several editors had spent weeks polishing every scene.
When Luo Zheng finished reading it, he nodded in satisfaction.
The structure was solid.
The pacing was strong.
The palace intrigue elements were addictive.
Even by future standards, it remained one of the most influential dramas in the genre.
As for casting, he saw little reason to make major changes.
Gigi Lai.
Charmaine Sheh.
Several other key performers.
The lineup was already excellent.
The production budget had been finalized at fifty million Hong Kong dollars.
Marvel would invest thirty million.
TVB would provide the remaining twenty million.
In exchange, Marvel would retain the majority of rights ownership.
TVB accepted the arrangement despite its harshness.
The reason was simple.
The mainland market.
With Blue Whale Entertainment's growing network across mainland television stations, Marvel possessed something TVB desperately wanted.
Access.
Without access, no matter how popular a drama became in Hong Kong, its revenue potential remained limited.
Thus, cooperation became inevitable.
The following days passed quickly.
Luo Zheng constantly moved between company meetings and the Infernal Affairs production set.
Life became busy.
But productive.
Without certain troublesome individuals interfering with filming, the atmosphere on set improved significantly.
Directors Andrew Lau and Mak Chiu-fai worked efficiently.
Production advanced faster than expected.
At the current pace, filming would wrap within a month.
Then came the news Luo Zheng had been waiting for.
Venice.
One afternoon, after finishing lunch with Andy Lau, the two quietly exited a restaurant through the back entrance.
Both wore masks.
Both hoped to avoid attention.
Neither succeeded.
The moment they stepped outside, dozens of reporters surged forward like sharks smelling blood.
Bodyguards reacted immediately.
A human wall formed.
Even so, microphones nearly reached Luo Zheng's face.
Camera flashes exploded nonstop.
Questions erupted from every direction.
"President Luo!"
"How do you feel about Getting Home being shortlisted for the main competition at Venice?"
"President Luo!"
"Do you believe you can win an international award?"
"President Luo!"
"Hero's overseas distribution deal is reportedly facing complications. Are you aware of the situation?"
"President Luo!"
"Spider-Man has achieved explosive box office results after its domestic release. Does Marvel now completely control the franchise again?"
"President Luo!"
"President Luo!"
Question after question crashed together.
Beside him, Andy Lau looked utterly stunned.
He glanced at the reporters.
Then at Luo Zheng.
Then back at the reporters.
His mind filled with confusion.
When had all of this happened?
Why did it feel as though every major entertainment headline somehow involved this young man?
Venice Film Festival.
Hero controversy.
Spider-Man rights.
Marvel expansion.
Hollywood projects.
Any one of these would normally dominate industry discussions for weeks.
Yet Luo Zheng was somehow involved in all of them simultaneously.
Most astonishing of all—
Faced with the overwhelming barrage of questions, Luo Zheng showed no sign of panic.
His expression remained calm.
Steady.
Even slightly amused.
As though the reporters weren't surrounding him at all.
As though he had already anticipated every single question before they were even asked.
And somewhere in Hollywood, thousands of miles away, Harvey Weinstein was beginning to realize that the situation surrounding Hero was becoming far more complicated than he originally expected.