By six in the evening, the celebration banquet had reached its peak.
The grand banquet hall of the Beijing International Hotel was overflowing with guests.
Crystal chandeliers cast warm golden light across the room while expensive red wine flowed endlessly. Everywhere one looked, there were celebrities, directors, producers, investors, and media personalities gathered in small circles. Some exchanged business cards, some discussed future projects, while others simply enjoyed the opportunity to expand their connections.
Yet despite the countless conversations taking place, nearly everyone's attention drifted toward the same location from time to time.
The center of the hall.
That was where the true focus of tonight's celebration stood.
Han Sanping.
Wang Zhongjun.
Albert Yeung.
Several of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry were gathered there.
And at the center of their circle was a young man barely twenty-one years old.
Luo Zheng.
The youngest Golden Lion winner in Chinese cinema history.
The man who had just returned from Venice carrying both honor and money.
Around him, smiles never disappeared.
Industry titans who normally commanded respect wherever they went were now speaking to him with remarkable warmth.
Many younger actors couldn't help feeling emotional when they witnessed the scene.
Because they recognized those expressions.
They had all worn them before.
Whenever they met famous directors or powerful producers, they smiled exactly the same way.
Only now, the roles had reversed.
The powerful people were smiling first.
Life truly was unpredictable.
Most guests were simply admiring the scene from afar.
But Ma Yili's thoughts were far more complicated.
Holding a glass of red wine near one corner of the hall, she stared toward the center with unconcealed envy.
Truthfully speaking, she wasn't even supposed to be here tonight.
With her current status, she barely qualified as a third-tier actress.
An event of this level was usually reserved for established stars and influential industry figures.
Fortunately, she had Guan Hu.
And Guan Hu happened to have a good relationship with Huang Bo.
Years ago, when they worked together on Get on the Bus, Let's Go, Guan Hu had given Huang Bo one of his earliest opportunities.
That friendship remained intact even today.
As one of Blue Whale Entertainment's first signed artists, Huang Bo naturally had enough influence to bring a few friends to the banquet.
Of course, his invitations were limited.
Besides Guan Hu and Ma Yili, only Ning Hao and Xing Aina had received the same favor.
No more.
No less.
Even Huang Bo understood boundaries.
"Lili, why aren't you eating?"
Guan Hu walked over carrying a plate piled high with seafood.
"This king crab is amazing."
"You should try some."
Ma Yili glanced at the enormous king crab before her.
Under normal circumstances, she would have been excited.
Tonight, however, she had no appetite.
Her eyes unconsciously drifted back toward Luo Zheng.
Toward Fan Bingbing.
Toward Gao Yuanyuan.
Toward the center of attention.
Her heart tightened slightly.
She wanted that spotlight.
She wanted those admiring gazes.
She wanted people discussing her future projects instead of wondering whether she would even have one.
Unfortunately, reality wasn't so kind.
Her boyfriend was talented.
But talent didn't always equal influence.
Although Guan Hu had won awards overseas, his domestic reputation remained limited.
He couldn't push her career forward.
Even her role in My Fair Princess 3 had been obtained through tremendous effort.
She had exhausted countless connections.
Spent nearly all her savings.
Endured endless criticism.
And filming hadn't even begun yet.
The media had already declared the series a failure.
As for her casting?
The criticism was even harsher.
"Least intellectual Ziwei."
"Least elegant Ziwei."
"Least beautiful Ziwei."
Every article seemed determined to attack her personally.
The more she thought about it, the more unfair life felt.
If she had someone like Luo Zheng supporting her...
Would things still be this difficult?
"What are you daydreaming about?"
Guan Hu waved a hand in front of her face.
"If you don't eat now, Huang Bo will finish everything."
Only then did Ma Yili return to reality.
She quickly smiled.
"I was just thinking this wine must be expensive."
"Expensive?"
Huang Bo immediately laughed.
"Chairman Han is paying tonight."
Then he leaned forward mysteriously.
"Actually, let me tell you something."
"Company secret."
The moment he lowered his voice, everyone nearby became interested.
Even Ning Hao moved closer.
"What secret?"
Huang Bo looked around carefully.
Then spoke in a conspiratorial whisper.
"Blue Whale Entertainment is preparing to buy land."
The group froze.
"Land?"
"How much land?"
"Where?"
Before anyone could continue—
"What are we buying land for?"
A loud voice suddenly interrupted.
Everyone nearly jumped.
Turning around, they saw Wang Baoqiang standing behind them.
He was holding a giant king crab with both hands.
His innocent expression made him look completely harmless.
Yet his question instantly destroyed Huang Bo's mysterious atmosphere.
"Buying land means farming, right?"
Silence.
Several people covered their faces.
Huang Bo nearly choked.
After a long pause, he grabbed Wang Baoqiang and pulled him closer.
"It's for building headquarters!"
"A tower!"
"Not farming!"
"Oh."
Wang Baoqiang nodded seriously.
"I understand now."
Then he added:
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
The group nearly burst out laughing.
After the interruption, conversation resumed.
"So Blue Whale is really building headquarters?"
Ning Hao looked shocked.
"Land inside Beijing isn't cheap."
"How much money is Luo Zheng planning to spend?"
Huang Bo shrugged.
"No idea."
"But if President Luo is doing it, the scale definitely won't be small."
The statement alone was enough to make everyone jealous.
Only a few years ago, Luo Zheng had been unknown.
Now he was already building an entertainment empire.
The speed was terrifying.
Suddenly, Ma Yili remembered something important.
"Brother Bo."
"What happened to Guan Hu's script?"
The atmosphere immediately became serious.
Guan Hu looked over as well.
He had recently submitted Winter Solstice and Seven Days to Blue Whale Entertainment.
For directors like him, investment was always the biggest challenge.
Every investor wanted control.
Every investor wanted profit.
Finding someone willing to trust a director's vision was incredibly difficult.
Fortunately, Huang Bo waved confidently.
"Relax."
"I already submitted everything."
"It's just that President Luo has been too busy."
"Besides..."
A grin appeared on his face.
"President Luo specifically mentioned Black Hole before."
"He liked it."
"So I think your chances are very good."
Relief immediately appeared on Guan Hu's face.
Ma Yili also relaxed slightly.
If the project succeeded, their situation would improve significantly.
At the same moment, in the center of the banquet hall—
Another important guest had arrived.
Gong Li.
And beside her...
Zhang Yimou.
The moment they appeared together, many people instinctively glanced between them.
Their past was hardly a secret.
Even years later, their names remained linked in countless people's memories.
"Director Luo."
Zhang Yimou raised his wine glass.
"Congratulations."
"You've brought great honor to Chinese cinema."
His tone was sincere.
There wasn't the slightest trace of jealousy.
Only admiration.
Luo Zheng immediately stood.
"Director Zhang, you're being too modest."
"You've already won international honors multiple times."
"I'm merely following the path you paved."
The compliment made Zhang Yimou smile.
Nearby, Han Sanping and the others joined the conversation.
The atmosphere quickly became harmonious.
Several glasses of wine later—
Luo Zheng noticed Gong Li giving him a meaningful look.
Immediately, he understood.
Something important was coming.
After apologizing to Han Sanping and the others, he led Gao Yuanyuan and Fan Bingbing toward a quieter corner.
Not far behind them—
Zhang Yimou followed.
Then Zhang Weiping.
The moment several people disappeared into a private corner, many guests immediately realized what was happening.
The issue of Hero's overseas rights had already spread through the industry.
Originally, foreign distributors had shown tremendous enthusiasm.
The asking price exceeded thirty million dollars.
Then suddenly—
Everything changed.
Offers collapsed.
Interest disappeared.
The final price had fallen to barely five million.
For Zhang Weiping, it was unacceptable.
For Zhang Yimou, it was equally frustrating.
And the only person capable of solving the problem now...
Was sitting directly across from them.
Luo Zheng.
The atmosphere became strangely quiet.
Everyone sat down.
Fan Bingbing occupied Luo Zheng's left side.
Gao Yuanyuan occupied his right.
Both women naturally held one of his arms.
The image looked almost absurd.
As if they were guarding territory.
Even Zhang Weiping couldn't help twitching slightly.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yimou kept his gaze lowered.
Only Gong Li remained composed.
After several seconds of silence, she finally spoke first.
"Xiao Luo."
The intimate form of address immediately caused two reactions.
Fan Bingbing straightened.
Gao Yuanyuan straightened.
Both pairs of eyes became alert instantly.
Across from them—
Zhang Yimou's expression also froze briefly.
A complicated emotion flashed through his eyes before disappearing.
Years had passed.
Many things had changed.
Yet some habits remained impossible to erase.
Gong Li seemed not to notice any of it.
She continued calmly.
"I wonder..."
"Are you still interested in purchasing the overseas distribution rights for Hero?"
The question finally landed on the table.