The flight to Beijing was smooth, and the quiet hum of the passenger plane created a strangely intimate atmosphere inside the first-class cabin.
Luo Zheng sat beside Huo Wenxi, the two of them discussing the company's future plans.
This time, he had left Ah Sa and Ah Jiao behind in Hong Kong. They still had several public appearances and endorsement commitments to finish, so bringing them along would only complicate matters. Besides, with Blue Whale Entertainment still in its early stages in the mainland, it was better to let them return later once the company's operations had stabilized.
Huo Wenxi handed over a neatly organized document.
"Boss, please take a look at the talent agency's development plan. I've revised the structure and added projected artist management strategies. See if there's anything missing."
Luo Zheng glanced at the file but didn't take it immediately.
Instead, a teasing smile appeared on his lips.
"Sister Wenxi, how many times have I told you? When it's just the two of us, there's no need to be so formal."
Huo Wenxi secretly rolled her eyes at him.
"I'm already being very casual, Boss."
Her tone sounded polite, but the faint trace of resentment in it was impossible to hide.
Luo Zheng naturally understood why.
Ever since he successfully brought her away from Emperor Entertainment, he had practically tossed all the work onto her shoulders.
No calls.
No proper follow-up.
No project arrangements.
Meanwhile, he had been busy spending time with Ah Sa and Ah Jiao.
If Huo Wenxi didn't know his personality well enough, she might have genuinely thought he had poached her only to throw her aside.
Seeing the faint dissatisfaction in her eyes, Luo Zheng laughed softly.
"Sister Wenxi, if I've neglected you these past few days, then I owe you an apology."
That sentence alone made most of her annoyance disappear.
After all, it was rare for a boss—especially one as proud and capable as Luo Zheng—to admit fault so directly.
Huo Wenxi looked at him for a moment before letting out a soft smile.
"You're making it sound too serious. I wouldn't dare hold a grudge against my boss."
"Then what should you call me?"
Luo Zheng leaned slightly closer, clearly refusing to let the opportunity go.
Before she could react, his hand moved toward hers beneath the cover of the spacious first-class seating.
Huo Wenxi's expression changed slightly.
"Boss, behave yourself."
"What should you call me?" he repeated with a grin.
Her eyes narrowed in helpless surrender.
"Brother Zheng."
Only then did Luo Zheng finally release her hand.
"Much better."
Though he loved pushing boundaries, he knew when to stop.
Some things needed timing.
And right now, on a public flight, the atmosphere simply wasn't right.
After the plane landed, they exited through the VIP passage.
Waiting outside was a familiar black Hongqi sedan.
The moment the car door opened, Secretary Liu stepped forward with a professional smile.
"President Luo, welcome back. Chairman Han asked me to personally receive you."
Luo Zheng smiled and shook her hand.
"Secretary Liu, thank you for making the trip."
"It's my honor."
Standing beside him, Huo Wenxi's eyes flickered with surprise.
She had heard Luo Zheng mention his connections before, but seeing a direct reception from China Film's Vice Chairman's office made the reality far more shocking.
This wasn't ordinary influence.
This was genuine standing.
With connections like this, their company's development in the mainland would be far smoother.
The car drove directly toward the China Film Group building.
Luo Zheng originally thought he would have time to return to Blue Whale first, but the moment he arrived, he was immediately led upstairs.
Only after entering the top-floor conference room did he understand why Han Sanping had been in such a hurry.
The room was already full.
Every seat around the long conference table was occupied by major figures from the mainland film industry.
Zhang Yimou sat near the front.
Huayi Brothers's Wang Zhongjun was present.
Executives from New Pictures and several large private film companies had all arrived.
The moment Luo Zheng stepped in, Han Sanping stood up first.
"President Luo, apologies for dragging you into a meeting right after your flight."
Luo Zheng smiled calmly.
"Chairman Han, you're too polite. Since you personally called me here, it must be important."
Han Sanping nodded.
"It is."
After taking his seat, Luo Zheng immediately noticed something.
His assigned position was surprisingly close to the front—right behind Zhang Yimou.
For someone whose mainland company had only just been established, this seating arrangement alone showed how highly China Film valued him.
Naturally, not everyone in the room was pleased.
Behind him sat Liu Yanming, the boss of Hairen Film & Television.
The man leaned forward slightly and greeted him with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"President Luo, I've heard a lot about you."
Luo Zheng turned politely.
"Sorry, I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure?"
A brief stiffness flashed across Liu Yanming's face before he forced a smile.
"Liu Yanming. I mainly work in television dramas, so naturally I can't compare with you film people."
The words sounded modest.
But the underlying hostility was obvious.
Luo Zheng frowned slightly.
They had never met before.
Where had this hostility come from?
Then a ridiculous thought crossed his mind.
Could it simply be jealousy?
After all, some men truly did hate anyone younger, more successful, and more handsome than themselves.
His gaze instinctively shifted toward the front of the table—
and met another pair of eyes.
Wei Ping.
The man was also staring at him with obvious displeasure.
For a moment, their gazes locked.
Cold.
Sharp.
Hostile.
If Zhang Yimou hadn't been sitting between them, the atmosphere might have become even uglier.
Fortunately, Han Sanping spoke at that moment.
"Let's begin."
The room instantly quieted.
What followed was a long and detailed meeting regarding the upcoming deep reform of the domestic film industry.
The topics were significant.
The formal establishment of the theater circuit system.
The gradual opening of the market to private capital.
Relaxation of restrictions on foreign and domestic investment in film production.
Most importantly—
the legal recognition of private film companies.
This was enormous news.
For everyone seated in the room, this was nothing less than a turning point.
The moment Han Sanping began outlining the preferential policies and upcoming reforms, excitement spread across the room.
Even the most composed executives couldn't hide their smiles.
For years, private companies had existed in a gray zone.
Now, official recognition meant they could finally develop boldly and openly.
An hour later, the meeting ended in high spirits.
As the others began chatting and exchanging business cards, Wang Zhongjun quickly approached Luo Zheng.
"President Luo, we finally meet."
Huayi Brothers.
"Wang Zhongjun."
He extended his hand with a smile.
"I hope we'll have a chance to work together."
Luo Zheng shook his hand.
"Of course. Cooperation depends on mutual benefit. We'll definitely talk."
Just then, Secretary Liu approached once more.
"President Luo, Chairman Han would like to see you."
The words immediately changed the expressions of several people nearby.
Especially Liu Yanming and Wei Ping.
They had spent the entire meeting trying to belittle Luo Zheng.
Yet now Han Sanping had personally summoned only him.
The meaning behind that was obvious.
Wang Zhongjun smiled faintly, then deliberately turned toward the other two.
"I'm not sure whether your opinions are right or wrong," he said calmly, "but Chairman Han only invited President Luo."
He paused.
"Have either of you ever received the same treatment?"
Silence.
The entire area fell quiet.
Even Zhang Yimou nearly laughed.
The expressions on Liu Yanming and Wei Ping's faces turned exceptionally ugly.
Sometimes, the best slap in the face required no force at all.
Just one sentence was enough.