Beverly Hills carried a kind of quiet luxury unlike anywhere else. The roads were lined with towering palm trees, sunlight filtered through perfectly trimmed hedges, and every estate looked like it belonged in a movie. Yet at this moment, Liu Yifei wasn't paying attention to any of that.
Her eyes were fixed on the woman standing beside the sports car.
The blonde beauty leaned casually against the shining vehicle, long legs crossed slightly, one hand resting on the roof. Golden hair spilled over her shoulders, blue eyes sparkled beneath the California sunlight, and her crimson lips curved into a playful smile.
Even Liu Yifei had to admit it.
This woman was stunning.
And more importantly...
She was exactly the type Luo Zheng liked.
A faint sense of danger instantly rose in her heart.
Luo Zheng, however, looked perfectly calm.
He walked forward with a smile and extended his hand.
"Hello, Miss Richards. William Luo. Nice to meet you."
The woman raised an eyebrow before laughing softly.
"Miss Richards? That's way too formal."
She stepped closer, her perfume carrying a faint floral scent.
"Call me Charlize."
Luo Zheng smiled.
"I didn't expect Hollywood's famous South African goddess to become my neighbor."
Charlize Theron laughed immediately.
"And I definitely didn't expect my mysterious new neighbor to be this young..."
Her gaze swept across him.
"...or this handsome."
She looked at him with open appreciation.
Hollywood people had always been straightforward. Especially someone like Charlize.
There was no point pretending.
If she liked something, she said it.
If she found someone attractive, she showed it.
Then, in an unexpectedly smooth motion, she took out a folded slip of paper and pressed it into Luo Zheng's palm.
"Call me sometime."
She winked.
"I think we'll get along."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and got back into her car.
The engine roared.
Moments later, the Thunderbird disappeared down the road.
Luo Zheng glanced at the number in his hand, memorized it casually, then tore the paper apart.
Behind him, Liu Xiaoli narrowed her eyes.
She suddenly felt this neighborhood wasn't very safe.
Not because of crime.
Because there were too many women.
Back at the estate entrance, Luo Zheng quickly lost interest in standing outside.
After briefly meeting the butler, servants, and security staff, he gave a few simple instructions before leading everyone inside.
The mansion interior was massive.
European architecture mixed with modern luxury. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings. Marble floors reflected sunlight through enormous windows.
Liu Yifei looked around like a child entering a fairy tale castle.
"Brother..."
Her eyes widened.
"This is ours?"
Luo Zheng laughed.
"For now."
Almost instantly, she wrapped around his arm.
Meanwhile Liu Xiaoli stared silently at everything.
She had seen luxurious places before.
But this...
This was different.
Owning a place here wasn't simply about money.
It represented status.
Influence.
Power.
Soon they began choosing rooms.
Liu Yifei rushed upstairs first.
Seconds later:
"I want this one!"
Luo Zheng looked up.
The room beside his.
Without hesitation.
Liu Xiaoli pressed her forehead.
Then sighed helplessly.
In the end, she could only choose the room next door.
After arranging things and discussing a few matters with Bill, Luo Zheng finally had free time.
He had just changed clothes and was preparing for a swim when his phone rang.
Looking at the number, he smiled.
"Uncle Han?"
On the other side, Han Sanping got straight to the point.
"'Getting Home' passed review."
Luo Zheng raised his eyebrows.
That was fast.
Han Sanping continued:
"I used China Film Group channels and submitted it directly to the Venice Film Festival."
A smile appeared on Luo Zheng's face.
"Thanks for the trouble."
"Nonsense."
Han Sanping laughed.
Then his tone changed.
"When are you coming back?"
Luo Zheng paused slightly.
"At earliest? Next week."
"Then that's good."
Han Sanping suddenly lowered his voice mysteriously.
"At the end of this month, 'Hero' is holding an overseas copyright auction in Hong Kong."
Luo Zheng remained silent.
Then Han Sanping added:
"I'll introduce someone."
"Gong Li."
Instantly, Luo Zheng understood.
Meeting her was the true purpose.
The auction itself was secondary.
After all, Gong Li was serving as chairperson of the Venice Film Festival.
Public relations couldn't be too obvious.
But getting acquainted?
That was perfectly normal.
Luo Zheng smiled.
"Alright."
"I'll come back."
After chatting a little more, Han Sanping laughed.
"Take care of yourself overseas."
Then he hung up.
Luo Zheng stared at the phone and shook his head.
Clearly, Uncle Han had heard certain rumors.
His reputation was spreading faster than expected.
The next day, Disney headquarters.
Jobs actually pushed aside several meetings just to come.
Inside the conference room sat Roy Disney, Steve Jobs, Luo Zheng and several legal representatives.
The topic was simple:
WALL-E.
After lengthy discussions, negotiations finally reached completion.
Estimated budget:
Two hundred million dollars.
Disney would take sixty percent.
The remaining forty would belong jointly to Pixar and Luo Zheng.
Copyright ownership would also be shared.
But there was one issue.
Pixar was broke.
Completely broke.
So Jobs directly mortgaged five percent of Pixar shares to Luo Zheng.
In exchange, Luo Zheng would provide the missing funding.
Roy nearly turned green beside them.
Because this wasn't business anymore.
This was basically giving away future treasure.
If Pixar stock really sold this cheaply—
Disney would buy every share available.
After signing everything, Roy stared at Luo Zheng.
"You've got terrifying instincts."
Luo Zheng smiled without answering.
Instinct?
No.
Future memory.
After finalizing WALL-E matters, attention immediately shifted back toward Pirates of the Caribbean.
The female lead had already been finalized.
Now came the most important role.
Captain Jack Sparrow.
At Roosevelt Hotel.
One by one, actors arrived.
The first few candidates all performed reasonably well.
Nicolas Cage gave a strange interpretation filled with mystery and melancholy.
Hugh Jackman played Jack as a charming adventurer.
Christian Bale nearly turned him into a split-personality pirate philosopher.
Interesting.
But none felt right.
Then came the fourth candidate.
Before he even entered, a strong smell hit the room.
Alcohol.
Everyone frowned.
The door opened.
A figure staggered in.
Messy dreadlocks.
Dark eye makeup.
A dirty pirate costume.
And enough alcohol scent to drown a room.
Johnny Depp.
Silence spread instantly.
Several Disney executives immediately looked annoyed.
Auditions were important.
Everyone else came perfectly prepared.
This guy came drunk.
Even Lisa looked embarrassed.
She hurriedly stepped away.
Only Luo Zheng sat quietly.
Watching.
Interested.
Johnny Depp slowly raised his head.
His eyes swept across the room.
Then stopped.
On Luo Zheng.
Suddenly—
He removed his pirate hat.
Placed it over his chest.
And bowed deeply.
Luo Zheng nearly laughed.
Who said Depp lacked emotional intelligence?
This guy understood everything.
He simply didn't care most of the time.
After putting the hat back on, Depp began performing.
No script.
No introduction.
No preparation.
He simply became Captain Jack.
His body swayed.
Tiny ornaments in his hair jingled.
His movements looked ridiculous.
Elegant.
Drunk.
Proud.
Pathetic.
Free.
At one point he sat backward on a chair.
Then stood atop it.
Then suddenly looked toward empty air and began talking to someone who wasn't there.
As if ghosts surrounded him.
As if he truly belonged to another world.
The room became silent.
The Disney executives looked increasingly confused.
Some even frowned harder.
But Luo Zheng...
Luo Zheng's eyes gradually lit up.
Because this was Captain Jack.
Not normal.
Not heroic.
Not traditional.
A complete madman.
But unforgettable.
Ten minutes later, the performance ended.
Depp tipped his hat lazily.
Then staggered away.
Silence.
Finally Roy spoke:
"He's insane."
Someone nodded.
Another person sighed.
"Completely unreliable."
Several Disney people mentally eliminated him immediately.
Yet Luo Zheng simply smiled.
That evening Roy found him.
"So?"
"Who are you choosing?"
Luo Zheng leaned back and thought briefly.
"I haven't decided."
Roy stared.
"Haven't?"
Luo Zheng smiled.
"We need another audition round."
Roy looked confused.
But Luo Zheng already had a plan.
Female lead announcements had created only limited publicity.
Too little.
Now...
He wanted bigger waves.
Much bigger.
He looked toward Roy.
"Send an invitation."
Roy blinked.
"To who?"
Luo Zheng smiled.
"Tom Cruise."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Several seconds later—
Roy nearly jumped.
"Are you insane?!"
"Tom Cruise would never come audition!"
"And if he did, he'd try controlling the entire movie!"
Luo Zheng laughed.
"I don't actually want him."
Roy froze.
"...What?"
"I just want his name."
For several seconds Roy stared.
Then realization hit.
Publicity.
Hype.
Controversy.
Discussion.
Suddenly Roy pointed at him.
"You..."
"...you're evil."
Luo Zheng grinned.
"No."
He looked toward the city lights outside.
"I'm just making use of resources."
Soon enough, once Tom Cruise's name became involved—
Hollywood would explode.