The moment Disney released the news that a top-tier Hollywood male star might be joining Pirates of the Caribbean, the entire entertainment industry instantly became restless.
Like a stone dropped into calm water, waves spread across Hollywood at astonishing speed.
Media outlets, entertainment magazines, and television channels all rushed to report the news. Rumors began flying everywhere. Some guessed it was Tom Cruise. Others thought it might be Russell Crowe. A few even believed Disney had somehow convinced Brad Pitt.
For several days, the spotlight of Hollywood seemed to shift toward Disney.
Even Roy Disney sounded pleased over the phone.
"William, good news. Cruise agreed."
Luo Zheng was lying comfortably on a deck chair beside the manor swimming pool. He wore sunglasses while lazily watching Liu Xiaoli and Liu Yifei walking nearby.
Hearing Roy's words, he smiled.
"But..." Roy continued, "he only agreed to let us use his name for publicity. He won't publicly confirm or deny anything."
Luo Zheng laughed.
"That's enough. I wasn't expecting him to join in the first place."
Roy sounded curious.
"You're really strange. Why invite someone you don't actually want?"
"Simple. It's a win-win deal."
Luo Zheng sat up slightly.
"Cruise gains free publicity. Disney gets hype. The audience gets curious. Everyone wins."
Roy paused.
Then he suddenly understood.
"...Damn. That's shameless."
Luo Zheng grinned.
"Marketing."
Across Hollywood, actors who had already auditioned began feeling pressure.
Especially Johnny Depp.
Ever since his audition ended, he had felt uneasy.
He wasn't stupid.
Although he looked drunk all day and acted strangely, he understood people's expressions extremely well.
During the audition, only Luo Zheng had shown obvious interest.
The other Disney executives had practically written rejected across their faces.
Their expressions had been painfully obvious.
That realization made Depp uneasy.
At home, he sat slumped on a sofa, smoking silently while replaying the audition scene in his head.
Then his agent walked over.
He looked at Depp mysteriously.
"I think there's still a way."
Depp slowly raised his head.
"What way?"
His agent leaned closer.
"You forgot someone."
Depp frowned.
"Who?"
The agent smiled.
"Charlize."
For a moment Depp stared blankly.
Then his eyes suddenly widened.
A strange smile appeared.
"...Charlize Theron."
Years ago she had owed him a favor.
Back then neither of them had become major stars yet.
That favor had remained unused all this time.
Depp laughed strangely.
Looks like it was finally time.
That same evening.
Luo Zheng had just finished sending Scarlett home and returned to his Beverly Hills manor.
The night breeze carried cool air across the garden.
After changing clothes and exercising for a while, he received a call from Huo Wenxi back in China.
She immediately began reporting company developments.
"Jane Zhang's concert tour reached Hong Kong."
"How's the response?"
"Explosive."
Even through the phone, Luo Zheng could hear excitement.
"Tickets sold out immediately. Album sales remain at the top of annual charts."
Luo Zheng nodded slightly.
That wasn't surprising.
With an album full of future classics, if she didn't dominate, something would actually be wrong.
Huo Wenxi continued.
"But recently a new singer from Taiwan is creating some pressure."
Luo Zheng raised an eyebrow.
"Who?"
"Jay Chou."
For a second, Luo Zheng froze.
Jay Chou.
The future king of Mandopop.
He remembered that around this period Taiwan's music scene had become absurdly competitive.
A-Mei.
Elva Hsiao.
Cyndi Wang.
Will Pan.
Jay Chou.
Talents emerged one after another.
Compared to mainland entertainment, Taiwan truly looked like a land overflowing with geniuses.
Luo Zheng rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Most had already become famous.
Poaching them now would be difficult.
But...
One name flashed through his mind.
Cyndi Wang.
At this point, she likely hadn't completely settled into her future company yet.
That meant there was still a chance.
Luo Zheng smiled slightly.
Warner Music should help.
After all, Blue Whale and Warner currently enjoyed an extremely close relationship.
Pulling someone over shouldn't be difficult.
After discussing music matters, Huo Wenxi switched topics.
"Huang Bo's EP finished recording."
Luo Zheng instantly became attentive.
His system mission depended entirely on this.
"The company plans an initial release of 250,000 copies."
"We'll observe market response before deciding future plans."
"The official release is set for September."
"Promotions start in late August."
"If results are good, we'll push for a full album next January."
Listening carefully, Luo Zheng nodded repeatedly.
The arrangement wasn't bad.
Everything felt stable.
Only one problem remained.
Jay Chou.
This monster's fourth album, Ye Hui Mei, would release this year.
If Huang Bo lost annual sales rankings...
Mission failure.
Ten lottery draws gone.
Thinking of that possibility made Luo Zheng frown.
Then he suddenly laughed.
Why worry?
He practically emptied future hit charts already.
The top heartbreak songs from entire generations had been packed into Huang Bo's release.
If that still lost—
Then Huang Bo deserved defeat.
Instantly his confidence returned.
Next came Wang Baoqiang.
Unlike before, Wang Baoqiang finally escaped his "daily idle life."
Blue Whale hired acting teachers.
Camera awareness.
Scene positioning.
Performance basics.
Everything.
Luo Zheng felt satisfied.
Jane Zhang printed money.
Huang Bo prepared for launch.
Wang Baoqiang trained steadily.
Things looked excellent.
Then a thought suddenly struck him.
"...We need more people."
The company was expanding too fast.
Talent reserves weren't enough anymore.
So he casually brought it up.
Unexpectedly—
Huo Wenxi exploded.
"Recruiting is fine."
"But first give me an assistant."
Luo Zheng froze.
"...Ah."
Only now did he remember.
Li Xue originally seemed suitable.
Unfortunately, she only cared about helping Fan Bingbing.
She ignored everyone else.
Including him.
Luo Zheng sighed deeply.
Talented people truly were difficult to find.
After spending several minutes promising absurd conditions and making numerous concessions, Huo Wenxi finally calmed down.
Only then did the call end.
Luo Zheng looked at the ceiling helplessly.
"Three daily Nutrition Express drinks?"
"...What kind of contract is that?"
Before he could think further, another call arrived.
Zhang Yadong.
"Boss Luo, busy?"
"Just finished."
Zhang Yadong laughed.
"When are you returning?"
Luo Zheng narrowed his eyes.
"Why?"
"I've got a few friends who want to meet you."
Friends?
Immediately, several names flashed through Luo Zheng's mind.
People from Beijing circles.
Hong Kong circles.
Musicians.
Celebrities.
Interesting.
"Next week."
"Then I'll contact you."
"Deal."
After hanging up, Luo Zheng felt strange.
Why did he suddenly feel like something big was waiting?
The night passed quietly.
Days later, another invitation arrived.
This time—
Sony.
Marvel and Sony's agreement regarding Spider-Man was finally ready.
The timing happened to coincide with Saw ending its theatrical run.
Sony headquarters.
Upon meeting, Burns Coleman warmly shook hands with Luo Zheng.
"William!"
"Long time no see!"
"You're still ridiculously handsome."
Luo Zheng smiled.
"Although you're telling the truth, I still won't make concessions."
Burns looked heartbroken.
"My friend...that hurts."
"Haha. Show me the contract."
Lawyers immediately stepped forward.
For giant corporations, every word could hide traps.
Ten minutes later, lawyers nodded.
Everything was clean.
Luo Zheng opened the document directly.
Marvel would pay three hundred million dollars in advance.
Jointly produce the next two Spider-Man films.
Profit split:
50–50.
Afterward—
Full copyrights return to Marvel.
Additionally:
Both movies must release before 2006.
Failure meant automatic copyright return.
Finally—
Iron Man's distribution rights belonged to Sony.
After reading, Luo Zheng nodded.
No tricks.
No hidden clauses.
Although Marvel seemed to lose money upfront...
The real gain wasn't money.
It was reclaiming Spider-Man.
Compared to paying one billion dollars outright—
This was a bargain.
Five minutes later—
Signatures completed.
Pens put down.
Burns laughed loudly and hugged Luo Zheng.
Anyone watching would think they were old friends reunited after years apart.
But only they understood.
This was business.
Pure business.
Two days later.
Weekend.
Kevin's call arrived.
The moment Luo Zheng answered—
A roar exploded through the speaker.
"Boss!!"
"We did it!!"
Kevin almost screamed.
"Saw's final global box office..."
"...one hundred sixty million dollars!!"
Luo Zheng slowly sat upright.
Even he narrowed his eyes slightly.
160 million.
Against its tiny budget—
This was insanity.
Absolute insanity.
Kevin sounded like he might faint from excitement.
"We created a miracle!"
Outside, Hollywood media had already exploded.
Articles flooded entertainment channels like a storm.
A tiny horror film.
An unknown director.
A newcomer producer.
Low cost.
Massive return.
And one name repeatedly appeared across every headline—
William Luo.