"Is there something on my face?"
Seeing Charlize Theron staring at him for several seconds without saying anything, Luo Zheng casually touched his cheek and smiled. His expression looked completely natural, as if he genuinely believed he might have gotten biscuit crumbs stuck there.
Charlize snapped out of her daze and immediately shook her head.
"No... nothing."
She shifted slightly on the sofa, crossing her long legs again in a more comfortable position. Whether intentional or not, the movement naturally emphasized her already eye-catching figure.
Then she picked up the cup placed in front of her and took a small sip.
A moment later, surprise flashed across her beautiful face.
"What is this?"
"Chinese tea."
Luo Zheng replied casually while reaching toward the coffee table and grabbing another biscuit. Beside him sat a large glass of milk, which he absentmindedly swirled in circles.
Charlize lowered her head and looked at the tea in surprise.
It tasted different from coffee and unlike ordinary drinks she had tried before. The flavor carried a light fragrance, subtle yet calming.
Only after a few seconds did she notice something else.
She looked up.
Then looked at the biscuits.
Then at the milk.
Then back at Luo Zheng.
"...This is your dinner?"
Her eyes held obvious disbelief.
She had expected wine.
Or perhaps expensive steak.
Maybe candlelight and carefully prepared luxury dishes.
After all, this was Beverly Hills. Wealthy people here practically competed over extravagance.
Yet sitting in front of her was the youngest billionaire in Hollywood, eating biscuits and drinking milk while wearing cartoon pajamas.
The contrast was almost ridiculous.
Luo Zheng glanced down at himself and laughed.
"I'm still growing."
"So I need proper nutrition."
He lifted the glass seriously.
"Drink more milk."
"Better results."
Silence.
Then—
Pfft!
Charlize couldn't hold back.
She burst into laughter.
The elegant image she had carefully maintained completely collapsed for a moment.
After laughing, she immediately froze.
Because she realized something.
Hollywood social circles valued etiquette heavily.
Status mattered.
Hierarchy mattered.
Especially when dealing with people like Luo Zheng.
Young.
Talented.
Rich.
Powerful.
The proper approach should have been polite introductions first.
Then compliments.
Then business.
Instead, she had laughed right in his face.
Charlize suddenly felt slightly awkward.
She opened her mouth, preparing to say something.
But Luo Zheng beat her to it.
"Miss Theron."
"No need to act so carefully around me."
He leaned comfortably against the sofa.
"I'm pretty casual in daily life."
"I don't like coffee, so guests drink tea with me."
"I don't really enjoy suits either. Wearing them always feels fake."
"And I hate speaking in circles."
He looked directly into her eyes and smiled.
"Straightforward conversations are easier."
Charlize quietly looked at him.
For some reason...
His words made her feel strangely uncomfortable.
Not uncomfortable in a bad way.
More like...
Regret.
Suddenly she regretted dressing so carefully tonight.
The expensive earrings.
The shining jewelry.
The high-slit dress.
The glamorous makeup.
She suddenly felt like all of it was unnecessary.
Maybe she should've worn a T-shirt.
Jeans.
Sneakers.
Simple clothes.
Like the way she dressed years ago before entering Hollywood.
Back when life felt... easier.
Across from her, Luo Zheng finished the last biscuit and casually brushed the crumbs from his hands.
Then he lifted the milk and drank half of it in one go.
The movement was smooth.
Natural.
Without the slightest concern about maintaining an image in front of a beautiful woman.
As if Charlize's breathtaking appearance had absolutely no effect on him.
But while drinking, his eyes quietly observed her.
Hands tightening.
Relaxing.
Tightening again.
Her fingers unconsciously moved against the cup.
He understood instantly.
Her heart wasn't calm.
Looks really do matter, Luo Zheng thought inwardly.
Especially when paired with strategy.
For inexperienced girls, people often said:
Take her to see the world's prosperity.
But Charlize wasn't some innocent little girl.
At twenty-seven years old, she had already struggled through Hollywood's brutal system.
She had seen hypocrisy.
Competition.
Lies.
Betrayal.
Fame.
Desire.
Over the years, she had probably developed a mask even she herself no longer noticed.
For women like her, promises meant little.
Showing wealth meant even less.
Because she'd already seen too much of both.
Sometimes, when someone had already experienced every complicated thing life offered...
What attracted them instead became simplicity.
Silence settled across the room.
Charlize originally had countless prepared topics.
She planned to praise Saw.
Planned to discuss Spider-Man.
Planned to compliment his business abilities.
Planned to slowly guide the conversation toward Depp.
Everything had been arranged beforehand.
Yet now...
Her mind had gone blank.
She forgot all of it.
Strangely, Luo Zheng didn't seem bothered by the silence at all.
He simply poured himself another glass of milk and sat there quietly.
Meanwhile, he looked at Charlize with genuine appreciation.
No matter how many times he saw her, her beauty remained shocking.
Her face possessed an almost unreal perfection.
Deep blue-green eyes.
Tall nose bridge.
Full lips.
Sharp jawline.
She carried both classical elegance and modern impact.
At 177 centimeters tall, combined with model proportions...
It felt like every line had been carefully sculpted by God himself.
And the unfair thing was—
God had given her talent too.
Commercial films.
Independent films.
She walked both roads at once.
The woman sitting before him was like a contradiction.
Beautiful yet cold.
Strong yet fragile.
Ambitious yet somehow lost.
Like someone standing before a door, searching for a direction.
Years later, Charlize Theron would become one of Hollywood's most respected actresses.
She would prove her abilities to everyone.
But right now...
She hadn't reached that point yet.
Luo Zheng looked at her quietly before suddenly speaking.
"So."
"Who asked you to come?"
Charlize looked up immediately.
"What if I simply wanted to visit a neighbor?"
Luo Zheng smiled.
"Neighbors usually don't visit late at night."
His eyes moved downward briefly.
"And they definitely don't dress this beautifully."
Charlize immediately narrowed her eyes.
Then, suddenly:
"So?"
She leaned slightly forward.
"Are you tempted?"
For some reason...
She desperately wanted his answer.
Luo Zheng nodded honestly.
"A little."
The answer instantly made Charlize relax.
For a moment, she felt control returning.
But before she could continue—
Luo Zheng added:
"But it's also troublesome."
Charlize blinked.
"...Troublesome?"
"You're too perfect."
He spoke calmly.
"Sometimes beautiful scenery looks better from far away."
"Getting too close can ruin the first impression."
He paused.
Then smiled.
"Unless..."
Charlize frowned.
"Unless what?"
Luo Zheng looked at her quietly.
"Unless someone breaks that perfection."
"And reveals the real person underneath."
Charlize's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then Luo Zheng continued:
"Like your Oscar problem."
Silence.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Charlize stared.
"...Oscar?"
Her expression became serious.
"You know?"
Of course she knew.
Everyone knew she desperately wanted recognition.
She wanted more than beauty.
More than fame.
More than being labeled "the beautiful actress."
She wanted respect.
Luo Zheng shrugged.
"I know enough."
Charlize stared.
"...You have a way?"
Luo Zheng shook his head.
"Nothing is guaranteed."
"Especially Oscars."
Oddly enough—
instead of disappointment, Charlize's eyes became brighter.
Because if he had promised success immediately...
She would've assumed he was lying.
But this answer felt honest.
Too honest.
She stared at him carefully.
"I think you do know."
Luo Zheng suddenly looked toward her legs.
Then smiled.
"Oh?"
"Then guess."
"If you're right..."
"I'll support your path toward becoming an Oscar-winning actress."
Charlize immediately noticed his gaze.
Her face changed.
"My legs again?"
"No."
"My face?"
"No."
Her expression became strange.
"...You're not asking me to do something ridiculous, are you?"
Luo Zheng nearly laughed.
"Wrong again."
"Then what?"
He looked at her.
Smiled.
And finally said:
"If you agree to go somewhere with me, I'll tell you."
Charlize froze.
Instantly.
Suspicion rose.
Late night.
A man.
A woman.
Go somewhere?
Seriously?
She had heard this line too many times in Hollywood.
Immediately her expression darkened.
Did I misunderstand him?
Was all of this just an act?
Across from her, Luo Zheng stared at her changing expression.
Then suddenly laughed.
"You're thinking hotel."
Charlize raised an eyebrow.
"...Aren't you?"
"Of course not."
He looked genuinely shocked.
"As if I'd think something like that."
Immediately—
Charlize felt embarrassed.
And strangely...
a little disappointed.
Women really were complicated creatures.
If a man approached too aggressively—
they disliked it.
If he showed no interest—
they disliked that too.
After several seconds, Charlize looked away and sighed.
"...Fine."
"I'll go."
Then after a pause:
"But I need to change clothes first."
The moment the words left her mouth—
she suddenly froze.
Because somehow...
Without realizing it—
she had already agreed.