Returning to the Beverly Hills estate late at night, the atmosphere inside the manor felt strangely quiet. The brightly lit halls, expensive decorations, and luxurious surroundings all carried a kind of emptiness beneath their surface glamour. After entering, Luo Zheng immediately called Charlize Theron's assistant and calmly instructed her to prepare a full set of clothes and arrive tomorrow morning.
The assistant on the other end paused for barely half a second before instantly understanding the meaning behind those words.
As someone who had worked in Hollywood for years, she had seen such situations countless times. She quickly replied with professionalism:
"Understood, Mr. William. I'll be there first thing tomorrow."
After hanging up, Luo Zheng headed upstairs.
Pushing open the bedroom door, he saw Charlize lying quietly beneath the blanket. Her blonde hair spread across the pillow like golden silk, and the cold, distant image she normally maintained had completely disappeared.
Perhaps because she had finally relaxed, perhaps because she was exhausted, her sleeping face looked unexpectedly gentle.
As if sensing movement nearby, Charlize slowly opened her eyes.
Her vision was still blurry.
For several seconds, she stared at Luo Zheng without speaking.
Then memories from earlier gradually returned.
The Ferris wheel.
The fireworks.
The kiss.
The impulsive emotions.
Everything replayed in her mind.
A complicated expression appeared in her beautiful eyes.
Regret.
Confusion.
And a trace of helplessness.
Charlize was not some inexperienced little girl. She understood very clearly that between herself and Luo Zheng, there was no emotional foundation whatsoever.
Attraction existed.
Chemistry existed.
But that was all.
Trying to use a single night to bind a man like him?
Impossible.
Especially a man standing at the center of Hollywood's storm.
Looking at Luo Zheng's face so close to hers, she suddenly felt strangely conflicted.
This handsome young man was dangerous.
Not because of power.
Not because of wealth.
But because when he looked at someone, his eyes seemed sincere enough to make people lower their guard.
"You're awake."
Luo Zheng smiled naturally.
"I had hot water prepared."
As he spoke, he bent slightly, intending to carry her toward the bathroom.
However, before he could move further, a knock came from outside.
"Master."
The butler's respectful voice sounded.
Luo Zheng opened the door.
Outside, the old butler stood calmly while holding several items.
Medicine.
A glass of water.
And another... boxed item.
Luo Zheng glanced downward and immediately showed a look of approval.
As expected of someone who had once served inside an Earl's estate.
Sharp instincts.
Absolutely professional.
The old butler maintained a perfectly composed expression as if nothing unusual had happened.
Luo Zheng silently gave him a mental thumbs-up.
Back inside the room, Charlize had already wrapped herself in a bath towel.
Her long wet hair rested against her shoulders while she reached toward the medicine and picked up the water.
Just as she prepared to take it—
Luo Zheng suddenly caught her wrist.
"Wait."
Charlize looked up.
Luo Zheng looked serious.
"It works within seventy-two hours. Don't rush."
Charlize stared blankly.
Before she could react, Luo Zheng directly lifted her into his arms.
"Hey—"
Her protest barely left her mouth before he carried her straight toward the bathroom.
The warm steam gradually filled the room.
Outside the windows, the lights of Beverly Hills continued shining through the night.
—
The next morning.
For perhaps the first time in a long while, Luo Zheng stayed in bed slightly longer.
Beside him, Charlize still slept deeply.
Sunlight spilled across the blanket.
Her face carried a faint blush.
Long eyelashes trembled slightly.
Looking at her sleeping appearance, even Luo Zheng had to admit something.
This woman really was unfairly beautiful.
Not just appearance.
Temperament too.
Cold when distant.
Gentle when relaxed.
Strong yet fragile.
Like ice covering fire.
For a moment, Luo Zheng almost didn't want to get up.
Unfortunately, work still existed.
And Charlize clearly wouldn't wake before noon.
Quietly getting out of bed, Luo Zheng walked downstairs while dialing Roy's number.
The call connected.
Roy sounded half-asleep.
"Hello?"
Luo Zheng laughed.
"Just thanking you for last night."
Silence.
Then Roy suddenly woke up.
"Wait."
"You really got Charlize Theron?!"
His voice nearly exploded through the phone.
Luo Zheng looked puzzled.
"Is she difficult?"
Roy nearly suffered internal injuries.
"Listen to yourself!"
"She's the dream woman of countless American men!"
Hearing the word dream woman, Luo Zheng suddenly remembered Angelina Jolie.
Then he casually said:
"You Americans really have too many goddesses."
"Coincidentally... I seem to know two personally."
Silence.
Then—
"F*CK OFF!"
Beep.
Roy directly hung up.
Luo Zheng stared at the disconnected call and laughed.
Sometimes teasing old men was surprisingly entertaining.
After breakfast, Charlize's assistant finally arrived.
The woman sat quietly in the living room looking nervous.
After all, very few people could remain calm entering Luo Zheng's Beverly Hills estate.
After greeting her briefly, Luo Zheng immediately departed for Disney Headquarters.
Today was important.
The second-round audition for Pirates of the Caribbean.
And honestly—
The result had already been decided.
Only two candidates remained.
Christian Bale.
Johnny Depp.
In Luo Zheng's eyes, this round existed only for appearances.
Because no matter from memory or future perspective—
Captain Jack Sparrow only had one soul.
Johnny Depp.
—
Inside Disney's audition room.
Bale delivered an incredible performance.
As expected of someone known for complete immersion.
His version of Jack felt darker.
Madness and elegance mixed together.
For a moment even several executives showed approval.
Unfortunately...
Luo Zheng already knew the answer.
After the performance ended, he sighed.
"Mr. Bale."
"You were outstanding."
"Unfortunately... sometimes suitability matters more."
Bale looked disappointed.
But still shook hands professionally.
"I hope we can cooperate someday."
Luo Zheng smiled.
"We definitely will."
After Bale left—
Johnny Depp entered.
Compared with earlier confidence, today he looked unusually serious.
Because he understood one thing.
This role might be his last chance.
After performing, silence filled the room.
Several executives exchanged looks.
Finally—
Luo Zheng stood.
"Congratulations."
For a moment Depp froze.
Then disbelief appeared.
"I got it?"
"You did."
Relief instantly appeared in Depp's eyes.
Removing his pirate hat, he bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Mr. William."
"Thank you all."
Luo Zheng raised a hand.
"Not so fast."
"We still have conditions."
Depp blinked.
"Please."
Luo Zheng sat down.
"First."
"Five-film contract."
"Current salary for the first movie."
"For future films, profit percentages."
Depp thought for a while.
"No problem."
Currently he had almost no blockbuster opportunities anyway.
Most offers involved artistic films.
Critical praise.
No money.
No influence.
Pirates represented his opportunity.
His ship toward Hollywood's peak.
But Luo Zheng continued:
"Second."
"Your dog."
Depp blinked.
"What?"
"The crew will assign someone specifically to take care of it."
"And filming days?"
"No drinking."
"Unless approved."
"Everything enters the contract."
Instantly Depp's expression changed.
The dog was his treasure.
And alcohol...
Well.
That was difficult.
For several seconds he hesitated.
Luo Zheng simply stood.
"Think carefully."
"If unacceptable, forget it."
He walked toward the door.
One step.
Two steps.
Three—
"Mr. William!"
Luo Zheng paused.
Behind him Depp gritted his teeth.
"I agree."
Luo Zheng finally smiled.
Good.
Captain Jack Sparrow had officially boarded the Black Pearl.
—
That afternoon Luo Zheng returned to Beverly Hills.
Charlize had just awakened.
Seeing him enter, she looked over lazily.
"Did Depp get the role?"
Luo Zheng smiled.
"Of course."
"How could your efforts be wasted?"
Charlize rolled her eyes.
But the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
After dinner together, Charlize eventually left.
Meanwhile Luo Zheng remembered another promise.
Oscar.
At this point, Monster had only recently completed early drafts.
Investment remained difficult.
Perfect timing.
He immediately instructed Kevin to secure the screenplay.
If revised properly—
Charlize's Oscar path could begin much earlier.
Time quickly reached late July.
Han Sanping repeatedly urged him to return home.
But before leaving—
One person remained.
New York.
Marvel Headquarters.
Compared with giant studios, Marvel still looked poor.
The building was crowded.
Employees barely fit.
Still—
Things would change.
Iron Man would change everything.
Walking into the Chairman's office, Luo Zheng saw an old man already waiting.
White hair.
Gentle smile.
Wise eyes.
Stan Lee.
The true Father of Marvel.
Upon seeing Luo Zheng, the old man immediately stood.
Then opened his arms.
"Ah!"
"So this is our mysterious Mr. Key."
"I've wanted to know for a long time what kind of person could hold Marvel's future."
His eyes carried visible emotion.
Since retiring, he had seen many chairmen.
None impressed him.
Until now.
Luo Zheng stepped forward respectfully.
Then shook his hand firmly.
"To you…"
"I've never been someone holding the key."
"Only a temporary guardian."
"And a lifelong fan."
Stan Lee stared quietly.
Then laughed.
"Oh come on."
"I've heard enough praise."
Then his expression softened.
"But reclaiming Spider-Man…"
"That wasn't done with admiration."
"I created them."
"But you…"
"You brought them back."
For a moment silence filled the room.
Luo Zheng looked at the Spider-Man poster hanging behind him.
Then smiled.
"Then let's bring Marvel somewhere even further."
The old man extended his hand.
Luo Zheng did the same.
One old.
One young.
Two generations.
At that moment, it felt less like a business meeting—
and more like the inheritance of an entire universe.