The summer heat in Hong Kong near the end of July felt completely different from Los Angeles. The moment Luo Zheng stepped out of the car in front of the newly opened Metropolitan Harbourview Hotel, a wave of heavy humid air hit him directly in the face. The sunlight reflected off the glass walls of nearby skyscrapers, making the entire harbor district shimmer beneath a layer of heat.
Today's event had gathered many familiar names in the film industry.
For the overseas copyright auction of Hero, Zhang Weiping had clearly gone all out.
Money was spent without hesitation.
The venue itself was enough proof.
As a newly opened five-star luxury hotel, the Metropolitan Harbourview represented prestige, status, and image. Zhang Weiping obviously hoped that by hosting the event at such an extravagant location, overseas distributors would subconsciously raise their evaluation of Hero. To him, this wasn't merely a film rights auction.
It was also a matter of face.
The top-floor screening room had been specially rearranged. Decorations had been redesigned overnight. The carpets looked brand new, crystal lights shone brightly overhead, and hotel staff stood in neat rows, ready to guide guests.
As the elevator doors opened with a soft sound, Luo Zheng stepped out first.
Beside him stood Xue Kaiqi, wearing a light dress, while two bodyguards followed behind at a measured distance.
The moment Zhang Yimou heard movement, he immediately walked over.
Compared to Zhang Weiping's personality, Zhang Yimou was much more sincere.
"President Luo, welcome."
His smile carried obvious gratitude.
Beside him stood Zhang Weiping.
Unfortunately, his expression looked as if someone had forced him to swallow an entire bitter melon.
The smile on his face was there—but only barely.
Zhang Yimou quietly tugged at his sleeve.
Only then did Zhang Weiping force out a few words.
"President Luo... welcome. Thank you for coming to support us."
The words sounded stiff enough to freeze people.
Luo Zheng looked at him calmly.
Then he smiled.
However, that smile carried no warmth whatsoever.
"Mr. Zhang, don't misunderstand."
"My appearance here today has nothing to do with you."
"I'm here entirely because of Director Yimou."
Silence.
Instant silence.
Zhang Weiping's expression instantly darkened.
His face nearly twisted.
His chest visibly rose and fell.
Yet he still didn't dare explode.
Because today wasn't an ordinary gathering.
Every person here represented overseas capital and distribution channels.
If he offended Luo Zheng publicly, who knew how many distributors would follow his attitude?
Forget selling overseas rights.
The auction itself might collapse.
So Zhang Weiping endured it.
Forcefully.
Painfully.
He watched Luo Zheng walk away with an expression ugly enough to rival coal.
Behind Luo Zheng, Xue Kaiqi secretly widened her eyes.
She had not expected her boss to be this domineering.
President Chan really wasn't exaggerating.
The company really had terrifying influence.
Outside, everyone called Marvel a comic company.
But after arriving today, she suddenly felt Marvel's invisible influence was much larger than she imagined.
Luo Zheng noticed her dazed expression and lightly flicked her forehead.
"What are you staring at?"
"Let's go."
Only then did she snap back.
Inside the screening hall, many overseas distributors had already arrived.
The venue wasn't particularly huge—around one or two hundred seats at most.
Foreigners occupied the overwhelming majority.
After all, this was an overseas rights auction.
Domestic private companies with international distribution ability were nearly nonexistent at this stage.
Luo Zheng could barely count as an exception.
Although Marvel had only begun building its own channels recently, with temporary cooperation from companies like Sony, Disney, Lionsgate, and Warner, they had gradually formed some foundation overseas.
Of course—
No free lunch existed in Hollywood.
Favors always required repayment.
The seating arrangement here was very casual.
No designated sections.
No distinctions.
Everyone simply sat wherever they wished.
Luo Zheng selected middle-row seats and sat beside Xue Kaiqi.
Not long afterward, several foreign distributors recognized him.
"William!"
"Haven't seen you lately!"
"Congratulations on Saw!"
One after another, they walked over enthusiastically.
Handshakes.
Greetings.
Small talk.
Some even hugged him.
Watching all this, Xue Kaiqi became increasingly stunned.
President Chan really didn't lie.
Their company's influence overseas seemed even stronger than in Hong Kong.
And the center of everything...
Was the young man sitting beside her.
Young.
Handsome.
Wealthy.
Powerful.
At this moment, countless thoughts began floating through her head.
If such a person became her boyfriend...
Wouldn't—
Her face gradually turned red.
Unfortunately, Luo Zheng didn't notice.
Because his attention was entirely focused on his phone.
A message had just arrived.
From Gong Li.
A few moments later, footsteps sounded near the entrance.
Luo Zheng looked up.
Then smiled.
Gong Li had arrived.
Today she wore a black dress with minimal accessories. Simple, elegant, mature.
Years had given her an indescribable charm.
She intentionally arrived at the very last moment.
Almost avoiding Zhang Yimou entirely.
Luo Zheng moved slightly.
"Sister Li."
"You came at exactly the right time."
"The auction's about to start."
Gong Li sat beside him.
Her expression looked calm.
"I originally wasn't planning to come."
"But... I still wanted to take a look."
Luo Zheng glanced at her.
He understood immediately.
Some relationships weren't things that simply disappeared after years.
Certain people remained unforgettable.
Certain emotions quietly lingered.
He smiled.
"Makes sense."
"I have a feeling Director Zhang's film this time might surprise people."
Gong Li looked at him with slight curiosity.
"Oh?"
"You sound very confident."
Luo Zheng only smiled mysteriously.
No explanation.
She looked at him twice.
Suddenly feeling that this younger brother was becoming harder and harder to understand.
Young.
Smart.
Handsome.
And surprisingly skilled with people.
Especially women.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
While she was still thinking, lights gradually dimmed.
The auction officially began.
Onstage, Zhang Yimou held a microphone.
He began introducing the film.
The inspiration.
The historical background.
The meaning behind the story.
The concepts of sacrifice, heroes, and national ideals.
Then came introductions of actors.
Jet Li.
Tony Leung.
Maggie Cheung.
Zhang Ziyi.
Among them, Zhang Yimou repeatedly emphasized Jet Li.
After all, among all actors, only Jet Li possessed genuine overseas market appeal.
Without him, Hero would never have secured thirty million dollars in investment.
Commercial films required confidence.
Investors cared about returns.
At this time, Zhang Yimou hadn't fully proven himself in blockbuster filmmaking.
Jet Li was insurance.
Soon, several actors came onstage briefly.
Tony Leung spoke.
Maggie Cheung smiled and praised Director Zhang.
Zhang Ziyi also expressed confidence.
Everything seemed normal.
Luo Zheng assumed things would proceed directly toward the film.
Unfortunately—
He underestimated Zhang Weiping.
Soon, Zhang Weiping ran back onstage.
Then began speaking.
And speaking.
And speaking.
He talked about hardships.
The weather.
Production suffering.
Actors enduring pain.
Director Zhang working endlessly.
Then he discussed emotional struggles.
Stress.
Responsibility.
Dreams.
The translated version reached foreigners through headphones.
Rows of distributors gradually frowned.
Some rubbed their foreheads.
Some crossed arms.
Some stared blankly.
One foreign executive nearby looked ready to fall asleep.
Luo Zheng nearly laughed.
Wrong approach.
Completely wrong approach.
This wasn't an award campaign.
Nobody here wanted emotional suffering stories.
Foreign audiences liked gossip.
Scandals.
Explosive stories.
Interesting production incidents.
Not self-pity.
Beside him, Xue Kaiqi whispered:
"Boss..."
"Why do they all look miserable?"
Luo Zheng smiled.
Then casually looked toward the front rows.
Suddenly his eyes narrowed slightly.
There.
A familiar figure sat prominently.
Large body.
Round face.
Dark suit.
Harvey Weinstein.
The future infamous predator of Hollywood.
And also—
The man who would acquire Hero's overseas rights.
Luo Zheng leaned closer toward Xue Kaiqi.
"Kaiqi."
"See that fat guy in front?"
She blinked.
"Yes."
"He looks ordinary."
Luo Zheng smiled.
"Remember him."
"Harvey Weinstein."
"Complete scoundrel."
"Terrible character."
"Extremely dangerous."
Xue Kaiqi looked confused.
Why mention this suddenly?
However—
Across the other side—
Gong Li's expression changed slightly.
Because she understood.
These words clearly weren't for Kaiqi.
They were for her.
A moment later she asked quietly:
"You think he'll target Hero?"
Luo Zheng smiled.
"As long as the movie is good enough."
"He definitely will."
Gong Li looked thoughtful.
Then looked toward Harvey again.
Her brows slowly furrowed.
She wanted to ask more.
But suddenly—
The hall became completely dark.
At long last—
Zhang Weiping finally ended his endless speech.
The giant screen lit up.
The film began.
In the darkness, Luo Zheng glanced sideways.
Gong Li sat quietly beside him.
But her expression clearly showed distraction.
Luo Zheng smiled faintly.
His purpose had already been achieved.
Now...
He simply waited for the show to begin.