Boston, Sunday afternoon, November 24.
After watching the matinee showing of Wonder Woman 2 with her three sons and her visiting daughter Annette, Maria Bezruk walked back to their home with the kids. As the three boys and Annette enthusiastically discussed the film, Maria, walking quietly beside them, couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
After all, it was a movie she had played a key role in producing.
And in her belly was another small life that belonged to him.
Humans are creatures of context and loyalty.
Thinking back to the news about Wonder Woman 2 she had read in the papers over the past two days, Maria felt a more intimate connection to the success of Daenerys Entertainment compared to last year's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, when she had been more of an outsider. Now, she deeply appreciated just how dominant Daenerys Entertainment was in the United States, thanks to the man who had built it.
On November 22, its first day of release—including midnight showings—Wonder Woman 2 had earned $35.61 million, surpassing the entire Star Trek 8's opening-week box office from the week prior. Based on Saturday's performance trends, media outlets were already predicting that the film would achieve the rare feat of a $100 million opening weekend.
$100 million in three days—Maria couldn't help but mentally convert the figure into Ukrainian or even Soviet-era currency units, which only amplified her astonishment.
And the person behind this miracle was none other than the father of the child growing inside her. These thoughts stirred a mixture of emotions within her, making the once faint sense of unfamiliarity with him fade even further. Yet, because he could only visit her every one or two weeks, a subtle feeling of longing and grievance began to take root in her heart.
After a leisurely 20-minute walk back from the local community theater to their estate, Maria and the children entered the house, only to see Angeline Davis waiting by the entrance.
The housekeeper greeted the children warmly, and after the siblings went inside, she addressed Maria, who had instinctively paused. "Ms. Bezruk, it's so cold outside. You really should have had the driver take you instead of walking such a long distance."
Maria understood that Angeline was expressing concern for her unborn child. She explained, "It's alright. My hometown is much colder than Boston."
"Even so, you should take care of yourself," Angeline said, her tone polite and measured as always. After this brief admonition, she added, "By the way, I'll be returning to New York soon. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to call me."
"Alright," Maria nodded. After a moment of hesitation, and after casting a guilty glance at the children in the living room, she lowered her voice and asked, "Angeline, do you know what he's been busy with lately?"
"Recently, the boss has been occupied with the release of Wonder Woman 2—which I'm sure you know about. And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, his schedule is even tighter," Angeline replied. Noticing Maria's subtle disappointment, she quickly added, "But he'll definitely be on the East Coast in early December, as the Westeros Tower in Manhattan will be reaching its topping-out ceremony by then."
Early December—it would be at least a week away.
Still, it was something to look forward to.
After discussing some household matters with Maria and bidding farewell to the children, Angeline left with her assistants.
That evening, Angeline took a helicopter back to New York. After landing, she immediately headed to oversee the departure arrangements for Jian Xin and Tao Yuelei, two women who had recently been the focus of her boss's attention. Ensuring their smooth return to China required her personal involvement.
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Jian Xin and Tao Yuelei had been provided with a Gulfstream V ultra-long-range private jet for their return trip. Though they would still need to make a brief stopover in Hawaii, the luxury of flying privately filled the two women with excitement and anticipation. After all, returning home in such grand fashion after just a few months in the U.S. would surely make a statement. Even if friends or family guessed at the nature of their success, it would be difficult for anyone to harbor negative opinions.
At this time, private jets were still the stuff of legend in China.
After bidding farewell to Angeline, Roberta, Annelise, and other acquaintances who had come to see them off, Jian Xin and Tao Yuelei boarded the Gulfstream V, which soon took off.
By the time they arrived at their destination, it was already 5:00 PM Beijing time the following Monday.
Their arrival was at Beijing Capital International Airport.
In this era, private jets in China were reserved for only the most influential individuals. The fact that the two women were accompanied by a few foreign attendants immediately caught the attention of airport staff, who treated them with notable respect. Some even recognized Jian Xin and Tao Yuelei, though they refrained from asking for autographs. Instead, they showered the two with compliments, as both had recently risen to prominence as international models featured on the popular Oriental Horizon program.
Initially feeling nervous about returning home, the warm reception quickly eased any lingering sense of estrangement.
As they exited the airport, the two women were greeted by a tall, striking figure—Zhu Momo. With her towering stature (made even more imposing by her high heels) and exuberant energy, she nearly caused a scene, embracing them so enthusiastically that it seemed she might kiss them in public. Naturally, this drew plenty of attention from the surrounding travelers.
After exchanging pleasantries, Zhu Momo introduced a tall, elegant woman with a resemblance to herself: her aunt, Mo Wuling, who had recently been assigned as her personal assistant by her family.
The final introduction was for a sharp-looking woman in a black suit with short hair: An Xiaohan, the head of Elite Model Management's China division.
Although Elite's headquarters was in Shanghai, a more open and cosmopolitan city, the group had gathered in Beijing due to pre-arranged work meetings scheduled for the following day.
After some light conversation, the group of eye-catching women made their way to a fleet of luxury cars waiting outside the airport.
On the way to their accommodations, Zhu Momo, eager to chat with her two friends, insisted on sharing a car with Jian Xin and Tao Yuelei. Seated between the two, Zhu Momo affectionately leaned on Jian Xin, speaking excitedly. "Great, tonight we'll all stay at the courtyard house in Mao'er Hutong. I'll just tell my aunt that we're staying up late chatting, and she won't be able to find an excuse to stop me."
Jian Xin playfully teased, "You've already broken up with Simon. Isn't it inappropriate to stay in his house now?"
Zhu Momo, still clinging to Jian Xin out of excitement, didn't catch the probing tone in her words. She responded candidly, "I didn't want to break up—it was all arranged by my mom."
On the other side, Tao Yuelei, sensing the tension, subtly changed the subject. "Momo, how's your movie coming along?"
"It started filming in early October. My scenes were pretty limited, so I finished by the end of the month. The whole movie wrapped up last week and is now in post-production," Zhu Momo replied. She then added with a touch of gossip, "But Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon isn't nearly as easy. They're traveling all over the country, and it's exhausting—especially the fight scenes. Hu said in a call last week that she fell off the wires into a lake during one scene. She was so tired she didn't even want to be rescued, saying drowning would be easier than filming."
"Really? That sounds dangerous!" exclaimed Tao Yuelei.
"It is. Martial arts films require all that flying around, but it's not like we actually have superpowers."
Jian Xin asked, "So what have you been up to lately?"
"Mostly taking classes at the Central Academy of Drama," Zhu Momo replied with a pout. "Simon said I'm not cut out to be an actress and that my role in Keep Cool was just a one-off. But my mom... Well, she had Simon arrange for me to audit classes at the academy."
Jian Xin laughed at Zhu Momo's complaints. "You should feel lucky. Lots of people would kill for a spot at the Central Academy."
Zhu Momo sat up and pouted. "Why don't we switch places, then?"
Jian Xin immediately shook her head. "No way."
Zhu Momo gave her a disdainful look but soon pulled a DVD from her bag. "Look what I found! I bought this from a street vendor selling pirated DVDs. It's the fifth Victoria's Secret fashion show—VCD edition! The vendor said it's been selling like crazy lately. I bet Simon arranged this. Not only did he get you two featured on CCTV, but somehow this show aired in the U.S. on November 18, and now pirated copies are already out here with subtitles. It's even faster than pirated movies!"
Jian Xin, sensing Zhu Momo's slightly jealous tone, took the DVD and examined it. The packaging was surprisingly well-made, with the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show title prominently displayed. Both Jian Xin and Tao Yuelei's images were featured prominently among the silhouettes of other supermodels.
Tao Yuelei leaned over to take a look and quickly concluded that Simon had indeed orchestrated this. Just as he had with their recent interview on Oriental Horizon, he had everything arranged
without them needing to lift a finger. Following the broadcast of their interview, the outpouring of support and recognition from friends and family had already made the impact of their modeling careers abundantly clear.
By the time they arrived at the courtyard house in Mao'er Hutong, dusk had fallen. Jill Pecket and Zhao Annie were already there to greet them. Unlike the slight distance felt with Zhu Momo, Jian Xin and Tao Yuelei remained close to Jill and Zhao Annie, resulting in a warm and friendly reunion.
Later in the evening, after a busy day, Chen Qing returned home, weary from her packed schedule. Following a quick greeting, she excused herself for a hot bath, needing to unwind before joining the group for dinner.
During the meal, talk inevitably turned to Jill Pecket's Rose Garden real estate project, a billion-yuan luxury villa development. With work progressing steadily, the conversation reflected the shifting priorities and dynamics among the women in Simon's orbit.
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