The meeting between Luo Zheng and Disney's upper management was arranged far faster than anyone would have expected.
If he had insisted on meeting Michael Eisner, the current CEO of The Walt Disney Company, he would have had to wait—perhaps not indefinitely, but certainly long enough to test anyone's patience. Even as chairman of Marvel Entertainment, Luo Zheng wouldn't have been granted immediate access. That was simply how hierarchy worked at the top of Hollywood.
But Luo Zheng had no intention of taking the obvious route.
His target… was someone far more interesting.
Internal conflict within Disney's leadership had long been an open secret in Hollywood circles. On one side stood Roy E. Disney, a direct descendant of the Disney family and a staunch defender of its creative legacy. On the other side sat the board of directors, firmly backing Michael Eisner and his increasingly profit-driven strategy.
Roy had once attempted to seize the presidency—but failed. Though he still retained control over the animation division, his influence was limited, and more importantly, his ambitions had never faded.
In recent years, tensions had only escalated.
Eisner, once a visionary, had begun prioritizing profits above all else. Sequels, franchises, repeat formulas—anything that guaranteed revenue became the new doctrine. This approach directly clashed with the philosophy of Steve Jobs, who led Pixar Animation Studios and championed innovation above repetition.
Jobs refused to compromise. Pixar refused to become a sequel factory.
The result?
A growing fracture between Disney and Pixar—one that threatened to erupt completely.
Roy Disney saw it clearly. In his mind, if things continued this way, Disney would inevitably lose Pixar. And without Pixar, Disney's animation empire would begin to crumble.
If Luo Zheng had heard Roy's internal thoughts, he would have smiled and applauded. Because that was exactly what would happen in another timeline.
But today, things were different.
Because Luo Zheng had arrived—with leverage.
—
Inside Disney's VIP reception room, the atmosphere was deceptively relaxed.
Luo Zheng and Roy Disney sat facing each other, each with a secretary standing quietly behind them. Liu Yan stood behind Luo Zheng, composed and elegant, her presence drawing subtle attention even in a room filled with power.
Roy glanced at her and chuckled.
"This Chinese lady is truly beautiful."
Luo Zheng didn't hesitate.
"I agree. And the lady behind you is equally impressive."
Roy laughed louder this time, clearly pleased.
"Mr. William, you're very direct. I like that."
"I'm always like this," Luo Zheng replied calmly. "Especially when discussing business."
Roy's smile faded slightly, his eyes sharpening.
"I hope that includes honesty."
"It does," Luo Zheng said, leaning forward slightly. "When I say I can help you become CEO, I'm not joking."
The words landed heavily.
Roy studied him for a moment, skepticism evident.
"Just with your position at Marvel?"
Luo Zheng's lips curved faintly.
"What if I add… the position of second-largest shareholder of Pixar?"
Silence.
For a brief moment, Roy froze.
Pixar.
The very company currently at odds with Disney. The very partner whose departure could cripple the animation division.
He didn't know Pixar's full shareholder structure—but he knew enough to understand what that statement implied.
"And you expect me to believe that?" Roy asked slowly.
"You can verify it anytime," Luo Zheng replied lightly. "But I don't think you'll need to."
Roy leaned back, exhaling.
"…Even if that's true, it's still not enough."
"Of course," Luo Zheng said. "Which is why I didn't come here with just that."
He paused deliberately, letting the silence build.
"Tell me, Mr. Disney… what if I could increase Disney's derivative gross profit margin by 30%?"
This time, Roy didn't stay seated.
He stood up instantly.
"Are you serious?"
There was disbelief in his voice—but also hunger.
Because if that number was real… it would change everything.
"I never joke about business," Luo Zheng said calmly.
Roy stepped closer.
"How?"
Luo Zheng didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up his coffee and took a slow sip, as if the question itself required patience.
Roy caught the signal.
He forced himself to sit back down.
"…State your conditions."
"No rush," Luo Zheng said. "Let me explain the method first."
Roy straightened instantly, his full attention locked in.
"China joined the WTO last year," Luo Zheng began.
Roy nodded, though confusion flickered across his face.
"And?" he asked.
"If factories in China can produce Disney-quality merchandise… what happens to your costs?"
Roy froze.
Then his eyes widened.
"Costs would drop dramatically," he said, almost to himself. "But that's impossible. China doesn't have the capability to meet Disney's standards."
"What if it does?" Luo Zheng asked quietly.
Roy didn't answer.
Instead, he turned abruptly.
"Secretary! Call Johnson—now!"
Moments later, the financial manager rushed in.
Roy didn't waste a second.
"Calculate this—if our merchandise is produced in China, maintaining the same quality, how much can our gross profit margin increase?"
Johnson blinked, clearly confused.
"…Sir, that's not feasible—"
"Just calculate it!"
Roy's voice exploded with urgency.
Johnson immediately complied, opening his laptop and running numbers rapidly.
Labor costs. Factory rent. Materials. Logistics.
Everything adjusted.
Minutes passed.
Finally, he pressed Enter.
"Sir," Johnson said, turning the screen around, "if production is moved to China and quality is maintained… gross profit margins could increase by approximately 25% to 35%."
Roy stared at the screen.
For a long moment, he didn't speak.
Then—
"But this is impossible," Johnson added quickly. "China cannot meet Disney's manufacturing standards."
Luo Zheng finally spoke.
"Why not?"
Johnson turned to him, polite but firm.
"Even ignoring logistics, the technical standards alone—China simply doesn't have the capability."
Roy looked back at Luo Zheng.
This time, his eyes were filled not with doubt… but hope.
"Mr. Disney," Luo Zheng said calmly, "I already contacted a factory in China yesterday. A batch of Disney-standard products has been produced overnight."
Liu Yan, standing behind him, nearly reacted—but held herself still.
She knew that was impossible.
He had been with her the entire day.
So where did this "factory" come from?
Roy, however, didn't question it.
He stood up and grabbed Luo Zheng's hands.
"Good! Excellent!"
His voice trembled slightly.
"If this works… it will change everything."
"It will," Luo Zheng said softly. "And this isn't a miracle."
He leaned in slightly, his tone calm but certain.
"For China… it's just another challenge."
Roy stared at him.
For the first time, he realized something.
This young man in front of him wasn't just negotiating.
He was offering a lever.
A lever powerful enough…
To shift the balance of power inside Disney itself.
And once that lever was pulled—
Nothing would remain the same.