The newspapers in Luo Zheng's hands rustled faintly in the quiet office, yet the storm contained within those thin sheets of paper was anything but calm.
After quickly scanning through the Hong Kong entertainment section, he couldn't help but lean back in his chair, one hand pressed against his forehead as if trying to suppress a headache that had arrived far too suddenly.
The coverage wasn't just centered on Ah Sa and Ah Jiao this time.
There was another "victim" who had somehow been dragged into the chaos—Nicholas Tse.
And the way the media framed it… was nothing short of outrageous.
One headline screamed:
"Refuses to Answer! Dark Expression! Nicholas Tse Arrogantly Ignores Marvel Boss's Favor!"
Another followed closely behind:
"$100 Million Global Earnings—What Does It Have to Do With You? Nicholas Tse Keeps Silent About New 'Backer'!"
Luo Zheng blinked.
Then blinked again.
Finally, he let out a short, incredulous laugh.
"Backer?"
"When did I become his backer?"
He had merely struck a business deal with Albert Yeung and casually handed Nicholas Tse a supporting role in a Hollywood project.
That was it.
No secret nurturing. No hidden contract. No grand plan.
Yet in the hands of entertainment reporters, a simple collaboration had transformed into a full-blown narrative of patronage and favoritism.
"Imagination like this… they should be writing novels instead," Luo Zheng muttered.
But compared to Hong Kong media, the mainland press had taken things to another level entirely.
If Hong Kong reporting was bold and exaggerated, mainland coverage was subtle, layered—almost literary.
A true "Spring and Autumn" writing style.
They didn't accuse.
They didn't confirm.
They implied.
And those implications were far more dangerous.
Among all the reports, one person stood out as an exception.
Huo Wenxi.
Luo Zheng's gaze softened slightly as he read through her section.
Unlike the chaos surrounding others, her coverage was… controlled.
Professional.
Even elegant.
It turned out that while reporters camped outside the Blue Whale Entertainment building day and night, Huo Wenxi hadn't tried to avoid them.
Instead, she did something unexpected.
She sent them water.
Food.
Even arranged proper rest conditions.
Every detail handled with care.
To outsiders, it looked like simple courtesy.
But Luo Zheng knew exactly what it was.
Relationship management.
And the results spoke for themselves.
The headlines about her were noticeably "gentler":
"Marvel's Asian Strategy Emerges: Gold-Medal Agent Huo Wenxi Declares Vision to Build Eastern Superheroes"
"More Than an Agent? Huo Wenxi Smiles When Speaking of New Boss, Calls His Vision 'Irresistible'"
No scandal.
No dirt.
Only admiration, curiosity, and just enough ambiguity to keep readers interested.
Luo Zheng chuckled softly.
"This woman… she really knows how to play the game."
Then came the part that made his expression shift again.
Dong Jie.
The moment he read the headlines, he didn't even need confirmation.
He already knew.
"She leaked this herself."
The tone was too deliberate.
Too calculated.
Too… artful.
"'Leng Qingqiu' Finds Love Off-Screen? Dong Jie Blushes When Mentioning Marvel Tycoon: 'He Said I'm Soft Outside, Strong Inside'"
"Behind the Hundred-Million Box Office: Marvel Boss Shows Special Favor to Dong Jie, Praises Her 'Purity'"
Every word was balanced on a knife's edge.
Nothing explicit.
Nothing incriminating.
Yet every sentence nudged readers toward one conclusion—
Something was going on.
Luo Zheng tapped the newspaper lightly against his palm, a faint smile forming.
"I don't hate ambition," he murmured.
"As long as it's used well."
And Dong Jie… was using it very well.
She hadn't demanded anything.
Hadn't made a scene.
Instead, she quietly shaped public perception.
A far more dangerous move.
Turning the page, Luo Zheng's eyes landed on another set of headlines.
This time, they involved Liu Yifei and her mother, Liu Xiaoli.
He read carefully.
Then slowly leaned forward.
"14-Year-Old Liu Yifei Gains Favor from Marvel Boss; Mother Steps In: 'It's Purely Positive Encouragement'"
"'Cousin' or Talent Scout? Mysterious Tycoon's Close Ties with Liu Yifei Raise Questions"
This time… it was different.
There was something hidden beneath the wording.
Something closer to the truth than the others.
"They actually… guessed part of it?"
Luo Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
It could be coincidence.
Or instinct.
But either way, it proved one thing—
Some reporters weren't just chasing noise.
They were thinking.
He skimmed through the article.
Unfortunately, the content didn't live up to the headline.
Lots of speculation.
Lots of repetition.
But no real substance.
Still, the hook was strong.
Strong enough to make people curious.
In the corner of the page, a small column caught his attention.
Chen Kun.
Compared to the others, his coverage was almost… pitiful.
"Chen Kun Receives International Recognition; Marvel Boss Praises His 'Heroic Core'"
Short.
Formal.
Safe.
No drama.
No controversy.
Naturally, it was buried in the least noticeable spot.
Luo Zheng shook his head.
"In this industry… attention is everything."
Even bad attention.
Especially bad attention.
Elsewhere, the impact of these reports was already spreading.
In a different corner of the city, Zhou Xun held a newspaper in her hands, eyes bright with curiosity.
She immediately dialed Chen Kun.
"Kun'er, what's going on? Did a Hollywood director really take a liking to you?"
On the other end, Chen Kun sighed.
"You actually believe this stuff?"
But despite his denial, there was a hint of pride in his tone.
"Yes… we talked. And yes, there might be opportunities."
That single sentence was enough.
Zhou Xun's heartbeat quickened.
Opportunities.
International ones.
That was something no actor could ignore.
When she later learned about the upcoming project—
"A World Without Thieves"
A collaboration between Huayi Brothers, Blue Whale Entertainment, and China Film Group—
She didn't hesitate for even a second.
Calls were made.
Connections activated.
The entire industry… was moving.
Meanwhile, back at Blue Whale Entertainment.
After wrapping up discussions for Getting Home, Luo Zheng finally thought he could rest.
Just a few quiet days.
Nothing more.
But reality had other plans.
Huo Wenxi appeared again.
And this time—
She brought work.
"Recording songs," she said simply.
"No delay."
Luo Zheng stared at her for a moment.
Then sighed.
"When it's you… I really can't refuse."
Monday morning.
To keep things low-key, he drove personally.
Beside him sat Liu Yan.
In the back—Liangying.
The car pulled into a well-known music studio in Beijing.
The moment they stepped out—
A man hurried toward them.
Black-rimmed glasses.
Side-swept bangs.
An unmistakable aura of artistic confidence.
"President Luo! I didn't expect you to be so young!"
He extended his hand quickly.
"My name is Zhang Yadong. It's an honor."
Zhang Yadong.
Luo Zheng recognized him instantly.
Not just because of his reputation in the music industry—
But because of someone else.
A name that flashed briefly in his mind.
Gao Yuanyuan.
The so-called "Hupu Goddess."
And at that moment—
Luo Zheng made a quiet decision.
A very firm one.
"This man…"
"I'm definitely becoming friends with him."