The impact of a single sentence from Mira, the chairperson of the Berlin Film Festival jury, completely changed everything for The Man from Earth.
Her public remark that the film could have been a serious contender for the Golden Bear instantly pushed the movie into the spotlight.
What had originally been just a low-budget exhibition film suddenly became the center of attention for audiences, critics, and distributors alike.
The curiosity spread like wildfire.
A film made on such a tiny budget that could still earn praise from someone of Mira's stature naturally made people want to see it for themselves.
The organizers of the Berlin Film Festival reacted almost immediately.
After urgently contacting Luo Zheng, they arranged two additional screening days for the film to satisfy the overwhelming demand from viewers.
At the same time, the media pounced like sharks that had smelled blood.
The moment Luo Zheng stepped out of the reception room after the distribution negotiations, he was instantly surrounded.
Flashlights burst in every direction.
Microphones almost stabbed into his face.
Questions exploded one after another.
"Director William, we heard you were just negotiating copyright and distribution deals with major studios. Can you reveal the selling price?"
"Director William, what do you think about Chairwoman Mira's statement that your film could have competed for the Golden Bear? Do you regret missing the awards competition?"
"Mr. William, we've learned that you only recently turned twenty-one and were once expelled from the University of Southern California due to misconduct. How did you gain the trust of Wall Street investors and executives like Avi Arad?"
"Mr. William, please answer—"
The crowd surged forward.
Xu Jinglei and Liu Xixi were both startled and instinctively grabbed Luo Zheng's arm.
Kevin, Jon, and the Marvel staff immediately moved in, forming a human wall around him.
Even then, the reporters kept pushing forward, desperate to get a statement.
Luo Zheng raised his voice.
"Friends from the media, it's already late today. Tomorrow I'll hold a formal press conference and answer your questions properly."
But once the frenzy had begun, there was no stopping it so easily.
The reporters pressed in harder.
Kevin and the others were nearly pushed backward.
Fortunately, the film festival staff arrived in time and barely managed to restore order.
Still, the situation had already reached the point where escape was impossible.
Luo Zheng knew resisting further would only make things worse.
So he calmly accepted the interview.
Compared to the film itself, what truly fascinated the reporters was Luo Zheng's identity.
A twenty-one-year-old chairman of Marvel.
That alone was enough to generate endless controversy.
But Luo Zheng had already anticipated this kind of scenario.
His expression remained calm.
His voice steady.
Every answer was precise and perfectly measured.
Whenever a reporter tried to bait him into controversy, he casually sidestepped the trap and even turned the question around with humor.
The reporters were both impressed and frustrated.
Then, from the back of the crowd, a sharp voice suddenly rang out.
"Mr. William, you've said so much, but what everyone really wants to know is this—how exactly did you secure the position of Marvel's chairman?"
The voice grew louder.
"Was there some undisclosed capital transaction behind it? Or do you have a mysterious backer supporting you?"
The moment those words fell, the surrounding crowd fell silent.
Every pair of eyes locked onto Luo Zheng.
This was the question they truly wanted answered.
Luo Zheng slowly loosened his tie and let out a faint chuckle.
"Sorry," he said, sweeping his gaze across the crowd, "but I'm afraid my answer may disappoint you."
He paused deliberately.
Then continued.
"But I can assure you that what I'm about to say comes from the bottom of my heart."
The atmosphere instantly tightened.
"As for why I was able to take charge of Marvel, and why shareholders and senior executives were willing to trust a twenty-one-year-old…"
He smiled.
"The answer is actually inside this film."
"If any of you have already watched it, you should understand what I mean."
For a moment, the crowd was stunned.
Then several reporters who had attended the screening slowly nodded.
The meaning was obvious.
Talent.
Vision.
Capability.
That was his answer.
Luo Zheng caught Kevin's eye at once.
This was the perfect moment to leave.
If they delayed even a few more seconds, escaping would become impossible.
Kevin instantly understood.
"The interview is over! Mr. William needs to rest!"
Without waiting for objections, he forcefully opened a path through the crowd and escorted Luo Zheng away.
By the time they returned to the hotel, the atmosphere inside the car was completely different.
Xu Jinglei leaned close beside him, her face glowing with satisfaction.
Liu Xixi was even more excited.
"Cousin, you were amazing just now!"
"They all looked so shocked!"
"You were cooler than the movie stars!"
The two practically praised him all the way back.
Even Luo Zheng, thick-skinned as he was, felt slightly embarrassed.
For a moment, he genuinely wondered if the film had really become that incredible.
Nearby, Liu Xiaoli remained silent.
Her expression was cold and unreadable.
But Luo Zheng still noticed the disbelief hidden in her eyes.
This woman still refused to fully accept reality.
Even now.
Even after everything she had seen.
He merely glanced at her before looking away.
Sooner or later, he thought coldly, I'll tear apart that fake pride of yours.
After reaching the hotel, Luo Zheng didn't bother hiding anything.
Right in front of everyone, he casually wrapped an arm around Xu Jinglei's waist and led her straight into his room.
Liu Xiaoli's face darkened instantly.
Liu Xixi looked up in confusion.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
Liu Xiaoli's expression turned serious.
"Stay away from your cousin from now on."
"He hasn't changed at all."
"No matter how talented he is, if he keeps indulging himself like this, women will ruin him sooner or later."
Liu Xixi pouted.
"But I'm a girl too…"
"You don't need to understand. Just remember what I said."
"Your mother won't harm you."
"…Oh."
She lowered her head obediently, but inside, she clearly didn't take it seriously.
After all, in her mind, having more girlfriends wasn't such a big deal.
Besides…
Cousin promised me something too.
A mischievous smile quietly formed on her lips.
Liu Xiaoli, however, had already shifted all her attention to another matter.
Liu Xixi's audition for The Story of a Noble Family.
The man she had contacted claimed he had a way.
She didn't know whether to trust him.
But at this point, she had no better options.
Meanwhile, inside the hotel room, Luo Zheng had no idea what was happening outside.
At this moment, he was far more interested in "discussing the origin of humanity" with Xu Jinglei.
And perhaps researching how to break through enemy lines.
While the night deepened in Berlin, the news from the film festival had already spread rapidly through media channels.
Across the ocean.
Marvel Headquarters.
Inside the office, company president Bill Jemas and CEO Avi Arad leaned forward over the desk, staring at the speakerphone.
Even though the call was on loudspeaker, both men listened so intently that it was as if they feared missing even a single word.
Kevin's voice came through clearly.
"That's the situation."
"The film became a huge success after the Berlin screening."
"The distribution rights have already been sold."
"The chairman has repeatedly emphasized that all promotion and release plans must strictly follow his instructions."
"Lionsgate and Focus will soon send dedicated teams to coordinate directly with the company."
When Kevin finally finished relaying the instructions, he let out a long breath.
His throat was dry.
But inside, he felt exhilarated.
In the past, it was always these two lecturing him in meetings.
Now things were different.
Now he stood at the chairman's side.
Even if he was merely relaying orders, they still had to listen carefully.
That alone was enough to make him feel incredibly satisfied.
Beside him, Jon looked openly envious.
Kevin couldn't help smiling.
The chairman's trusted subordinate.
That position now belonged to him.
Back in the office, Bill Jemas finally nodded.
"Understood."
"Please inform the chairman that everything has been noted."
Kevin grinned.
"The detailed promotion plan will be faxed tomorrow morning."
After hanging up, he and Jon exchanged a glance before laughing.
The success of the Berlin screening had already guaranteed one thing—
Luo Zheng's authority inside Marvel would now become absolute.
And as the person closest to him, Kevin's own position would naturally rise with it.
A surge of excitement rushed through him.
Finally.
He could begin doing what he had always dreamed of.
Standing by the window, Kevin looked at the Brandenburg Gate glowing beneath the Berlin night sky.
His eyes slowly burned with ambition.
The future he had always imagined was finally beginning to take shape.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A connected world.
Heroes crossing paths.
Stories intertwining.
A universe bigger than any single film.
Kevin slowly clenched his fist.
A smile spread across his face.
Marvel Cinematic Universe…
I, Kevin Feige, am finally here.