Luo Zheng had no idea whether Jane Zhang was mentally prepared to become famous overnight.
But one thing he knew for certain—
he was about to become even more popular himself.
The exclusive interview Huo Wenxi arranged had aired almost immediately after recording. To ride the wave of attention surrounding Jane Zhang's debut album, the production team moved fast. The newest episode of Appointment with Lu Yu was broadcast the very next evening.
Television stations replayed previews all day.
Newspapers printed headlines.
Entertainment programs continuously discussed the young Chinese producer who had turned Hollywood upside down.
Inside a luxury apartment in Beijing, the television quietly played in the bedroom.
After finishing his shower, Luo Zheng walked into the room wearing loose sleepwear, still drying his hair with a towel.
On the bed, Gao Yuanyuan sat hugging her knees beneath a blanket while staring fixedly at the television.
She didn't even notice he had entered.
On screen, Lu Yu sat across from Luo Zheng and asked with a smile:
"Your journey in Hollywood has been called a miracle by many people."
"From The Man From Earth to Saw, your rise has almost happened overnight."
"What exactly is the secret behind your success?"
"Is it unmatched vision?"
"Or terrifying financial strength?"
On television, Luo Zheng smiled calmly.
"I don't think there's some grand secret."
"If I absolutely had to summarize it…"
He paused briefly.
"It would probably be one word."
"Respect."
His expression gradually became serious.
"Respecting stories themselves."
"That's why we spend a lot of time polishing scripts."
"Respecting audiences."
"We never treat films as simple products used to trick people."
"And respecting professionals."
"That's why I trust directors like James Wan and the teams around me."
He smiled lightly.
"Money is merely a tool."
"But tools only create miracles when used by people who respect the rules of the craft."
The room became quiet.
Gao Yuanyuan blinked.
Then slowly turned around.
Her eyes practically sparkled.
There was admiration.
Affection.
And something dangerously close to worship.
"You're amazing…"
Her voice was soft.
"That answer was incredible."
She stared at him as if looking at some legendary genius.
Luo Zheng sat beside her and laughed.
"I thought of it beforehand."
Silence.
Gao Yuanyuan froze.
"Huh?"
Luo Zheng looked innocent.
"They sent me the interview questions in advance."
"Then I prepared the answers."
The adoring expression on Gao Yuanyuan's face instantly cracked.
"You cheated?!"
Luo Zheng looked offended.
"How is that cheating?"
"It's called preparation."
Gao Yuanyuan stared at him blankly.
Then suddenly burst into laughter.
"You scared me."
"For a second I thought your brain really worked differently from everyone else."
Luo Zheng looked at her and smiled.
Actually...
Some parts truly did.
Because his advantage had never been intelligence alone.
It was foresight.
But naturally, he couldn't say that.
Gao Yuanyuan shifted closer unconsciously and leaned lightly against his shoulder.
Even though the illusion had shattered slightly—
the admiration in her eyes still remained.
"Even then," she said quietly, "I still couldn't think of answers like that."
Luo Zheng lowered his head and looked at her.
Long hair.
Fair skin.
Soft eyes.
And a familiar expression.
As every experienced man understood—
certain moments carried very dangerous signals.
The atmosphere was perfect.
The timing was perfect.
Without hesitation, Luo Zheng slowly reached out and pulled her gently into his arms.
But just as he leaned closer—
Gao Yuanyuan suddenly pushed him away.
"Wait!"
Luo Zheng blinked.
"What?"
She pointed toward the television.
"Interview first."
"Everything else later."
Then she immediately turned around and focused back on the screen.
Luo Zheng stared at her in disbelief.
Seriously?
He had lost to his own interview?
On television, Lu Yu continued asking:
"From Marvel chairman to producer, and now entering music…"
"Many people say your career paths seem completely unrelated."
"Where does your confidence come from?"
Television Luo Zheng smiled calmly.
"In my opinion, they're connected."
"Whether it's discussing life and time in The Man From Earth, exposing human nature in Saw, or creating emotional resonance through music…"
"In the end, everything revolves around people."
"Stories."
"Emotions."
"My confidence comes from believing in content itself."
"And believing Chinese artists have extraordinary potential."
Then he added naturally:
"For example—Jane Zhang."
Gao Yuanyuan immediately turned around.
This time her smile looked harmless.
Too harmless.
Dangerously harmless.
"Oh?"
"She's that impressive?"
"I suddenly want to meet her."
Luo Zheng looked at her.
Then looked back at the television.
Then looked at her again.
Old fox instincts activated instantly.
Danger detected.
This wasn't curiosity.
This was probing.
Testing.
Fishing for answers.
Without hesitation Luo Zheng moved closer and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Their faces drew near.
Foreheads almost touching.
Noses brushing lightly.
Then he stared into her eyes and spoke seriously:
"She's excellent."
"But compared with you…"
He smiled.
"She still falls short."
Before Gao Yuanyuan could react—
he kissed her directly.
"Mmph—"
Her eyes widened instantly.
Surprise.
Happiness.
Embarrassment.
Everything mixed together.
Meanwhile the television kept playing.
Lu Yu continued:
"Many people say you have a Midas touch."
"Why do you value Jane Zhang so much?"
Television Luo Zheng answered seriously:
"Because before turning stone into gold…"
"She must already be gold."
"The first thing that impressed me wasn't technique."
"Not high notes."
"It was emotion."
"Her voice carries stories."
"There's brightness."
"But also resilience."
"That combination is rare."
Very rare.
Gao Yuanyuan tried to continue watching.
Very seriously.
Very determinedly.
But unfortunately—
Luo Zheng had already decided to punish her.
Punish her for abandoning him earlier just to watch television.
So after a while, Gao Yuanyuan discovered something tragic.
No matter how hard she tried—
her concentration kept collapsing.
The television remained on.
The interview continued.
But somehow...
watching became increasingly difficult.
After some time, she looked embarrassed and frustrated.
"Brother Zheng…"
"Stop…"
Luo Zheng looked innocent.
"The interview isn't over."
"You wanted to watch."
"Watch carefully."
Gao Yuanyuan's face instantly turned red.
Then she looked at him with resentful eyes.
"You're doing this on purpose."
Luo Zheng grinned.
Of course he was.
Then suddenly an idea appeared.
He lowered his head.
"If you answer my questions later…"
"I'll give you a reward."
Gao Yuanyuan looked suspicious.
"What reward?"
Luo Zheng smiled.
"A movie."
"You'll be the female lead."
For a second—
her eyes widened.
Completely.
A female lead role.
For an actress in Mainland China right now, good film opportunities were incredibly rare.
Especially opportunities connected to Luo Zheng.
Ever since Beijing Bicycle, Gao Yuanyuan had been hoping for another chance.
A bigger chance.
A better one.
And now—
hope sat directly in front of her.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
"Hmph."
"Who's scared?"
"I'll definitely answer everything correctly."
Luo Zheng's smile grew wider.
The interview kept playing.
Lu Yu asked:
"What expectations do you have for artists under your company?"
"Especially newcomers like Jane Zhang?"
"Do you hope they become commercial superstars?"
Luo Zheng answered:
"I hope they become themselves."
"Their own irreplaceable selves."
"Success isn't the goal."
"It's merely the result."
"My responsibility is simply creating a stage."
"A stage where they can shine."
Whether in China.
Or Hollywood.
Or somewhere even larger.
Eventually, I hope people say:
'She is singer Jane Zhang.'
Not—
'Someone under William Luo.'"
The room slowly quieted again.
Time passed.
The television eventually shifted toward advertisements.
Gao Yuanyuan had long lost track of the interview itself.
Her determination earlier had slowly disappeared.
Two hours later—
she lay against the couch, completely exhausted.
Only her eyes still moved slightly.
Sleepiness gradually overwhelmed her.
Just as her eyelids began closing—
a familiar voice suddenly whispered beside her ear:
"The battle is over."
A pause.
"Now…"
"Question time."
Gao Yuanyuan froze.
Then stared at him.
Several seconds later, she squeezed out two weak words:
"You bastard…"
Luo Zheng laughed loudly.
Then leaned down and kissed her cheek.
"Question one."
"What did I say my secret to success was?"
Gao Yuanyuan stared at him.
Several seconds passed.
Then she bit her lip.
And with a look filled with absolute hatred—
she answered:
"Respect…"
Luo Zheng blinked.
Then smiled.
Looks like she had actually been listening after all.