By the time noon arrived, the Marvel conference room was still filled with intense discussion.
The atmosphere had not cooled in the slightest.
If anything, after hearing Luo Zheng's first three strategic plans, the shareholders and executives looked even more energized than before. Their expressions were full of excitement, as if each of them had already seen Marvel's future soaring under his leadership.
To them, this young chairman no longer looked like a bold newcomer.
He now looked like the man who could truly change Marvel's destiny.
Yet just as everyone's emotions reached their peak, Luo Zheng calmly dropped another bombshell.
"Fourth," he said, resting both hands on the conference table, "I plan to officially launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe project."
He paused for a moment, letting every word settle into the room.
"The opening film has already been decided."
His gaze swept across the faces before him.
"Iron Man."
The moment those two words were spoken, the room went completely silent.
It was as if all sound had been pulled out of the air.
Several executives froze.
A few exchanged looks.
Even the shareholders who had been highly supportive until now frowned instinctively.
Finally, Bill stood up.
This time, his expression was more serious than before.
"Chairman," he said carefully, "I strongly suggest that this matter be considered more thoroughly."
His posture was so upright that he almost looked like a loyal minister advising an emperor.
Luo Zheng looked at him with a faint smile.
"Oh?"
"And what is your reasoning?"
Bill immediately began speaking, his tone noticeably faster.
"Comic-to-film adaptations require enormous investment."
He raised one finger.
"The company's current financial condition does not allow us to absorb the risk of a major failure."
Then he raised a second finger.
"Secondly, Iron Man is not one of Marvel's top-tier comic properties."
"It barely qualifies as a second-tier title."
"The fan base is limited, the recognition is weak, and the uncertainty is far too high."
He looked directly at Luo Zheng.
"Based on these two points alone, I request that the Chairman reconsider carefully."
After he finished, several executives around the table nodded in agreement.
Avi Arad also remained silent, clearly unconvinced.
Luo Zheng saw every expression in the room.
He understood immediately.
This was not a matter that could be won with words alone.
He possessed the advantage of foresight.
But he could not force others to share a future they had not yet seen.
For them, Iron Man was simply too risky.
At that moment, Franklin, one of the major shareholders who had remained silent for most of the meeting, lightly tapped the table.
His voice was calm and steady.
"Chairman, I don't believe there is any need to rush."
Everyone turned toward him.
Franklin continued,
"Sony's Spider-Man adaptation is scheduled for release in May."
He folded his hands.
"If it becomes a major box office success, then I believe no one in this room will oppose your film universe plan."
The moment those words were spoken, several executives visibly relaxed.
This was the perfect middle ground.
Luo Zheng smiled inwardly.
This was exactly what he had expected.
Once Spider-Man hit theaters and swept the global box office with over eight hundred million dollars, these same people would practically beg him to start filming Iron Man.
At that point, forget Iron Man—
even if he proposed Dragonfly Man, they would probably applaud.
"Very well."
He nodded naturally.
"Then we will temporarily postpone this plan."
The moment he agreed, the entire room let out a quiet breath of relief.
The pressure he had been placing on everyone throughout the meeting was almost suffocating.
Even a slight frown from him now carried tremendous weight.
Then, just as everyone thought the meeting was finally calming down, Luo Zheng stood up again.
Immediately, all eyes turned toward him.
"I will be leaving for China the day after tomorrow."
The sudden announcement left everyone stunned.
Several executives looked confused.
Why bring up travel plans in the middle of a strategic meeting?
As if reading their thoughts, Luo Zheng continued calmly.
"I understand everyone's confusion."
"But my trip to China is directly related to Marvel's fifth major strategic plan."
The room instantly grew quiet again.
Then Luo Zheng's voice rang out with unmistakable force.
"Marvel's comic business already has a strong fan foundation in North America."
"However, in Asia, especially China, our brand awareness is still extremely weak."
He slowly looked around the table.
"But now, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity."
He placed a hand on his own chest.
"My identity."
"The first Chinese chairman of Marvel."
"This title alone is enough to attract national attention."
His voice became sharper.
"If we seize this opportunity and deeply localize Marvel's comic business for the Chinese market…"
"We can rapidly establish brand recognition."
"We can build the fan base in advance."
"And we can open Marvel's golden gate into China before anyone else."
The words fell heavily into the room.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Avi and Allen exchanged glances.
Both were clearly surprised.
But neither spoke first.
Because both of them knew someone else would definitely object.
And as expected—
Bill stood up again.
"Chairman, I have a different opinion."
"Go ahead."
Bill took a deep breath first.
"Please understand, Chairman, that what I'm about to say is not intended as disrespect toward China."
Luo Zheng gave a slight nod.
Bill continued,
"Leaving aside the weak comic-reading culture…"
"The lack of stable distribution channels…"
"And the limited consumer spending power…"
He paused.
"The biggest issue is piracy."
The word landed like a hammer.
"Rampant piracy is the greatest obstacle."
He looked around the room.
"This problem has already severely affected industries such as DVDs, music records, and publishing."
"If Marvel invests heavily there now, we may not see returns for many years."
Several executives nodded again.
From a purely business standpoint, Bill's concerns were absolutely reasonable.
Luo Zheng was just about to bring out the ten-year China expansion strategy he had personally prepared—
when suddenly, a hand rose.
Old Karl.
"I support the Chairman's proposal."
The room instantly turned toward him.
Even Luo Zheng looked slightly surprised.
But only for a moment.
Then he understood.
Karl had seen through the core of the strategy.
As expected of a veteran Wall Street predator.
Bill's concerns were all real.
Piracy.
Weak channels.
Low short-term returns.
Possibly even losses for the first several years.
All true.
But what Karl saw was the future beyond that.
Once China's economy entered rapid growth…
Once disposable income rose…
Once fan culture matured…
This market would become enormous.
Potentially even larger than North America.
Comics.
Digital subscriptions.
Merchandise.
Game licensing.
Film and television adaptation rights.
A full entertainment ecosystem.
The long-term value could easily reach billions—or even tens of billions—of dollars.
Franklin raised his hand next.
"I also support the Chairman."
With both major shareholders backing him, the entire room instantly shifted.
Luo Zheng couldn't help but smile inwardly.
What a pity.
He had spent half the night preparing a detailed ten-year expansion presentation.
Now these old foxes had made it unnecessary.
Their noses for money were frighteningly sharp.
By the time the meeting finally ended, evening had already arrived.
The full-day discussion had achieved exactly what Luo Zheng wanted.
Not only had he consolidated his authority—
he had also completely established himself as Marvel's sole strategic voice.
From this day onward, there would be only one true direction for Marvel.
And that direction was his.
As long as he continued making everyone money—
no one would oppose him.
That night, in the villa on the outskirts of New York, Luo Zheng leaned back against the sofa.
A pair of soft hands gently pressed against his shoulders.
Julie's voice drifted softly beside his ear.
"Can't you stay in New York for one more day?"
Her tone carried a faint trace of reluctance.
Luo Zheng gave a small smile.
"I have important business in China."
Then he turned slightly and looked at her.
"Besides…"
"Weren't you the one hiding in Los Angeles before, afraid to come back?"
"Now you're the one feeling anxious?"
Julie bit her lip and smiled helplessly.
The man before her was no longer just the young chairman she had once casually approached.
Now he had proven himself.
Marvel's undisputed leader.
A rising director recognized at Berlin.
Young.
Powerful.
Handsome.
And most importantly—
successful.
In her eyes, he had become a true winner in life.
Of course she wanted to keep a connection with him.
Even if she couldn't have him exclusively, being close to him was already enough.
After seeing the reports from Berlin, she had decisively filed for divorce from her husband.
But what Julie didn't yet realize…
was that in Luo Zheng's eyes,
the very connection she believed she was using—
was also one of the most valuable tools in his growing empire.