By evening, the last traces of sunlight had faded beyond the harbor, and Hong Kong's skyline began to glow under a sea of neon lights.
Tonight, the The Peninsula Hong Kong was brighter and livelier than usual.
The celebration banquet for Infernal Affairs had drawn in not only artists and executives from Media Asia and Emperor Entertainment Group, but also many well-known figures from Hong Kong's film industry who had caught wind of the event and hurried over.
The moment Luo Zheng stepped into the grand hall, familiar faces appeared one after another.
Wong Jing, Tsui Hark, Nansun Shi, Leo Ku, Joey Wong, Michele Monique Reis…
It was enough to show just how much influence Media Asia and Emperor still carried in Hong Kong.
Because Xixi was still too young for this kind of social gathering, Liu Xiaoli had already taken her back to the hotel earlier.
That left Luo Zheng alone in the center of attention.
"President Luo, come, let me introduce you."
Albert Yeung stepped forward with a broad smile and personally led him through the crowd.
He first pointed toward the people waiting nearby.
"This is Director Wong Jing."
"This is Director Tsui Hark."
"And this is Ms. Nansun Shi."
Luo Zheng raised his glass slightly, his expression warm but composed.
"I've admired all of you for a long time."
Wong Jing laughed immediately, the flesh on his cheeks trembling as he grinned.
"In front of President Luo, I don't dare accept words like genius."
Tsui Hark was far more direct.
"I hope we get a chance to work together."
Luo Zheng smiled.
"We definitely will."
On the surface, he was speaking casually, but inwardly his attention had already shifted.
It wasn't Tsui Hark who interested him most tonight.
It was Nansun Shi.
She was the true pillar behind Tsui Hark's rise.
Script planning, production coordination, financing, promotion, distribution—she was exceptional in every aspect.
Luo Zheng knew very clearly that without her behind the scenes, Tsui Hark's career would never have reached such heights.
In the future, after their separation, the decline in his film quality would prove that point even more.
She was talent.
Real talent.
But Luo Zheng also understood one thing—
someone like her could not be poached so easily.
At least, not now.
His domestic company was still in its infancy.
The people surrounding him tonight were attracted mainly by his Hollywood background and Marvel's growing momentum.
If he tried to lure them into building something from scratch in the mainland, most of them would hesitate.
And besides—
his real target tonight had never been Nansun Shi.
After exchanging a few more polite words, Luo Zheng finally found an opportunity to slip away from the main circle.
He walked toward the quieter corridor near the restroom area.
And just as planned—
someone appeared.
The moment he turned the corner, he "accidentally" collided with a graceful figure.
"Ah—!"
The woman let out a soft gasp.
It was Huo Wenxi.
She staggered slightly, one hand instinctively reaching for the wall.
"President Luo… I'm sorry. Are you alright?"
Even though pain flashed across her face from the twisted ankle, she still asked politely first.
Luo Zheng lowered his gaze.
His lips curved faintly.
Perfect.
"I'm fine. But did you hurt your foot?"
Before she could respond, Luo Zheng bent down and lifted her directly into his arms in a smooth princess carry.
Huo Wenxi froze.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"President Luo—wait! There are people here…"
Her voice was low and flustered.
Luo Zheng's expression remained perfectly serious.
"Then I'll take you somewhere quieter."
Without waiting for any objection, he carried her toward a secluded resting corner near the side corridor.
The soft fragrance of perfume mixed with the warmth of her body drifted toward him.
Huo Wenxi's heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.
For a moment, even she couldn't tell whether it was anger, embarrassment, or something else entirely.
Luo Zheng carefully sat her down on a nearby stone bench before kneeling in front of her.
His fingers gently held her ankle.
"Does it hurt here?"
His thumb pressed lightly.
"No…"
"How about here?"
The moment he touched a slightly swollen spot, Huo Wenxi inhaled sharply.
"Hiss… that hurts."
Luo Zheng nodded thoughtfully.
"Good. Then it's probably not serious. Just a sprain."
He continued examining her ankle with slow, deliberate movements.
Huo Wenxi stared at him in surprise.
"You know medicine too?"
"A little."
He said it so naturally that she almost believed him.
Then he looked up and said in a calm tone,
"These heels are too dangerous. You should wear them less often."
Huo Wenxi nearly rolled her eyes.
Dangerous?
You were the one who bumped into me on purpose.
But she swallowed the words.
Something about Luo Zheng's gaze made it difficult for her to speak back.
When she tried to stand up, a sharp pain shot through her foot.
Her body tilted forward—
and she fell straight into Luo Zheng's chest.
Strong arms wrapped around her instinctively.
The scent of his cologne and the warmth of his body surrounded her completely.
For a moment, time seemed to slow.
Neither of them moved.
Her breathing gradually became uneven.
Finally, Luo Zheng lowered his head slightly and spoke near her ear.
"I have something serious to discuss."
Huo Wenxi glared at him, cheeks flushed.
"Then hurry up and say it."
Luo Zheng smiled.
"How about leaving Emperor and coming to work with me?"
She blinked.
For a second, she thought she had heard wrong.
"Work with you?"
Then, seeing his expression, her face turned red.
"You shameless man—"
"I'm serious."
His tone softened.
"My mainland company is just starting. I need someone capable enough to manage everything."
"I need a true housekeeper."
"You're the best choice."
Huo Wenxi's heart skipped a beat.
For a moment, she actually hesitated.
Then she shook her head quickly.
"No. Let me go first."
Luo Zheng leaned closer.
"If you don't agree, how can I let you go?"
Before she could answer—
his face moved closer.
Her breath caught.
What followed left her completely flustered.
By the time she finally came back to her senses, her breathing was uneven and her cheeks were burning.
"You…"
Her voice trembled.
Luo Zheng stepped back with a satisfied smile.
"I'll wait for your answer, Sister Wenxi."
After a long silence, Huo Wenxi bit her lip.
"…I'll talk to President Yang."
That was as good as agreement.
Luo Zheng smiled brighter.
"I knew you'd make the right choice."
Then, before leaving, he leaned forward once more and gave her a light kiss.
"See you soon."
He finally turned and walked away.
Huo Wenxi stared at his retreating back, half angry and half helpless.
"Jerk…"
But beneath the anger, something else lingered.
Something she didn't want to admit.
Luo Zheng, meanwhile, didn't actually abandon her.
After leaving the corner, he quietly called over two female attendants and instructed them to help her back.
A few minutes later, Huo Wenxi emerged, supported on both sides.
Even from across the hall, Luo Zheng could still feel the sharp glare she threw at him.
He chuckled inwardly.
Feisty enough.
Exactly the kind of talent worth poaching.
Just as he was enjoying the moment, a soft and slightly nervous voice sounded behind him.
"President Luo…"
He turned.
Standing there were the famous Twins duo.
Charlene Choi and Gillian Chung.
Their expressions were cautious, but their eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Can Ah Jiao and I buy you a drink?"
Luo Zheng smiled.
Now this—
this was going to be an interesting night.