As evening gradually settled over Beijing, the lights outside the city slowly awakened one by one, turning the streets into rivers of gold and neon. Inside the editing room at China Film Group, however, the atmosphere remained quiet and focused.
Luo Zheng sat in front of the monitor, casually leaning back in his chair while reviewing the latest edit of Getting Home. The cigarette between his fingers burned slowly as scenes flashed across the screen one after another. Every few minutes he would pause the footage, make adjustments, and discuss pacing with the editors.
Even after returning from Hollywood, he had barely found time to rest.
Marvel needed him.
Blue Whale Entertainment needed him.
And now domestic projects had started piling up too.
Just then, his phone vibrated on the desk.
Luo Zheng glanced at the screen and immediately smiled.
Liu Xiaoli.
Before even answering, he already knew why she was calling.
Because earlier, someone had already secretly informed him.
Dong Jie.
Not only had she informed him, she had even been rewarded for her "good behavior." The result of that reward had been quite severe—severe enough that she had missed filming the next day altogether.
And naturally, it had been Luo Zheng personally helping her request leave.
Picking up the call, he lazily said,
"What is it, Aunt?"
The other side immediately became quiet for a moment.
Then Liu Xiaoli's slightly dissatisfied voice came through.
"I've already told you before. Call me Auntie."
She paused halfway.
"Your uncle and I..."
But before finishing, she stopped herself.
Even after so much time, some topics still felt awkward. She didn't want to bring up unpleasant memories between them.
Luo Zheng's smile widened.
"Alright then... Auntie Liu. What can I do for you?"
He deliberately emphasized the word Auntie.
On the other side, Liu Xiaoli suddenly felt her heartbeat become strangely uneven.
That voice.
That deep, calm voice.
For some reason, hearing it through the receiver brought back scenes she had tried very hard not to think about recently.
She quickly forced herself back to reality.
"You probably already know already... Director Li Dawei asked me to ask whether you're willing to write a theme song for The Story of a Noble Family."
As she spoke, Liu Xiaoli suddenly realized something.
Judging from Luo Zheng's reaction...
Dong Jie had definitely already told him.
As expected—
"Sure."
The answer came immediately.
No hesitation.
No bargaining.
No conditions.
Liu Xiaoli blinked slightly.
She had prepared a lot of persuasion beforehand, but now none of it was necessary.
Luo Zheng naturally had his own reasons.
If The Story of a Noble Family exploded in popularity, both Liu Yifei and Dong Jie would benefit greatly.
Besides...
He knew the theme song by heart.
"Fragrance in the Dark."
Back in his previous life, that song had practically become Sha Baoliang's lifelong meal ticket.
Now that he had copied it ahead of schedule...
Luo Zheng suddenly wondered if he had unknowingly ruined someone else's destiny.
Thinking that way somehow made him feel a little guilty.
Only a little.
On the other side, Liu Xiaoli quietly said:
"Good. Thank you."
Then after a brief pause:
"If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."
But just before the call ended—
"Wait."
Luo Zheng's voice suddenly stopped her.
Liu Xiaoli frowned.
"What?"
Luo Zheng looked outside the editing room window.
The city lights reflected in his eyes.
Then he said slowly:
"I bought a place in Beverly Hills."
"And after Sissi finishes filming... I'm planning to take her back to America for a while."
Silence.
Long silence.
To anyone else, these two sentences sounded completely unrelated.
But Liu Xiaoli understood instantly.
Perfectly.
The first sentence represented wealth.
The second represented intention.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the phone.
Even though she had long known Luo Zheng was making ridiculous amounts of money in Hollywood...
Hearing "Beverly Hills estate" still shocked her.
That wasn't simply a house.
That represented status.
Power.
Entry into another world entirely.
After several seconds, she finally spoke:
"Alright."
"Sissi's filming is nearly done anyway."
Luo Zheng smiled slightly.
"Good. Then I'll pick you up."
Liu Xiaoli immediately corrected him:
"Us."
Just one word.
But the emphasis was obvious.
Especially concerning emotions.
Luo Zheng remained silent.
Liu Xiaoli remained silent too.
Neither continued speaking.
After a few moments, the call quietly ended.
The editing room suddenly felt strangely empty afterward.
Luo Zheng stared at the dark phone screen for several seconds.
Before he could continue thinking—
Buzz.
The phone rang again.
This time, he smiled instantly.
Dong Jie.
The moment he answered, her excited voice immediately came through.
"Brother Zheng! I heard you agreed to write the theme song?"
"We'll discuss that later."
Luo Zheng stood up.
"Book a room."
"I'm coming over."
Silence.
Then:
"Ah?"
Dong Jie clearly froze.
"But... I'm still filming!"
Luo Zheng suddenly smiled.
"Even better."
"Don't change out of your costume."
His tone suddenly became... much more interested.
Dong Jie instantly understood.
Her face turned red immediately.
"But Director Li—"
"Tell him I said so."
Three seconds later:
"Okay!"
Her answer came unbelievably fast.
—
On the set of The Story of a Noble Family.
Director Li Dawei was standing beside the monitor preparing the next scene.
Seeing Dong Jie approach, he immediately waved.
"Dong Jie, perfect timing. Next scene—"
"Director Li."
She interrupted directly.
"I need leave."
Instant silence.
Nearby staff immediately froze.
Several assistants looked over instantly.
Everyone's eyes widened.
Requesting leave?
Now?
The female lead requesting leave halfway through filming?
Rumors had already spread around the crew that Dong Jie had attached herself to some major figure.
But no matter how powerful that person was, publicly challenging a director still felt excessive.
Li Dawei's expression immediately darkened.
Without the female lead, filming today would practically shut down.
Even if she had backing—
That didn't mean she could ignore him like this.
Just as his anger was about to explode—
Dong Jie softly added:
"President Luo is here."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then—
Li Dawei's expression changed instantly.
Like spring arriving overnight.
His angry face immediately bloomed with a smile.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
"Go, go quickly!"
"Don't delay President Luo's important matters!"
Everyone nearby stared in disbelief.
Their eyes widened so much they almost looked ready to fall out.
What the hell?
That worked?!
Four words.
Only four words.
And Director Li surrendered instantly.
Dong Jie smiled sweetly.
"Thank you, Director Li."
Then she turned and walked away.
Still wearing her qipao costume.
Only after she disappeared did Li Dawei turn around and shout furiously:
"What are you all staring at?!"
"Get back to work!"
Everyone immediately lowered their heads.
But internally, countless thoughts exploded.
Director Li...
actually folded that quickly?
From today onward, who exactly was in charge of this crew?
—
Late at night.
Inside a luxury hotel room.
Luo Zheng was... very busy.
Very, very busy.
Nearly ninety minutes later—
Dong Jie lay weakly on the bed, breathing heavily.
Her face was flushed.
"Master... I was wrong..."
Luo Zheng looked calm.
"What were you wrong about?"
"I shouldn't have been greedy..."
"I shouldn't have asked for songs..."
Luo Zheng narrowed his eyes.
"Think again."
Dong Jie instantly shivered.
A while later—
The room finally quieted down.
Curled in his arms, Dong Jie suddenly remembered something.
"What about the song?"
Luo Zheng raised an eyebrow.
"What song?"
"Miss Dong."
She looked up.
"You mentioned it before."
Luo Zheng smiled.
"That song isn't suitable for female singers."
"Then sing it for me."
Dong Jie moved closer and softly added:
"And only for me."
Luo Zheng originally wanted to refuse.
After all, his previous singing level...
was questionable.
But then he suddenly remembered.
Singing Skill +1.
Professional level.
After a brief pause, he smiled.
"Fine."
After gathering himself, he slowly began singing.
"Miss Dong..."
The melody flowed gently through the room.
The lyrics were simple.
The tune was simple.
But somehow...
combined with Luo Zheng's calm voice, it carried an unexpectedly strong emotional pull.
Dong Jie gradually became completely lost in it.
Her eyes never left his face.
By the time the song ended—
she was still staring.
Luo Zheng suddenly felt rather satisfied.
Looks like that skill reward had real value.
Just as he prepared to continue showing off—
Buzz.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
Looking at the caller ID, a mischievous smile slowly appeared.
Dong Jie looked curious.
"What happened?"
Luo Zheng grinned.
"I'm answering a call."
"Stay quiet."
"And there's a reward."
Dong Jie's eyes immediately lit up.
"Deal."
The call connected.
On the other side, Gao Yuanyuan sounded confused.
"What are you doing?"
Luo Zheng glanced at Dong Jie beside him.
Then without hesitation:
"Nothing."
"I'm running."
Silence.
Gao Yuanyuan looked outside.
Pitch-black night.
Then looked at the clock.
11:30 PM.
Running?
At this hour?
She blinked twice.
Even ghosts wouldn't believe that nonsense.