As Lane had mentioned, Country A doesn’t have a flag law, and it’s common to see Chinese flags hanging on the streets of Chinatown. But still, it just feels exhilarating to see.
Netizens immediately went wild.
[This is next-level!!!]
[So satisfying! I love this splash of red!]
[President Sheng Quan really knows how to get things done!]
[To those asking if Country A has any objections—first, this is completely legal there, and second, have you not been keeping up with the news? Sheng Quan is incredibly popular in Country A right now.]
This was indeed the truth.
In an era dominated by entertainment, the power of money is particularly pronounced in Country A. Even if it wasn’t obvious before, when numerous high-profile, wealthy elites accepted invitations to the banquet, the media’s narrative naturally shifted.
Combined with Lane’s financial influence, the hottest topic in Country A recently became the "Starlight Banquet."
At first, domestic netizens meticulously analyzed each confirmed attendee—their backgrounds, assets, and achievements. But soon, the sheer number of guests made it impossible to keep track.
While the absolute top-tier magnates of Country A remained silent, the gathering of "ordinary elites" from various industries was still staggering.
[This is the first time I’ve seen a Chinese national make such a huge splash in Country A.]
[The scale is impressive, but what’s even more mind-blowing is the sheer breadth of her connections!]
[No wonder so many people in Country A are scrambling for invitations. Just imagine—this banquet is bringing together industry leaders from every sector. Even a brief conversation could open doors for collaborations or investments.]
[More than that—my mom once attended a niche tech conference in her field. She didn’t meet any big shots, but later, just mentioning she’d been there instantly boosted her credibility in business negotiations.]
[Forget these professionals—even I want to go. An event of this caliber must be incredible.]
[Ahhhh! Just thinking about all these elites stepping into a manor flying our flag fills me with joy!]
While casual observers were just enjoying the spectacle, those who had previously crossed paths with Sheng Quan were utterly shocked.
Wait, weren’t we all supposed to be on the same playing field?
No one could see how much Sheng Quan had spent, but everyone witnessed the overwhelming support from Country A’s elite circles—big, medium, and small.
"I finally get it. There were always rumors she returned from abroad—turns out that’s her real stronghold."
When several CEOs who had previously competed with Starlight Entertainment met, their conversations inevitably revolved around Sheng Quan:
"I figured as much. Even someone like Charles is attending."
"If she’s this wealthy, why bother starting a company domestically? Overseas, the entertainment industry is way more straightforward."
All this talk was just thinly veiled envy.
The banquet had invited renowned directors, major film investors, and practically everyone of note in the entertainment world.
To many, this seemed like an insurmountable network—yet they didn’t even qualify to attend, while Sheng Quan was the host.
How could they not be bitter?
But Sheng Quan wasn’t even the main source of their envy. What really stung was that all the investors who had backed "The Cultivator" were on the guest list.
It wasn’t that their inclusion was unfair—they were business partners, after all.
The real pain point?
"Why didn’t I invest in 'The Cultivator' when it started production?"
Forget the chance to partner with Sheng Quan or attend the banquet—just the massive returns from "The Cultivator" were enough to make them regret missing out.
After all, "The Cultivator" was now screening in multiple countries, wildly popular in both Eastern and Western markets.
"Xianxia is a uniquely Chinese concept. How are foreigners embracing it so easily?"
They were industry veterans, so they knew the answer.
Why wouldn’t foreigners accept it? When foreign films with culturally specific themes—like magic—were introduced to China, didn’t Chinese audiences love them too?
Before Western fantasy films arrived, when had Chinese audiences ever talked about "magic"?
There was no reason audiences elsewhere wouldn’t embrace foreign narratives. At the end of the day, quality speaks for itself.
But missing out on this colossal success—even if they couldn’t blame Sheng Quan—left them deeply frustrated.
As they grumbled together, one CEO’s phone rang.
He stepped out to take the call, and within seconds, his tone turned excited.
"What? Huang Yan received an invitation? To the Starlight Banquet? Are you serious?"
His subordinate quickly confirmed:
"Yes! The invitation came from Country A, but I double-checked with Starlight Entertainment—it’s legitimate."
Glancing at Huang Yan, who sat across from him with a mix of shock and anticipation, he added:
"General Manager Ma, since the invitation is confirmed, should we let Huang Yan go?"
Lately, General Manager Ma had repeatedly complained about Sheng Quan’s "unnecessary" banquet, so the subordinate worried he might refuse.
If he forbade it now, Huang Yan—already mentally packing her bags—would explode.
Fortunately, General Manager Ma rose to the occasion.
"Go! Of course she should go! This is an incredible opportunity—she must seize it!"
"Not just her—arrange a team for her. Get the gown sorted ASAP, hire three photographers to cover her… Only one invitation? Then have them shoot her entering the manor from outside!"
After rapid-firing instructions, he finally thought to ask:
"Did Starlight say why Huang Yan was invited?"
"It’s because of her film 'Velocity' this year. She called and confirmed—not just her, but the male lead, supporting actress, director, and screenwriter all got invites."
"Velocity," released earlier that year, had performed well at the box office despite not being a holiday blockbuster. Huang Yan played the female lead.
The subordinate explained: "Starlight said President Sheng Quan considers 'Velocity' an outstanding film, hence the invitations."
"Excellent! Excellent!" General Manager Ma was too thrilled to dwell on past grievances. As far as he knew, the Starlight Banquet would host not just tycoons but also top-tier international directors.
If one of their artists caught the eye of a global filmmaker…
General Manager Ma was practically vibrating with excitement.
After reiterating a few more orders, he hung up, heart racing.
Sheng Quan…
Who’d have thought? Even overseas, she’d handed him such an incredible gift.
When the door opened again and General Manager Ma re-entered, the others glanced at him and asked, "What's up, Lao Ma? Who's looking for you at this hour?"
"It's company business." General Manager Ma sat down with a cheerful smile. "Where were we just now?"
"We were talking about Starlight—it's bizarre how their roster isn't huge, but every artist they have is top-tier."
In the past, General Manager Ma would’ve half-jokingly, half-enviously grumbled about it.
But now, his expression remained unreadable. "Indeed, Chairman Sheng Quan has an impeccable eye. Truly admirable."
"When she returns to the country, I’ll make sure to congratulate her properly."
The person who’d been speaking stared at him. "...Are you feeling alright? Did you take the wrong pills?"
"What’s with that tone? Can’t I praise Chairman Sheng Quan a little? She’s achieved such remarkable success at such a young age—isn’t that worthy of admiration?"
The man: "..."
The others: "..."
The stark contrast made it seem as if the person who’d been sour earlier wasn’t him at all.
Just as the man was about to press further, his phone rang.
He stepped out to take the call, and when he returned, the smile on his face mirrored General Manager Ma’s perfectly.
"Hahahaha, where were we? Oh right, Chairman Sheng Quan—hahahaha, Lao Ma’s absolutely right."
"Despite her youth, Chairman Sheng Quan truly proves that the new generation surpasses the old."
They weren’t the only ones receiving such pleasant surprises.
A well-known director, upon receiving an invitation, immediately packed his bags to fly to Country A in excitement.
"What do you mean it’s too late to go tonight? Director Cobus will be at that banquet! Even if it were raining knives, I’d still go!"
Meanwhile, a screenwriter at home, slurping instant noodles while drafting a script, checked his email and shot up in shock. His family watched in bewilderment as he scrambled to leave. "What’s the rush?"
"Mom, I have to go to Country A—I got an invite to the Starlight Banquet! Holy cow! There’ll be so many internationally renowned screenwriters there!"
Similar scenes played out across multiple countries.
In Country B, a celebrity frowned at her invitation. "Starlight Banquet? What’s that?"
Too busy to keep up with the news, she turned to her agent, who instantly lit up.
"Starlight? The former Jones Manor, now renamed Starlight? Oh my God, you got an invite? This is huge!"
"Do you know how many people would kill for this? It’s the hottest event in Country A right now—just being invited is a status symbol! We need to make sure this gets proper media coverage."
In another country, a middle-aged man struggling to make ends meet clutched his plane ticket with trembling hands.
The Starlight Banquet… this was his last shot at redemption.
At the same time, in an Asian country, an entire agency was in a frenzy after their artist secured an invitation.
"Release the news immediately. Have our media contacts amplify it."
"No, don’t just report the facts—play up how exclusive the Starlight Banquet is. Make sure the whole country knows how high the bar is!"
The concept of "gilding" is universal, much like "carpet-chasing" at high-profile events.
Having missed their chance at Golden Woods, they now saw the Starlight Banquet as a second opportunity.
In an industry built on prestige, when artists from around the world received their invitations, their agencies would inflate the banquet’s reputation from three to nine points.
The more the public perceived the Starlight Banquet as elite, the more impressive those with invites would seem.
Even those who’d dismissed it earlier now changed their tune.
Criticizing someone else’s cake is easy—but when you get a slice yourself, the story changes.
Sheng Quan was weaving a vast spider’s web.
The nearly ten-billion-dollar manor was her chosen nexus.
Using wealth to secure the first wave of guests was like testing the waters with a single strand.
Then came the second, the third.
Seemingly haphazard, yet every move was calculated, carefully constructing the framework.
Now, the framework was complete.
With a gentle flick, the newly invited guests became threads of silk, intertwining and expanding the web on their own—no urging needed.
A grand web, starting from Sheng Quan, now stretched across the world.
"What a masterful play with human nature," Lane murmured, clad in an emerald-green suit as he stood beside Sheng Quan atop the castle, gazing at the scene below.
"You’ve elevated this banquet far beyond its original worth."
Sheng Quan smiled at the bustling crowd. "Just the first step, really."
The manor blazed with light as guests streamed in.
Outside, flashes from cameras lit up the night—reporters from around the world, barred from entry, scrambled for shots.
Their hunger for headlines only added to the grandeur.
Such banquets were always chaotic, with everyone finding someone to talk to all night.
But when Sheng Quan appeared, all eyes turned to her.
They might not have come for her—but no one could deny that tonight, she was the undisputed star.
She exchanged brief, polished words with eager guests while the manor shone like daylight. Beyond the gates, camera shutters clicked relentlessly; online, discussions about the banquet’s details spread like wildfire.
More celebrities arrived, their luxury cars and trailing national flags captured by the press.
Lane lingered in the shadows, watching Sheng Quan under the lights—her smile polite, her demeanor poised, yet her ambition unmistakable in her eyes.
And yet, he mused, she’d never looked more radiant.
He sipped his wine, murmuring to himself, "Just… the first step?"
Despite his usual aversion to work, something about this moment set his blood alight.
Perhaps it was the thrill of serving an employer whose ambitions were as vast as the stage she’d chosen—where even her first move…
—was witnessed by the world.
