Blackstone Code-Chapter 405: A Chance Encounter

After Lynch shared some sales advice with Richard, he left, confident that Richard, with his ability and greed for money, would understand his intentions.

However, this marketing approach didn’t really suit the current Federation. Even if people believed Lynch’s words and joined the wealth-sharing venture, they lacked the operating capital to sustain the business.

In contrast, Gephra was much more suitable. Unlike in the war-torn Federation, Gephra’s homeland remained largely untouched by the conflict, keeping its social structure intact.

Though the war didn’t bring Gephra great wealth, it also avoided severe economic troubles. As Gephra’s products began flooding global markets, society gradually tasted the rewards of victory.

Various industries flourished. Even ordinary people could find suitable jobs if they were willing to work.

Gephra now resembled the Federation from a few years ago. The post-war dividends were emerging, the economy was booming, and people had money to invest—just like the Federation had back then.

Once Richard and his team arrived in Gephra, Lynch planned to consider transferring Wood there. Compared to Richard’s greed, Wood was far more restrained financially.

In the afternoon, Lynch wandered the city. It was his second visit; the first time had been just a brief stop.

The city was filled with a conflicting atmosphere. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Some sat dejectedly against walls, soaking in the sun with vacant eyes, weakly watching passersby. When someone walked by, they’d stretch out a hand, hoping for spare change or some food.

But others were full of energy and determination, radiating drive and ambition.

New miracles always rise from ruins. After such a massive disaster, some were still lost, but others had already glimpsed the future.

While waiting for a ride by the roadside, Lynch pulled out a cigarette. Just as he put it to his lips, a hand waved before him.

It was a girl’s hand—Lynch could tell immediately.

Her pale skin looked translucent, as if sunlight passed through her wrist and palm. The skin was tight and smooth, with no wrinkles, only firm and tender flesh.

A fine layer of soft, pale yellow fuzz hinted at her youth and health. Everything confirmed she was a girl.

“Are you waiting for someone?” came a familiar voice.

Lynch looked up at the girl wearing a sunhat and sunglasses. He studied her carefully but realized he didn’t actually remember her name.

Maybe he once knew, but long days of work and life had erased it.

“Sorry, I forgot your name, miss,” he said politely.

He struck a lighter and lit his cigarette, eyeing the girl beside him.

She was an actress signed with the agency partnered with Fox Studios, and had twice accompanied Lynch to premieres. Lynch’s impression of her was neutral, but what stuck in his mind wasn’t her, but what her agent once told him. ℞а𝐍ꝊʙΕ𝙎

Basically, if Lynch wanted to date actresses, her agent could find some for him—but under no circumstances should he mess with this girl. She was the company’s shining future star.

The agent’s humble tone and victim-like posture didn’t provoke irritation; Lynch understood their position.

In today’s world, making a star is far harder than getting to where Lynch came from.

In the digital era, professional online trolls can make a news story explode globally in no time.

But now, gaining any fame requires dozens, maybe hundreds, of media outlets working together.

Traditional newspapers, magazines, posters everywhere, constant TV appearances—all costly and time-consuming.

Every star’s rise from ordinary public figure to spotlighted celebrity involves countless effort and money.

From tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands per campaign, or even more, factoring in favors like getting on well-known shows—money can’t measure these.

If Lynch dated this young star, not to mention the reaction from her fans, the agency would go crazy just from the risk of her losing her image.

In the end, the agency’s goal was profit. They had invested heavily in her and didn’t want it wasted.

They could find Lynch other girls to play with, but this one—well, it was complicated.

Fortunately, Lynch had little interest in young girls anymore. He was long past that stage mentally.

Young people were like lustful dogs, eager to jump at anything, distracted by every attractive person.

Middle-aged people were like tired workers, avoiding work whenever possible, feigning ignorance. If their partner wanted to visit their family, it was a rare occasion.

Only in old age did people realize that even spouses could be pure, like kindred spirits.

The girl’s smile was as bright as the sun, but she was used to Lynch’s surprising remarks and didn’t let small things get to her.

“Penny, that’s not so hard to remember, right?” The girl paced around Lynch like a strict scholar, hands behind her back, lifting and stamping her feet.

“I remember, Penny,” Lynch repeated, showing he’d really memorized it. “Are you here on vacation?”

“Vacation?” The girl laughed like it was a joke. “No, I’m here filming a movie!”

Lynch found that amusing. York State wasn’t like Lardemo or other distinctive cities—the colorful southern cities, the heavy northern ones, or the wild west towns.

York, in the Federation’s south-central region, had no remarkable natural scenery or unique local culture. It was an ordinary state with ordinary cities.

“Filming here?”

She nodded. “I don’t know much, but the company said York offers good tax rebates and subsidies, so here we are.”

Lynch nodded in approval.

Some places offer incentives to promote themselves nationally, giving subsidies ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands depending on the movie’s scale and budget.

There were also tax rebates after release, helping producers earn more.

Each state’s policies varied, and they changed frequently. Right now, York’s incentives were particularly attractive. Without a designated filming location in the script, producers preferred places with better subsidies to ease financial pressure.

Other perks included free hotel stays and extra travel allowances.

Lynch watched Penny circle him twice without speaking. She hesitated to leave, likely because she had something on her mind.

“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked.

The girl’s expression immediately became more vivid. She nodded. “At first, I didn’t know what to do, but after seeing you, I figured it out…”

“This movie I’m filming invited a very prestigious male star, a top-tier one. That guy…” Her fair face flushed slightly. “He even proposed to my agency that we stir up some gossip about us. You know, he’s old enough to be my father!”

Lynch flicked the ash from his cigarette. “Your company has invested so much in you. You can say no, and they won’t make things difficult for you.”

The girl looked conflicted. Even behind her sunglasses, Lynch could tell. “It’s complicated. Even though the company invested a lot in me, the film industry still favors men.”

Her tone was laced with irony. “Male stars, especially top-tier ones, have enough power to challenge production companies. My agency’s idea is that we just act it out, but you know…”

“Even if it’s acting, some things can’t be avoided.”

Lynch nodded deeply. Even if it was just pretending, just hype, there would still be hugging, touching, and occasional kisses.

A man possibly in his forties making such moves on a girl barely seventeen or eighteen—that didn’t sit right with Lynch.

It wasn’t that he was feeling anything himself; it was that he couldn’t stand watching it happen, so he had to intervene.

He had lived two lifetimes—if he couldn’t even understand this much, what was the point?

He took a deep drag, stubbed out the cigarette underfoot, and asked, “So what do you want me to do?”

Even if he was stepping in, Lynch was still a hunter.

Sunlight hit his face, making him squint. His smile was sharper than the sun itself, yet somehow it made the girl grit her teeth in irritation.