Chapter 52

The Hearst Group stands as one of the world's largest diversified media conglomerates and a prominent player in the American media industry. Its primary operations encompass 15 daily newspapers, 34 weekly magazines, and over 300 publications globally, including renowned titles such as Harper's Bazaar, Fashion, Mr. Fashion, ELLE, and Oprah Magazine.

In addition to these publications, Hearst Group boasts a presence through 29 local TV stations, reaching approximately 18% of American households. It also holds ownership in A+E Networks and ESPN, among other cable TV networks. Furthermore, the conglomerate extends its interests into commercial publishing, e-commerce, TV production, newspaper distribution, and real estate.

Amanda Hirst, on the verge of joining the Hearst Group, holds the distinction of being the great-granddaughter of its founder, William Randolph Hearst, and the heir to her mother Anne Hearst's substantial $8.7 billion family fortune. Amanda is far from inept; she possesses both wisdom and beauty, along with a keen understanding of the industry. Her academic journey led her to Morgan University, where she chose not to follow conventional paths but, instead, began closely monitoring the activities of Yuanshan and even Yang Cheng.

Unbeknownst to Yang Cheng, his actions, including meetings with Eddie Hardstein in Los Angeles and leading an acquisition team in negotiations with the management of Forum Publishing Company in Chicago, drew Amanda's attention. Lydia Hearst, fueled by alcohol, was the one to inadvertently reveal this intriguing development.

With Lydia Hearst's conspicuous presence, the atmosphere became less enticing for Paris Hilton, who sought more engaging pursuits. On the DJ stage, several individuals from affluent backgrounds indulged in a spectacle of throwing green knives—a nightclub pastime that left Yang Cheng bewildered. He appreciated guests who engaged in responsible spending, but this behavior, characterized by its lowbrow nature and limited educational refinement, left much to be desired.

Models with worldly experience, on the other hand, displayed a more liberated attitude.

Lydia, after sharing a few drinks with Yang Cheng, mirrored Paris's sentiment and departed from the deck. Yang Cheng, content after making his rounds and greeting guests, summoned the cat girl to fetch some agave.

In that moment, a distinct sound resembling shattering glass emanated from Yang Cheng's right. Instinctively, he turned to investigate, only to find his view obstructed by a crowd. Faintly, he could discern voices of anger and occasional screams from women. After brief contemplation, he returned the phone he had just taken out to his pocket. As the host, he preferred to ensure the safety and enjoyment of his guests, detesting any disruptions.

The right deck had become a focal point, attracting a cluster of onlookers who arrived in response to the commotion. Amid the chaos, Yang Cheng could hear exchanges such as:

- "Sorry, I borrowed..."

- "Let me pass, thank you."

- "Hey, how are you playing?"

- "I'm sorry, I will solve it, it will be fine in a while."

Yang Cheng squeezed his way through the crowd, offering apologies to familiar faces along the way. Upon finally reaching the scene, he found it as exhausting as climbing the Alps. However, he wasted no time in assessing the situation.

Crystal glass cups lay shattered, red wine bottles left their mark on the table, and fruit snacks scattered across the floor. A disheveled black man with small, dirty braids and a skull-like countenance pointed accusatorily at a cat girl, unleashing a tirade of words. Yang Cheng, upon hearing snippets of the exchange, realized the gravity of the situation. He inquired of a bystander about the cause, learning that the black man had become belligerent after advances toward the cat girl were rejected, ultimately culminating in the cup-throwing incident.

Yang Cheng muttered an expression of bad luck under his breath as he stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of the cat girl. The black man, still reeling from Andrew's earlier intervention, appeared disoriented and provocatively challenged Yang Cheng, exclaiming, "Boy, who are you? Come to daddy!"

Unfazed by the taunt, Yang Cheng, while acknowledging the familiarity of the black man's face, sought assistance. He summoned Andrew, who promptly appeared and received a stern look from Yang Cheng. Yang Cheng mentally noted to address Andrew's demeanor later.

Yang Cheng addressed the black man, seeking to defuse the situation amicably: "My friend, did you have a good time tonight? Who brought you here? Let them escort you home." He was careful not to escalate tensions, considering the esteemed guests he had personally invited to the event.

The disturbance on the deck did not affect the revelry on the dance floor, where partygoers danced energetically to the music. Yang Cheng's primary concern was to ensure his guests enjoyed themselves without interruptions.

Shortly, Andrew, accompanied by Jay-Z, returned with the subdued black man. Yang Cheng handed a $10,000 check to the cat girl as compensation for her distress. Her dark eyes and black hair conveyed a sense of Asian heritage, and this experience marked her first foray into the challenges of part-time employment as an adult.

Yang Cheng instructed Hansen to accompany the young woman to locate the manager of the boomboomroom, ensuring her well-being. He wished to avoid any further disturbances caused by an employee with limited authority and influence.

"Jay, do you have an interest in basketball?" Yang Cheng initiated a conversation as they returned to their seats, Jay-Z having brought along a young model he had recently met.

As the two settled in, Jay-Z elaborated on their earlier discussion. Yang Cheng, texting someone, seemed to recall that the black rapper's name was Wiz Khalifa. In his previous life, he had listened to "See You Again," one of Wiz's popular songs. Its lyrics were rife with themes of wealth, drugs, and women, characteristic of many rappers who emerged from impoverished backgrounds. Yang Cheng recognized that this scenario was not uncommon among black celebrities in the United States, including rappers, NBA players, and football stars.

Yang Cheng, reclining comfortably, addressed Jay-Z, "This is a minor matter; don't concern yourself. Did you bring someone along, or should I arrange for their departure?"

Jay-Z assured him, "I've already instructed my bodyguard to escort him out. You needn't worry about Jason."

With that settled, Yang Cheng invited Jay-Z to join him for a few drinks in his deck.