Chapter 94: Release

On the day of the Lantern Festival, the sea breeze at Weiduoliyagang still carried a hint of chill, yet long queues had formed outside cinemas across Xiangjiang. *Titanic*, produced with full effort by Yongsheng Film Industry, was about to premiere; the red carpet sparkled with stars, and camera flashes illuminated the night sky as brightly as day.

"This is not merely a film, but a romantic feast belonging to us people of Xiangjiang," Xiang Fei declared at the premiere ceremony.

When Jack, portrayed by Qian Qian Xiaohao, stood at the ship's bow and spread his arms to meet the sea breeze, the entire audience held their breath. This newcomer actor, with innocence and passion shimmering in his eyes at that moment, perfectly embodied the unrestrained soul of a wandering painter. When he recited the line "I am the king of the world" in a slightly hoarse voice, it surprisingly carried more of the bold spirit typical of martial artists than the original version.

Rose, played by Cai Cai Shaofen, overturned everyone's perception of her. From a wealthy young lady trapped in a gilded cage to a strong woman reborn for love, she portrayed a woman's transformation with thorough vividness. Especially in the close-up shot where she trembled in the icy seawater while blowing the whistle, her tear-filled eyes held both reluctance to part from her lover and a longing for new life, becoming the most tear-jerking moment of the entire film.

"Promise me you will survive..." As Rose let go of Jack's hand, sobs rose one after another throughout the cinema. Some audience members later recalled, "Cai Cai Shaofen's performance made me completely forget the original; this is love as understood by we Easterners."

Attentive viewers soon discovered more surprises. Although Cheng Long's cameo as an acrobat comprised only three scenes, he delivered the film's most humorous segment—an impromptu performance of "Drunken Fist" inside the rocking ship cabin that instantly eased the tense atmosphere. This design both fit the character's setting and skillfully incorporated Cheng Long's signature style.

The violinist portrayed by Zhang Zhang Guorong appeared in the latter part of the film. Some film fans later recalled, "When he appeared, the entire cinema gasped in hushed awe; this is the charm of a superstar."

Even more delightful was the appearance of Ceng Ceng Jiang and others, who all made their mark in the film in various forms. Some audience members joked, "This is simply a collective New Year celebration film by the filmmakers of Xiangjiang!"

Director Xiang Fei's craftsmanship was evident everywhere. He perfectly blended Western tragic aesthetics with Eastern reserved emotions: in the scene where Jack paints Rose's portrait, the background features a screen rich with Eastern charm; meanwhile, the scene of passengers queuing orderly for rescue during the sinking subtly aligns with the Confucian traditional concept of "seniors and juniors maintaining proper order."

Most praiseworthy was the interpretation of the "Heart of the Ocean" necklace. This legendary blue diamond was endowed with the Eastern legend of the "Pearl that Calms the Seas," its journey linking stories from three different eras.

*Titanic* was equally stunning in terms of technology. A cruise ship model built at a 1:0.8 scale was filmed on location at the Qingshuiwan studio; combined with computer-generated effects, it created such a magnificent spectacle. During the sinking sequence, when the cruise ship broke in two and slowly rose upright, waves of gasps erupted from the audience.

"For that shot of the tilting deck, we filmed it live thirty-seven times," the special effects supervisor later revealed. "Young Master Xiang demanded that the trajectory of every passenger sliding must conform to the laws of physics." This pursuit of perfection ensured that every frame could withstand rigorous scrutiny.

The moment "My Heart Will Go On" slowly began to play, it seemed as though time itself froze at that instant. The audience below felt as if struck by an invisible force; goosebumps instantly rose all over their bodies, and an indescribable sensation surged into their hearts.

The music flowed like a clear spring through everyone's heart, nourishing their souls. Every note acted like a key, unlocking the door deep within people's hearts that led to memories. The audience's thoughts were drawn by the music, drifting far away, drifting back to that era once filled with dreams and hope.

Amidst this beautiful music, they seemed to stand on the deck of the Titanic, feeling the sea breeze brush against them, witnessing the sunset's afterglow sprinkling upon the sea surface, rippling into patches of golden waves. The love story of Jack and Rose unfolded repeatedly before their eyes, that soul-stirring romance moving them profoundly.

The power of music was so immense that it made people forget everything around them, completely immersing themselves in their own worlds. At this moment, the audience were no longer bystanders but part of the story; they merged with the music, jointly feeling that depth of emotion and romance.

The premiere ended late at night, yet discussions at the cinema entrance remained fervent. An audience member with red eyes said, "The chemistry between Qian Qian Xiaohao and Cai Cai Shaofen is too magical; I never expected these two newcomers to be so powerful!"

The next morning, long queues formed before newsstands everywhere. The front-page headline of the *Dongfang Daily* voiced the sentiments of all viewers: "*Titanic*—Our Own Legend of Love."

Meanwhile, in the Yongsheng office, Xiang Fei, looking at the record-breaking box office figures from the first day, said softly to Zhou Zhou Huimin, "See, this is the charm of cinema. It allows us to forever believe in love and believe in dreams." Outside the window, the morning mist over Weiduoliyagang gradually dispersed; a ferry sounded its horn and set sail, carrying the hopes of a new day toward the distance.

This romantic feast belonging to the people of Xiangjiang was destined to become an indelible memory in the hearts of a generation. Just as the elderly Rose said at the film's ending while casting the "Heart of the Ocean" into the sea: "True love will never sink with time."