Chapter 94: Premiere

On the day of the Lantern Festival, the sea breeze at Victoria Harbour still carried a hint of chill, yet long queues formed outside cinemas across Xiangjiang. The premiere of "Titanic," a grand production by Winson Pictures, was imminent; the red carpet shimmered with starlight, and camera flashes illuminated the night sky as if it were day.

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

When Qian Xiaohao, playing Jack, stood at the bow, spreading his arms to the sea breeze, the entire audience held its breath. This newcomer actor, with innocence and passion flashing in his eyes, perfectly embodied the untamed soul of a wandering painter. When he uttered the line "I'm the king of the world" in his slightly hoarse voice, it carried even more of the boldness of a hero from the Jianghu than the original.

Cai Shaofen, playing Rose, subverted everyone's perception of her. From a wealthy young lady trapped in a golden cage to a strong woman reborn for love, she portrayed a woman's transformation to the fullest. Especially in the close-up of her shivering in the freezing seawater, blowing a whistle, her tear-filled eyes held both reluctance to part with her lover and a longing for rebirth, becoming the most tear-jerking moment of the entire film.

"Promise me you'll survive..." When Rose let go of Jack's hand, sobbing erupted throughout the cinema. One audience member later recalled: "Cai Shaofen's performance made me completely forget the original; this is the love understood by us Easterners."

Attentive viewers soon discovered more surprises. Although Cheng Long's cameo as the acrobat had only three scenes, he delivered the film's most humorous segment—improvising a "Drunken Fist" routine in the pitching cabin, which instantly relaxed the tense atmosphere. This design fit the character setting while cleverly integrating Cheng Long's signature style.

Zhang Guorong, playing the violinist, appeared in the later part. One film fan later recalled: "When he appeared, the entire cinema whispered in surprise; this is the charm of a superstar."

Even more surprisingly, Ceng Jiang and others made appearances in the film in various forms. One audience member joked: "This is practically a collective New Year's film by Xiangjiang's filmmakers!"

Director Xiang Fei's craftsmanship was evident everywhere. He perfectly fused Western tragic aesthetics with Eastern subtle emotions: in the scene where Jack paints Rose, the background featured a screen with distinct Eastern charm; and the scene of passengers queuing for rescue during the sinking subtly aligned with the Confucian tradition of "order between elders and juniors."

Most commendable 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 Sea," its journey linking stories from three different eras.

"Titanic" was equally stunning in its technical aspects. A 1:0.8 scale cruise ship model was filmed on location at Clear Water Bay studio, combined with computer effects to create such a spectacular scene. During the sinking sequence, when the ship broke in two and slowly rose vertically, gasps rose from the audience.

"We shot that tilted deck shot 37 times," the special effects director later revealed. "Xiang Sheng demanded that the trajectory of every sliding passenger must conform to the laws of physics." This pursuit of perfection ensured every shot could withstand scrutiny.

The moment "My Heart Will Go On" slowly began to play, time seemed to freeze. The audience below felt struck by an invisible force; goosebumps instantly rose all over their bodies, and an indescribable feeling surged in their hearts.

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

Amidst this beautiful music, they seemed to be on the deck of the Titanic, feeling the sea breeze, witnessing the sunset's afterglow sprinkling on the sea surface, creating ripples of gold. Jack and Rose's love story played out before their eyes, a love so profound it moved them endlessly.

The power of music was so great that it made people forget everything around them, immersing themselves completely in their own world. In this moment, the audience were no longer bystanders but part of the story; they merged with the music, feeling that deep affection and romance together.

The premiere ended late at night, but the discussion outside the cinema remained fervent. One audience member, eyes red, said: "The chemistry between Qian Xiaohao and Cai Shaofen is magical; I never expected these two newcomers to be so amazing!"

The next morning, long queues formed in front of major newsstands. The front-page headline of the Oriental Daily voiced the feelings of all viewers: "Titanic — Our Own Love Legend."

Meanwhile, in the Winson office, Xiang Fei looked at the record-breaking first-day box office figures and said softly to Zhou Huimin: "See, this is the charm of cinema. It allows us to forever believe in love, believe in dreams." Outside the window, the morning mist over Victoria Harbour gradually dispersed; a ferry whistled 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 when she threw the "Heart of the Ocean" into the sea: "True love never sinks with time."