Chapter 149: Film Resources

Jiang Heng, curious, asked Yu Dong what was going on.

Yu Dong laughed and said, "I only heard about it too. The Chen family wasn't well off, always pretty poor. In 1996 he topped the professional class and got into Beijing Film Academy. The one you have your eye on comes from a wealthy background, leveraged his status to get into Beijing Film Academy—technically within the rules, but you know…!"

Jiang Heng, hearing him, instantly understood what was happening and for a moment didn't know what to say.

Yu Dong added, "Also, I heard Huang Xiaoming was his roommate; the two were very close when they were in school, together with the actress who played a princess and was dubbed the 'Three Swordsmen of Beijing Film'. Now Huang Xiaoming is set on getting the role of Yang Guo; he doesn't want to act, maybe for that reason!"

Jiang Heng, hearing that, said, "Alright, I get it. Thanks for the trouble, Old Yu!"

"Hey, you're being so formal. By the way, when are you free? I'll come over to give you a report!"

Jiang Heng was startled for a moment, then immediately understood.

Jiang Heng smiled, "There'll be a chance, I guess!"

Speaking of Jiang Heng's past life, when he heard these rumors he just took them as a joke, since they had nothing to do with him.

Liu Tianxian fell silent, and after a dozen seconds finally said, "I thought Uncle was playing Yang Guo!"

Li An thought the script was too risqué, and Liu Yifei ultimately declined politely.

"No, as long as Uncle decides, it's fine!"

Soon after, Liu Tianxian wore a light gray wool coat, a white knit cap, her long hair draped over her shoulders, looking both beautiful and a bit cute.

Li Xiaoping praised her a couple more times, then, being considerate, left.

Afterwards, he sent Liu Tianxian Fei three invitation letters just to get her to agree to act, but never got a response, so Li An had to go for a face‑to‑face interview.

As for the latter part, he was a bit confused.

Later, when revising the script, the writer was asked to model Wang Jia Zhi after Liu Yifei, because at that time Li An kept thinking that only Liu Yifei could be the ideal heroine in his mind.

Liu Tianxian shook her head, "I'm not really keen on it!"

Liu Yifei was initially very surprised; after all, if she could get onto Li An's line, it would mean a connection with the big shots of the Hong Kong and Taiwan circles, which thrilled her.

Jiang Heng, hearing that, was both exasperated and amused.

Mid‑sentence, he had already taken off his hat and coat, and walked to the huge floor‑to‑ceiling window to look at the outside scenery.

Liu Tianxian's first film role was in the 2004 movie 'May Love', a low‑budget romance that reportedly earned less than one million at the box office.

Outstanding Rising Film Company has many veteran staff from the Beijing Film Factory, and they are quite familiar with Yu Dong.

Since Jiang Heng doesn't really involve himself with Broad Sodium Film Industry, Yu Dong's entrepreneurial ambitions faded a bit.

Now that Outstanding Rising Film Company has a listing plan, Yu Dong is definitely tempted.

Jiang Heng felt both exasperated and amused; although they always address each other like that in texts and QQ, in person—especially in front of outsiders—it always feels a bit odd.

After thinking, he suddenly said, "Regarding movies, there will be big productions suitable for you in the future; if any art‑film director wants you, you won't even need to meet them!"

In the huge office, Jiang Heng got up, poured her a cup of hot tea, and asked what she had been busy with these past two days.

"I've been reading scripts nonstop for days, my head's spinning, so I thought of Uncle's place to get some fresh air!"

"Fake!" he immediately added, "Do you really want to act in movies?"

"My acting isn't up to par, so people would definitely dislike me, but I'd definitely be willing for Uncle's film!"

At that moment the secretary knocked, "Director Jiang, Miss Liu is here!"

Given his current status, starring in a blockbuster would already be a self‑devaluation, let alone a TV‑drama lead.

Jiang Heng also walked over, looked at the scenery outside, and smiled, "Then stay a bit longer; Auntie is being too strict with you, right?"

"Please let her in!"

Interestingly, Liu Tianxian calls him 'Uncle', he calls Liu Xiaoli 'Auntie', and calls Chen Jinfei 'Brother'—each with their own titles.

Speaking of movies, Jiang Heng recalled some anecdotes about Liu Tianxian.

In this timeline, after collaborating with Jiang Heng, Broad Sodium quickly became the country's top private distribution company, virtually monopolizing Hong Kong film distribution in the Neidi market.

Liu Tianxian said obediently, "It's fine; we'll take a car out, then walk a bit in the parking lot, it's not cold!"

But she was stunned after reading the script, since the 'goddess sister' image was deeply ingrained at that time.

After some idle chatter about casting for 'The Divine Eagle', Jiang Heng said the male lead was set as Huang Xiaoming, and Liu Tianxian merely gave a faint "mm".

Jiang Heng said, "What's up, any other ideas?"

If he were to go solo, he'd probably not be able to win over many Xianggang directors.

Li An, seeing that the actress he favored didn't agree, then approached Han Xue and Shu Qi for collaboration, but was turned down.

"Why?"

"Then why do I hear you seem not very interested!"

Jiang Heng naturally understood, glanced at the schedule, and said, "Alright, then come over the day after tomorrow!"

Moreover, those who originally agreed to start a business with him were very comfortable staying at Broad Sodium and had no ambition for a 'second startup'.

She has abundant resources in the TV circle, but in the film world, even compared to Da Tian Tian, she's still a bit lacking.

Historically, he was a self‑started boss, never meant to stay under others for long.

Fortunately, Li Xiaoping wasn't put off; instead she warmly grabbed Liu Tianxian's hand and asked if she felt cold wearing so little.

Li Xiaoping gave a brief, straightforward reply without asking any reasons, and then reported on the filming plan for 'The Divine Eagle'.

"Hmm, it's okay, Mom has high expectations of me, a bit like Wang Lady in 'Demi‑Gods and Semi‑Devils'!"

Zhang Ziyi wanted to act, but Li An turned her down…

"If it's a movie, I could still consider it!"

That same year there was also a film 'Love Big Winner', which similarly flopped at the box office and made no splash.

After hanging up, Jiang Heng ordered someone to fetch Li Xiaoping and said directly, "Just pick Huang Xiaoming!"

But recalling that moment, he felt Li An was being a bit unfair.

By 2006, the famous Li An brought in Liang Chaowei and confirmed the male lead.

Liu Tianxian's eyes lit up, "Really?"

But out of the pursuit of wealth, just taking salary and dividends is certainly not enough; he also hopes that Broad Sodium can go public, so he can achieve financial freedom.

"Haha, I'll tell her this; I bet Aunt will be furious!"

"Thank you, Uncle, you wouldn't, you must have already decided what you want me to act, right?"

"Good!"

"Uncle!"

"Uncle definitely won't tattle!"

"Good!"

Art film director?

Uncle, aren't you thinking too highly of her? She's even looked down on for her acting in a TV drama; which art film director would think of using her?

Liu Yifei heard the first half and was overjoyed, because Jiang Heng's words undoubtedly meant that he would prepare to use her as the female lead in a big production in the future.

"Hmm!"

Jiang Heng listened briefly, then left it entirely up to him.

"Um, I just have a rough idea; filming it would take at least three to five years!"

While saying that, the anime image of Angel Yan from 'Heroic Soldiers Union' popped into his mind.

He secretly thought, letting her play Angel Yan would be about right!

(End of chapter)