Chapter 56: with translation of chapter title

The film Lion's Ridge is a huge-budget production and one of the most exciting chapters of Journey to the West; both mainland and Hong Kong audiences are eagerly awaiting it.

Even the special effects of the 1986 version of Journey to the West are endlessly enjoyable, let alone a mythological blockbuster made with huge investment.

By contrast, formulaic Hong Kong films like A Man's True Colors seem far less anticipated.

The next day's entertainment headlines were basically all about Lion's Ridge being scheduled for release on May Day, followed by various predictions about the film.

Reports about A Man's True Colors were mostly pushed to the back.

Fortunately, there was little competition at the time, and major entertainment media praised the film heavily, even calling it a 'savior of Hong Kong cinema.'

Strangely, although Jiang Heng is a Hong Kong director, the media rarely classify his works as Hong Kong films.

First, the types of films Jiang Heng makes are unprecedented in Hong Kong cinema, and the Hong Kong elements in his films are not strong.

Second, they are released globally, clearly surpassing other Hong Kong films by more than one tier.

Moreover, for films like One Hundred Million Years BC and Lion's Ridge, the entire production was shot on the mainland, with many mainland actors participating, making them even less like Hong Kong films.

Consequently, the media began referring to Jiang Heng as a 'Chinese-language blockbuster director' rather than a 'Hong Kong director.'

At the airport, the crew of A Man's True Colors prepared to head to Hong Kong.

Considering the impact of pirated discs, Hung Jin-bao thought it over repeatedly and still felt that a simultaneous release in mainland China and Hong Kong would be better.

After all, it's not a special-effects blockbuster; if pirated discs flood the market, they will surely severely affect Hong Kong box office revenue.

After all, it's his son's first starring role, so Hung Jin-bao naturally hopes for a good outcome.

After his persuasion, Jiang Heng also saw some sense and decided to release A Man's True Colors simultaneously in mainland China and Hong Kong, immediately launching Hong Kong publicity.

At the airport, everyone was resting in the VIP lounge when Wu Jing led a young, beautiful woman over.

"Director Jiang, this is my friend Fan Yimin!"

Jiang Heng blinked, stood up, and said, "Hello!"

Fan Yimin was very enthusiastic, saying some admiring words.

Seeing Jiang Heng's forced smile, she tactfully left.

Then she asked Hung Jin-bao nearby, "What's going on?"

Hung Jin-bao snorted, "What could happen? One willing to hit, the other willing to take it!"

Hung Tianming said, "They broke up before, but recently they somehow got back in touch!"

This young guy loves to have fun; after joining the crew he got along well with everyone, often drinking with other young people during filming, extracting a lot of information, and thus learned much about many people's love lives.

The only one puzzling them is Jiang Heng—young, handsome, and a super-rich billionaire—yet he has never had a girlfriend.

If he had Jiang Heng's conditions, he'd definitely be changing girlfriends every day!

Previously he didn't dare ask casually, but now, using Wu Jing and Fan Yimin as an excuse, he suddenly said, "By the way, Director Jiang, what kind of person are you looking for? Let me introduce you!"

You?

Hung Tianming seemed slighted, thumping his chest and saying, "Let me tell you this: I know plenty of Hong Kong socialites, many of whom have asked me to inquire about you. Whether it's wealthy heiresses or rising starlets, I can set up meetings for you. Even that recently popular Jade Maiden Sect Leader admires you!"

"Recently very popular, the Jade Maiden!" Jiang Heng muttered, probably figuring out who it was.

He quickly waved his hand, saying, "Forget it, I don't like girls who are too flashy!"

Hung Tianming, like a madam, leaned in smiling and said, "There are also refined ladies!"

Jiang Heng still waved his hand, and Hung Jin-bao quickly scolded, "What kind of talk is that? Get lost!"

"Ah!" Hung Tianming bowed his waist and left.

Only then did Hung Jin-bao say, "You really haven't considered the Hong Kong side!"

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "I'm only twenty, I'm really not in a hurry!"

Hung Jin-bao nodded, speaking with the tone of someone experienced: "At twenty, marriage isn't urgent, but if you find a suitable partner, you should still look. Given your current wealth and fame, you could consider Hong Kong heiresses or mainland aristocratic daughters."

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "A little princess—I couldn't possibly serve her!"

Hung Jin-bao puzzled, "What little princess? No matter how good her family background, if she marries in she has to listen to you; the man is the head of the household!"

Jiang Heng thought, "If you said that twenty years later, people would curse you for it!"

He then said, "This kind of thing is definitely up to fate; if you don't think about it now, you might meet someone suitable someday."

After chatting a while, they finally boarded the plane.

After several hours of long flight, the group arrived in Hong Kong.

At the airport, entertainment reporters who had already gotten the news surrounded the crew, mainly questioning Jiang Heng and Wu Yazu.

"Director Jiang, I heard Lion's Ridge will be released next May Day—is that true?"

"Director Jiang, I heard the Lion's Ridge crew severely overspent, putting huge pressure on recouping costs—is that true?"

"Director Jiang, I heard you're dating a mainland actress—can you tell us the details?"

Hong Kong's paparazzi ask far sharper questions than their mainland counterparts, daring to ask all sorts of nonsense.

Jiang Heng could only answer reasonable questions; the rest he declined to comment on.

Returning to his residence in Causeway Bay, Jiang Heng felt somewhat wistful; in this life and the past, he's dated many girlfriends but none have led to marriage.

Now that his mental age is so advanced, he feels even less eager about marriage.

The next day, naturally it was the promotional event for A Man's True Colors; Hung Jin-bao indeed summoned a large crowd, and Xiang Huazhong was conspicuously present.

"Mr. Xiang's presence is truly deeply appreciated!" In the corner, Jiang Heng smiled and extended his hand.

Xiang Huazhong shook his hand, smiling and said, "I also want to thank you; when I first heard Lion's Ridge was slated for summer release, it really put me in a tough spot. Now you've moved it to May Day, so our two companies finally don't have to compete head-to-head."

Influenced by Jiang Heng, the project and shooting schedule for The Legend of Shu Mountain were set far earlier than historically.

Regarding release, Xiang Huazhong originally planned to release his film in the summer of 2000, but upon hearing Lion's Ridge was also scheduled for summer, he became extremely worried.

Adding to that, the severe overrun of production costs once kept Xiang Huazhong awake at night.

After all, Jiang Heng already had two box-office hits to his name, whereas Xu Ke often misfires when making films.

With such a huge investment in The Legend of Shu Mountain, if the box office tanks, I'd feel like dying!

Jiang Heng heard it and, for a moment, didn't know what to say.

A challenge?

You also think too highly of Xu Ke's filmed "Shu Mountain Legend", which grossed over 11 million—worse than many low-budget, quickly made Hong Kong films—where does your confidence to challenge come from!

Of course, you can't put it that way.

Jiang Heng said humbly: "I'm just afraid that if both big films are released in the summer, they'll hurt each other's box office!"

(End of chapter)