Chapter 142: Vying for the New Film's Female Lead

"What do you mean?" Jiang Heng smiled warmly.

"Will there still be big films suited for me after the trilogy?" Li Meiqi said directly.

She is of Asian descent, her father is of mixed four-nation heritage, her mother is Vietnamese, and her manner of speaking and acting is not as reserved as that of locals.

Jiang Heng didn't hide it from her either, frankly saying that big-effects films only come out one or two a year, and the female lead of each film is considered from the film's perspective, not tailor-made for anyone.

He then smiled and asked: "Is there a suitable company?"

"We're just in talks, they said they could tailor-make a film for me!" Li Meiqi didn't hide it either.

The original contract was six years, and now only a few months remain until it expires; Li Meiqi has been torn, even fantasizing that Jiang Heng would call her over to say the company is preparing to renew, and would arrange for her to be the female lead in several big films afterward, but she never got to see that day.

Because it was heard that Jiang Heng had great expectations for the new film, he was preparing to register a company in Hollywood to shoot and compete for the Oscar.

Li Meiqi signed a six-year contract with Jiang Heng, obtaining the female lead in the trilogy of *The Matrix* and four big films of *One Million Years B. C. *, making her already the top-tier film resource in the Chinese-language entertainment industry.

The other men at the table exchanged knowing smiles, but Bellucci, due to her limited Chinese, didn't quite understand what Hung Jinbao said.

Jiang Heng was embarrassed by the sudden hug, hurriedly rose and said: "The new film? Of course it's still a big-effects film, set in contemporary times; I'm preparing to shoot this film in Hollywood!"

For actors, time is extremely precious. Especially for actresses, if they lack good resources during their most precious prime, it's tantamount to giving their career a death sentence.

"Well, that's one of the reasons! Mainly I'm afraid that if it's too long, you'll feel like it's a 'selling oneself contract'!"

Han Sanping was more direct: "Everyone cares, so let's just reveal a bit about the new film's situation!"

Monica Bellucci outshone everyone, her smile alluring, her tone sounding more like jealousy.

She came this time partly to fulfill the publicity clause in her contract, and partly to compete for the female lead in the new film.

A typical example is the actress Li Hui who slipped on a banana peel in *Shaolin Soccer*; she signed an eight-year contract with Zhou Xingxing but got hardly any resources, ultimately fading into obscurity.

Li Meiqi gazed at Jiang Heng's back, her eyes filled with resentment.

Wu Yanzu shook his head: "I don't know, Director Jiang didn't say anything!"

Jiang Heng said: "You know, why was the original contract set for six years?"

Jiang Heng said in English, "They are delighted by your beauty and charm."

But since they all trained at the Shichahai Martial Arts School, their temperaments matched well, and their relationship was very good.

Hung Jinbao glanced at Bellucci and teased: "It's not that you've been gone long; it's that Miss Bellucci is eager!"

Li Meiqi naturally still wanted to sign under Jiang Heng's name, but seeing Director Jiang's attitude of favoring the new and discarding the old filled her with anxiety about the future.

"There is!"

As soon as these words were spoken, almost all the women present were mentally shaken.

Jiang Heng cheerfully said: "Rest assured, I won't forget your contribution!"

After all, audiences worldwide know that Jiang Heng's big-effects films come one after another, extremely prolific.

If she hadn't become famous, going to film would have been fine anyway.

Think about other film companies—producing a film with a budget of twenty to thirty million is already quite a struggle; Li Meiqi decisively chose to renew the contract!

More importantly, the director who promised to tailor-make a film for her is Wang Jing.

If she could participate and earn a Best Actress nomination, it would also be greatly beneficial for her future development!

But for Li Meiqi, it was bad news.

Tang Yan and Liu Tianxian from the other side just stared blankly at the scene before them, at a loss for expression.

"Director Jiang also wants to venture into Hollywood?"

Wu Jing whispered: "What will the next film be about?"

"I don't believe it—other directors who work with me will invite me to star in their next film; you seem never to have considered that!"

Bellucci exclaimed in surprise: "Really? Then what do you think?"

"You don't know how many people want to sign the 'selling oneself contract' you give? I've been waiting a long time!"

"What, go to Hollywood?"

Jiang Heng said frankly: "Actually, I also hope to renew the contract with you, mainly because I'm afraid of delaying your development, since afterward there might not be so many big-film female lead roles for you! Of course, opportunities still exist; if there's a suitable one, I will definitely prioritize you. Moreover, next year the company will expand its scale, recruiting some directors, with an initial estimate of producing about ten medium- to low-budget films per year, plus a few TV dramas."

If it were an ordinary actress, hearing this would surely make her dizzy.

Monica excitedly hugged Jiang Heng, leaving everyone around stunned.

"Has it been that long? Looks like you really drank too much!"

Someone said: "What's going on? Why did you suddenly get excited?"

When Li Meiqi said this, her tone was sorrowful and her eyes filled with resentment.

Moreover, upon suddenly hearing that Wu Yanzu had secured a new film deal with Jiang Heng, she became even more unable to contain herself.

"Charm without limits!"

"Because, you originally intended to finish the trilogy within six years?"

Someone said: "Looks like it—Director Jiang promised her the female lead in the new film!"

Taking advantage of Jiang Heng's happiness today, I blurted out the words I've held in my heart for a long time, not wanting to hear an answer that would hurt him.

"Sure, sure!"

When Li Meiqi said this, even she herself felt shocked.

"Really? Oh, dear, I'm truly overjoyed—this is the best news I've heard tonight!"

"Dear, you've been gone so long—won't you get lost?"

She is now the domestic female star with the highest cumulative box office; only a mad person would go film Wang Jing's movie.

Having said that, she strode back to the banquet hall.

Jiang Heng's words undoubtedly meant that in the future, big-film female leads would basically have no role for you; if you wanted to stay, you'd have to be content with being the female lead in medium- to low-budget films.

Wu Yanzu nodded, his expression a bit shy, yet also slightly pleased with himself.

Li Meiqi happily renewed the contract, and taking advantage of the alcohol's influence, she earnestly begged Jiang Heng to always think of her in the future, not to let this "top sister" lose any face.

Said, "Dear, what are they laughing at?"

Wu Jing then asked the Yan Zu beside him, "Is the new film still you?"

Actually, I just said that because I wanted to try again for the female lead in the new film!

Liu Tianxian's English is excellent; she already understood what was happening. She was very envious, but she wouldn't explain it to others.

I heard from friends that Wang Pangzi's script is quite large in scale.

Wu Jing was extremely envious. Although he had starred in *The Lion's Ridge*, because his makeup skills were too good, the boost to his fame wasn't that great, and naturally his standing was far inferior to Wu Yanzu's.

Too bad, from Jiang Heng's attitude, she has no role this time.

"Female lead?"

In Bei Luqi's view, even if there's no chance in the next film, there will surely be one in the film after that!

Therefore, at the banquet, she sat next to Jiang Heng, giving others a very intimate impression.

"Director Jiang should go conquer Hollywood!"

"He should go compete for the Oscar!"

(End of chapter)