Chapter 152

Miss Cai, we're talking business; you've said all this, but I don't see what's in it for me. If there's nothing else, I'll leave now.

Translation: "Miss Cai, we're talking business, you've said all this, but I don't see what's in it for me; if there's nothing else, I'll leave now!"

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks. We should keep them? The instruction: translate faithfully, preserve meaning. Usually we keep the quotation marks as they are part of the text. We'll output the English sentence with quotes.

Thus, Miss Cai said we're discussing business; you've said all this, but I don't see what's in it for me; if there's nothing else, I'll leave now.

But we need to keep the Chinese quotation marks? Probably we replace with English quotes. The instruction didn't specify to keep Chinese punctuation. Usually we translate to English punctuation. We'll use English double quotes.

Thus output: 【1】 "Miss Cai, we're talking business, you've said all this, but I don't see what's in it for me; if there's nothing else, I'll leave now!"

But we need to keep the line as a single output line with 【1】 prefix.

Proceed similarly.

It means "Don't!"

Cai Yirong hurriedly shouted, hesitated a moment, then said: "Director Jiang, if you think Tang People has prospects, you can take a partial stake!"

We need to keep the quoted speech. We'll translate: "Cai Yirong hurriedly called out, hesitated a moment, then said: 'Director Jiang, if you think Tang People has prospects, you can take a partial stake!'"

Jiang Heng smiled but did not answer immediately.

He glanced at the night view outside, smiling as he said: "Let me think about it; we'll talk next time!" Having said that, he rose and walked straight out.

Cai Yirong sat there stunned, then immediately got up and chased after him, asking: "Director Jiang, will we meet again?"

Sure!

Jiang Heng, having said that, already got into the car prepared for him at the hotel.

After thinking, he rolled down the window: "Want me to give you a ride?"

Hearing that, Cai Yirong felt a sudden surge of joy at the turn of events, hurriedly got into the car and sat beside Jiang Heng: "Director Jiang, we meet again!"

However, thinking back to the rumors when Jiang Heng first debuted, he was able to stay calm, repeatedly negotiating with the major studios of Hollywood, insisting on profit-sharing distribution, and that made him feel relieved.

And then he felt relieved.

Of course, Cai Yirong did not yet realize that Hu Hu was the best choice for Li Xiaoyao.

However, as for the rights and such, Tang People can forget about it; this is absolutely non-negotiable.

If Jiang Heng were to direct it himself, he could actually recreate the original's visuals.

Seeing Jiang Heng's face bearing a smile, Cai Yirong knew it wasn't a total rejection, there was still room for negotiation, and her mood gradually eased.

This time doesn't count; let's talk about it next time!

Moreover, the role of Li Xiaoyao naturally belongs to no one but Hu Hu, and Hu Hu had already signed with Tang People in 2002.

The Tang People version of Immortal Sword still has relatively passionate fight scenes, especially the Drunken Sword Immortal's parts, which are incredibly handsome.

Although I bought several properties this time, they are either old and need renovation or are bare shells, so I'm still staying at the hotel.

At the same time, I realize I'm being too impatient; if I want to secure the project, I'm afraid I'll have to give up a lot of profit.

I'm afraid I'll have to give up a lot of profit.

After washing up, Jiang Heng lay on the small sofa by the window, pondering today's matter.

If it were another Hong Kong or mainland director, they would definitely just sell the rights outright.

Originally, when planning to film Immortal Sword, the director hesitated between Zhou Yumin and Lin Zhiying, feeling that both of their ancient costumes fit the image of Li Xiaoyao.

Thinking about those action scenes, I couldn't help but shake my head.

After seeing Cai Yirong off, Jiang Heng then returned to the hotel.

If it were someone else, it really wouldn't work.

After all, each director has their own aesthetic; if we swapped in Zhang Dahuzhi, even with the same cast, the Immortal Sword would likely become a work of blowing fans, slow motion, and spinning around.

He hadn't been to Shanghai much before, usually staying at hotels.

It might be better to let Tang People handle the filming, while he does the post-production, improving the film's special effects.

At most it would be a joint production; taking equity is also something to consider.

He actually hadn't thought about how to handle this Immortal Sword drama before; seeing Cai Yirong today, he felt cooperation was possible.

And the benefactor who got Hu Hu this role was Deng Jiaja, the aunt from Love Apartment.

Seeing Hu Hu in ancient costume, she went straight up and asked, "Are you Li Xiaoyao?"

Coincidentally, the director happened to pass by, naturally glanced at Hu Ge, then walked away without saying anything.

Later, the chief planner of the original game saw Hu Hu, also thought he resembled the character's prototype, and told the director.

After final discussion, only then did they let Hu Hu wear Li Xiaoyao's clothes; upon trying them on, everyone was stunned.

Nowadays, Love Outstanding Rising Film Company wants to produce Immortal Sword, to remake the classic; cooperating with Tang People is a good choice.

He's just dragging it out, seeking more benefits.

The next day, Cai Yirong called, wanting to meet in person.

Jiang Heng thought for a moment, then said: "Hmm, can you drive?"

Of course!

Perfect, come pick me up!

Cai Yirong didn't think much either, drove a BMW 5 Series to the hotel where Jiang Heng was staying.

Director Jiang!!

Don't rush, first take me to the Porsche Center!

Although Cai Yirong wondered in her heart, she still drove Jiang Heng to the Shanghai Porsche Center, watching him pick out a 911 and seriously select the configuration.

Unbidden, thoughts wandered in her mind, she silently muttered: "What kind of role is this today, a domineering CEO?"

Yet she dared not quite believe it, with so many beautiful actresses around Director Jiang, surely he couldn't have any designs on her!

By the time the car purchase ended, Cai Yirong realized she had overthought it, her teeth itching with anger.

I'm a beautiful female boss after all, and you actually treat me as a driver!

She had the mind to drive straight away, but thinking about this Immortal Sword drama, she endured.

In the afternoon, she again sent Jiang Heng to Pudong; seeing him leisurely chatting with the leaders, she realized this guy really is good at pressing prices.

She couldn't help but sigh, truly the richer one gets, the stingier they become; domineering CEOs are all fake.

In the following days, whenever Cai Yirong made an appointment with Jiang Heng, she could get him out, but it was just driving around with him wherever he went, watching him buy buy buy; truly both enviable and vexing.

Fortunately, with the successful signing of the Pudong Animation Industry Park project, the cooperation on Immortal Sword could finally be discussed.

Jiang Heng's condition is that Love Outstanding Rising Film Company takes a stake in Tang People, demanding 40% of the shares.

The Immortal Sword TV series will be co-produced by the two companies, each investing half; Tang People handles filming, Love Outstanding Rising Film Company handles post-production, and neither may interfere with the other.

However, profit distribution is split 30-70, with Tang People getting 30%.

Hearing this condition, Cai Yirong felt her lungs about to explode with anger.

"Hearing this condition, Cai Yirong felt her lungs about to explode with anger."

??? maybe they intended to include another line but forgot. Since we cannot guess, we might skip 【83】 or output a placeholder? But the instruction is strict.

This is too shady—if she agrees to this, what kind of boss would she still be? She'd just be working for Jiang Heng directly!

"Director Jiang, the profits from this film might not even be as much as what you've spent in these few days; as for bullying our small company?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Hey, Cai Zong, you can't say that; cooperation is about voluntariness, equality, and mutual benefit—you shouldn't use the word 'bully'."

Cai Yirong was almost crying from anger, "At most 15% of the shares, the profits are definitely split fifty-fifty!"

"Thirty, at most forty percent!"

Cai Yirong naturally disagreed, tried saying it a few times, seeing Jiang Heng's firm attitude, she could only call Li Guoli, and finally agreed to Jiang Heng's demand.

After that, a series of signings and such were handled by Du Huan.

Jiang Heng then flew to the United States, where he established a film and television production company in Hollywood to prepare for the shooting of Inception.

After finishing those and returning to China, after handling some miscellaneous matters, he began preparing for the promotion and distribution of The Matrix 3.

As expected, Chen Kaige ended up opposing him.

The Matrix 3 is set for release on July 19, and The Banquet on July 26.

Normally, with a one-week gap, the impact on each other's box office would be greatly reduced.

Chen Kaige, however, insisted on telling the media that after The Banquet's release, the box office myth of The Matrix series would also come to an end.

Jiang Heng was utterly speechless, and after thinking for a long time he still couldn't fathom where such confidence came from to say that.

After the film was finished, he should have seen the final product, right?

Coincidentally, Han Sanping called to make peace, and Jiang Heng asked him whether he had seen The Banquet.

As it turned out, Han Sanping said he had seen it, and also said the film was good and had Oscar potential, whereupon Jiang Heng fell silent.

It seems this person, despite always leading investments in commercial films by Beijing Film and China Film, still harbors an artistic yearning, wanting to make money just by standing there!

The problem is, Jiang Wen only had super success with Let the Bullets Fly, and One Step Away flopped.

(End of chapter)