Chapter 168: All-Star Cast

Jiang Heng has indeed seen quite a few pretty girls lately.

After telling Yu Yang to go find Zhao Liying, the next day he called Liu Yifei, Yang Mi, Tang Gao Yuanyuan, and Huang Xiaoming together for a hot pot.

Several pretty girls gathered together, and they still appeared harmonious.

Huang Xiaoming, for his part, kept praising Jiang Heng in varied ways without repeating his compliments, utterly disregarding his image in the eyes of the several beauties.

After all, such opportunities are rare; not to mention Jiang Heng's yearly special-effects blockbusters, even just the TV dramas produced by Outstanding Rising Film Company are top-tier resources in the industry.

Moreover, the news that Jiang Heng would produce an immortal-hero TV drama had long spread throughout the entertainment circle.

If he didn't seize this opportunity today, it would be utterly foolish.

The conversation naturally turned to the immortal-hero drama being prepared, and Huang Xiaoming asked, "Director Jiang, is this an entirely new original plot?"

Jiang Heng took a bite of hot‑pot meat, set down his chopsticks, and said, "Yes, it's completely new—content nobody has seen before; the point is, there are many beautiful female characters!"

Jiang Heng set down his chopsticks, glanced at Huang Xiaoming, and said, "By the way, you're not interested in joining my new drama, are you? The role hasn't been decided yet!"

In an instant, Huang Xiaoming resolved to often play overbearing CEO roles, and he also complimented Jiang Heng a few more times.

Upon hearing that, Huang Xiaoming broke out in a cold sweat; he had also heard from others that Director Jiang had no favorable impression of the 'Three Beauties of Huan Zhu'.

The two had just collaborated on *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, so they were fairly good friends.

Huang Xiaoming said, "If we're talking about pretty girls, Zhao…"

Liu Yifei felt that her adoptive father Chen Jinfei was quite domineering, but in front of Jiang Heng she really had no temper at all.

Everyone at the table looked over curiously, waiting for the answer.

Huang Xiaoming's face changed, and he looked pleadingly at Liu Yifei for help.

As for Huang Xiaoming, he gazed at Jiang Heng with the admiration of a fan, feeling that this overflowing domineering style was truly handsome.

"Yes, Director Jiang, I'd be delighted!"

Huang Xiaoming was excited; although he is currently one of the hottest young male leads domestically, logically he shouldn't be playing a supporting role in a TV drama.

Jiang Heng laughed reassuringly, "Don't overthink it; I've grown accustomed to having full control over my productions over the years. Do you know what the basic premise is for my cooperation with Columbia and China Film?"

Just looking at it today, it really might be true!

If, because of recommending Zhao, I ended up losing the role myself, that would be too awful.

But if it's Jiang Heng's work, that's another matter.

After hearing that, the girls' eyes were full of little stars; in real life they had never seen such an overbearing person.

Huang Xiaoming then put on a pitiful, bewildered expression.

He too wants to follow this path; in reality he lacks that kind of strength, but he can indulge himself in the drama!

Jiang Heng waved his hand, indicating he needn't say more: "As for those female roles, I already have rough candidates in mind, so you don't need to recommend anyone!"

"Everything concerning the film's shooting is decided by me; if you can't accept it, you can quit!"

Furthermore, Liu Yifei couldn't fathom why Jiang Heng disliked the 'Three Beauties of Huan Zhu', saying, "Uncle has such a mighty aura—just look at how he scared Xiao Ming ge!"

Before, I had always thought it was a rumor, after all Jiang Heng had never interacted with those few, so how could he have a bias?

Even if he doesn't get the lead role, having this collaboration opportunity will make it easier to vie for other resources later.

Seeing this, Jiang Heng smiled and nodded, merely saying a word of approval!

He raised his cup in a gesture, and Huang Xiaoming hurriedly raised his own, and they drank a cup together.

As for Huang Xiaoming, he does have acting chops.

Especially his performance in *The Founding of a Party* was truly stunning; he also won Best Actor (Outstanding Actor) at the Golden Rooster, Huabiao, and Hundred Flowers awards for his role as Cheng Dongqing.

However, he has a special preference for hegemon roles; after finishing a good film, he rewards himself with an overbearing‑CEO drama.

Of course, this is a personal preference; Jiang Heng can't really say anything against it, as long as he performs well in *Great Feng Night Watchman*.

As for the final role, it will be decided after the audition.

The next day, Han Sanping again brought people carrying a stack of scripts to Outstanding Rising Film Company for Jiang Heng to choose from.

The Shanghai Animation Film Studio also sent someone over with finished clips of *Kung Fu Panda* for Jiang Heng to give his opinions.

On Yu Yang's end, he kept ordering people to send back photos, but although each was cute, none of them were Zhao Liying.

Moreover, the commotion in Langfang had become a city‑wide uproar, prompting him to consider withdrawing the personnel.

Fortunately, that day he finally spotted Zhao Liying among the newly arrived photos.

"Alright, come back—remember to bring the one called Zhao Liying back to the company!"

Yu Yang, who had been staying in Langfang, was first stunned, then overjoyed; the details are omitted.

However, the next day, Jiang Heng saw in his office Zhao Liying, dressed plainly and with a timid expression.

"You, have you ever thought about becoming an actor?"

Zhao Liying shook her head, "I'm from the Electronic Information Engineering program at LF City College, majoring in cabin crew; I originally wanted to be a flight attendant, and now I work in sales at a pipeline anti‑corrosion company!"

Jiang Heng smiled and didn't ask her why she didn't become a flight attendant.

The saying "Why not eat meat?" loses its meaning when spoken.

"When I went to Langfang earlier, I happened to see you on the street, thought you'd be quite suitable for acting, and since we were about to shoot a big production, I sent someone to look for you—I never expected to actually find you!"

Zhao Liying said, "Director Jiang, you're so formidable; what is immensely difficult for others is easy as pie for you!"

"Then, how about signing with my company and first playing a supporting role?"

Zhao Liying eagerly nodded, "Director Jiang, just arrange it as you see fit; I never imagined I could be an actress, and when I came out my mother even said, having lines is enough—one must never be too greedy in life!"

Jiang Heng laughed heartily, "Lines will definitely be there; all right, go sign the contract!"

"Ah, thank you, Director Jiang!" Zhao Liying said, bowed, and turned to leave.

Besides those mentioned, Jiang Heng also had people contact Wang Ou and Qin Lan to participate in the audition for *Great Feng Night Watchman*.

For the role of Xu Xinnian, he invited Chen Kun, and this time there was no refusal.

Previously refusing to play Yang Guo in *The Return of the Condor Heroes* was forgivable; that time the invitation came from Li Xiaoping, and although it was a production of Outstanding Rising Film Company, it was different from an invitation issued by Jiang Heng.

Nowadays, the film and television circles all say that Jiang Heng has a kind appearance, a domineering personality, and even Chen Kun doesn't dare to risk offending Jiang Heng.

By now, for the film 'Great Feng Night Watchman', the main roles have mostly been cast, only Xu Qian'an remains undecided.

Currently, only Huang Xiaoming is being considered as a backup option; Jiang Heng is considering whether to choose Feng Shaofeng.

He is handsome enough, also has a devil-may-care temperament, and as early as 1998 debuted into the entertainment industry.

But upon seeing Zhao Liying, he thought better of it and finally decided on Huang Xiaoming.

After the Spring Festival, Jiang Heng finally announced that Outstanding Rising Film Company will produce an immortal hero drama he supervises—'Great Feng Night Watchman'.

(End of chapter)