Chapter 196: Breakup

"Where did you learn the Northeastern dialect?"

"A Northeastern guy showed up in the dormitory, and I have no idea how I got whisked away!"

Jing Tian let out a slight sigh, looking very helpless.

She had been drinking earlier; now her skin was fair and beautiful, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her clear eyes still held a hint of silliness, which made Jiang Heng feel childlike, and he couldn't help lightly tapping her head with his hand.

That scene truly left many people looking dumbfounded.

Han Sanping, Hong Jinbao and others were unsurprised; they even smiled, revealing a look that said, "So you kid aren't completely detached from the mortal world after all."

A short distance away, Liu Yifei, Yang Mi and Tang Yan, among others, were truly stunned.

Especially Liu Yifei, who instantly felt betrayed by a close girlfriend.

Yang Mi glanced at Liu Yifei, snorted, "You didn't see it, did you?"

Liu Yifei's complexion turned sour, and she remained silent.

……

Tang Yan stared blankly into the distance, pursing his lips slightly, looking a bit sad.

"I'm not a little…!"

Actors such as Zeng Zhiwei, Huang, Du and others felt Jiang Heng was suppressing them and neglecting Xianggang artists.

In fact, the root cause is that Jiang Heng's series of films are too profitable, and the benefits mainly go to Neidi companies and actors, which makes them very dissatisfied.

She was simply curious why Wu Yusen left in a huff, looking quite displeased.

Film and TV companies such as Yongsheng, Zhonghua Star, Huan Yu Entertainment and the like felt Jiang Heng was hogging the profits and wouldn't give them a hand on lucrative projects.

Directors like Xu Ke and others thought Jiang Heng was overly arrogant and showed no respect for seniors.

Halfway through speaking, they realized something was off.

Clenching a small fist, they waved it at Jiang Heng in a show of protest, then returned to their own table, fuming as they recounted what had just happened.

What everyone chatted about most enthusiastically was the feud between Jiang Heng and Wu Yusen.

Jing Tian, caught in the situation, had not yet realized what was happening.

But in Neidi and Hong Kong–Taiwan entertainment circles, the rumor was already spreading like wildfire.

There were no reporters at the banquet, so those little incidents wouldn't be reported by the media.

Seeing Han Sanping, Hong Jinbao, Ding Haifeng, Wu Jing and others smiling at her, Jing Tian felt a bit embarrassed.

The other girls were too timid to ask, but she didn't mind; she just came over openly, that's all.

Regarding actors' billing, during this period, films co‑produced by Xianggang and Neidi generally cast Hong Kong–Taiwan artists as leads, with Neidi actors in supporting roles.

After all, Jiang Heng may be strong now, but he's still a junior, whereas Wu Yusen has been a famous director for many years.

Jiang Heng just smiled and said, "Adult matters—kids shouldn't pry!"

After Jiang Heng's "surprise attack," they quickly covered their head, frowned and said, "Ouch, that hurts!"

Now that the two have split, does it foretell a fracture in the Xianggang film industry?

It should be noted that while Wu Yusen was still away from Haolaiwu, there were already many people in the Xianggang film scene dissatisfied with Jiang Heng.

But when Jiang Heng selects actors for his films, he seems to completely ignore that.

For example, in the Journey to the West film series, among the four master‑disciple characters, the actor Lin Zhichong who plays Zhu Bajie is a Xianggang artist.

Moreover, the villains and supporting roles in the film are also mainly Neidi artists.

They just don't get it—Xianggang's male stars have three successors: Xie, Chen and Yu, and on the female side there are Zhang Bozi, Twins, etc. If you let a few Neidi girls with no acting skill cameo, without considering them, it really makes many people fume.

Previously, no heavyweight had spoken up about this, so they just endured it.

Now Wu Yusen has raised his voice, and countless people in the Xianggang film world echo the shout, denouncing Jiang Heng.

Two days before the release of the film Journey to the West: Pingding Mountain, Wu Yusen was interviewed by the media and asked how he viewed director Jiang Heng, touted as the country's top commercial filmmaker.

Wu Yusen replied: "I think, as a person, the most important thing is not to forget your roots. When I was in Haolaiwu, even though I made films for the Americans, I never forgot that I came from Xianggang, that the booming Xianggang film industry gave me a stage and space to showcase my talent."

"I've always wanted to give back to the Xianggang film scene, to look after Xianggang artists—like introducing them to Hollywood roles and job opportunities. Everyone is very united, sharing resources. For example, Cheng Long, Fa Ge, all do that."

Cheng Long still often returns to Hong Kong to shoot some low‑budget films, though with his current achievements there's really no need to.

Others also advise, "Why waste that time? If you have the time, make a big Hollywood movie…" Cheng Long says no, the Xianggang film industry is in a slump; many people would have no food if they don't work.

"I make a low‑budget film; it doesn't earn much, but it helps many brothers."

"Being a person, you can't only chase money and think only of making blockbusters to get rich, right?"

The female reporter opposite smiled and said, "Director Wu's words sound like they're hinting at something!"

Wu Yusen laughed, "Is that so? Don't read into it wildly. What I said is only the literal meaning. If you infer something else, it has nothing to do with me!"

After this interview aired, it caused a huge uproar.

Especially in Xianggang, some filmmakers actually called for everyone to unite and never work with Jiang Heng again.

Even more, some urged citizens not to watch Jiang Heng's movies, calling him a traitor to the Xianggang film industry.

Of course, over the years, many Xianggang artists have still received Jiang Heng's support.

Films such as SPL, True Man, Infernal Affairs and other Hong Kong productions were produced by Outstanding Rising Film Company, and the creators of those movies remain very grateful to Jiang Heng.

At this critical moment, they also voiced calls for everyone to stay united.

In the Neidi entertainment circle, everyone wholeheartedly supports Jiang Heng.

As for film companies like China Film that invested in the Red Cliff project, they hope to settle the dispute quickly and avoid further conflict.

Han Sanping, on one hand, tried to soothe Wu Yusen, and on the other personally went to Jiang Heng to persuade him.

Jiang Heng stood by the company window, gazing into the distance and sighing, "Actually, this issue reaching this point has little to do with whether we invested in Red Cliff; it's mainly that companies and artists from Xianggang feel they haven't benefited from my series of blockbusters, and the gains have gone to China Film and Neidi artists!"

Han Sanping heard that and showed a slight awkwardness, as if he felt he was being cheap and playing coy.

"Hmm, there are some factors, but our main policy is unity; creating division is wrong!"

Jiang Heng smiled, "So I should open all future film resources fully to Hong Kong and Taiwan?"

Han Sanping hurriedly said: "No, no!"

He immediately gave an embarrassed laugh: "You always talk about the Chinese-language entertainment circle, don't you? Don't split those!"

Jiang Heng said: "Isn't that already settled? As I see it, just ignore them and it's over. Anyway, the Xianggang market only brings in a few tens of millions in box office; more or less makes no difference."

Han Sanping thought it over, and indeed it was the same, so he didn't urge further.

Just as he was leaving, he suddenly said: "By the way, you're with a little girl, everything alright?"

"What little girl?"

"It's that Jing... Xun!"

Jiang Heng laughed: "Hey, in my eyes she's just a kid, it's fine!"

(End of chapter)