Chapter 250: The Wandering Earth

The representative of Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company said: "Um, we don't know this either; the price was set personally by Director Jiang. If you have no objection, please sign first! If you have anything to say, you can discuss it with Director Jiang at the set later."

Liu Cixin's cheeks flushed slightly; although he felt the offer was too high, holding this money felt somewhat hot.

Yet it was truly hard to refuse this price—three million, in 2006!

Although he could only get one million for now, that was enough to greatly change his life.

The publishing house leaders and editors beside him all looked envious.

Liu Cixin hesitated only a moment, then signed his name on the contract and pressed his handprint.

The representative of Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company took the contract and continued: "Mr. Liu, Director Jiang is currently filming on location at Qingcheng Mountain; please come with us!"

"Um, my luggage is still at the hotel!"

"No problem, we'll drive over, pick up the luggage first, then leave!"

Having said that, he led Liu Cixin downstairs.

Seeing that it was a Mercedes-Benz S600, Liu Cixin felt somewhat uneasy: "Your company is too grand!"

"It's all Director Jiang's orders!"

The two business representatives didn't explain much further; they first took Liu Cixin to get his luggage, then drove to the Qingcheng Mountain scenic area.

The straight-line distance between the two places is only about fifty or sixty li; the trip is still quite short, and they arrived at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain by noon.

Entering the film crew, Liu Cixin was like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden—everything seemed novel to him.

Seeing Jiang Heng shocked him even more; he looked too young.

Thinking of others' achievements, he himself is over forty and seems to have achieved nothing yet, inevitably feeling somewhat "hard hit."

"Mr. Liu, hello. I read your *Three Body* in *Science Fiction World* and thought it was truly fantastic—a great work capable of surpassing existing Western sci‑fi literature!"

Liu Cixin, hearing this, felt somewhat overwhelmed: "Director Jiang, you're too kind—I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it!"

Jiang Heng then asked how the later story was coming along; Liu Cixin said the first part was finished, the sequel was still being outlined, and he would write it as soon as he got back.

Jiang Heng, however, said: "Don't rush; take your time. Above all, don't let today's cooperation affect your creation."

Liu Cixin's old face flushed; he really did have a distracted mind.

On the way here they rode in a Mercedes-Benz S600; by rights he would never have had a chance to ride in such a car in his lifetime.

But now he felt he seemed capable of driving a Mercedes-Benz S600.

Of course, that's just a thought; he couldn't bear to buy such an expensive car.

Moreover, sudden wealth after long poverty invites disaster.

For now he still doesn't want to quit his job or flaunt wealth; he plans to buy a Santana when he returns, just something to drive.

"Hmm, I know. Director Jiang bought the copyright of this book because he thinks it's well written, and he expects the subsequent content to maintain quality and quantity."

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, smiling: "That's good!"

Actually, as long as the content of the latter two parts of *Three Body* is roughly the same, it's fine—after all, when adapting for film and TV, the content will inevitably differ.

The reason he waited until now, rather than writing *Three Body* earlier, is also because he felt the previous Liu Cixin had been too disadvantaged.

Of course, even if he wanted to raise the price, he couldn't make it too outrageous.

A ten‑million copyright deal would have been impossible in 2006; even three million now seems very high.

Liu Cixin was very satisfied, even feeling that Jiang Heng was a great benefactor, overly generous.

At the same time he mused that Director Jiang must be used to handling huge sums of money.

A movie with a global box office of one billion USD, a new film investment of three hundred million USD, sums like three or five million are huge amounts for ordinary people but petty cash for him.

Thinking this through, Liu Cixin suddenly felt that since Director Jiang is not short of money, perhaps he could sell his other works to him as well.

Opportunity must not be missed; he didn't think he would have many chances to interact with Jiang Heng.

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Cixin voiced his idea.

Jiang Heng smiled and asked what other sci‑fi works he had at present.

Liu Cixin casually mentioned a few he thought were good: *The Village Teacher*, *Micro Era*, *Full Frequency Blocking Interference*, *The Wandering Earth*…

Jiang Heng laughed: "If, one day, you become famous, perhaps you'll feel that right now you're selling the rights cheaply!"

Liu Cixin was momentarily speechless; he is an excellent sci‑fi writer, not a shrewd businessman.

Today he feels dazed all over, not capable of thinking so much.

Jiang Heng said: "Since you mentioned it, I'll buy another copy—*The Wandering Earth*—for 800,000!"

Liu Cixin felt increasingly guilty: "You haven't even read the original!"

Jiang Heng laughed: "But just hearing the title evokes vivid images—earth, starry skies, wandering—are we meant to fly out of the solar system?"

Liu Cixin nodded and gave a brief summary of the book's story.

After hearing it, Jiang Heng told his assistant: "Prepare the contract; pay once it's signed!"

Liu Cixin felt elated upon hearing this, suddenly realizing how great the life of the wealthy is—eight hundred thousand, and Director Jiang said it without blinking an eye.

However, although Jiang Heng's words were grand, his subordinates found them hard to carry out.

On Qingcheng Mountain, where could one get a copyright contract printed? They could only bring Liu Cixin down the mountain.

Jiang Heng was busy filming; merely seeing him off briefly moved Liu Cixin deeply.

Setting aside Old Liu's descent the mountain, Wu Jing came over, looking puzzled: "Who is this person, to merit Director Jiang's personal send‑off?"

"A writer, an excellent sci‑fi writer!"

"Are you going to film a sci‑fi work next?" Wu Jing wondered.

Jiang Heng nodded slightly; filming classic sci‑fi blockbusters ahead of time has both good and bad aspects.

The advantage is that the more advance time there is, the stronger the audience's sense of shock.

For example, *Jurassic Park* from 1993 could have grossed 9.12 billion USD worldwide, but if released thirty years later, its plot and effects would not attract viewers much.

The downside is that naturally the mainland market isn't yet prosperous, so box office results will surely be lower than they would be ten or more years later; fortunately, one can make up for it from overseas markets.

So if we were to film Three Body, The Wandering Earth, it wouldn't be impossible.

Especially now with Wu Jing beside him, Jiang Heng, thinking of his performance in The Wandering Earth, is really looking forward to it.

"Next one, come over and play the lead!"

Wu Jing was stunned, hardly able to believe his ears; happiness came too suddenly.

Don't think he's played Sun Wukong three times; because the makeup was too good, even some audiences don't realize it was him.

He truly wants to literally "show his face" in Jiang Heng's big production!

"Really, Director Jiang? Next one, I'll play the male lead? A sci-fi film?"

"Hmm, for now that's the plan, if nothing unexpected happens!"

"There definitely won't be any accidents!" Wu Jing laughed heartily, "When you film, it has to be smooth sailing, no setbacks at all!"

Jiang Heng laughed: "Don't say those things, just film well, there'll be benefits for you!"

However, Liu Cixin and others descended Qingcheng Mountain, arrived at Dujiangyan City, found a print shop and issued another two contracts.

Liu Cixin first hand-wrote the title of the sold work—The Wandering Earth—then signed his full name and pressed his handprint.

In less than half an hour, 800,000 went into the account, making Liu Cixin's eyes well up with hot tears.

He thought inwardly: "He really is a good guy!"

(End of chapter)