Chapter 266

Megan Fox also didn't think much of it; one time was enough to persuade Jiang Heng.

Translation: Meigen Fukesi didn't even think it was possible; one time was enough to persuade Jiang Heng.

Meigen Fukesi didn't think much of it either; one time was enough to persuade Jiang Heng.

Meigen Fukesi also didn't think it was a big deal; one time was enough to persuade Jiang Heng.

Let's produce: 【1】 Meigen Fukesi also didn't think it was a big deal; one time was enough to persuade Jiang Heng.

After all, he's a big director, so he's bound to have some obsessive tendencies.

Translation: After all, he's a big director, so he'll inevitably have some obsessive tendencies.

After all, he's a big director, so he'll inevitably have some obsessive tendencies.

She didn't dare cause any trouble, and she still hoped that when Jiang Heng filmed mecha, sci-fi, or monster movies, he could bring her along.

Translation: She didn't dare cause any trouble, and she still hoped that when Jiang Heng filmed mecha, sci-fi, and monster movies, he could bring her along!

We need to keep punctuation. So: 【3】 She didn't dare cause any trouble, and she still hoped that when Jiang Heng filmed mecha, sci-fi, and monster movies, he could bring her along!

Unfortunately, Jiang Heng has recently been busy with mythological films.

Translation: Unfortunately, Jiang Heng has recently been busy with mythological films.

So: 【4】 Unfortunately, Jiang Heng has recently been busy with mythological films.

"Dear, what are your plans after the New Year?"

Translation: "Dear, what are your plans after the year?"

We need to keep quotes. So: 【5】 "Dear, what are your plans after the year?"

"I haven't decided yet; this year I'm really exhausted, maybe I need to take a break for a while."

Translation: "I haven't decided yet; this year I'm really exhausted, maybe I need to rest a while!"

So: 【6】 "I haven't decided yet; this year I'm really exhausted, maybe I need to rest a while!"

"Hasn't Pacific Rim 3 started preparation yet? This series makes a lot of money—Transformers 3 has already begun casting actresses!"

Translation: Meigen got up and went behind Jiang Heng, massaging his shoulders, "Hasn't Pacific Rim 3 started preparation yet? This series makes a lot of money—Transformers 3 has already begun casting actresses!"

Meigen got up and went behind Jiang Heng, massaging his shoulders, "Hasn't Pacific Rim 3 started preparation yet? This series makes a lot of money—Transformers 3 has already begun casting actresses!"

Because of Jiang Heng's influence, the Transformers series has been released several years earlier than in his previous life, and each installment follows that pattern.

Translation: Because of Jiang Heng's influence, the release dates of the Transformers series films have been moved forward several years compared to the previous life, and this is true for each installment.

So: 【8】 Because of Jiang Heng's influence, the release dates of the Transformers series films have been moved forward several years compared to the previous life, and this is true for each installment.

Furthermore, since each installment is released after Pacific Rim, its box office performance is always slightly weaker.

Translation: Moreover, since each installment is released after Pacific Rim, its box office always falls slightly short.

So: 【9】 Moreover, since each installment is released after Pacific Rim, its box office always falls slightly short.

Paramount analyzed the situation, believing that the female leads of the first two films weren't sexy enough, and thus launched a global search for actresses.

Translation: Paramount analyzed the cause, believing that the female leads of the first two films weren't sexy or sultry enough, so they began a global search for actresses.

So: 【10】 Paramount analyzed the cause, believing that the female leads of the first two films weren't sexy or sultry enough, so they began a global search for actresses.

Megan Fox was also tempted, but because her relationship with Jiang Heng was too close, Paramount wouldn't consider her, so she could only continue to hope for Jiang Heng.

Translation: Meigen Fukesi also felt tempted, but because she was too close to Jiang Heng, Paramount wouldn't consider her at all, so she could only continue to hope that Jiang Heng would cast her.

So: 【11】 Meigen Fukesi also felt tempted, but because she was too close to Jiang Heng, Paramount wouldn't consider her at all, so she could only continue to hope that Jiang Heng would cast her.

"Pacific Rim 3 isn't in a rush; releasing it too soon would cause audience fatigue. If The Matrix 3 had been released a year or two later, its box office would have been even higher!"

Translation: "Pacific Rim 3 isn't rushed; releasing it too soon would cause audience aesthetic fatigue. If The Matrix 3 had been released a year or two later, its box office would have been even higher!"

So: 【12】 "Pacific Rim 3 isn't rushed; releasing it too soon would cause audience aesthetic fatigue. If The Matrix 3 had been released a year or two later, its box office would have been even higher!"

Megan Fox nodded slightly; although she wasn't highly educated, after years in the entertainment industry she still had some insight.

Translation: Meigen Fukesi nodded slightly; although she wasn't highly educated, after years in the entertainment industry she still had some insight.

So: 【13】 Meigen Fukesi nodded slightly; although she wasn't highly educated, after years in the entertainment industry she still had some insight.

"Given that, the next film probably shouldn't be mythological, right? Audiences would get fatigued. You know how eager Western audiences are for your sci-fi blockbusters."

Translation: "So, according to that, the next film definitely won't be mythological, right? Audiences would get aesthetically fatigued—you know how eager Western audiences are for your sci-fi blockbusters."

So: 【14】 "So, according to that, the next film definitely won't be mythological, right? Audiences would get aesthetically fatigued—you know how eager Western audiences are for your sci-fi blockbusters."

"How eager are they?"

Translation: Jiang Heng laughed, "How eager are they?"

So: 【15】 Jiang Heng laughed, "How eager are they?"

"They can't wait!"

Translation: "Impossibly eager!"

So: 【16】 "Impossibly eager!"

"Wow, you're using idioms now—are you studying for graduate exams?"

Translation: "Wow, you're using idioms now—are you studying for graduate exams?"

So: 【17】 "Wow, you're using idioms now—are you studying for graduate exams?"

"It's not for anything else—I've been studying all kinds of Chinese knowledge for you; back when I was in school I never worked this hard!"

Translation: Too bad Meigen Fukesi didn't know the "graduate exam meme"; she pouted, "It's not for anything else—I've been studying all kinds of Chinese knowledge for you; I never worked this hard when I was in school!"

So: 【18】 Too bad Meigen Fukesi didn't know the "graduate exam meme"; she pouted, "It's not for anything else—I've been studying all kinds of Chinese knowledge for you; I never worked this hard when I was in school!"

"Thanks!"

Translation: Upon hearing that, Jiang Heng raised his beer glass and clinked it, saying, "Thanks!"

So: 【19】 Upon hearing that, Jiang Heng raised his beer glass and clinked it, saying, "Thanks!"

"You haven't said yet—what are you planning to film next year?"

Translation: Meigen, however, said, "You haven't said yet—what are you planning to film next year?"

So: 【20】 Meigen, however, said, "You haven't said yet—what are you planning to film next year?"

"Three Body!"

Translation: Jiang Heng took a sip of beer and slowly said, "Three Body!"

So: 【21】 Jiang Heng took a sip of beer and slowly said, "Three Body!"

"Three Body?"

Translation: "Three Body?"

So: 【22】 "Three Body?"

Megan Fox murmured, her eyes full of confusion.

Translation: Meigen Fukesi murmured, her eyes full of confusion.

So: 【23】 Meigen Fukesi murmured, her eyes full of confusion.

Although she could say the word, she really couldn't figure out what it meant.

Translation: Although she could say the term, she really couldn't figure out what it meant.

So: 【24】 Although she could say the term, she really couldn't figure out what it meant.

Fortunately, Jiang Heng had already explained: it's a domestic sci-fi novel that had just finished serialization, and he plans to adapt it for the big screen.

Translation: Fortunately, Jiang Heng had already explained: it's a sci-fi novel currently serialized in China, which has just finished serialization, and he plans to adapt it for the big screen.

So: 【25】 Fortunately, Jiang Heng had already explained: it's a sci-fi novel currently serialized in China, which has just finished serialization, and he plans to adapt it for the big screen.

Afterwards, he briefly introduced the plot of the first part.

Translation: Afterwards, he briefly introduced the plot of the first part.

So: 【26】 Afterwards, he briefly introduced the plot of the first part.

"My goodness, the author of this novel is truly a genius—how did he come up with such a plot? I dare say, just from the setting, it already surpasses most Hollywood sci-fi films. Really, dear, if this film is done well, it will definitely cause a sensation."

Translation: After listening, Meigen exclaimed, "My goodness, the author of this novel is truly a genius—how did he come up with such a plot? I dare say, just from the setting, it already surpasses most Hollywood sci-fi films; really, dear, if this film is made well, it will definitely cause a sensation!"

So: 【27】 After listening, Meigen exclaimed, "My goodness, the author of this novel is truly a genius—how did he come up with such a plot? I dare say, just from the setting, it already surpasses most Hollywood sci-fi films; really, dear, if this film is made well, it will definitely cause a sensation!"

"Of course, maybe even win another Oscar!"

Translation: Jiang Heng laughed, "Of course, maybe we'll even win another Oscar!"

So: 【28】 Jiang Heng laughed, "Of course, maybe we'll even win another Oscar!"

"Can I play the female lead?"

Translation: Upon hearing that, Meigen asked, "Can I play the female lead?"

So: 【29】 Upon hearing that, Meigen asked, "Can I play the female lead?"

"You can't—this female lead is Chinese!"

Translation: Jiang Heng shook his head, laughing, "No, you can't—the female lead is Chinese!"

So: 【30】 Jiang Heng shook his head, laughing, "No, you can't—the female lead is Chinese!"

"Isn't there any role for a foreign woman?"

Translation: Meigen's expression darkened, and after a moment she said, "Is there no role for a foreign woman?"

So: 【31】 Meigen's expression darkened, and after a moment she said, "Is there no role for a foreign woman?"

"Yes, there's Shiho, but in the original she mostly appears as a Japanese woman."

Translation: "Yes, there is—Smart Girl, though in the original she mostly appears as a Japanese woman!"

So: 【32】 "Yes, there is—Smart Girl, though in the original she mostly appears as a Japanese woman!"

"Can we adapt it?"

Translation: Meigen brightened, "Can we adapt it?"

So: 【33】 Meigen brightened, "Can we adapt it?"

"Of course we can!"

Translation: "Of course we can!"

So: 【34】 "Of course we can!"

"Jiang, I really love you to death!"

Translation: "Jiang, I really love you to death!"

So: 【35】 "Jiang, I really love you to death!"

……

Translation: "……"

We need to output the ellipsis as is. So: 【36】 ……

Jiang Heng stayed in Aozhou until after the New Year, only flying back home on the fifth day of the first lunar month.

Translation: Jiang Heng stayed in Australia until after the New Year, only flying back home on the fifth day of the first lunar month.

Jiang Heng stayed in Aozhou until after the New Year, only flying back home on the fifth day of the first lunar month.

Upon hearing he had returned, many friends called, inviting him to various banquets too numerous to count.

Translation: Upon hearing of his return, friends flooded him with calls, various banquet invitations too numerous to count.

So: 【38】 Upon hearing of his return, friends flooded him with calls, various banquet invitations too numerous to count.

Aside from those he couldn't avoid, he attended a few drinking gatherings and refused the rest.

Translation: Aside from those he couldn't avoid, he attended a few drinks and refused the rest outright.

So: 【39】 Aside from those he couldn't avoid, he attended a few drinks and refused the rest outright.

When he had free time, he stayed home to revise the script, and during that period he also invited Liu Cixin over, giving him the title of screenwriter for the Three Body production team—expenses were naturally unavoidable—and invited him to participate in script revisions.

Translation: When he had free time, he stayed home to revise the script, and during that period he also invited Liu Cixin over, giving him the title of screenwriter for the Three Body production team—expenses were naturally unavoidable—and invited him to participate in script revisions.

When he had free time, he stayed home to revise the script, and during that period he also invited Liu Cixin over, giving him the title of screenwriter for the Three Body production team—expenses were naturally unavoidable—and invited him to participate in script revisions.

Liu Cixin was overjoyed and rushed to Jingcheng, staying at the hotel provided by the production crew.

Translation: Liu Cixin was overjoyed, rushing to Jingcheng and checking into the hotel provided by the production team.

So: 【41】 Liu Cixin was overjoyed, rushing to Jingcheng and checking into the hotel provided by the production team.

Speaking of the past six months, his life has been quite tumultuous.

Translation: To say the least, over the past half year his life has been quite tumultuous.

So: 【42】 To say the least, over the past half year his life has been quite tumultuous.

First, he was idling away his days at the Niangziguan Power Station, and then, somehow, the great director Jiang Heng noticed him while he was serializing Three Body.

Translation: First, he was idling away his days at the Niangziguan Power Station, and then, somehow, the great director Jiang Heng noticed him while he was serializing Three Body.

First, he was idling away his days at the Niangziguan Power Station, and then, somehow, the great director Jiang Heng noticed him while he was serializing Three Body.

They offered three million yuan for the film adaptation rights of the entire book, but since only the first part had been completed, he received only one million.

Translation: They paid him three million yuan for the film and television adaptation rights to the entire book, but since only the first part had been written at that time, he received only one million.

So: 【44】 They paid him three million yuan for the film and television adaptation rights to the entire book, but since only the first part had been written at that time, he received only one million.

In his view, that was already an astronomical sum.

Translation: In his view, that was already an astronomical sum.

So: 【45】 In his view, that was already an astronomical sum.

Unexpectedly, after meeting the crew, he also sold the rights to The Wandering Earth, bringing the total to 1.8 million.

Translation: Unexpectedly, after meeting with the production team, he also sold the rights to The Wandering Earth, bringing the total to 1.8 million!

So: 【46】 Unexpectedly, after meeting with the production team, he also sold the rights to The Wandering Earth, bringing the total to 1.8 million!

Back in 2006, 1.8 million yuan could buy a house in Jingcheng.

Translation: 1.8 million in 2006 could buy a house even in Jingcheng!

So: 【47】 1.8 million in 2006 could buy a house even in Jingcheng!

However, he had grown accustomed to living in Sun Spring, so he didn't think about moving; he just bought a Santana sedan to improve his life, and saved the rest.

Translation: However, he had grown accustomed to living in Yangquan, so he didn't think about moving; he just bought a Santana sedan to improve his life, and saved the rest.

However, he had grown accustomed to living in Sun Spring, so he didn't think about moving; he just bought a Santana sedan to improve his life, and saved the rest.

Who would have thought? In such a small town, secrets don't stay hidden; after only two months, the news that he had earned 1.8 million from his two books spread.

Translation: As it turned out, in a small town secrets don't stay hidden; after only two months of keeping it quiet, the news that he had earned 1.8 million from his two books spread.

So: 【49】 As it turned out, in a small town secrets don't stay hidden; after only two months of keeping it quiet, the news that he had earned 1.8 million from his two books spread.

For a while within his workplace, he went from being an inconspicuous nobody to the focus of everyone's attention; he could no longer slack off as he pleased, and was frequently criticized by others.

Translation: For a while within his workplace, he went from being an inconspicuous nobody to the focus of everyone's attention; he could no longer slack off as he pleased, and was frequently criticized by others.

For a while within his workplace, he went from being an inconspicuous nobody to the focus of everyone's attention; he could no longer slack off as he pleased, and was frequently criticized by others.

Colleagues, friends, and relatives came to borrow money one after another, with all sorts of reasons, which annoyed him greatly.

Translation: Colleagues, friends, and relatives came to borrow money one after another, their reasons varied and endless, which annoyed him greatly.

So: 【51】 Colleagues, friends, and relatives came to borrow money one after another, their reasons varied and endless, which annoyed him greatly.

He had long wanted to get away, so Jiang Heng's invitation to come

Translation: He had long wanted to get away, so Jiang Heng's invitation to come to the capital was like a pillow for his drowsiness; he hurriedly requested leave and came.

He had long wanted to get away, so Jiang Heng's invitation to come to the capital was like a pillow for his drowsiness; he hurriedly requested leave and came.

In the Aoyuting Building office, Jiang Heng set down the script and smiled, "Not bad, thanks for your hard work!"

Translation: In the Aoyuting Building office, Jiang Heng set down the script and smiled, "Not bad, thanks for your hard work!"

In the Aoyuting Building office, Jiang Heng set down the script and smiled, "Not bad, thanks for your hard work!"

Liu Cixin's expression was awkward, "Not hard, it's what I should do!"

Translation: Liu Cixin's expression was embarrassed, "No hardship, it's just what I should do!"

So: 【54】 Liu Cixin's expression was embarrassed, "No hardship, it's just what I should do!"

"Script revisions have come to this point; what are your plans next?"

Translation: "The script revisions are up to this point—what are your plans afterward?"

So: 【55】 "The script revisions are up to this point—what are your plans afterward?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Cixin's expression showed a bit of disappointment; he had really gotten used to living here during this period.

Translation: Upon hearing that, Liu Cixin's expression fell slightly; he had really grown accustomed to life here.

So: 【56】 Upon hearing that, Liu Cixin's expression fell slightly; he had really grown accustomed to life here.

Just thinking about returning to Sun Spring and the possible situation there made him feel a bit uneasy.

Translation: Just thinking about returning to Sun Spring and the possible situation there made him feel a bit uneasy.

Just thinking about returning to Sun Spring and the possible situation there made him feel a bit uneasy.

But thinking about his wife and children, he indeed felt conflicted.

Translation: But thinking of his wife and children, he felt genuinely torn.

So: 【58】 But thinking of his wife and children, he felt genuinely torn.

"Of course I'm going home; I'm here, so there's nothing I can do!"

Translation: "Of course I'm going home—there's nothing I can do here anyway!"

So: 【59】 "Of course I'm going home—there's nothing I can do here anyway!"

Jiang Heng smiled and said: "I've heard about the situation at your unit; it's not particularly good right now. I suggest you make plans early. If there are any changes in the future, you might as well come to Jingcheng and buy an apartment."

Liu Cixin's face changed at the words; although he usually didn't like the unit and felt constrained, after all he had worked there for many years, his emotions were still quite complex.

"You are, have you heard any news?"

Jiang Heng said: "I'm just giving you a suggestion!"

The fewer the words, the bigger the matter.

He didn't think Jiang Heng was just speaking offhand; it was just that their acquaintance was shallow but the conversation deep, and he didn't want to spell it out too clearly.

Zheng Zhong said: "Thank you, Director Jiang, I will give your proposal careful consideration; then goodbye for now!"

"Then I won't see you off; I'm still waiting for your subsequent manuscript!"

After Liu Cixin left and the script was finalized, the Three Body project formally entered the preparation stage.

Jiang Heng had previously considered filming The Wandering Earth first, but after careful analysis he felt the timing wasn't mature enough.

It would be better to film Three Body, get the first part out, then release the second part after four or five years.

By then the number of film fans will have grown, the market size will keep expanding, and some installment will surely become a hit.

However, although the Three Body series is a commercial film, it also has great substance.

Liu Yifei, Jing Tian, and the others' acting is definitely insufficient; we need actors with outstanding acting ability.

Thus, a piece of news spread widely in the circle: Director Jiang is recruiting actresses, demanding outstanding acting ability!

(End of chapter)