Chapter 297: Daily Life

When several girls were on the silver screen, they were like goddesses.

But now, after a drink and a song, each one is crazier than the last.

In the end, even Zhao Liying, who usually gets nervous at the slightest thing, dared to joke a couple of times with Jiang Heng.

Da Tian Tian felt that just singing wasn't enough, so she switched to a DJ dance track and jumped up dancing in the venue.

Liu Yifei seemed to want to compare skills; she flicked her hair and actually stepped forward to "dance-off".

Yang Mi, Tang Yan, and Zhao Liying, seeing this, didn't rush forward but instead stood aside clapping and cheering.

Leaning on the sofa, Jiang Heng, seeing this splendid scene, was also in high spirits.

"Brother, come on, let's dance together!"

Da Tian Tian suddenly came close and pulled Jiang Heng up.

Liu Yifei stepped forward with the dance steps and also pulled Jiang Heng.

For a moment, Jiang Heng was actually being tugged by the two, giving him the illusion of having fallen into the "Daughter Country"……

After playing until past three in the morning, everyone was a bit tired.

Jiang Heng had the driver and bodyguard from the next private room come over to send everyone home one by one, while he and Liu Yifei returned to their villa in western Beijing.

"You don't think highly of Da Tian Tian's new film, do you?" Liu Yifei flopped onto the sofa and suddenly said.

Jiang Heng adopted a similar pose, smiling and saying: "Indeed, is it that obvious?"

"Quite obvious!"

"Well, I really find it unreliable!"

"Why?"

"What do you think is the most important thing about a film?" Jiang Heng countered.

Liu Yifei froze for a few seconds, then laughed and said: "The director!"

Jiang Heng laughed heartily, "You're smart!"

……

The next day, Jiang Heng still went to the Olympic venue, busy with rehearsal matters.

Wherever he went, there were cries of "Director Jiang."

But online, people have already started calling him "National Master." To gain widespread recognition, he must wait until after the Olympic opening.

Who knows if, by then, Zhang Yimou will feel as if his fortune has been taken.

"Director Jiang, good news: the global box office data for 'Three Body' has been tallied!"

The head of Broad Sodium Film Industry, Yu Dong, came over laughing.

He came to deliver the good news; although he could have clarified it over the phone, he didn't want to miss the chance to show his face before the big boss.

"Oh, how much!"

Jiang Heng turned around, his expression still calm.

Yu Dong exclaimed excitedly: "$1.139 billion, Director Jiang, you've broken the record again!"

"Oh, not bad!"

Jiang Heng said with a chuckle, his face merely showing a bit more joy.

But the people around him were nevertheless thrilled, even though the huge box office had nothing to do with them financially.

"Congratulations, Director Jiang, congratulations!"

"You're amazing, Director Jiang, you're my idol!"

"Should we hold a press conference?"

"This result should rank among the top in global film history, right?"

"Definitely, probably just a bit less than *Titanic*!" The crowd chattered.

Seeing this, Jiang Heng let everyone rest for half an hour.

So the people nearby scattered, spreading the news.

Yu Dong then continued discussing various matters related to *Three Body*, such as profit sharing and disc distribution.

But what Jiang Heng was thinking about was the original author, Old Liu.

He dialed Du Huan's phone, asking him to send Liu Cixin a red envelope of one million.

After the call ended, Yu Dong chuckled innocently: "The boss is just kind-hearted; you bought the rights to his first work for only one million, and this directly doubles it!"

Jiang Heng said: "Although the director is important, without a good script and story, everything is just empty talk!"

Yu Dong echoed: "Indeed it is!"

"That's just how it is!"

Take Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and others as typical examples; their early works were good largely because they collaborated with excellent writers and screenwriters early on.

For instance, the novel *To Live* is inherently profound.

Add Zhang Yimou's cinematography, and it instantly becomes a classic.

However, after switching to commercial films, Zhang Yimou stopped working on such types, and since he isn't very good at storytelling, his films end up with beautiful visuals but empty content.

However, after Du Huan received the order, he promptly instructed the company to transfer one million to Liu Cixin and personally called to say so.

Liu Cixin, who was at his hometown in Yangquan, was startled when he answered the phone, then immediately beamed with joy and kept thanking.

"What's up, big writer? Good news!" In the office, a colleague stood up holding a water cup.

Liu Cixin chuckled: "The head of Outstanding Rising Film Company called, saying the global box office for *Three Body* has come out, 1.139 billion, in dollars!"

"Hey, that's a lot; you'll get a decent share, right?"

Liu Cixin waved his hand: "I've already been paid the manuscript fee; what more money is there to split?"

"What I'm hearing is, what red envelope, what 'ten thousand'?"

Oh, just sending a red packet, a token gesture!

That also can't be missed—look at all that box office; how could you lose money?

The neighbors next door heard they were talking about money over here, and they all came over to join the fun.

Liu Cixin only said he'd treat them, didn't say exactly how much, found an excuse, and hurried home.

He took his bank card, drove straight to the bank, checked at the ATM, saw that indeed one million yuan had been deposited, and was overjoyed beyond words.

Director Jiang, this guy is really magnanimous!

He collected the bank card, then went to pick up his wife from work.

What's up? Why are you here so early today?

Great news, Director Jiang—you gave me another one‑million yuan red packet!

Even though he was in his own car, Liu Cixin kept his voice low.

His wife heard this and jumped in fright: "One million? A red packet?"

Liu Cixin explained the whole story; his wife was overjoyed, shouting that she wanted to go take a look, and the two of them found another ATM to check again.

Really great—with this much money, even if you don't work, it's enough for us to last the rest of our lives.

That being said, there's naturally a reason for it.

Mainly, the Niangzi Pass Power Station has been sluggish these past few years, with rumors of a shutdown.

If it weren't for Liu Cixin's wild talk of getting rich quick, I really wouldn't know what to worry about.

Yeah, I think so too!

After thinking, he added: "I heard them saying the power station will likely shut down at year's end; then let's go to the capital!"

Go to the capital?

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking—I'll try to sell the rights to a few other novels too, and aim to become a screenwriter!

If you say that, it actually works!

Liu Cixin and his wife considered the development issues after 'unemployment', while Jiang Heng's side welcomed reporters from the News Broadcast.

The global box office of $1.139 billion is only behind Titanic, surpassing The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($1.119 billion) and Pirates of the Caribbean 2 ($1.066 billion), ranking second on the global box office list.

With such a dazzling result, it's definitely going to be on the News Broadcast!

Facing the reporters, Jiang Heng naturally thanked the country and the people; it's the continued support of the nationwide audience that gave him his success.

At the same time, friends in the circle all called and sent text messages to send their blessings.

Jing Tian knew Jiang Heng would be busy, so she wrote a little essay and sent it over via QQ.

That part says: hoping Jiang Heng continues to strive, and one day he can top the global box office of all time.

And she will also film this movie well, aiming for a box office of one or two billion, to get a domestic championship for him to see.

Jiang Heng thought: you just better not cry when the time comes!

(End of chapter)