Chapter 314: Outing

Over the years, Jiang Heng has also attended many film premieres.

If we talk about the highest-rated film, it's still Jiang Wen's Let the Bullets Fly.

So Zhang Yimou, upon seeing the related reports, felt somewhat displeased.

Because Jiang Heng's evaluation of his work is basically just that the visuals are beautiful, with hardly anything else mentioned.

I've also won international awards, after all—don't I deserve some face!

However, his personality has always been silent and reserved, so he wouldn't fall out with Jiang Heng over this; at most he just remains unhappy inside.

The one who truly broke his defenses was Thus output: Chen Kaige.

Because he has always believed that the best Chinese-language film is Farewell My Concubine, and everything else is just inferior.

Even if Jiang Heng hasn't seen Farewell My Concubine in theaters, he probably watched it on websites or videotapes.

Now saying this, where does that leave his work?

His later works were indeed not well received by the market, with poor reputation and box office; although Thus output: Chen Kaige talked tough, he deep down knew they weren't very good.

But Farewell My Concubine must be the best Chinese-language film! Thinking this, Thus output: Chen Kaige also decided to voice his opinion online.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally registered a Weibo account and wrote a short review.

The gist was that which Chinese-language film is best should be decided by the audience; what right does Jiang Heng have to comment arbitrarily?

After posting that update, it quickly rose to the hot search list.

Liu Yifei, waiting boredly to enter the theater, idly scrolled her phone, happened to see this, and hurriedly handed it to Jiang Heng to look at.

"Look at what he posted—it seems aimed at you, huh?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Be more confident—drop the 'seems,' and it's just talking about me!"

"Aren't you angry?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Why get angry? I find it hilarious. Hey, some people—when the audience doesn't approve of their work, they dismiss audience opinions as nonsense, saying not understanding is the audience's problem. But now they think audience opinion is the ultimate authority!"

Liu Yifei, hearing that, also found it funny, "That's pretty double-standard—why don't you reply?"

"Sure thing!"

Jiang Heng organized his thoughts, posted an update, and it quickly rose to the hot search list.

After Thus output: Chen Kaige saw it, he opened the comments to look, and was so angry he nearly fainted.

He ranted loudly at home, smashing many things.

On Jiang Heng's side, after posting he went to the screening hall and watched the film again with Liu Yifei.

After the film ended, the two returned to the car, and Liu Yifei happily said, "It's indeed not bad; your review is quite fair, husband."

"Right?"

"Do you think our A Chinese Ghost Story will also be liked by so many people?" Liu Yifei said nervously.

Because there's a classic preceding it, her pressure is actually quite great as well.

Moreover, she's been in the film industry for several years but still hasn't had a role that audiences widely recognize.

For example, in Pacific Rim 2, although she played the female lead, audiences cared more about the mechs and monsters in the film, so regardless of male or female lead, their presence was severely weakened.

As for being one of the seven fairy sisters similar to those in Havoc in Heaven, to audiences it's even less memorable.

On the other hand, Jing Tian already has two breakout roles, Bi Yao and the Scorpion Spirit, and knowing she still hasn't given up on Jiang Heng, Liu Yifei is genuinely worried.

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "Definitely—you're acting so well!"

"What if it's not good? What if nobody likes it?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Then we'll just keep filming—there'll eventually be a breakout role!"

Liu Yifei, hearing that, beamed and whispered, "Husband, let's go abroad for a few days!"

Jiang Heng thought for a moment; it's not that busy right now.

Besides, this year he's been busy with the Olympics first, then came filming A Chinese Ghost Story—he really hasn't had a break in a long time, so a rest would be good. Once November arrives, he'll also need to consider the promotion for Heroic Soldiers Legion.

"Alright, where do you want to go? The United States or Australia?"

"Either is fine—I'll be happy going anywhere with you."

Jiang Heng considered that she had studied in the United States, so he decided to go there.

First he booked a few tickets from Shanghai to Los Angeles, then went home to rest, and the next afternoon he flew to the United States with Liu Yifei, along with bodyguards and the assistant team.

Arriving in Los Angeles, the group first went to a mansion in Beverly Hills to settle in.

Afterwards they also wandered around Las Vegas, New York, and other places, and had a very pleasant time.

During the trip, Liu Yifei shared some travel photos on Weibo; Jiang Heng naturally wouldn't post such things.

But news of his overseas outing still couldn't be hidden, after all he's simply too famous.

A bunch of friends left messages on QQ, asking where Jiang Heng went to play and when he'd return; Jiang Heng also replied to a few of them.

Suddenly he saw Jing Tian's avatar flashing; he clicked and saw it read: "You didn't even take me out to play—how heartbreaking!" Jiang Heng thought, "Given our relationship, I really can't just take you out alone!"

He asked her what she's been busy with lately; Da Tian Tian replied, "I'm busy dubbing for Warring States—it's coming out for the Spring Festival slot, haha!"

Jiang Heng thought, "She's so happy now—she better not cry when the time comes."

However, thinking about how the young lady performed in her past life, her ability to bear pressure should be fine.

He replied, "Congratulations in advance!" Jing Tian said, "At the premiere, you definitely have to come—then give me a line: the best Chinese-language film I've seen over the years, haha!"

Jiang Heng thought, "If I say that, I'd really be smashing my own sign!"

He only said, "I'll definitely go then!"

Da Tian Tian sent a crying emoji and said, "Do you think my film is bad?"

Jiang Heng replied, "You'll have to watch it to know—you know I've always been pragmatic."

Jing Tian replied, "Alright, then I'll treat you to a big meal when I'm back!"

Jiang Heng thought, "There's no 'having fun' comment, and then I just replied with a 'good'."

He stayed in the United States for nearly a month, spending each day eating, drinking, and having fun with beautiful companions; it was still quite pleasant.

During this period, Megan Fox came by, her expression full of longing.

Jiang Heng made time to see her a few times, then sent her away.

In early November, Jiang Heng and his party returned home, heading straight to Jingcheng.

He first took time to talk with the heads of his various companies, which took considerable effort.

Fortunately he had the Super Microcomputer to help; all kinds of data and information were in his mind, allowing him to handle various matters with ease.

If it were anyone else, they would have been confused long ago.

In fact, someone had long ago suggested to Jiang Heng that he should consolidate his various companies and assets into a group company to optimize resource allocation.

We can't continue like this, each managing separately without unified oversight.

Jiang Heng did have this idea, but he always felt he could just keep an eye on things and never acted on it.

After this conversation, he discovered that many of his companies were growing extremely fast, such as the game companies developing and operating Accursed Immortal and League of Legends, and the tech company operating Weibo, all quickly becoming massive enterprises.

If not brought under group management, it will likely become troublesome in the future.

But for now we need to focus on promoting Heroic Legion; there's no rush, we can wait until after the new year to act.

Later they summoned Yu Dong to confirm the details of the promotion plan for Heroic Legion.

Actually the most crucial thing is just one: the specific time and place of the premiere.

Time naturally follows precedent, but the venue is somewhat special; this time they chose an Olympic stadium.

(End of chapter)