Chapter 327: The Legend of the White Snake

The story of "White Snake Origin" is already in my mind, so writing the script isn't hard; it only takes a couple of days to finish.

Jing Tian immediately took it to read, and after reading she had watery eyes.

"You wrote it so well, how can brother be so talented?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Brother does have it, but not just talent!"

Da Tian Tian's cute face flushed slightly, and she pouted, "Annoying!"

She lightly tapped Jiang Heng and whispered, "What do you think about having Ying Bao play Xiao Qing?"

Jiang Heng smiled, "You've been aiming at her all along!"

"She's my close girlfriend, of course I have to look after her!"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, said nothing more, and just pondered suitable candidates for the other roles in the film.

While he was thinking, the phone suddenly rang; when he picked it up, it was Li Lianjie, whom he hadn't heard from in a long time.

"Hello, Director Jiang, congratulations— I watched your 'Mighty Troops', and it was quite thrilling!"

Jiang Heng chuckled and modestly said a couple of lines.

Li Lianjie asked again whether he had time lately, wanting to treat him to a meal.

When Jiang Heng isn't filming, he rarely goes out for socializing; ordinary drinking parties he can decline.

Recalling the time they shot "Hero", Li Lianjie had taught him many boxing routines, and later, when making movies, he'd cameo to support, so it wasn't easy to refuse.

"I'm not really that busy!"

"How about tomorrow then?"

"Fine, should be no problem!"

After hanging up, Jing Tian hurriedly said, "Take me there, okay?"

"Sure!"

"Really?"

"What's the real or fake about it!"

Jing Tian heard that and became even happier!

That night, Jing Tian drove Jiang Heng to the reserved hot‑pot restaurant.

They entered the booked private room and saw Li Lianjie and Wen Zhang inside.

Seeing Jiang Heng and Jing Tian walking in arm‑in‑arm, Wen Zhang was momentarily startled, then a smile spread across his face.

Li Lianjie, unsurprised, stood up, laughed and shook hands, saying, "I knew it—you're a perfect match, a match made in heaven!"

Da Tian Tian was overjoyed by the words and laughed, "Thank you."

Jiang Heng only gave a faint smile, exchanged a few pleasantries, then took his seat.

After the drinks and dishes arrived, the four ate and chatted.

Jiang Heng asked Li Lianjie what he had been busy with lately; the latter said he'd taken a big job, to act in a costume mythology blockbuster.

Jiang Heng said, "It can't be that you'll be acting together with Wen Zhang, right?"

"Yes. After Huang Shengyi terminated her contract with Zhou Xingxing, she joined Boss Yang of the Juli Group. Since special‑effects blockbusters are hot, they want to make 'White Snake Legend', casting me as Fa Hai, Wen Zhang as Xu Zion, and they want your company to handle the special‑effects production!"

Jiang Heng heard that, forced a grin, and said, "I really can't take this job!"

Li Lianjie was startled, "Are you swamped with orders, unable to fit it in?"

"It's not that— I also want to make a film on the White Snake Legend!"

Li Lianjie frowned slightly upon hearing that, and Wen Zhang's expression darkened.

He's indeed been popular these years; besides starring in many TV dramas, his lead role in "Journey to the West: Demon Subjugation" grossed over 900 million, making him a top mainland star.

So Yang Zhi and Huang Shengyi wanted to cast Wen Zhang as Xu Zion.

In another era, the role of Xu Zion was played by the popular Hong Kong actor Lin Feng. Wen Zhang wants another boost to cement his industry standing, so he values this film highly.

He pushed hard to secure Li Lianjie's participation and also hoped Jiang Heng's company would handle the effects.

Who knew the same subject would clash, which really frustrated him.

Although the film hired Cheng Xiaodong to direct, Cui Baozhu to produce, and Zhang Shuping to co‑create.

But even together, they can't compare to Jiang Heng!

If you say Jiang Heng's own White Snake Legend makes him give up the special‑effects blockbuster, Wen Zhang would certainly be unwilling.

He glanced at Jing Tian beside him, recalled Outstanding Rising Film Company's earlier production "A Chinese Ghost Story", and realized it was because of that girl.

He forced a smile and said, "Looks like Miss Jing Tian will play the White Lady, right?"

Da Tian Tian gave a goofy smile, looked at Jiang Heng with a happy face, "Yeah, I'll play the White Lady, brother will play Xu Zion!"

Wen Zhang suddenly felt as if a knife pierced his heart, glanced at Jiang Heng across the table, and felt a deep helplessness.

Jiang Heng is taller, more handsome, more popular; they'd even play the same role—how can he compare? He'd surely be scolded.

Li Lianjie said, "When do you plan to release this film?"

"This year's New Year slot!"

Jiang Heng laughed broadly, saying that the announcement will come at the new‑film press conference, so there's no secrecy issue.

Li Lianjie frowned even more upon hearing that.

Because Yang Zhi and others preliminarily schedule for the 2010 Spring Festival slot, how can they play this game!

If the same subject releases before Jiang Heng's blockbuster, it could still be profitable.

For example, "Journey to the West: Demon Subjugation" was released in May, earlier than the summer‑slot "Havoc in Heaven", and ultimately earned over 900 million.

If it came out after "Havoc in Heaven", it might only make about 300 million at best.

At this point, for Juli Film's "White Snake Legend" project to proceed, there's only one way: it must premiere before Jiang Heng's film.

The problem is it's already mid‑February, and aiming for an October‑November release for a special‑effects blockbuster is no small challenge.

When the conversation got to this point, Li Lianjie and Wen Zhang lost their appetite, afraid to offend Jiang Heng and not daring to say they'd leave right away, so they just sat there making awkward small talk, only leaving after over an hour.

Li Lianjie and Wen Zhang hurried off, while Jiang Heng and Jing Tian left at a leisurely pace; the young lady wanted dessert, so Jiang Heng took her to buy ice cream, and then they strolled back slowly.

In February, Jingcheng's temperature was still quite pleasant.

These past few days, daytime temperatures have been above zero, while at night they've dropped to around minus five or six degrees.

A woolen coat or thin cotton padding is enough; it feels very comfortable, not as cold as the Northeast.

The young lady walked with a light step, as if just realizing something, and said, "Oh my, Huang Shengyi is also going to play Bai Niangzi—who do you think would look better in the role, me or her?"

"Of course it's you?"

"Well, what if it's Xi Xi?"

After the New Year, Liu Yifei went back to her hometown with her mother; she hasn't returned yet, only calling Jiang Heng every few days, and there's no major problem in their relationship.

She naturally sensed that something was off on Jiang Heng's side; she had wanted to rush back immediately, but Liu Xiaoli talked her out of it.

As she put it, they're just boyfriend and girlfriend—what difference does it make if you catch them? Can you make him break off with another woman, or can you bear to break up?

If you can't do either, you might as well turn a blind eye.

If you watch a man too closely, not tolerating even a speck of sand in your eye, you'll only push him away.

Liu Yifei naturally had no intention of breaking up with Jiang Heng; she hadn't even entertained the thought.

Jiang Heng's wealth, talent, status, and looks are the kind that countless girls dare only dream of; his age is just right—only a fool would break up with him! Jiang Heng could also sense that Liu Yifei seemed to be deliberately staying at her mother's hometown to give herself some space.

So, in response to Jing Tian's question, he laughed and said, "Each has its own merits; both are equally beautiful!"

(End of chapter)