Chapter 328

: translate Chinese: Li Lianjie and Wen Zhang drove off not far, then parked the car by the road.

Translation: Li Lianjie and Wen Zhang drove away not far, then parked the car by the roadside.

: instruction gives translation: "Li Lianjie and Wen Zhang drove off not far, then parked the car by the road." So output that.

We'll output: 【1】 Li Lianjie and Wen Zhang drove away not far, then parked the car by the roadside.

: translate Chinese: Wen Zhang called Yang Zhi anxiously: "Mr. Yang, it's not good—Jiang Heng also wants to film White Snake!" We'll produce natural English.

Translation: Wen Zhang dialed Yang Zhi's phone, his tone anxious: "Mr. Yang, it's terrible, Jiang Heng also wants to film White Snake!"

But we need to keep 'White Snake' as 'White Snake'. Usually 'White Snake' is 'Legend of the White Snake', but we are translating the meaning as 'White Snake'. It could be 'White Snake Legend', but we should translate the meaning as 'White Snake'. The story is about a white snake, so we'll use 'White Snake'. The glossary didn't provide it, so we'll translate it.

Thus: Wen Zhang placed a call to Yang Zhi, his voice anxious: "Mr. Yang, it's terrible, Jiang Heng also wants to film White Snake!"

: translate Chinese with instruction from 【17】? Actually 【17】 gives translation for 【14】. So we should output the translation given in 【17】: "Yang Zhi was out drinking with friends when he heard this, startled: "He also wants to film?""

Translation: Yang Zhi was currently out drinking with friends; hearing this, he blinked: "He also wants to film?"

: instruction gives translation for 【14】 (same as above). So output that translation: Yang Zhi was out drinking with friends when he heard this, startled: "He also wants to film?"

Yeah, the schedule is already set, it's this year's Lunar New Year slot, the female lead is Jingjuan!

Translation: "Yeah, the schedule's already set—it's this year's Lunar New Year slot, and the female lead is Jing Tian!"

We need to keep 'Lunar New Year slot' as 'Lunar New Year slot' (or 'New Year file'). We'll translate it as 'Lunar New Year slot'. The term for female lead is 'female lead'.

Thus: 【4】 "Yeah, the schedule's already set—it's this year's Lunar New Year slot, and the female lead is Jing Tian!"

: translate Chinese: "Okay, I got it!"

Translation: "Okay, I got it!"

: translate Chinese: After hanging up, Yang Zhi told his friends he had something to do and left in a hurry.

Translation: After hanging up, Yang Zhi told his friends he had something to do and hurriedly left.

: translate Chinese: When he got home, he told Huang Shengyi that Jiang Heng also wanted to film White Snake.

Translation: Returning home, he told Huang Shengyi that Jiang Heng also wanted to film White Snake.

: translate Chinese: They were furious: "He also wants to film? With so many topics to choose from, why does he have to film White Snake?"

Translation: The latter was about to explode: "He also wants to film? With so many topics to choose from, why does he have to pick White Snake?"

: translate Chinese: "How would I know? Why not film Journey to the West, Investiture of the Gods, or some web novel instead? Why did they have to pick White Snake?"

Translation: "How would I know? Why not film Journey to the West, Investiture of the Gods, or some web novel instead—why did he have to pick White Snake?"

: translate Chinese: Huang Shengyi asked, "So, can we still film it?"

Translation: Huang Shengyi asked, "So, can we still film it now?"

: translate Chinese: Yang Zhi angrily said, "Forget filming it—same theme, releasing after him, we'd lose money!"

Translation: Yang Zhi snapped angrily: "What the hell, filming the same topic after him would lose us a fortune!"

: translate Chinese: The Torch Power Group certainly has money, but nobody would do a losing deal.

Translation: The Torch Power Group certainly has money, but nobody would engage in a losing deal.

: instruction gives translation: "The Torch Power Group certainly has money, but nobody would do a losing deal." So output that.

: translate Chinese: Huang Shengyi was unwilling; she had initially signed an eight-year contract with Stephen Chow, but after becoming famous from the Kung Fu role, she didn't want to remain at Star Glory.

Translation: Huang Shengyi, however, was unwilling to accept it; she had originally signed an eight-year contract with Stephen Chow, but after gaining fame from the role in Kung Fu, she was unwilling to stay at Star Glory.

: instruction gives translation: "Huang Shengyi was unwilling; she had initially signed an eight-year contract with Stephen Chow, but after becoming famous from the Kung Fu role, she didn't want to remain at Star Glory." So output that.

: translate Chinese: Only a year later, she was in tears, demanding to break the contract, saying she'd leave regardless of the cost.

Translation: After just a year, she tearfully demanded to terminate the contract, claiming she would leave no matter the cost.

: translate Chinese: It was Yang Zhi of the Torch Power Group who gave her the courage to take Stephen Chow to court.

Translation: It was Yang Zhi of the Torch Power Group who gave her the courage to take Stephen Chow to court.

: translate Chinese: Having successfully ended her contract, Huang Shengyi, with Yang Zhi's support, was doing reasonably well in showbiz, but she no longer had the kind of resources she got from Kung Fu.

Translation: Having successfully terminated her contract, Huang Shengyi, with Yang Zhi's support, developed decently in the entertainment industry, but she no longer had resources like the Kung Fu role.

: translate Chinese: Seeing the booming market for big-budget special-effects films, they decided to make one themselves.

Translation: Seeing the booming market for big-budget special-effects films, the two conceived the idea of producing one themselves.

: translate Chinese: After much consideration, they chose White Snake, then contacted directors, producers, art directors, and action choreographers, finalizing the script and cast, and signing many contracts.

Translation: After much deliberation they settled on White Snake, then contacted directors, producers, art directors, action directors, finalized the script and cast, and signed many contracts.

: translate Chinese: If they back out now, they're sure to lose money.

Translation: If they now said they wouldn't do it, losing money would be certain.

: translate Chinese: More importantly, she was unwilling, because after leaving Star Glory Pictures, Huang Shengyi had been plagued by negative rumors.

Translation: More importantly, she was unwilling, because after leaving Star Glory Film Company, Huang Shengyi had been subject to negative rumors.

: translate Chinese: She just wanted to prove herself with a big-budget special-effects film, and things are going very well for her now.

Translation: She wanted to prove herself with a big special-effects film, and things are going very well for her now.

: translate Chinese: The film is definitely going to be made; otherwise, it would become a joke in the entertainment industry.

Translation: The film must definitely be made; otherwise they'd become a laughingstock in the entertainment industry.

: translate Chinese: "Isn't there any other way? Like releasing it earlier?"

Translation: "Is there really no other way? Like releasing it early?"

: translate Chinese: Yang Zhi shook his head slightly: "Doing special effects takes time; rushing it would ruin quality and hurt the box office even more."

Translation: Yang Zhi shook his head slightly: "Doing special effects takes time; rushing it would risk poor quality and worse box office."

: translate Chinese: "Then, could we find a way to delay Jiang Heng's film's release?"

Translation: "Then, could we find a way to delay Jiang Heng's film's release?"

: translate Chinese: Upon hearing that, Yang Zhi thought the idea was not bad.

Translation: Upon hearing that, Yang Zhi felt the idea was not bad.

He is a very proud person. Back when Huang Shengyi ended her contract with Xinghui Company, the media called him Huang Shengyi's 'redemption', thus offending Zhou Xingxing.

Translation: He is a very proud man; when Huang Shengyi terminated her contract with Star Glory, the media called him Huang Shengyi's "redeemer," thereby offending Stephen Chow.

: translate Chinese: Yang Zhi replied: "I haven't offended Stephen Chow; it's he who offended me."

Translation: Yang Zhi's reply was: "I haven't offended Stephen Chow; it should be the other way around."

: translate Chinese: He also said the lawsuit cost six million, but that amount was owed by Fang, and normally the losing party covers the lawyer fees.

Translation: He also said the lawsuit cost six million, but that six million was owed by the other party, as the losing side in a lawsuit normally bears the lawyer fees.

: translate Chinese: Considering that Stephen Chow really helped Huang Shengyi and made her famous, and they didn't demand compensation for future cooperation, shows that Yang Zhi is somewhat arrogant.

Translation: Merely considering that Stephen Chow really helped Huang Shengyi and made her famous, for future cooperation he didn't demand compensation, showing that Yang Zhi is somewhat arrogant.

: translate Chinese: Besides, don't take his earlier comment that he couldn't film it—those were just angry words. As a vice chairman of the Torch Power Group, if he got scared by the theme clash with Jiang Heng's new film and shelved the prepared project, he wouldn't belong in the entertainment industry.

Translation: Furthermore, don't take his earlier remark that he couldn't film it seriously—those were just angry words; as a vice chairman of the Torch Power Group, if he were to scrap a prepared film project just because its topic clashed with Jiang Heng's new film, he wouldn't last in the entertainment industry.

: translate Chinese: Therefore, the more he thought about Huang Shengyi's idea, the better it seemed.

Translation: Thus, the more he thought about Huang Shengyi's idea, the better it seemed.

He also said: "If it really doesn't work, let's speed up the schedule, set the slot to the Lunar New Year slot, let Jiang Heng's film be released in the Spring Festival slot, wouldn't that solve it?"

Translation: He himself said: "If we really can't, let's race the schedule—set our slot for the Lunar New Year period and move Jiang Heng's film to the Spring Festival period; wouldn't that solve it?"

: translate Chinese: Huang Shengyi, hearing this, also felt pleased with her own cleverness: "This couldn't be better—both sides won't lose, he should agree, right?" "Um, I'll go talk to him myself; I should be able to get him to do me this favor!" Yang Zhi felt quite pleased with himself.

Translation: Huang Shengyi, hearing this, also felt pleased with her own cleverness: "That would be perfect—neither side would lose, and he should agree." "Um, I'll go talk to him myself; I should be able to earn this favor!" Yang Zhi said rather self-importantly.

"This couldn't be better, both sides won't lose, he should agree, right?" "Um, I'll go talk to him myself, I should be able to sell him this favor!" Yang Zhi was quite pleased with himself.

We need to keep the quotes and punctuation. We'll output: Huang Shengyi, hearing this, also felt pleased with her own cleverness: "That would be perfect—neither side would lose, and he should agree." "Um, I'll go talk to him myself; I should be able to earn this favor!" Yang Zhi said rather self-importantly.

: translate Chinese: The next day, Yang Zhi had someone get Jiang Heng's number, called him directly, and said he wanted to meet.

Translation: The next day, Yang Zhi had someone get Jiang Heng's number, called him directly, and said he wanted to meet.

: translate Chinese: Jiang Heng had no time for him, saying he'd been very busy lately, had no time to meet, and if Yang Zhi had time, he should come to his company.

Translation: Jiang Heng had no time for him, saying he'd been very busy lately, had no time to receive visitors, and if Yang Zhi had time he should come to his company.

: translate Chinese: Upon hearing that, Yang Zhi was instantly furious.

Translation: Upon hearing that, Yang Zhi instantly became furious.

: translate Chinese: But thinking about the White Snake project, he still held back.

Translation: But thinking about the White Snake project, he restrained himself.

: translate Chinese: He entered the Aoying Tower, and after Jiang Heng's secretary arranged it, he waited nearly twenty minutes before entering Jiang Heng's office.

Translation: He earnestly entered the Love Outstanding Rising Film Company Building; after Jiang Heng's secretary arranged it, he waited nearly twenty minutes before entering Jiang Heng's office.

: translate Chinese: "Hello, Director Jiang, I'm Yang Zhi of the Torch Power Group!"

Translation: "Hello, Director Jiang, I'm Yang Zhi of the Torch Power Group!"

: translate Chinese: "Hello, I've long heard of you; I don't know why Boss Yang has the time to come here."

Translation: "Hello, I've long heard of your great name; I don't know why Boss Yang has the time to come here."

: translate Chinese: "It's like this, Director Jiang: my Torch Power Pictures is preparing to invest in a White Snake film; you probably know everything's ready, we're about to start shooting, and that's how I heard you also want to film it."

: instruction: keep line exactly. So we translate the Chinese line (same as 【108】) but keep line exactly? I think we just translate normally. So output same as 【108】.

We'll translate: "It's like this, Director Jiang, my Torch Power Film Company is preparing to invest in filming White Snake; I suppose you also know that everything is ready, we're about to start shooting, and that's when I heard you also want to film."

: translate Chinese: Director Jiang's skill is unmatched globally, everyone can see it; if our film were released after his, we'd risk losing money. Natural: Director Jiang's skill is unmatched globally, everyone can see it; if our film were released after his, we'd risk losing money. We'll output: Director Jiang's skill is unmatched globally, everyone can see it; if our film were released after his, we'd risk losing money.

Translation: "Director Jiang, your ability is unrivaled worldwide, and everyone can see it; if our film were released after yours, we'd risk a loss."

: translate Chinese: So we wanted to come and discuss with you: could you adjust the release date of your film to the Spring Festival slot, so we could release ours in the Lunar New Year slot? Natural: So we wanted to come and discuss with you: could you adjust your film's release to the Spring Festival slot, so we could release ours in the Lunar New Year slot? We'll output: So we wanted to come and discuss with you: could you adjust your film's release to the Spring Festival slot, so we could release ours in the Lunar New Year slot?

Translation: "So I came to discuss with you: could you adjust the release date of your film to the Spring Festival period, allowing us to release ours in the Lunar New Year slot?"

: translate Chinese: Upon hearing that, Jiang Heng laughed, looked at Yang Zhi with surprise, not understanding why he'd have such an idea. Natural: Upon hearing that, Jiang Heng laughed, looked at Yang Zhi with surprise, not understanding why he'd have such an idea. We'll output: Upon hearing that, Jiang Heng laughed, looked at Yang Zhi with surprise, not understanding why he'd have such an idea.

Translation: Jiang Heng laughed upon hearing this, looking at Yang Zhi with considerable surprise, not understanding why he would have such an idea.

: translate Chinese: As the saying goes, business is a battlefield; when two film companies make movies on the same theme, they're rivals—at least for now—and there's no talk of adjusting release schedules. Natural: As the saying goes, business is a battlefield; when two film companies make movies on the same theme, they're rivals—at least for now—and there's no talk of adjusting release schedules. We'll output: As the saying goes, business is a battlefield; when two film companies make movies on the same theme, they're rivals—at least for now—and there's no talk of adjusting release schedules.

Translation: "As the saying goes, business is a battlefield; when two film companies produce movies on the same subject, they are rivals—at least at this stage—so there's no talk of yielding release dates."

: translate Chinese: If the Film Bureau came to mediate, Jiang Heng might still consider it. Natural: If the Film Bureau came to mediate, Jiang Heng might still consider it. We'll output: If the Film Bureau came to mediate, Jiang Heng might still consider it.

Translation: "If the Film Bureau came to mediate, Jiang Heng might possibly consider it."

: translate Chinese: As for this Yang Zhi, Jiang Heng has never met him before, never spoken to him, and he's not even a friend—why should he give him face? Natural: As for this Yang Zhi, Jiang Heng has never met him before, never spoken to him, and he's not even a friend—why should he give him face? We'll output: As for this Yang Zhi, Jiang Heng has never met him before, never spoken to him, and he's not even a friend—why should he give him face?

Translation: "As for this Yang Zhi, Jiang Heng has never met him before, never even spoken to him, and he's not even a friend—why should he give you face?"

: translate Chinese: He just can't figure out why this person thinks he should give him face. Natural: He just can't figure out why this person thinks he should give him face. We'll output: He just can't figure out why this person

Translation: "He can't even figure out why this person thinks he deserves to be given face."

Sorry, Mr. Yang, you also know that my films are all released globally, and the schedule each year is basically fixed, and the audiences are waiting! Like last year I was busy with the Olympics, didn't have time to direct, but I still made A Chinese Ghost Story, which was released this summer.

Translation: "Sorry, Boss Yang, you also know that my films are released globally, with the schedule basically fixed each year, and audiences are waiting! Like last year I was busy with the Olympics, didn't have time to direct, but still managed to produce A Chinese Ghost Story, which was released this summer."

So this matter, there's really nothing to negotiate.

Translation: "So this matter really isn't negotiable."

My film isn't only shown domestically, and schedule changes don't have a big impact.

Translation: "My films aren't just released domestically, and changing the schedule wouldn't have much impact."

So, sorry, I can't help you.

Translation: "So, I'm sorry, I can't help you!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhi's face fell, and for a moment he couldn't find anything to say.

Translation: Upon hearing that, Yang Zhi's face darkened, and for a moment he couldn't find anything to say.

After all, Jiang Heng made it clear that their film is released globally, and we have to consider the feelings of global audiences.

Translation: After all, Jiang Heng made it clear that their film is released globally, so they must consider worldwide audiences' feelings.

Moreover, it seems they are mocking his film, which is mainly distributed domestically via profit-sharing.

Translation: Moreover, it seems to be mocking his film, which mainly does profit-sharing distribution domestically!

Although he knew it was impossible, Yang Zhi still wanted to say some polite words.

Translation: Knowing it was impossible, Yang Zhi still wanted to say some polite words.

But when it came to his lips, it only turned into two hesitant chuckles, "Well then, sorry to disturb you, see you in the Lunar New Year slot!"

Translation: But when the words reached his lips, they turned into just a couple of "hehes": "Well then, sorry to bother you—let's meet again in the Lunar New Year slot!"

Jiang Heng heard this and was stunned, not believing that this person had the courage to compete with him in the Lunar New Year slot.

Translation: Jiang Heng blinked upon hearing that, disbelieving that this person had the nerve to compete with him in the Lunar New Year slot.

But it's really hard to say, after all, besides being an actor and a producer, he's also one of the founders of Juli Group—who knows what he's really thinking; maybe he's not short of money!

He got up, shook hands, and said, "All right, then I won't see you off far!"

Ha!

After leaving the Ai You Teng Building, Yang Zhi let out a long breath, but he felt increasingly stifled inside.

Jiang Heng's schedule won't change; if he wants his film to avoid impact, it must be released at least two weeks before Jiang Heng's.

If we can pull it apart by twenty days, that would be the safest; then the schedule would be very tight, and we absolutely cannot allow any mishaps! (End of chapter)