Chapter 418: Time to Take a Break

When we ate together, Jing Tian was also there; she still admires Stephen Chow, since being born in 1988 means she grew up watching his movies.

I won't mention those comedy classics; I really love "A Chinese Odyssey"! A while ago she even wanted to reenact "Fairy Zixia"; the rights were all settled, but then it turned into "Black Myth: Wukong".

If it weren't for this set visit, it would have been fine, but when Stephen Chow arrived, she kept thinking about the "Fairy Zixia" role that never happened, and she stayed in a low mood throughout the meal.

Back at the mansion in Huairou, Jiang Heng went to take a shower by himself, while the girl leaned on the sofa scrolling Weibo on a tablet.

Soon after, Jiang Heng came out and asked why she hadn't gone to freshen up yet.

Da Tian Tian merely said "oh" and did not move.

Jiang Heng walked over, smiling, and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Look, it says Stephen Chow's movies satirize everything, but they've never satirized love!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "And then?"

"The love scenes in his films are so moving!"

Jiang Heng said, "You mean to say I can't make romance movies, right?"

"No, no, the 'Origin of the White Snake' we filmed was great; everyone praised it!" Da Tian Tian said this with a delighted face, clearly speaking from the heart.

Jiang Heng replied, "I'll give you credit for having a conscience!"

"It would be better if there were more romance!"

"You, always thinking about love and love!"

"Aren't all girls like that?" Da Tian Tian complained, feeling aggrieved.

Jiang Heng thought inwardly, "All the love in this world is damn a scam!"

Of course, there's no need to say that out loud; otherwise I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

He just said, "Hmm, indeed!"

Da Tian Tian leaned over, resting against Jiang Heng, and said, "I just want, while we're young, to act out all kinds of love stories with you!"

Jiang Heng reached out and gently stroked her hair, smiling, "Alright, if a suitable story comes up next time, I'll definitely act with you!"

"Really?" Da Tian Tian looked up, eyes sparkling.

"Of course, when have I ever lied to you!"

"Good, then!"

The girl then got up, feeling pleased, and went to freshen up.

Jiang Heng lay on the sofa, pondering whether they'd take a year off after this film wraps.

After so many years of continuous shooting, with the Super Microcomputer's help, the mental strain is minimal. With his status, the physical fatigue isn't too bad either.

It's just that his spirit feels a bit weary, as if his life consists only of making movies. He could easily travel, or stay in the mansions he owns across the country.

Moreover, he has now amassed a massive fortune.

Excluding the obvious wealth, just using the Super Microcomputer for VFX saves a huge amount of production costs, which is also a great fortune.

He invested that money in U. S. stocks, which have appreciated considerably over the years.

Besides Outstanding Rising Film Company, the game developer Iron Fist Technology is also a cash cow; together, League of Legends and Zhu Zion generate nearly ten billion in revenue annually.

In addition, there are Weibo, VFX companies, studio companies…

To be honest, even if Wang Duoyu showed up now, it would be hard to squander this wealth! While he was daydreaming, Jing Tian finished freshening up and came out; seeing Jiang Heng with a far‑away look, she stepped forward and waved her fair hand in front of his eyes.

"What are you thinking, big brother?"

"Ah, oh, it's nothing!"

"You never tell me what's on your mind, big brother!" Da Tian Tian made a pitiful face.

Jiang Heng thought about it and felt there was nothing he couldn't say.

"Oh, I just suddenly feel a bit tired…!" Da Tian Tian, hearing this, instantly became nervous, thinking she had upset Jiang Heng.

Just as she was thinking how to explain, Jiang Heng said, "Hmm, I was thinking, why not take a year off next year?"

Da Tian Tian was first stunned, then overjoyed, gave a little punch to Jiang Heng's chest, and with an excited expression said, "It should have been like this all along! Look at the big directors at home and abroad, none are as hardworking as you!"

"Moreover, I reckon if you take a year off next year, the domestic film market will definitely boom like a geyser!"

Jiang Heng gave a wry smile, "Probably not?"

"Why not? They all call you the Great Demon King; if you don't rest, no one else can ever get ahead!"

"I've never heard that before," Jiang Heng wondered.

Jing Tian sneered, "Who would dare say that to you? If you weren't planning to rest, I wouldn't have said it either!"

Jiang Heng touched his nose, a bit embarrassed, "Is that so? If you put it that way, I really should take a break, give them a 'breathing space'!"

"Yeah, you already have plenty of money, no need to push so hard; health is the most important!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "You say that, but I'm perfectly healthy, okay!"

Da Tian Tian giggled, "Hmm, that's true!"

That night, the two talked for a long time.

Mainly Jing Tian was daydreaming about where they would travel and hide away during Jiang Heng's "rest" year.

It got more and more exciting as they talked, so much that the next day she couldn't get up at all, and Jiang Heng could only leave her at home while he went to the set.

"Morning, Director Jiang!"

"Hmm!"

He kept bumping into a few people who greeted him, all with slightly odd expressions.

Mainly, Jing Tian had been staying by Jiang Heng's side during this period, almost every day going and walking together.

Then she suddenly disappeared, which naturally made people wonder.

"Did you come here on your own?" Yuan De asked casually, not really trying to pry.

"Oh, she slept too late last night, so I let her come a bit later!"

Jiang Heng yawned and said casually.

Yuan De heard it, smiled somewhat strangely, but also didn't dare to joke around.

Jiang Heng didn't think much and asked about the preparations for the upcoming shoot.

Over the next few days they were to film the scene of Sun Wukong battling Yang Jian; Yuan De was the action director, and all preparations had to be arranged by him, such as how the actors would do wire work.

This looks simple, but it's actually a technical job.

In the era when Hong Kong films and TV dramas were all the rage, the actors' wire work was extraordinarily beautiful; the 'sideways flight of Xiao Yuanshan' in the 1997 version of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, and the 'flying over grass with lightness' shot in Li Lianjie's version of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, are classics among classics.

By comparison, the wire work in later domestic entertainment could only be described as trash among trash—straight up and down, with no grace or elegance.

"Director Jiang, rest assured, we brothers have been doing this for years; we're professionals and will surely finish smoothly!"

Yuan De thumped his chest and gave his guarantee, then immediately added: 'But speaking of which, the shot you designed, "back-facing defense against Yang Jian," is really cool; if we can achieve the ideal effect, when the film is released the audience will absolutely be blown away!'

Jiang Heng thought to himself, 'Even on the big screen, let alone seeing it for the first time on my phone, I'd find it incredibly stunning and cool!' Of course, the reason for this effect is partly the action design, but more importantly, the one performing the move is the Great Sage.

If someone else were to do it, the effect would probably be greatly diminished.

After chatting a while, everyone from all departments had arrived.

As for the actors playing Sun Wukong and Yang Jian, they had arrived at the set early and spent a long time on makeup and costume.

Once everything was ready, Jiang Heng called out to start.

The shot of Sun Wukong battling Erlang Shen rolled! (End of chapter)