Chapter 420

Well, Director Jiang honoring us with your presence truly makes this humble place shine!

Zhuhai Gongbei, the filming location of Macau Storm, Wang Jing welcomed us in Mandarin with a slightly odd accent.

Having been in the north for these years, he basically always communicated in Mandarin, and now being in Neidi, he didn't speak Cantonese.

Jiang Heng first shook hands with Wang Jing, then greeted Zhou Runfa, Xie Tingfeng, Jiang Yan, and the others.

Zhang Yimou - Zhang Yimou

Director Jiang - Director Jiang

Unexpectedly, Jiang Heng's line was over in a moment—he didn't even get to use five minutes.

Wang Jing wore an admiring expression: "I used to think Brother Fa was the best (actor), but now it seems Director Jiang is the god of acting!"

Zhou Runfa quickly said: "Ah, how could I compare with Director Jiang? I only know how to act myself, while Director Jiang can both direct and act, and each of those is the best!"

Xie Tingfeng also muttered, "Director Jiang's acting is indeed worth learning from!"

Jiang Heng laughed heartily; although he knew their words were somewhat exaggerated, he was still quite pleased inside.

"Oh come on, it's just praise. I'm just here for a cameo; if we want the film to be a big hit, we still need you!"

Wang Jing, however, put on a serious face and said: "Director Jiang, that's modest of you—your three‑minute cameo could easily add at least another three hundred million to the box office!"

Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company - Outstanding Rising Film Company

Speaking of Zhou Runfa, he actually hasn't had a film grossing over ten billion yet. His previous best, Let the Bullets Fly, made 8.6 billion, but that was Jiang Wen's work.

He is genuinely looking forward to Macau Storm doing well—not necessarily breaking ten billion, but at least surpassing the box‑office record of Let the Bullets Fly.

With that thought, Zhou Runfa put genuine effort into the later filming.

Primordial: The Fall of the Heavenly Court - Primordial: The Fall of the Heavenly Court

During this period, online promotion activities for Huang Dao Tian Ting Fu Mie followed one after another, mostly revolving around special ticket prices of 9.9 and 19.9.

Let the Bullets Fly - Let the Bullets Fly

Jinling Thirteen Hairpins - Jinling Thirteen Hairpins

Primordial: Houyi Shoots the Suns - Primordial: Houyi Shoots the Suns

And at this moment, the advance box office for Huang Dao Tian Ting Fu Mie has already exceeded 100 million, once again setting a new record for the fastest time to reach 100 million in the Neidi film market.

Reaching 100 million in advance sales before release—something unthinkable just a few years ago! Some media say that hitting 100 million in advance sales is merely the ticket‑issuing limit of group‑buying websites, not the film's advance‑sale limit.

If all nationwide theater chains and cinemas partnered with group‑buying websites, not only 100 million but even 200 or 300 million in advance box office could conceivably appear.

With that reasoning, audiences actually found it quite plausible, expecting that Huang Dao Tian Ting Fu Mie's box office wouldn't be poor—and might even surpass that of its predecessor!

After all, before Huang Dao Hou Yi Shooting the Suns was released, nobody knew what a Huang Dao film would be like.

By now, far too many people want to see the spectacular scenes of the "Undead Sorcerer War."

Meanwhile, wealthy tycoons and rich second‑generation heirs are scrambling to buy premiere tickets for Huang Dao Tian Ting Fu Mie.

If they can't snag them online, they buy at inflated prices, with the cost driven up to over three thousand per ticket.

In an apartment in Jingcheng, Ni Ni stands by the window answering the phone.

"Let me ask for you—you know how hard these tickets are to get!"

On the other end, a sweet‑voiced girl says: "Ni Ni, I know you're the best—you'll surely find a way. You know how much I adore Director Jiang; I just hope I can get a chance to take a photo with him…!" Ni Ni thinks to herself: "Damn, I haven't even taken a picture with him yet!"

She had actually run into Jiang Heng before at an event.

But the film hasn't premiered yet, the self‑styled actors lack confidence, and Jiang Heng has been constantly busy, so they truly haven't taken a joint photo.

"Um, I can only say I'll try my best, okay? I'll make a call first and get back to you right away whether I succeed or not."

"All right, Ni Ni, I love you to death!"

After hanging up, Ni Ni wears an expression of helplessness.

The premiere event for Huang Dao Tian Ting Fu Mie is being handled by Broad Sodium Film Industry, and she hasn't had any dealings with them yet.

The Thirteen Hairpins of Jinling is scheduled for the New Year slot, and its promotional campaign hasn't started yet; she also hasn't dealt with Broad Sodium Film Industry.

After thinking it over, Ni Ni finally plucked up the courage to call Zhang Yimou.

He was quite surprised, laughed after hearing her request, and said he just happened to have an extra ticket he could give her, then added a few remarks about walking the red carpet and doing interviews on the day of the premiere.

Zhang Yimou naturally would attend the premiere of Huang Dao Tian Ting Fu Mie, with Ni Ni as his female companion; they weren't there merely to bolster Jiang Heng's prestige, and they'd also need to promote The Thirteen Hairpins of Jinling while there.

Although this film, Zhang Yimou cares more about its artistic merit and whether it wins awards.

But with such an investment, the box office also has to be considered! Ni Ni naturally agreed to everything, hung up, then called her college roommate and close friend to relay the ticket news.

The friend was over the top excited, showered Ni Ni with praise, then started fantasizing about what she'd say when she met Jiang Heng and how she'd pose for photos.

Ni Ni really couldn't stand her friend's "wild fantasies," explained the ticket‑handling details, and then hung up.

She immediately sat down on the sofa to ponder her future prospects.

After finishing The Thirteen Hairpins of Jinling, she got only a minor supporting role in a film; saying her prospects are bleak may be an exaggeration, but she truly lacks confidence deep down.

Zhang Yimou had previously mentioned his follow‑up shooting plans, which seemed to have no suitable role for her.

And at Outstanding Rising Film Company, if you want to stand out and become a big star, you still need Director Jiang's favor!

Ni Ni silently told herself: "I have to make Director Jiang remember me!"

Over the next few days, she and her agent discussed her outfit for the Huang Dao Tian Ting Fu Mie premiere.

After much consideration, she finally chose a deep‑V evening gown; when Ni Ni put it on, she looked radiant.

Even though she hasn't had a released film yet, she already exudes a star's aura.

"You're gorgeous, Sister Ni Ni—Director Jiang will surely love it!" said the young female assistant.

People like them, who share in a star's glory, also hope Ni Ni will be strongly promoted by Jiang Heng, and they'll rise along with her tide.

Her agent insisted, "You must get a photo with Jiang Heng, and you must get his WeChat."

Once you're friends, you'll send the two‑person photo over, and based on that look, demeanor, and outfit, there's no need to say how moved Jiang Heng will be.

All in all, just give her a little more attention and take care of her!

Ni Ni naturally thought the same, secretly cheering herself on in her heart without saying a word.

However, in the blink of an eye, the day of the premiere of 'The Wilderness: Overthrow of Heaven' arrived; the agent and assistant first took Ni Ni to the company, then together with Zhang Yimou they rode a car to the Olympic venue.

After getting out of the car and entering the venue, arriving at the red carpet, Ni Ni took off the down jacket she was wearing, put on a deep V dress, and stepped onto the red carpet amidst countless praises.

(End of chapter)