Chapter 455

At the end of August, Jiang Heng took a flight back to the country.

Because they needed to keep the itinerary secret, he and Liu Yifei went separate ways, with the latter first going to Shanghai to participate in a film's promotional event.

Jiang Heng, on the other hand, flew directly to Jingcheng, returned to his own mansion, rested another day before going to the company.

In the morning, a group company meeting was convened, hearing the recent development status of many subsidiaries.

Only in the afternoon did he have time to have a detailed chat with the heads of each subsidiary.

First on the list was Yu Dong, because Jiang Heng's work arrangements for the coming period were all related to him.

The first item was the celebration banquet for *Black Myth: Wukong*, since Yu Dong was fully in charge, some details still needed to be mentioned to Jiang Heng.

Next was the sequel to *The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber: The Demon Cult Leader*, which, as previously agreed, would be produced by Broad Sodium Film Industry and directed by Wang Jing, and production was about to start soon.

But when Yu Dong entered the room, the first thing he said was *Macau Storm*.

"Director Jiang, your popularity domestically is beyond words! Even though you didn't attend the premiere, sending a blessing video got the fans wildly excited!"

Originally, at the late July premiere of *Macau Storm*, Jiang Heng was still vacationing overseas; unwilling to make a long trip, he recorded a blessing video that was played before the film screening at the ceremony, and surprisingly it also earned applause from the whole audience—one can only say fans are usually tolerant of their idols.

Moreover, *Macau Storm* gained audience recognition thanks to Jiang Heng's participation and investment, as well as the upgrade in quality.

Since its release, it has already grossed over 800 million yuan; it is expected to easily surpass 900 million upon leaving theaters, nearly double what it was in his previous life!

"It's mainly because I wasn't acclimated those few days and felt unwell!"

Jiang Heng said with a slight apology, after all, he also felt somewhat guilty about not having kept the earlier promise.

Yu Dong chuckled: "I understand, I understand!"

Jiang Heng gave an embarrassed smile, dropped the topic, tossed a cigar over, and asked Yu Dong how the arrangements for the *Heaven Sword* crew were going.

Yu Dong said: "Everything is ready, the actors' schedules have all been coordinated; we're just waiting for you to join the set."

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, smiling: "It must not have been easy, right?"

"Indeed, but thinking about it, it's really worth it!" Yu Dong remarked.

According to Jiang Heng's idea, this film was to feature an all-martial-arts-star cast, with major and minor roles preferably filled by somewhat well-known action actors.

It was quite difficult not only to hire them but also to negotiate prices and coordinate schedules.

Among these action actors, two were somewhat troublesome: one was Cheng Long senior, who had no problem with a cameo, but he said he wanted to play Zhang Sanfeng.

Because he thought the fat Zhang Sanfeng played by Jinbao Hung in *The Demon Cult Leader* was really handsome, he also wanted to give it a try.

The problem was that the role of Zhang Sanfeng had already been given to Yen Zi-dan, and furthermore Yu Dong genuinely felt Cheng Long's image wasn't suitable.

After much persuasion, they finally got the elder brother to switch to a different role.

The second somewhat troublesome one was Li Lianjie, whose asking price was too high.

Yu Dong tried hard to haggle, but in the end it was only after Jiang Heng made a phone call that the matter was settled.

As for the other action stars, aside from those whose schedules truly couldn't be adjusted, basically they agreed as soon as they were asked.

After all, it's a major wuxia film starring Jiang Heng; one can easily imagine how high the traffic and attention will be—such an opportunity is rare!

Yu Dong also talked about the first reaction of the crowd when he sought out those action stars, laughing: "All eyes are on it, everyone is eagerly awaiting!"

Jiang Heng waved his hand, chuckling: "Not that much!"

"Really, there are actually many wuxia fans domestically; it's just that good films are too few."

Jiang Heng chuckled; he thought to say that wuxia had truly declined, and he wanted to film it purely for fun.

But seeing Yu Dong's high enthusiasm, he refrained from pouring cold water on him.

After a bit of small talk, Yu Dong left, and the boss of Beautiful Times Special Effects Company came in.

Because Jiang Heng didn't shoot any big special-effects films this year, the effects company lost its own orders, yet it was flooded with orders from other film and TV companies, taking on a huge backlog and doing very well. Jiang Heng summoned him merely to ask about the company's specific situation; he had no interest in the various companies' order demands.

The boss of Beautiful Times couldn't help but say: "Ah, before we got few external orders, but now we've broadened our horizons—no one wants to spend money on effects anymore, demands are low, just 'good enough' will do, except the deadline must be fast!"

Jiang Heng chuckled: "Otherwise, how could online comments always say domestic film and TV have five-cent special effects?"

The boss of Beautiful Times was stunned, then immediately chuckled: "What they say must refer to films other than yours—your movies are multi-hundred-million-dollar big productions, with special-effects costs converting to tens of millions of yuan, starting at a billion!"

Jiang Heng said: "You get what you pay for!"

"Exactly, exactly; domestically, only you are willing to spend money and care about quality!"

After a bit more small talk, Jiang Heng glanced at his watch, and that person then took his leave sensibly.

Jiang Heng called Jing Tian; her muffled voice said: "Yo, Your Majesty remembered me?"

"You should say 'your servant'!" Jiang Heng laughed.

"Aaaah, you make me furious—I'll bite you to death!"

"Then come over!"

"Hey, wait, I'm coming over right now!"

Da Tian Tian hung up the phone and hurried off to wash up and put on makeup.

During the time Jiang Heng was abroad, she basically just stayed at home binge-watching shows and playing games.

Occasionally she'd go out shopping or eating, then just return home to lie around—a total homebody.

Zhao Liying had also advised her, suggesting that if she felt bored she could go traveling, or if worse came to worst, join a film crew as a cameo.

But Jing Tian just found it meaningless, still staying home to kill time, until finally Jiang Heng returned.

After taking a shower and putting on a beautiful makeup, Jing Tian drove her Ferrari out and soon arrived at the Outstanding Rising Film Company building.

"Miss Jing!"

"Miss Jing!"

Along the way, staff members kept greeting her.

Wearing sunglasses and bright lipstick, Jing Tian merely gave a slight nod and headed straight for Jiang Heng's office.

Pushing the door open, she saw Jiang Heng sitting on the sofa looking at a tablet; Jing Tian lunged at him, opening her mouth toward his neck as if to bite.

Jiang Heng's assistant Cui Zhenzhen came over to close the door; seeing this, she hastily turned away, shut her eyes, and closed the door from outside.

Inside, Jiang Heng tilted his head and said: "Not washed!"

Da Tian Tian lightly spat into her own hand, intending to smear it on Jiang Heng's neck.

Jiang Heng hurriedly tilted his head: "Hey, haven't seen you in over a month, you're up to mischief, right?"

Da Tian Tian said: "Let me check, is it really dirty!"

Jiang Heng was both laughing and crying, feeling that this girl was doing it on purpose.

"Don't mess around, later I'll take you to eat something good!"

Jing Tian hehe said: "The good stuff is right here!"

Seeing Jiang Heng's astonished expression, she also said: "I'm not a delicate princess; I have plenty of strength and means!"

"Elder Tang, just give in!"

Jiang Heng laughed and said: "You little sprite, come on, go home!" (End of chapter)