Chapter 486: Coaxing Xu Lao Guai

Du Huan achieved his goal and left in a hurry, Jiang Heng continued filming.

Seeing Liu Yifei watching with interest beside him, he smiled and said, "How about you come and cameo a role?"

"Ah, can I?"

"Of course!"

"Then, what role?"

Jiang Heng thought for a moment, "Just play a witch!"

In the script's setting, among the extraterrestrial planets, there is a magical civilization.

Of course, the magical level of that civilization is not very high. No matter how powerful a mage, facing thousands of guns or a blue-light Gatling, they would still be shot full of holes.

However, in the later sequel, a formidable character similar to the "Scarlet Witch" could appear.

So, Jiang Heng planned to portray Liu Yifei's cameo role as a highly talented figure who would cause plenty of trouble for the male protagonist's adventure team, leaving ample room for development in the sequel's conception.

Liu Yifei was quite interested in this, but thinking it was already late, she felt it definitely couldn't happen today.

Jiang Heng thought for a moment, took pen and paper to draw a sketch, had the costume and props team produce it overnight according to the design, then promptly wrapped up early, letting everyone disperse.

Jiang Heng drove, took Liu Yifei to a nearby restaurant for a meal, then immediately returned to this side's mansion.

The next day, arriving at the set, the costumes and props had indeed been rushed out; he hurriedly had Liu Yifei go for makeup first, then began shooting.

The special-effects blockbuster looked magnificent, but filming in front of the green screen was still rather awkward.

A bunch of people hung on wires, doing various motions in the air, looking especially silly.

That is, Jiang Heng had all the scenes memorized; if someone else looked at these shots, they'd be bewildered.

The production started in late September and remained busy until mid-December before wrapping up.

Because the year-end holiday slot lacked a big film from iQiyi, Jiang Heng spent most of his time at the set, rarely participating in activities unless he couldn't get out of it.

That day, Jiang Heng had just returned to his mansion in Jingcheng to rest for two days when his assistant Cui Zhenzhen left him a message saying Director Feng Xiaogang had come, heard he wasn't there, and left an invitation to the premiere of "Private Custom".

Jiang Heng replied that he knew, put down his phone, and couldn't help laughing.

So-called business is like a battlefield; the relationship between iQiyi and its rivals is alternately good and bad.

When things are good, the Wang brothers, Director Feng, and many artists under Huayi will come to show support.

When relations are sour, they sometimes sabotage each other, and it's not uncommon for them to go long periods without contact.

Of course, they are all respectable people, so surface matters certainly won't differ much.

Since Director Feng personally came to deliver the invitation, Jiang Heng still decided to go.

As for the film's reputation, that's another matter; its entertainment value is still somewhat present.

On December 17th, a driver drove him to the ceremony venue.

After getting out of the car and walking onto the red carpet, the on-site reporters were excited, their cameras clicking nonstop.

Likewise, the celebrity guests who came to "lend support" were also shocked, never expecting Jiang Heng to show up.

After walking the red carpet and entering the inner venue, Director Xu Ke came forward to shake hands, saying, "Long time no see, Director Jiang!"

"Long time no see, Director Xu, what have you been busy with lately?"

"Hey, what can I be busy with? Just running around looking for big bosses to pull investment!"

Because the film "Detective Dee: The Dragon King of the Divine Capital" collapsed in both reputation and box office, Xu Lao Guai also frightened the investors, causing some previously discussed film and TV projects to be terminated; he thought to find the Wang brothers to talk again.

The problem is, his film "Detective Dee: The Dragon King of the Divine Capital" had just made Huayi lose a bundle, and in the short term nobody dared to cooperate with him, so this time he came expecting to gain nothing.

Unexpectedly meeting Jiang Heng made Xu Lao Guai overjoyed.

"Director Jiang, you've been mighty lately, opening several big films in a row; I don't know if I have a chance?"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "I know your ability; there's definitely no problem—let's chat another day!" Hearing this, Xu Ke's eyes lit up; he could hardly wait to drag Jiang Heng out of the café, "Don't wait for another day—today would be great!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, "Alright, then let's end the event!"

Zhang Guoli then stepped forward with a chuckle, "If there's a suitable role, don't forget me, Director Jiang!"

He too is an old friend of Jiang Heng, having played the Jade Emperor in "Saving Mother by Splitting the Mountain," and also appeared in many iQiyi-produced films; their relationship has always been good.

"Saying that, I definitely won't forget you!"

Besides, Hu Haiquan, Yao Chen, and the main creators of the film "Private Custom" also came over to say hello.

As for Ge You, needless to say, he's also an old friend of Jiang Heng.

Zheng Kai is not only signed with iQiyi but is also a guest on "Running Brothers," with very high popularity.

Li Xiaolu and Bai Baihe, looking at them, are both very pretty.

Jiang Heng mostly just nodded in acknowledgment; only when seeing Fan Wei did he politely extend his hand, saying, "Hey, Teacher Fan Wei, hello, hello!"

Fan Wei hurriedly said modestly, "Oh, in front of Director Jiang, I dare not call myself teacher!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, "What have you been busy with lately?"

Fan Wei said, "What can I be busy with? Just idling—if someone finds me I shoot a film, if no one does I just stay put!"

Those around heard it and all laughed.

Jiang Heng also laughed, "I'll go back and ask Director Li (Li Xiaoping) if there's a suitable script for Teacher Fan Wei, and we'll film one too!"

Upon hearing this, Fan Wei hurriedly said, "Oh, that's really thanks to Director Jiang, thank you!"

While everyone was exchanging pleasantries, the Wang brothers, Feng Xiaogang, and others also came over, exchanging some warm pleasantries, looking like a harmonious group.

After the ceremony, Huayi Company also arranged a reception dinner; Jiang Heng, however, smiled and declined, leaving together with Xu Ke.

"Is he going to invest in Xu Lao Guai?"

Gazing in the direction Jiang Heng left, Xiao Wang Zong muttered.

Actually, regarding Xu Ke's ability, the Wang brothers still consider it acceptable; it's just that his hit-or-miss performance makes them dare not use him again in the short term.

Jiang Heng seeking him out—won't he just make another box-office hit? Then, waiting for Huayi to seek collaboration, he'll perform abnormally again? That would be too much of a pitfall.

Feng Xiaogang at the side said in an envious tone, "How many big films has iQiyi opened this year? Truly wealthy and imposing!"

Zhang Guoli chimed in, "Yeah, really rich!"

……

Jiang Heng and Xu Ke are both from Xianggang, so they chose a Cantonese-style restaurant for their meal.

Shortly after sitting down, Xu Laoguai brought up the investment.

Jiang Heng laughed and asked Xu Ke what he thought.

Xu Ke said with a sheepish tone: "Over the past decade or so, I've made quite a few big films, with losses and gains; I don't really have many ideas left. Director Jiang, if you have any good ideas, feel free to share!"

"Sure, I actually have a pretty good idea!"

"What?"

"Main theme!"

"Main theme?"

Xu Ke looked at Jiang Heng with a look of surprise, his eyes conveying "Are you messing with me?" He, Xu Laoguai, was born in Vietnam, made his name in Xianggang, and later went north to film.

Based on his many years of experience, it's completely mismatched with the main theme! (End of chapter)