Chapter 538

Due to the spring festival and summer slots being monopolized by Jiang Heng's blockbusters, the year-end holiday slot has become a battlefield where many big directors vie for position.

The May Day and National Day slots, meanwhile, have become periods when numerous medium- and low-budget films are released in concentration.

This year's National Day slot has a total of 16 films released; the films produced and distributed by Love Outstanding Rising and Extensive Sodium alone number five, approaching one-third of the slot's total releases.

Naturally, the most anticipated among them is the West Journey-type special-effects comedy blockbuster produced by Jiang Heng and directed by Ning Hao—*The King Don't Panic*.

The film's main creative lineup isn't particularly strong; the male lead, Linglong Pagoda, is played by Lin Zhichong, while the female lead, Tao Hui, is a bottom-tier existence among the actresses of Outstanding Rising Film Company, with hardly any fame to speak of.

Yet, thanks to Du Huan's connection, she still carries considerable clout within Outstanding Rising Film Company.

It's also her first time starring in a special-effects blockbuster, and the company's male and female stars are all helping to promote it on social media.

In the past, one would naturally post a Weibo update, urging fans to show support.

But now that Douyin short videos have launched, the contracted artists of Outstanding Rising Film Company have all recorded short videos, posting their "interview" dialogues with Tao Hui and Lin Zhichong.

For a while, audiences became curious about the film *The King Don't Panic* and its female lead, Tao Hui.

A West Journey-type special-effects comedy makes audiences think of Stephen Chow, but with Lin Zhichong as the lead, one would expect there to be no touching love story.

After all, the male lead in a love story has to be at least somewhat handsome!

Nevertheless, the keywords "produced by Jiang Heng, directed by Ning Hao, comedy, special effects" still inspire countless film fans to want to watch it.

Even tickets for the premiere at the end of September saw many people rushing to grab them.

And on forums like Tianya and Tieba, what netizens discuss most is still Tao Hui's background.

After netizens dug deep, they discovered that she actually attended the same school as Dilireba—and even was her roommate.

Moreover, both entered Outstanding Rising Film Company through that year's open audition, which raises suspicion.

After all, the open audition was supposed to pick just one person—how did an extra one slip in? Who approved it, and how did this happen?

Some netizens posted with conviction: "Tao Hui is Jiang Heng's lover; when Director Jiang saw her E‑figure at the open audition, he couldn't walk away and then brought her into the company.

At first he didn't want Tao Hui to show her face, so he had her play only decorative roles, maintaining an actress's identity as a cover.

Really, the situation is that Tao Hui became Jiang Heng's underground lover..."

Some netizens aren't buying it, saying that with so many artists under Outstanding Rising Film Company, if Jiang Heng wanted someone he'd pick a star—why go after an amateur?

The original poster replied, "She's got a great figure!" In no time, the related topic spread everywhere, bustling with activity.

In the general manager's office of Outstanding Rising Film Company, Tao Hui sat on the sofa, face flushed with shame and anger: "Those losers are really too annoying, saying I'm Director Jiang's lover, spreading rumors everywhere, and you don't even care to stop them!"

Du Huan, meanwhile, was somewhat torn between laughter and tears: "It's indeed annoying; I've already called those few websites, and they'll delete the posts and ban the accounts soon—don't worry, it'll blow over quickly!"

Tao Hui thought to herself, "What do I have to fear? It's a pity the rumors are false; if I could really be with Director Jiang, I'd be thrilled—but he never gave me a glance!"

And she came over with a look of grievance, merely putting on an act.

Otherwise, if she were actually delighted to the point of being unable to close her mouth, this old thing Du Huan would surely be displeased.

After saying that, Tao Hui suddenly asked, "Then Director Jiang, will he still be able to attend the premiere?"

"Probably, yes!" Du Huan replied, also uncertain.

Tao Hui coquettishly said, "Then you go ask him—if he doesn't show up, we'll lose a lot of box office; this is my first special-effects blockbuster as lead, a low gross would be embarrassing!" Du Huan laughed: "Low box office means the company earns less; Director Jiang understands that, and besides, it's just rumors..."

"Oh dear, just give him a call—this is such an important matter!"

Du Huan couldn't argue, so he had to call Jiang Heng and tell him about the premiere of *The King Don't Panic*.

Seeing Du Huan's number, Jiang Heng thought it must be something major; upon hearing it was just a question about whether he'd attend the premiere, he replied helplessly, "Just this little thing? Of course I'll go!"

After hanging up, Du Huan wore an embarrassed expression: "See, Director Jiang didn't even take it to heart!"

Tao Hui looked a bit embarrassed: "He might just be busy filming and didn't see it!"

She thought to herself, "If Director Jiang hears the rumors about me and him, would he have any thoughts? Or is he still thinking about that girl Zhang Ruoruo?"

Humph, cuteness is worthless in the face of sexiness!

Yet, when it came to the premiere of *The King Don't Panic*, Tao Hui wore a beige, large-V strapless evening gown that showed off her stunning figure without a doubt.

The on‑look reporters and viewers all swallowed their saliva.

"Holy cow, that figure is too great—I didn't really believe that post before, but seeing it now, it's probably true!"

Looking at it one by one, there's not a single mistake!

"Yeah, it's too overbearing—who could resist it!"

"Director Jiang has such good fortune with women!"

"Maybe it's someone else!"

"Who else could it be, Director Du?"

"It's possible!"

The audience chatted excitedly, while the reporters kept snapping photos nonstop, trying to get as many nice shots as possible.

While Tao Hui was being interviewed, a reporter directly asked about the gossip between her and Jiang Heng.

Tao Hui gave a light smile: "Do you know what's made me happiest these days? It's hearing this rumor. And do you know what's hurt me the most? It's knowing that this rumor is false!"

The reporters and audience on site laughed nonstop upon hearing this, and thanks to Tao Hui's witty reply, their impression of her improved greatly.

And when Jiang Heng stepped onto the red carpet, the applause and cheers grew even more enthusiastic, with countless camera flashes blazing like a sheet.

During the interview segment, a reporter asked about the rumor, and Jiang Heng laughed: "There's really nothing to answer about this—false can't become true, true can't become false; time will prove everything!"

Having said that, he waved his hand and strode straight into the venue.

On the guest seats, Han Sanping, Zhao Hua Yong, and others in attendance rose one after another to greet and shake hands.

Since it wasn't directed by Jiang Heng and the investment wasn't high, this premiere invited only a few guests to show support, mostly friends with ties to the establishment.

As Ning Hao put it, the film's satire is so strong that we should invite only those friends who will feel something after watching it—idle passersby need not apply! And judging from the on‑site viewing effect, the film was still quite successful.

The reason is simple: satirical literary and artistic works are becoming ever rarer.

Especially in the film domain, back in the eighties and nineties domestic satirical films were plentiful, but later they became scarce—so much so that one could go many years without seeing a single one.

*The King Don't Panic* is full of satire, its plot is hilarious, its special effects are passable, and naturally it garnered widespread acclaim. (End of chapter)