Chapter 539: Banquet

After the premiere, as usual, there was a welcome banquet.

The main creators and guests of the film 《Great King Don't Panic》 sat together eating and drinking, engaging in mutual praise.

First, they praised Jiang Heng's screenplay, with Han Sanping smiling and saying: "I really didn't expect it—Director Jiang never worked a day as a low-level employee, yet he knows all the office tricks inside out!"

Zhao Hua Yong said: "Director Jiang is the big boss; workplace matters are seen from a high vantage point, clear as day!"

Jiang Heng laughed: "I just listened to some workplace stories and adapted them into Journey to the West—nothing special!"

Zhang Yimou said: "A newly crafted story is also impressive!"

Ning Hao also said: "This film achieving today's success is also thanks to Director Jiang!"

Jiang Heng hurriedly said: "I only wrote a rough draft; many details and scenes were your ideas!"

He then glanced at Lin Zhicong and Tao Hui opposite, nodding slightly: "Of course, their performances are indispensable too!"

Lin Zhicong is from Xianggang, considers himself Jiang Heng's old fellow townsman, has collaborated many times, and always sees himself as Jiang Heng's junior.

He gave a silly smile: "Actually, I don't have much talent; I just listen and work hard. Since the boss let me be the lead, I'll definitely give it my all!"

Ning Hao glanced at Jiang Heng's expression, then praised: "Zhicong's performance is indeed good; during filming he was very diligent, without those weird demands!"

Zhang Yimou suddenly said: "That's really rare—when you encounter someone with a ton of demands and huge ego, only half your mind can go to filming, the rest spent appeasing them!"

As soon as he said that, everyone at the table burst out laughing, clearly knowing whom Zhang Yimou meant.

It seems the cooperation on 《City of Golden Armor》 truly hurt Zhang Yimou, given Zhou Runfa's approach back then.

Of course, Director Zhang Yimou has a calm personality and usually stays silent; it's only Zhang Weiping's explosive temperament that almost came to blows with Zhou Runfa, each claiming the crew couldn't work without the other.

In the end, Zhang Yimou acted as mediator, forcing Zhang Weiping to apologize, and the film barely got finished.

From this angle, his directorship is indeed quite troublesome.

Han Sanping said: "Such people are ultimately few; it's better to have reliable ones like Zhicong!"

Tao Hui, sitting nearby, saw the conversation revolve around Lin Zhicong and grew anxious, her feelings plain on her face.

Du Huan, seeing it inappropriate to praise her himself, told Jiang Heng: "All not bad!"

Jiang Heng laughed heartily: "Indeed, Tao Hui's performance this time is also good; I'll give her a few more films later, no loss!"

Tao Hui had been waiting for those words, stood up, raised her glass: "Thank you, Director Jiang, I toast you!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, took a sip of beer, and casually said: "Du Huan spoke for you, so we can't leave him out either!"

Upon hearing this, Tao Hui's words, Tao Hui's expression turned a bit awkward.

Her relationship with Du Huan is obvious to everyone, but because it's never been formally announced, it's a bit embarrassing.

Du Huan, that old smooth operator, instead felt pleased: "Later we'll drink alone; I'll tell you about the new film!"

Han Sanping laughed: "You old kid, this is using public resources for private gain!"

Du Huan gave a hehe smile, without explanation.

Tao Hui blinked her beautiful big eyes, looked at Du Huan, then glanced at Jiang Heng, Han Sanping, Zhang Yimou, etc.

Any one of them could change her fate with a single word.

Unfortunately, the only one she can rely on now is Du Huan.

If it were a private setting, they could talk properly.

The meal lasted until past nine; the exhilarated Du Huan shouted for another round.

Han Sanping, Zhao Hua Yong, Zhang Yimou, etc., thought it too late and each went home.

Ning Hao, Lin Zhicong, and other main creators went together to KTV for the next round; Jiang Heng disliked such activities and had his driver take him home.

The somewhat drunk Du Huan put his arm around Jiang Heng's shoulder: "You're also young, how can you not keep up with an old man like me? Why go home at this hour?"

Jiang Heng smiled: "I don't have your tricks!"

Just as Tao Hui stepped forward to also persuade with a couple of words, her expression turned bashful, and she couldn't bring herself to speak.

Ning Hao puzzled: "You really aren't going?"

Jiang Heng waved his hand: "Alright, you go ahead; expenses go on the production account, have fun!"

"Sure!"

"Thanks, Director Jiang!"

"Long live Director Jiang!"

Compared to Du Huan, Tao Hui, Ning Hao, Lin Zhicong, etc., who want to hang out with Jiang Heng, most ordinary staff actually don't want him around.

They feel the status gap is huge and would hold back.

In a flawless version!

Yet, seeing Jiang Heng off amid everyone's send‑off, he got into the car and left the hotel; not far out the driver asked: "Boss, where to next?"

If following normal procedure, he'd certainly be sent home.

The problem is Jiang Heng owns too many houses in Jingcheng—nearly a hundred luxury villas alone, and he regularly stays in seven or eight of them.

Even the driver is at a loss, and Jiang Heng himself has to think where to sleep tonight.

Liu Yifei is filming in Hengdian; her place there is empty, so no need to go.

Jing Tian is out of town recording a variety show, not in Jingcheng these days.

Thinking of this, Jiang Heng couldn't help but smile.

Himself this big boss, big director, still conservative—honestly, loving Outstanding Rising Film Company, there are far more people living better than him.

Besides Tao Hui, Du Huan actually has many other lovers, just not as outstanding as Tao Hui.

As for the company's vice‑presidents and department managers, tricking a‑list actresses is unlikely; they only fool newcomers dreaming of overnight fame, which is far too easy.

Moreover, when they're doing the tricking, they most often say: "I have this or that connection with Director Jiang; later I'll arrange for you to join the crew."

At that point, the girls often stare wide‑eyed, innocently asking: "Really?" Of course, such things ultimately depend on mutual consent; among girls in the entertainment circle, how many are truly pure white lotuses?

As long as it's not too embarrassing, Jiang Heng is too lazy to intervene, and indeed can't.

Without saying anything else, his distant relatives from his northeastern hometown, relying on a photo with him, have coaxed not a few young girls.

Perhaps because he had drunk, Jiang Heng's thoughts slowed a bit; he didn't immediately answer the driver's words, but instead asked him where they had gotten to.

The driver said the name of the residential complex; Jiang Heng realized, 'This is the residential complex developed by our group company, right?'

Yes, the residential complex has many large-floor luxury apartments, provided as dorms for the company's artists; Yang Mi, Tang Yan, Zhao Liying, they all live here!

Jiang Heng couldn't help laughing, 'You're really suited to be a driver!'

The latter gave a simple smile, 'Well, who should we find to have another drink?'

Jiang Heng thought for a moment, 'Let's call Yang Mi!'

Because the premiere of 'No Sweat, Big King' wasn't planned to be that large, even if the company's artists were too busy with their schedules to have time, they weren't required to attend.

Yang Mi currently has an advertisement shoot in Jingcheng, so she didn't go to the premiere.

As for whether he has arrived home by now, it's really hard to say. (End of chapter)