Chapter 541

After a day passed, neither of them went out; as for food, drink, and daily necessities, they had the driver buy and deliver them upstairs.

On the third day, Jiang Heng had to return to the crew of 《Great Sage Returns》 to film.

Yang Mi was still somewhat reluctant, she put her arms around Jiang Heng's neck, her voice slightly coquettish, saying: 'Then you promise me, after this film is finished, take me on a vacation, okay?'

Jiang Heng laughed and said: 'Of course, if it weren't that the crew had to go, I would want to leave right now!'

What Jiang Heng said was true, because his fame in China was too high; going out anywhere posed a risk, obviously it would be more relaxing to vacation abroad.

Yang Mi was very happy, she lightly kissed Jiang Heng's cheek, 'Alright, then hurry up and finish filming!'

'Mm!'

Jiang Heng went downstairs straight to the underground garage, then immediately drove out of the residential complex in a Mercedes C260.

After reaching a luxury villa garage nearby, he switched to a Porsche 911, then drove to the China Film Digital Base.

The car drove lightly on the wide road, and Jiang Heng's thoughts wandered a bit.

Recalling the past two days' experience, he felt it was somewhat unbelievable.

Thinking back to when he had just been reborn, he had been wholly focused on his career; how come now that he's older, he instead indulges himself?

Could it be like Liu Bei, thinking 'I've fought half my life, can't I enjoy myself a bit?'

But speaking frankly, people indeed tend to indulge themselves more as they reach middle age.

For men, either after achieving some success in their career, they develop a mindset of enjoyment.

Or because their waist and knees feel sore and weak, they fear that in a few years ailments like hypertension and diabetes will plague them, and they want to indulge but no longer have the body for it.

Women's thoughts are also easy to understand, because as age increases, the gender bonus disappears day by day.

When young, with sweet looks and a striking figure, even being willful is charming.

But once age advances, if they still keep the temper of youth, they appear ferocious.

So the marital relationship of middle-aged couples is often the most fragile...

Jiang Heng wandered in thought all the way; by the time he got out of the car at the China Film Digital Base, he was already pondering which year would be better to release 《The Wandering Earth》.

'Director Jiang, you look a bit worn out; aren't you tired?' Yuande came walking toward him, laughing.

Because according to the previous shooting schedule, yesterday was supposed to be a normal workday.

But Jiang Heng gave the crew an extra day off, obviously there's a problem!

'Where does it look worn out? I'm full of spirit!'

'Yes, yes, I was mistaken!'

Upon mentioning 'full of spirit,' Jiang Heng couldn't help but think of the film 《Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy》.

The film had long finished shooting; it is currently in tense post‑production, with its release slot set for the year‑end holiday season.

So far, the two film companies Love Outstanding Rising and Extensive Receive have four major films—《King Don't Panic》, 《The Great Wall》, 《Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy》, and 《Three Body 2》—about to be released.

In addition, a bunch of medium‑low‑budget films including 《Miss Fortune in Xihong City》 will be released in theaters in suitable slots.

Furthermore, the American version of 《Alien Branching Paths》 co‑produced with Columbia Pictures has already started filming, with the female lead chosen as Gulnazar, and it is expected to be shown in mainland China in the future.

Looking around, the films currently showing or about to show in theaters that are somewhat noteworthy are almost all related to Outstanding Rising Film Company; rival companies truly feel hopeless just thinking about it! Jiang Heng returned to the crew, and filming of 《Great Sage Returns》 continued.

Moreover, in these past few days, publicity reports about 《King Don't Panic》 have been increasing.

Previously limited to websites such as Weibo, Douban, Tianya, and Tieba, now there is also a Douyin app.

The publicity team released many edited clips of interesting segments, pushing them to video users.

Plus, Ning Hao's 'skill' is still present; the film is both funny and thought‑provoking, so 《King Don't Panic》 instantly became many people's top pick for National Day viewing.

Yang Mi was no exception; she sent Jiang Heng a wonderful video clip of 《King Don't Panic》, asking if it really was that hilarious.

When Jiang Heng saw it in his free time, he replied on WeChat: 'Not bad!'

'Then, when the film is released, shall we go see it together?'

Jiang Heng hesitated upon seeing this message; he had attended the premiere, so he knew the full picture. However, at this moment it really was hard to refuse Big Honey.

After thinking, he replied: 'Alright!'

'Haha, then it's settled!'

A few days later, on October 1, Yang Mi came to the 《Great Sage Returns》 set in the morning to visit, and even did a cameo as the female demon in the inn scene.

To be frank, Jiang Heng really didn't intend to make a fuss over the cast in this version of 《Great Sage Returns》.

But so far, he, Zhang Ruoyun, and Yang Mi have already done cameos; speaking of which, will nobody else come afterward?

At noon they ate boxed lunches together at the set; in the afternoon Yang Mi stayed in Jiang Heng's RV playing games, occasionally stepping out for fresh air.

In the evening, the two drove off together.

First they went to a nearby place to eat, then went to the Huairou branch of China Film Red Red Cinema to watch a movie.

When the two arrived at the cinema, it was already past nine in the evening, yet there were still many spectators.

Watching it, they found not a single mistake in the version!

The auditorium that Jiang Heng and Yang Mi chose still had an occupancy rate of over 80%.

'There are so many people here!'

Yang Mi sat in the back, speaking in a low voice.

Jiang Heng laughed, 'How about we switch to my private cinema instead?'

'No, I just like being here; there's atmosphere!'

Jiang Heng burst out laughing and said in a low voice, 'Solo joy isn't as good as shared joy, right?'

'Exactly, it's only fun with so many people together!'

He immediately passed over the popcorn, 'Here, try it, it's very sweet!'

Jiang Heng laughed, 'Just from the sound you can tell it's sweet!'

While they were chatting, the film had already started.

And throughout the movie, laughter kept bursting out in the theater.

Yang Mi isn't hard to make laugh; she laughed until she leaned forward and backward, with no idol baggage.

Jiang Heng, having seen it once before, laughed in a more restrained way.

As they walked out after the screening, they could still hear the audience's chatter around them.

"This movie is so interesting, it feels like looking in a mirror!"

"Yeah, I really want our leaders to watch this film too—changing orders overnight, unfulfilled promises, infinite responsibility shifting—it's practically identical!"

"This is just a workplace fairy tale, old bottle with new wine!"

"Director Ning Hao is impressive, his black humor as always!"

"I think Director Jiang is still the impressive one—he wrote the script!"

"He and Ning Hao wrote it together!"

……

Jiang Heng didn't pay much attention to these, but Yang Mi kept her ears perked up listening; whenever she heard praise for Jiang Heng, she smiled until she couldn't close her mouth.

Back in the car, some admiring gazes fell on Jiang Heng, and she exclaimed, "You casually write a script and it's this amazing!"

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "There's a lot more to my awesomeness than you know!"

Da Mi Mi froze for a moment, then put on a coy look, saying, "Is there? I don't know!"

"You'll find out soon enough!"

He then drove the car away, quickly disappearing into the night. (End of chapter)