Chapter 1061: Golden Horse or Golden Rooster? Shanhai Theater Chain!

"Twelve days apart, let me get a good sniff."

Lin Nan held Liu Liu Yifei tight, nuzzling hard against her neck. It made Miss Liu Ziwei Ziwei Gege laugh nonstop, ducking her neck to escape the tickle. "You think I'm a cat from home?"

"Aren't you? The pretty, quiet calico, the silly goofball orange tabby, the lazy, tsundere little black, the clever and agile tabby—mm, plus the domineering side and the fighting ability. Go on, tell me which one you're missing? Hahaha."

"Nonsense. I'm such a delicate, dainty, weak woman—none of those flaws you mentioned." Breaking free from his embrace, Liu Liu Yifei shot him a mock-angry glare with a smile.

"Hehe, then what about those good points I mentioned?"

"Hehe~~, let's go, everyone's waiting for you."

Miss Liu, grinning happily, dragged Lin Nan along, about to leave the tent. If they stayed any longer, Lin Dao Da would start getting handsy again.

The moment the leading lady dragged the director out into the open-air bonfire party venue the crew had marked off, they heard Han Jianü click her tongue teasingly:

"Lin Dao coming back to the set all travel-worn, wanting to change clothes before celebrating—everyone understands. But you took way too long changing, didn't you? From 5 o'clock till almost 6…

If you two hadn't come out, we'd have thought you newlyweds were going straight to bed. Sure, a short parting makes a new marriage sweeter, but there's no need to be that impatient. At worst, you two can turn in early tonight."

And just like that—in an instant—Liu Liu Qianqian's whole body radiated killing intent, a cold smile on her face, a chilling glint in her eyes, as she marched straight toward Little Han.

Immediately, the crew, who had been holding back their laughter, could no longer hold it in. Everyone laughed uproariously, egging things on as they listened to Han Jianü's "wails" and "pleas for mercy," telling Producer Liu not to hold back.

Lin Nan could only laugh helplessly, but his skin was thick; he paid no mind at all to Little Han's teasing: "We do need to turn in early today, after all, we have to get back to work as soon as possible."

"Lin Dao, you've been in the news all day today. Look, it's already dark now, but there's still a big crowd of entertainment reporters gathered outside the set who haven't left—they're just waiting to ambush you."

Guo Fan took over the conversation with a smile, turning the grill in front of him. On it was a whole fat sheep, sizzling with oil, while an assistant on the side kept brushing on sauce. The aroma was rich and very tempting.

"It's almost December, and it's getting dark earlier and earlier. As long as they don't mind the cold, let them be."

As he spoke, Lin Nan sat down in his seat, and Liu Liu Yifei, in a cheerful mood, came over and took her place too.

Only Han Jianü, eyes resentful, snorted coldly and walked around to the opposite side—had she apparently just made a "next time" appointment with Liu · Hua Mulan · Liu Yifei?

A moment later, when Han Jianü spoke again, her tone had already become much more serious and solemn:

"Brother Lin, the higher-ups held a big meeting yesterday and brought up your proposal. The leadership openly hinted to the top executives of more than half the film and TV industry present, telling all filmmakers, companies, and crews to 'carefully' consider whether to attend the Golden Horse next year.

Also, yesterday afternoon, my dad told me a bit of inside news: he said the Golden Rooster Awards organizing committee was also called into a meeting this morning, and the higher-ups intend to have next year's Golden Rooster Awards ceremony held on the same evening as the Golden Horse Awards."

"Pick one of two, just like that?" Even Zou Zou Zhaolong couldn't hold back, exclaiming.

For a moment, everyone's expression grew grave.

"If it's really like this, then the meaning is very clear. To thoroughly and formally elevate the status of the Golden Rooster, making it the new top of the Chinese-language 'Three Golds.'" Guo Fan looked at Lin Nan.

"If the ceremony date announced at next year's Golden Rooster Awards launch really is exactly the same as the Golden Horse Awards, then Brother Lin, you top directors in the industry will most likely have to face the higher-ups' 'assignment.'

Even bureau leaders will come to greet you in person, and at the very least they'll require you to attend the closing red carpet and the awards ceremony! Of course, us somewhat-famous directors won't be exempt either—even if it's just to fill seats, we still have to go. In other words, you can only pick one; you can't just stay home!"

Han Jianü reminded them in all seriousness. These words were actually also Old Han's guesses to her over the phone.

But although they were guesses, as his own daughter, Han Jianü firmly believed them. Because she knew very well that her own dad's "nose" had always been extremely sharp!

"It's still early. We'll deal with it when it comes." Lin Nan chuckled lightly, as calm as still water.

At this moment, in everyone's eyes, beneath Lin Dao's breezy, composed exterior, he must have been feeling a bit impatient; after all, his personal grudge with the Golden Rooster was something everyone knew about.

"It should be done. Shall we dig in?" Liu Liu Yifei's laughter rang clear as she deliberately changed the subject.

"Give me a lamb leg." Lin Nan picked up the thread naturally, tossing all that serious business to the back of his mind.

……

One night of indulgence, barely a draw, but as for recovery afterward…

Hehe. Lin Dao, who had been on a business trip for over ten days, should be fine sleeping in after getting back, right? Breakfast was even brought into the room personally by Producer Liu.

Meanwhile, outside.

Online, the matter about Crystal Pictures was still hanging on the hot-search headlines, but the very top spot already had a new occupant.

Countless netizens were gleefully eating melon, unanimously shouting that someone had it coming, and cheering the hat-wearing uncles' clean and decisive action.

Compared to the netizens online, a large number of industry insiders, while sighing, couldn't help muttering: has the film and TV industry offended the Grand Duke this year? So many people looking to die?

In the eyes of more than half the industry, all the bad luck and misfortune, everything, started from that film *Cell Phone 2*. From then on winter descended, and the industry had never known peace.

Look, the headline that just broke this morning is another heavy bomb; apparently still someone from the Beijing circle, still a member of the Huayi faction, a top-tier well-known powerhouse singer in the country.

Keywords: public tip-off, group member, ex of "One-Finger Zen," late-night arrest, the scene had a bit of ice, a bit of weed, and a beauty for company… right in the middle of getting high.

After interrogation, sure enough, another long-time offender!

And just like that, "One-Finger Zen" was instantly whitewashed online.

Because someone claiming to be the woman's friend piped up and posted: saying the reason the woman had quietly divorced the man back then was exactly this—she couldn't talk him out of it;

and the "One-Finger Zen" incident really did happen after the divorce; it was just that the divorce had never been publicly announced, which was why when the "One-Finger Zen" incident broke, the woman's reputation plummeted;

as for why the divorce was never publicly announced? Those who know, know—it was at the man's request, and since the man had background, had connections, had a network, and there was also a son caught in the middle, the woman could only agree to keep the divorce hidden first, and to keep certain things confidential…

"How to evaluate it? Saying these 'insider press releases' whitewashing the woman are completely true—that's absolutely impossible. But if you say sixty to seventy percent of it is true, that should still be possible.

After all, it's a press release meant to whitewash things at this point, so it definitely has to have some truth in it, but there's bound to be some embellishment mixed in as well."

Wang Wang Changtian signed a contract while teasing with a smile. A moment later, he pushed one of the contracts in front of him across to Dong Ping opposite.

"One's already fallen off the A-list, the other will be banned outright—no one in the circle will care about them. Even Huayi isn't already a thing of the past?" Dong Ping also chatted breezily, laughing dismissively.

The transfer contract for *Under the Light* was formally finalized; next, Enlight Pictures would liaise directly with Zhang Zhang Yimou's studio.

And the fifty million in cash would be deposited into Huanxi's account within a week. As for this collaboration, it was undoubtedly a win-win.

"True enough." Wang Wang Changtian nodded, then invited Dong Ping and the others to have a couple of drinks together at noon, a luncheon to celebrate closing the deal.

But the latter politely declined, giving a perfectly reasonable reason: he had to go help Ning Hao's side oversee the premiere of *Crazy Alien*, since it was the morning after tomorrow.

"When it's time for the premiere and the celebration banquet, we'll drink slowly then, hahaha…" Dong Ping led a group into the elevator, waving and chatting with Wang Wang Changtian, who was seeing them off.

A moment later, Big Lao Wang turned and went back to his office, instructing Li Li Xiaoping:

"The project *Under the Light* is officially greenlit at our company. You go to Zhang Zhang Yimou's studio this afternoon; Zhang Mo should be the one handling daily operations and liaison over there. Have a good chat with the father and daughter—if they have any requests, just have them speak up directly."

"Understood." Li Li Xiaoping naturally understood what Wang Wang Changtian meant. Her trip over was half about discussing the project, half about networking and laying the groundwork for goodwill.

"Before this project is publicly greenlit, it's still better to keep it confidential.

Hmm? But I can go tell Lin Nan about this first. After all, when it comes to directors, this finally counts as the second top-tier director we've worked with after him!"

Watching her own boss looking so impatient to show off, Li Li Xiaoping was, for a moment, genuinely speechless. Don't you think your last two sentences contradict each other?

A moment later, the smile had already vanished from Wang Wang Changtian's face, all because Lin Nan's phone was just too hard to get through to. The latter's line was always busy — the truly busy kind, not the kind where the other party was simply declining the call.

That's right, Lin Dao was currently giving Yue Jun instructions on serious business: "The application materials I had you keep an eye on preparing — best to have them all ready before Spring Festival. Make absolutely sure there are no slip-ups. Once work resumes after Spring Festival, we can submit them."

"Understood." The excitement was already creeping into Yue Jun's voice. The company's new business was finally about to get moving.

"Following the procedure, I estimate it'll take at least half a year before we get a reply. Either they'll approve and accept our application, then continue through the process — formally reviewing our qualifications, startup capital, industry development plan… or they'll reject our application, point out the gaps, and we can revise and resubmit.

In short, we need to be mentally prepared — this is a very time-consuming thing. Let's aim to get the formal approval by the end of next year!"

"Speaking of which, I can't help but want to vent — it's really too time-consuming! Think back to the very beginning, back then it only took about half a year to get approval, right? And they weren't that strict about it either." Yue Jun laughed helplessly.

"You know that was the early days, right? But back then it was basically state-owned enterprises investing and holding shares, so those licenses naturally came fast. Later on it got stricter and stricter — that's policy, set in stone, and no one can change it.

At most they won't give you a hard time, let you pass in one go, but the procedures that need to be followed and the time that needs to be spent won't be discounted for you. Let's just take it slow — the higher-ups won't deliberately make things difficult."

Speaking of this, Lin Nan even recalled the origin of Wanda's license back in the day. Speaking of Wanda's process of entering the cinema business, it was honestly a bit dramatic.

Back in '02, because the domestic film market really was too poor, the policy at the time made a major reform — namely, allowing foreign capital to set up cinema chains domestically.

It was against this backdrop that Warner Bros., a Hollywood giant, came in first. With sharp vision, it wanted to be the first foreign enterprise to crack the Chinese-language film market.

But as foreign capital, to do well in the mainland, naturally you can't go it alone — you need a local snake to show the way, right? So Warner chose Wanda as its partner.

Of course, calling Wanda a partner is purely flattering Wanda. Back in '02, Wanda was undoubtedly just the little brother, the lackey, running errands for Warner's cinema business in the mainland!

It must be admitted that the Chinese market back then was undoubtedly an uncultivated, vast blue ocean;

So Warner's cinema business in China achieved "rapid" growth and expansion with ease — and it was full of vitality, incredibly smooth sailing.

But, fortune is unpredictable. In just three years, the policy made a 180-degree U-turn.

Just as Warner was preparing to continue increasing investment, expand its cinema chain, and build more theaters, the competent authorities came down with a blanket ban:

Foreign capital would no longer be allowed to operate cinema chains in the mainland; for foreign capital already involved in the cinema business, they were required to transfer their cinema holdings or controlling shares within a time limit…

It was precisely this opportunity that let Wanda, Warner's little brother, pick up a huge bargain.

The former took over, at cost, all of big brother Warner's theaters and cinemas in the mainland — and that is the origin of Wanda Cinema's basic foundation.

Additionally, Warner back then wasn't leasing land to run cinemas — all the theaters were its own property. Thus, Wanda inherited this development model as well.

Then, within the time limit, they obtained the cinema license. From then on, there was Wanda Cinema charging forward in the Chinese-language film market — which later swept all before it to become the mainland's number-one cinema chain!

"Shanhai?" Yue Jun's question pulled Lin Nan's thoughts back.

"Mm, according to the original plan — Shanhai."

"Good, then Shanhai Cinema it is!" Yue Jun nodded heavily and took a deep breath.

If nothing unexpected happens, in the not-too-distant future, his position should change. Yep — Shanhai Cinema. And the matters here at Lin Nan Pictures would all be handed over to Jiang Jiang Xuerou to handle alone.

As for Tiangong Color, Shiyue Culture, Shanhai Media… and even the stake held in Happy Happy Mahua? All that can be said is — we'll wait and see the boss's arrangements then.