Chapter 1146

By the 22nd, all cinema chains across the country had already developed the look of "nine out of ten houses empty."

Because those already at home dared not go out, and the wanderers away from home only wanted to return to their hometowns as quickly as possible; no one was willing to linger outside, and they were afraid to linger outside;

After all, deep in everyone's heart lies a common subconscious: that home is the safest place in the world, and the only harbor that allows one to set aside fear and unease.

"I heard that many places are already out of stock, and some are even taking advantage of this to make a fortune by crazily raising prices."

Lin Nan knew very well what Ning Hao was talking about. Because he had hoarded over a dozen large crates, all stored in the warehouse next to the basketball court inside the manor.

"Just honestly stay at home and be a shut-in; the main gate of our manor has been locked for over half a month now," Lin Nan reminded him earnestly. In the current situation, taking good care of oneself and not adding to the chaos is a merit, a contribution.

"Fine, Lin Dao is the one with awareness. I've only had my courtyard gate locked for less than a week," Ning Hao chuckled, joking.

"Alright, let's talk about that film *Lost in Russia*; how is the preparation going?" Lin Nan stopped the small talk and cut straight to the point; after all, it concerned his share of the profits.

"Speaking of this, I also admire Xu Zheng and Dong Ping. I heard that the two of them have been holding the fort at the company these past two days, showing up on time every day, just keeping an eye on the release."

Withdrawing the film is impossible now; the Hengdian side is dead set against it, so now we can only keep an eye on the screen allocation rate;

You have to admit, the screen resources left behind after a large number of films withdrew are truly abundant; Hengdian estimates that the comprehensive screen allocation rate for *Lost in Russia* on its first day could even reach over 90%!

Look, you're the one who's comfortable. According to the agreement between you and Xu Zheng, under normal distribution and release conditions, the cinema chains take 57%, Huanxi Production and Distribution takes 33%, and you take 10%.

Although it's currently in the form of a guaranteed release, it doesn't affect you at all. From just this 600 million, you can take 10/43, which is 23.256%; once the total box office exceeds 2.4 billion, you rascal can continue to take a share..."

Ning Hao's tone carried undisguised envy; having copyright is just great, being able to lie down and count money, waiting to collect a share.

"In the current situation, having a 600 million guarantee is already very good; it's a huge profit. You should urge Dong Ping later and have Huanxi settle the accounts with me immediately after the New Year."

Hearing that it was a normal release with no accidents, Lin Nan felt a bit more at ease and immediately urged Ning Hao with a chuckle.

What Lin Nan said was also his honest opinion; the current state is already very good, and he is very satisfied;

Because Huanxi and Lin Nan Film Industry have completely secured their gains, while all the current pressure is on the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance. Since they want to force a release, then listen to them; it's best not to offend them if possible.

Because at this very moment, the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance, bearing all the pressure and going all-in, is a giant powder keg; one slight mistake and it will explode!

"When the group received that 600 million in funds earlier, I already asked for you, but Dong Ping and Xu Zheng insisted on waiting until after the film is out of theaters to settle the accounts in one go.

In my opinion, the two of them are counting on the total box office exceeding 2.4 billion... thinking of getting the most profit at once before high-profile, slow distribution, thereby creating hype to stimulate the stock price..."

"Lin Nan, Lin Nan..." Liu Yifei's anxious voice exploded in Lin Nan's ear, so much so that he didn't even hear what Ning Hao said next on the other end of the phone.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Nan looked at Liu Yifei with her wavy hair draped over her shoulders and asked in confusion. The latter's complexion and expression were clearly off, as if she had been frightened by something.

"Grandma just heard an uncertain piece of news; it seems like back home they are going to..."

For an entire afternoon, the outside world was suspiciously, excessively calm.

The CCTV Spring Festival Gala rehearsals continued as usual, and the Spring Festival Galas of various local platforms also officially entered the final countdown of a few hours. At the same time, a large number of performance activities were also announcing cancellations and postponements one after another.

Some celebrities were posting on Weibo, apologizing or expressing regret for the sudden collapse of their schedules, while other celebrities were posting photos of rehearsals and studios...

Between the continued busyness of the entertainment industry and the sudden forced vacation, a rare harmonious picture was formed...

But this harmonious picture only maintained its heat on the internet for one afternoon, at most extending into the first half of the night;

And starting from the second half of the night, the waves after the calm indeed came more fiercely... early morning, dawn... countless people fled overnight like birds and beasts...

In the morning, the morning sun, lacking much warmth, climbed over the horizon.

And a piece of blockbuster news also appeared on the morning channels and across the entire internet simultaneously: starting from 10:00 AM sharp, officially...

Huanxi.

Xu Zheng's hands and feet couldn't help but tremble; he first felt an irrepressible lingering fear, but in an instant, it was a sense of relief like surviving a disaster.

"It's already been several days; we've been reserved enough. Can we reply to the ByteDance side now?"

Xu Zheng urged Dong Ping impatiently. The latter was looking at the news on the computer page with a serious face, his eyes filled with shock...

"Fine, you call." Dong Ping nodded, his gaze never moving away from the news page.

Hearing this, Xu Zheng dialed the number he had already dug out without a second word.

The greeting and laughter formed a sharp contrast with the impatience just moments ago; at this moment, Xu Zheng was a shrewd businessman to the extreme.

"In a while? Good, good... Tomorrow morning? Of course, no problem. Old Dong and I are both at the company these two days, so let's see you in a bit..."

After hanging up the phone with a chuckle, Xu Zheng noticed Dong Ping watching him, but he didn't pay much attention, instead laughing directly:

"The ByteDance people will be at our company in a while; let's sign directly today..."

"What about the guaranteed funds from Hengdian Film Industry?" Dong Ping asked in return. After seeing the news online, the last trace of hesitation in his heart had completely vanished.

"Tomorrow morning, Hengdian Film Industry will contact us; we'll just return it to them. These funds have only been in our account for three months; we'll calculate the interest for them."

"Old Xu, even though I support you and stand on your side right now, I still have to remind you: unilaterally terminating the box office guarantee distribution agreement with the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance will have very serious consequences."

"I still say the same thing: I have no other better choice. ByteDance not only gives more than Hengdian Film Industry, but most importantly, there is long-term, steady profit sharing, and the sharing ratio is far higher than what platforms like Tudou give. They are buying horse bones with a thousand gold, and I don't want to miss out, and we can't refuse..."

"Fine, I understand."

The manor gate, which had been closed for over half a month, opened at noon on the 23rd, letting Shu Chang in.

"I swear, I've been staying at home these days; I haven't gone anywhere. Today, the moment I went out, I drove straight to your place."

Shu Chang promised solemnly while undergoing the baptism of alcohol spray from Lin Nan and Liu Yifei.

"If it weren't for Xixi and your godmother finding you pitiful, I would never have let you in," Lin Nan said with a straight face, but the smile on his face betrayed him.

"Mm-hmm, thank you, godmother. By the way, Xixi told me you're going to process a Tan sheep tomorrow afternoon, right?" As expected of Liu Yifei's best friend, the topic shifted, and it naturally landed on food.

"Yeah, half roasted, half stewed. After all, including you, there are 11 adults in the house; one should be enough to finish it, and a six-month-old sheep isn't that big anyway."

After returning to the villa, Lin Nan stopped paying attention to the two ladies; they went off to play games.

I heard Liu Yan had been asking people since early morning; she could only find Liu Yifei and Shu Chang, these two idle A-listers. Other celebrities were busy with announcements even at a time like this.

"Xixi, you are forbidden from playing your signature hero Angela today. Every time you play, you camp in the bushes. Many times I've died while you're still camping, and even after our teammates are all killed, you're still camping there unmoved...

Can't you pick a fair and square hero? Don't always be so insidious... Oh, I was wrong, let me go, your big butt is going to sit on me to death? Ah..."

Shu Chang complained about Liu Yifei, but was instantly suppressed. "What do you mean only camping in bushes? What do you mean insidious? That's called tactics, that's high-end tactical operation!"

Old Lin, who was spending the New Year in the capital for the first time, planned to make a lot of delicious food, and started making it from today; and except for Liu Yifei and the two children, everyone else would try their best to help.

"Lin Nan, the meat buns must have thin skins and lots of filling!" Liu Yifei's voice sounded behind Lin Nan, and he answered without looking back: "Understood!"

"As of now, except for *Lost in Russia*, all other films originally planned for release during the Spring Festival slot have been withdrawn.

And more than half of the films released in the first half of the month have also collapsed; the remaining half are almost all gasping for breath, barely hanging on...

The current situation is very bad; this Spring Festival slot has factually ceased to exist, and the entire film market has completely collapsed...

And the entire cinema industry has also become a thorough loser for the first time as a whole; to put it bluntly, all cinema chains are no different from cannon fodder."

Because the holiday only officially starts tomorrow, the bureau was still working this afternoon.

In the conference room, the leader listened to the reports from below, and besides having a headache, could only remain silent. Because he knew very well that it wasn't just the film industry... every industry would be like this.

"Alright, the film industry is inherently a high-risk industry. And cinema chains have almost always been the profitable side in the past; now that they've encountered a force majeure factor, I think they can pull through."

The leader nodded, set the tone for the current film market, and then announced the end of the meeting.

Just at this moment, a staff member walked in hurriedly from outside and leaned over to the leader.

This scene also attracted the attention of many people, and all eyes focused over.

"If it's work-related, just say it," the leader said indifferently.

"China Film Digital just called to report that Dong Ping from Huanxi personally submitted an application, requesting to immediately invalidate the public screening key for *Lost in Russia* during the Spring Festival slot..."

"What?" The leader was clearly stunned for a moment.

"This *Lost in Russia* is also withdrawing?"

"Then wouldn't this Spring Festival slot..."

In the conference room, buzzing discussions started immediately; this Spring Festival slot is completely finished!

The 24th, New Year's Eve.

At 8:00 AM sharp, a joint announcement was thrown into the entire film and entertainment industry like a high-yield bomb.

It even backstabbed the entire cinema industry to death, so much so that all cinema practitioners in the country were completely furious...

"At 8:00 AM this morning, the ByteDance parent company and Huanxi Film Industry released a joint announcement:

Through friendly communication and negotiation between the two companies, the following cooperation has been reached: Director Xu Zheng's film work *Lost in Russia* officially withdraws from the Spring Festival slot and also exits the cinema film sequence;

The film *Lost in Russia* will officially land on all streaming platforms under ByteDance at 9:00 AM on the 25th of this month (the day of the Spring Festival) for a full-network premiere; all new and old users and viewers can watch this film for free... there will also be a series of interactive lucky draw activities..."

Undoubtedly, the online outcry was extremely hot. Because in the eyes of all ordinary netizens and viewers, this is an unprecedentedly huge benefit.

Because under the current circumstances, everyone cannot go to the cinema, and being able to watch a film that should have been a cinema blockbuster for free at home and online... how can this not be a benefit?

Sure enough, ByteDance is a conscientious company, truly sending warmth to users! Oh, by the way, what platforms does ByteDance have? Good heavens, there are actually so many platforms: Douyin, Toutiao, Xigua Video...

Unlike the countless ordinary netizens online, the film and television industry at this moment was greatly shocked, no less than seeing an earthquake:

"A cinema blockbuster can be handled like this? Sold directly to streaming media?"

"Didn't Huanxi already sign a box office guarantee distribution agreement with the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance before? So what is this now? Marrying one woman to two husbands?"

"Hengdian Film Industry doesn't seem to have responded? So is this tacit approval, or Huanxi unilaterally breaking the contract?"

"That shouldn't be, right? As of today, so many companies on the Hengdian Film Industry side have invested at least 100 million in promotion costs for *Lost in Russia*; how could they retreat at the last minute?"

"According to this analysis, then it's highly likely that Huanxi is marrying one woman to two husbands and unilaterally breaking the contract!"

Leaning on the sofa, Lin Nan had a bit of a headache. Xu Zheng really took this step; how can this person be so completely reckless?

"This has nothing to do with me; I also just found out after seeing the news.

I called Dong Ping the first time, and he said this matter was completely led by Xu Zheng, and only Xu Zheng has absolute say over *Lost in Russia*."

On the phone, Ning Hao explained to Lin Nan. In all fairness, Ning Hao was also a bit annoyed at this moment, because he could see that Xu Zheng was intentionally hiding it from him.

"Do you know what I'm thinking right now?" Lin Nan said with his eyes closed, not very energetic.

"What?"

"I'm thinking whether to turn off my phone after hanging up with you in a while?"

"Are you afraid that the Hengdian Film Industry Group will find you? But the copyright isn't in your hands, so it's useless for them to find you."

"That's how it's said, and that's the logic. But can you be sure they won't harass me because I no longer have the copyright?" Lin Nan asked back irritably.

Hearing this question, Ning Hao fell silent. Because he also knew that it was highly likely they would find Lin Nan, hoping Lin Nan would help mediate.

"I'm very curious; wasn't the guarantee distribution agreement already signed? Why can they break the contract just like that? What about the money received before?" On the side, Liu Yifei couldn't help but ask.

"Because there is also a supplementary clause in the guarantee distribution agreement: in the event of external force majeure factors that may seriously affect the film's box office, the producer can unilaterally terminate the guarantee distribution agreement.

As for the money, Dong Ping said it would be handled this morning." Ning Hao explained helplessly.

"So that means no breach of contract, right? So what are you worried about?" Shu Chang blurted out.

"Business isn't done like that; it's not limited to the issue of breach of contract or not.

Hengdian Film Industry invested a huge amount of promotion costs, and the entire Jiangsu-Zhejiang film circle is counting on *Lost in Russia*; even if the film can't break even, they are counting on *Lost in Russia* to stabilize the market, stabilize stock prices, support employees, support the industry...

But Xu Zheng pulled such a stunt... That's right, he didn't break the contract, but his behavior is ten times more serious than a breach;

He didn't leave the other side any way out at all, not even the way out of withdrawing and rescheduling; he sold it directly to streaming media.

This also means that all the early investment and hard work on the Hengdian side have gone down the drain; this is a typical backstab, a very serious backstab... especially in this special period, this is an irreconcilable blood feud!" Lin Nan pinched his brow and explained to Shu Chang.

"Most importantly, Hengdian isn't just an ordinary industry alliance. Their relationships and position within the entire film and television industry are completely intricate, capable of connecting a large group of film and television capital and interest parties." Liu Yifei followed up and added.

"Fine, I asked the question without thinking." Shu Chang lowered her head and muttered.

"I estimate that Hengdian has highly likely already contacted Dong Ping and Xu Zheng and started arguing, and it's not excluded that someone has already boarded a plane and is on their way to the capital." Ning Hao spoke up unexpectedly, guessing.

"Dong Ping's call? Heh, I was just about to find him and ask. But why isn't it Xu Zheng's?" Suddenly, a second call came in, and Lin Nan's tone was slightly displeased.

"Then you guys talk, I'll hang up." Hearing this, Ning Hao hung up the phone very tactfully.

Lin Nan didn't say a second word either and connected Dong Ping's call directly. The latter was very enthusiastic and greeted first:

"Lin Dao, your phone has been busy; if I'm not mistaken, it should be Director Ning, right? Haha."

"That's right, it's him. So you're calling now, are you prepared to explain it to me?" Lin Nan didn't hide it, and his questioning tone wasn't very friendly either.

On the side, seeing this situation, Liu Yifei immediately got up and pulled Shu Chang away.

"I really have to tell you about this, Lin Dao. Xu Zheng is a bit busy right now, so I can only trouble you to take this call.

ByteDance offered a price of 630 million, and afterwards, we can also enjoy 43% of the total traffic revenue of the film on ByteDance's platforms; this treatment makes us unable to refuse.

And Lin Dao, you are clear that according to our original agreement, Lin Nan Film Industry can get a share equivalent to 10/43 of the total share of the producer and distributor, which is about 23.256%.

Now ByteDance is clearly giving more than the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance, so Lin Nan Film Industry will also get more; that is, Lin Nan Film Industry can get 23.256% of 630 million, as well as 23.256% of the total share the platform gives us later;

Especially this long-term, steady profit sharing, Lin Dao, you should be clear: in the current situation outside, the traffic of online video business will only explode, and the subsequent profit sharing will definitely be a lot, at least it will definitely explode in the short term... This is much more profitable than landing in cinemas!" Dong Ping explained with a smile, also trying his best to appease Lin Nan.

"Is there no room for maneuver?" Lin Nan didn't care about the benefits Dong Ping mentioned and only asked this one sentence.

The latter smiled and fell silent, and only after a long time did he add pointedly: "Lin Dao, you can just rest assured and take your share."

Lin Nan understood; this was emphasizing to him. Emphasizing that he only enjoys the right to share profits and has no right to interfere with the project's operation.

"Understood, then I wish you good luck."

After Lin Nan hung up, he immediately turned on flight mode. But he thought about it again and simply turned it off and threw it into the study; out of sight, out of mind.

Because he could completely foresee that the film circle today would definitely be a mess.