Chapter 120

Yang Mi chose a three-year contract; Lin Nan felt no surprise at all.

She is already a popular young leading actress who can directly earn money for the company; she would never block her own future path.

Always keeping a backup plan for herself—that is Yang Mi's style.

She already possesses considerable commercial value and needs no cultivation from scratch; this is Yang Mi's greatest confidence.

……

Since its listing, Huayi's stock price, which had been very stable, surged nearly five points in a single day, rising nearly three yuan per share.

Lin Nan simply sat at home while his net worth was inflated.

Luo Haiqiong and Che Xiao getting married simultaneously drove up Huayi's stock; indeed, many had not expected this.

"Two female stars getting married can make the stock price rise so much? It's truly hard to imagine."

Several people spoke thus, their faces full of envy toward Lin Nan; eight million shares, after all…

"We can't cash out yet anyway; besides, the stock market rises and falls; these are all illusory."

Lin Nan replied with a smile. On the listing day, the highest price was even 91 yuan; now it is still fluctuating around 50 yuan.

"Director Lu, the post-production of Lost in Beijing is finished; everyone, please take a look."

Xu Zheng abruptly interjected a sentence.

"So soon?"

Director Lu Yang and Guo Fan were startled at first, then immediately felt relieved.

"Then everyone come over; let's watch Director Xu's Lost in Beijing first."

Lin Nan said a sentence and walked over first; Director Lu Yang and Guo Fan followed closely behind.

The ninety-minute Lost in Beijing was entirely a standard low-budget comedy: refined and without dragging or muddling.

The group finished watching very quickly, occasionally emitting laughter.

"How is it?" Xu Zheng asked anxiously.

"Very good."

"Quite funny; Wang Wang Baoqiang acting this kind of role has very strong immersion…"

Lin Nan glanced at Xu Zheng. "Hmm, it's not bad; this film should help you establish your reputation as a director…"

Hearing Lin Nan's words, the latter finally felt relieved. "That's good, that's good."

"I must also thank Lin Dao for giving me this opportunity. What about the subsequent promotion and distribution?"

"I have already arranged it with Light Media; they will handle the promotion and distribution."

Speaking thus, Lin Nan glanced at Director Lu Yang. "The Crimson Blade and The Love of 33 Days are also with Light Media."

Among the four films of Lin Nan Pictures, only The Thief's promotion and distribution is handled by China Film Group; the other three are better given to Light Media.

That afternoon, Yue Jun sent someone to deliver Lost in Beijing to the Film Bureau.

…………

At the very beginning of February, several films began releasing in clusters.

The Four Constables, So Bitter, Wedding Belles 2010, Love in the City…

Few people were discussing the films; everyone went to follow Huang Huang Xiaoming and the rumors about the female actresses on the Love in the City set.

The Master is now a rare diamond bachelor in the industry; many people want to know whether this matter is true or false.

The response from the person involved was also entirely unsurprising:

It's nothing; just a friend I've known for not long…

Lin Nan suddenly remembered something.

Previously, at the victory banquet for Huayi's listing, Huang Huang Xiaoming said he wanted to introduce someone for him to meet; could that person be Yang Ying?

"That is truly interesting."

Lin Nan looked at the script for Painted Skin 2 in his hand and muttered with a smile.

Sometimes, the entertainment industry is just like that: when one person explodes, everyone gets implicated.

International Zhang's fake-donation incident fermented to the point of being known across the entire internet in just one day.

The key was that the donations were for the 2008 incident.

Many stars and artists were swept up and questioned.

The result was that a large number of industry insiders had their fig leaves torn away.

Either the actual donation amount was far less than what they promoted, or they verbally promised donations and dragged on for over a year without fulfilling them…

Fortunately, Lin Nan had prepared from the very beginning; his and Liu Liu Yifei's accounts are all clear and verifiable.

Even attentive people noticed that Liu Liu Yifei had a material donation handled by people from Lin Nan Pictures.

……

"Lin, the special effects and post-production for Lucy are both complete."

As the Lunar New Year approached, Crystal Pictures finally sent good news.

"What about the other film?" Lin Nan thought of Now You See Me.

"Lionsgate is still rushing production, but it should be finished very soon."

Since Lucy is completed, the matter of its release must be considered, along with whether it can be imported domestically.

"I understand; choose a release date for me as soon as possible on your end, and I will take another look."

"Okay, Lin."

After hanging up Tang Mu's phone call, Lin Nan told Liu Liu Yifei about this matter.

The girl was still very excited upon hearing it; this is the first film where she plays the lead female role.

"Then can it be released domestically?"

Liu Liu Yifei looked at Lin Nan, her face full of hope.

How could the latter not see the girl's thoughts? Lin Nan deliberately frowned. "This is a bit difficult..."

"Not difficult, not difficult."

As Liu Liu Yifei spoke, she wrapped her arms around Lin Nan's neck, leaning in, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes watery...

Although *Lucy* was fully produced by Crystal Pictures and paid for by Lin Nan himself, importing it into the country was truly not something that could be done just by saying so.

The quota for imported films is limited.

However, *Lucy* had an advantage other films didn't: the screenwriter was Lin Nan, and the lead actress was Liu Liu Yifei.

Lin Nan sent an email to Tang Mu, asking him to submit an application to China Film in the name of Crystal Pictures.

After all, they had co-produced *Inception* before; if China Film could approve it directly, Lin Nan wouldn't have needed to go find Han Han Sanping.

Before Tang Mu could reply, China Film called; the secretary said Han Dong requested Lin Nan come over.

"What is it?"

"A foreign film has submitted an application; the screenwriter is you..."

When Lin Nan arrived, he saw Han Han Sanping sitting majestically on the sofa, wearing a smiling expression.

"The screenwriter is you, the lead is Liu Yifei; should we let *Lucy* in?"

When Han Han Sanping asked this, he looked straight into Lin Nan's eyes, as if seeing through something.

"That depends on your wish, Han Dong, haha..."

"You have a share in this company, right?"

Lin Nan knew he might be asked this question today.

He shrugged. "Yes."

He muttered to himself: Even a whole share is a share.

As soon as he finished speaking, Han Han Sanping pointed at Lin Nan, tapping the air a few times. "You're good; you hid deep enough!"

"I didn't hide; as soon as you asked, I just said it."

Lin Nan moved closer. "Han Dong, is the possibility of importing this film high?"

Han Han Sanping pointed at the teacup on the table; Lin Nan immediately refilled it.

The former picked up the cup, took a sip, and said grumpily:

"High? The screenwriter and lead are our own people; if we reject it, what will the industry say about China Film? What will they say about me?"

How could Lin Nan not understand this meaning? "Then thank you very much, Han Dong."

"Enough, enough; consider this compensation for *Buried* and *The Hunt* before."

Those two were approved films; this time I'll give you an import quota; don't go spreading it around."

"Rest assured, I'm not the kind of person who talks too much..."

After visiting China Film, Lin Nan had settled the matter of *Lucy*.

Within a couple of days, *Lucy* was added to China Film's list of imported films and announced on the official website.

No one was more excited than the media.

"Liu Liu Yifei's sci-fi action film *Lucy* has been confirmed for import into the country."

"Investment of 26 million USD, screenwriter Lin Nan, lead Liu Liu Yifei..."

Fans were much more direct than the media.

"I seriously suspect this movie was prepared by Lin Dao for Liu Liu Yifei!"

"Just a reminder: this movie had no auditions; the roles were decided directly..."

"Upstairs, you know too much..."

"When will it be released?"

The news that *Lucy* was confirmed for import spread like wildfire in the industry.

Lin Nan's screenplay, plus Hollywood special effects, made it another formidable rival.

Many inquired about the release date, but all returned empty-handed.

When Lin Nan returned to the villa, he saw Liu Liu Yifei busy chatting and replying to messages on both her phone and computer.

"They are all asking me when the movie will be released."

"Wait for Tang Mu's reply; then we can release it on both sides simultaneously."

After saying this, Lin Nan suddenly remembered: including *Lucy*, there would be six films related to him releasing domestically this year.

"Why do I suddenly feel like I control half the Jiangshan? Hehe..."

The Berlin Film Festival concluded.

Just as Lin Nan guessed, *The Three-Body Problem* won nothing.

Zhang Zhang Yimou was obviously a sensible person; he rushed to the awards ceremony, left immediately after it ended, and never intended to win an award.

Everything seemed as if it had been agreed upon in advance...

As the year-end approached, Lin Nan spoke with his own father on the phone.

For so long, they usually just called; Old Lin always said work was important and not to worry about him.

"You don't need to come back; if you come back, all those people, known and unknown, will come running."

Lin Nan couldn't react immediately; what did this mean?

After listening to Old Lin ramble on for a while, he finally understood. In the past two years, many strangers had visited the restaurant, mostly people from the cultural field.

Those bringing gifts, those seeking connections, those hunting for projects...

Lin Nan exclaimed, "Good heavens, they've thought of every trick!"

"I'm just a cook, but I know everything. They say they're here to see me, but actually, they're all after you."

"A whole bunch of people messing with crooked ways. I'm not a fool..."

Listening to Old Lin's complaints, Lin Nan found it quite amusing.

Yet as he laughed, his eyes grew a bit moist, and his nose stung with acidity...

"How are things with that girl?"

In the end, this was an unavoidable topic.

"I've told you many times, her name is Liu Liu Yifei. Why do you keep forgetting? Didn't we just have a meal together last time?"

"I haven't forgotten. I just like calling her 'girl' or 'young lady'. Is that not allowed?"

On the other end of the phone, Old Lin suddenly raised his hoarse voice and retorted at Lin Nan.

"Fine, fine. Whatever you say goes. We are very well..."

Lin Nan quickly yielded. Although Old Lin's body was still sturdy, he was getting old; if he got angry and fell ill, it wouldn't be worth it.

"As long as you're well. You've made something of yourself now, so I'm too lazy to manage you. Just be an honest person. If that fails, the state will manage you..."

Lin Nan was somewhat speechless. Was he that kind of person?

"It's the New Year. Don't speak such unlucky words."

"Hmm, that's enough for now. My business is very busy." Old Lin urged him to hang up.

Through the phone, Lin Nan could indeed hear the lively atmosphere on the other end; the restaurant was quite crowded.

"Then take care of your..."

Lin Nan hadn't finished his sentence before the call was cut off. Holding the phone, he felt somewhat unsettled.

After a long while, Lin Nan smiled and shook his head. "Only a real father could hang up on me like that!"

"He still has a bit of conscience, knowing to call me. Hehe..."

In the previous chapter, some parts were revised, such as the contract issues. Established artists do not need to be trained from scratch; their contracts are three to five years. For newcomers, it starts at five years.