Chapter 120: Importing

Lin Nan was not at all surprised that Yang Mi chose a three-year contract.

She was already a popular young starlet who could directly earn money for the company, so it was impossible for her to block her own path forward.

Always leaving herself a way out—that was Yang Mi’s style.

Having significant commercial value herself and not needing to be cultivated from scratch was Yang Mi’s greatest source of confidence.

……

Since going public, the very stable stock price of the Wangzhong Army surged by nearly 5 points in a single day, with each share becoming nearly 3 yuan more expensive.

Just like that, Lin Nan sat at home while his net worth was raised.

Luo Haiqiong and Che Xiao getting married at the same time boosted the stock of Huayi, which was something many people truly had not expected.

"Two female celebrities getting married can make the stock price rise this much? It’s truly unimaginable."

As a few people said this, their faces were full of envy for Lin Nan; eight million shares, after all...

"There’s no way to cash out right now, and besides, the stock market rises and falls; these are all just illusions."

Lin Nan replied with a smile. The highest stock price on the day of the IPO was 91 yuan, and isn't it still fluctuating around 50 yuan now?

"Director Lin, the post-production for *Lost in Journey* is finished. Everyone, please take a look."

Xu Zheng abruptly interjected.

"So fast?"

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

"Then let’s all go over and take a look at Director Xu’s *Lost in Journey* first."

Lin Nan said this and walked over first. Lu Yang and Guo Fan followed closely behind.

The ninety-minute *Lost in Journey* was entirely a standard low-budget comedy, refined and without any unnecessary fluff.

The few of them finished watching it quickly, bursting into laughter from time to time.

"How was it?" Xu Zheng asked eagerly.

"Very good."

"Quite funny. Wang Baoqiang playing this kind of role has a strong sense of immersion..."

Lin Nan glanced at Xu Zheng, "Mm, it’s not bad. This film should be able to help you make a name for yourself as a director..."

Hearing this from Lin Nan, the latter finally felt a sense of relief, "That’s good, that’s good."

"I also have to thank Director Lin for giving me this opportunity. What about the subsequent promotion and distribution?"

"It’s already been agreed upon with Enlight Media; they are responsible for the promotion and distribution."

Speaking of this, Lin Nan glanced at Lu Yang, "*Brotherhood of Blades* and *Love is Not Blind* are also with Enlight Media."

Among the four films of Lin Nan Film Industry, only the promotion and distribution for *The Thieves* was done by China Film Group; it would be better to give the other three to Enlight Media.

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

…………

As soon as February began, several films started to be released in a cluster.

*14 Blades*, *14 Blades*, *All's Well, Ends Well 2010*, *Hot Summer Days*...

There weren't many people discussing the films; everyone went to pay attention to the rumors between Huang Xiaoming and the actresses of the *Hot Summer Days* crew.

The "Cult Leader" was currently a rare diamond bachelor in the circle, and many people wanted to know the truth of this matter.

The answer from the parties involved was also not unexpected at all:

Nothing of the sort, just a friend I haven't known for long...

Lin Nan suddenly remembered something.

Previously at the celebration banquet for the Wangzhong Army IPO, Huang Xiaoming said he wanted to introduce someone to him. Could it be that the person he was talking about was Yang Ying?

"Now 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 fraudulent donation incident fermented to the point of being known across the entire internet in just one day.

The key was that it was a donation for that event in 2008.

Quite a few stars and artists were affected and questioned.

The result was that a large number of people in the circle had their fig leaves stripped away.

Either the actual donation amount was far less than what they had publicized, or they had only made a verbal pledge and had been dragging it out for over a year without fulfilling it...

Fortunately, Lin Nan had been prepared from the start; the records for him and Liu Yifei were all clear and could be verified.

Some observant people even noticed that Liu Yifei had a material donation that was handled by people from Lin Nan Film Industry.

……

"Lin, the special effects and post-production for *Lucy* have both been completed."

Seeing that the Lunar New Year was approaching, good news finally came from Crystal Pictures.

"What about the other film?" Lin Nan remembered *Now You See Me*.

"Lionsgate is still rushing the work, but it should be finished soon."

Since the production of *Lucy* was finished, it was time to consider the release and the issue of whether it could be imported into the country.

"I understand. You pick a release window for me as soon as possible, and I'll take a look."

"Okay, Lin."

After hanging up the phone with Tang Mu, Lin Nan told Liu Yifei about this.

The girl was still very excited when she heard it. This was, after all, the first film where she was the lead actress.

"Then can it be released domestically?"

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 might be a bit difficult..."

"Not difficult, not difficult."

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

…………

Although *Lucy* was fully funded by Crystal Pictures and was Lin Nan's own money, talking about importing it into the country really wasn't as simple as just saying so.

The quota for imported films was limited.

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

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

After all, they had previously co-produced *Inception*. If China Film Group could approve it directly, Lin Nan wouldn't have to come forward to find Han Sanping.

Before Tang Mu could reply, a call from China Film Group came in; the secretary said Chairman Han invited Lin Nan to come over.

"What is it about?"

"There is a foreign film that submitted an application, and the screenwriter is you..."

When Lin Nan arrived, he saw Han Sanping sitting on the sofa in a grand manner, looking all smiles.

"The screenwriter is you, the lead actress is Yifei. Should we let this *Lucy* in?"

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

"That depends on your intentions, Chairman Han, haha..."

"You have a stake in this company, don't you?"

Lin Nan knew that he might be asked this question when he came today.

He spread his hands, "I do."

He muttered to himself: A whole stake is still a stake.

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Han Sanping point a finger at Lin Nan and gesture a few times, "You're something else, hiding it so deep!"

"I wasn't hiding it. You asked, and didn't I just tell you?"

Lin Nan moved closer, "Chairman Han, is the possibility of this film being imported high?"

Han Sanping pointed to the teacup on the table, and Lin Nan immediately refilled it.

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

"High or not? The screenwriter and lead actress are both our own people. If this were rejected, what would the circle say about China Film Group? What would they say about me?"

How could Lin Nan not understand the meaning, "Then I am very grateful to Chairman Han."

"Alright, alright. This can be considered compensation for the *Buried* and *The Hunt* matters before.

Those two were both quota films; this time I'll give you an import quota. Don't go around talking about it."

"Rest assured, I am not the type of person to talk too much..."

After a trip to China Film Group, Lin Nan had effectively finalized the matter of *Lucy*.

……

Within two days, *Lucy* was added to the list of imported films by China Film Group and posted on their official website.

The most excited were the media.

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

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

The fans were much more direct than the media.

"I strongly suspect that this film was prepared by Director Lin for Liu Yifei!"

"Just a reminder, this film had no auditions; the role was decided directly..."

"Those upstairs, you know too much..."

"When is it being released?"

News that "Lucy" was confirmed for import spread like wildfire through the industry.

With Lin Nan's script combined with Hollywood special effects, it was another formidable rival.

Many tried to inquire about the release date, but they all returned empty-handed.

When Lin Nan returned to the villa, he saw 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."

"We're waiting for a reply from Tang Mu; we can release it in both places at the same time then."

After saying this, Lin Nan suddenly realized that including "Lucy," there were six movies related to him being released domestically this year.

"Why do I suddenly feel like I'm holding half the sky? Hehe..."

…………

The Berlin Film Festival has concluded.

Just as Lin Nan had guessed, "A Simple Noodle Story" came away with nothing.

Zhang Yimou was clearly a man who understood the situation; he went for the awards ceremony and returned immediately after it ended, never having expected to win anything.

Everything seemed as if it had been discussed beforehand...

With the end of the year approaching, Lin Nan had a phone call with his own father.

It had been a long time; usually, they just made brief calls, and Lao Lin would always say that work was important and he shouldn't worry about him.

"You don't need to come back. If you come back, all those people, whether I know them or not, will all come running over."

Lin Nan didn't react immediately to what this meant.

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

People giving gifts, trying to build connections, looking for projects...

Lin Nan exclaimed, "Good heavens, they can think of any way in!"

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

A bunch of people just doing crooked things, and I'm not a fool..."

Lin Nan found it quite funny listening to Lao Lin's complaints.

But as he laughed, his eyes grew a bit wet, and his nose felt sour...

"How are things with that girl?"

Speaking of the end, this was an unavoidable topic.

"I've told you many times, her name is Liu Yifei. Why do you always forget? Didn't we eat together last time?"

"I didn't forget. I just like calling her 'the girl,' 'the lass,' is that not allowed?"

Lao Lin on the other end of the phone suddenly retorted in a hoarse voice.

"Fine, fine, whatever you say. We are doing very well..."

Lin Nan quickly conceded; although Lao Lin was still quite sturdy, he was getting on in years, and it wouldn't be worth it if he got angry and fell ill.

"As long as you're doing well, that's fine. You've made something of yourself now, so I can't be bothered to manage you. Just behave yourself; if you really can't, the state will manage you..."

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

"It's almost the New Year, please don't say such unlucky things."

"Mm, that's all. I'm very busy with business." Lao Lin urged him to hang up.

Through the phone, Lin Nan could indeed hear the bustle on the other end; there were quite a lot of people in the restaurant.

"Then take care of your..."

Before Lin Nan could finish his sentence, the call was hung up. He held the phone, feeling a bit unaccustomed to it.

After a long while, Lin Nan shook his head with a smile, "Only my own father would hang up on me like that!"

……

……

"Still have a bit of a conscience, knowing to call me, hehe..."

In the previous chapter, some parts were patched, such as the contract issue. Mature artists don't need to be trained from scratch, so contracts are 3-5 years; for newcomers, it starts at 5 years.