Chapter 121: Warring States

As a fan of martial arts films, Lu Yang invited a few people to watch "Su Qi-er" as a diversion from work.

To be honest, Lin Nan quite appreciates Zhao Wenzhuo.

He is a pure action actor; his roles as the Nine Gates Commander and Fahai are deeply impressive.

It’s just that perhaps his luck has run out, so the films he receives now are all trash.

Even this "Su Qi-er," with its 130 million investment and massive cast, is still a trash film through and through.

Logically, a film directed by Yuan Heping and featuring the likes of Jay Chou, Zhou Xun, Feng Xiaogang, Michelle Yeoh, and Guo Xiaodong as supporting cast shouldn't be too bad.

Yet, this "Su Qi-er" just leaves one feeling bewildered, with one's brain turned to mush.

"My mistake, wasted two hundred yuan," Lu Yang complained.

"Is my cultivation not enough? Why is this movie so bizarre?"

Guo Fan asked in confusion, looking at Lin Nan, hoping for an answer.

"This is a 'schizo-film'!" Lin Nan joked.

"What does that mean?"

"Full name: Schizophrenic Narrative Film. The director should take full responsibility," Lin Nan explained.

Once these words were out, the two people beside him laughed; it was a very apt description.

"This film is going to lose a fortune, right?" Lu Yang asked.

"Definitely a loss. Let's go, I can't watch any more..."

Lin Nan glanced at Zhao Wenzhuo, who was playing Su Qi-er on the screen, and stood up as he spoke.

"Yeah, let's go. But if there’s a suitable action film in the future, we could invite Zhao Wenzhuo to audition..."

Lu Yang nodded and said. Zhao Wenzhuo is truly a pity.

…………

Inside the Lin Nan Film building, another floor had been set aside specifically as the agency's space.

Although there were only a few kittens and puppies in the beginning, everything that should be there had to be there.

Lin Nan and Yue Jun had prepared quite a few names for the agency and felt they were all quite suitable, but they hesitated and couldn't decide for a moment.

Finally, Lin Nan called Liu Yifei over.

"Pick one of these dozen paper balls; the name inside will be the name of the agency."

Liu Yifei was very excited when she heard this.

"Then I'll pick randomly?"

"Go ahead."

Liu Yifei closed her eyes, touched a paper ball at random, and opened it.

"Shan Hai?"

"Oh, then that's it."

Lin Nan said with a smile.

……

Three days before New Year's Eve, Yue Jun announced the newly established agency of Lin Nan Film to the outside world.

Shan Hai Media!

Many film and television companies and agencies in the industry turned their attention toward it, especially the agencies.

For a production company to handle its own artist management business is undoubtedly bad news for those pure agencies.

Although everyone had been mentally prepared for a long time, the moment Shan Hai Media appeared, many still felt it was somewhat unreal.

"It was finally established after all..."

"This model, it's another Huayi!"

"No signing standards? Are they waiting until after the New Year?"

……

Shiba Culture Media was holding its annual meeting.

Wang Jinghua carried her glass and sat at Zhu Yawen's table.

I don't know when it started, but the latter had already become one of the company's top-ranked artists.

"Director Lin has established an agency; do you have any thoughts? If you do, I won't force you to stay."

Wang Jinghua looked at Zhu Yawen with a smile.

Zhu Yawen understood what this meant. It meant a peaceful termination of the contract without any breach of contract fees.

The people at the same table all picked up their wine glasses and walked away very naturally.

"Haha, Sister Hua, you're joking again." Zhu Yawen shook his head.

"Why? Do you think I'm trying to fish for information?"

Wang Jinghua scanned the large auditorium, "You have more advantages than them."

"Precisely because of that, I cannot go under Lin Nan's wing; Shu Chang thinks the same way."

Zhu Yawen looked at Wang Jinghua with bright eyes and added with a smile:

"That would make everyone's friendship no longer pure..."

Perhaps having stayed in the industry for too long, Wang Jinghua was stunned for a few seconds before reacting.

"It is indeed very rare; you are a smart one.

Your management contract is no longer suitable; establish your own personal studio.

Like Hu Jun and Chen Daoming, you can entrust the company to help you manage it."

Zhu Yawen hesitated for a while; Lin Nan had also told him about this a long time ago, "Let me consider it, and I'll give Sister Hua an answer after the New Year."

…………

Yang Mi and Ceng Jia were having a private dinner.

"Mi Mi, I have already finished the resignation procedures; I can go report to Shan Hai Media when the time comes."

Ceng Jia was a little excited; Shan Hai Media was a startup, and going over at this time was the best opportunity for her.

She looked up at Yang Mi, "I have to thank you too."

"If you want to thank me, help me become a first-tier or even super-first-tier star, and get me more announcements and acting roles, haha..."

"Can you handle the workload?" Ceng Jia teased.

"No problem, good works are hard to come by, so let's try them all; there will always be a time when luck is on our side."

Yang Mi had already decided to follow the path of a workaholic in the future...

……

This year's New Year's Eve, Shu Chang wasn't there; I heard this poor kid still had night scenes to shoot.

Liu Yifei doesn't even ask anymore; she has already defaulted to the fact that Lin Nan will spend New Year's Eve with her.

She followed him to attend the Lin Nan Film annual meeting in the morning and started shopping in the afternoon.

The things she bought the most were actually not for human consumption, but all cat and dog food.

"If you do this, you will lose me."

"Be good, I'll buy yours in a bit; let's get enough for them first."

Liu Yifei blinked and playfully comforted him.

When checking out, the salesperson was stunned—they saw the real people!

A few hours later, there was news on the internet.

"Director Lin Nan and Liu Yifei appear at the mall..."

"Lin Nan and Liu Yifei, big shopping spree..."

"...bought mostly cat and dog food..."

The New Year's Eve dinner was still at Liu Yifei's place, delivered by a restaurant.

As it was coming to an end, Liu Xiaoli was seen handing the phone to her daughter.

Every year at this time, Liu Yifei's biological father would call.

In that person's heart, there was always a place for his own daughter.

Lin Nan's text messages were also pouring in at this moment.

But what made him most curious was that Lu Zheng had actually sent a text message saying he hoped to meet in a couple of days, and even said it was for business!

"What kind of business could there be?"

…………

The day of the Spring Festival was also Valentine's Day.

That film "Hot Summer Days" suddenly became very timely, its attendance rate soared instantly, and the daily box office broke 20 million.

Many people believed that the final box office of this film might break 100 million.

On the first day of the work week, Lu Zheng brought people to Lin Nan Film.

"Director Lin, I'm here today to discuss a collaboration," Lu Zheng said with a smile.

"Collaboration? Mr. Lu, you're not joking, are you?

I haven't said I was going to start a new film recently..."

Lu Zheng waved his hand, "It's not what Director Lin thinks; it's that we are going to start a new film."

When these words were spoken, Lin Nan was stunned for a moment.

"Hehe, Mr. Lu shouldn't be short of invest..."

Lin Nan stopped mid-sentence. He thought of a possibility: could this guy be here to ask him to be the director?

"We are planning to launch a blockbuster and would like to invite Director Lin to helm it."

Lin Nan shook his head directly, "I have told many people that I do not take on outside films."

Lu Zheng smiled and continued speaking.

"Our original investment budget was 150 million; if Director Lin is willing to direct, the cost can be increased to 200 million.

In addition, I am willing to offer a director's fee of 20 million, plus a share of the box office..."

At this moment, Lin Nan was already cursing the words "filthy rich" in his heart.

Yue Jun, standing to the side, swallowed his saliva involuntarily.

"The terms are very generous, but let's just forget it." Lin Nan still shook his head and refused.

Lu Zheng did not expect to be refused so decisively.

"Director Lin, won't you really reconsider? The compensation can still be negotiated.

For a production of this scale, there are not many directors in the country who can handle it; you are our best choice..."

Lin Nan felt that Lu Zheng was indeed very sincere today, but it was a pity that he had already made his stance clear a long time ago.

If he agreed to Lu Zheng today, it wouldn't just be a simple matter of losing face; it would offend those he had already rejected before.

Lin Nan still shook his head at Lu Zheng.

"The post-production for *The Thieves* is not finished yet, and the company will have several films released this year; I will be very busy. Mr. Lu should look for someone else."

Lu Zheng finally saw it clearly now: Lin Nan's attitude about not taking outside films was very firm; he hadn't even asked a single question about the film's genre or the script's title from start to finish.

"I originally thought I could collaborate with Director Lin on this *Warring States*; now it seems there is no fate for it..."

When Lin Nan heard this, his brain buzzed.

Damn it! *Warring States*!

"Is Tian Tian playing the female lead again?" Lin Nan couldn't help but ask.

"Yes."

Lu Zheng left Lin Nan Pictures with his people, looking regretful; he knew that several other big directors were already preparing new films.

Now, the choice of director would not be easy to settle.

Lin Nan was sitting in his office at this moment, his mind still on the *Warring States* that Lu Zheng had just mentioned.

They had previously filmed a television series about Sun Wu, and this time it was a film about Sun Bin!

It was simply too brutal.

"Director Lin, I have a question."

Lin Nan glanced at Yue Jun and signaled for him to speak.

"Does the rule about not taking outside films include Director Guo and Director Lu?"

It is no wonder Yue Jun is the head steward; Lin Nan hadn't even thought of that.

"It does not include them; that is just a personal requirement I set for myself."

"Good, then I will pass this word along later, which will save trouble in the future."

"Mm, mention it to the two of them as well."

Lin Nan sighed and gave the instruction.