Chapter 19: Daily Life

"Director Lin, our company is currently looking to expand our business and enter the film industry. Do you have any good suggestions?"

Cai Yinong asked very directly, taking advantage of the atmosphere.

What could Lin Nan say? That you should just stick to making TV dramas?

Tang Ren has some background in Hong Kong, but wanting to make films in the mainland is clearly a bit of a stretch.

Nowadays, the main powerhouses in mainland film are in the Beijing circle, or clustered around those few big-name directors.

Tang Ren has almost no foundation in the mainland film circle; even the Shanghai Film Studio struggles to get by, let alone Tang Ren.

"Aren't TV dramas quite profitable?" Lin Nan said dismissively.

The situation is indeed like that right now; the investment costs for films are mostly not comparable to TV dramas, and the former carries much higher risks than the latter, unless you are like Huayi or New Picture, with Feng Xiaogang and Zhang Yimou in your hands.

Or perhaps you could invite a big-name director, but the Beijing Film Studio likely wouldn't agree to that.

Cai Yinong smiled, "Which film and television company with any ambition doesn't want to make movies? Wouldn't you agree?"

The question was thrown back at him. "That's true, which actor doesn't want to be a movie star?" Lin Nan changed the subject.

Tang Ren wanted to invest in Lin Nan's company, or have Lin Nan help shoot a film; the latter he refused, purely out of unwillingness. He had his reasons: he had just wrapped up one, he had a lot to do this year, and he had just invested in a film as a producer—as for the name, it was confidential.

"That's a pity. When Lin Nan has an opening in his schedule, I'll definitely look for you to collaborate."

Lin Nan still had to give the necessary face; when he would be free was for him to decide.

After the meal, they went to visit the Qin Palace. Lin Nan never tired of seeing this place; it was grand and imposing. Director Chen was indeed a qualified architectural designer—he wondered how that mosquito coil in *The Promise* was ever conceived.

Mother Liu didn't follow this time. Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, and Hu Ge were walking the streets in Hengdian, looking at the scenery.

"After this drama, you're going to be famous to the ends of the earth, I'm afraid," Lin Nan said to Hu Ge.

"Director Lin is so certain?"

"I am very certain."

"What about me?" Liu Yifei chimed in, joining the fun.

"Another representative work, Miss Linger," Lin Nan said very seriously, with a smile.

"My acting skills have been constantly improving," the Celestial Beauty said smugly.

Lin Nan didn't know how to respond. This girl had an artistic heart and always wanted to become Gong Li, but she really didn't have that kind of talent.

Every time Liu Yifei joined a production, she would bring classic books with her. Her free time was very monotonous: reading, petting cats, or rehearsing. Her life skills were perhaps not even as good as an elementary school student in the village.

"When it wraps, I'll go back to school. You don't have any plans, do you?" Liu Yifei asked, as Hu Ge had already slipped away on his own.

"Big sister, it'll be summer vacation by then. I don't even know if I'll have other things to do. The Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival opens in September, and I have to go there. You go play by yourself," Lin Nan retorted.

"Besides, you said *The Return of the Condor Heroes* starts filming in October. Don't you have to join the crew early?"

"Isn't there still a month or so in between?" Liu Yifei began to argue.

"That's fine, go back when you have time. Don't let people gossip later, saying you never go back to school for class. After all, you're still a student..."

Some things needed to be pointed out, and that was exactly what Lin Nan was doing now, to avoid giving people something to talk about later.

Mother Liu didn't care at all about whether her daughter went to school, nor did she care about whether she had friends around her or what her interpersonal relationships were like; she only cared about whether her daughter was developing according to her own plans. Having her as a mother and a godfather was enough.

"Auntie might not think of it sometimes, but this industry is a circle. It's all about interpersonal relationships and the exchange of interests. If she keeps charging ahead like that, she'll easily offend people, and in the end, you'll be the one who gets squeezed out."

Lin Nan said kindly. Liu Yifei seemed to listen a little, but didn't care much. This laid-back personality was easily hurt.

"You're only three years older than me, yet you act like an old man," Liu Yifei rolled her eyes and said to Lin Nan with a smile.

Hengdian World Studios was very large. The two had been walking for less than an hour when a call came in—Mother Liu was summoning her.

The two could only head back. "Come visit my set when you're free in the second half of the year."

Back at the hotel, Liu Yifei said this to Lin Nan. The next day, Lin Nan would be heading back.

By that time, *Return to Youth* would be in theaters. Lin Nan nodded, "I will go."

Liu Yifei went into her room happily. Lin Nan shook his head; he was afraid that by then, Big Beard Zhang would inevitably take the opportunity to market and promote it.

"If I'm taken advantage of, so be it. It's no big deal," Lin Nan muttered.

He left Hengdian early the next morning and returned to school.

For some reason, the final exams were moved up. They used to be at the end of June, but this time they were actually scheduled for the beginning of June.

"Linzi, what's wrong? Why the long face?"

"What else could it be? How many days have I actually spent at school this semester? I'm probably done for."

Lin Nan had originally planned to come back and cram, but the exams were moved up, which left him speechless.

"Why don't you go talk to the teachers? Aren't these theoretical things just the foundation for practice? You've already gone straight into the field, why bother with this?"

The classmate spoke very nicely, but if Lin Nan dared to say that to a teacher, he would definitely get an earful.

Many of the substitute teachers at the school were from the Film Association. Domestic film awards and film festivals were organized by this organization. It was estimated that many went to the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers, and many excellent students would be taken along to broaden their horizons. Being on good terms with the teachers had that benefit.

*Return to Youth* had been taken to the film festival by China Film and Shanghai Film Studio, while *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* was submitted by Shanghai Film Studio alone.

But it was only early June now, and it wouldn't open until September. Oh right, the jury had to start working two months in advance.

Teacher Zhou from the acting department was very happy; at least three people in the class had reserved spots for the film festival.

It was very strange that someone with Lu Chuan's personality didn't have *Kekexili* participate in this year's Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival. It seemed he was preparing to sign up directly for the Golden Horse Awards in September.

Coming out of the classroom feeling wilted, Lin Nan admitted he had bombed the exam. He knew a lot of the content, and he had done the practical work on set, but writing it out using professional terminology felt very awkward.

The teachers were very serious about these things. If you localized a professional term, they would feel you were desecrating the art of film.

While waiting for the substitute teacher from the directing department to summon him, Lin Nan took the time to gossip with his classmates. Zhou Xun's romance rumors had broken out, and Li Yapeng had settled down with Wang Fei. It happened only a few days apart, and the relationship between the two sides was a complete mess.

Zhou Xun was incredibly talented, but women with talent these days all had a common problem: their romantic lives were particularly tangled. Wang Fei was the same.

There was no escaping it. Lin Nan was summoned by several teachers in a row. He had barely managed to scrape a sixty, but they were double-standard.

"You're someone who has directed two films now. It's just not right that you barely passed this theoretical knowledge. The department was even preparing to rate you as excellent, and you still need to secure your recommendation for graduate school in your junior year..."

"I won't even mention you staying on set, but you didn't even spend two days back at school before asking for leave to run off to Hengdian again, and you did it without asking first. Now with these scores, how do you expect me to handle this?"

After dealing with several teachers in a row, all of whom were older, Lin Nan played the humble card the whole time, making one promise after another until he finally escaped the ordeal.

It was once again time for the thousands of troops to cross the single-log bridge.

On one side, Big Beard was still marketing the casting for *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, and on the other, news of *The Proud Twins* and *The Handsome Siblings* also leaked out; they were about to start filming.

One was produced by Wang Jing, and one was directed by Wang Jing. This director was still a big-name commercial director with a very solid reputation.

Two days ago, *Chinese Paladin* wrapped up, and Liu Yifei even sent over some photos.

As Lin Nan expected, the casting controversy for *The Return of the Condor Heroes* became even more intense. Zhou Xun even clearly shouted that this was her last explanation and not to use her for hype in the future.

Liu Yifei didn't return to school, despite saying she would come back to hang out with them. Lin Nan had long expected this result.

She was probably holed up in some house somewhere, reading books and petting cats.

*Kekexili* started its promotion. This Senior Brother Lu was quite good at crying scenes; in front of reporters, he spoke with great emotion about the hardships of filming and the criminal activities that occurred in Kekexili.

The film's values were very upright, and it was also the film for which Lu Chuan received the most praise. Lin Nan had to admit this; some films, from the moment they are greenlit, deserve to be respected.

After the final exams ended, there was no atmosphere of summer vacation at the school at all. It was just like usual, with just as many people, completely different from other universities.

The script grand project was still ongoing. Lin Nan had to send one or two scripts over almost every few days, and by the way, ask about the situation on the bestseller list, hoping to see some familiar names.

Tang Mu had already helped him obtain the adaptation rights for some novels.

In America, bestselling novels were a field, and the basis for whether they could be adapted into films was actually not their popularity; they believed that not every bestseller was *Harry Potter*.

Lin Nan was very confused when he looked at the bestseller list Tang Mu sent over, as the copyrights were still in the hands of the authors. " *Twilight*?"

Tang Mu was a businessman, but also a very responsible one who got things done for money. "This kind of vampire teen reading, there are fifty if not a hundred every year. I really don't suggest you buy it, dear Lin."

After confirming the author's name, Lin Nan decisively bought it and requested the subsequent series as well.

For this, he asked to borrow money from Enlight. He didn't intend to touch the half of the funds left for Ning Hao in the company account or the sufficient daily expenses; the remaining production costs for *Return to Youth* had already been used to buy the rights.

Enlight was very happy that Lin Nan asked to borrow money and even asked if it was enough.

Borrowing money once meant owing a favor once, which would have to be repaid in the future.

"It's enough, it's enough." Enlight was very curious about what Lin Nan was borrowing money for, but the latter kept his mouth shut.

"Lin, are you really sure you want me to help you buy it?"

"Sure, you need to go as soon as possible..."

The moment things were settled, Lin Nan lay on his dormitory bed, laughing recklessly. Two people came over from Zhu Yawen's dorm next door. "Linzi, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. I'm just happy, hahaha..."

That afternoon, it was rumored in a small circle that Lin Nan's confession had been successful. The dormitory was happy for the whole afternoon, laughing so loudly the whole floor could hear.

The next day, walking around school, Lin Nan always felt like he was being pointed at, but he didn't take it to heart.

He ran into Huang Lei head-on. "Oh my, I haven't congratulated you on your happy marriage yet."

Old Huang wasn't greasy yet; he had taught Lin Nan a few acting classes before Lin Nan ran off to the directing department. This guy seemed to have gotten his marriage certificate two months ago.

"You talk so much, where's the red envelope?"

"I haven't seen you set up a few tables to treat me, and you're asking a student for a red envelope? Be careful, or I'll go report you for open solicitation of bribes."

Lin Nan joked.