Chapter 200: Cheated Many Times, Paying Back Slowly

"Time and solitude are the greatest challenges one must face in interstellar travel..."

On camera, Especially Especially Reba smiled as she comforted Liu Liu Dehua.

The latter had a full beard, messy long hair, and lifeless, numb eyes.

According to the script's timeline, the male lead had already spent over a year drifting on the ship, cycling endlessly through eating, drinking, and entertainment.

Gradually, his emotions became unstable, his spirit hollow, overwhelmed by confusion about reality and infinite terror of the decades ahead.

In the green screen studio, the next scene was the male lead attempting to leave the ship and end his life.

"Hey? Yi Fei didn't come today?"

Zhou Xun had already changed into her sleepwear and walked over to the monitor to ask.

"She'll come in the afternoon."

"Anything in the morning?"

"Yeah, something."

Lin Nan nodded with a smile—it was a big deal from his dream!

While they spoke, preparations on the other side were already in place.

Guo Fan, as assistant director, monitored the second camera position.

"Hua Ge, there'll be a falling motion soon—watch your safety."

"Don't worry, I've got it."

Liu Liu Dehua gave Lin Nan an OK gesture.

"Action!"

On the monitor, Liu Liu Dehua's character trembled slightly as he placed his right hand on the "hatch" switch.

His legs also trembled faintly; his facial expression was grotesque, twisted, agonized—reflecting extreme inner turmoil!

"Good actors pay attention to details."

Lei Lei Jiayin and Especially Especially Reba stood behind Lin Nan, eyes locked on the monitor screen.

After hesitating for dozens of seconds, fear of death overcame the urge to die; Liu Liu Dehua was overcome with dread, sprinting wildly toward the ship's center to flee from "death"...

He stumbled, naturally falling two or three meters, curling up, clutching his head, convulsing and sobbing.

"Cut!"

Liu Liu Dehua stood up, eyes slightly red, smiling at everyone.

This left Lei Lei Jiayin and Especially Especially Reba staring in stunned silence.

Crying scenes are easy to act, but slipping into the specific emotion of a scene within seconds? That's not something newcomers can master easily.

Clearly, Liu Liu Dehua was a master of the highest caliber.

"We'll stop shooting for the morning; Xun Ge will be on screen this afternoon," Lin Nan said.

"Ugh, I changed clothes for nothing!" Zhou Xun grumbled.

China Film and Wanda held a grand celebration banquet for "Painted Skin 2."

It was the highest-grossing domestic film of the year so far.

Wu Wu Ershan also became a newly risen commercial film master within the industry, courted by numerous studios and producers at the banquet.

Yue Jun attended the event on behalf of Lin Nan Pictures and was repeatedly questioned by the media about "Star Journey."

"Lin Dao and Yi Fei won't miss the premiere—the 'Passengers' crew will rest for two days..."

Liu Liu Yifei arrived at the studio in the afternoon, barefaced.

As soon as she arrived, she squeezed into Lin Nan's seat.

"Not started yet?"

"Almost. What time did you get up?" Lin Nan teased.

"Just a little late," Liu Liu Yifei smiled shyly.

Lin Nan nodded. A little late? That meant two hours—she'd woken up near noon!

At that moment, Guo Fan waved from the other side—the preparations were ready.

Zhou Xun had already prepared herself and lay inside her own sleep pod.

The main camera focused on Liu Liu Dehua; he nodded.

"Action!"

Disheveled and unkempt, Liu Liu Dehua wandered the ship's interior, holding a bottle of red wine, visibly drunk.

Until, for the umpteenth time, he reached the sleep area where he had once lain.

Looking at all the normal, still-operational sleep pods, his own open pod stood out glaringly.

On screen, Liu Liu Dehua downed the remaining half-bottle of wine in one gulp—his mind shattered completely.

He furiously hurled the bottle away...

The bottle struck the emergency activation switch of one of the sleep pods. This shot required crew members to "micro-manage."

Camera Two focused on the opening sleep pod; the main camera remained fixed on Liu Liu Dehua.

In an instant, he snapped out of his drunken haze, panicked, snatched up the unbroken bottle, and fled.

At the doorway, he collided with Lei Lei Jiayin's android character, who was carrying a crate of wine.

"Mr., you've already emptied the bar..."

"You... woke... up?"

Lei Lei Jiayin's little act of accidentally seeing the hibernation pod open was performed very well, with a touch of mechanical feel!

The protagonist played by Liu Liu Dehua didn't worry about that much and instead fled in panic...

"Cut! That shot is done. Dilraba, get ready."

Zhou Xun's awakening shot was exactly the same as Liu Liu Dehua's scene before. Dilraba once again played the AI projection.

In the script's setting, the spaceship is very, very large. Not to mention other facility areas, just the living rooms number over five thousand.

If one person intentionally hides, then between two people, meeting is simply impossible.

In the shot, Liu Liu Dehua watched from the shadows; it was a woman with a delicate appearance...

"I announce that the 'Passengers' crew will have two days off."

When wrapping up that afternoon, Lin Nan notified everyone of this.

"Got it. We will be on time for the 'Love in the Stars' premiere tomorrow."

Zhou Xun made a teasing remark, and Liu Liu Dehua, with a smile on his face, nodded along.

"By the way, notify Tony Leung's side to prepare to join the crew."

The media are all reporting: 'Love in the Stars' will hold its premiere ceremony today.

Early in the morning, Zhu Zhu Yawen, Huang Bo, Luo Jin, Jiang Jiang Yiyan, and others posted news about 'Love in the Stars' on their Weibo.

Not one of these people was left out; all of them would attend the premiere.

Lin Nan knew they were all filming and must have all taken leave to come out.

Liu Liu Yifei's side was quite lively; mother and daughter were surrounded by several makeup artists.

"Liu Qianqian, Auntie, see you in a bit. I'll head out first."

"Mm, see you in a bit." Liu Liu Yifei gave Lin Nan in the mirror a sweet smile.

"Drive slowly and be careful on the road." Liu Liu Xiaoli reminded him.

Today Liu Liu Yifei and Liu Liu Xiaoli would walk the red carpet together, while Lin Nan decided to go escort Zhu Zhu Yawen and the others.

'Love in the Stars' is a Cannes Jury Prize-winning work; quite a few directors in the industry have come.

Even though they were very busy, they all made time to come out.

Yue Jun and his team had already been waiting at the scene, responsible for receiving guests.

"Didn't Lin Nan say when he'd arrive?"

Ning Hao walked past the red carpet with Xing Ai, asking a question.

"No, he should be here soon."

Han Han Sanping, Wang Wang Changtian, Xiying, Ningying, and others entered the venue one after another.

Companies, actors, and stars whose names are known in the circle, not one left out...

A business van stopped outside; the reporters vaguely guessed the main cast had arrived.

Lin Nan, Huang Bo, Zhu Zhu Yawen, Luo Jin, and Jiang Jiang Yiyan got out of the car one after another.

"Hm? Why don't we see Liu Liu Yifei and her mother?" the reporters were very surprised.

"Lin Dao, where are Liu Yifei and the others?"

"Liu Yifei will arrive a bit later." Lin Nan answered.

The group walked up the red carpet, and before they could enter the venue, they saw the people behind them.

Zhang Zhang Yimou led a "Mou Girl" over.

Huang Bo and the others said hello and went in first.

"Director Zhang, thank you for coming to support. Is the post-production of 'The Flowers of War' finished?"

"You're too polite. The post-production is nearly complete. Let me introduce you, this is Ni Ni, the female lead of my 'The Flowers of War'."

"Hello, Lin Dao. I am the actress Ni Ni."

Lin Nan glanced at the other person and nodded with a smile.

Being brought by Zhang Zhang Yimou to attend the premiere of another film clearly showed she was valued.

"Director Zhang, let's go in." Lin Nan extended his hand and made a gesture of invitation.

Inside the venue, it was extremely lively, with people gathering in small circles of two or three.

Two big directors entering the venue attracted everyone's attention.

"Director Zhang brought his 'Mou Girl' too!" many people said in surprise.

Previously, 'The Flowers of War' was strictly confidential; the female lead was forbidden from appearing in public or accepting interviews.

There was still some time before the premiere began; everyone was socializing freely.

Ning Hao walked over from Jiang Wen's side. "Why didn't you ask me to make a cameo?"

"I was thinking of doing it together later, or if you're free, come to the set anytime."

Looking at Ning Hao, Lin Nan suddenly had an idea.

"Remember to wear that chain of yours. I'll give you special attention; in the final cut, it'll be noted: 'loose cannon'!"

"Get lost! Why don't I look like a good person?" Ning Hao said with a look of indignation.

"Don't be nervous or stiff; it's just a bit crowded."

Seeing Dilraba's state, Lin Nan smiled and offered a word of comfort.

Seeing such a scene for the first time, being intimidated by so many big shots in the industry, her awkwardness was obviously normal.

"Mm, I understand, Lin Dao."

At this moment, a fresh commotion erupted outside.

Liu Liu Yifei and Liu Liu Xiaoli entered.

The former wore a sleeveless black floral dress, making her skin look incredibly Bai Xi and tender; the sides slightly exposed her waist, radiating youthful abandon.

As for Liu's mother, she still wore a dignified and graceful qipao.

Lin Nan waved his hand, and Liu Liu Yifei instantly looked over.

…………

"Today, it's up to you."

Long ago, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei had agreed that the premiere of "Star Fortune" would be entrusted to her.

"Hmph, do you look down on me?"

Liu Liu Yifei rolled her eyes at Lin Nan, her face bearing a different kind of brilliance, somewhat excited.

"Hehe, I dare not."

…………

As the premiere began, all the main creators walked onto the stage.

The people below seemed to have discovered something amusing, because walking at the very front was not Lin Nan, but Liu Liu Yifei.

This order certainly has its significance!

Sure enough, the first to speak was Liu Liu Yifei.

"Thank you all for coming to the premiere ceremony of "Star Fortune" amidst your busy schedules. I am the producer, Liu Liu Yifei..."

"Good heavens, they know how to play!"

Many people below were surprised, followed immediately by enthusiastic applause.

In the eyes of the actresses was fire, envy, very great envy...

…………

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Xiaoli stood on the side, watching Liu Liu Yifei speak with confidence; she was very charming!

Zhu Zhu Yawen, Huang Bo, and others were stunned for quite a while; none of them had expected Liu Liu Yifei to take the lead today!

"Since we were in school, he has deceived me many times, saying he would find me to play the female lead in his movies.

I waited so long just to get "Mistakes in Star Fortune," and this is only the first one.

Lin Dao, you still owe me many movies, don't you?"

As Liu Liu Yifei spoke, she looked at Lin Nan and even blinked her eyes.

A burst of laughter rose from below.

"Lin Dao, so this is how you deceive Misses! Does this count as a hidden rule? Haha..."

Someone down below shouted a line, and it sounded like they were pinching their voice.

"Yes, I still owe a lot." Lin Nan replied with a smile.

"Then how do you plan to repay?" Liu Liu Yifei pressed on.

"Repay slowly, I guess. There are several decades ahead; there is plenty of time..."

Lin Nan's words made many people in the scene laugh, mixed with laughter and scolding.

…………