Chapter 203: Invitation, Invitation

"Haven't you ever seen a love scene? So eager?"

Lin Nan sat behind the monitor, watching Lei Lei Jiayin and Especially Reba on either side, and teased.

Lei Lei Jiayin, a shameless one, chuckled, "Learning, learning. I haven't filmed one yet."

Especially Reba blushed a bit but nodded.

Lin Nan smiled and said nothing.

Liang Liang Jiahui had gone to tour the digital production base by now and wasn't in the studio; otherwise, he could have explained these two scenes to them.

"Action!"

Given the domestic film censorship system, Lin Nan had kept it quite conservative.

When the male and female leads faced each other and their clothes slipped, they still had underwear on.

No discrimination against Zhou Xun; under the white tube top, she had breasts too, roughly reaching a B-cup. You couldn't tell that normally!

The kissing scene on the bed depended on the two of them to perform; Lin Nan's requirement was a "forceful, unrestrained" style of acting.

On the restaurant table...

In the corridor...

Holding...

On the bed...

Where the quilt covered, they were actually wearing clothes.

After tossing and turning for over two hours, all these scenes were filmed.

Zhou Xun and Andy Lau could both guarantee passing within two takes; they were indeed "veteran actors."

The fusion of bodies elevated the relationship between a man and a woman even further.

With the filming progress reaching this point, the plot was nearing the halfway mark; the turning point was coming.

"Filming a kiss scene isn't just about kissing; it must also have visual appeal. Body language is also part of acting..."

Taking advantage of the two leads going to change clothes, Lin Nan spoke to Lei Lei Jiayin and Especially Reba.

Lei Lei Jiayin was beyond comment. Especially Reba listened, stunned; how could one learn this?

When the camera started again, the male and female leads sat at the bar counter.

The android robot played by Lei Lei Jiayin poured wine for them.

The male lead made an excuse to leave for a while, preparing to go to the side to sketch out a draft for a proposal.

Guo Fan's second camera followed Andy Lau as he walked far away.

"It seems you two get along very well, in love?"

"Yes, a blessing in misfortune. Although the stasis pod malfunction woke me up early, fortunately I met him; we can walk this path together..."

In the shot, Zhou Xun's face wore a satisfied smile.

At that moment, the robot played by Lei Lei Jiayin crashed again, her head jerking in a glitch.

"My programming requires me to correct your erroneous statement. It wasn't a stasis pod malfunction that woke you; it was him..."

Zhou Xun's facial expression change was acted very well; even Especially Reba, standing beside Lin Nan, was stunned.

This was the instantaneous expression change of the world collapsing and all hope lost.

"Y-you... lied... to me?"

"No, robots do not lie."

At this moment, Andy Lau had just walked out, performing the action of reaching for a ring; he heard the dialogue.

Zhou Xun trembled all over, her voice trembling with excitement, resentment, and inability to accept it. "You... it was you..."

"Yes, that's right, it was me..."

The shot was a bit long; Lin Nan couldn't bear to call cut, so he waited a bit longer.

The female lead swayed her body and stood up, portraying the feeling of dizziness and blurred vision during an emotional outburst.

Andy Lau moved to support her but was screamed at hoarsely:

"Get away! Don't come near me! Stay... stay away from me..."

"Cut!"

"Hard work, both of you. We're past the halfway mark of the scenes."

Lin Nan said to the several leads.

Zhou Xun sat on the ground, her expression wrong, teeth gritted. "I pushed too hard; I think I pulled a muscle."

"Then rest a bit longer. Is an afternoon enough?"

"Just rest a bit longer? Lin the Skin-Flayer...

Hmm, an afternoon? Then that's enough."

Lin Nan ignored Zhou Xun and looked at Andy Lau:

"Brother Hua, you can depart at noon. We look forward to your red carpet show tomorrow."

"Haha, thank you."

Outside, "The Storm Warriors 2," on which the Hong Kong media pinned high hopes, was released.

Over these years, facts have already proven that the police-and-criminal crime genre in Hong Kong films is their last hope and honor.

The first-day box office of 17 million was already a rare good result; after all, the investment in this film was less than 50 million.

The success of a Hong Kong film seemed to reignite hope for the resurgence of Hong Kong's film industry.

But the Hong Kong media's reporting appeared childish.

"The Thief Catcher 2 Strongly Opens, Record-Breaking First-Day Box Office."

"Such a brilliant commercial crime film, with a star-studded cast—why is its box office still lower than an art film?"

"How many actors does Star Fortune have? How can it compete with The Thief Catcher 2?"

"Was it pushed back in screenings? Or are mainland theaters excluding it? Or did Lin Nan Pictures sabotage it?"

…………

Lin Nan admitted that The Thief Catcher 2 was excellent—a fine Hong Kong film.

But the theaters had definitely not given Star Fortune any special treatment.

Still, even without special support, Star Fortune's box office in its second week clearly outperformed The Thief Catcher 2.

Star Fortune's daily box office remained steady at around twenty million.

He didn't understand the Hong Kong media's logic—why were they so bizarre? Was it lingering arrogance from past superiority?

Liu Liu Yifei was surrounded by reporters during an event.

Facing the media's questions, Miss Liu appeared unusually serious:

"Isn't this just normal competition in the film market? Where's the scandal?"

"Both films are excellent, but there will always be differences in box office—can we not allow Hong Kong films to lose? On what grounds?"

"Poly Bona produced The Thief Catcher 2—they haven't said a word. Why are so many others making trouble? Looking for trouble?"

…………

Netizens had only ever seen Liu Liu Yifei as very "straightforward"—this "fierce" side was their first time seeing it, and they cheered wildly!

"Totally makes sense—no flaws! I've seen both films."

"She acted brilliantly—I cried during her crying scenes. Lin Dao did well…"

"To be honest, Hong Kong films always feature the same few actors—it's starting to feel visually fatiguing."

…………

Lin Nan received a call from Yu Dong.

"Lin Dao, this wasn't our promotional strategy—it was entirely spontaneous from the Hong Kong media.

You know they've always had issues with you, haha…"

Hearing this, Lin Nan was speechless.

Because Yu Dong spoke the truth—he'd been targeted by Hong Kong media many times before.

"What bad luck, Director Wang. Handle this quickly."

"Yes, I'll take care of it."

Soon, Poly Bona issued a statement.

The box office for The Thief Catcher 2 is entirely normal—Star Fortune simply has more viewers.

Even after the producer spoke out, Hong Kong media still whined.

Lin Nan had no interest in dealing with these few pests—engaging them would lower his standards.

…………

Liu Liu Yifei, just finished shooting for a fashion magazine and preparing to leave, was stopped.

"Liu Yifei, are you free next month? The charity gala is coming up—last year your outfit was absolutely stunning…"

Liu Liu Yifei smiled, listened to the speaker, and nodded occasionally.

To the organizers, Liu Liu Yifei was among the highest-priority guests.

Top actress, major producer, compassionate, never shows up empty-handed, and…

"Hmm, I should be free," Miss Liu nodded.

"What about Lin Dao?"

Su Mang knew that if she secured Liu Liu Yifei, she had a high chance of securing Lin Nan.

Last year, due to special circumstances, Lin Nan hadn't accompanied Liu Liu Yifei.

So today, while Liu Liu Yifei was here for the magazine shoot, she came specifically to intercept her.

"I can only guarantee my own schedule. Whether he's free—I can't say."

Liu Liu Yifei wasn't foolish—she clearly understood the other's intent.

"It's fine—we'll send the invitation over. Let Lin Dao decide based on his schedule.

By the way, I'll have someone deliver it directly to you—please pass it along…"

…………

In September, films began their promotional battles.

At the start of the month, Global Love and Wu Sheng led the charge.

These films would overlap with Star Fortune for one week.

Lin Nan saw Captain America and Norwegian Forest—both imported films.

Only by the end of the month would the films that had sparked heated debates appear…

"I say, Director Wang, didn't you overdo it by reminding us about the premiere a full month in advance?"

Lin Nan received a call from Wang Wang Changtian while on set.

"That's not how you put it—I only notify important people early, just to reserve the spot.

Alright, I won't disturb you anymore. Goodbye…"

Lin Nan was baffled—what did he mean by "reserve the spot"?

Unable to figure it out, he stopped thinking about it and continued filming.

In the afternoon, Yue Jun ran to the Digital Production Base.

"The invitation for the premiere of 'The Legend of the White Snake' has arrived, specifically requesting you and Liu Yifei; the signature is from Yang Zi and Cui Cui Baozhu."

At this, Lin Nan seemed to understand Wang Wang Changtian's meaning.

He smiled helplessly and asked, "What time?"

Hearing the reply, Lin Nan sighed; it really was the same day!

Both films' special effects were done by Tiangong Color, and both had invited him and Liu Liu Yifei.

"These two are really something!" Lin Nan chuckled and muttered, adding, "We'll see about that when the time comes."

…………

Ceng Jia received a phone call.

"Mimi, it's settled!"

Hearing this, Yang Mi didn't react for a moment.

"What's settled?"

"'The Search'; Producer Chen agreed to cast you."

Hearing this, Yang Mi instantly jumped up. "Haha, it really is good news!"

Ceng Jia shook her head and continued,

"Leaning on a big tree makes for good shade; that's one of the reasons Producer Chen chose you. To be honest, many of those who auditioned with you had acting skills..."

"Many had acting skills above mine; I know that."

Yang Mi nodded and said; this was the truest reflection of the circle.

Something that might originally have required long deliberation could be settled quickly just because you had a good company.

This was also one of the reasons she had been determined to sign with Lin Nan back then!

When she was at Rongxinda, she understood this principle, especially during the casting for 'New Dream of the Red Chamber'.

"There's another thing; over there, they require that during filming, you cannot be distracted by other matters..."

Hearing Ceng Jia's words, Yang Mi frowned.

"Isn't it a small supporting role? I remember there weren't many scenes."

"It is indeed a small supporting role."

Ceng Jia nodded and said.

The two exchanged a glance and both fell silent.

…………