Chapter 237

"They really can 'administer private justice' here!"

Until they returned to the hotel, Zhu Yawen still had an expression of disbelief.

The events of a few hours ago didn't end with Yang Shoucheng's slaps.

After Zeng Zhiwei was 'sent' down, it wasn't just a simple matter of "sobering up."

At Emperor's cocktail party, slapping Yang Shoucheng's face in front of everyone—the consequences were imaginable.

When the party broke up, Lin Nan heard Jackie Chan mention that Zeng Zhiwei was helped away afterward, soaked all over; clearly, he had been "sobered up."

"This is Hong Kong, not the mainland. Don't take the rumors about the Hong Kong circle over these years as just gossip..."

Lin Nan said in a joking tone.

"Damn, don't scare me," Zhu Yawen said, his tone a bit cowardly.

Liu Yifei, Watching Shu Chang, and Luo Jin also looked at Lin Nan with confusion.

"For example, three years ago, that guy who played with photography almost didn't make it out of Hong Kong, haha..."

"But don't worry, it has nothing to do with us. If anyone looks for trouble, Emperor will solve it."

Lin Nan comforted them; he was registered with the mainland film and television circles and the authorities, so he wasn't afraid of these things.

But this was Hong Kong after all; although the place was small, it was a mix of dragons and snakes with many factions, and Emperor was just the largest one among them; it wasn't without competitors...

"Rest early, the crew gathers tomorrow."

"Alright."

"Goodnight, see you tomorrow morning."

"I want to sleep with Xixi," Watching Shu Chang said, hugging Liu Yifei's arm.

"Okay, but you can't steal my blanket."

"You're the one who puts your legs on me..."

……

The two girls chattered away, exposing each other's shortcomings, and Lin Nan felt a bit uneasy.

…………

*The Flowers of War* and *Flying Swords of Longmen* had gone crazy.

The two films had carved up 90% of the mainland market share.

The daily box office was over 30 million every day, and they were biting each other very hard!

Unlike the joyful atmosphere of Bona and the *Flying Swords of Longmen* creative team;

On New Pictures' side, it could be described as mourning.

The omnipotent media had already found out the box office data for *The Flowers of War* in North America.

"Director Zhang Yimou's new film *The Flowers of War* has stumbled again in the North American market, with a total box office of less than 200,000 USD, setting a new record low for his personal works..."

"Domestic box office for *The Flowers of War* has no hope of reaching 1 billion; losses have become inevitable!"

"Low North American box office may affect the Golden Globe Awards judging results..."

……

In the morning, Lin Nan was eating breakfast alone in the hotel, looking at film and television news.

In a daze, he wondered if Yu Dong had used the same tactics Wang Changtian used against Yang Zai to deal with *The Flowers of War*.

Otherwise, why was it all negative news about Zhang Yimou and *The Flowers of War*?

"Good guy, this is probably really Yu Dong's doing!"

Lin Nan saw many media outlets complaining about the North American box office of *The Flowers of War*.

They said this box office didn't even cover the airfare for the lead actor, Bale, traveling between the mainland and Hollywood for over half a year!

It was a bit exaggerated, but it was indeed extremely ironic, and the meaning was still the same.

"Zhang Weiping applied for a half-month extension for *The Flowers of War*, but was rejected by the Film Bureau?"

"Bona applied for an extension for *Flying Swords of Longmen* until the end of January, but was rejected..."

Seeing these two pieces of news, Lin Nan didn't know how to complain about these two people.

Zhang Weiping might be truly anxious, and Yu Dong was likely disgusted by the former and wanted to try his luck; if it really succeeded, it would be even more interesting...

"Are they not up yet?"

Luo Jin walked over, yawning; the feeling of being in public without being recognized was great.

Hong Kong had this advantage; ordinary people rarely took actors and stars seriously.

Unlike in the mainland, where big stars are easily blocked when they go out, and small stars put on airs with several assistants, fearing others won't know they are stars.

"Not up yet, Old Zhu should be soon."

"As for those two, well, don't worry about them..."

Lin Nan said with a chuckle; people who can be best friends usually have similar habits!

Anyway, the crew's opening ceremony was held at noon, so there was still time...

"Amazing! The incident last night, it actually didn't appear in the tabloids?"

Not long after, Luo Jin said in surprise. At this time, Zhu Yawen also came out.

"The scene was full of people from the circle; who would dare to stir up trouble? If you offend Yang Shoucheng, can you still mix in the circle?"

Lin Nan explained while eating morning tea.

…………

Many mainland media outlets had rushed to Hong Kong specifically to attend the opening ceremony of *Bad Genius*.

These matters were all arranged by Jiang Xuerou; this time, the media was definitely mostly Hong Kong media.

Lin Nan had already knocked on Liu Yifei's door once, and then, he was roared at, roared at...

In this state, Miss Liu's aggressiveness was maxed out!

"Hong Kong Stock Exchange?"

"My big Lin Dao, why are you looking at this? Does your company have plans to go public?"

Seeing Lin Nan flipping through financial newspapers, especially data on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Zhu Yawen couldn't help but ask.

"Hmm, hmm? My company isn't going public; I'm just flipping through it."

Lin Nan said without looking up, with no emotional color in his voice.

"Hi, I thought your Lin Nan Film Industry had plans to go public. Look at Huayi, the market value has reached 10 billion..."

"Why, regret it? If you hadn't left with Wang Jinghua at the time, maybe you'd be holding shares now, haha..."

Lin Nan raised his head and teased, instantly leaving Zhu Yawen speechless.

Huang Xiaoming, Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, and others all became rich overnight thanks to Huayi's stocks, gaining the capital for promotion.

…………

Near 11 o'clock at noon, the group arrived at the opening site on time.

The shooting location Emperor helped Lin Nan find was a high school.

To be precise, this was a new campus that would only be put into use next year; it just happened to be available for Lin Nan to film his movie during this period.

As for the students playing extras, Lin Nan found them from art schools in provinces near Hong Kong in the mainland.

In addition, for things like school uniforms, Lin Nan also requested that they all be replaced with new designs.

Although it was filmed in Hong Kong, he couldn't stand the school uniform designs here; they were too foreign-styled, and he still preferred the simple ones from the mainland.

"Lin Dao, this is the first time your film opening ceremony has had fewer mainland media than Hong Kong media."

A Sina reporter joked with Lin Nan.

Lin Nan scanned the area; it was indeed the case. The mainland media that came here were almost all large internet media.

Only one official media outlet came, which was the Movie Channel, but that was enough—it's the Sixth Princess!

There were also many guests who came to support, Liu Dehua, Jackie Chan, Chen Jiashang, Yuen Heping...

Suddenly, Lin Nan saw Jiang Xuerou talking to someone on the side; they seemed quite familiar, chatting and laughing.

"Is that Zhang Jin? That's no wonder..."

After all, he was a former Zhou Yi person; meeting in Hong Kong could be considered meeting an old friend in a foreign land!

……

Lin Nan stood before the media with Liu Yifei, Zhu Yawen, Watching Shu Chang, Luo Jin, Liang Jiahui, and others to accept interviews.

"Lin Dao, is this *Bad Genius* a commercial film or an award-seeking subject?"

"I think it's both, but I tend to think of it as a commercial film.

That tense and exciting plot rhythm, the atmosphere like a battlefield, leans more towards a commercial film; I look forward to *Bad Genius* having a certain breakthrough at the box office..."

"Ms. Liu Yifei, you are the female lead of this film, also the producer, and one of the producers; was your role internally decided?"

The question asked by the Hong Kong media stunned all the mainland media.

Everyone looked at this Hong Kong reporter and suddenly felt she was a bit stupidly cute?!

"Hahaha, there shouldn't be a saying like 'internally decided casting,' because the script was written for me! There's no need to internally decide when choosing; it was mine to begin with..."

Liu Yifei answered the reporter's question with a sweet smile and a proud, spoiled tone, asserting her sovereignty!

"Including the second female lead, she chose her too," Lin Nan added with a smile.

Beside him, Watching Shu Chang hugged Liu Yifei's arm, nodding with an expression that said, "That's right, that's right."

……

……

"Lin Dao, let me introduce you."

After the opening ceremony ended, Jiang Xuerou brought Zhang Jin over.

"This is Zhang Jin, formerly..." Jiang Xuerou didn't know how to start.

"Formerly a Zhou Yi artist, I know," Lin Nan said, nodding.

"Right, now he's following Director Yuen Heping; his skills are very good, he's an excellent action actor!"

"Lin Dao, hello, I am Zhang Jin, an action actor and also a martial arts instructor.

If you have action scenes in the future, please give me a chance; I won't let the crew down..."

Lin Nan could see that Jiang Xuerou thought highly of him now; after all, he was the one who mixed the best among the original "Three Treasures of Zhou Yi."

So, marrying a wife is a great study; this guy's career improved after marrying into the Hong Kong circle.

"Action films, kung fu films? Good, if there's a chance, I'll consider you."

Lin Nan gave Jiang Xuerou some face; there really weren't many action actors who could fight left!

"He has already acted in Director Wong's *The Grandmaster*, it was a supporting role..."

Jiang Xuerou smiled embarrassedly halfway through; she forgot that *Ip Man* was the company's work.

…………

The news that *Bad Genius* had officially started filming in Hong Kong quickly spread throughout the domestic film and television circle.

"Lin Dao Nan's new work: *Bad Genius*, officially started filming in Hong Kong today."

"Liu Yifei participated in casting, decided on the second female lead Watching Shu Chang..."

"The script for *Bad Genius* was tailor-made for Liu Yifei."

……

Especially Liu Yifei's boastful answer on the spot made many actresses extremely sour.

"Although I knew long ago that the script was written for her, hearing it still makes me feel very jealous..."

Yang Mi shook her head, whispered, and then smiled.

"Mi Mi, get ready to take the wrap-up photos. We have to return to the capital tonight. In two days, we have to report to Director Xue Xiaolu and participate in the script reading..."

Ceng Jia reminded her, and Yang Mi hurriedly got up and walked out of the dressing room.

…………

The film would officially start shooting tomorrow; in the evening, Lin Nan thought of another important matter.

He took out his phone and sent a few text messages.

"I hope they can all give me a positive answer."

…………

End of chapter