Chapter 243: A Good Thing on the Horizon?

Lin Nan had promised earlier that he would call ahead when he came back.

In the end, after thinking it over, since he was bringing Liu Liu Yifei back with him, he decided to skip the heads-up and make it a surprise.

The taxi stopped in front of a sizable faux-classical building, and the rear door opened.

A young man stepped out first, followed by a tall girl.

In the dead of winter, though both were bundled up tightly, their outstanding bearing was unmistakable.

After taking out the suitcases, the man paid.

"Listen, if you two are looking to eat, pick somewhere else — this place is closed for New Year's. The better the business, the more willful they get. Who closes a restaurant on a holiday? That's a new one on me!"

The driver said it while making change for Lin Nan, kindly offering a heads-up.

"Thanks, driver. I'm not here to eat — I'm going home."

"Oh, oh…"

The taxi started up and drove off into the distance.

Two minutes later, at a red light, the driver suddenly thought of something.

"Oh man, now I remember — I think I heard the boss's son here is some big star? Did I just give the actual guy a ride?"

While waiting at the red light, the driver glanced back at that faux-classical building and could faintly see a man and a woman still waiting at the door.

"They really do look like they have presence! I'll ask the other guys…"

…………

Liu Liu Yifei sat on the suitcase, watching Lin Nan make his call with eager eyes.

"An accident, purely an accident."

Lin Nan stood beside her, holding Liu Liu Yifei's hand with one hand and his phone with the other.

Who would have thought that coming home to his own place, right at the door, he couldn't get in! So frustrating.

Two calls in a row, no one picked up. Just as he was dialing the third, Lin Nan heard a phone ringing.

The sound came from inside the door, getting closer and closer.

"Alright, we can go in now."

Lin Nan said to Liu Liu Yifei beside him. The latter gave a start, immediately stood up, and nervously ducked behind Lin Nan.

The massive solid-wood door slowly opened, and Watching Lao Lin poked half his body out, spotting the tall Lin Nan at a glance.

His face first lit up with excitement, then the next second he pulled a long face.

"I told you to give me a heads-up, and how'd you do it? Trying to fool your Laozi? I was busy in the back — if I hadn't heard the phone, you wouldn't have gotten in today…"

Lin Nan was a bit embarrassed. It wasn't easy to come home, and his old man had to start off by roasting him?

Liu Liu Yifei's clear laughter drifted over from the side, and only then did Watching Lao Lin shift his attention away from his own son.

He looked suspiciously at the girl stepping out from behind Lin Nan, his eyes growing wider and wider. "You, you…"

"Uncle, it's me." As she spoke, Liu Liu Yifei took off her mask.

Though several years had already passed, Watching Lao Lin still recognized Liu Liu Yifei at a glance.

"Oh my, that rascal didn't even tell me — hurry on in, it's freezing out here."

Lin Nan watched, dumbfounded. At this moment, Watching Lao Lin's face wore a brilliant smile — that speed of changing faces, did he go study in Sichuan-Chongqing?

Just as Lin Nan was spacing out, he got roasted by his own father again:

"You blind thing, hurry up and bring the suitcases in. What? You want the girl to do it?"

Faced with his old man's "double standards," Lin Nan had nothing to say.

Liu Liu Yifei beside them couldn't stop laughing at Lin Nan's awkward mug. She even winked and made faces at him — very provocative!

"Fine, fine, I'll do it. Let's get inside."

Lin Nan picked up his and Liu Liu Yifei's suitcases and followed the two of them through the gate.

Passing through the spacious storefront, behind it was a residence with an equally sizable lot — garden, pond, koi, emerald bamboo, and so on, all very well tended. This was something Lin Nan had paid for out of his own pocket long ago.

…………

Though Watching Lao Lin was happy, he was genuinely caught off guard.

While Liu Liu Yifei was busy eyeing those plump little koi, he pulled Lin Nan aside.

"You should have told me in advance. Right now I don't even have a red packet prepared — how rude…"

Hearing this, Lin Nan couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.

"It's fine, she's pretty simple — she wouldn't think of that stuff. Ha ha…"

In Lin Nan's eyes, Miss Liu had no such "red packet concept" at all.

Watching Lao Lin glared at Lin Nan, then instantly switched to another, gentler tone.

"Miss, it's already noon — you haven't eaten yet, have you? You two stay here, it'll be ready in a bit."

Before Liu Liu Yifei could respond, Watching Lao Lin had already headed toward the back kitchen…

"Uncle is going to cook?" Liu Liu Yifei asked, puzzled.

"Yep, been a cook for decades now, but these past few years I rarely do it myself. Liu Qianqian, you get better treatment than me, heh heh…"

Hearing this, Liu Liu Yifei felt a little embarrassed, but also a touch proudly coy.

Lin Nan thought it over and decided not to go help — if he went in, he'd surely just get chased out amid a stream of grumbling.

…………

Text messages kept pouring in.

From Han Han Sanping, Ye Ning, Yue Jun, and other industry acquaintances and friends.

All saying the same thing: Pacific Rim's morning attendance was nearly 100%, especially the 3D auditoriums — the situation looked great.

"In one morning, the box office cleared at least 25 million?"

Seeing Han Han Sanping's message, Lin Nan had a good idea of the situation.

On the first day of the movie's release, the opening was excellent; what limited the box office was the number of screenings and the quantity of film prints.

Scattered reviews began to appear online, all extremely positive.

"Finally, there's a sci-fi blockbuster with a Chinese face saving the Earth, no sense of awkwardness at all, absolutely great!"

"Couldn't get a 3D ticket; once I get one, I'll definitely go see it a second time..."

For lunch, Watching Lao Lin brought out decades of skill, making it incredibly lavish.

"Eat quickly, eat quickly; this afternoon you can go out for a stroll, maybe watch a movie or something. I heard there's a big sci-fi film showing today."

Hearing Watching Lao Lin's words, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei exchanged a smile. It seemed the old man hadn't followed the news about *Pacific Rim* and didn't know Lin Nan had invested.

"Mm, okay, we'll go out for a stroll this afternoon."

Sometimes parents worry about being third wheels; at this moment, that was exactly what Watching Lao Lin was thinking.

The benefit of having many partners was that even after returning to his hometown, Lin Nan wouldn't have to worry about tickets for the iax3D screening rooms.

"Thank you."

"Lin Dao is too polite; when you have time later, be sure to come visit the group."

Liu Liu Yifei took the movie ticket Lin Nan handed her and said firmly,

"Scalpers must have deals with the cinema staff; otherwise, how could there be so many tickets when it's only been out for half a day?"

"Things like this can't be eliminated in the short term."

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei entered the iax3D screening room.

He wouldn't buy scalper tickets; it wasn't that he minded the price, but he was afraid of being photographed, which would be embarrassing...

How would the media write about it?

Famous director Lin Nan and top-tier actress Liu Liu Yifei buying scalper tickets at a high price to watch *Pacific Rim*?

Not long after the two entered the cinema, news actually appeared online, along with photos that were not very clear but sufficient to identify them.

"Lin Dao Nan leaves the Hong Kong set, appears in his hometown, with Liu Liu Yifei by his side..."

"Suspected staff from Xi'an Film Studio delivered the *Pacific Rim* movie tickets."

"It cannot be ruled out that Lin Dao and Liu Liu Yifei are close to a happy event?"

When Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei exited the cinema, they realized their whereabouts had been exposed; so fast!

The phone rang abruptly; Lin Nan frowned.

Cao Cao Guowei wouldn't call him unless something was up.

"Cao Dong?"

"Lin Dao, I see you seem to have returned to your hometown; do you have time in a couple of days?"

"What's wrong? My *Bad Genius* is still filming; I'll return to the set at the latest by the end of New Year's. Cao Dong, what's the matter?"

"Here's the situation: we've renamed the Online Gala; from now on, it will be called Weibo Night. The Online Gala in two days will officially use this name.

I wanted to ask, Lin Dao, do you have time in two days? I've reserved awards for you and Liu Yifei..."

Lin Nan understood the implication: to maximize the hype, the award recipients must be those who can attend the venue and give acceptance speeches.

From Cao Cao Guowei's words, if Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei could go, then the "Most Influential Director Award" would go to him, and the "Outstanding Film Actress Award" would go to Liu Liu Yifei.

Such blatant pre-determination and division of awards over the phone, actually, it was quite satisfying.

Lin Nan glanced at Liu Liu Yifei; the latter shook her head indifferently.

"Cao Dong, I'm afraid it won't be in time; dragging the set for too long won't work either; we can only make it next year."

Cao Cao Guowei on the other end of the line didn't get angry.

"That's a pity; originally I was thinking of keeping them for our own people. If you don't have time, then these two awards will be arranged for Feng Feng Xiaogang and Li Li Bingbing."

"Mm, thank you, Cao Dong. We'll definitely go next year."

"Good, then that's settled; have fun."

By evening, Lin Nan personally helped Liu Liu Yifei tidy up the room.

At this moment, Miss Liu felt slightly uneasy in her heart.

She glanced at Lin Nan, a hint of mischief on her face. "Lin Nan, are you coming over tonight?"

Hearing this, Lin Nan suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining.

"Hehe, are you going to leave the door open for me?"

Seeing Lin Nan take the bait, Miss Liu immediately revealed a cunning smile, then changed her expression and retorted in a split second,

"Dream on; this is my first time visiting as a guest..."

Lin Nan slapped his own forehead; what was that? He'd been brainwashed, he'd been fished. He actually wasn't as thoughtful as Liu Liu Yifei!

This was her first time coming back with him; no wonder her behavior and conduct during the day were so proper, acting very ladylike! The playful fighting and laughter they had when alone together were completely gone.

Indeed, at certain times, girls are more considerate than men!

When a girl pays attention to such details, it indicates one thing: she truly likes the man.

"Hahaha, I was too forward. Liu Qianqian, sleep well tonight; if you can't sleep because of the unfamiliar bed, you can call me, and I'll chat with you."

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Liu Liu Yifei's cheeks turned slightly red. "Hurry up and get out; what would it look like if Uncle saw this? Get out quickly..."

"Okay, okay, see you tomorrow morning."

After closing the door, Liu Liu Yifei could still hear her own thumping heartbeat, her face burning hot.

"Tonight I need to sleep early and wake up early, tomorrow I can't have any morning grumpiness…"

After muttering that softly to herself, Liu Liu Yifei decisively got into bed and went to sleep.

…………

(End of Chapter)