Chapter 247

Zhang Zhang Yimou is universally recognized in the industry as the director best at training female actresses.

Every female lead he casts as a "Mou Girl" has her own brilliance.

But the label "Mou Girl" is both a halo and a shackle.

Even Gong Li took many years to gradually shed the "Mou Girl" label and transform into "Gong Empress."

Zhang Zhang Ziyi, on the other side, barely masked the "Mou Girl" label with the half-complimentary, half-derisive nickname "International Zhang."

For these later Mou Girls, they likely will never break free from this label—their path is already blocked.

Upon hearing Zhang Zhang Yimou's words, Lin Nan's first reaction was to refuse!

What benefit is there in signing Ni Ni?

To outsiders, Ni Ni is a "Mou Girl" with a high starting point and a brilliant future. But everyone routinely ignores the fact that she is virtually a newcomer.

High breach penalties, massive resource investment, career planning…

In Lin Nan's view, signing Ni Ni is completely uneconomical—the upfront investment is too great, the cost-to-benefit ratio too low. This is not something Zhang Zhang Yimou's favor can offset.

Wouldn't it be better to give those resources to Zhao Zhao Liying? An eight-year contract—she's truly one of our own!

"Director Zhang, if there's an opportunity later, I can invite her to act in a film."

On the other end of the phone, Zhang Zhang Yimou paused clearly, his voice growing somber, "Mm, I understand. I won't pressure you. May the shoot go smoothly…"

"Thank you, Director Zhang."

After hanging up, Lin Nan felt a pang of melancholy—Zhang Zhang Yimou was now seeking new paths for his Mou Girls.

This meant he had real authority, and all the actors and artists were clearly standing firmly behind Zhang Zhang Yimou.

…

During a group meal, Lin Nan brought up the matter.

Liu Liu Yifei, Zhu Zhu Yawen, and others all looked stunned.

"Has it really come to this?"

"It's fascinating—Zhang Zhang Weiping holds the contracts, but the artists all follow Director Zhang. He must be seething with frustration, huh…"

"Without exception, they'll probably sue to terminate their contracts," Lin Nan nodded, speculating.

Although the "Mou Girl" label carries fame, there are absolutely few companies with the strength and willingness to take them on.

Every major company with resources has its own internal factions. Resources are limited—they're inherently exclusionary. Taking in a Mou Girl is no small matter, especially when the cost is high and there's no guarantee of profit…

………

The first-day box office for "Those Years" was 5.23 million yuan, with outstanding word-of-mouth and reviews among students.

But this box office figure already reveals the problem—this youth romance film cannot shake the dominance of blockbusters; it won't become a dark horse!

On the other side, the 450-million-yuan box office sealed the first-week performance of "Pacific Rim."

Media outlets are reporting that the New Year season's climax has been fully ignited by "Pacific Rim!"

In just one week, it nearly caught up to the box office numbers of "The Twelve Zodiacs" and "Longmen." The gaps are roughly ninety million and fifty million yuan respectively.

In industry eyes, by the end of the second week, "Pacific Rim" will inevitably overtake and surpass "The Twelve Zodiacs" and "Longmen"—no surprises expected.

"The co-produced sci-fi blockbuster 'Pacific Rim,' jointly invested by Lin Nan Pictures, China Film Group, and Wanda, will become the biggest winner of this year's New Year season and even the Spring Festival season!"

"Zhang Yi, Miss Jing Tian—their value has skyrocketed…"

…

After glancing at the film details, Lin Nan and the others prepared to begin shooting.

"Action!"

The female lead, portrayed by Liu Liu Yifei, personally went to persuade Zhu Zhu Yawen.

From other underachieving classmates, she learned that Zhu Zhu Yawen had been beaten, hospitalized, and missed the application exam for the full scholarship to study abroad.

When Zhu Zhu Yawen, portraying the male lead, hesitantly arrived at the printing factory rented by Luo Jin and others, he was stunned by Liu Liu Yifei's SAT cheating plan.

One person memorizes half the questions, no leaving the exam room mid-test, so they must fake illness and vomit, rehearse with mock exams to fix the cheating timing…

Watching the timid Zhu Zhu Yawen, Liu Liu Yifei crossed her arms over her chest, radiating intimidation:

"I'll give you one million yuan—we can go study abroad together…"

Nothing is beyond money's reach!

In the shot, Zhu Zhu Yawen swallowed hard and silently agreed.

"I want to know how much you'll get."

"Six million total—they split three million," Liu Liu Yifei nodded toward Luo Jin and Watching Shu Chang beside her.

…

Next, they prepared a fake notice for an overseas competition; Liu Liu Yifei took it to Liang Liang Jiahui to help her get a passport.

After all, her father had just said he wouldn't let his daughter out of his sight…

…

As they prepared for the next shot, Zhu Zhu Yawen spoke first:

"If I act too hard and accidentally really hurt someone, don't come after me."

Hearing this, Luo Jin and Liu Liu Yifei grew uneasy.

According to the plot, they would soon rehearse: what to say if caught cheating.

Luo Jin, portraying the rich second-generation, was rehearsing how he'd respond if Zhu Zhu Yawen was arrested and he was interrogated. But he slipped up in his improvised excuse.

According to the script, he claimed Zhu Zhu Yawen was reclusive and friendless, so others disliked him and beat him up, dumping him in the trash…

According to the plot, no one knew Zhu Zhu Yawen had been dumped in the trash—only that he'd been beaten and hospitalized.

Clearly, Luo Jin had hired someone to do it!

"Get the blood packs ready for Liu Yifei—when they pull them apart, she'll be accidentally hit, her nose will bleed…"

Lin Nan shouted to the logistics staff.

Liu Liu Yifei feigned a pitiful expression, looking at Lin Nan: "You're really cruel."

"You're an actor! What, can't act?"

"Who said that? Just watch."

"Good. Ready… action!"

In the monitor, Luo Jin had just said "landfill" when Zhu Zhu Yawen leaped over the table like a madwoman and wrestled with Luo Jin.

Two cameramen rushed over with their cameras, Liu Liu Yifei stepped forward to break them up, got elbowed in the face, the blood pack burst, and Shu Chang screamed…

The fight wasn't over—Zhu Zhu Yawen gripped Luo Jin's collar and roared, while the latter turned pale, begging for forgiveness…

Finally, Zhu Zhu Yawen stormed off… Liu Liu Yifei's character, the female lead, learned for the first time that Luo Jin had hired someone to do it.

"Didn't you say you needed his help? So I had someone cut off his escape route. I didn't expect they went too far… If I hadn't used some tactics, would he have come to help us?"

Luo Jin looked at Liu Liu Yifei, nervously and fearfully making excuses.

Liu Liu Yifei cursed him out and chased after him…

"Cut!"

Lin Nan went over to check on Liu Liu Yifei, pinched her delicate nose: "Didn't actually hit you, right?"

"No, optical illusion," Miss Liu shook her head and smiled.

"My great director Lin Da, you're overreacting out of concern—don't you trust me at all?"

"I actually fought Luo Jin for real, and you didn't even ask us…"

Zhu Zhu Yawen rolled her eyes and mocked.

"Don't even, I know my limits. As for you? I'm not sure… heh…" Luo Jin teased Zhu Zhu Yawen.

"Alright, get ready for the next scene. The male lead played by Zhu Zhu Yawen will become utterly pragmatic, his inner world dark and resolute."

"He needs money—to change his fate, to change his mother's fate—even if the female lead wants to abandon the cheating plan, it's impossible!"

…

…………

After two days of continuous reshoots of minor shots, the group returned exhausted to the hotel.

Lin Nan stepped out of the shower to find Miss Liu already dozing on the sofa, her laptop open on the table.

Not checking the news for two days, quite a few things had happened.

"The 'Muse Girl' Ni Ni has officially terminated her contract with New Frame, with Director Zhang Zhang Yimou's support—legal action is not ruled out…"

"Zhou Zhou Dongyu stated that although her contract is still with New Frame, she will respond immediately if Director Zhang's future films require her. Clearly, she won't initiate termination but is waiting for the contract to expire naturally…"

"Zhang Zhang Weiping led Tong Tong Dawei and others to Los Angeles to prepare for the Golden Globes. Director Zhang Zhang Yimou, Ni Ni, and others did not accompany them…"

…

"Already?"

Lin Nan muttered, sat beside Liu Liu Yifei, and made a call.

Although Lin Nan had declined Zhang Zhang Yimou's offer to sign Ni Ni, he had recommended several alternatives and informed several companies about the matter.

"Lin Nan, no way—Zhang Zhang Weiping's bastard demanded double the breach penalty.

If we don't pay, he'll drag it out or sue the artist, just trying to blacklist Ni Ni, make an example of one to warn the rest…"

With the industry lacking big-name artists and promising actors, Lin Nan had told Wang Wang Changtian about this.

But he never expected Zhang Zhang Weiping's move to be this dirty—double the breach penalty?

This move clearly violated the contract, but a lawsuit would take too long—he just wanted to stall, and his goal was to blacklist her!

Wang Wang Changtian wasn't a fool—he wouldn't pay that much.

Lin Nan suddenly realized: if he had accepted Zhang Zhang Yimou's offer, would Zhang Zhang Weiping have done the same to him?

Zhang Zhang Weiping never intended to release anyone for money—he just wanted to blacklist one person to warn the others, since half of the Thirteen Beauties were signed to New Frame, plus Dou Xiao and others.

"So ruthless!"

After hanging up, Lin Nan made another call.

"I was just about to contact Lin Dao. You know, Wanda currently has no artist management business, but for Zhang Zhang Yimou we'd be willing to pay a fortune to bring Ni Ni over—now there's an unexpected twist."

Ye Ning's words gave Lin Nan a bad feeling.

"What twist?"

"Zhang Zhang Yimou rejected our offer—he actually rejected it!"

Ye Ning spoke as if he'd seen a ghost, deeply frustrated—it was Zhang Zhang Yimou!

"Rejected?"

"Yes, he said he won't consider other options in the short term. But we got some insider info."

"What info?" Lin Nan asked instinctively.

"Since a month ago, LeTV has been approaching Zhang Zhang Yimou—Jia himself personally led the effort.

Zhang told us he won't consider other options soon, but I suspect LeTV got there first, maybe even has an agreement.

Damn, Wanda was a month too late…"

This was fucking ridiculous! That was Lin Nan's inner thought.

To outsiders, Wanda seemed rich, with its cinema chains.

But at this moment, LeTV also felt powerful—a listed company, huge and established, aggressively preparing to deeply enter the film industry…

"If that's the case, then forget it," Lin Nan could only offer consolation.

Wanda's main target was Zhang Zhang Yimou; Ni Ni was just a bonus.

Now that the main target was nearly out of reach, the bonus would definitely no longer be considered.

……

……

The next day, the production crew moved into the Hong Kong SAT test center.

Ying Huang had arranged everything in advance; the support staff were already setting up equipment and preparing the location.

"Lin Dao, Yi Fei, look who's here."

Everyone was drawn by Jiang Jiang Xuerou's voice and immediately saw Especially Reba following behind her.

"Lin Dao, Sister Yi Fei," Especially Reba smiled brightly and called out in a clear voice.

"Oh my, you actually came—are you here to visit or make a cameo?"

Liu Yifei first beamed with delight, then asked.

"Superintendent Yue said I should make a cameo."

"Really? You kept this secret for so long! What role is Especially Reba playing?" Liu Yifei turned to Lin Nan, curious.

"The proctor at the SAT exam hall—but Especially Reba's makeup and costume need to look more mature!"

Lin Nan revealed the role he had planned for Especially Reba, who heard it for the first time.

"A proctor?"

"Yes. I'll give her several close-up shots—these will be part of the film's climax."

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Especially Reba became noticeably more excited. "Thank you, Lin Dao. I'll give it my all."

"Your scenes won't start for two more days—you can watch the set or just relax for a couple of days."

……

With someone calling her "sister" over and over, Liu Yifei's mood was clearly excellent.

Seeing her best friend suddenly gain a new companion—one with a sweet tongue who called her "sister"—Watching Shu Chang clearly felt uneasy.

"What's wrong? Feeling a little jealous?"

Lin Nan, watching Watching Shu Chang's slightly furrowed brow, teased with a smile.

"How could I be?"

Watching Shu Chang rolled her eyes and insisted otherwise.

…………

(End of Chapter)