[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-that-year-in-huayu":3,"chapter-that-year-in-huayu-that-year-in-huayu-chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","That Year in Huayu",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2286861,4473,"Chapter 25: Cliff of Broken Hearts","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>By the 20th, the daily box office for *Return to Youth* was only around a few hundred thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, on the 23rd, the film was completely pulled from theaters. According to data obtained by China Film Group from the theater chains and official sources, *Return to Youth* had been in theaters for twenty-three days, with a cumulative box office reaching over 116.4 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Zhang Yimou, the second director of a 100-million-box-office commercial film was born: Lin Nan, from the 2002 Directing Department of the Film Academy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this moment on, he was no longer a second-tier director, but a top-tier commercial film director; the box office was the most powerful proof and evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Equally in the spotlight was the film's lead actress, Yan Danchen. It is said that many producers have been looking for her recently, and there is no shortage of coal bosses among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin, *Return to Youth* has surpassed 100 million at the box office. Do you have any thoughts? What are your upcoming work arrangements?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am very grateful for the audience's support, and I will continue to work hard. As for work, I will join a crew next month...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin, as a director in the 100-million-box-office club, what is your take on *Kekexili*, which was released during the same period and was pulled from theaters in less than a week due to dismal box office results?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have watched this film; it is a very good film with extremely important educational significance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin, many film critics believe the plot of *Return to Youth* is very absurd, especially the setup where a grandson falls in love with his grandmother who has returned to her youth. It is completely morally skewed. What is your take on this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a fantasy commercial film, so nitpicking is going too far. Well, let me reveal that this film has already been confirmed for import by the Korean side, including the purchase of remake rights...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan dealt with a group of reporters at the school gate before slipping into a sedan. The celebration banquet hosted by China Film Group for him was in the capital, where they had booked a banquet hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lin Nan arrived, it was four in the afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin, those reporters have followed us here,\" someone from Enlight Media reminded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry about them. Those with invitations will get in; those without will naturally be stopped.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let us welcome the director of *Return to Youth*, Lin Nan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The applause was enthusiastic, and Lin Nan saw many familiar faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smashing the ice, popping champagne, and raising glasses to celebrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a celebration banquet, but also a place for everyone to build relationships and expand their connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides Shanghai Film Group, China Film Group, and Enlight Media, Lin Nan also saw Yu Dong from Bona, the younger Mr. Wang from Huayi, and the bosses of many talent agencies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin, I hope we have a chance to collaborate in the future. Congratulations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Mr. Yu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Congratulations, Director Lin. We felt quite regretful for a long time after you rejected our invitation to join Huayi back then. This is Fan Bingbing, who just won Best Actress at the Hundred Flowers Awards last month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Director Lin. I went to see your movie; it is very creative. Remember to look for me when you film again; I am very affordable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan shook the hand extended toward him; up close, she was indeed stunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dealing with a circle of bosses and actors, Lin Nan found a corner, wanting some peace and quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Danchen and Shu Chang came over. \"Did Zhu Yawen sign with Wang Jinghua? I saw him following her and interacting with some producers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan nodded. \"He signed a month ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What date did you set for starting production next month?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Danchen asked Lin Nan, referring to *Return to Dust*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Starting on the 5th, chosen in that area in the Northwest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the theatrical run of *Return to Youth*, Lin Nan had already finalized the arrangements for the *Return to Dust* crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's quite rushed. It's already the 28th today, and you even promised someone else you'd visit their set,\" Shu Chang said unexpectedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan looked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. \"How do you know? Did she tell you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, I just knew,\" Shu Chang said with a haughty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Suit yourself, but don't you regret not choosing an arts college this year?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Danchen couldn't be bothered to guess their riddle and had already walked to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, I don't know how long I can stay in this acting profession. Learning something else provides a safety net in case I change careers later,\" Shu Chang said, quite open-minded about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan hadn't thought of this for a while; last year, Shu Chang scored 520 on the college entrance exam and was admitted to the Drama Academy, but she didn't go, and this year she was causing trouble again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will regret it sooner or later, little sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, if one day I really regret it and have no roles to play, I'll come to rely on you, or go find Liu Qianqian,\" Shu Chang laughed heartlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Suit yourself. I'm leaving tomorrow to visit the set; do you want to come along?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm going, why wouldn't I? But this is the last time. I plan to spend the next few years living my university life properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Won't it affect your classes? After all, it's not an arts college.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've asked for a week off; it won't delay my coursework.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright then, let's buy the tickets tonight. My flight is at ten tomorrow morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At ten in the evening, Lin Nan made an excuse and slipped away; the celebration banquet hadn't ended yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone from Enlight Media drove him. Lin Nan transferred his box office share to Enlight Media to get the money early, incidentally deducting his previous loan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enlight Media was very happy to help with this favor; within two days, over ten million would arrive in Lin Nan's company account.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan ultimately set the production budget for *Return to Dust* at three million, with zero director's fee, and getting the money early from Enlight Media was specifically for *Return to Dust*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The adaptation rights for the Korean side were initially set at eight million, with China Film Group handling the connection. Because Lin Nan was the screenwriter, his share increased to half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the three actors already set for *Return to Dust*, all other roles were filled by actors under the West Film Studio. Although they might not be very famous, they were all seasoned actors who truly made a living from the craft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When boarding, Lin Nan and Shu Chang were together; he specifically upgraded to first class to make chatting easier, and Lin Nan paid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, in terms of acting, Lin Nan felt Shu Chang was better than Liu Qianqian, but her mindset wasn't firm; she was always thinking about this and that, while the young Miss Liu was single-mindedly focused on her acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once on the plane, Shu Chang actually took a script out of her bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you say you wanted to live your university life properly? How come you took another role right after saying that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan teased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the last one,\" Shu Chang handed the script over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"*Jingwei Fills the Sea*!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another childhood memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan flipped through it casually. \"Not bad, little Jingwei suits you well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, I'm a veteran actor too; my eye for scripts isn't bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*The Return of the Condor Heroes* started filming in Jiuzhaigou in mid-October and was currently shooting at Mount Yandang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two and a half hours later, Lin Nan and Shu Chang arrived at the location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all the mountains and peaks, Mount Yandang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No news leaked, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Definitely not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Chang pulled up her hood and put on wine-red sunglasses that covered half her face, standing beside Lin Nan and blending into the crowd of tourists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly half of the location shots for *The Return of the Condor Heroes* were filmed at Mount Yandang. Since this was a tourist attraction, the crew was inevitably watched by tourists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The air is really good,\" Shu Chang said, taking a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan sat on a stone pier halfway up the mountain to rest. Both of them had come with backpacks, and at this moment, they were all on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go, Lingyan is not far now,\" Lin Nan stood up and urged Shu Chang, who was still gazing into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking along the way, the scenery of Mount Yandang could be called an otherworldly paradise. Surrounded by mountains, the sound of ancient temple bells; where the cliffs loop back, the Lingyan peak soars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Passionless Valley.\" From afar, Lin Nan could already see the crew's equipment and tents, the busy staff, and the tourists watching from the perimeter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The path up the cliff was right by Zhuobi Peak. Above the precipice and beneath the clouds, looking back, he felt a bit terrified. \"Is it already this high?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan was still somewhat afraid of heights. \"High? It's not high at all,\" Shu Chang glanced at it and felt nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's right there, let's hurry,\" Shu Chang urged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The *Return of the Condor Heroes* crew was very large and well-produced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan truly admired the location-scouting skills of the bearded Zhang. Looking out at the front river, he could even empathize with Yang Guo's state of mind—sixteen years of longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crew had specifically built water pavilions here to film the Passionless Valley segments, making it very easy to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few dozen meters outside the filming site, signs were set up, and dedicated personnel were guarding it, trying their best not to let tourists break in and affect the filming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being stopped was a certainty. Lin Nan looked at Shu Chang and left it to her; she had worked with the bearded Zhang several times and was surely familiar with the staff around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave it to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Chang took out her phone and dialed a number. There was actually signal here—China Mobile, perhaps?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's Producer Zhang's assistant; I call her Sister Du.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, Lin Nan knew this person; she rose to power later on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, a woman walked over. She was of medium height, had a great temperament, and greeted them with a smile. \"Changchang, you're here to visit the set, and you didn't even give a heads-up? Hurry, come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan followed behind Shu Chang and was also let in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Du, long time no see, you've become even prettier.\" Little Shu had a sweet tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where did you hear that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other party smiled very naturally and looked at Lin Nan, who was wearing sunglasses; he didn't look like Shu Chang's assistant or anything of the sort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And this is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Du, this is Lin Nan, Director Lin, who came with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan smiled. \"Hello.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman reacted in less than three seconds, looking pleasantly surprised. \"Director Lin, the 100-million-club big director! The crew has been talking about you quite a bit these past two days; you're truly amazing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman was very experienced and grasped the sense of propriety well; she was indeed someone who had been by the bearded Zhang's side since graduation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're all too kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan and Shu Chang followed behind, listening to her introduce the crew's recent progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The film crew is preparing for the Battle of Broken Gut Cliff, which takes place before Little Dragon Maiden jumps off the cliff after being persuaded by Huang Rong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are many tents temporarily set up by the film crew, and one can see staff members coming in and out; Director Yu Min is currently communicating something with the staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin, everyone will surely be very happy that you could come to visit the set,\" Assistant Du said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I went once during the time of *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* as well, back when I was with Zhu Yawen; I was still just an unknown student then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In two years' time, to become a top-tier director in the country, it shows that Director Lin is truly brimming with talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan smiled without saying a word; this woman could always find a good way to flatter you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Du, where is Qianqian?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu Chang asked, and Lin Nan also tilted his head, preparing to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The large tent at the very back is Yifei's; you two go ahead, I still need to head over to the producer's side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Xinglin said tactfully, and then she walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Nan, I reckon Producer Zhang will come looking for you,\" Shu Chang smiled with mischievous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was mentally prepared for that long ago; he loves hype and marketing too much and won't let me off the hook, including you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, that's right. You and I are both key creators of *Return to Youth*—one is the director, the other is an actor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Glad you know; let's go, let's head over and give her a surprise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2196,"2026-06-20T03:22:09.099Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","6f22fbf4febf1101b97f662629d45a6eeddc04484bae724064b13ab1f9272183","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-26","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-24",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-in-huayu-cover.jpg"]