Chapter 252: The Bet Won

The first week of February ended, and *Pacific Rim* grossed 90 million.

With this, the total domestic box office broke through to 1.24 billion!

"Co-produced sci-fi blockbuster *Pacific Rim* domestic box office breaks 1.2 billion, winning the revenue-sharing bet agreement!"

"Production companies including Lin Nan Film, China Film Group, and Wanda Pictures will split the distributable box office with cinema chains at a 46% ratio!"

"Overseas box office for *Pacific Rim* settled at 410 million USD..."

The media, as if injected with adrenaline, gave the headlines to *Pacific Rim* once again.

Changing the box office split was something Zhang Weiping had forcefully proposed to cinema chains while holding the blockbuster *The Flowers of War* hostage.

But the one who truly benefited was Lin Nan. The box office bet agreement he proposed was fulfilled by *Pacific Rim*.

Unlike *The Flowers of War*, which fell halfway through, reporting 560 million, still a long way from 1 billion.

"Zhang Weiping is being snide online again, saying Lin Dao, you should go thank him in person; without him, there wouldn't be the 46% for *Pacific Rim*."

"Hehe, has he truly lost all shame? Has he already forgotten that it was his own betrayal of trust that screwed over all the production companies?"

Lin Nan said with a cold laugh.

Zhang Weiping is now like a grasshopper in late autumn. In the film and television industry today, who still considers him a figure of importance?

In the eyes of the various production companies, New Pictures without Zhang Yimou is just a small company; Zhang Weiping without Zhang Yimou is purely a joke.

"Ignore his barking. If he looks for trouble again, hit back."

Lin Nan instructed Yue Jun directly. Is Zhang Dapao's brain not working? Without Zhang Yimou, how is he still jumping around like this?

"Haha, we don't need to hit back; other companies have already started."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

Yue Jun's words made Lin Nan very curious.

"Yu Dong publicly stated that if New Pictures has any more films in the future, he hopes Zhang Weiping will be tough and not send them to Bona Film Group's cinema chains."

"Wang Zhonglei is even more ruthless, stating that Huayi will encircle and suppress any films produced by Zhang Weiping in the future."

"Many larger production companies are calling Zhang Weiping out by name for his low character..."

"By the way, directors like Jia Zhangke and Wang Xiaoshuai are also publicly criticizing Zhang Weiping."

Lin Nan understood; this is the case of 'when the wall falls, everyone pushes,' old grudges and new hatreds no longer need to be endured!

This stance shows just how many people Zhang Weiping's big mouth has offended over the years, and they are all big companies and famous directors in the industry.

No need to think about it, New Pictures will definitely have a hard time surviving in the film and television circle from now on.

Before the New Year, Yue Jun sent the script for *Lost in Thailand* to the Film Bureau. Now, the review has passed, and the film's filing information has quickly spread throughout the industry.

"Film: *Lost in Thailand*."

"Production Company: Lin Nan Film."

"Director: Xu Zheng;"

"Screenwriter: Lin Nan;"

"Executive Director: Han Jia;"

"Main Actors: Xu Zheng, Wang Baoqiang, Huang Bo..."

Seeing the information, industry insiders knew it was a sequel or the second installment of *Lost on Journey*.

Back then, with a cost of 5 million, it took 92.47 million at the box office; *Lost on Journey* left a deep impression on the industry. It's just unclear what the result will be this time.

However, many people are paying attention to why an executive director was specifically added to the film's filing information—to pad the resume?

Once they asked around, they found out it was the daughter of the 'Mountain Sculpture'! Alright, then it's nothing...

"Latest film news: Director Ning Hao's work *Guns and Roses* is set for April 23rd, aiming for the May Day slot."

"Zhao Liying's graduation play *So Young* has received 30 million in investment from companies like Enlight Media and China Film Group..."

Liu Qianqian was dressed very formally, in a slim-fitting women's casual suit, showing a dashing temperament.

Heavy makeup with red lips, dangling diamond earrings, and long hair over her shoulders—no matter how you look at it, she stands out.

"Are you sure about this outfit for school?"

"Why, is it not allowed?" Liu asked in return.

"People who don't know will think you're going to a fashion show. Candidates for the re-examination will easily feel pressured and distracted when they see you."

Lin Nan said nonchalantly, though in reality, it was all from the heart.

"Hahaha, if you want to compliment me, just say it; why be so roundabout?"

Liu Qianqian giggled and kissed Lin Nan, leaving a red lipstick mark.

"Don't you dare wipe it off... take me to school."

"Why do you need me to take you?"

"You're my boyfriend."

"Hm, reasonable and well-founded. It's just that there's a possibility I'll be drafted as forced labor..."

In the end, Lin Nan drove and took Liu Qianqian to the Beijing Film Academy.

Neither Lin Nan nor Liu Qianqian went to that big gathering a few days ago, but they heard the scene was even more "exciting" than a film festival.

Beijing Film Academy actors who were doing poorly in the industry didn't receive invitations.

Those who went were at least second-tier actors and stars, or had good connections and backgrounds.

This is just absurd, extremely absurd.

I originally thought it was my alma mater wanting to help its own students, but in the end, I discovered that even a "mother" is snobbish toward her "children"!

Unsurprisingly, this maneuver by the Film Academy became the talk of the town in the industry.

However, those who can go will certainly gain something. Who is laughing at whom is really not certain!

…………

At the entrance of the Beijing Film Academy, there was another long line, and Lin Nan drove through the main gate.

The number of art examinees grows every year, all dreaming of entering this circle and becoming big stars.

"Looking at them, there isn't a single 'ordinary-looking' one left."

Lin Nan sighed and remarked with emotion.

When he took the art exam back then, there were plenty who looked ordinary, or even worse, like Huang Bo...

Of course, the pretty ones were truly pretty, just like the one sitting in the passenger seat.

"Alright, I'm heading over. Are you really not coming with me?"

Liu Yifei asked Lin Nan while putting on her ID badge.

"I'm not going. Call me when you're done; I'll go hang out at the Directing Department or over at Guo Fan's place."

"Mm, okay."

……

When Liu Yifei approached the art exam queue, she instantly attracted the attention of all the examinees.

"Is that Liu Yifei? So cool!"

"She's the most popular actress right now, isn't she?"

……

"Yifei."

"Teacher Zhou, I'm not late, am I?"

"There's still nearly an hour left."

At the entrance of the exam hall, the teacher and student chatted and laughed.

"Let me introduce you to these few, sophomore Yang Zi, Zhang Yishan..."

"Hello, Senior."

……

Liu Yifei remembered Lin Nan's words; he really wasn't wrong. Teacher Zhou would introduce her to the juniors, and who could blame her, since she was also a producer now!

…………

After getting out of the car, Lin Nan headed straight for the School of Management.

On the way, he did run into a few familiar teachers, but after a brief greeting, they didn't chat much.

This guy Guo Fan is a rare outlier among the graduate students.

Because his undergraduate degree wasn't in this field, and his graduate major wasn't directing either, he spent a massive amount of time at school cramming knowledge.

In the School of Management classroom, the desks were covered in books from the Directing Department.

"Lin Dao, why are you here?"

"Yifei is a guest for the art exam re-examination, so I dropped her off and came to see you while I was at it. Is your thesis done?"

"It's done. I'll graduate after the defense in April. I heard you've already arranged a script for Lu Yang?"

When Guo Fan said this, Lin Nan could guess what he meant.

"I've prepared your script too. But there's another option; do you want to hear it?"

"What is it?"

"Crystal Pictures and Lionsgate are preparing to greenlight *Now You See Me 2*. I can let you go work with another Hollywood director."

Lin Nan wasn't joking; such large-scale projects are great for training people. This was a project that had just been finalized two days ago.

"Me? I think I'll pass. After all, I didn't participate in the first one, and it's better not to change the style of such a series easily."

After speaking, Guo Fan glanced at Lin Nan.

"I'm very much looking forward to the script Lin Dao has prepared for me. I'll treat it as my 'graduation masterpiece', haha..."

Lin Nan nodded, "Fine, then I'll wait for you to finish your defense in April."

…………

Lin Nan went to the Directing Department mainly to find Han Jia.

After arriving, he heard from Old Jiang that she was over at the Chinese Department.

It took one phone call to call her back.

"Lin Dao."

Her cheeky expression was nothing like her dignified father's.

"Are you sure you can handle the work of an executive director after joining the crew?

If you don't join the crew, I can still give you a credit, but if you go, you have to work."

Lin Nan spoke very directly, without holding back. Spending every day soaking in the Chinese Department, it really makes one doubt whether she can work.

"Don't worry, Lin Dao. I haven't missed any classes in the Directing Department; I just like it over there more."

Han Jia became serious for once, and it didn't seem like she was lying.

"Barely passing the exams, that is." Old Jiang interjected unexpectedly.

Hearing this, Han Jia's face instantly turned into a bitter melon:

"Teacher Jiang, those questions were really hard, okay! Also, I want to ask Lin Dao, how did you manage to score over 90 every time back then? Not a single person in our class has..."

Now it was Lin Nan's turn to be embarrassed, and Old Jiang was holding back laughter.

"Alright, alright, passing is enough. Cram some more this month, and don't hold the crew back when you join."

After giving a few casual instructions, Lin Nan hurried away; he never even took exams during his graduate studies...

…………

"It's hilarious. I feel like the art examinees these days have a lot of talent, but their academic foundation is too poor. They can't even name all Four Great Inventions..."

As soon as Liu Yifei got in the car, she started complaining that the art examinees these days were too poor.

Throughout the day, Miss Liu had also been introduced by Old Zhou to quite a few current Chen Yanxi students, hoping that in the future, movies produced by Liu Yifei could give them a chance—that was a bit too much nepotism!

……

That evening, half of the entertainment industry was shaken.

Because Zhang Guoli's son had fallen!

Zhang Mo, who was originally filming with the *Back to 1942* crew, was reported just like that and detained.

Zhang Guoli took the lead in coming out to apologize, and Feng Xiaogang, every actor from the *Back to 1942* crew, Wang Zhongjun, Wang Zhonglei, and even half of the Beijing circle came out to apologize in the capacity of elders like uncles, begging for a chance...

Big shots from nearly half the entertainment industry had all come forward to plead for him!

Lin Nan suddenly realized this matter; he had to tell his subordinates, especially Guo Fan and the others.

In the future, when choosing actors, they must be careful. Absolutely none of this type, even if someone puts in a good word, it won't work.

……

(End of chapter)