Chapter 28: Attending the Premiere

After all, having come from the performance department, Lin Nan still went to see Teacher Zhou.

"I was the one who brought it up, and the department leaders also thought it was a good idea. Since there's a scheduling conflict, then so be it, but if you can make it in time for the third round of auditions, you should still come. That’s not a problem, right?"

Since things had been put this way, Lin Nan had no choice but to nod and agree.

On the 6th, *A World Without Thieves* held its premiere in the capital.

The undisputed leader among private enterprises in the film and television industry is Huayi.

Since Wang Jinghua joined after the millennium, Huayi has had a large number of first- and second-tier actors under its banner. Coupled with directors like Feng Xiaogang, Huayi's performance has been flourishing, second to none, and its appeal to minor actors and newcomers is fatal.

Lin Nan entered the venue in a crisp suit; he had come with Zhu Yawen, hitching a ride.

"You're a big director, have you no shame? With so much money, you don't buy a car, and the company doesn't even have a company vehicle?"

Lin Nan didn't care about Zhu Yawen's mockery, but it did serve as a reminder.

He was usually casual about such things, but it seemed a company vehicle was truly necessary. He immediately called the finance department to make arrangements, specifying two cars with a budget not exceeding one million.

"Even if I bought one, I wouldn't use it. You know I'm too lazy to even take the driver's license test."

Lin Nan hung up the phone and said to Zhu Yawen, treating it as a benefit for the people in the company.

"Heh, and you have the nerve to say that."

For Huayi's premiere, everyone in the industry who received an invitation came, which shows Huayi's current status.

It was star-studded, just like a red carpet show.

Almost all the artists under Huayi were present, and there were even more reporters—big and small, official media, and internet media.

As Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen got out of their car, they saw Li Bingbing stepping out of the car in front.

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen saw her, and she also saw Lin Nan.

"Sister Bingbing." Zhu Yawen greeted her; he was also currently under Wang Jinghua.

"Little Zhu."

"Director Lin."

Li Bingbing walked over enthusiastically and reached out to Lin Nan. Zhu Yawen, having anticipated this result, stepped behind Lin Nan to the side.

"Hello."

Lin Nan also shook her hand politely.

Li Bingbing was one of the leads in *A World Without Thieves*, the female thief beside Uncle Li, and she had to give interviews today.

The three walked inside together. "I heard Director Lin just wrapped up a film. When are you planning to release it?"

Li Bingbing feigned curiosity.

"That hasn't been decided yet; it depends on when the editing is finished." Lin Nan gave a vague answer.

As they spoke, they saw Huayi's Young Master Wang. "It's not easy to get Director Lin to come. Please, come inside quickly."

Young Master Wang is the boss at Huayi responsible for external affairs, with a clear division of labor from his older brother who handles internal matters.

Reporters' lenses were already aimed at Lin Nan and the others, and the sound of shutters rang out.

"The box office for *Return to Youth* has made everyone envious. Next time there's an opportunity, or when you start a new film, Director Lin can consider cooperating with us at Huayi. Whether it's funding or actors and artists, there will absolutely be no problem..."

"Thank you for the kind offer, Mr. Wang. I will consider it."

Liu Dehua, Ge You, Milk Tea, and Li Bingbing—the four most important leads were all there.

Lin Nan shook hands with Liu Dehua. The last time they met was at the Golden Horse Awards, where Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen had gone together to ask for a photo.

"Brother Hua."

Some people of status and age always called him Hua Zai, but Lin Nan felt that calling him Brother Hua was better, as it seemed more respectful and intimate.

"Last time you said to remember to consider me if you had a film. I still remember; I'm afraid you've forgotten, haha."

"Next time I have a good script, I will definitely think of you."

Lin Nan also greeted Ge You, while he only nodded to Milk Tea.

He saw Wang Baoqiang.

Some people are destined to eat this bowl of rice; you can't stop it.

Even after snatching his *Blind Shaft*, one could still see his "Sha Gen."

Feng Xiaogang had struggled at the bottom, so he only offered Lin Nan a smiling face. The two greeted each other and chatted as if they were very familiar, but in reality, it was all just courtesy.

The premiere began. Regarding the money transfer fee, the relevant departments had actually boycotted this segment.

A rural boy holding cash, wanting to go home for the New Year.

He had no idea how unscrupulous the pickpockets on the train were. It wasn't just in that era; it was rampant before the real-name system. It converged a lot later, but it still happened occasionally.

The contest between the young, strong male wolf and the cunning old fox—the wolf lost.

The female wolf had a cub, so she had more maternal instinct and kindness. She was willing to protect this Sha Gen, thinking of accumulating blessings and merit for the child in her womb.

The appearances of Fan Wei and Feng Yuanzheng brought their own humor, allowing the comedic elements to be released instantly.

*A World Without Thieves* managed to assemble so many award-winning actors: Liu Dehua, Ge You, Zhang Hanyu, Fan Wei, Feng Yuanzheng...

The male wolf sacrificed himself to save the female wolf and their child.

The ending was very upright; I heard it was forced to be modified, otherwise the script would still be stuck at the General Administration.

The film ended, and applause rang out like thunder.

When it came to the reporter Q&A session, the biggest star among the cast was Liu Dehua.

"It is my honor to work with Director Feng. Teacher Ge You is a powerhouse; he was a Cannes Best Actor long ago, and I learned a lot..."

As expected of an idol who has been humble his whole life, Lin Nan applauded this speech.

Ge You clasped his hands together to thank them for the praise and also spoke about some behind-the-scenes stories of the crew, which were quite funny.

Other cast members spoke to varying degrees, and the microphone returned to Feng Xiaogang's hands.

Why use Wang Baoqiang, a newcomer with no fame?

This question made Lin Nan straighten his back.

"Suitability. I looked for many, but only he was the most suitable. Sha Gen is simple, innocent, and childlike, not truly stupid..."

The audience was very satisfied with Feng Xiaogang's answer; he is a director who gives newcomers a chance.

"Then, regarding the box office, what are the expectations of the cast?"

"The more, the better."

"The more, the better!"

A reporter handed the microphone to the producer, Young Master Wang. "I see many guests today, including Director Lin Nan, who just joined the 100-million-box-office club. I wonder if Mr. Wang's box office expectations exceed those of Director Lin Nan's *Return to Youth*?"

"Damn," Lin Nan thought, wanting to curse. Why bring me up!

The cast on stage all looked at Lin Nan, who used a smile to hide his inner thoughts.

"Haha, Director Feng and I are both looking forward to it. I wonder what Director Lin Nan thinks of the box office prospects for our *A World Without Thieves*?"

Lin Nan was certain he was being used for clout today.

Looking at the microphone almost shoved into his face, Lin Nan had no choice but to speak, "I think the box office will definitely be higher than mine."

"Thank you, Director Lin Nan."

Lin Nan acted as if he hadn't heard the thanks on stage; in any case, you will definitely be crushed by Zhou Xingchi.

Among the three major directors, the one on stage has the most schemes. Director Chen has a scholarly background and is aloof; Director Zhang buries his head in hard work and treats film as a career; the one on stage, perhaps due to certain early reasons, has a very clear goal: talent only serves money.

*A World Without Thieves* counts as a transformation for Director Feng, and it was undoubtedly very successful.

Next is the nationwide release on the 9th. During the reception, Lin Nan noticed Wang Baoqiang. He was trying hard to integrate into this circle, his smile simple and honest, but the people around him kept a sense of distance.

The way he tried so hard to fit in was touching. Could this be one of the reasons Feng Xiaogang chose him?

Lin Nan shook off a few agents trying to get close and walked over.

"Can you give me your contact information?"

Lin Nan said.

Wang Baoqiang turned his head and looked at Lin Nan in astonishment, instantly reacting, "Hello, Director Lin, I am Wang Baoqiang."

His excited hands fished out a business card, which he handed to Lin Nan with both hands.

This was the first person to take the initiative to greet Wang Baoqiang today, and a hotshot big director at that; it would be a lie to say he wasn't excited.

Many people at the scene noticed this scene, including the agent Huayi had just prepared for Wang Baoqiang.

"This luck..."

Lin Nan looked at the business card and put it in his pocket. "I'll contact you if there's a suitable role."

After saying this, Lin Nan headed toward Zhu Yawen.

"Thank you, Director Lin, thank you, Director Lin..."

Wang Baoqiang thanked him repeatedly, his joy overflowing.

Many artists present were a bit jealous. Lin Nan would actually take the initiative to talk to a newcomer who looked silly; was he willing to promote him?

Wang Baoqiang's agent ran over. "What did Director Lin say to you?"

"Director Lin said he would contact me if there's a suitable role, he will contact me," Wang Baoqiang said happily.

If Wang Baoqiang had approached Lin Nan, this sentence could almost be taken as a brush-off, but since Lin Nan had walked over and taken the initiative to say it, it was highly likely not just empty talk.

"Baoqiang, your luck is good." The agent was also happy and encouraged him.

Zhu Yawen held a glass of red wine, watching Lin Nan walk over.

"You attracted a huge wave of attention just now."

Lin Nan knew what Zhu Yawen was referring to.

"I had that thought, so I asked for his contact information," Lin Nan said casually.

"If you have a film, don't always think of outsiders; there's still me." Taking a small sip, Zhu Yawen complained.

At this moment, Wang Jing came over.

"Director Lin, Yawen."

"Sister Hua."

Wang Jing was the type of nanny-style agent, and the artists under her management trusted her deeply.

She chatted with Lin Nan about the film market and artist management, taking the opportunity to promote her artists; there were few actors who could carry the box office, and even fewer directors.

Currently, Lin Nan had directed three films, two of which had been released; the first was a huge success, and the second had reached over 110 million in box office, yet his company did not handle artist management—wasn't that just a piece of fat meat sitting right there?

After chatting for a while, Wang Jing left and went to the other side.

Zhu Yawen watched Wang Jing's back and said, "Sister Hua is a veteran in the industry; although she knows we have a good relationship, she never asks me about things in that regard."

Lin Nan nodded; in the field of artist management, she was the type who could establish her own school, and she surely knew how to handle the boundaries of interacting with artists perfectly.

This premiere held by Huayi was very successful, and media from all walks of life scrambled to report on it.

In the mouths of film critics, "A World Without Thieves" also received mostly positive affirmation.

Feng Xiaogang's change in style this time had gained unanimous approval from the audience, and now they were just waiting for the public release.

The next day, Lin Nan went to the company to meet Ning Hao; the script for "Crazy Stone" had long been polished to be even more perfect, and Ning Hao couldn't wait to start filming.

Lin Nan had previously transferred half the funds, and this time Ning Hao wanted to get the rest all at once so he could start working immediately.

"It seems Senior Brother really can't wait anymore." Lin Nan understood Ning Hao's mood very well; he urgently needed to prove himself.

"The actors, script, and crew are all fully prepared; I don't want to wait any longer." Ning Hao was very straightforward.