Chapter 284

Although June hasn't ended yet, the domestic films for the first half of the year can already be judged.

Except for *Guns and Roses*, all other films have been wiped out.

Enlight Media's *The Four* has been pinned with high hopes by the entire film industry.

It is the first major domestic blockbuster to be released in the summer season, and it will also sound the horn for the counterattack of domestic films in the second half of the year.

Wang Changtian places a very high level of importance on *The Four*; this is Enlight Media's first film series.

The scale of its premiere is far beyond what last year's *Painted Wall* could compare to.

…………

"Lin Dao, the contract between Tiangong Color and Enlight Media regarding *The Four 2* has already been signed."

"When do we join the crew?"

"By mid-July at the latest, the Tiangong Color team must join the crew to start filming."

Lin Nan nodded; Gordon Chan's efficiency is quite high!

"The day after tomorrow is the premiere over at Enlight Media..."

Yue Jun suddenly spoke up, offering a reminder.

"I know."

Lin Nan understands what Yue Jun means; this is the first film Zhao Liying has signed for with Shanhai Media, and he needs to show his support for her.

……

Huayi Brothers is a bit high-profile here; every time an artist gets married, they promote it with great fanfare.

The one getting married this time is a member of the 'Stab-in-the-Back Sect', Jia Nailiang.

But you have to admit, the effect is actually quite good; every time, the stock price manages to rise by a few points in response.

…………

To be honest, Lin Nan quite admires Peter Chan.

Thick-skinned, greedy for money, a fence-sitter, yet not lacking in talent, and capable of bending and stretching—he is a ruthless man.

With the conflict between the mainland and the Hong Kong circles being so severe, he took the initiative to contact Han Sanping.

China Film Group has been tricked by this guy quite a few times; how could they possibly give him a good look?

But this time, Peter Chan is different from before; he actually brought some genuine sincerity.

He placed a ready-made script in front of Han Sanping, stating bluntly that his company would invest 70%, China Film Group only needed to put up 30%, and even the actors had already been negotiated.

In the past, Peter Chan would always enter the field empty-handed to play the 'white wolf' strategy, using money from investors—including China Film Group—to make films, while lining his own pockets along the way.

This time, Peter Chan is putting up 70% himself, which has made Han Sanping feel a bit tempted.

When Lin Nan went to China Film Group to discuss the distribution of *Bad Genius* and the number of prints, he was pulled aside by Han Sanping to talk about this matter.

"He's backstabbing that group in the Hong Kong circle again? This film is his 'pledge of allegiance'?"

"That's pretty much what it means. Peter Chan is a cunning one; he knows very well which side—the mainland or Hong Kong—is more important.

Unless he wants to be like that group with Gordon Chan, staying in Hong Kong to retire in the future."

Han Sanping laughed with disdain, his tone carrying a hint of ruthlessness.

To him, being cunning doesn't matter as long as he can be used, and Peter Chan has no way back now anyway.

"I'm actually a bit curious, what's the script?" Lin Nan asked.

Han Sanping took a file folder out of his drawer and tossed it to Lin Nan.

The moment he saw the title, Lin Nan's eyes narrowed slightly, and a flash of light passed through them.

A film that Peter Chan could use as a pledge of allegiance is indeed better than those 'watered-down money-grabbing' scripts from before.

*American Dreams in China*!

……

……

"Did Chairman Han invest?"

"Not yet, I'm still considering it."

"His actors this time are all from the mainland, right?" Lin Nan asked tentatively.

"Yes, Huang Xiaoming, Deng Chao, Tong Dawei," Han Sanping said playfully.

Lin Nan also wanted to laugh; two months ago at the Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony, Peter Chan was still singing the same tune as Gordon Chan, swearing that as long as the mainland provided the money, the actors and crew would be from Hong Kong.

Now, he's already chickened out?

"Invest."

"You think it's good too?" Han Sanping was slightly delighted.

"The script is good, and the actors are all good."

Lin Nan said, nodding.

"Then I'll listen to you. If it weren't for the fact that Peter Chan only accepts investment from China Film Group, I would definitely bring you along..."

…………

After finishing his business, Lin Nan left China Film Group.

The first batch of prints for *Bad Genius* won't be fewer than those for *The Thieves*, and the distribution efforts and scheduling will also be higher than for *The Thieves*.

The next day, the weather was nice.

The premiere of *The Four* is today.

From the morning on, the entertainment news and film information online were all about the premiere.

Lin Nan got up quite early; after washing up and changing clothes, he went over to Liu Yifei's place.

I don't know when it started, but when Miss Liu attends premieres or celebration banquets for other companies' films, she no longer wears evening gowns.

She wears relatively formal ladies' casual wear, focusing on a heroic, concise, and capable look.

With her long hair draped over her shoulders and bright red lips, her aura is fully charged, and her temperament is also handled very well.

In her own words, on such occasions, she needs to gradually adapt to the identity of a producer and a strong woman.

What she said makes so much sense that Lin Nan has never been able to refute it; she definitely must have been secretly studying!

When Lin Nan walked to Liu Yifei's villa, Miss Liu was already ready.

She was wearing a black ladies' casual suit, with silver high heels on her feet, exposing her fair ankles, her long hair draped loosely behind her, and with her exquisite face, at first glance, she had the feeling of a 'boss lady'.

She casually put the melon seeds from her palm into the fruit plate, clapped her hands, and winked at Lin Nan.

"Isn't it a surprise? You actually don't have to wait for me today, haha..."

"It is quite a surprise. Let's go, Xixi."

Lin Nan reached out a hand, and Liu Yifei took it.

The assistant and driver were already waiting outside.

…………

The entire film circle has to give face to Enlight Media.

Additionally, the premiere of *The Four* also has extraordinary significance. It represents that the battle for the second half of this year is about to begin.

Hundreds of media reporters were already huddled around the red carpet, busy with their cameras and microphones.

Wang Zhonglei from Huayi led the team, Yu Dong from Bona, Tan Hong from StarMe, Emperor Motion Pictures, Orange Sky, New Classics, Huarun...

A large number of stars, directors, and producers from the circle walked onto the red carpet, either in groups of three or five, or alone.

Feng Xiaogang, Tsui Hark... Huang Xiaoming, Sun Li...

Han Sanping, Ren Zhonglun, and others walked slowly onto the red carpet.

A long time later, Gordon Chan arrived with the crew of *The Four*, Deng Chao, Zhao Liying, Jiang Yiyan...

Lin Nan can only say that his timing was perfect; he and Liu Yifei had just gotten out of the car when they saw Gordon Chan and his group enter the venue.

"Lin Dao, Yifei, the *Bad Genius* crew has all gone in except for you two."

A reporter joked, as Zhu Yawen and the others had already arrived.

"Then we have to hurry in too, so no photos?"

Lin Nan held Liu Yifei's hand and joked with the media reporters.

"That won't do, you can go in, but leave Yifei behind, haha..."

Liu Yifei smiled, giving the reporters time to take photos.

…………

The two walked into the venue; looking around, there were no guests with too low a status, unless they had connections to get in.

Zhu Yawen, Watching Shu Chang, Reba, and Luo Jin were all sitting in the second row, right next to Huang Xiaoming and the others.

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei greeted Han Sanping and the others before heading toward their seats.

Socializing could wait; it was better to go over and chat with their own people.

Lin Nan actually saw Karen Tsai and Liu Shishi; he remembered that the latter starred in Enlight Media's *Sad Fairy Tale*, which would be released in September.

"Lin Dao, Yifei."

"Lin Dao, Producer Liu."

Karen Tsai and Liu Shishi took the initiative to greet them.

The two nodded in response.

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were in the first row, and everyone in the same row was a boss of a company.

Behind them were Zhu Yawen and the others, as well as Huang Xiaoming, Fan Bingbing, and others sitting nearby.

"Brother Xiaoming, did you take on a film recently?" Lin Nan said with a smile in a low voice.

"Lin Dao knows already?"

"I saw it at China Film Group; is it all set?"

Huang Xiaoming smiled and nodded, then shook his head, "I will be participating, but I'm still fighting for the role..."

As he spoke, Huang Xiaoming's eyes glanced toward the *The Four* crew on stage—or more accurately, toward Deng Chao.

Lin Nan understood: fighting for a role, everyone wants the most eye-catching one, it just depends on their respective methods and connections.

However, when it comes to this kind of interpersonal maneuvering, Deng Chao and Tong Dawei are definitely no match for Huang Xiaoming.

Fan Bingbing and the others nearby were all curious, but they didn't ask.

The premiere on stage began, and Gordon Chan was accepting media interviews with the main cast.

When Zhao Liying was introduced, everyone knew that this was the person Lin Nan had signed from Huayi.

"I am very grateful to Lin Dao and Director Yue for signing me and giving me this opportunity. I will cherish the company's help and investment in me and work hard..."

Zhao Liying thanked Lin Nan on stage, speaking very earnestly and sincerely.

Quite a few people in the circle gave face and applauded, only the Huayi side looked a bit unnatural...

The film began; based on the original work, quite a few things had been adapted.

"Originally, Chairman Wang wanted you to act in it, and even took the initiative to increase the salary, but I refused."

Lin Nan said to Liu Yifei, who smiled slightly, not caring at all, "I listen to you."

"You two are really cheesy."

Watching Shu Chang leaned in close to the two of them and muttered in a low voice.

Before she could react, Liu Yifei pushed her head back with a palm, "Noisy."

Lin Nan turned his head to look at Watching Shu Chang and laughed, "Be careful, Xixi will beat you up when you get back."

When he turned back, Lin Nan was met with Liu Yifei's stern gaze.

"Just kidding, you weak woman, how could you possibly beat that tomboy Changchang?"

…………

The film ended, and the guests gave their applause.

This film had quite a few adaptations; Gordon Chan was trying his best to express his own ideas, and industry insiders all had their own opinions.

What the film really has to face is the test of the audience, after all, it's tied to the box office.

I don't know if it was something Enlight Media had arranged, but the host on stage actually invited Lin Nan to comment on Zhao Liying.

Everyone's eyes turned to Lin Nan, including Zhao Liying on stage, as well as Deng Chao, Jiang Yiyan, and others nearby.

"Her performance certainly can't be called perfect, but she is definitely working hard to perform the way Director Gordon Chan requested..."

Gordon Chan on stage nodded at the right moment, looking as if that were exactly the case.

"Attitude, determination, and perseverance are very important, and she has all of these. I think it won't be long before she enters the ranks of A-list actresses—and not just the kind that's barely stepping over the threshold!"

Lin Nan's words instantly spread throughout the venue, and quite a few people widened their eyes.

Personally designated by Lin Dao Nan?

This is going to be a massive investment of resources!

Zhao Liying was so excited for a moment that she didn't know what to do, and only a silly smile remained on her 'steamed bun' face.

Some actresses had already started to feel envious, just like Jiang Yiyan on stage and Liu Shishi and others in the audience.

Resources in the circle are limited, and top-tier resources are even scarcer, but Lin Nan can easily find them—outsiders can't compare.

The premiere of *The Four* ended.

Along with various news reports, Lin Nan's evaluation of Zhao Liying also came out.

"She will enter the ranks of A-list actresses!"

According to Lin Nan's expectations, after today, once *The Four* is officially released, Zhao Liying can take advantage of the momentum to enter the ranks of second-tier actresses, and after that, accumulate for another year or two...

…………

The atmosphere in the film market has become increasingly murderous, and also a bit restless.

In a few more days, the summer season will officially begin.

"Lin Dao's words are like a promise; she won't be lacking resources in the future.

Look, Enlight Media's *The Four* is a series, and the second film will still feature Zhao Liying..."

Ceng Jia couldn't help but sigh with emotion, while Yang Mi next to her was lost in thought.

From Zhao Liying, Yang Mi felt a threat.

"Mimi, the contract expires next March, the company should be looking to talk to you soon..."

Ceng Jia suddenly said.

"Mm, I know..."

…………

My health has had a few minor issues; I will adjust the update time back as soon as possible in the next two days.

(End of chapter)