Chapter 325: Unexpected Surprise

After seven o'clock in the morning, the flight arrived in Los Angeles.

Lin Nan and his assistant walked toward the airport exit with the sparse crowd, yawning from time to time.

"This weather is a bit cool."

He tightened his clothes and muttered.

"It should have rained in the early morning; it's indeed chilly. This temperature is estimated to be less than 5 degrees Celsius?"

The assistant beside him added at the right time.

Lin Nan nodded; after all, it was already the end of December.

"Let's go, they are waiting outside the airport."

A round, fat guy, wearing a high-end suit, was looking around outside the airport.

Beside him were three luxury cars and six accompanying personnel.

Lin Nan saw Tom at a glance, and the latter did the same.

"Lin, I missed you to death!"

Tom grinned, laughed, and greeted him, opening his arms to give a hug.

However, seeing him walk closer, he was cruelly rejected by Lin Nan reaching out.

At this time, there was a speechless expression on Lin Nan's face, and he was quite disgusted.

Except for the subprime mortgage crisis, every time he saw Tom, this guy would be a big circle rounder, not seeing any weight loss at all.

This image, wearing a suit, looked ridiculous no matter how you looked at it, neither fish nor fowl.

"Tom, if you were a rugby ball before, then congratulations, you can remove the 'rugby' two words now!"

Lin Nan really couldn't help it and told a cold joke.

The surrounding assistants and employees lowered their heads, holding back their laughter.

Then he saw the smile on Tom's face freeze, and the next moment it became very frustrated.

"Lin, don't talk about this sad topic; I've been working very hard to lose weight. But, they always tempt me, damn it!"

"I originally insisted for half a year, but my body couldn't take it..."

Tom frowned, earnestly finding reasons, shirking the "responsibility."

"What tempts you? Banquets, parties, wine and meat... or those girls?"

Lin Nan shook his head and counted.

He treated Tom as a friend and his own person; this body shape and indulgent lifestyle, if he didn't control it, he might just die suddenly one day!

"Start losing weight from today. I don't want to suddenly receive a notice in the country one day to come and attend your funeral."

Looking at Lin Nan's serious and sincere look, Tom sighed and nodded.

"By the way, didn't crystal say she would come with you?"

Tom changed the annoying topic and asked about Liu Yifei.

"She has work, she will come over in a while." Lin Nan sat in the back row of the sedan and answered.

"Alright. Then now, back to the

"The villa."

"Okay."

…………

Back in the country, the release of three major blockbusters made the New Year's release slot feel increasingly filled with the smoke of battle.

Jackie Chan's *Chinese Zodiac* gave the industry a surprise, leading the pack with a first-day box office of 44.2 million.

Relatively speaking, although *Lost in Thailand* still had over a month before leaving theaters, it had already entered its final phase, reporting 12.8 million on the same day, with subsequent figures only set to get lower.

Yet even with these results, it still crushed Liu Weiqiang's *The Guillotines* and Wang Jing's *The Last Tycoon*.

The former had a first-day box office of 8.6 million, while the latter reported 12.45 million on its first day; both were far from their expected targets.

That guy Yu Dong had really bragged to the media.

He had clamored that *The Last Tycoon* and *The Grandmaster* would definitely reach at least 1 billion in box office revenue during this New Year's slot.

Looking at the situation now, the burden of that 1 billion box office would have to fall on *The Grandmaster*.

"*Chinese Zodiac* has been out for 3 days and has raked in 160 million. Huayi's incremental tiered revenue-sharing agreement shouldn't have been given to *Back to 1942*, but rather signed for *Chinese Zodiac*..."

The media reports directly tore open Huayi's wounds.

Their own fully-funded film was a massive loss, while the film they co-produced was performing with unstoppable, destructive force!

"Lin Dao Nan arrived at Los Angeles Airport around 10 PM last night, domestic time. Crystal Pictures boss Tang Mu personally picked him up..."

Not a single move could escape the eyes of the media.

As a new day began, domestic film and entertainment news already featured reports on Lin Nan's whereabouts, including photos from the airport.

"He really went to Hollywood?"

Many people in the industry had this same sentiment.

As for what Lin Nan was going to do there next, the industry was vaguely expectant.

Liu Yifei had received a call from Lin Nan last night; as for those inquiries on Weibo, she couldn't be bothered to reply.

…………

"Coming over at this time, I knew I wouldn't be able to avoid these social obligations!"

The Oscar awards season had already begun, and it was that time of year again to throw money around like water—public relations!

Lin Nan hadn't expected to arrive at such a timely moment, just in time for the premiere of *Jiang Ge Unchained* and the PR party.

A Golden Lion-winning director would certainly be on the invitation list; there was no way he would be left out.

In recent years, Crystal Pictures could be described as thriving, whether through its own development or its collaborations with Lionsgate and Warner Bros.

Lin Nan, as the boss, was naturally being watched by more companies in Hollywood, including several other production giants.

At the reception, after exchanging greetings with people from Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Disney, and Columbia, Lin Nan and Tang Mu headed in another direction.

"Lin, welcome to *Jiang Ge Unchained*."

Leonardo embraced Lin Nan, attracting the attention of many people around them.

"Going for awards again?" Lin Nan asked, implying something.

"Yes, I'm a supporting actor in this film, the villain, and I've already been nominated for a Golden Globe."

Although he had already won a Golden Globe for Best Actor, Leonardo still seemed very happy; he wouldn't overlook any award.

"Then I wish you good luck, including an Oscar nomination."

"Thank you. Also, I'm still waiting for your script."

Lin Nan chuckled, "When I'm free in a couple of days, you can come by Crystal Pictures."

Hearing this, Leonardo paused, his eyes lighting up, and then he nodded, "No problem, these two days are indeed quite busy."

A director of award-contending films is someone most Hollywood actors are willing to befriend.

To be honest, Lin Nan couldn't remember the faces of quite a few actors and stars who came up to greet him, except for a few with recognizable features, such as Anne Hathaway and others.

"Lin Dao, what a coincidence, seeing you here."

The familiar Mandarin made Lin Nan turn his head subconsciously; it was Little Zhang Ziyi.

"It is quite a coincidence. Eh? I remember now. You are also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, one of the thousands of judges, you have a vote, haha."

Lin Nan thought of this instantly.

The years when Little Zhang Ziyi was most active with foreigners were when she became a member of the Academy, which was also the peak of her career.

"Lin Dao is joking, just good luck."

Little Zhang Ziyi's face was full of smiles; this was currently the most impressive identity she could show off in Hollywood.

She looked at Leonardo: "Leo, the Calvin Candie you played is really great. If there's a chance, I will definitely vote for you."

"Thank you."

After chatting for a few sentences, Little Zhang Ziyi asked for a photo of the three of them together.

Lin Nan could guess what she would do, but it wasn't easy to refuse.

Sure enough, when the banquet ended and Lin Nan returned to his villa in Beverly Hills, that photo had already appeared online.

"At the Oscar awards season, *Jiang Ge Unchained* reception, photo with Lin Dao Nan and Leonardo, looking forward to the latter winning awards at the Golden Globes and Oscars..."

Just as Lin Nan had guessed, International Zhang had indeed posted it on social media; her mind was deep. But it had to be said, the effect was good.

Back in the country, the internet instantly became lively.

"This is the Oscar awards season reception, International Zhang's status is full."

"The only Oscar judge among the mainland's big actresses!"

"This wave of showing off is solid, suppressing Li Bingbing, Fan Bingbing, and others!"

"Only by relying on this identity could she mix in..."

……

"I just want to know, what exactly did Lin Dao go there for?"

"Haven't heard of any new film projects being launched. Could it be that he really went to attend a party?"

…………

"He went there to film a movie, but it's estimated that it will take a few more days before it's announced."

Liu Yifei tapped Watching Shu Chang on the head and said, she was really annoyed.

"I only asked one question, why don't you go knock on someone else!"

Watching Shu Chang said indignantly. If she couldn't beat Liu Yifei, she would definitely knock back.

"Who told you to be in front of me, I can't reach the others.

Alright, alright, I'll drive and we'll go out to eat, I'll make it up to you, okay."

Liu Yifei said with a smile, she just tapped lightly, not using force, her best friend was really silly!

…………

Over at Crystal Pictures, there was quite a lot of work.

Many post-production and special effects outsourcing for films from outside were here, and there were even some animated films.

The variety and quantity were not something Tiangong Color could compare to; after all, the two markets were still far apart.

"Lin, Ma Te is here."

Along with the knock on the door came Tang Mu's voice; Lin Nan was caught off guard.

When he spoke to Ma Te Damon on the phone the day before yesterday afternoon, the other party was still in New York.

He was back already? And he came to Crystal Pictures!

Ma Te, as a father, was much more mature and steady than Leonardo.

"Lin, long time no see, I came to see you specially today."

Wearing only a leather jacket over a T-shirt, Ma Te Damon looked full of energy.

Lin Nan smiled and went up to hug him, "Just got back?"

"Got back yesterday afternoon, planning to relax and take a vacation for the next few months. So, I came to see you today."

A beautiful female employee had already brought the coffee, and Ma Te didn't stand on ceremony, sitting down there and chatting and laughing.

Lin Nan looked at his watch and couldn't help but smile.

This was really a coincidence; Leonardo would also come in a while to read the script!

Since refusing to continue starring in the *Bourne* series and winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor, Ma Te Damon had clearly changed his work rhythm.

He had also become more picky about taking roles because his transformation had already been successful.

"Leo will also come over in a while." Lin Nan reminded him.

Ma Te paused, his eyes narrowed slightly, and then a playful expression appeared on his face.

He remembered when the three of them were together, Leonardo mentioned the script, and he even joked that he could audition to compete!

And this time, Lin Nan had only arrived in Hollywood a few days ago...

"The script?"

Ma Te asked decisively.

Lin Nan didn't hide it and nodded.

"Then, isn't my arrival just at the right time?"

As they were talking, the knock on the door sounded again.

"Lin, Leo is here."

When Leonardo walked into the office with a smile, he saw Ma Te Damon sitting on the sofa at a glance.

The smile on his face disappeared instantly.

"Shit, why are you here, you guy?"

Facing Leonardo, whose face changed instantly, Ma Te Damon smiled maliciously.

"Perhaps it's fate that brought me here. However, I really encountered an unexpected surprise, for example, a movie script.

Dear Leo, don't you think so? Hahaha..."

…………

(End of chapter)