Chapter 358

Lin Nan really hadn't expected that Donnie Yen and his agent would actually run to the company to see him.

"Are you kidding me? Just because he wants to see me, I have to agree?"

On the other end of the phone, Yue Jun's laughter came through:

"I also think there's something wrong with their brains. Isn't it obvious? They're just not using Donnie Yen anymore."

"I'll leave it to you; I don't have time to deal with it."

"Fine, I'll push it directly to Yinghuang. Anyway, they are the ones doing the external casting."

"That works."

Lin Nan Film, third floor, reception room.

After Donnie Yen and his agent were brought here by the receptionist, they had been waiting.

The two were told that Director Lin Nan didn't come to the company often and that Director Yue Jun would come over later.

The moment the reception room door opened, Donnie Yen and his agent stood up.

"Director Yue."

"Sit down. Is there anything you need today?"

Yue Jun pretended not to know anything and asked.

Donnie Yen and his agent knew very well that the other party was playing dumb—playing dumb openly.

The agent didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly:

"Director Yue, we want to ask about *Ip Man 3*. Zidan performed very well in the first two, and we were wondering when the contract for this one will be issued?"

Yue Jun couldn't help but glance at the agent opposite; not bad, he was playing dumb too!

"Did you ask the wrong person? During the first two, did you see Lin Nan Film getting involved in this? Wasn't it all done by Yinghuang?"

"But..."

"You guys should just go back. Casting, signing contracts, and filming are all being handled by Yinghuang; we don't interfere."

Interrupting the other party, without waiting for him to speak, Yue Jun added: "I have to go to Bad Monkey Film in a while, so I won't keep you two any longer."

Having said that, Yue Jun smiled and nodded at the two, then walked out of the reception room first.

……

Donnie Yen's face was gloomy as he looked back at the Lin Nan Film building.

Countless fantasies of a comeback were shattered at this moment.

Yinghuang?

If Yinghuang were to send him a contract, that would be a miracle!

"Zidan, let's go. We'll go straight to the airport and return to Hong Kong."

It wasn't until the agent shouted from inside the car that Donnie Yen unwillingly got into the back seat, his face looking as if it were covered in frost.

……

Lin Nan was just leaving home at this moment, driving toward the Beijing Film Academy.

"That little girl, I still can't get through on her phone."

Muttering to himself, he arrived at the school gate, where there was quite a bit of foot traffic.

After all, it was already May, and the annual graduation season was right before them.

Lin Nan's face could serve as a pass at the school; it was one of their calling cards.

The security staff didn't say a word and let him drive in.

"Oh my, isn't this the great Director Lin?"

Just as he got out of the car, Lin Nan saw Teacher Zhou leading a few students—they didn't look like current students?

"Teacher Zhou, what is this?"

"Oh, they are freshmen, here early to learn..."

Hearing this, Lin Nan was too embarrassed to point it out. What does "here early to learn" mean?

Coming to school more than three months early—is that learning?

They were here to look for opportunities; it was clear they had some connections at home.

Every year before graduation season, a large number of talent agencies and film companies in the industry would appear at the three major art academies.

This was far more than the companies that purely came to scout for newcomers during the art entrance exams.

Among them were top film and talent agencies in the industry, as well as big agents.

"Then you go ahead and be busy; I need to go to the graduate department."

"To find Director Tian?"

"Yeah, something like that."

Lin Nan waved his hand and walked away.

Several students were still looking at Lin Nan's figure, feeling a bit expectant.

"Stop looking. Shanhai Media isn't easy to get into. None of the signed actors inside are from the Beijing Film Academy; it's really something!"

…………

When Lin Nan arrived at the place, he realized why Han Jia's phone couldn't get through.

Summer vacation was coming, and she was taking exams!

"It's hilarious. If Han Sanping saw his daughter scratching her head in the directing exam room, I wonder what his mood would be?"

"What are you saying? Keep it down."

Outside the classroom, Old Jiang caught Lin Nan and started chatting.

"Let me tell you, whether she becomes a director after graduation is really up for debate."

"Why do you say that?"

"A few days ago, she was still regretting it, saying she should have applied to the literature department. After one semester, two-thirds of her time was spent over there; she's more familiar with Xue Xiaolu than with me!"

Old Jiang said irritably, then pointed at Han Jia through the window:

"Don't even think about it. When she comes back next semester, she'll definitely have to take make-up exams."

In less than twenty minutes, the exam inside ended, and more than a dozen graduate students walked out one after another.

Lin Nan waved at Han Jia, and her eyes lit up instantly.

"Senior Lin, why are you here? Looking for me?"

"Yes, let's go. Let's go sit in the small cafeteria; it's just about time for a meal."

"Okay, your treat."

"No problem."

…………

Lin Nan felt he had overthought it; he didn't even need to start bluffing—no, start inviting her.

Han Jia looked at him and had already taken the initiative to ask:

"Senior Lin, I heard you're preparing a new film. Are you still short of an executive director?"

Lin Nan asked with interest, "So proactive?"

"Oh, that... I don't want to take make-up exams anymore. I want to trade it for practical experience, hehe..."

Looking at Han Jia being so direct, Lin Nan felt a headache for Old Han.

Han Sanping was a director from a proper professional background and had arranged the smooth path of directing for his own daughter.

But now it seemed his own daughter preferred the profession of a screenwriter, or perhaps she would be a producer in the future.

"Sure. I was actually looking for you to talk about this anyway, to let you practice more before graduation so your resume looks better..."

Lin Nan started bluffing against his conscience; what a sin.

"Thank you, Senior Lin. Come back with me in a while and talk to Teacher Jiang." Han Jia was instantly excited.

"Listen to me first; this time it's not an executive director."

"Then what is it?" Han Jia opposite him was a bit anxious.

"One of the assistant directors. Yeah, you'll be responsible for coordinating with the actors then." Lin Nan said with implication.

"Assistant director is fine, assistant director it is. Thank you, Senior Lin!"

"I thank you too." Lin Nan muttered softly.

"Thank me for what? Just don't think I'm clumsy."

Han Jia said bluntly.

…………

The film market was already a different scene.

"Directed by Zhao Wei, the film *So Young* has been released for 15 days, with a cumulative box office of 550 million, and the daily box office is dropping to over 9 million."

"*So Young* is bound to surpass the 582 million box office of *Finding Mr. Right*. Zhao Wei has already become the number one female director in the Chinese film market!"

"Directed by Director Lu Yang, the film *Kung Fu Jungle* has been released for two weeks, with a total box office of 440 million, and the daily box office is still at 8 million; a 500 million box office is in sight!"

……

Among the many Chinese films, the most eye-catching were *So Young* and *Kung Fu Jungle*.

Secondly, the film *American Dreams in China* by China Film and Peter Chan was also receiving much attention, and it would be released in 8 days.

At this time, invitations for the premiere were also being sent out one after another, and Lin Nan certainly had a share.

"Director Ning Hao's side seems to have already started casting auditions." Yue Jun mentioned.

"So fast?"

"Director Ning is clearly being more relaxed this time; many talent agencies are stuffing people in."

"Speaking of which, I haven't finished reading that script yet; I'll take another look later."

Lin Nan said with a smile. He didn't know if there were any roles suitable for the company's artists inside.

Simply put, Lin Nan took the script for *Breakup Buddies* out of the drawer and handed it to Yue Jun.

"You take a look and see if there are any roles suitable for them, then tell me later."

"You're not reading it anymore?"

"Yifei has another copy."

…………

The script for *Tracks in the Snowy Forest* would be ready in a day or two.

Filming this story would be much more troublesome than the previous ones.

Lin Nan was already prepared to go to the film studio to find professional talent.

In the afternoon, just after he got home and hadn't even sat down, his mood was ruined by a phone call.

The Hong Kong circle was the same; they wouldn't stop for a second.

"Suspected due to the 'Zhao-Zhen Dispute', Donnie Yen offended Lin Nan Film and Yinghuang Film; *Ip Man 3* lead actor replaced!"

"Replacing a general before the battle, there is no reason to speak of."

"Rumor has it that Vincent Zhao will replace Donnie Yen to star in the third installment of the *Ip Man* series."

"Mainland capital suppressing Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen..."

"Yinghuang sides with Vincent Zhao; Donnie Yen has been abandoned..."

……

The film and television circle and the internet were all fiercely discussing the gossip.

*Kung Fu Jungle* was still in theaters, and Vincent Zhao's performance was obvious to all.

If he were to star in *Ip Man 3*, it seemed... it wasn't impossible...

However, what everyone cared about most was the claim: whether Donnie Yen had really offended Lin Nan Film and Yinghuang!

Lin Nan had already received calls from many people, all asking about this matter.

The Hong Kong media was making a lot of noise, already placing Donnie Yen in the position of a victim; it looked like they had been prepared for a long time.

Yang Shoucheng personally called Lin Nan.

"Director Lin, we will handle this matter as soon as possible; it won't delay the normal casting and filming of the movie."

"Aren't they talking about some rumors? No need for rumors; just announce it directly—that we only replaced him. Is he becoming a victim now?"

Lin Nan said irritably.

Just an hour later, Yinghuang issued a non-official announcement to the outside world.

"No need to speculate about any rumors; we can tell everyone now that the lead actor of *Ip Man 3* will be played by Vincent Zhao. All other fixed supporting roles remain unchanged, and we are currently selecting people for the newly added roles."

"As early as 3 years ago, the reason for pausing and shelving the *Ip Man* series was the very person who is now pretending to be innocent and weak.

Today, the investment budget for *Ip Man 3* is 100 million, but as early as 3 years ago, he dared to aggressively demand 30 million and used striking as a threat..."

Yinghuang's non-official announcement instantly pushed public opinion to its peak.

The industry remembered three years ago when Lin Nan and Yinghuang shelved the *Ip Man* film series; many people didn't understand it at the time.

Now, with Yinghuang's explanation, everyone understood.

No wonder a good money-making project was stopped just like that; it turned out to be the reason.

After all the trouble, it was Lin Nan and Yinghuang who were soft-hearted at the time and didn't expose Donnie Yen's true colors!

Then what was this about now? Why did the Hong Kong media suddenly report this matter? They had molded Donnie Yen into the weak party.

Everyone subconsciously thought of Donnie Yen, who had been replaced!

…………

(End of chapter)