Chapter 370: Filming Begins, Phone Call

"My film is about to start shooting, and now you're telling me to lend you a director?"

Lin Nan laughed despite his annoyance. Wang Wang Changtian really had some nerve — there was no request he wouldn't dare to make.

"There really aren't many directors in the industry who can hold their own right now. I figured at most you'd bring one along as an assistant director, and the other one would just be sitting idle, right?"

Wang Wang Changtian explained unhurriedly.

Lin Nan didn't rush to refuse either; instead, he asked curiously, "What film? Let's hear it."

On the other end of the line, Wang Wang Changtian was visibly excited and began talking about Enlight's new film.

"'So Young' was a huge hit, right? We're teaming up with another company to strike while the iron is hot and make another youth film."

"The script's inspiration comes from Gao Gao Xiaosong's folk song 'The You at My Desk' — a youth film theme, with a nostalgic style.

He's already personally led the team to write the script. This kind of film has a very short production cycle…"

Lin Nan listened and shook his head. Expanding from a single song into a film — and a youth film at that.

Anyone could imagine it would be stuffed full of all sorts of random junk; this kind of film really damages a director's reputation.

"My assistant director this time is still Guo Fan. If Wang Dong wants to find Director Lu Yang, you can send someone to contact him.

My usual style, as everyone knows, is not to force them to take outside jobs — it's entirely voluntary."

Hearing Lin Nan say this, Wang Wang Changtian felt relieved. He knew Lin Nan had always been fairly lenient with his people.

"Alright, I'll have someone contact this newly minted member of the 500-million box-office club director's club shortly."

"Mm."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Nan shook his head meaningfully.

He could guess the outcome — Director Lu Yang would definitely refuse Wang Wang Changtian.

For one, Director Lu Yang looked down on youth films; for another, he was genuinely lazy.

Most crucially, having just received his box-office share for 'Kung Fu Jungle,' this guy would need at least a few months off, not filming.

In Director Lu Yang's own words, this was called balancing work and rest — you can't just work for the sake of working.

Lin Nan even envied that kind of attitude toward life.

And finally, that was Lin Nan's own thought too.

The vast majority of youth films are nothing but pretentious melodrama — urban ethics dramas wrapped in a youth-film skin, with absolutely no substance.

Better not to let the people under him touch that kind of project.

Having Wang Wang Changtian go find Director Lu Yang himself was also a kind of veiled refusal.

Because the box-office ceiling for this kind of film was probably 'So Young,' and it would only get worse as time went on — after all, there's only so much material, you can't film anything new out of it.

Gamble your own reputation for a paycheck in front of you? At least in Lin Nan's view, that wasn't worth it.

And Director Lu Yang was definitely no fool — especially now that he already had his current track record.

…………

Outside, 'Switch' was about to hit theaters.

The promotional campaigns for domestic films like 'Badges of Fury' and 'Tiny Times 1' were also in full swing.

The next morning, both villas were busy packing suitcases, loading them into the cars one by one.

Watching Shu Chang even came over specifically to join the fun — ostensibly to see them off.

"Once you've filmed halfway through, I'll come visit the set. It'll definitely be fun."

The two girls were chattering away.

Lin Nan's things were simple — he'd finished long ago. Now he came out carrying a light suitcase and handed it to his assistant; inside was nothing but Liu Liu Yifei's down jackets.

The filming location this time was special, after all — the temperature wasn't like the capital, and on top of that Miss Liu always wanted to play around, so they had to keep her warm.

Liu Liu Xiaoli stood at the courtyard gate, periodically reminding Liu Liu Yifei: stay safe, stay warm, don't be too wild…

"Mom, the flight's only about two hours. If you miss me, come visit the set. I heard the snow's already over one to two meters thick right now — it'll definitely be fun…"

Liu Liu Hanhan let her dear mother's words go in one ear and out the other — all she could think about was the crew.

"Girls shouldn't play in the snow too much — you'll catch cold and feel awful."

Liu Liu Xiaoli's smile carried indulgence as she kept urging, "Lin Nan, take good care of Liu Qianqian."

Lin Nan nodded seriously. "She'll get the absolute best treatment on set."

An hour later, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei waved to Liu Liu Xiaoli and Watching Shu Chang, then got in the car. Three SUVs pulled out of the villa complex and headed straight for the airport.

The crew of 'The Taking of Mount Mount Weihu' had been heading to Mudanjiang over the past two days, and quite a few of them could be spotted at the airport.

In the media reports, it was either airport photos of Huang Huang Xiaoming and Fan Li Bingbing, or Luo Jin running into Tong Tong Liya by chance.

Han Han Sanping had set off together with his famously leaky little cotton-padded jacket.

When Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei appeared with four assistants and five suitcases, the media reporters' eyes lit up.

"Lin Dao Nan and Liu Liu Yifei were spotted at the airport today, heading to the set of 'The Taking of Mount Mount Weihu.'"

"It is reported that the main scenes of 'The Taking of Mount Mount Weihu' will be filmed in the Northeast. The film will not hold a launch ceremony or press conference, and will decline media visits to the set…"

……

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei's group had already boarded, and back at Enlight, Wang Wang Changtian was getting a bit of a headache.

"Wang Dong, Director Lu's side hasn't budged — still a polite refusal. He said he really doesn't want to take a job right now…"

"They all look down on youth films?"

Wang Wang Changtian wasn't a fool either. After being turned down by several well-known directors in a row, he could guess why.

"How about letting Gao Gao Xiaosong give it a try? Didn't he volunteer?"

Hearing this, Wang Wang Changtian thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine, let him do it. Push to start filming as soon as possible — best case, this month."

"Got it. I'll go reply to him now."

…………

The production crew had booked several hotels and even private residences to serve as lodging for the actors and staff during filming.

Although this place was being developed as a tourist attraction, there were truly few visitors; it would probably take several more years to develop.

Just past one in the afternoon, several vehicles drove into the destination.

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei, both wearing identical down jackets, got out of the cars one after another.

Within just three short hours, they had experienced what rapid cooling felt like.

Especially Miss Liu; as soon as she stepped out of the car, she hunched her head, hands tucked into her coat pockets, her rosy cheeks looking utterly adorable and very pleasing to the eye. With every breath, white mist was visible.

Yue Jun, dressed even more warmly, saw the two of them and teased with a smile:

"The hotel side is fine, but once we head into the mountains, the snow is truly deep. Often, last year's snow has only half melted before this year's arrives, making it even colder."

Lin Nan exhaled a breath of air. "It is indeed cold. Has everyone else arrived?"

"Everyone is here. People from the local Tourism Bureau and Forestry Bureau are also present; they are speaking with Han Dong and should be waiting for Lin Dao as well."

This surprised Lin Nan quite a bit, but after a moment he understood.

Han Han Sanping was the chairman of China Film Group, a special identity, while Lin Nan was a top-tier director.

This mainstream commercial film, "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy," could bring many benefits to the local area.

The main cast were all in the highest-grade hotel.

Upon hearing that Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei had arrived, Huang Huang Xiaoming, Fan Li Bingbing, Zhang Zhang Hanyu, Luo Jin, and others all made their appearance.

"Lin Dao, Liu Yifei, you have finally arrived."

……

Everyone was dressed quite warmly, with greetings coming continuously.

Liu Liu Yifei took her assistant to drop off the luggage, while Lin Nan went over to Han Han Sanping's side.

Domestically, directors such as Zhang Zhang Yimou, Feng Feng Xiaogang, and Chen Chen Kaige had all shot tourism-themed short films for certain locations.

Lin Nan had received invitations more than once, but he had no interest.

However, at this moment, since the other party wanted to include "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" in the tourism promotional video after the film's release, Lin Nan did not refuse.

Besides a symbolic fee, the local side promised to provide all the support the production crew needed during the filming period.

"Then we won't disturb the crew's rest; we'll be leaving first."

Half an hour later, the people from the local Tourism Bureau and Forestry Bureau departed.

"We agreed to wrap up within two months; don't go over time," Han Han Sanping suddenly said.

"Rest assured, Han Dong. By the way, have you seen your makeup and styling?

I specifically instructed them not to over-demean you; just a slightly 'fierce and evil' look is enough. Combined with your aura and imposing presence, it will absolutely be sufficient."

Han Han Sanping let out a cold smile. "Slightly fierce and evil? Thank you."

"Polite, polite, haha..."

…………

Hotel rooms were relatively tight, so Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei shared a room.

One night, utterly exhausted.

At four in the morning, the actors and staff participating in the first day's filming had already started packing up.

Some were getting makeup applied, others were eating breakfast.

The personnel checking the filming locations had also put on thick cotton-padded jackets and left early.

Lin Nan yawned as he got up, waking Liu Liu Yifei.

With sleepy eyes, she squinted at Lin Nan, made a humming sound, then used her snow-white, smooth, yet faintly muscular arm to pull the quilt up, covering her head to continue sleeping.

"Don't get up too late, ah-wu, or you might be... be laughed at."

"Mm... mm, don't bother me."

Although still in a daze, her morning grumpiness was real; she was shouting at Lin Nan through the quilt.

…………

After washing up, Lin Nan, wearing a thick military greatcoat, went outside.

Inside the room and outside the room were truly two different temperatures; cold.

"Lin Dao, hurry up and eat breakfast; they are all in the dining hall."

Yue Jun, also in a military greatcoat, spotted Lin Nan from afar and called out.

In the hotel dining hall, a glance revealed nothing but uniform military greatcoats, emphasizing perfect uniformity!

"Han Dong is up this early too? You don't have any scenes today."

Lin Nan looked at the main cast's table, especially Han Han Sanping, and made a joke.

"Nonsense. This is a production crew; since I'm here, I will definitely keep the same schedule as you and make no exceptions."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, then where is your daughter? Why haven't we seen her?"

This sentence made Han Han Sanping instantly choke up.

Huang Huang Xiaoming, Fan Li Bingbing, and others nearby struggled to hold back their laughter.

"She... she's a girl, so sleeping a bit longer is fine. Besides, where is the producer?"

Han Han Sanping glared at Lin Nan and retorted.

"Oh, the producer is still sleeping in, much like your daughter. Haha, hurry up and eat, eat."

Lin Nan said with a smile.

……

Just past seven in the morning, the first filming location.

A group of extras wore worn-out cotton military uniforms, many patched and mended, totaling forty or fifty people.

Huang Huang Xiaoming, as the officer, wore a military overcoat, but it was still worn.

Everyone had makeup showing wind and frost, dusty faces, and pale, hungry complexions—no smiles, only solemnity.

"You're Xie Miao?"

Lin Nan spotted someone familiar—he'd glanced at him during the audition.

"Lin Dao, hello, I'm Xie Miao, playing the sniper Ma Baojun." The man answered immediately, sounding nervous.

"Mm, do a good job."

Lin Nan nodded; he was once a child star, but it was a pity.

In this circle, it's easy to leave when you're famous, but hard to return.

"Thank you, Lin Dao."

At that moment, Guo Fan walked over.

"For the first gunfight scene, the auxiliary staff from Hu Bayi Studio are in position."

Lin Nan glanced at Huang Huang Xiaoming and Luo Jin, plus several others he couldn't name but clearly were third- or fourth-tier powerhouse actors in the industry.

"Scene one, ready."

Dozens of actors instantly took their prearranged positions.

The camera crew, lighting, and script supervisors—all prepared.

Five minutes later, with Lin Nan's call of "action," the first scene began.

…………

At this moment, Liu Liu Yifei was still sound asleep under her covers.

Suddenly, the phone on her nightstand buzzed, waking her.

One missed call, two missed calls, then after another dozen minutes, the third call vibrated.

A pale, delicate arm finally emerged from the blankets, fumbling on the nightstand.

In a villa in the capital.

Liu Liu Xiaoli looked at Chen Jinfei beside her and shook her head.

"Liu Qianqian is probably still asleep—call again at noon."

To be honest, Liu Liu Xiaoli didn't want to make this call.

But some things were hard to refuse without hurting feelings.

"Then call at noon. I wonder if Lin Nan will agree to invest?" Chen Jinfei asked, nodding.

Liu Liu Xiaoli shook her head—it was emotional coercion. She strongly didn't want to affect her daughter and her future son-in-law.

At that moment, the phone surprisingly connected.

Liu Liu Yifei's sleepy voice came through, clearly just woken up.

"Mom, what's up? Calling this early?"

…………

(End of Chapter)