Chapter 387: The Movie

"I really take my hat off to you — do you have to butter me up every single second?" Lin Nan said with a teasing smile.

"Lin, I know you're my boss, but you can't slander me like that."

Tang Mu instinctively tried to talk his way out of it, but his tone was far from firm — a little guilty.

Lin Nan didn't have the heart to call him out on it.

Ever since filming "Journey to the Center of the Earth," when Tang Mu first met Liu Liu Yifei and confirmed that Lin Nan liked her,

the guy had shown every ounce of a sycophant's potential.

"Spit it out — calling at this hour, don't tell me you're just here to chat."

In Hollywood it should be a little past eight in the evening right now, just when the nightlife is getting started.

If Tang Mu had nothing serious going on, he would absolutely never call Lin Nan — he'd be off at parties and cocktail events, living it up night after night.

Sure enough, after hearing Lin Nan's prodding, Tang Mu got a lot more serious.

He lowered his voice mysteriously, sounding a little excited, and began:

"Lin, it's good news. Warner has a big project — they're about to start casting."

"Mm? Go on." Lin Nan urged.

"The concept for this movie seems to have started back in 2001, and in 2006 they officially began pre-production. Earlier this year Warner kicked off the project…"

Tang Mu rambled on for nearly an hour, but it all boiled down to one thing.

He had come to tip Lin Nan off — Liu Liu Yifei could go try out for it.

Of course, it might require Lin Nan to step in personally, and there was no guarantee of success.

If Zhu Zhu Yawen's call had caught Lin Nan a little off guard,

then Tang Mu's call had completely killed any desire Lin Nan had to keep working on the post-production editing of "Taking Mount Mount Weihu."

He decisively fired off an email and waited for a reply from across the Pacific.

…………

Still keeping it secret? In your dreams!

In this circle, what secret can ever be kept?

In the span of a single lunch, the Class of 2002 group chat was flooded with news of Zhu Zhu Yawen getting his marriage certificate.

"Old Zhu's got game — he's ahead of everyone."

"Speaking of which, he's an A-lister. Getting married this early — is that appropriate?"

"What's appropriate or not? The certificate's already signed — you think he can return it? Ha…"

"I've been conscripted by Old Zhu — I'm going to be his best man!"

Luo Jin dropped in with an unexpected line.

He was running around doing promotion for "About Time" with Guo Fan, and the moment he got the call, he was stunned for a good while too.

"Oh? Luo Jin's going to be a best man?"

"I bet, knowing Zhu Zhu Yawen's personality, Lin Dao Da definitely didn't get off the hook either, right?"

"Ding ding — Xiao Zhu says he got Lin Nan to be his best man."

Liu Liu Yifei popped up and even sent a winking smiley face.

"Good lord — isn't he afraid our Lin Dao will steal his thunder? Ha…"

The group chat was buzzing, everyone teasing Zhu Zhu Yawen. Lin Nan glanced at it a few times but didn't join in.

By a little past three in the afternoon, the media was already reporting on it — a huge commotion.

"A-list actor Zhu Zhu Yawen registered his marriage some time ago. The wedding has not yet been held…"

"Zhu Zhu Yawen is currently with the 'Red Sorghum' crew. When media reporters visited the set, they were stopped by security and did not see him in person."

"According to industry insiders, the bride is an actress within the industry, a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama's Acting Department…"

……

Zhu Zhu Yawen's Weibo had already exploded.

Because the guy had just posted something, tagging the bride and quite a few friends.

"Still talking about keeping it secret — looks like there's a mole around me. You guys better come forward on your own, haha…

That's right, I did register my marriage. After 'Red Sorghum' wraps, we'll set a date and hold the wedding."

A flood of industry folks left comments and reposted, all congratulations and well-wishes, things like:

"The gift money's already ready," "Don't forget to send me an invite," "Does the bride have any sisters left?" "Still need a best man?"…

For a moment, the whole entertainment industry seemed to liven up — this is the "charm" of an A-list actor, the reality of kicking people when they're down and fawning when they're up.

"Lin Dao, a few of Hu Ge's shots in 'Taking Mount Mount Weihu' need to be re-dubbed."

"Mm? Then get in touch with him, tell him to come by the company."

Lin Nan gave the order offhandedly — it worked out perfectly, since Hu Ge had just wrapped the TV drama "The Forty-Nine Days" and had time on his hands.

…………

Liu Liu Yifei's round of engagements had finally wrapped up for now.

She'd renewed three top-tier endorsement deals, with two more in negotiation.

The vast majority of brands had been filtered out by her team — at Liu Liu Yifei's level, it had to be quality over quantity.

"In a while, I've still got a magazine shoot — the autumn issue."

Miss Liu came downstairs from the second floor in a short-sleeve top, casual jeans, and women's flip-flops.

She looked utterly languid and at ease — this was her at home.

"In a couple of days, I might have to make a trip to Hollywood."

Liu Liu Yifei, sitting on the sofa, propped her calves up on Lin Nan's thigh.

She asked lazily, "Is this about 'The Invisible Guest'?"

Lin Nan nodded absently. "Pretty much."

Until he was sure, Lin Nan had no intention of telling Liu Liu Yifei.

"Director Chen, seems like he's started a new company?" he changed the subject.

Liu Liu Yifei was stunned. "For real? The Godfather didn't tell us, and Mom didn't mention it to me either!"

At that moment, Miss Liu seemed to realize something and lifted her head slightly to glance at Lin Nan.

As their eyes met, both confirmed the guess in their hearts.

Looks like after Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei turned down 'Escape to Death' last time, something else must have happened — they had a falling out?

Lin Nan was curious whether Chen Jinfei was still looking for people for the 'Escape to Death' project.

Dinner was eaten at Liu Liu Xiaoli's place.

Afterwards, Liu Liu Yifei gave Lin Nan a look, and he took his leave.

Meanwhile, Miss Liu went to ask her mother whether something else had happened after they turned down 'Escape to Death'.

Lin Nan sat in the study and turned on the computer.

Sure enough, there was a new email in his inbox, with the sender name: Christopher Nolan.

A dozen or so minutes later, Lin Nan shifted his gaze from the computer screen.

Some of the characters' background settings could be tweaked slightly without affecting the big picture.

Nolan's suggestion to Lin Nan was identical to Tang Mu's.

He also suggested Lin Nan go over personally, to show sincerity and weight.

After all, Lin Nan, Crystal Pictures, and Warner Bros. were partners, and 'Pacific Rim 2' was still on the cooperation memo.

"Need to make a trip to Hollywood soon."

Lin Nan leaned back in his chair and muttered to himself.

A ready-made film project — why not go after it? It's not an awards-chasing film; how much acting skill does it need?

Liu Liu Yifei sent a text over — Chen Jinfei had indeed had a falling out with Liu Liu Xiaoli.

Lin Nan felt this outcome was pretty good. In the end, Liu's mother was the favored party, and her heart held only Liu Liu Yifei.

…………

That's all for today.

(End of chapter)