Chapter 388: Five Hundred Acres of Corn

August movies, especially domestic productions, are all eyeing each other like tigers eyeing prey.

Guo Fan's directed "About Time" can be said to have attracted much industry attention.

This film will also lead the charge, officially premiering on the 1st.

Following closely are hot domestic films like "A Romantic Wind, Flowers, Snow and Moon Affair," "One Night Surprise," and "Tiny Times 2."

Among them, a low-budget film called "Young Style" has drawn a great deal of attention from netizens.

Because many well-known actors and A-list stars are posting on Weibo, helping advertise and recommend this film.

Netizens are baffled — it's not some big-budget production, and no one has even heard of the lead actor, so why are so many stars helping promote it?

Soon, someone posted an explainer online.

The male lead of "Young Style" is the son of Wang Wang Jinghua, the entertainment industry's top agent.

This time, netizens suddenly understood.

Debuting as a film's male lead, with Best Actress Qin Qin Hailu assisting on the side — truly the setup of a star's second generation!

"Back then, I even recommended Dong Zijian to Lin Dao, but unfortunately there was never an opportunity. When a suitable role comes along in the future, I'll definitely let him audition…"

The premiere invitation for "Young Style" has already been sent to Lin Nan Pictures. Not only that, Wang Wang Jinghua also specifically called to make small talk.

Lin Nan felt that this top agent of the entertainment industry must have mobilized all of her connections and resources this time.

After all, when paving the way for her own son, of course one must spare no effort.

"Lin Dao, the tickets are booked. We'll set off tomorrow morning."

The assistant came over to report to Lin Nan, who nodded and said, "Got it."

The phone on the desk suddenly buzzed — an incoming call, from Wang Wang Changtian.

"Director Wang, what's up with the call?"

"What's the situation with that 'The Dead End'?"

Wang Wang Changtian's blunt question caught Lin Nan off guard for a moment.

"How did you know?" he instinctively asked back.

"How did I know? By now, almost everyone in the circle knows. Chen Jinfei has been bringing people around looking for partners for this film, especially big-name actresses. I just met with them this morning."

At this point, Wang Wang Changtian paused:

"But there's a rumor that you and Liu Yifei turned down this Sino-American co-production?"

Hearing this, Lin Nan didn't know how to respond for a moment. If he spoke frankly now, it would very likely affect Chen Jinfei, wouldn't it?

"Director Wang called just to ask about this?"

"Yes. Logically speaking, co-productions are very tempting, but after being burned too many times, everyone's wised up. If a good project has reached the point of actively seeking investment, would outsiders really get a chance to pick up the scraps?

China Film Group and Wanda's 'Tai Chi Hero' just died — the corpse is still lying right there. 150 million invested, barely over 20 million at the box office. Suffocating!"

Wang Wang Changtian spoke with perfect logic, waiting for Lin Nan's answer.

The latter hesitated for a moment, but still told the truth — after all, his relationship with Big Lao Wang was very good, and they were allies.

"That's right, I refused to invest, and Liu Yifei turned down the female lead.

As for the reason, it's exactly what Director Wang said — if a good project can't find investment for so many years, they're looking for suckers with more money than sense."

Wang Wang Changtian on the other end of the line was quiet for a moment, then his tone became decisive: "Understood, thanks for this. This afternoon, I'll turn them down."

"Please don't spread it around."

"Don't worry, I won't. I'd be happy to see other companies take the fall, hehe…"

Lin Nan couldn't help but laugh — Wang Wang Changtian's scheming was dark enough!

After hanging up, Lin Nan couldn't resist ordering someone to go gather information.

He was very curious what attitude the circle would take toward this co-production.

…………

"Blind Detective," starring Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng, has had its reputation ferment over two weeks and has now been accepted by audiences.

But by now, it's truly too late. The screenings that were cut from the film cannot be recovered.

Other films currently in release won't give it a chance to turn things around either.

In the media's entertainment news, "Blind Detective" has already been written off in definitive reports.

"Affected by 'Switch,' 'Blind Detective' has grossed a total of 200 million at the box office in two weeks of release, with daily box office dropping to 400,000, with no hope of breaking even."

"Andy Lau expressed his apologies to the 'Blind Detective' crew, saying he will choose scripts more carefully in the future."

"Months after filming began on 'Transformers 4,' mainland Chinese star Han Geng joined the set for a cameo…"

…………

China Film Group.

Han Han Sanping looked at the documents before him without a flicker of emotion.

"Director Han, a big co-production project like this can only be done well if China Film Group takes the lead…"

No matter what the people opposite said, Han Han Sanping remained unmoved — "Tai Chi Hero" had just slapped him in the face.

With only a little over two months left, doing more means more mistakes, doing less means fewer mistakes, doing nothing means no mistakes.

"China Film Group has no such intention — at least not in the short term, we have no plans for co-productions. You'd better look for other companies."

Han Han Sanping's cold rejection caught the group off guard — this was completely unlike his usual style!

Even after the secretary saw them out, they still couldn't quite accept it.

Bona Film Group had its own film plans and claimed limited funds, so it refused.

Huayi was fully focused on its cultural tourism town project and also declined.

The people at Enlight Media called to say their Director Wang wasn't considering co-productions for now — a reply identical to Wanda's Ye Ning.

They had expected Han Han Sanping, who was usually so generous, to take it on — who could have known he would, for once, say no!

The attitude of these giant companies will completely create a "bellwether effect" in the industry, and other companies will be even less willing to participate.

"Chen Zong, the top-tier A-list actresses are all hard to book, their schedules are packed. The key issue is, without any major companies participating, we can't get this project moving."

Some people had already started backing out, and the looks they gave Chen Jinfei carried a hint of complaint—wasn't it promised that Lin Nan could be handled?

"Word's gotten around the industry that this project was vetoed by Lin Nan…"

Someone glanced at the message on their phone and said coldly. At once, everyone understood—maybe the problem lay right here?

"How about we just forget it. We'll work together again next time there's a chance…"

The number of people backing out grew by one more.

In just half an hour, morale had completely collapsed.

Watching his several partners go their separate ways and get into their respective cars, Chen Jinfei's expression grew even darker.

"Chen Zong, there's still a banquet tonight, from the film and television circle. Are we still going?" the assistant reminded him.

"Go, why wouldn't we go? We're here to sign people too."

…………

Liu Liu Yifei stuffed Lin Nan's passport into the suitcase, which also counted as helping him pack.

"Tomorrow morning, I'll get up early to see you off at the airport."

She stood with her hands on her hips, watching Lin Nan who was on a phone call, and said with great conviction.

Lin Nan sent back a smiley face and continued listening to Yue Jun's reply.

"That's the situation. No one knows who spread it, but everyone's saying Lin Dao thought it was a terrible film.

So not only did you not invest, you also didn't let Liu Yifei go act in it. As a result, no one in the industry is willing to touch it now. Judging by the situation, it's probably going to die in the womb."

"Mm, I understand. I won't be in the country for the next two days. Some company matters—I'll leave them to you."

"Understood."

Lin Nan looked at Liu Liu Yifei, who was acting like a little housekeeper, and felt a warm glow in his heart.

"Chen Zong's 'Deadly Escape' looks like it's really going to die. Good thing too—saves him from losing money."

Liu Liu Yifei didn't pick up the thread, but looked at Lin Nan and asked back, "How many days will you be gone this time?"

"Not sure, maybe a day or two, maybe a week. But if things go smoothly, I'll bring you a gift when I come back."

Lin Nan said with a hint of meaning—as for how big the gift would be, that depended on the outcome of this trip.

"Oh, then finish your business and come back early. Remember, apart from work, stay away from Leonardo!"

Miss Liu wore a smile on her face as she straightened Lin Nan's collar for him, but the tone of her voice left no room for argument.

"Haha, I definitely won't go gallivanting around with him."

"Mm?"

"Ah—I mean stay away from him!" Lin Nan quickly corrected himself.

Little Li Zi's recent news had already made its way back to China—the beach, one guy with seven or eight bikini-clad women…

The next day.

Liu Liu Yifei was true to her word and got up early, a little past nine.

Sometimes, when Lin Nan bought an 11 o'clock flight, it was to accommodate her.

Miss Liu personally drove, carrying Lin Nan at speed toward the airport, where the assistant had long been waiting.

Media reporters, every single one of them, seemed to have grown a dog's nose—extraordinarily sharp.

Liu Liu Yifei had barely parked the car outside the airport before Dao Pian Ke Gong she was spotted.

Although they didn't approach, they definitely snapped plenty of candid photos.

Miss Liu nuzzled against Lin Nan's chest like a cat, then reluctantly parted. "Come back early."

"You should hurry back home and go back to sleep—you've been yawning nonstop." Lin Nan said with a teasing smile.

"Mm, you go in first, I'll leave."

"Okay."

Lin Nan, with his assistant, walked toward the departure hall, and even waved at the reporters in the distance.

Only when his figure was no longer visible did Miss Liu put on her sunglasses and get in the car.

…………

"Lin Dao Nan set off for Hollywood again this morning—purpose of the trip unknown."

"Liu Liu Yifei, in casual attire, personally drove Lin Dao to the airport…"

"The photo of the two embracing looks languid and quietly beautiful."

Plenty of industry insiders and netizens who saw the news reports all rushed to Liu Liu Yifei's Weibo to ask.

"Big producer, what is your Lin Dao going off to do this time?"

"Why didn't Liu Yifei go along with him?"

"The premiere is still waiting for you two—don't be missing one of you."

…

"He went to handle a film matter—'The Invisible Guest'."

After Miss Liu sent a uniform reply, she didn't bother with it anymore.

Every previous time Lin Nan went to Hollywood, there was always some big news.

After seeing Liu Liu Yifei's reply, industry insiders had their answer—no need to worry about getting startled this time.

Lin Nan was already used to the twelve-hour flight—either reading newspapers or sleeping.

When the plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport, it was exactly eight o'clock in the morning.

Lin Nan scrolled through the news as he walked out of the airport. Back home, things were quite interesting.

Guo Guo Jingming shouted a slogan on Weibo, vowing to make *Tiny Times 2* make up for the regrets of *Tiny Times 1*.

Not only must the box office exceed 500 million, but it must also become the champion of domestic films in August.

That kind of talk is in serious contradiction with his small frame — hilarious!

"Lin, over here." It was Tang Mu's familiar figure, along with two cars.

"Let's go." Lin Nan gestured to his assistant.

Once in the car, Tang Mu began to talk nonstop.

"Warner Bros. is taking this movie very seriously — you have no idea what Nolan did."

"What happened?" Lin Nan was also a little curious.

"I heard that for certain shots, he went a year in advance to farm, planting five hundred acres of corn."

Tang Mu said with an incredulous look; he couldn't understand this kind of move.

But those words sounded incredibly comforting in Lin Nan's ears.

"Haha, five hundred acres of corn sounds like a lot, but it's not as expensive as a few VFX shots, and it actually looks real on film!"

"Uh? Alright then, you're both directors, you think alike.

By the way, Lin, I told him your schedule — when are you planning to arrange a meeting with him?" Tang Mu asked.

"First drive me back to Beverly Hills, I'll contact him myself."

"Okay."

……

The paparazzi here in Hollywood are also top-tier.

In less than two hours, people like Li Zi, Ma Te, and James Wan had all learned the news that he had come to Hollywood.

"Lin, this afternoon I'll fly back to Hollywood; there's a cocktail party tonight, see you then."

"No problem, Director Christopher."

Lin Nan had assumed Nolan was in Hollywood, but didn't expect the man was still in London at the moment.

"In fact, plenty of actors are interested in this movie. But you know, in front of Warner Bros. and Nolan, they're just actors."

Tang Mu said breezily — Hollywood is a place of strict hierarchy.

Movie moguls and top-tier directors like Nolan can easily control actors, even if you're a superstar.

Unless you're like Leonardo, with your own company, a perennial box-office guarantee, able to make every production company keep extending olive branches.

……

At noon, Lin Nan ate at the villa — food delivered from outside.

Calls from a few acquaintances came in one after another.

"Lin, what time did you arrange to meet Nolan?" That guy Leonardo, sure enough, already knew.

"The evening cocktail party. How did you know?"

"Of course I heard it from Nolan — you sent him an email. Also, Ma Xiu is the male lead of that movie, just confirmed, though it hasn't been announced yet."

"Ma Xiu McConaughey," Lin Nan murmured instinctively.

"Right, back when we were making *The Hunt*, I recommended him and Ma Te to you, and in the end you chose Ma Te. He really got lucky…"

"Want to come together tonight?"

"Of course, see you tonight."

………

At seven in the evening, Lin Nan changed into a suit.

Tang Mu was also dressed up sharp, personally driving Lin Nan straight to the cocktail party.

For Crystal Pictures' Fatty Tang Mu, plenty of people in Hollywood knew him.

And for Lin Nan, that Golden Lion director, even more people knew him.

"Lin, long time no see."

Nolan, dressed in a gentleman's outfit, walked over and gave Lin Nan a hug.

"Director Christopher, long time no see." Lin Nan also appeared very enthusiastic.

"Leo, compared to April, you seem… a bit bulkier?"

Looking at the Li Zi before him, Lin Nan teased.

Leonardo clearly caught Lin Nan's meaning. "I've been on vacation recently."

The few exchanged pleasantries and small talk for nearly an hour; Nolan swept a glance at the bustling cocktail party and looked at Lin Nan.

"Lin, Leo, let's find somewhere quiet to sit."

"Sure."

………

(End of this chapter)