Chapter 39: Travel Plans

"Ah! Hold on, I'll call him right away…"

Listening to the beeping on the line, Lin Nan was a bit speechless — there was no need to hang up just to call someone.

After a moment, the phone started vibrating — it was a call back from the other side.

Lin Nan picked up. "Lao Hu?"

"It really is you? She told me it was Director Lin Nan — I thought I'd misheard. You're a proper big-shot director now, so why are you looking for a little actor like me? Planning to throw me a bone?"

Hu Ge was quite the smooth talker, even cracking jokes.

Lin Nan, hearing how lively it sounded on the other end, asked, "Are you busy?"

"No, it's a company gathering — all colleagues. You still haven't said what it's about."

"I received an invitation from your school for a film and TV exchange event. It happens to be two days before my business trip, so I'll look you up to be my guide. You don't have any acting gigs lined up recently, do you?"

"Ah, you've come to the right person then. As long as it's in the first half of the year, no problem. You know I'm about to graduate — in the second half, both of us would have to register just to get in, haha."

"Not that long. Just next month."

"Next month works. I'll be in Modu the whole time, still working on my thesis. Just give me a call when you arrive."

"Alright, it's a deal then. You'll have to play the proper host and take good care of me," Lin Nan joked.

"No problem at all…"

"Haha, then I won't interrupt your gathering. See you next month."

"See you next month."

After hanging up, Lin Nan told the front desk to reply to the invitation — he would attend on time.

……

At that moment, in Modu, at the Tang Ren gathering.

A crowd of people ate and drank, celebrating the huge hit of "Xian Cui Jian." The second-round broadcast rights had sold for a good price too, and since everyone was around, they held today's gathering — really a victory celebration.

Cai Cai Yinong and a few company executives were chatting about something, but their eyes kept drifting toward Hu Ge, who was on the phone.

"Stick with this strategy — sign promising talent as early as possible, scout them straight from the schools. Don't just stay within this tiny patch of land in Modu. Don't let the drama academies up north, the film academies, and the dance academies slip by…"

"Understood, President Cai."

"Got it, we'll arrange it right away."

The actors, also signed to Tang Ren, were watching that side too. Nearly all the company's active staff were here today — Hu Ge's assistant had just mentioned it was a call from Director Lin Nan.

Everyone present was in the film and TV circle — they couldn't possibly not know who Lin Nan was. The youngest major director on the mainland right now, the youngest Berlin Best Director, one of only three directors in the hundred-million-yuan club.

Awards? He's got them. Box office? He's got that too. He has his own film company, doesn't sign artists — a solid thigh to cling to, a very thick one at that.

Hu Ge walked over with a smile. Cai Cai Yinong stopped chatting with the executives and asked, "What's up?"

Everyone looked at Hu Ge, and the room went quiet for a moment.

"Nothing major. Lin Nan got an invitation from our school — he's coming next month for an exchange event and wants me to be his guide, show him around." Hu Ge said it casually.

"Oh, I see."

"You just call him by his name?" Yuan Hong piped up.

"Yeah, he never cares about that kind of formality — friends and acquaintances all call him by name. Remember back in Hengdian, Liu Yifei and Zhu Yawen used to call him Little Lin all the time, haha — don't go spreading that last bit."

Yuan Hong felt a twinge of envy hearing that. So Hu Ge already had a big-shot director friend?

Cai Cai Yinong smiled. "Then you should go be his guide when the time comes. If there's a chance, invite him over to our company for a visit."

Hu Ge sat down and took a sip of water. "Might not be that convenient. From what he said, it sounds like he's just stopping by for an exchange event on his way, then heading off on a business trip."

"Business trip?"

Cai Cai Yinong paused. If that word was being used, it was clearly work-related.

A big-shot director going on a business trip — where to? Most likely not domestic!

Every year, many arts organizations and academies hold exchange events to varying degrees, and film academies are no exception. Beyond the surface-level artistic exchange and discussion, there's also the aim of promoting cooperation and development.

Especially at arts academies, students' achievements are tied to teaching performance, so often the school will step in to help students — and film and TV arts exchange events are a perfect way to do that.

Generally, those invited to attend are mostly film and TV professionals, arts workers — among them film companies, producers, directors, screenwriters, and some actors of standing.

Lin Nan rarely attended such events at his own school. For one thing, he was often out and about; for another, he was still enrolled, so if anything came up, those teachers would just call him directly — wasn't that more convenient than an exchange event?

After receiving the reply, the Modu Drama Academy expressed its thanks for Lin Nan's attendance.

The final results of the Class of '05 arts entrance exams were out — some were overjoyed, others worried.

Those at the top of the list just needed to not bomb the college entrance exam too badly; those ranked below thirtieth had to hope for offers from other academies. Students who sat for arts exams at several schools at once were not few.

If no good news came, they'd have to prepare for the vocational track — more major choices, more slots, relatively lower threshold, but the fees were a bit high.

Flaws can't obscure the jade — Yang Mi was the top scorer in this year's arts entrance exam for the undergraduate acting class.

Results were sent out to candidates one by one, and the drama academy was the same. Some students were admitted by two or more schools at once and had to agonize over which to pick.

Generally, they'd waver between the Film Academy and the Drama Academy.

Lin Nan thought of Watching Shu Chang again — who'd have thought he'd end up at the Foreign Language Academy. He's enjoying his college days now, but in a couple of years he'll know to regret it.

Some people are smooth operators, great at handling relationships — everyone they meet is a friend.

Lin Nan didn't really have many close friends. Zhu Zhu Yawen counted as one, Watching Shu Chang counted as one. Yan Yan Danchen, Hu Ge and those guys too, but not as close as the first two. As for Liu Liu Yifei — he didn't want to count her as a friend…

"Lotus Lantern" and "Xian Cui Jian" were filmed at the same time. The latter had already gone through its second broadcast round; the former was still in pre-release.

As a CCTV production, "Lotus Lantern" was destined from the start to premiere on Channel 1 — something "Xian Cui Jian" couldn't hold a candle to.

In mid-March, Lin Nan, as one of the directors of "Lotus Lantern," was invited along with the main cast to the variety channel once again for a promotional interview.

Backstage, Lin Nan saw Xu Jiao Xu Jiao Enjun, Yan Yan Danchen, Watching Shu Chang, Cao Jun, Zhu Zhu Yawen…

No one dared not give CCTV face.

"Long time no see, Director Lin."

It had been a while since the crew wrapped — when Lin Nan won his award, they'd only sent text-message congratulations.

Zhu Zhu Yawen was not on that list; Shu Chang had even made a phone call at the time.

"It's been a long time since we met. Brother Xu Jiao's 'Wu Dang' is about to air, right?"

"Yes, in a few more months."

Yan Yan Danchen and Shu Chang's 'Jingwei Fills the Sea' has also wrapped filming; the two actually get along well.

The studio was filled with warmth and joy; Lin Nan was pulled in to be one of the directors of 'Lotus Lantern', absolutely the most profitable project for the crew. Before its premiere, he had already achieved fame and fortune, and it was highly likely the only time in Lin Nan's life he would direct a television drama.

"Speaking of which, I really lost out back then; I was confused and talked into it by Director Zhao, haha." Lin Nan joked with the host.

"Brother Xu Jiao's Erlang Shen is probably unmatched by anyone coming after..."

"Of course, Sister Yan Danchen's Chang'e is also irreplaceable."

"Shu Chang? Isn't my little sister's little fox beautiful? Her acting is so good! The crew's casting eye is truly accurate."

Lin Nan spared no words of praise; he genuinely liked this drama.

"As for Zhu Zhu Yawen, he was just a cameo; let's not talk about him."

"Get lost."

When it was Zhu Zhu Yawen's turn, Lin Nan opened with a tease.

Lin Nan handed the microphone to Director Zhao and began introducing the fight scenes in the drama, the costume design for Erlang Shen; on the big screen, the silver armor looked majestic...

The interview lasted over three hours; no one knew how long it would be edited down to in the end.

After leaving the CCTV building, everyone had a car waiting to pick them up.

Shu Chang got into Zhu Zhu Yawen's car with Lin Nan. "The CCTV cafeteria is just so-so; let's go get an extra meal," Zhu Zhu Yawen suggested.

"Sure."

After 'Jingwei Fills the Sea', Shu Chang hadn't accepted any scripts, and his relationship with his agent had become somewhat strained.

He only came out this time because it was a CCTV project.

"How is that university life you wanted?"

Lin Nan and Shu Chang sat in the back seat; he asked.

"Quite busy, lots of classes; it's indeed not as relaxed as an arts school." It seemed Shu Chang was also feeling a bit reflective.

The three went to eat instant-boiled mutton; in March, the weather was still a bit cool.

Zhu Zhu Yawen dropped the two off at their respective schools and then left; it looked like he had another engagement.

One could see traces of film crews on campus; policies were getting better and better, especially regarding television dramas, with many productions starting filming every month.

Actors with even a little fame were very busy; their schedules were tight.

Lin Nan had heard that many directing students could pull in investment just by teaming up with literature students.

Mine-owning bosses had a feeling of being desperate and unable to spend their money; there were people who specialized in this business, acting as intermediaries...

Director Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang saw Lin Nan and asked kindly if he had chosen his graduate supervisor yet; the latter shook his head, wasn't that decided in the senior year?

He then spoke again about Lin Nan giving up the competition, looking disappointed that Lin Nan didn't fight for it, and walked away.

"Why did this old man suddenly turn cold?" qqxsnew

Lin Nan was still a bit puzzled; he didn't seem to have offended any seniors, did he? Was it just because he didn't actively respond to the competition matter?

He kept pondering the reason all the way until he heard several senior students discussing the postgraduate entrance exam, and then he understood.

Although Director Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang had returned to the school for so long, he only occasionally taught large classes; as a master supervisor, he hadn't really recruited students yet.

He hadn't thought of that just now; did he want me to apply for his graduate program? The more Lin Nan thought about it, the more he felt that was exactly what it meant.

"Oh dear, I messed up big time; I didn't realize it immediately. Blame Zhu Zhu Yawen, eating instant-boiled mutton, all the blood went to the stomach."

Lin Nan made excuses while finding it funny; this old man cared a lot about face, his expression changed instantly. Later, he would just obediently go and become his disciple; Director Tian was a master.

The banners celebrating the end of the art exam had already been replaced; although new students wouldn't arrive until September, on the day the art exam ended, all students on campus were considered to have leveled up.

Taking advantage of a free moment, Lin Nan went to the directing department office to request leave for the upcoming period.

The duty teacher, seeing the smiling Lin Nan, tacitly took a bound thin booklet out of the drawer with perfect understanding. "Write it."

What a thick leave request book. "Trouble you."

Lin Nan smiled, took it, filled out the first page, and handed it back.