Chapter 394: In Lin Nan

"'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'? That was almost nine years ago—I have no opinion. Even if I did, it should be up to the audience to decide."

Liu Liu Yifei said with a beaming smile. Many insiders in the audience chuckled at her response.

Those who know Miss Liu understand this isn't playing coy—she's just this way: simple and straightforward!

"Let me add the final line—this question ends here."

Lin Nan took the microphone, and every reporter's camera snapped toward him.

"We were already straying a bit talking about 'Interstellar,' but your question went even further off-track—so I'll break my rule one more time."

Everyone instantly focused, all eyes on Lin Nan—including Liu Liu Yifei.

"Asking what Liu Qianqian thinks? You're asking the wrong person—I'll answer instead."

Lin Nan feigned clearing his throat: "In my eyes, there's only one Zheng Xiaolong Maiden. Look—she's standing right beside me…"

"Hahaha…"

"Lin Dao, you're so mushy."

"I give up—I'm laughing till my stomach hurts!"

"This… this thickness of skin—I need to learn it well…"

…

The atmosphere in the hall instantly came alive, filled with laughter and chatter, bustling and lively.

"Quiet, quiet, let me finish."

Lin Nan raised his hand to quiet them, then continued speaking from the heart:

"I won't mention the earlier masters. But from now on, no one will ever surpass Liu Liu Yifei as the Zheng Xiaolong Maiden—not even Wang Wang Yuyan or Zhao Ling'er. That's my view. Thank you!"

"Bravo!"

Huang Huang Xiaoming led the applause, whistling loudly—extremely conspicuous, like a professional cheerleader!

Liu Liu Yifei gazed at Lin Nan with burning eyes, her gaze glistening with endless affection, her smile like peach blossoms in March—radiant and unrestrained.

"Seriously, so mushy, hehe…"

She moved closer to Lin Nan and whispered softly, audible only to those beside them—but the tenderness and love in her eyes couldn't escape the reporters' lenses.

"Sorry, Guo Dao. The stage is yours—we're stepping down."

Lin Nan joked, took Liu Liu Yifei's hand, and walked offstage.

The premiere of 'About Time' became joyful entirely because of Lin Nan's speech.

…………

The reception was exceptionally lively.

Liu Liu Yifei became the queen again, trailed by Especially Reba, and everyone who saw her couldn't help teasing her—always with praise.

Lin Nan's side attracted people with clearer agendas.

"In a couple days, there's the premiere of 'One Night Surprise'—Lin Dao, Guo Dao, if you're free, please come watch!"

Fan Li Bingbing raised a glass of red wine, drained it in one gulp—bold and unrestrained!

Huang Huang Xiaoming didn't speak, but brought up 'The Loyalty of Yue Fei.'

The TV series was nearing its end, with excellent ratings—and crucially, outstanding reviews and scores.

"Lin Dao, I toast you."

Guo Guo Jingming, accompanied by Ma Tianyu personnel, came over to offer a spontaneous greeting.

Lin Nan nodded and took a small sip.

Only after the man walked away did Huang Huang Xiaoming whisper:

"His movie—how to put it? It does depict the real lives of the upper class, but it really shouldn't have been made…"

Lin Nan didn't respond, but he didn't deny it either—Huang Jiaozhu was speaking the truth.

…

The premiere of 'About Time' ended successfully, and Lin Nan's speech shot straight to the top headline.

"Lin Dao makes a heartfelt confession: the only Zheng Xiaolong Maiden in his eyes—Liu Liu Yifei!"

"Lin Nan: No one will ever surpass Liu Liu Yifei as the Zheng Xiaolong Maiden, Wang Wang Yuyan, or Zhao Ling'er!"

"'About Time,' the sci-fi film you absolutely can't miss this summer, tells of life's growing pains, family bonds, and love…"

"Liu Liu Yifei reveals she will travel to Hollywood in September to join the 'Interstellar' crew on location."

…

Liu Liu Yifei curled up on the sofa, hugging a tablet, laughing for a long while—Lin Nan grew puzzled.

"What are you laughing at?"

"It's all your fault—now Weibo is full of jokes mocking me."

Miss Liu pouted as she scolded Lin Nan, yet her smile never left her face.

Clearly, she deeply cherished his public "confession"—she was delighted.

"By the way, have you noticed anything odd?"

"What odd thing?"

Lin Nan was baffled—he had no idea what Liu Liu Yifei meant.

"After the premiere, at the banquet, I noticed Luo Jin and Tang Yan acting strange—they were chatting and laughing together."

Especially Luo Jin—he talked way more than usual, always initiating conversation with Tang Yan. Could your joke about Zhu Zhu Yawen have actually come true?"

Liu Liu Yifei watched Lin Nan with keen interest, blinking her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly, making her eyes sparkle even more.

Though Miss Liu rarely cared about gossip, she was still interested in gossip about her close friends.

Lin Nan was utterly confused—had the butterfly of fate already begun flapping its wings?

I didn't notice anything—let's not meddle in this; if it's true, they'll bring it up themselves later.

Alright, I just had a feeling.

As she spoke, Liu Liu Yifei waved to one side.

A plump little orange cat came running over, meowing, and Liu Miss snatched it up and placed it in her arms.

…………

Having agreed to serve as producer for Han Jia_nv, Lin Nan had to fulfill the role of producer.

Though he didn't need to monitor her filming constantly, he still had to show up at certain events—commonly called "standing support."

And he was going to the same old place: the Film Academy!

Lin Nan drove slowly and leisurely to Beijing Film Academy.

It was said this year's military training would be completed before the semester started, so large numbers of new students had been arriving in waves.

The school gate was already jammed; as far as the eye could see, it was all luxury cars, mostly here to drop off students.

"The richer the family, the more they dive into this circle."

Lin Nan's car enjoyed privileges at Beijing Film Academy—it could enter and exit without obstruction.

"Whose car is that? Do school teachers now drive so ostentatiously? A million-yuan Mercedes back to campus?"

A parent leaned over to the guard booth, curiously asking.

"Ha, how could it be a teacher? Even the richest teachers keep a low profile on campus. That just passed was Director Lin Nan—the darling of the Directing Department!"

The guard on duty, also a joker, joked offhandedly.

"Director Lin Nan?" Instantly, the school gate erupted in commotion.

……

After parking, Lin Nan headed straight for the Directing Department, feeling like he was going to a parent-teacher meeting.

"Heh, if Old Han found out I had this thought, he'd kill me, right?"

Lin Nan muttered with a chuckle, then shook his head.

Right around the corner, he nearly collided with several students—all made up.

"Director Lin, hello."

One of them reacted quickly.

"You are?" Lin Nan asked suspiciously; he didn't know any current students.

The lead girl instantly perked up, "Director Lin, I'm Yang Zi, Class of 2010, Chen Yanxi."

"Class of 2010? Yang Zi?"

Lin Nan recalled—he was a child star, and Teacher Zhou had recommended him.

"You're already a senior? Still on campus?"

"The graduation play needs early rehearsal."

Lin Nan slapped his forehead—he'd forgotten the Chen Yanxi's process had a graduation performance option.

"Then carry on, I've got things to do."

"Director Lin, does your company sign new talent?"

Damn, another bold one!

Not only did Lin Nan freeze, but the surrounding students were stunned by Yang Zi's audacity.

"No current plans. If future films or TV dramas open casting calls, feel free to audition."

After saying this, Lin Nan waved and walked off.

He wasn't lying—the company had no plans to sign anyone in the near term.

"By the way, isn't Yang Zi about the same age as Re Ba?" Lin Nan muttered as he headed toward the Directing Department.

Several soon-to-be senior Chen Yanxi students were chattering excitedly.

"Xiao Zi, you're incredible—daring to ask that right to his face…"

"Too bad—he didn't sign!"

……

Seeing Lin Nan, Han Jia_nv looked like she'd spotted a savior.

"Director Lin, over here."

The large lecture hall of the Directing Department was still crowded—with next year's graduating graduate students and their graduation play producers or producers.

Han Jia_nv's graduation play producer was herself; the producer was Lin Nan.

Everyone stared at Han Jia_nv and Lin Nan, expressions varied—none of them in good spirits.

We're all using millet and spears, and you just brought in an aircraft carrier—showing off?

No need for a graduation defense—your Outstanding Graduate certificate is probably already prepared for you, Han Jia_nv!

An unfamiliar professor spoke for half an hour, then came the group photo.

Lin Nan truly hadn't expected that, four years after graduating, he'd return to take a group photo! How amusing.

"Back then, I had none of this trouble—I just handed them 'The Hunt'…"

"Heh, how can I compare with you? If I won a Golden Lion, Old Han would probably laugh himself to death."

Han Jia_nv rolled her eyes and said casually.

Lin Nan laughed—had Han Han Sanping heard that line about the black cotton, he wouldn't need to guess—he'd definitely "laugh himself to death," laughing in fury!

Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang was unexpectedly on campus—that was something Lin Nan hadn't expected.

"Have you decided yet? When will you return to school? You can choose freely—Directing Department, Chen Yanxi, or general courses."

The school still means to give you the title of Associate Professor immediately, and promote you to Professor in one or two years…"

It was clear that Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang genuinely hoped Lin Nan would take this path.

"I haven't thought about this problem recently. I'd estimate next year, no, the year after that."

Lin Nan still gave a rough timeframe; holding an honorary post at the university was indeed the safest route.

"Alright, just don't get poached midway. Although I wouldn't mind that, it's the same wherever I am, but the university would feel very stifled."

"You mean someone is trying to recruit me? Who? Could it be the Central Academy of Drama? Haha..." Lin Nan made a joke.

"Yes, exactly. Several candidates who could have stayed at the school this year ended up going there; they held meetings for half a month last month."

Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang said with a chuckle, and it was the truth.

"The Central Academy of Drama?"

Come to think of it, Lin Nan pondered and actually found it quite interesting. At least the teaching environment and atmosphere over there were relatively better.

After standing in for Han Jia and chatting with Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang for a while, Lin Nan prepared to leave; he had no choice but to go.

His profile was too large, too conspicuous. People kept loitering in front of him, which made him very uncomfortable.

These were minor matters; the key was that the school leaders kept calling the Directing Department one by one, and after confirming Lin Nan was there, they came rushing over.

It was the same issue; their ideological work was done so thoroughly they seemed eager to resolve his official establishment status right now!

This level of enthusiasm was somewhat frightening.

Lin Nan managed to extricate himself only after much persuasion and a bit of evasive talk.

However, as soon as he got into the car, he spotted a figure in the distance.

"Why did he come to the Beijing Film Academy?"

(End of this chapter)