Chapter 428: Over Half — Showing Muscle

Lin Nan got into Liu Liu Yifei's car and stopped thinking about the interview he'd just done.

"Let's get back quick, I'm starving."

"Didn't you eat anything on the plane?"

Liu Liu Yifei turned her head and asked with concern.

"Yeah, the whole way here my mind was full of nothing but you — only just now did I remember I hadn't eaten."

Lin Nan said it dead seriously, earning himself a cute pair of eye-rolls and a sweet smile.

"Hold on tight."

The moment Liu Liu Yifei spoke, both hands on the wheel, one foot on the gas — and Lin Nan got to feel that long-missed shove-into-the-back-of-the-seat sensation!

"Liu Qianqian, it's a real shame you didn't become a race-car driver."

…………

The entertainment industry had gone a bit numb to it all.

In just half a month — starting from the Golden Horse Awards ceremony, where he openly and domineeringly sniped at and berated the presenters and Cai Cai Kangyong — Lin Nan's news had never let up.

The reports that broke today were even more stunning than the last!

"Lin Dao Nan's film 'The Invisible Guest,' in its first week of North American release, has raked in 98.4 million USD at the box office!."

"At 12:30 noon, Lin Dao Nan touched down at the capital airport."

"Facing reporters, Lin Dao Nan publicly admitted for the first time that he holds a majority stake in the Hollywood independent film production company Crystal Pictures!"

That last piece of news was like a thunderclap in a drought — blasting the entire film and television industry till it was charred on the outside and tender within, jolting everyone wide awake.

Those in the circle still remembered that at the premiere of 'Lucy,' Lin Nan had admitted for the first time that he held shares in Crystal Pictures — but he'd stressed at the time that it wasn't much!

Looking at it now, he'd been pulling the wool over everyone's eyes back then!

State-owned enterprises like China Film and Shanghai Film were the fastest to react.

Giants like Enlight, Wanda, Huayi, Bona… Stellar, Orange Sky, Emperor, all caught sight of the news one after another.

The entertainment companies, talent agencies, and stars of the industry were even more worked up — especially those who were on good terms with Lin Nan.

"A majority stake? I bet it's the overwhelming majority of shares, right? That Tang Mu is probably a professional manager who holds some shares!"

Over at Huayi, Wang Wang Zhonglei and Wang Wang Zhongjun were analyzing it carefully.

Once, Wang Wang Zhonglei had been the first in the circle to realize the connection between Lin Nan and Crystal Pictures; now he was bold enough to venture a guess.

"Whether it's a majority stake or the overwhelming majority, it doesn't change the fact that he's the boss of Crystal Pictures, nor does it change the fact that he owns a well-known Hollywood independent film production company!"

Wang Wang Zhongjun said it with his eyes closed, dead serious.

"Keep our relationship with him solid. At the shareholders' meeting at the end of next month, make sure he shows up. Also, pay him his dividends in the form of Gupiaozeng Sect stock."

"All the dividends, paid entirely in additional shares?" Wang Wang Zhonglei asked to confirm.

"Yes, all of it."

…………

Lin Nan knew that once he'd answered that question at the airport, he wasn't going to have any peace for a while.

And that was with him saying the stake was just barely over half — 55%. If he'd said he held 95% of the shares, these people probably wouldn't just be calling — they'd be coming to kill him in person!

Same old story — Lin Nan said it was 55%, believe it or not was everyone else's business. He and Tang Mu had a private share-holding agreement in place.

"You son of a gun — when I was in office, you told me you only had a tiny stake, not enough to sway Crystal Pictures' business! 55% is a tiny stake? Is 55% what your family calls a tiny stake?"

Han Han Sanping's roar came through the phone — so full of vigor, not at all like a man of sixty.

"Han Dong, I just wanted to quietly make money and provide for my family on the side. If I'd told everyone, think about what would've happened?

Absolutely — pestering me every other day to start projects, shove people in, co-produce. Who knows, someone might've even had their eye on the shares in my hands, playing dirty tricks, underhanded moves, or trying to blackmail me with morals. It'd be annoying enough to drive me crazy!"

Hearing Lin Nan say that, Han Han Sanping's voice unconsciously dropped.

Because if he'd known back then that Lin Nan held a majority stake, he really would've been pestering him every other day to start projects, co-productions, big-budget productions…

"Then why reveal it now?" Han Han Sanping retorted.

"I don't think it's like back then anymore. Now, I can carry the weight — my wings are fully grown. What do you say? Ha ha…"

That's what Lin Nan said, but the real reason was that internet capital was about to enter the market, and he had to show a bit of muscle to the outside world.

55% is showing muscle; the remaining 40% is hiding his true strength.

Crystal Pictures' development over the years in Hollywood, the reputation it had built, and the connections it had made — none of that was something internet capital could simply buy into existence with money.

That was a kind of "capital" only Lin Nan had, and none of the other companies in the circle possessed — one of his sources of confidence.

"Fine, good. Since you've chosen to go public, then be ready to be 'harassed.'"

The irritation in Han Han Sanping's heart had eased, and he started teasing again.

"Thanks for the concern, Han Dong."

"Don't — I've already retired. Drop that title from now on."

Han Han Sanping said it with a touch of feeling, offering his advice.

"I'm used to it, can't change it." Lin Nan replied with a smile.

……

The calls came one after another — sometimes several at once.

Enlight and Wanda were the most excited, because everyone was a solid ally.

Most people in the circle sent messages to express their "shock"; only the few with especially close relationships called to vent.

In short, the fact that Lin Nan was the boss of Crystal Pictures had, within a few hours, completely spread through the entertainment industry, and was being hotly debated online.

Liu Liu Yifei hugged her laptop and laughed like a silly fool.

Because at the 'Lucy' premiere, Lin Nan had publicly admitted: the name "Crystal Pictures" was taken from Liu Liu Yifei's English name, "crystal."

Right now, under her Weibo post, everyone was talking about this — and the most repeated line was:

"The boss of a Hollywood film company," "The boss of Crystal Pictures," "One-quarter belongs to Producer Liu"...

Not until past eight in the evening did phone calls and text messages slowly decrease; Lin Nan had answered calls from Beside La La Peikang, Ren Ren Zhonglun, and others.

"Lin Nan, why didn't you call me to come to your place?"

When Lin Nan stood up, preparing to leave the garden on Liu Liu Yifei's side and return to his own, he was called back.

Looking at Miss Liu's expression, she seemed a bit angry.

"If I called you, would you come? I've been counting the days," Lin Nan said, looking at her playfully.

Hearing this, Liu Liu Yifei's eyes suddenly widened; the next moment, pink clouds dyed her face, and she beamed with laughter.

"You, you are truly boring."

"Then I'm leaving?"

"Go quickly, go quickly. Day after day, you're still calculating these things in your head..."

"I'm saying, Princess Liu Qianqian, clearly you started this first?"

"I am a woman."

Liu Liu Yifei crossed her arms and said in a high-and-mighty tone.

"Fine, I accept this reason; you're the boss, okay?" Lin Nan laughed and begged for mercy.

In December, the box office data for the first weekend of the two highly anticipated domestic films in the early New Year's season came out.

"No Man's Land" has been released for six days, grossing 137 million, with daily box office figures stable to the point of being ridiculous, over twenty million every single day!

And "Detective Dee 2" had 26.48 million on the first day, 34.72 million on the second; after three days of public screening, the first weekend total reached 89.34 million.

However, regarding reputation, the latter could not compare to the former.

Because traditional martial arts are already in decline, and in everyone's heart, there is their own martial arts.

Chen Chen Jiashang's "Detective Dee 2" box office already felt like fire pouring on oil, as if burning its potential to the extreme, unable to last long.

Fortunately, Light Media's investment cost was not high; the second and third parts were filmed together, so making money was absolutely no problem.

Since Lin Nan had returned to the country, he wouldn't think too much about matters in Hollywood; "The Invisible Guest" had Leonardo and others watching over it.

He planned to stay at the company for two days, then start running promotions with the "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" film crew.

Additionally, several other New Year's season films had sent him invitations to their premieres.

That "New Police Story 2013," in which the company co-invested, was definitely a must-attend.

"The auditions for 'Nirvana in Fire' just started at the beginning of the month; the competition is particularly fierce.

Young male actors and female actresses within the circle for TV dramas basically all went; some second and third-tier stars are also eyeing supporting roles. I heard actors from Zhengwu Sunshine themselves are also auditioning..."

Listening to Yue Jun's report, Lin Nan felt that the matters at the end of this year were truly numerous!

"Let's not worry about that side for now; anyway, the final list must be placed before me. Whichever one is 'unsuitable' at that time, we'll replace it."

Suddenly, Lin Nan thought of the matter he had previously instructed Yue Jun about.

"How is the matter with Shiyue Culture and the 'Running Man' copyright going?"

A helpless smile instantly appeared on Yue Jun's face.

"Progress on the Shiyue Culture side is a bit slow; give me another half year?"

Lin Nan nodded: "Fine, then what about the other matter?"

"After the He Sui, I will go to South Korea again."

"Are you confident?"

Yue Jun nodded, "About so."

"Then I wish you good luck."

A few minutes later, the two left the office simultaneously.

Lin Nan headed straight for the screenwriting department; he had to ask how the "The Journey of Flower" script was coming along.

Seeing Lin Nan's figure, someone naturally came forward to greet him here.

"Lin Dao, the first draft was completed at the end of last month; now we are doing the second round of fine-tuning."

"Roughly how long?"

"Before the end of the month, the final draft can be settled."

TV drama scripts and film scripts are not the same; the workload is heavier, but certainly not as strict as the requirements for top-tier film scripts.

"Fine."

When Lin Nan returned to the office holding the once-fine-tuned script, Ye Ning's call came.

"President Ye, I only returned yesterday, and you're calling today; you really won't leave me any rest time, huh? Haha..."

"I don't want to call and disturb Lin Dao, but the cinema chains are pressing hard; Wanda is the number one cinema chain, so we have to take the lead."

Lin Nan smiled, "Speak; what is it this time? Won't you still be asking me to give up the total box office bet mode?"

"Hahaha, Lin Dao, they don't have that idea now. You are the person who grossed nearly one hundred million US dollars in North America in one week, and you have Hollywood production companies...

Their idea now is to quickly sign the bet-and-revenue-sharing agreement, fearing you will learn from Zhang Zhang Weiping, open your mouth wide like a lion later, and then play one group against another!"

"Is this an insult to me? Comparing me to Zhang Dapao?" Lin Nan laughed and scolded.

"I dare not. Lin Dao, when do you have time? Dozens of cinema chains are waiting."

"Then tomorrow; the day after tomorrow I have to start running film promotions."

"Good, I will notify them now."

(End of this chapter)