Chapter 454: The Listing Journey Officially Begins

"Liu Liu Yifei arrived at the capital airport this morning, stating that Lin Dao Nan will return to the country after wrapping the film *Manchester by the Sea*."

"The Disney 3D animated feature *Frozen*, voice starring Liu Liu Yifei, officially ended its theatrical run yesterday, with a total box office of 450 million."

"The mainstream commercial film *Taking Mount Mount Weihu*, directed by Lin Nan and produced by Liu Liu Yifei, took in 140 million at the box office in the first week of March."

"The total box office of *Taking Mount Mount Weihu* has reached 1.843 billion; with just another 157 million, the Chinese-language film market will step into the two-billion-yuan box office era!"

……

A string of media reports quickly made headlines in entertainment news.

Especially when Liu Liu Yifei, at the reporters' request, publicly displayed the little Oscar statuette outside the airport — she beamed radiantly and quipped:

"How did you know it was with me?"

The reporters didn't spare Lin Nan's face either: "Lin Dao's trophies — he probably only sees them for a few days after picking them up, hahaha…"

Liu Liu Yifei, who had only just gotten home a few hours earlier, received a call from the academy, asking her to bring Lin Nan's trophies and certificates by whenever she had free time.

This was the mainland's first Oscar statuette; the day after the ceremony, the school timed a transoceanic phone call.

Just as when Lin Nan first won the Silver Bear for Best Director, the academy wanted him to donate it — and was even more eager this time.

But the final "negotiation" result was exactly the same as before: Lin Nan only gave them photos!

……

Early the next morning, Lin Nan received a call from Yue Jun.

"Lin Dao, the auditions for *Brotherhood of Blades 2* wrapped yesterday. The company has already scheduled time with Hengdian; we'll start shooting by mid-April at the latest."

"No problems with the *Daoist Priest* crew?"

"Chen Hong says Zhang Zhen's scenes can wrap by the end of this month at the latest. She's actually quite praising of us using Zhang Zhen too, hahaha…"

Even Lin Nan couldn't help laughing at that joke.

"Once Director Lu Yang actually sets his schedule for the same day as *Daoist Priest*, we'll see if she's still praising us," Lin Nan teased.

"Still, if Director Lu really does that, wouldn't it be a bit off?"

After laughing, Yue Jun started to worry.

"What's off about it? It's just normal scheduling competition — let's see his choice. If he really decides, we'll respect his wishes."

Lin Nan, for his part, looked completely indifferent.

He's already going head-to-head with Zhang Zhang Yimou in the same window; Lu Yang going to Chen Chen Kaige is just a small thing, nothing major.

"Alright, since casting is done, file it."

"Mm, okay."

……

On the domestic side, at 10 p. m., a piece of news from Hollywood once again set the entertainment circle buzzing.

"The foreign-language film *Manchester by the Sea*, produced by Crystal Pictures and directed by Lin Nan, has officially announced its principal cast:

The main cast includes: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Chastain, Ma Te Damon…"

This lineup, in the eyes of the film industry, the media, and netizens alike, was luxuriously over the top.

All three core actors had worked with Lin Nan before — and all were Best Actor / Best Actress caliber!

Earlier, everyone had guessed this film was ninety-nine percent an awards play.

Now it's not ninety-nine percent — *Manchester by the Sea* is one hundred percent an awards play.

And there are only four possible destinations: either one of the Big Three European festivals, or the Oscars again, or even the Oscars plus one of the Big Three!

At this point, most people in the domestic film circle felt Lin Nan was being a bit too reckless — what was the rush?

…………

Everything before filming was ready.

"I hereby declare: *Manchester by the Sea* — officially start shooting!"

At Lin Nan's loud cry, the entire crew immediately sprang into action.

After "Action," a disheveled-looking Leonardo appeared on camera.

Whether in bearing or expression, he gave off a lifeless, dead-still, world-weary air.

Especially those eyes — as if numb to everything in life; the body still alive, but the heart and soul long dead.

Lin Nan could tell Leonardo had really gone all-out this time, fully throwing himself into the role.

Almost every shot he did passed within three takes; when there were mistakes, it was usually the supporting cast's fault.

……

Once the crew started working, time seemed to flow like water, passing very quickly.

In the blink of an eye, a whole day was over.

After getting home, Lin Nan video-called the still-drowsy, half-awake Liu Liu Yifei, then started scrolling through the news.

The Film Bureau's official site already had the filing information for *Brotherhood of Blades 2*, and Lin Nan Pictures' Weibo simultaneously published the finalized cast list.

"*Brotherhood of Blades 2: Asura Battlefield* — a period martial-arts film.

Producer: Lin Nan Pictures;

Director: Director Lu Yang;

Producer: Liu Liu Yifei;

Screenwriters: Lin Nan, Director Lu Yang;

Main cast: Zhang Zhen, Watching Shu Chang, Zhang Yi, Lei Lei Jiayin, Xin Xin Zhilei, Jin Jin Shijie…"

The filing information and cast list drew the film industry's attention to Yang Mi.

Compared to the first *Brotherhood of Blades*, the investment on this sequel had tripled.

Just as the old saying goes: people leave, the tea cools.

For "Brotherhood of Blades 2," which clearly demands a larger investment and will feature more refined production, the female lead role has been switched to Watching Shu Chang.

If another actress had taken the role, the industry might have felt it was a step down in class, preferring to stick with Yang Mi, but Watching Shu Chang is different.

Among the post-1985 actresses, she debuted as a child star; her body of work is so extensive she resembles a "veteran actor," and she has numerous high-quality and blockbuster television dramas!

Most crucially, she won the Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress; she is undeniably both talented and well-connected—how can Yang Mi compare?

The announcement of the cast list for "Brotherhood of Blades 2" made Yang Mi the subject of discussion for many in the industry, specifically the kind that mocks her.

Even companies or artists with competitive relationships used this to speak with double meanings, almost openly provoking and mocking her.

"Mimi, we must also build our own marketing team. I've realized that running our own company means we absolutely cannot be careless in this area.

Regardless of whether we have new works, our publicity and marketing team must never fall behind. Even if we are attacked or blacklisted, we must have the power to fight back..."

Ceng Jia said this to Yang Mi with a darkened face.

"Brotherhood of Blades 2" merely announced a cast list, yet the leading lady of Jiaxing was blacklisted until she looked like a sieve.

"Mm, I'll listen to you."

Yang Mi said through gritted teeth; how could she not know who was behind this? Such a familiar tactic!

Tang Ren's "The Disguiser" set its premiere date for April 22nd, and this news came out alongside the announcement for "Brotherhood of Blades 2."

Immediately after, she was blacklisted by numerous online press releases, compared unfavorably with other post-1985 actresses, and it was always Yang Mi who was trampled!

"If you have the guts, why don't you try trampling Liu Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang? Cai Yinnong."

…………

The crew of "Manchester by the Sea" continued filming.

The most difficult shot was still placed at the beginning.

When Leonardo saw Ma Te Damon's pale "corpse," in that moment, his acting exploded.

A silent performance reawakened the deepest, greatest pain buried in his heart.

After years of avoidance, the departure of another loved one... just as painful as his own past mistake that caused him to lose his child back then.

"Cut!"

As Lin Nan's voice fell, Ma Te Damon instantly sat up.

That "makeup and costume," suddenly sitting up from the morgue table, looked exactly like a corpse rising from the dead.

"Leo, you really got into character! My character isn't completely 'dead'; there are still many scenes in flashbacks later. Hahaha..."

Sure enough, under Leonardo's desolate, lifeless state, his eyes were red and swollen, brimming with tears; though silent, his emotions continuously infected everyone around him.

It was the look of sorrow pushed to the extreme, yet held back and unexpressed.

It was the look of endless suppressed emotions accumulating over time, finally becoming unbearable and wanting to vent, yet having long forgotten how to vent, unable to vent at all.

This is the definition of a male lead: his psychology and spirit are like those of a patient with a critical illness accumulating for many years, like a sealed powder keg, ready to collapse or self-destruct at any moment.

Leonardo's performance was already magnificent.

"It's fine; I'll just pretend you're gone in reality and rehearse the situation for attending your funeral later."

Leonardo wiped his tears with a tissue, not forgetting to keep retorting to Ma Te while speaking, as he was recovering his composure from the emotions.

……

Another day of filming had ended.

When Lin Nan dragged his exhausted body back to the villa, he was truly tired.

But to finish filming within a month, or even complete it ahead of schedule, he had to do this.

Fortunately, the main cast members were all willing to cooperate with him.

"Liu Qianqian, I'm so sleepy."

Answering Liu Liu Yifei's video call, Lin Nan said softly.

"Then shall I sing to lull you to sleep?"

In the video, Liu Liu Yifei was changing clothes; well, the video call started a bit late.

"Are you going out?"

"Yes, the school needs the trophies and certificates; I'm taking them there today to take photos. Don't worry, I'll bring them back exactly as I brought them. Hmph, I absolutely won't fall for sugar-coated bullets!"

"Yours, yours, they're all yours. Right? Haha..."

"Mm-hmm."

Only after Liu Liu Yifei got into the driver's seat did Lin Nan ask her to turn off the video; one must not be distracted while driving.

Just as Lin Nan was preparing to sleep early, another call came in.

After seeing the caller ID, he immediately became fully alert.

Since it was Cao Cao Guowei's call, without thinking, he knew it must be about that important matter.

"Cao Dong?"

"Lin Dao, congratulations again on winning the Oscar. Is the theatrical release in Hollywood going smoothly?"

"It's going quite smoothly; we should wrap up and return to the country by April."

Hearing this timeline, Cao Cao Guowei immediately laughed aloud, sounding very cheerful.

"April is good, April is very good, hahaha..."

"Cao Dong, please get to the main matter," Lin Nan urged with a smile.

On the other end of the line, Cao Cao Guowei composed his emotions and said very seriously: "Lin Dao, we are preparing to release the prospectus and begin the roadshow..."

As expected!

Lin Nan's heart skipped a beat, followed immediately by joy.

Releasing the prospectus and beginning the roadshow meant that the journey toward listing had officially begun.

And the final listing date would be within one to two months!

"Good, it's finally about to begin. So what can I do?"

Lin Nan suppressed the excitement in his heart and asked.

"Making the call is just to tell Lin Dao about this matter; the prospectus will disclose your shareholding percentage.

Also, if Lin Dao is interested at that time, come ring the bell together, haha..."

"Ring the bell?"

Lin Nan shook his head and joked, "I'm fine with shouting and hawking, but ringing the bell, let's skip that."

For this film, I'll try to keep the plot minimal and do it in one take.

(End of this chapter)