Chapter 469

May Day slot, the first-day box office data for the first two films had already been hung on media headlines.

"Produced by Enlightenment, starring Lin Gengxin and Zhou Dongyu, the youth film *My Old Classmate* was released on the first day, grossing 25.63 million at the box office."

"Starring Zhen Zidan and Huang Shengyi, the film *Iceman: The Time Traveler* lost to *My Old Classmate* on the first day, grossing 22.92 million."

"Produced by Lin Nan Film Industry, starring Zhao Liying, Huo Jianhua, and others, the costume xianxia drama *The Journey of Flower* officially started filming today at Hengdian World Studios."

……

Lin Nan scrolled with his mouse.

The Hollywood blockbuster *X-Men: Days of Future Past* was strongly scheduled for late May; I heard Fan Bingbing had a role in it. Hong Kong's *Overheard 3* went to the end of May.

"Director Yue is quite ruthless, actually opening his mouth for 40%!"

Moving his gaze away from the computer screen, Lin Nan looked at Yue Jun and joked.

"I thought I'd report high to leave them a negotiation range." Yue Jun spread his hands and laughed.

Lin Nan nodded; facts proved that Yue Jun's 40% report was very good.

Although Zhang Chen sternly rejected Yue Jun's acquisition intention of 40% on the spot, he did not reject the matter of Lin Nan Film Industry's investment.

"He felt 40% was too much, and I didn't agree to 25%; after some tug-of-war without a result, we just decided to go back and consider it."

Yue Jun added, looking like he had the victory in his grasp.

"Although we didn't agree for a moment, I think they won't give up.

Once a person sees a solid opportunity and temptation, they will never forget it and it will linger in their heart. Unless they have great courage and absolute confidence that they can succeed on their own!"

Lin Nan analyzed, this was human nature.

Suddenly, Yue Jun's phone rang.

The two looked at each other instantly.

"Happy Mahua?"

"It's them."

"Answer it."

"Chairman Zhang, this is Yue Jun." The phone was put on speaker.

"Director Yue, we've considered it; 40% is still too much, it will affect the company's normal operations..."

Lin Nan listened to Zhang Chen's "explanation" on the phone and felt like laughing.

This wasn't about fearing it would affect the company's operations; it should be about fearing it would threaten his control over Happy Mahua, and fearing that they might be slowly eroded and have their nest taken over in the future.

At this moment, he heard a number reported on the phone.

"... 30%, we can give at most this many shares. If it's any more, I think Happy Mahua can accumulate for a while longer, or find another company..."

Yue Jun looked at Lin Nan, his eyes carrying a questioning meaning.

Lin Nan nodded.

"30%?"

"Yes, Happy Mahua's current market value is around 200 million..."

"Hahaha, Chairman Zhang, how did you calculate this 200 million market value? I don't think it's worth that much, right?"

Yue Jun was suppressing the price because Zhang Chen had indeed inflated the market value, but this was human nature.

"We have our own theater, our own brand, the programs are all original, the reputation is very good..."

"But the scale isn't very good, and it's only famous around the capital; the stage play profit scale is very small..."

Watching the two arguing, Lin Nan smiled and interrupted:

"How about this, Chairman Zhang, for these 30% of shares, I'll give you 50 million. This price is definitely higher than 30% of the actual market value. What do you think?"

Suddenly hearing Lin Nan's voice, Zhang Chen on the other end was stunned for a moment, and immediately realized it was Lin Nan.

He also knew he was inflating the price, but this was business after all; he had to strive for as much as he could.

"Since Lin Dao has spoken, for the sake of the company's better development in the future, I accept this price."

"In the future, if new investors are introduced, Lin Nan Film Industry must reserve the right to make additional investments."

"Okay."

"Good, then let's set a time to sign the contract, Chairman Zhang."

…………

Yan Fei, Peng Damo, and Shen Teng, Ma Li, Song Yang, and others who had just finished performing were chatting in the backstage lounge.

These people were almost all the core members of Happy Mahua.

"Chairman Zhang is calling everyone over; he says there's an important matter to notify us about." An assistant ran over and shouted.

Yan Fei and Shen Teng stood up with a start, "Is it done?"

The others were slow to react and immediately rushed back.

When everyone arrived at the office area and saw Zhang Chen, the latter was leisurely drinking tea.

"Chairman Zhang?" Yan Fei asked first.

Zhang Chen put down the teacup in his hand, took a deep breath, and a smile appeared on his face.

"I'm telling everyone good news. I've already negotiated with Lin Nan Film Industry; they are investing 50 million in cash in us, becoming a shareholder of Happy Mahua with a 30% stake.

Not only can we make movies now, but who knows, maybe everyone will have a chance in Lin Nan Film Industry's movies or TV dramas in the future. Hehe..."

Hearing this news, everyone was excited.

The big screen was right before their eyes!

"Finally, we're going to upgrade our equipment." Shen Teng smiled and hugged Ma Li.

"That's great, the company has money now. Does that mean we'll get a bonus first? Haha."

……

Zhang Chen ignored the group of people who weren't serious, but looked at Yan Fei and Peng Damo; they were the company's directors and screenwriters.

"Old Yan, Damo, take a look at which stage play we should adapt first?"

The investment for comedy films was originally low, and the leads could all be directly cast from their own actors; after all, they were the ones performing on stage, and they were experienced. In this way, the cost was even lower.

Therefore, Zhang Chen decisively decided to launch the film project.

"I think any of them will do."

"Any one of those popular stage plays of ours will work."

"Then how about we just use today's one? Ma Li and I just finished performing it."

Shen Teng interjected, and everyone looked at him, including Zhang Chen.

"That works too. We negotiated with Lin Nan Film Industry today, and we also proposed making a movie today, so why not choose the script as we encounter it? Let's use today's stage play. What do you two think?"

Zhang Chen asked Yan Fei and Peng Damo.

The two looked at each other and nodded at the same time, "Okay."

"Then it's this one; the script is handed to you two."

"Good."

When Zhang Chen turned and returned to his office, it was already lively outside.

"Good guy, you're something, Brother Teng. This is *Goodbye Mr. Loser*!"

"Director Yan, Director Peng, when you're writing the script, add some scenes for me, the kind with big supporting roles."

"Me too."

…………

Produced by Wanda, *The Great Hypnotist* starring Xu Zheng and Mo Wenwei was also holding its premiere.

However, Lin Nan didn't go; he accompanied Liu Yifei out shopping and had a meal together.

On Friday, *My Old Classmate* and *Iceman: The Time Traveler* were released simultaneously, and the first-day box office difference was less than 3 million.

But yesterday's Saturday daily box office, after coming out today, left the industry dumbfounded.

The former's daily box office soared to 43.61 million, while the latter only had 26.27 million.

Even Lin Nan had to admit after seeing it that youth films were indeed in the spotlight these past two years.

As long as it was a nostalgic youth film, no matter how trashy it was, as long as it could enter the cinema, it could make money, and even make a lot of money.

"Since you got married, we haven't seen each other for half a year, right?"

In the restaurant, Lin Nan was peeling shrimp while talking to Zhu Yawen.

The shrimp meat put into the bowl never waited for Lin Nan to eat it himself before it was picked away by Liu Yifei, who then returned a smile to him.

"Yeah, I took on a TV drama, and I just got back."

"Last time at school, they said you would go back to teach; how is it now?" Luo Jin on the side asked while eating.

"The establishment process is underway, as well as the title matter; it should be finalized in the second half of the year.

By then, the school will officially announce it. You two shouldn't spread it around." Lin Nan smiled and urged.

Liu Yifei was also nodding, joking: "When he gives lectures, we'll go audit; it will definitely be very interesting. Hmm, I'll even record it."

"Good idea!"

Zhu Yawen gave a thumbs up and looked at Lin Nan again, "When the time comes, I must go see how 'Professor Lin' teaches, hehe..."

"Tsk tsk, it's quite dreamy. However, I estimate your class should be packed, especially those people in the acting department; they will definitely fight for your class or audit it." Luo Jin echoed.

Lin Nan definitely understood this point; students in art colleges understood social etiquette better than students in ordinary universities.

"We'll see when the time comes; eat quickly. I can see several paparazzi around..."

……

More than an hour later, when the four of them dispersed, their news was already on Weibo's trending list.

"Lin Dao Nan, Liu Yifei, Zhu Yawen, Luo Jin, had a meal together this morning, chatting and laughing..."

After agreeing to meet next time, Lin Nan drove Liu Yifei away.

The two didn't go home, but went directly to the company.

Because Lin Nan had just received a call from Yue Jun; Reba was back.

The team from South Korea had been working with people from Lin Nan Film Industry and Enlightenment for nearly a month.

The specific project planning for the first season of *Running Man* was already halfway done.

It was time for this variety show to be launched and prepared.

Returning to the company, the two went directly to the office; Yue Jun, Reba, and her agent were all there.

"Sister Yifei, Lin Dao."

Good guy, after seeing Lin Nan and Liu Yifei, Reba was the first to call out, but it wasn't the boss?

Lin Nan was a bit speechless; what was wrong with this group of people? Why were they all so realistic?!

"Long time no see, have you graduated?"

"Hmm, I got the highest score.

At the end of May, I'll go back to pick up my graduation certificate and degree certificate, and after attending the graduation ceremony, I'll be completely liberated."

Reba nodded with a smile; her resume was the best among all her classmates, and the Shanhai Media brand was useful everywhere.

"It's good that you've graduated; stay in the capital from now on." Lin Nan urged.

"Hmm, that's what I think too.

Lin Dao, calling me back this time, does the company have any acting offers for me?"

Ever since receiving Yue Jun's call, Reba had been looking forward to it.

So after the defense and graduation performance ended, she rushed back immediately. Otherwise, she would have stayed at school until the end of May to attend the graduation ceremony before coming back.

Speaking of business, Lin Nan became a bit more serious.

"How about you two talk, and I'll go out first? I still have to keep an eye on the contract with Happy Mahua."

Yue Jun said with a smile, leading Reba's agent out of the office together.

Now only the three remained; Reba could clearly feel that Lin Nan had something important to say.

…………

(End of chapter)