Chapter 50: June

In the blink of an eye, it was summer vacation again.

For art academies, whether it is vacation or not makes little difference; students still run to film crews and auditions as usual, traveling between various film and television bases.

Lin Nan felt a bit sentimental; the Class of '01 was leaving, and he could now be considered a senior.

"Time passes a bit too quickly; in the blink of an eye, it's senior year."

Lin Nan looked at the group of people taking graduation photos and sighed.

He looked at Zhu Yawen beside him, "How do you have time to come back today? Aren't you busy?"

Ever since Zhu Yawen signed with Wang Jing, his development had been quite good; he had many television scripts, as well as some commercial endorsements and magazine features.

"Recently, Sister Hua and the company have talked several times, but there have been no results. The company has also started to withdraw some resources. It looks like parting ways is truly near."

Zhu Yawen looked at the Class of '01 in the distance and said.

Zhu Yawen had never hidden the situation between Wang Jing and Huayi from Lin Nan.

"Wang Jing is too aggressive. She sees herself as a partner, but the two Mr. Wangs only see her as an employee. A falling out is inevitable."

Zhu Yawen nodded, not responding.

"Look, it's good to be famous. So many people are taking group photos, and Huang Shengyi is right in the center. Everyone is laughing and talking with her. It's so realistic."

Zhu Yawen suddenly remarked.

Lin Nan looked over, and it was true. Huang Shengyi, wearing her graduation gown, had been invited to the center position. She took several photos in a row, and after the group photo was finished, many people invited her to take commemorative photos as well.

"Why are you suddenly so sentimental? Isn't our industry just like this?"

Lin Nan asked Zhu Yawen with a smile.

"Sigh, it's just because of Sister Hua's recent troubles. The big stars can keep their cool, but you don't know the newcomers under Sister Hua; they are all terrified, fearing that their careers will end before they've even begun."

"Lin Nan, Zhu Yawen, come take a photo!"

In the distance, Wang Luodan shouted. Her voice was quite loud, not ladylike at all.

"Do you want to go over? I reckon they mainly want to call you; I'm just an afterthought."

Zhu Yawen teased.

"Let's go. That person is waving over there; it would be too hurtful to her face not to go."

The Class of '01 acting department group watched as Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen walked over, and the group was instantly a bit excited.

As a prominent director, Lin Nan didn't have many friends, and in the Class of '01, only the outgoing Wang Luodan could chat with him; with others at school, he was at most a nodding acquaintance, even with the very famous Huang Shengyi. This was a good chance to build connections while taking photos.

"Can you act a bit more like a girl? You were shouting from so far away."

Zhu Yawen was the first to speak, teasing her.

"What are you worrying about? Hurry up and stand over here; let's take a group photo." Wang Luodan urged.

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen stood on either side of Wang Luodan, and another student quickly pressed the shutter.

"Come, let me see."

Wang Luodan snatched the camera and checked it.

"Hmm, not bad."

Once they started, they couldn't stop; the two also took group photos with several others.

"Director Lin, long time no see."

"Senior Sister Huang is also quite busy; you haven't been back to school for a long time. Has 'Dragon Squad' wrapped up filming?"

"It has wrapped."

Huang Shengyi came over to greet him, and Lin Nan exchanged a few pleasantries.

Once the Class of '01 acting department finished their photos, it was time for other majors.

"Wow, a luxury car..."

Amidst bursts of exclamations, Huang Shengyi got into a car. Besides the driver, a man wearing sunglasses sat in the back; he looked a bit mature, but he shouldn't be too old.

"Looks a bit familiar?"

Zhu Yawen muttered.

Lin Nan shook his head, "Didn't you watch a movie in April? The one Li Ruotong starred in."

Speaking of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," one couldn't avoid the Li Ruotong version; Zhu Yawen had gone to watch that movie specifically for Li Ruotong.

"'Blue Flower'! I remember now. This person played three roles."

Zhu Yawen suddenly realized, then said in shock, "What kind of relationship?"

"The kind of relationship you're thinking of."

Lin Nan replied and walked away.

"He's really daring, especially when she's at the height of her popularity." Zhu Yawen caught up in a few strides.

"It seems his family runs a company."

Nowadays, actors' pay hasn't skyrocketed yet, and many beautiful actresses and female stars still dream of marrying into wealthy families.

Once Lin Nan said this, Zhu Yawen understood.

"Runs a company? Don't you also run a company? Have any senior or junior sisters harassed you?"

Zhu Yawen teased.

"I have always been upright and open; even if there were, I would refuse, not to mention there aren't any..."

Lin Nan said with conviction.

"No way?"

"Believe it or not." Lin Nan walked away feeling guilty.

The 8th Shanghai International Film Festival opened successfully. Lin Nan didn't pay much attention to it, but Ning Hao excitedly called him back; "Crazy Stone" had been nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay.

"Lin Nan, I think there's a lot of hope; everyone recognizes 'Crazy Stone' very much..."

"Then keep it up, I'll wait for your good news."

Lin Nan took the opportunity to cheer Ning Hao on; everything would have to wait until the closing ceremony for results.

Director Chen Kexin is good at making money; these past few days, he brought the three supporting actresses of "Perhaps Love" to the mainland for an auction, and a large wave of actors flocked to it.

In order to cooperate with a big director and act alongside Takeshi Kaneshiro and Zhou Xun, they spent money without blinking. The final winners were definitely those backed by wealthy patrons.

No matter how the internet mocked Chen Kexin for this operation, a big director is a big director; Lin Nan felt he couldn't match his ability to swallow insults and keep going.

Feng Xiaogang rarely went to the Shanghai International Film Festival, which puzzled Lin Nan. He hadn't seen him go there to join the fun even when he had works, and now that he didn't seem to have a film, what was he doing there?

It wasn't until he saw the news on the web portal that Lin Nan realized Feng Xiaogang was using the opportunity to promote his new film, which was about to start shooting.

It is said that the cast has already been confirmed, inviting back Zhang Ziyi, who has been infinitely glorious in the past two years, to partner with Ge You, Zhou Xun, Daniel Wu, Huang Xiaoming, and others, with plans to start shooting in September.

In front of the cameras, Director Feng was sharp and witty, only saying it was a period drama. When reporters asked if it was a domestic version of Hamlet, he gave no clear answers.

Mr. Wang was much more direct, stating bluntly that this was a major production with a production cost of at least 15 million USD, with no upper limit, vowing to create a blockbuster drama.

Ginger is still spicier when it's old; Lin Nan hadn't even thought that the Shanghai Film Festival was also a platform for promotion.

Ning Hao was very thoughtful; when accepting interviews, he said Lin Nan was busy preparing for the release of "Back to the Dust," which was why he didn't come, and he took the opportunity to promote "Back to the Dust" for Lin Nan.

"Don't say, I was quite moved when I watched the video you helped me promote."

Lin Nan chatted with Ning Hao on the phone and teased him with a smile.

"Haha, I was also inspired by that group from Huayi. They are truly ruthless. I heard they weren't going to come originally, but in the end, they came and even did a promotion—the kind that doesn't cost money."

"We are still too concerned about our reputation."

Lin Nan had to admit this point.

"Right, that sister of yours often says I'm too obsessed with saving face and suffer for it. We still need to learn well from these people, hehe."

With the news of "The Banquet" spreading, Huang Xiaoming has successfully upgraded and entered the big screen.

Little Liu seems to have heard this news too; she hovered in front of Lin Nan several times but just wouldn't speak. Those who didn't know might think the latter had done something bad.

The box office growth of "Shanghai Dreams" was really slow, currently crawling toward three million at a snail's pace.

The "Shanghai Dreams" crew had to find ways to hype it up, planning to auction off multiple souvenirs.

Gao Yuanyuan generously provided the four gowns she wore to the Cannes Film Festival, including the one she wore on the red carpet; the proceeds would be used to build a Shanghai Dreams Elementary School.

By the middle of the month, posters for "Back to the Dust" had begun to appear in the promotional boards of various cinemas, although the main event was still "Initial D."

Lin Nan won the Silver Bear for Best Director for this film; this was an individual award, different in nature from the Jury Grand Prix. He also hoped that the box office would not be affected by "Peacock" and "Shanghai Dreams"—even if it wasn't high, he hoped it wouldn't flop too badly.

…………

Facts proved that Lin Nan was right in what he told Ning Hao; the style of the Shanghai International Film Festival hadn't changed at all. Being able to give you a nomination is the greatest kindness.

On the 19th, the box office of "Shanghai Dreams" was finally nailed at over three million, looking like nearly four million.

"Initial D" was released, and the power of the fans was terrifying; the first-day box office was nearly seven million—one day's box office was twice that of "Shanghai Dreams" for half a month.

That day, the Shanghai International Film Festival closed and held an awards ceremony. Only one domestic film, "Please Give Me a Compliment," won the Jury Special Prize and Best Screenplay.

Zhao Yanzi won Best Actress for "A Time to Love," and all other awards went to foreign films. The biggest winner was the Japanese film "Village Photo Album."

"You were absolutely right."

Ning Hao flew back that night.

"They still favor dramas, suffering and struggle, redemption and satire. The most ridiculous thing is that they even gave some 'Outstanding Contribution Award' to Jackie Chan and Zhang Yimou; it's purely wanting to borrow other people's fame."

Ning Hao felt a bit stifled and angry.

Lin Nan just listened to Ning Hao ramble on for a long time while looking at the data released by the film festival.

"503 films entered, with a transaction volume of less than one billion. The data is indeed a bit ugly; it doesn't even sound like a proper A-list international film festival."

"With this kind of thing, if it doesn't change, it will only get trashier in the future," Ning Hao said indignantly.

"Heh, don't be angry, just wait patiently."

Ning Hao slowed down, then remembered something.

"By the way, looking at how the box office for *Initial D* is rising so rapidly, are you really not worried it will affect *Return to Dust*?"

"It would be a lie to say I'm not worried, but its primary audience is students, so to a certain extent, the impact won't be too obvious."

Theoretically that is the case, and Lin Nan also hopes that no accidents will occur in reality.

Given the subject matter of *Return to Dust*, it cannot be promoted like *Crazy Stone*; at most, it can only accept interview programs, focusing on a serious tone.

In Enlighten's original business, film distribution accounted for a very low proportion, and it could not compare to Bona, which was among the first batch of companies to obtain domestic film distribution rights, but *Crazy Stone* brought vitality to this business for Enlighten.

Regarding interpersonal relationships, those running enterprises are more proficient; for the promotion of *Return to Dust*, Enlighten also helped out through its own promotional channels, a point for which Lin Nan is very grateful.

Industry insiders realized for the first time the help idols provide to film box office, as well as the power of fans.

*Initial D* is growing by several million in box office every day.

According to news obtained by media interviewing several cinemas, nearly ninety percent of the audience are students, and in some screening halls, there are even situations where an entire class of students is present.