Chapter 523

In the afternoon, Lin Nan held several red envelopes in his hands, feeling a bit bewildered.

He had only greeted his grandmother, grandfather, aunt... one by one, so why were there red envelopes? Were they prepared in advance?

"Since the art exam in 2002, it's been so many years, and this is the first time I've received red envelopes from elders!"

Lin Nan couldn't help but reveal a smile, which made Liu Yifei, standing to the side, laugh.

"Hurry and open them to see how much is inside!" she urged, reaching out to grab them.

"Hey, hey, hey, they're for me."

"What do you mean? If it weren't for me, how could they possibly give them to you? Besides, when I went back with you, they didn't give me any red envelopes. You even called me slow behind my back, not knowing about this custom!"

Liu Yifei pouted, arms crossed, looking like someone who holds a grudge.

Lin Nan widened his eyes, looking at Miss Liu.

That year, Watching Watching Lao Lin blamed Lin Nan for bringing Liu Yifei home without giving him a heads-up, which was why he hadn't prepared any red envelopes.

He remembered that Lin Nan had told Watching Watching Lao Lin exactly that—that Liu Yifei was a bit slow and didn't know about such etiquette.

Well, it turns out Lin Nan was the slow one!

"Miss Liu has great hearing and a great memory; you know quite a lot of customs!"

After flattering her, Lin Nan suddenly felt something was wrong:

"Since I received the red envelopes, why do I feel like I'm the one marrying you? Only a new bride gets a welcoming gift..."

Liu Yifei couldn't help but laugh, leaning on Lin Nan, laughing until she had no strength left: "Hahaha... that works too. I'll marry you, and you can just be the one marrying into the family."

Just as Lin Nan was speechless, Liu Yifei quickly snatched the three red envelopes from his hands.

"Wow, there's several hundred here!"

Liu Yifei feigned surprise and jealousy as she looked at Lin Nan, then immediately tried to stuff the red envelopes into her pocket.

She felt her pants pockets several times but couldn't find them; she looked down and realized, well, she was wearing a dress!

Lin Nan just smiled and watched Miss Liu perform, without reminding her.

To him, the red envelopes given by elders had a different meaning.

These few hundred were more valuable than adding a "ten thousand" behind them. And wasn't everything he owned Liu Yifei's anyway?

…………

The Hundred Flowers Awards announced its nomination list, which was roughly the same as last year's Golden Rooster Awards, and didn't attract much attention.

Instead, the wrap-up ceremony for Xu Jinglei's film, *Somewhere Only We Know*, was being hyped up online.

It was rare to see the talented Xu praise a man so much; she practically praised Wu Yifan to the heavens, almost saying he was handsome and good at his craft!

It's no wonder the paparazzi always report their tawdry news, because it seems there might be some truth to it. Female directors, after all, sometimes know how to play the game.

Lin Nan went to China Film Group specifically in the afternoon because La Peikang was looking for him.

However, while there, he ran into that eyesore Lu Chuan again, who had Zhang Zhao by his side.

"Did he defect to LeTV? Or was he recruited by Boss Jia?"

Lin Nan muttered to himself; in any case, both were "experts," birds of a feather.

"Lin Dao, Lin Dao, wait a moment."

After passing by from a distance, not five or six seconds later, a shout came from behind; it was Zhang Zhao from LeTV.

He had a smile on his face as he ran up to Lin Nan, while that guy Lu Chuan stayed where he was, glanced over once, and then looked in another direction.

"President Zhang, is there something you need?"

"Haha, first, congratulations to Lin Dao on your engagement the day after tomorrow. It's like this: I'd like to inquire if there's any possibility of selling the copyright to the *Ghost Blows Out the Light* series from your company? Even individual story chapters would be fine."

Hearing this, Lin Nan was amused. He glanced at the guy in the distance, then looked at Zhang Zhao.

"President Zhang, this is a major IP; do you think I would sell it?"

"Lin Dao, everything has a price; it's just a matter of whether the money offered is enough."

Lin Nan didn't refute this, "But my answer remains the same: not for sale."

Zhang Zhao was choked up by Lin Nan's words; how could he be so impervious to reason?

"Lin Dao, we can use a combination of cash and stock to purchase it at a premium... Lin Dao?"

"President Zhang, I have other things to do, let's not chat anymore."

Lin Nan raised his hand and waved to the people behind him.

He muttered under his breath: "Stocks? Still trying to take advantage of me? I'm not Director Zhang..."

……

"On the morning of the 28th, come to China Film Group first, and we'll set off together."

After pouring himself a cup of tea, La Peikang handed the teapot to Lin Nan.

"I feel like I'm suffering an unprovoked disaster. I was the one who suggested the ban, but Chairman Ren didn't consider my position at all.

If it were just Jackie Chan alone, I would have politely declined over the phone, and he would have understood my meaning. But once Chairman Ren spoke up, what could I do? I can't afford to offend Shanghai Film Group!

I'll just consider it as completely repaying the last bit of sentiment from *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* to Shanghai Film Group; it's settled."

Lin Nan said self-deprecatingly; he was also angry inside.

In the past, it was Han Sanping and the others who pushed Shanghai Film Group out and wouldn't let them co-invest in Lin Nan's films; from now on, there would be no need for China Film Group, Enlight Media, and Wanda to speak up...

"Xi'an Film Studio called me; the matter Chairman Ren mentioned to you, he also approached them."

Lin Nan widened his eyes. Damn, are they forming cliques to "force the palace"?

La Peikang put down his teacup and sneered:

"What Chairman Han said about Ren Zhonglun in the past is absolutely right!

After staying in Shanghai for too long, his thinking is different from the rest of us. It's all about capital and interests; everything can be traded!"

Lin Nan didn't respond to this; he was thinking about the Xi'an Film Studio matter. Xi'an Film Studio calling La Peikang, what did that mean? Were they the same as him?

"Chairman La, what's the situation with Xi'an Film Studio?"

"Xi'an Film Studio will remain silent when they put forward their opinions. Because Shanghai Film Group promised to give them a batch of imported equipment, eight-tenths new..."

Lin Nan had nothing to say to this. Xi'an Film Studio doing such a thing isn't shameful; after all, they are poor!

Being able to tip them off is already a sign of their stance! After all, during the assembly, they also supported China Film Group.

"When the time comes, you don't need to say a word; just leave it to me."

Lin Nan nodded. The leader must have the backbone of China Film Group!

"By the way, how is *Pacific Rim 2* coming along? It's been two and a half years since the first one left theaters."

La Peikang suddenly brought up *Pacific Rim*; Lin Nan knew he wanted political achievements.

"The script hasn't been written yet; my plan is to initiate and start filming within this year or next, using the designs from our first one..."

La Peikang nodded, "Hmm, good, I'll wait for your news. Also, China Film Group is negotiating a film, a major production.

In about a month, the script will be ready. When the time comes, you come and take a look; I think it would be better if you were the director."

Hearing this, Lin Nan nodded subconsciously. If the script was really good, he probably wouldn't refuse.

……

Watching Shu Chang came over a day early to find Liu Yifei and stayed over as well.

Lin Nan, meanwhile, was racing against time to greet Zhu Yawen, Luo Jin, and others one by one, especially Tian Zhuangzhuang.

Because Lin Nan didn't have many relatives here, it was originally just father and son, and the rest of the relatives were those with very distant blood ties; after all, it was a single-line inheritance for three generations!

Those uncles and such from his hometown were counted from his great-grandfather's generation, and Watching Watching Lao Lin never thought of inviting them.

Because they were always freeloading, ever since Watching Watching Lao Lin opened his restaurant, they would come to freeload every few days, until Watching Watching Lao Lin completely settled in the provincial capital.

"There are more and more 'media vehicles' outside the residential complex; Chang Chang was quite startled when she came over."

Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang ran into the garden and sat down opposite Lin Nan.

"Although we don't have many people and Fangfei Garden is very large, I have arranged security; no reporters will be able to sneak in."

Lin Nan said to Liu Yifei with certainty, then glanced at Watching Shu Chang, who was distracted nearby, "Chang Chang, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing..."

"Her little cousin wants to come back to act, and her family is asking her for help." Liu Yifei took the fruit plate from in front of Lin Nan and interrupted Watching Shu Chang's words.

Watching Shu Chang, like Liu Yifei, had a studio and company that only served herself.

Although she stood firmly in the first tier under the care of Lin Nan and Liu Yifei, it wasn't that easy to ask for resources for others outside.

"She has no blood relation to you, and even less to me and Xixi. You can't just let them keep sucking your blood all these years, right?"

Lin Nan moved his gaze away from the laptop screen and persuaded her earnestly.

Watching Shu Chang raised her head but didn't speak. Her personality wasn't as strong as Liu Yifei's; she was even a bit submissive, just stubborn.

"Don't worry about it. If you want to develop in the industry, rely on yourself. Just say you can't help; you yourself relied on others' help!" After Lin Nan finished speaking, he continued writing his email.

"Oh."

"Say it louder!" Liu Yifei said with a smile.

"You're bullying me too... I'll fight you..."

…………

The focus of the mainland film and television industry had already shifted to Venice.

Films that had been released and those that hadn't yet, as long as the copyright hadn't been sold, all went to Venice.

Even that guy Ning Hao took *Breakup Buddies* and ran over there.

In the promotional poster photo that this guy sent to Lin Nan, the "Producer" column was the most eye-catching; those who didn't know might think Golden Lion director Lin Nan was the director of this film.

The overseas call came back, and he was also showing off: "Your name sells quite well. I've only been here for a day, and I've only been in the exhibition area for one afternoon, and distributors are already making offers! And they are specifically naming your name!"

Lin Nan was speechless when he heard this, "If you can't sell it for 20 million dollars, don't come back. You're ruining my reputation!"

"Hehe, then I have to try and see if I can sell it for 20 million USD. If I really sell it, I'll give you a big share when I get back; for my future films, I'll look for you..."

"A big share is expected; the latter part requires extra payment, an additional signature fee!"

"Haha, deal."

Many people in the film and television industry were paying attention to the news about Lin Nan and Liu Yifei; a top director getting engaged was no small matter in the industry.

This meant that from now on, Liu Yifei was completely tied to Lin Nan, a top-tier capital "Big Flower" in the true sense!

"Is there still more than a day, Brother Lin Nan..." someone whispered softly.

"Get ready, we start filming in half an hour."

…………

(End of chapter)