Chapter 525

In the domestic film and television industry, the Beijing circle is large and powerful, and it's not just Huayi.

But Huayi is the vanguard of the Beijing circle in the film and television industry, the only large listed company.

Its market value has officially exceeded 45 billion recently!

As for why it was Xu Ke who brought someone to find Zhou Xingchi today, instead of someone else? The reason is still the matter of *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons*.

Because Zhou Xingchi and Huayi had a lawsuit, the two sides had a great grudge, and the latter is a core member of the Beijing circle.

Xu Ke himself has a contract with Huayi for films, namely the *Detective Dee* series, and their relationship has been quite good in recent years.

And Wu Yifan, who has already been recruited by the Beijing circle, wants to get in touch with the top-tier resource of *The Mermaid*.

Then it can only be Xu Ke, a top director who is doing quite well in the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, to act as a middleman and lobbyist.

The most important point is that Wang Zhonglei analyzed that with Zhou Xingchi's love for money, he is very likely not to mind the fact that Wu Yifan is from the Beijing circle.

After all, the Beijing circle is not equal to Huayi, plus Xu Ke's lobbying from the side, it is very likely to let Wu Yifan get the opportunity and successfully get gilded!

Seeing that Zhou Xingchi hadn't agreed yet, Xu Ke waved to his female assistant, "Go, bring them over."

Subsequently, he looked at Zhou Xingchi again, "You see him first, he's a quite handsome young man, not worse than you were back then, haha..."

Hearing this, Zhou Xingchi couldn't help but reveal a smile. Flattery, no one dislikes hearing it, especially about appearance.

Downstairs, Han Jia'nu, Zhang Yuqi, and Deng Chao also saw Wu Yifan, his mother, and the accompanying assistant; besides being a bit surprised, there was nothing else.

Everyone knew in their hearts that this was highly likely to be coming for a role, not for an audition.

Because according to Zhou Xingchi's personality, he generally wouldn't take the initiative to use good-looking new male artists. In his films, the newcomers he finds are either male actors with strange looks or beautiful "Star Girls."

The three of them didn't greet the other party because they weren't familiar.

However, Wu Yifan's mother was quite shrewd; she took the initiative to bring her son to greet the three, especially Han Jia'nu.

After all, Han Sanping's daughter and Lin Nan's junior sister were also big celebrities in the industry.

"Ms. Wu, Xu Dao invites you up."

Xu Ke's assistant shouted from a distance.

"Sigh, alright. Fanfan, hurry up."

The three people about to get in the car looked over subconsciously.

"Xu Dao Ke?"

"Hmm, it's him. I've seen this assistant before at my dad's place; she was right by Xu Dao's side. I didn't expect her to be a mistress."

Han Jia'nu smacked her lips and said with fearless disdain.

Deng Chao and Zhang Yuqi looked at each other; as expected of Chairman Han's daughter, there's no comparison.

……

Upstairs, Wu Yifan's biological mother had a fawning smile, introducing her son's "excellence" to Zhou Xingchi.

Debuted as the leader of the EXO-M team, fans all over Southeast Asia, obedient since childhood, trainee debut, can endure hardship...

In Zhou Xingchi's eyes, the woman in front of him seemed to be selling a commodity.

However, it could be heard that this commodity did have some value and could attract many "young fans" to transform into audience members and movie fans.

"Can he act? How is his acting?" Zhou Xingchi asked.

But as soon as he asked this, he regretted it; how could he possibly have acting skills!

"Acting? Everyone outside is saying that newcomers who are not from professional backgrounds can also turn decay into magic in your hands. Just train him; tailor-make a cameo role, a few minutes of footage, it should be very simple, and he doesn't need a salary..."

Xu Ke said good things at the right time; he would also make a cameo appearance in *The Mermaid*.

Wu's mother didn't say a word, a bit embarrassed, but the smile on her face didn't stop.

"The two of you can go back; I'll consider it and give Xu Dao an answer later."

Zhou Xingchi's cold voice made Wu's mother's smile stiffen, but she instantly covered it up and nodded with a smile:

"Okay, then Director Zhou, Xu Dao, I'll take Fanfan and go first..."

Pulling her slow-reacting son, Wu's mother left the room.

"This Ms. Wu has a strong desire for control and is very shrewd; this Wu Yifan is a bit, how to describe it, like a puppet... that's not accurate either, like a..."

In just over ten minutes, Zhou Xingchi used his professional knowledge as an actor and director to profile Wu Yifan and his mother.

"Haha, his mother is his manager, so it's understandable that her desire for control is strong; after all, he grew up in a single-parent family."

Xu Ke tried to use "single-parent family" to win Zhou Xingchi's empathy, but the latter still shook his head.

"Is it not possible?"

Xu Ke asked in disbelief. In his view, Zhou Xingchi would definitely not refuse him! But why did he shake his head?

"Xu Dao, it's not that it's not possible. If you brought someone to audition, even if I were off work or resting, I would let him audition.

But you want me to give him a role directly, give a role to someone with no acting skills, and even tailor-make a role. Even if it's just a few minutes of footage, I have to discuss it with the other investors.

China Film Group, Lin Nan Film Industry, and Shanghai Film Group promised not to interfere with casting, but not this kind of non-interference. This is modifying the script!"

Zhou Xingchi actually wanted to agree to Xu Ke; he would accept any method that helped the box office.

But the contract was written clearly; if the film wanted to stuff someone in or change the script, it had to obtain the consent of more than half of the investors.

"Then, just ask for their opinions. I think they probably won't object." Xu Ke said as such.

…………

Lin Nan was really feasting his eyes; many dresses and skirts that Liu Yifei didn't usually wear were tried on one by one today, which was very pleasing to the eye.

As for which one she chose to wear at tomorrow's engagement banquet, she actually kept it a secret from Lin Nan. Fine, keep it a secret then.

After three o'clock in the afternoon, the school called.

The registration time for the new academic year at the Beijing Film Academy was August 30th, and Lin Nan's information would be posted on the school's official website on the morning of September 1st. At the same time, that day was also the opening ceremony.

The Film Academy's meaning was to let Lin Nan attend the opening ceremony together, and speak as an outstanding alumnus, graduate, international top director, and associate professor.

This was giving him enough substance and face; Lin Nan was embarrassed to refuse, so he nodded and agreed.

Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang were walking the dog on the lawn; Lin Nan just wanted to go over, but the phone rang.

"Zhou Xingchi? Is it about casting or the open auditions?"

He muttered to himself and answered the phone: "Director Zhou? Is the casting over or is the open audition reaching the finals?"

Zhou Xingchi had greeted him before, asking to invite Lin Nan, La Peikang, and others to observe the finals.

"Haha, Lin Dao. The finals of the open auditions are on the 16th of next month. When the time comes, Lin Dao, remember to save time to come over."

"Hmm, no problem."

"There is one more thing; Xu Dao Ke recommended a very popular artist to me, hoping for a cameo of a few minutes; the help to the film's box office will definitely be very great... I'm here to consult Lin Dao's opinion, and later there will be opinions from China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group."

"Recommended?"

Lin Nan instantly thought of a few other words: "stuffing someone in," "gilding"!

"Who is the person recommended?"

"They said he returned from South Korea, a very popular idol artist named Wu Yifan. I just had someone check, and he is indeed very popular, with many young fans."

Damn, hearing the name reported by Zhou Xingchi, Lin Nan almost cursed; this group of people in the Beijing circle really spared no effort!

Agree? Nonsense, Lin Nan definitely wouldn't agree!

He invested 30%, so why should he let people from the Beijing circle go and get gilded?

"Director Zhou, I think an artist who debuted as a trainee should have no acting skills, right?

So I hold an opposing opinion. Or do you think he is gifted and a natural actor? Hmm, like Xun-ge'er."

Lin Nan refused tactfully, but his tone was very firm.

"Then... then, Lin Dao is sure that's what you mean, you oppose it?"

"Hmm, I oppose it."

"Okay, I'll go ask China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group, and see what their opinions are."

Hearing this, Lin Nan knew that Zhou Xingchi wanted to keep Wu Yifan in his heart.

"Director Zhou, when you talk to Chairman La, please convey my opinion and attitude to him." Lin Nan instructed.

Although Zhou Xingchi didn't understand what Lin Nan meant for a while, he still agreed, "Hmm, I will."

Lin Nan was very confident; he still had an understanding of La Peikang, and the latter's relationship with him was also very good, belonging to his own people.

But compared to Han Sanping, La Peikang was not decisive enough, not bold enough, not domineering enough, and lacked aggressiveness.

But there are gains and losses; compared to Han Sanping, La Peikang was more cautious, and the most critical thing was that he could listen to Lin Nan's suggestions and opinions.

Unlike Chairman Han, who would still rush forward when Lin Nan said *The Crossing* was trash; say *Man of Tai Chi* wouldn't work, he would still do it... Lin Nan brought the box office that China Film Group earned in the front, and he could lose it in the back, and never tire of it!

……

Bewildered!

Zhou Xingchi was bewildered, and Xu Ke on the side was also bewildered.

After Shanghai Film Group agreed, Zhou Xingchi called La Peikang, and both were very confident.

But everything was going well before, until Chairman La heard Zhou Xingchi say that Lin Nan opposed it, he hesitated for three seconds, and immediately opposed it, and it was the kind that couldn't be discussed!

"How much share do the two of them have combined?" Xu Ke subconsciously asked Zhou Xingchi.

"50%."

Xu Ke was silent. Stuffing Wu Yifan into *The Mermaid* crew, logically speaking, was a very small matter.

But on this small matter, La Peikang actually chose to take a side and follow Lin Nan?!

So now the goal is to handle Lin Nan? Is it possible? I'm afraid it's very difficult!

Because everyone in the industry knows that Lin Nan is the type who is both easy to talk to and very difficult to talk to.

If the relationship with you is good, anything is fine, and stuffing people into his films is no problem.

But if the conversation is not speculative, you are not familiar, or you already have an attitude, then it is really difficult to handle.

In this situation, Lin Nan doesn't give face to anyone, but he just happens to have this confidence and strength!

"Xu Dao, let's leave it at that. I can be considered a late bloomer, knowing why Lin Dao asked me to convey his meaning to Chairman La."

Zhou Xingchi shook his head lightly. Just an idol artist who debuted as a trainee, even if he is popular, he is just an artist; can he be mentioned in the same breath as Lin Nan Film Industry and China Film Group?

"Then, okay. You rest, I'll go back first."

"Hmm."

……

"He didn't agree? Does he know it was Huayi's idea?" Wang Zhonglei asked.

"No, it was Lin Dao and China Film Group who opposed it."

The atmosphere instantly quieted down; a moment later, Wang Zhonglei said in a low voice: "Okay, thank you, Xu Dao."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Zhonglei instantly lost his good complexion.

"Calculated everything, but didn't calculate that it was Lin Nan and China Film Group who went wrong. China Film Group? How could Chairman La pay attention to these small things?"

"Since it didn't succeed, let him come back. Meet Guan Hu; *Mr. Six* is about to be initiated."

…………

Ever since so many relatives moved into the two villas, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei suddenly became much more honest.

At night, they were all using their phones for video chats, which was really uncomfortable.

"After the engagement banquet tomorrow, I guess all the elders won't stay for long; by then..."

"Hey, what kind of messy things are you thinking about again, you dirty person."

Across the screen, Liu Yifei said unhappily; fortunately, Watching Shu Chang was taking a shower and wasn't nearby.

"I wasn't thinking about anything, just that the clothes you tried on this afternoon were very beautiful; wear them for me to see one day. Hmm, preferably at night..."

"Dream on... I'll see how you perform tomorrow."

…………

(End of chapter)