Chapter 532: A Roundabout Way to Save the Nation, Jing Tian

With the Venice International Film Festival drawing to a smooth close, large groups of Chinese filmmakers returned home in droves, having come away empty-handed.

Whether it was Wang Wang Xiaoshuai's "Red Amnesia" in the main competition, Chen Chen Kexin's "Dearest" in the screening section, or Ann Hui's "The Golden Era."

The outcome for all these films was the same — they came back with absolutely nothing!

Of course, that excluded the stars who had gone to walk the red carpet and churn out press releases. Their "work duties" had been completed brilliantly and well ahead of schedule.

Though compared to their predecessors among the big-name actresses, they still lacked a fair bit of "polish."

But every one of them struck the pose of a pupil determined to outshine the master, brimming with confidence that sooner or later they would surpass their predecessors!

Meanwhile, the film companies and crews that had rushed off to Venice to peddle film rights returned home still upholding their fine tradition of "keeping a low profile."

They kept their mouths tightly shut about exactly how much money they had made, and their answer to the media was forever the same, unchanging line: the rights had sold like hotcakes!

And if reporters kept pressing for the nitty-gritty, the reply was: trade secret, no comment.

"Looking at it this way, it seems like only I, openly and candidly, revealed the licensing deal price for 'Breakup Buddies'! Are they all just unable to stand the light of day?"

Ning Hao said with a playful expression, his words clearly pointed.

"Pretty much. Once you've done the international festival circuit a few times, you'll get the hang of it. This has been the unspoken rule of the industry for ages — don't expose it. Ha ha…"

"Showing off again, are we?

Hm? Wait, that's not right. Why is 'Gone with the Bullets' keeping quiet too? Knowing Jiang Wen's personality, he wouldn't be this low-key — unless it sold for a high…"

Ning Hao's voice cut off abruptly, his eyes widening as he stared at Lin Nan across the dining table.

"Don't look at me like that — I don't know a thing."

Lin Nan turned the dish Liu Liu Yifei wanted to eat in front of her, then graciously accepted Miss Liu's hand-feeding.

"All right, all right, we're in public — please stop the PDA, you're giving me goosebumps," Ning Hao grumbled, thoroughly annoyed.

"Na-Zhou Jie, does Director Ning always get this 'irritable' with you these days? Has the love gone cold? Is there someone else? Have you checked his phone… and his spending records…"

Liu Liu Yifei's red lips parted slightly as she rattled on and on without end, finally wearing a triumphant, mischievous grin on her face, and she gave Lin Nan a playful wink.

Meanwhile, Xing Aina was already glaring daggers at Ning Hao, who was trembling and on the verge of tears, glaring helplessly at Liu Liu Yifei and Lin Nan.

Director Ning's weak spot had long been an open "secret" in their little circle — he was growing increasingly henpecked… a woman showing signs of menopause was simply terrifying!

Today, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei hadn't come specifically to eat — they were just passing by.

That morning, the two of them had gone together to the relevant department to inquire about the procedures for handling a certain matter and roughly how long it would take.

All they could say was that applying for and processing this matter was indeed not difficult, but the waiting time in between was genuinely a bit long.

According to the relevant department:

To come back, it required a minimum of 18 months and a maximum of 30 months of review, assessment, and waiting before there would be any result.

However, that result could basically be confirmed as the one Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei were hoping to see.

Undeniably, this was good news.

But the one fly in the ointment was that time wouldn't allow it. Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei were getting married and holding their wedding next year!

So Director Lin had come up with another, more time-saving, roundabout way of achieving the goal… and the only price was a favor owed.

The capitalist social system was a bit easier to work with!

…………

On the 8th, the imported films gained yet another fierce warrior.

The film "Divergent," in which Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet played a villain for the first time, was officially released.

Plenty of domestic moviegoers rushed to the cinema and bought tickets just to see the former "Rose," making life even harder for the already-struggling domestic films.

Lin Nan likewise accompanied Liu Liu Yifei to show his support, though he found the film rather "trashy" — a "sci-fi blockbuster" that tasted like chewing cardboard.

It was a complete waste of the original novel's "dystopian" setting and the "dream-within-a-dream" storyline reminiscent of "Inception."

A perfectly good sci-fi classic had been forcibly turned into a popcorn movie — and a rather shoddy one at that. What a pity!

Yue Jun's prediction had been spot-on: on Lin Nan's birthday, Shiyue Culture completed its ownership change.

At the same time, media reporters, with their dog-like noses and ability to penetrate everywhere, swiftly dug deep and reported the matter.

"Tiangong Color Vision Technology Co., Ltd., under Director Lin Nan, has completed the 100% equity acquisition of the animation production company Shiyue Culture."

"It is reported that Shiyue Culture will operate independently as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tiangong Color…"

"Shiyue Culture's existing animated feature project 'Monkey King: Hero Is Back' is nearing completion, fully funded by Lin Nan Pictures…"

……

The entertainment industry was abuzz.

In the first half of the year, he had invested in and taken a stake in Happy Happy Mahua; in the second half, he had wholly acquired Shiyue Culture!

Although both companies were small, the vast majority of peers in the film and television production industry were still stunned by Lin Nan's moves — what was he trying to do?

Apart from curiosity, the loudest voice in the industry was that of mockery aimed at Lin Nan!

"First he propped up a stage-play company to make movies, then he bought an animation company specifically to make animated films! Are these two deals really going to make money? Has something gone wrong in his head? Ha ha, just kidding…"

"Let's not even mention the first one — as for animated films, is Lin Nan planning to make something like 'Boonie Bears,' or 'Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf'? Otherwise, how does he plan to make money? And 'Hero Is Back'? Even if it comes back, it's still just a monkey!"

"We still have to understand and support Lin Nan — after all, he's willing to do this kind of money-losing, reputation-only business. I can only wish him bigger losses and more experience. Ha ha…"

……

Liu Liu Yifei walked up to Lin Nan with a tablet in hand, her face cold and expressionless.

In the past, when faced with rumors and cyberbullying, she had always been able to ignore them, block them out, and redeem herself — but she could not allow others to speak about Lin Nan like that.

Looking at the puffed-up, indignant Liu Liu Qianqian, Lin Nan really couldn't resist wanting to squish her cheeks.

"Don't pay them any mind. Every single one of them wants to curse me and hex me, but doesn't dare say it outright, so they wrap it up in a joking tone — like a bunch of jokes.

Once these two films are released next year, these people will know who the real clown is. Besides, haven't the netizens' reviews been great? Everyone's supportive…"

Hearing Lin Nan say this, Liu Liu Yifei pouted, decisively kicked off her slippers, and snuggled up against Lin Nan on the sofa.

"I need to post a Weibo, using your account."

Lin Nan gently stroked her long hair with one hand and said with a smile, "Please, make yourself at home."

In less than five minutes, "Lin Nan"'s Weibo post was updated:

"'The Monkey King Returns' is expected to be completed by the end of the year. It will tell the industry what a true animated blockbuster is! And who, then, is that clown? 'The Disappearance of Xia Luo' is the same..."

Lin Nan glanced at it and couldn't help but laugh, "Liu Qianqian, you've just set a military pledge for me?"

Liu Liu Yifei raised her head slightly, gave a beautiful eye roll, then smiled like a blooming flower and said with a tsundere tone, "Princess Liu Qianqian believes in you, especially your taste!"

"Just like... just like I found a girlfriend, a fiancée, whose name is Liu Liu Yifei?"

"Mm-hmm, you should just secretly be happy, hehe..."

At this moment, Liu Liu Yifei, besides her domineering aura, also had a cute innocence, simply mesmerizing.

Chuzhou Great Wall Film and Television Base.

Lu Zheng rushed out from the capital early in the morning and finally arrived at the set of "The Legend of Daxiao" before 11 o'clock noon.

At this time, in the simulated Ming and Qing Dynasty Qianqing Palace hall, Jing Tian, wearing a Manchu headdress and a bright yellow court robe, was rehearsing with Geng Le under the director's instruction.

By this point in the TV series, the Daxiao she portrayed was no longer a Ziwei Gege of Horqin, but the Empress Dowager.

And Jing Tian was also striving to play this role well, her own leading female role.

Seven or eight meters outside the camera crew, outside the palace gate, the producer accompanied the newly arrived Lu Zheng, watching the filming inside together.

"President Lu, you can rest assured. Tiantian is doing very well on set; no one with bad eyesight would dare to bully her."

"Thank you, President Zhao, for your care. However, I rushed over in a hurry today because I want to know if this drama can be successfully wrapped up before the end of the month.

There is also another matter; I would like to take Tiantian back for a while. I wonder if the production team can adjust the shooting order of the scenes to free up some time?"

Hearing Lu Zheng's words, the producer, who was also the deputy general manager of Great Wall Film and Television, paused for a moment and replied:

"Then we'll have to wait until the cameras stop rolling at noon to see what the director says. I imagine there shouldn't be any major problems."

"Mm, that would be best."

Approaching noon, as the director shouted "Cut," all the key crew members instantly relaxed.

At this moment, many actors noticed Lu Zheng and the producer walking over from a short distance away:

"Tiantian, go remove your makeup now, then bring your assistant over to find us."

Although confused, Jing Tian did not ask for the reason and immediately nodded, "Okay, Uncle Lu."

The producer was also whispering something with the director on the side, and immediately the group headed towards the rest area.

"Removing makeup? So mysterious, could it be for an audition or to meet a director?"

"Sigh, comparing people makes one die of shame; comparing goods makes one throw them away!"

"We can't even compare. Tiantian debuted in a music video directed by Ning Hao, and then in a film by Director Lin..."

"Alright, aren't you hungry? Let's go..."

Teacher Hui Hui Yinghong said jokingly, and the group of young actors changed the topic, walking together towards the dining area.

After one o'clock in the afternoon, while the set was still on break, Jing Tian had already taken her assistant and followed Lu Zheng onto the return vehicle.

In the car, Lu Zheng chattered on about the real reason for taking Jing Tian back this time.

"China Film and Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures are preparing a co-produced blockbuster. The specific situation and how far the progress has gone are currently unknown.

This news is currently under strict confidentiality; almost no one in the circle knows. I heard it from your elders, and this time I am taking you to China Film..."

Jing Tian's pair of black, big eyes were watery and very clear and beautiful.

By now, she had clearly understood the meaning in Lu Zheng's words; she had a chance to "compete" for the female lead, the heroine!

"Since it is such a huge production, then... who is the director?"

Jing Tian asked hesitantly, her voice gradually lowering.

Many images of famous domestic and foreign directors flashed through her mind; most were blurry... some were clear, and exceptionally clear—their voices, smiles, tones, expressions...

"It hasn't been decided yet!"

After a long while, Lu Zheng spat out four words, then helplessly shook his head.

Inside the car, silence fell.

Entertainment news always allows netizens to "talk with great interest" after meals and tea.

On a new day, the verdicts for the two big shots' children in the circle were announced simultaneously.

Besides those in the circle offering comfort and encouragement, the vast majority of ordinary people and netizens felt the sentencing was a bit too light.

The law clearly states that harboring others should result in a prison term of under three years, and as public figures, they should set an example and be handled strictly.

Yet these two both received the minimum standard—six months imprisonment, and the time was calculated starting from the day after they were caught.

That's impressive; they can actually go back to celebrate the Lunar New Year a few days before New Year's Eve, truly a case of "going easy on them."

I heard Crown Prince Long has already made arrangements for after he goes in: reading, writing scripts, plus composing songs. Mm, he shouldn't get tired!

"It was rejected?"

Hearing this news, Lin Nan instinctively smiled.

This guy Jiang Wen, I don't know if he's too arrogant or just has an explosion of confidence?

A few days ago, he really went to the General Administration and submitted a written application.

He recommended himself to the higher-ups, asking for his "One Step Beyond" to represent the mainland in the competition for this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

More than a week passed, and today the General Administration gave a clear response—rejection!

"The news is already out online. Director Jiang said at the time with great assurance that he could at least get nominated. Many people working at the General Administration saw him blocking Director Tong, patting his chest."

"Hahaha, his skin is thick, he's not afraid of being laughed at. Sigh, by the way, which movie was selected?"

At this point, Lin Nan asked curiously.

He saw that Yue Jun's expression was a bit speechless:

"I don't know what the higher-ups are thinking either—this time they actually let a Sino-French co-production represent the mainland in the competition. Even if it gets incredibly lucky and really wins, there's a lot of padding in it!"

"Teacher Li Li Baotian's 'The Nightingale'?" Lin Nan had an impression of it.

"Mm, that's right."

"This is most likely a kind of 'hiring outside help,' haha…"

Lin Nan said with a soft laugh—the higher-ups still hadn't given up on this piece of political achievement they hadn't yet gotten their hands on!

Not long after chatting with Yue Jun and Director Lu Yang at Tiangong Color, Liu Liu Yifei's phone call came through.

"Lin Nan, someone's looking for you—the invitation cards have even been delivered to the house…"

Miss Liu said concisely. Lin Nan understood, though he was still a bit puzzled:

"It's only mid-September! I remember the registration every year doesn't start until late October or early November? Why so early this year, and I haven't heard any news about it?

Alright, I'll head back later. By the way, what do you want for lunch, I'll pick it up on the way… Alright then, whatever Mom makes I'll eat, I'm not picky…"

…………