[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-that-year-in-huayu":3,"chapter-that-year-in-huayu-that-year-in-huayu-chapter-54":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","That Year in Huayu",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2286890,4473,"Chapter 54: Revealing the Project","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-54",54,"\u003Cp>\"Is the way you're collaborating this time different from *Dead Silence*?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yawen asked tentatively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right, didn't I say? I have a portion of the investment stake. They plan to make it a 3D film, and I don't want to put up that much money by myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I don't think box office or copyright earnings will be an issue, the production cycle is what it is. I don't want to shoulder that risk alone, so I'm planning to find a few companies to share the burden. They should be flocking to it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I shouldn't have heard this. If I accidentally let it slip, things are going to get lively,\" Zhu Yawen said with a wry smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"New Line will announce this later on, so everyone will know then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, you could 'accidentally' let it slip to Huayi,\" Lin Nan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let it slip to Mr. Wang, and 'accidentally'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yawen wore a puzzled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan nodded. \"It's an eighteen-million-dollar investment stake. It needs to be known by a few big companies so I can manage the deal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this number, Zhu Yawen nearly choked on a bite of food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's a huge amount of money, and it's only a portion? What's the total investment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan made a gesture, and Zhu Yawen fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're making me so jealous. This must be an A-list production, right? I wonder which actress will be able to land the role you have in your hands?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhu Yawen spoke, he glanced at Lin Nan, smiling somewhat mischievously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's between a top-tier B-list production and a standard A-list one, but New Line is a subsidiary of Time Warner, and that in itself is a great selling point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that Time Warner, as in Warner Bros. Pictures?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure you really want me to leak this to Mr. Wang and the others? I'm afraid you won't have any peace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yawen confirmed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, Zhu Yawen dropped Lin Nan off at the company and then drove away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The boss is back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The profit-sharing for *Crazy Stone* had recently come through. The finance staff were busy as bees, but they didn't feel tired at all; this concerned their year-end bonuses, and everyone was highly motivated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan checked the current figures for *Return to Dust*; the box office was around seven million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a film of this type, having achieved this result after nine days in theaters was already better than many similar films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to *Peacock* at the beginning of the year or *Shanghai Dreams* last month, this result was much better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was reflecting on this, his phone vibrated. It was Liu Yifei. Lin Nan had only told two people about his return flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just had a meal with Lao Zhu, and I'm at the company now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young lady was just calling to check in; there was nothing serious, and she still had to continue her dance practice later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spending some time with the staff at the company, a call came in from Mr. Han of China Film Group. The news traveled fast; without a doubt, he had been photographed at the airport, and it could only have been Zhu Yawen who exposed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Nan, you're being so sneaky coming back. If my people hadn't seen the gossip news, I wouldn't even have known you were back today. If you're not busy, come over here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Han, you're joking. I was just about to head over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the call ended, Lin Nan opened the office computer to check the web portals. Among a pile of entertainment news, there were indeed photos of him and Zhu Yawen at the airport. He had been well-disguised, but Lao Zhu had only worn sunglasses and was exposed, making it easy to guess who the person picking him up was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan had to go to China Film Group. Regarding *Journey to the Center of the Earth*, China Film Group was definitely going to have a share. They held the import rights for foreign films—the only import rights—and Shanghai Film Group could only stare in envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being dropped off at China Film Group by his company staff, many people recognized Lin Nan. They greeted him and brought up *Dead Silence*, openly stating that its North American box office was impressive and congratulating Lin Nan on successfully breaking through in Hollywood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting face-to-face with Han Sanping, they had to discuss the current situation of *Return to Dust*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The box office can only go so far now. The audience and industry reviews are both very good, and the very few dissenting voices won't cause any waves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's fine as it is. It's definitely no problem to reach ten million before it leaves theaters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan paused to collect his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Han, I wonder how much of the group's quota for foreign film investment is left this year? Or rather, how strict is the vetting for investing in foreign films?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan looked at Han Sanping, waiting for his reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Han Sanping across from him instantly perked up. Lin Nan had spent nearly two weeks across the ocean and had only just returned to the country this morning. After meeting him, he asked such a question—could it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have a project?\" Han Sanping's eyes were bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, I knew I couldn't hide it from you, Mr. Han.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me quickly, what is the project?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having confirmed his guess, Han Sanping became somewhat impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've negotiated a film with New Line Cinema...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The New Line that did *Rush Hour*?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping interrupted Lin Nan to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's the one. The film we negotiated is an adaptation of a science fiction novel. I had previously acquired the rights, and they took a liking to the adapted script. After the success of *Dead Silence*, I anticipated that independent film companies would come looking for me, and they were the first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are the specifics?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A 3D sci-fi film with an initial budget of sixty million dollars. I have a thirty percent investment stake, but I can't come up with that much money all at once, so I came to you, Mr. Han,\" Lin Nan said, playing the victim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping was somewhat excited. He clenched his right fist and slammed it onto the desk, making a thudding sound. \"Are you sure it's a good project?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan nodded with a smile and said, \"Who would dare guarantee that? But the novel is very good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping just wanted a definitive answer from Lin Nan. For a film with this kind of budget, Hollywood's experience was far richer than that of domestic film companies; he was internally convinced of its profitability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Nan, China Film Group can take the whole eighteen million.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping said aggressively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was Lin Nan's turn to gasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Han, doesn't the group need to hold a meeting? Besides, I can't give it all to China Film Group! I need to keep some for myself, and I'm planning to find a few other companies to join in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping was taken aback and looked displeased. \"China Film Group is enough. Who else are you looking for? Who has the qualifications?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides China Film Group, I'd like to invite Shanghai Film Group, and ideally one or two private film companies,\" Lin Nan said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You certainly are thoughtful,\" Han Sanping said with a huff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's mainly because I want to earn some hard-earned money,\" Lin Nan said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping understood what Lin Nan meant. He wanted to sell a portion of the investment stake at a premium, and the only targets could be those leading private companies in the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So after all that talk, China Film Group might only end up with a fraction of that eighteen million,\" Han Sanping said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Han, why don't you and the group hold a meeting to discuss this first?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a company like China Film Group, it wasn't so simple to just put up money, especially for an overseas film, which involved more paperwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan was prepared; if China Film Group didn't invest, it wouldn't be bad news. He was familiar with this script, and Shanghai Film Group shouldn't drop the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, we'll hold a meeting first. I will see to it that this matter is settled as soon as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving China Film Group, Lin Nan picked up his phone and called Shanghai Film Group, repeating the same words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both major groups would definitely need to hold internal meetings first. As for the private film companies, their information channels wouldn't be bad; at the very least, Huayi would have the leak from Zhu Yawen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of returning to the company, Lin Nan went to the school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the summer break, the school was already renovating the dormitories for the incoming class of 2005.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bulletin board had some new alumni information; the class of 2001, which had just left, had become alumni, and Lin Nan was now a senior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This dorm, one last year,\" Lin Nan said to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staying in the dorm initially was just to have a complete university life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been recommended for postgraduate studies by the department, but in Lin Nan's mind, he shouldn't be staying in the dorm by then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The department told him he didn't have to attend classes, as they didn't expect to teach him anything; they hoped more that he would continuously produce new films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In July, there were still many people on campus. Many were pleasantly surprised to see Lin Nan and greeted him generously. Whether he knew them or not, he would smile and nod in acknowledgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yawen was currently chatting with a few artists who had recently signed on. These people were newcomers scouted by the company, only eighteen or nineteen years old. In the big pond of Huayi, they were all small fry, currently being managed by other agents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Yawen, did you really go to pick up Director Lin this morning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there was only a three-year age gap, these newcomers still maintained a respectful tone when speaking to Zhu Yawen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firstly, Zhu Yawen was older than them; secondly, Zhu Yawen already had several works under his belt, had just barely entered the second-tier range, was an artist under Wang Jinghua, and had a big-name director as a close friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at you all, calling me 'brother' on one hand and 'Director Lin' on the other, making it sound like he's a generation older than me,\" Zhu Yawen joked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The few newcomers smiled sheepishly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did go to pick him up, and we had a meal while we were at it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huayi's agency operated independently from Huayi Media. The person in charge here was Wang Jinghua, but with so many agents in the company, they weren't all Wang Jinghua's people, and this naturally included some of the signed artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past six months, everyone could feel some fluctuations from the company's upper management. Established artists didn't care, but these newcomers were very passive, even reaching the point of having no work for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The agents of these newcomers were people belonging to the two Mr. Wangs. Usually, only Zhu Yawen would chat with them; others wouldn't pay them any mind at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard Director Feng's new film is almost ready. I saw Teacher Zhang Ziyi at the headquarters a couple of days ago,\" a young person said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I saw her too...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They called Huayi Media the \"headquarters,\" and the two Mr. Wangs had always thought so too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yawen knew that Wang Jinghua hated this term the most. She had always believed that her relationship with Huayi was one of partnership, and the agency was the result of that cooperation. When she brought her artists over to establish the agency in partnership with Huayi, she held shares as well. The two parties were equals, not her working for Huayi...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The accumulation of conflict has reached the point where it is time for an eruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yawen was chatting idly with a few people, one sentence after another, when someone came over and called out, \"Yawen, Sister Hua is calling for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You all keep chatting, I have to go over there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yawen said to the few newcomers, then stood up and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Zhu Yawen disappear at the doorway, a young man said, \"I'm so envious of Brother Yawen, he doesn't have to worry about announcements or acting contracts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not something we can envy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2116,"2026-06-20T03:22:09.099Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","8e41a4f0f9747cd7532161898726ad11852d0e77d2cf26c1e8d3df1941241f11","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-55","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-53",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-in-huayu-cover.jpg"]