Chapter 57: Golden Rooster Invitation

Two girls playing and bickering is always a beautiful sight, and Lin Nan watched the fun from the side with a grin.

The restaurant delivered lunch on time at noon; it was a high-end establishment nearby that provided a dedicated delivery service for this villa area, and Liu Yi's mother often ordered from them.

"Oh! Just because Lin Nan is here, there’s actually so much more delicious food."

Shu Chang looked at the dishes on the dining table and exclaimed.

"Mom must have thought about it, boys eat a lot."

Liu Yifei explained, and she also glanced at Lin Nan.

"Can I say that I actually can't eat that much?"

Looking at the table full of food, Lin Nan said to himself that Liu Yi's mother had overestimated him.

"Is this the standard for a mother-in-law's view of a son-in-law?"

Shu Chang sat in front of the dining table and said with a smile.

"You’re asking for it, what nonsense are you spouting."

Liu Yifei rushed in front of Shu Chang with slightly reddened cheeks.

Lin Nan pretended he hadn't heard anything to avoid making Liu Yifei feel embarrassed.

"Haha, look at the two of you, one blushing, one dodging."

Shu Chang blocked Liu Yifei's hands while shouting, laughing quite brazenly.

"Alright, alright, let's eat."

Lin Nan stepped forward to smooth things over.

The three of them sat down and ate lunch.

"I've been back for a day and a half and have already had three hearty meals: one with Zhu Yawen yesterday, one with Ning Hao and Huang Bo last night, and another one today..."

Lin Nan picked up a piece of food and said.

"Isn't that a good thing? Just consider it a welcome for you."

"It is, thank you for the hospitality, Ms. Liu. I'll toast you with juice instead of wine."

The three of them raised their glasses and clinked them together.

Zhu Yawen's call came in, and Lin Nan answered it on the spot.

He had only just told Zhu Yawen yesterday that he could reveal the film investment matter to Huayi, and now he was calling to say it was already settled.

"Today, Wang Zhonglei met with many artists at the film company, myself included. He hinted at contract matters, implying that if Wang Jinghua leaves the company in the future, he hopes I will stay, and that resources will be tilted in my favor later on.

We chatted for a while, and eventually, the conversation turned to you, so I took the opportunity to reveal that you had secured the investment amount but couldn't handle it all alone..."

"Your efficiency is impressive. But listening to you, it seems they are close to a result as well; both sides have started to win over artists.

No wonder you didn't have time to come over today. I'm having lunch with the two of them right now; do you want to rush over? You might still be able to eat some leftovers."

Lin Nan joked at the end.

"Forget it, I don't have time to come over. Wang Zhonglei is hosting a banquet for the company's artists tonight, and the notice has already gone out..."

"Alright then, I'm hanging up."

"What's the situation? It sounded all muddled."

Shu Chang and Liu Yifei were both curious about Lin Nan's conversation.

"Nothing much, it's just Wang Jinghua and Huayi. One wants power and a say, and the other won't give it, so they're making a scene about splitting up."

Lin Nan didn't intend to hide anything and spoke openly.

"Isn't it rumored that Wang Jinghua has half the shares of the agency? Why is there still conflict?"

"That's only half the shares of the agency, not all of it. Furthermore, the bulk of Huayi is in the film and television company, and the resources are there. Wang Jinghua wants what's on this side."

Lin Nan explained.

How could the two Wang brothers let an outsider touch their core assets? Although artist management accounted for half of the revenue, they still wouldn't agree to let Wang Jinghua intervene in even a tiny bit of the film and television company's power.

"So that means both sides are currently trying to win over this group of artists?"

"Yes, according to Zhu Yawen, Wang Zhonglei will host a banquet for the artists under their banner tonight to build rapport.

Don't go spreading this around; let's just watch the show. After all, it's someone else's joke."

"Of course."

Lin Nan was now waiting for the results of the meeting at the China Film Group. Once the Shanghai Film Group sent people over, he could finalize the matters for both companies.

Next was the matter of private film companies; with two major studios as a foundation, these people would definitely not miss out on the investment opportunity for Hollywood films.

At this moment, Lin Nan had already decided that after finalizing the Shanghai Film Group and China Film Group, he would announce this matter, and it would be best to announce it through New Line.

Lin Nan finished lunch with Liu Yifei and Shu Chang, and they sat in the garden outside to chat for a while.

Liu Yifei's training had been effective during this period; she sang a few songs a cappella, and they all sounded very good.

By two or three in the afternoon, Liu Yi's mother returned, accompanied by a female assistant. Seeing the three of them in the garden, she greeted them and led the assistant into the house first.

"It looks like Mom isn't very satisfied with the results of the talk."

Liu Yifei glanced in the direction of Liu Yi's mother and muttered.

"You are the most popular actress born after 1985 right now, so your mother's requirements must be high. It's not that easy to get good resources."

Shu Chang saw it clearly and offered a word of comfort.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz..."

Suddenly, Lin Nan's phone vibrated.

The two girls looked over, and Lin Nan picked up his phone to check.

"Wonder who it is?"

Lin Nan said, and answered.

"Hello, who is this?"

A standard self-introduction came through the receiver.

"Okay, I will have someone submit it later. Thank you."

Meeting the puzzled gazes of Liu Yifei and Shu Chang, Lin Nan explained.

"It's from the Golden Rooster Committee."

"Golden Rooster? Is it time for registration so early?"

Lin Nan nodded, "Yes, I almost forgot about this. Films that have passed the Film Bureau's review and obtained a distribution and public screening license by this month are all eligible for registration."

*Return to Dust* was on the Golden Rooster's invitation list.

There was one thing Lin Nan found quite interesting: according to the unwritten rules, once a film wins an award at one of the three major European film festivals, it certainly cannot go to the other two.

But when a domestic film wins an award at the three major European festivals, it remains the main force for winning awards at domestic film festivals after returning home, including the Golden Rooster.

One can only say that for now, the prestige of the three major festivals is still higher, and the Golden Rooster recognizes them.

"Then are you going to take *Return to Dust* to the Golden Rooster?" Shu Chang asked.

"I can only take this one; Ning Hao will take *Crazy Stone*."

The call just now actually invited two films because Lin Nan was the producer for both, but he would definitely represent the *Return to Dust* crew, so *Crazy Stone* would have to be led by Ning Hao.

"I wonder when Yifei and I will be able to go to a film festival." Shu Chang was a bit envious.

"That doesn't sound like your style. Didn't you prepare to calm down and study hard? Why are you envious of film festivals now?

How about I take you with me when the time comes, as long as you don't mind being called a red carpet crasher."

Lin Nan teased Shu Chang.

"This young lady wouldn't crash one. Besides, me not taking roles to study hard doesn't conflict with wanting to go to a film festival."

Liu Yi's mother came out in casual clothes, and the female assistant had left.

"Lin Nan, Changchang, was the lunch okay?"

"Auntie, it was very good."

Liu Yi's mother looked like she had something she wanted to ask.

"Lin Nan, do you think it's better to make movies or TV series?"

Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, and Shu Chang all looked at Liu Yi's mother in confusion.

"Why would Auntie ask that?"

"I talked to a few agencies today, and in their eyes, the two movies Yifei acted in don't even compare to those few TV series."

Lin Nan understood, and he also remembered the two movies Liu Yi's mother mentioned; they were both youth romance films.

Liu Yifei didn't pay much attention to what her mother said.

"Auntie, actually, it is very reasonable for you to let Yifei focus on the big screen, but not just any movie can crush a TV series, especially those two movies Yifei acted in; they simply can't compare to her few TV series.

Whether it's *The Story of a Noble Family*, *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, *Chinese Paladin*, or *The Return of the Condor Heroes* which hasn't been released yet, these dramas all come with their own halo. They have much more buzz than those two youth films with rough production and simple plots. Moreover, those two movies didn't even premiere in the mainland, so the impact must be much smaller..."

"That sounds like the truth."

"If you have any suitable movies, you must remember Yifei. You two are such good friends."

"That goes without saying."

Lin Nan agreed immediately.

It was hard on Liu Yi's mother; back then, they had to pay to pave the way for Liu Yifei to find TV resources. Fortunately, Liu Yifei's own conditions were very suitable, which is why she had such a good start in TV series.

But in the film sector, just throwing money at it didn't work. That's why the two movies they found didn't make any waves in the end.

Some time ago, under the operation of Liu Yi's mother and Chen Jinfei, Liu Yifei signed with Sony Music, which led to this album project.

Lin Nan really felt that Liu Yi's mother had high ambitions; developing in three fields wasn't that easy.

Around five o'clock, Lin Nan got up to say goodbye. Liu Yifei and Shu Chang walked him to the roadside. Shu Chang wasn't leaving; she was staying here for the summer vacation to keep Liu Yifei company.

"You two hurry back."

Getting into the taxi, Lin Nan waved his hand.

The driver clearly recognized the two girls and stared at Lin Nan, giving him another good look.

"Big brother, please take us to the Film Academy."

Lin Nan said with a smile.

"Oh, alright, alright, I've even picked up a big star today, haha."

The driver chatted and laughed the whole way, saying his child just loved *Sword and Fairy* and *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*.

Ning Hao was currently receiving guests: the boss of Starlight Glittering, and the female lead for an MV he would be collaborating on soon, a seventeen-year-old girl.

"Director Ning, once the song is finished, I'll have to trouble you then. Being able to invite you to direct the MV is our honor."

"You are too kind, President Lu."

Before, when Ning Hao took this job, he hadn't met this girl yet; today was essentially the other party bringing her over specifically to get acquainted.

"In the future, if Director Ning starts any new films and is short on funds or anything, you can also talk to me. Tian Tian also has thoughts about entering the film and television industry..."

Ning Hao looked at the big-eyed girl in front of him and understood; the EP was indeed just a scouting move, and acting was the ultimate goal.

"When there is a suitable opportunity in the future, I certainly won't stand on ceremony with you, President Lu."

"That's good. Tian Tian, hurry and thank Director Ning," Lu Zheng said.

"Thank you, Director Ning."

The girl thanked him with a very good attitude.

The phone in his pocket began to play music. Ning Hao felt a bit awkward; he glanced at Lu Zheng apologetically and took it out, intending to silence it, but when he looked, he saw it was from Lin Nan.

Lu Zheng and his companion in front of him also saw the name on the screen.

"Director Ning can go ahead and answer it; it doesn't matter," Lu Zheng said in a gentle tone.

Ning Hao said sorry and walked out, returning after only a few minutes.

"My apologies."

Ning Hao sat back down in his chair and said with a smile.