Chapter 580

Past seven in the morning, Los Angeles Airport.

Lin Nan looked at the group accompanying Li An and didn't know what to say; it really was a coincidence.

Just two famous great directors on the same flight back—isn't this a bit too conspicuous and flashy?

Once they land at the Capital Airport, there's no need to think; the two of them will definitely be surrounded by media reporters.

Lin Dao returning to the country is understandable, but you, Li An? It's clearly awards season, and you're running to the mainland? Hmm, there must be something important!

"Li Dao, it seems your film project is quite urgent."

He had just given him a "good" idea the day before yesterday, and he didn't expect Li An to be so impatient to return to the country today. Is this schedule too tight?

Lin Nan felt speechless inside, but he greeted him with a smile.

"Better early than late. The script has been done for half a year, and I've been looking for investment for four or five months. I can't delay it any longer."

Li An was in a very good mood. The more he thought about Lin Nan's words, the more reasonable they seemed.

The mainland film and television industry has been growing and developing wildly in recent years.

The influx of a large amount of hot money has created a unique capital foundation, coupled with that incomparable market scale.

This has led to the mainland film industry never lacking money, only high-quality projects.

In his view, Lin Nan really helped a lot.

Isn't *Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk* the top-tier film project?

And it's a Hollywood film project directed by him, a two-time Hollywood Best Director, co-produced by Sony, and distributed globally!

With these conditions combined, the big companies in the mainland film industry will definitely flock to it.

"Hmm, it really must be done early," Lin Nan agreed.

He just wanted to know now which "good person" would end up putting up the 24 million US dollars.

Back in the country, after eating the benefits of the massive negative reviews for *The Crossing* for four days, *The Crossing (Part 1)* finally died down.

The film was in theaters for 22 days, and the box office stopped at 190 million. It didn't even cross the 200 million threshold, making the industry laugh.

John Woo and this film have already become the annual joke of the entire film and television industry, and it is an "epic joke" that will definitely go down in Chinese film history!

Besides this, another big laughingstock is the industry's renowned "Mountain Vulture"—Han Sanping!

He was the general producer who pushed the entire *The Crossing* project with his own strength, escorting it all the way and giving it the green light.

And the result? He ended his career with his biggest Waterloo!

It's not hard to predict that as long as *The Crossing 2* isn't released, pulled from theaters, or sealed away, he will be dragged out to be "flogged" from time to time. One word: miserable!

The night view of the capital was bright and dazzling.

Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang were attending a fashion banquet, and the two could be said to be the focus of the event.

And many popular actresses and stars of the same age in the circle were basically all there.

The entertainment circle is a natural vanity fair, and also a place for hypocrisy.

As direct competitors, male actors would at least smile and chat, like Huang Xiaoming and Deng Chao at this moment.

But female artists who have resource competition, and extremely fierce competition at that, are definitely not like this.

Between any two, they basically won't get within three meters of each other.

Even if they are forced to be in the same frame due to the organizers and media, they are just going through the motions, each smiling their own way, with almost no communication.

"They are really interesting. When they were acting in *Chinese Paladin 3*, they were like sisters, but now they act like strangers. Tsk tsk."

Watching Shu Chang glanced at the three people in different directions in the distance and whispered teasingly.

Liu Yifei picked up a strawberry and ate it, complaining about her best friend: "You're really bored."

She was one of the few people at the scene sitting in her seat, not going out to socialize.

Because, it seemed unnecessary.

"Yifei, you look increasingly charming tonight, very beautiful."

Fan Bingbing walked by with her chest half-exposed, wearing an evening gown, and greeted her with a smile.

*The Empress of China*, which had only been airing for a few days, kept her dominating the headlines of film and entertainment, and her popularity was unmatched for a time.

"Thanks, you too," Miss Liu raised the champagne on the table calmly.

"This, this is too big, isn't it? A bit too revealing..."

It wasn't until Fan Bingbing walked away that Watching Shu Chang started muttering again, and Liu Yifei shook her head at her speechlessly.

Many actors and artists in the circle passed by here intentionally or unintentionally, and Producer Liu responded again and again.

She felt that today she didn't look like she was here to attend a banquet, but rather like she was here to be "sucked up to"?

"Let's go back, I have to get up early to go to the airport tomorrow."

"Lin Nan is coming back?"

Watching Shu Chang's subconscious voice attracted the attention of many people.

"Yifei, Lin Dao is coming back to wait for the awards."

"At next month's Golden Globe ceremony, our Producer Liu will definitely be there, haha..."

"Yifei, next time your company has a film, you have to take care of us..."

Compliments arose everywhere, and Liu Yifei nodded and acknowledged them with a full face of smiles.

Afterwards, she took Watching Shu Chang, accompanied by the organizer's staff and escorted by assistants and bodyguards, and left the scene directly under the gaze of many.

"This is the top capital in the circle. We've been standing and socializing all night, but she can sit there and have everything."

Zeng Jia was muttering in Yang Mi's ear.

Yang Mi was also envious and helpless, but what could she do? Keep fighting! No matter what level of capital, you have to get into that circle of capital first!

Huang Xiaoming also had serious business tonight, for Yang Ying.

"Don't worry, although it was just established this month, I will help you solve the funding, connections, and circle issues."

"Thank you so much, Brother Xiaoming. We are confident in running the new company well. Whether it's you or Baby, you are both founders and original shareholders."

Just a week ago, the entire team of Yang Ying's studio jointly formed Taiyang Chuanhe.

This counts as poaching from Huayi, but Huang Xiaoming supports it because Huayi has completely stopped valuing the artist management business.

The reason he provided all this help and supported this new company is secondary; it's mainly to pave the way for Yang Ying's next step of leaving.

Another 12-plus-hour journey; Lin Nan was really fed up.

Not because the sleep quality wasn't good, but because he didn't sleep long enough.

He listened to Li An talk about new film technologies and equipment for three or four hours—boring, dull, and tiring.

You, a great director, don't think about telling a good story or what story to tell, but instead get obsessed with new visual technologies, 120-frame 4K lenses, and want to break tradition.

Get it straight, this is not your style at all, Li An! Even that technology fanatic James Cameron isn't as whimsical as you!

"It still feels more intimate in the country!"

Lin Nan got off the plane wearing sunglasses. He looked straight at the sunlight in the sky that didn't have much warmth and sighed.

"Lin Dao, let's go out first."

Li An wore a baseball cap and a mask, which was quite low-key. But in Lin Nan's eyes, these disguises were completely useless.

The paparazzi all have sharp eyes and rely on them for a living; how could they let you escape?

A group of twelve people just followed the crowd toward the exit.

"When is Li Dao planning to talk about serious business?"

Walking side-by-side in the middle of the entourage, Lin Nan asked curiously.

"I'll contact a few big companies this afternoon and start meeting them from tomorrow."

By now, Li An was completely confident.

And rightly so, these suckers in the country have absolutely no resistance to elements like "great director," "Hollywood," "Oscar," and "global distribution."

It's really just a pit... once you talk, it's a done deal, one after another, scrambling and fighting for it.

Lin Nan and Li An were escorted out of the airport by their respective assistants and bodyguards, and looking up, there was a large group of reporters carrying long guns and short cannons.

In the great Lin Dao's mind, three words flashed subconsciously: Is there a mole?

This number of reporters is a bit over the limit, right? Like they were specifically waiting for him and Li An?

Because he had never seen so many people react so quickly at the same time!

A group of paparazzi were also excited and thrilled; they didn't expect that while waiting for Lin Nan, they would also be able to wait for Li An?!

In the distance, in a BMW car.

"Look, your big mouth, talking so loudly. Now Lin Nan is blocked!" Liu Yifei scolded Watching Shu Chang in the back seat.

"Then, shall we go over?"

"We can't go over, it will be even more chaotic."

Facing dozens of reporters, Lin Nan and Li An finally moved to a spacious area; an interview was inevitable.

"Lin Dao, regarding the fact that *Bad Genius* was perfectly replicated into the real-life SAT Asian exam room, do you have anything to say?"

Li An, standing on the side, couldn't help but laugh when he heard this question.

Lin Nan shrugged and joked:

"Blame me? Why don't you find Liu Yifei? She was the one cheating in the movie, setting a bad example; she should be criticized properly. Haha..."

The reporters were stunned, some crying and laughing, all complaining in their hearts: Are you really not afraid that after we report this, you'll go sleep on the sofa?

"Lin Dao, do you have any further expectations for Berlin? After all, this is your third time being nominated for the main competition unit, and the previous two times were both the Silver Bear for Best Director."

Hearing this question, Lin Nan couldn't help but sigh:

"The pressure is a bit high. They say things don't happen a third time; if I return empty-handed this time, or can't even keep the Silver Bear for Best Director, or even worse, get sniped by Jiang Wen, then I really won't have the face to come back. Hmm, to be honest, I'm looking forward to the Jin Xiong."

A group of reporters finally felt satisfied. They finally heard a straight answer!

"Teacher Liu feels that *Monkey King: Hero Is Back*, produced by Lin Nan Film Industry, has suspicions of tampering with the original work... You know, the film introduction can be found on the Film Bureau's official website..."

"But his *Journey to the West* is also far from the original! I actually think the version by Director Zhang Jizhong is closer to the original."

"Li Dao An, Hollywood is right in the middle of awards season; do you have any work to do in the mainland this time?"

Lin Nan looked at Li An, really wanting to hear how he would answer. He shouldn't say it directly, right? That would blow up the circle.

"There is indeed some serious business. Lin Dao gave me a suggestion that I could come to the country to find a solution."

"Do you have an assessment of the probability of Lin Dao Nan winning awards at the Golden Globes and Oscars?"

"I've seen *Manchester by the Sea*; it's a great film. As long as you watch it, you will be infected. It's a big favorite this year."

Today was one of the few times Lin Nan was delayed for over an hour outside the airport.

The media reporters probably felt embarrassed to delay any more time, so after thanking him repeatedly, they returned to their waiting spots.

Lin Nan had already seen Liu Xiaoli's BMW; no need to think, it must have been driven by Liu Yifei.

Just as they were about to part ways, Li An suddenly said to Lin Nan:

"Lin Dao, I've thought about it. Regarding my returning to the country to find investment for the film, China Film Group might indeed not have extra resources to help me, but I should still greet China Film Group; after all, they are the helmsman of the domestic film industry, don't you think?"

Lin Nan stood there stunned, silent for a long time. That makes so much sense; human relationships and worldly wisdom—there's no way to refute it!

"Lin Dao?"

"Ah? Hmm... You should greet them. Then I wish Li Dao success. I'll head back first."

"Goodbye, Lin Dao."

"I'm really speechless, I tried my best. Everyone, good luck to yourselves."

Lin Nan muttered. China Film Group, Wanda, Enlight... flashed through his mind.

Looking at Li An like this, he's prepared to go hard and find all the big companies!

Because he finally understood that he himself was the active party, the one making the cake!

"Lin Nan."

Beside the BMW, Liu Yifei threw herself into Lin Nan's arms with a bright face.

But the great Lin Dao didn't give her much face and couldn't help but "point fingers" at Liu Yifei's outfit.

"Dark green down jacket, is that a nightgown inside? Cropped leggings? On such a cold day, you're wearing sneakers barefoot? Hair isn't combed, just tied in a ponytail? No makeup, you didn't wash your face before coming out, did you..."

Liu Yifei started gritting her teeth, glaring at Lin Nan, her fists making crackling sounds.

Watching Shu Chang on the side was laughing her head off and still adding insult to injury:

"She even said she wanted to get up early; if I hadn't called her, she definitely would have overslept. There was no time to tidy up, she was just afraid of being late, haha..."

"It was my flight that was late."

Lin Nan laughed softly, embracing Liu Yifei again, soft and fragrant, rubbing against her ears and snow-white neck:

"Don't say that, no matter how you dress, you have a different kind of beauty, stunning in every way. Right now, you look like a beautiful, aggrieved little wife."

"Hmph, don't think you can fool me like that, I'm not buying it!"

Liu Yifei leaned her face on Lin Nan's shoulder, humming in dissatisfaction. One hand couldn't reach the flesh on his waist, so she pinched his ear instead.

"Let's go, hurry home. If reporters take pictures, they'll talk about your outfit again. This is the only point you've been constantly criticized for over so many years. Those people don't understand you. You're a talented woman who designs her own clothes."

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Liu Yifei immediately broke free from his arms and gave Lin Nan a fierce glare.

"I don't care about these things, let's go, home. I'll deal with you when we get back, for saying that about me..."

Liu Yifei grabbed Lin Nan's hand and shoved him into the passenger seat. Watching Shu Chang had already consciously gone to the back seat. The assistants had also left in the company car long ago.

The news spread fast.

Before the three of them even got home, almost everyone in the circle knew he was back.

"Around 11 AM, Lin Dao Nan and Li Dao An landed at Capital Airport."

"Lin Dao joked that Liu Yifei's performance in *Bad Genius* set a bad example for examinees..."

"Lin Dao Nan stated for the first time that things don't happen a third time, and he looks forward to winning the Jin Xiong at this year's Berlin International Film Festival!"

"Li Dao An arrived in Beijing abruptly; the possibility of new film preparations cannot be ruled out."

"Liu Yifei picked up Lin Dao; her outfit was casual and her temperament was outstanding..."

(End of this chapter)