Chapter 581

The next morning, the entire mainland film and television circle was attracted by the announcement from Alibaba Pictures, and then shocked into speechlessness.

In the announcement, the most eye-catching item was Zhao Wei spending 3.088 billion Hong Kong dollars to purchase shares of Alibaba Pictures, officially becoming the second-largest shareholder.

Secondly, the internationally famous actor and Kung Fu Emperor Jet Li officially became a non-executive director of Alibaba Pictures.

Following the release of this announcement by Alibaba Pictures, its Hong Kong stock price soared!

No one dared to question Zhao Wei's status; this is one of the top-tier capitals that rose up from the film and television industry!

Lin Nan sat in his office, flipping through the news about Alibaba Pictures, yawning heavily from time to time.

If you say the wrong thing and offend Liu Yifei, you have to pay the price.

Relying on the tenacious spirit of "killing a thousand enemies and losing eight hundred," abundant physical strength, and gender advantage, Miss Liu won.

However, she wasn't feeling well at the moment either, still sleeping in at home. It's estimated that she'll have to eat lunch in the afternoon.

"Has the third floor started?"

When the assistant came in to deliver coffee, Lin Nan asked in passing.

When he just arrived at the company, there were quite a few RVs and sedans parked downstairs, all worth over a million.

Nowadays, it's not too simple for actors and stars to make money; with skyrocketing salaries, everyone is full to the brim.

"It started five minutes ago. Director Guo Fan is auditioning in person, Producer Yue is also there, and Director Lu Yang was invited to help."

Lin Nan nodded; he arrived early, so he didn't see Lu Yang.

He picked up the coffee and took a sip, then instructed: "I'm going to the Film Academy. If they look for me on the third floor, tell them to call."

"Okay, Lin Dao."

Lin Nan had promised Cao Baoping that he would go to the school.

He rested at home yesterday afternoon and didn't go anywhere, so he had to do serious business today.

Entering the elevator, he was originally prepared to go straight downstairs, but Lin Nan hesitated and decided to go to the third floor to take a look and see who was auditioning.

He didn't know until he looked, and when he did, there were really acquaintances.

A large group of actors with assistants or agents were waiting in the large conference room, while Guo Fan and the others were auditioning in the small conference room.

Lin Nan spotted Shen Teng at a glance, and the latter had sharp eyes and also saw Lin Nan.

"Lin Dao, I've been quite free lately. Old Yan told me to come and try; aren't we all our own people? Heh heh..."

Good grief, saying this on this occasion isn't appropriate, right?

Lin Nan smiled and just nodded.

"Senior Lin, are you auditioning us together?"

Jiao Junyan popped her head out unexpectedly, giving Lin Nan a start.

"I'm not participating in the auditions; you all just do your best."

Lin Nan didn't stay long; if he stayed any longer, he would be drowned in greetings of "Lin Dao."

After going downstairs, he drove straight to the Film Academy.

Guo Fan can handle *Go Away Mr. Tumor* on his own; he is more concerned about *Cock and Bull*.

With the New Year's Day holiday and winter break approaching, the Film Academy was unusually lively.

Because final exams at art colleges are generally earlier; and a large number of 15th-class art exam freshmen have run over in advance to "adapt to the environment."

It cannot be denied that a considerable portion of these people are "full of confidence" because they all have connections or are looking for connections.

Even if the connections aren't strong enough to squeeze into the acting department, they can get into related majors first; the starting point is definitely higher than those "laymen" who get into the acting department!

Amidst the "eager" gazes and greetings along the way, Lin Nan went straight to the Literature Department.

On the bulletin board, the poster for *My Old Classmate* was very conspicuous, occupying all the space.

After all, it's the first commercial film by the Film Academy's own great director, Gu Changwei, so the school is quite supportive.

And I heard that the first-day box office that came out yesterday was also quite good, around 36 million.

But Lin Nan guessed that Gu Changwei should be like Tsui Hark, definitely very tired after filming this movie; after all, it's training Yang Ying!

How should I put it about the Film Academy? The most glamorous on the surface might be the acting department. But the big shots are always in other departments!

In the Literature Department alone, there are two incumbent great directors, Cao Baoping and Xue Xiaolu, and their weight is only second to the Directing Department.

And the Art and Photography departments also produce great directors!

When Lin Nan arrived at the Literature Department, he was really a bit surprised to see Gu Changwei.

"Director Gu, what brings you here?"

"I came to the school for something, and stopped by to sit for a while; I'm just about to head back," Gu Changwei said with a smile.

"Then take care."

The two passed each other, and suddenly, Gu Changwei behind him asked: "Lin Nan, is that film about terminal illness at your company currently casting?"

Lin Nan turned his head and said subconsciously: "Guo Fan is auditioning right now."

"Oh, I see. Besides the female lead, are there any other female roles with significant parts?"

"There... are."

Lin Nan nodded hesitantly; he already had some guesses in his heart.

But Gu Changwei didn't continue, just nodded with a smile and left.

"I advise you to be prepared."

Cao Baoping leaned against the door frame of the office, teasing Lin Nan.

"Is Teacher Cao talking about the role Director Gu just asked about?"

"Asking the obvious. He was asking for his niece. But do you know why he didn't ask you directly?"

Lin Nan guessed it was Ma Sichun, but he couldn't figure out why Gu Changwei didn't ask.

"Why?"

"He will ask you. You've been in Hollywood for ten days, so you don't know. This couple is quite troublesome.

One is lingering, and the other was photographed playing in France with a young person; a few days ago, the circle was still spreading rumors about them getting a divorce."

Cao Baoping was rarely gossipy; after all, Director Gu is the only great director at this age who is still causing trouble.

But in general, the man started it first, and the woman only followed suit!

"So?"

"Probably wanting to make up. After all, Jiang really loves her niece; he should talk to Jiang about this first to take credit.

Old Gu will never get a divorce in his life; like Zhang Yimou, he is a very 'stubborn' believer in carrying on the family line—his son is his lifeblood! If you want him to divorce, it's only possible if he has a son outside. Haha..."

Good grief, Lin Nan finally knew where Ms. Zhang had lost for so many years; it turns out she lost because she wasn't decisive enough.

That's right, if you just harden your heart and have two sons, wouldn't that be it? You'd definitely be supported for life! But the fact that she could hang on for so many years is truly impressive!

But who can say for sure about this kind of thing? It's too messy, both are at fault.

The more Lin Nan thought about it, the more interesting it felt; back then, it seems Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou were the ones who set these two up.

"Teacher Cao, let's look at the script."

"Hmm, sit."

Cao Baoping took out the script he had finished from his desk drawer... *Cock and Bull*, and then handed it to Lin Nan with full expectation.

"This script is very interesting; it's my first time doing a suspense-style black comedy!"

Lin Nan took it with both hands and silently flipped through *Cock and Bull*.

Cao Baoping's scripts are always as rigorous as his films; after all, he is a professor teaching film screenwriting in the Literature Department, with over twenty years of teaching experience.

Half an hour later, Lin Nan closed the script.

"What is Teacher Cao's budget?"

"Forty million, I think that should be about right. I won't use those actors who are too expensive."

This price is indeed not high, and Lin Nan nodded immediately.

"You can just go find Yue Jun later; I'll tell him. Also, is Zhang Yi decided?"

"Hmm, I think he's quite suitable, and he happens to be from your company, so it's him. I'll pick the others myself."

"That's fine, let's do it this way. You can submit the script for review."

"Good."

Lin Nan originally wanted to wait for Xue Xiaolu to finish her class to ask about *Finding Mr. Right 2*, but it turned out that she had classes for several groups together.

No choice, he could only choose to leave after waiting for more than half an hour.

He didn't go to the Directing Department to wander around either; Lin Nan got straight into his car, prepared to return to the company.

But the car hadn't started yet when a phone call came in abruptly.

"Tsk tsk tsk, did Teacher Cao really hit the nail on the head? This is going to be difficult!"

Muttering like that, Lin Nan still answered the phone.

"Hello, Sister Wenli?"

"Lin Dao, you should still be at school right now, right? Do you have time? I'd like to invite you to lunch."

They are all smart people; the other party definitely knows whether Lin Nan is still at school.

After all, she graduated from the Film Academy and has taught at the Film Academy for so long; she can just make a call to find out.

"I was just about to head back. Then, Sister Wenli, you pick a place."

"Good, good, look at that..."

Another five minutes, and a detailed address was sent over.

Lin Nan had just thrown his phone on the passenger seat and started the car when, damn it, another call came in.

He glanced at the caller ID, and his heart skipped a beat.

"No way?"

(End of this chapter)