Chapter 603: Empty-Handed

Lin Nan was just saying that during the activities of the past few days, why hadn't he seen the figure of "International Zhang," who usually loved to "loiter" in front of the camera?

It wasn't until he saw the entertainment news this morning that he realized the media reporters were too incompetent; the news had actually lagged by so long!

It turned out that on the night of the film festival's opening ceremony, the latter half of Wang Piku's proposal to International Zhang had been crashed by International Zhang's elder brother and sister-in-law, who had arrived late!

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they caused a scene at the proposal.

And so, having lost all face, International Zhang had gone into hiding starting the very next day, staying in her hotel for several consecutive days without coming out to participate in any activities.

As for her elder brother and sister-in-law, they had flown back to the country that very same night.

"Awesome. I only knew before that her brother relied on his younger sister's status in the circle and was arrogant. I didn't expect him to be quite the man? Won't this brother and sister completely tear each other apart?"

Lin Nan looked at the news spreading like wildfire online and couldn't help but exclaim.

A few days ago, it was still a "Yes, I do" Weibo post feeding dog food, but today, with the matter spread and unable to be covered up, International Zhang had to come out to do damage control.

A Weibo post saying, "How long are you going to harm me for! Haven't you gained enough?! You've harmed more than just me," was interpreted by media reporters as an accusation against her own brother.

This was only because the content of her brother's WeChat Moments had leaked online:

"To the 500 friends and family in my Moments, I ask you all:

In this world, what normal woman would marry a man who lives such a dissolute life, has an illegitimate child, whose wife is still breastfeeding, and who divorced hastily and hid his assets when his daughter was only 8 months old?

And what gentleman would become friends with someone possessing such morals? Someone who, for the sake of fame and fortune, doesn't even care about the continuation of his own life—how selfish and dark... Even his ex-wife said she wants to write a book to expose his hypocrisy.

I crashed it! My wife and I crashed the scene; this was to salvage a bit of dignity for my Zhang family..."

"Hmm, no wonder her seat next to me was empty when I was watching the fashion show that day." Liu Yifei nodded, realizing it belatedly.

Lin Nan scrolled through the news, actually feeling a bit of admiration for this family; even International Zhang's own parents had personally come out to put out the fire. He wondered which "expert" had come up with that PR strategy.

They had hand-written a statement in response, the general meaning being: the family is harmonious, there were just some differences, and they hope the media will not continue with exaggerated and defamatory reporting.

To be honest, this was no different from directly admitting that the son and daughter-in-law had crashed the daughter's proposal.

"Let's go, just a few glances at this messy business is enough. 'Cinderella' starts in half an hour, let's not be late."

Lin Nan consciously picked up Liu Yifei's bag and urged her.

"Wait a moment, let me tie up my hair."

As she spoke, the movements of Liu Yifei's hands were even faster. In just five or six seconds, a high ponytail was formed. It looked very beautiful and very dashing!

"Let's go."

Liu Yifei walked up, took Lin Nan's arm, and called out in a crisp voice, her mood quite good.

The screening area and the exhibition area of the Berlin International Film Festival were not far apart, and both sides were packed with people.

When Lin Nan and the others arrived at the screening area, "Manchester by the Sea" was also waiting to be screened.

After one more screening this morning, the 7 screenings of "Manchester by the Sea" would be completely over.

Even though there were still three days until the closing ceremony, no more sessions would be added. Because, one must have style!

When Lin Nan and Liu Yifei entered the screening hall for "Cinderella" five minutes early, Jiang Wen called again.

However, Director Lin did not answer, choosing instead to reply with a text message: Watching a movie, will call back after it's over.

"Director Jiang called, why didn't you answer?"

Liu Yifei asked curiously, holding a bucket of popcorn.

"I can already guess what he wants."

"What is it?"

"Asking me if I've received the 'unspoken rules' from the film festival officials."

Hearing this, Liu Yifei immediately widened her eyes. "Right, have we received any? You haven't told me either, I even forgot about this."

"Five days ago, the afternoon we just got back from Paris, I received the call."

Lin Nan looked at Liu Yifei with a smile, receiving a "heavy punch" in return.

"You actually kept it from me, hmph!"

Miss Liu gritted her teeth and gave him a fierce look, then had another question: "Hmm? Then, what about Director Jiang?"

Lin Nan paused, then decided: "After the movie, I'll invite him to dinner to celebrate that we've secured the qualification to finally divide the cake."

After speaking, Director Lin took out his phone and edited another text message to send to Jiang Wen.

"It's starting, it's starting."

On the big screen, the Disney logo appeared, and the live-action "Cinderella" officially began.

On the other side, at the Hilton Hotel.

Jiang Wen was sprawled on the sofa, looking somewhat distracted.

"Teacher Ge You and the others have all gone to the exhibition area, and Shu Qi is attending an event. Shall we go out for a walk too?"

Zhou Yun looked for a topic to soothe him. Having been with Jiang Wen for so many years, she also knew some of the unspoken rules of the three major European film festivals.

But today was already the 12th, and there were only 3 days left until the closing awards ceremony, but...

"This guy Lin Nan actually didn't answer my call. Is he afraid he guessed the purpose of my call?!"

Jiang Wen said wearily with his eyes closed.

Various thoughts were racing through his mind; it would be a lie to say he wasn't anxious.

"Then, on Director Lin's side, is it possible it's the same as ours? Both waiting for news..."

"He's treating us to lunch, won't we know once we go? Let's hope so, maybe tomorrow, or the day after?"

Jiang Wen had always been unwilling to admit the failure of "Gone with the Bullets"; the Berlin International Film Festival was his last straw.

As long as he could get an award, any award would do; not only could his face be saved, but he could also prove himself and his film!

Cate Blanchett was indeed impressive.

There are many actresses in the film world hailed as queens or empresses due to their acting and temperament, but she is the only one with the nickname "Big Demon King."

"Compared to the animated original, there are quite a few changes. Cleaner, more positive, more innocent; it's a customized upgraded version of 'Cinderella' for couples."

After seeing the words indicating the end of the film, Liu Yifei began to comment on this "Cinderella" with Lin Nan.

It was clear she really liked these animated films, and it had been like that for so many years.

As for Lin Nan, he was holding his phone, browsing through film and television news from back home; the headlines were all about Xu Jinglei's "Somewhere Only We Know."

"Directed by Xu Jinglei, screenplay by Wang Shuo, starring Wu Yifan, Wang Likun, Xu Jinglei, Re Yizha, and others.

The romance film 'Somewhere Only We Know' was released on Tuesday; after two days of public screening, the box office reported 37.37 million and 26.36 million respectively..."

"Wu Yifan's first film as a male lead wins praise from the industry. Massive fans shout: acting skills aren't enough, looks can make up for it!"

"Wang Shuo accepts an interview, admitting for the first time: love is just a fleeting glance; after loving, Xu Jinglei is still a good friend..."

"Director Xu Jinglei accepts a phone interview in Berlin, saying she is good friends with all her exes, and they are all willing to give their all to provide help..."

"The film 'Somewhere Only We Know' officially sounds the horn for the Spring Festival box office battle; online reviews are barely passing, but the actors' looks are definitely full marks!"

Looking at this news, Lin Nan really wanted to say that fans' money is easy to earn! A large number of young viewers were really going for Wu Yifan!

"Liu Qianqian, let's go. Director Jiang is urging us."

Looking at the pop-up text reminder, Lin Nan said to Liu Yifei. He picked up the paper bucket that still had quite a bit of popcorn left and stood up first.

"There really wasn't a post-credits scene? Seriously."

Miss Liu held Lin Nan's hand and followed him up:

"It's past 11:30? Let's go, let's go see Director Jiang. At the awards ceremony, we'll have to fight him until we're 'bloody'; it will definitely be very tense and exciting..."

A dozen minutes later, in a Western restaurant not far from the screening area.

Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, Jiang Wen, and Zhou Yun were all sitting at the same table.

"The day after tomorrow afternoon is the closing ceremony red carpet, and after that, there are only three days left until New Year's Eve. What are your schedules?"

"After the awards ceremony, I'll try to handle the copyright matters within two days, then fly to Hollywood. This New Year's Eve, Liu Qianqian and I will spend it over there."

Lin Nan smiled helplessly, and Liu Yifei also nodded; this was her first time spending the New Year abroad with Lin Nan.

"That's true, the Oscars awards ceremony follows right after." Jiang Wen cut a piece of steak and put it in his mouth.

Suddenly, he realized something: Lin Nan said he would resolve the copyright matters as soon as possible after the awards ceremony? Not that it would be resolved in these two days!

At this moment, Zhou Yun also had a guess in her heart; both of them looked up at Lin Nan and Liu Yifei.

"What's wrong?" Miss Liu was still a bit at a loss.

"Tell your brother honestly, did you receive it?"

This sentence was a signal; Lin Nan's brain buzzed instantly. Jiang Wen didn't?

"Yifei, did you receive the film festival notification?" Zhou Yun asked Liu Yifei.

Miss Liu nodded subconsciously, admitting:

"On the afternoon of the 7th, Lin Nan received a call from the organizing committee, asking us to attend the closing ceremony red carpet and awards ceremony on time, and to try not to be absent from the final banquet."

In Lin Nan's line of sight, Jiang Wen's complexion changed instantly. There was a feeling, a feeling that his spine had softened.

"'Gone with the Bullets' didn't?"

As Lin Nan's voice came out, Liu Yifei also realized the problem.

"Heh, this time, I've really lost face to the point of no return. And it has to be during the New Year! If I go back now and get blocked by a group of media, I really won't have the face to see anyone."

Jiang Wen leaned back, resting on the back of the chair. He let out a long breath, mocking himself as if he didn't care.

Zhou Yun was also at a loss for a moment; the copyright of "Gone with the Bullets" was already hard to sell because of the domestic film review public opinion, and now the price would be squeezed even more.

"Then, go back early?"

Lin Nan joked, wanting to ease the atmosphere. Jiang Wen was truly a bit miserable this time.

He had once brought a film to Venice for the first time and won the Best Actor award for Xia Yu; the first time he went to Cannes, he won the Jury Prize himself;

But he didn't expect that this first time entering the Berlin main competition unit, the final result of achieving the "Small Grand Slam" would be empty-handed!

"Go back early? Heh, do you think I'm Chen Kaige? If the film festival doesn't give an award, I'll throw away my last bit of dignity? Go back early? Wouldn't that be even more embarrassing, lowering my own status!"

Jiang Wen seemed to have been insulted, refusing with sharp words.

Alright, Lin Nan had forgotten about that incident with Director Chen.

"Forever Enthralled" back then was indeed like that; Director Chen, because he didn't receive the "unspoken rule" notification from the Berlin International Film Festival organizing committee, left Berlin directly with the crew, not even attending the closing ceremony red carpet.

At that time, the domestic public opinion was in an uproar; Director Chen's face was lost completely, and it was something he "threw" away himself!

"Then together? When the time comes, cheer for me and beat the drums?"

Lin Nan joked again; Jiang Wen was a friend he could talk and laugh with, and in this point, he was stronger than Chen Kaige. Both of them cared about face and were proud, but Jiang Wen didn't put on airs.

"If you, you bastard, win a big award, I... I'll be damned, I'll really become a joke, crushed by you in the same venue..."

Looking at Jiang Wen's depressed and cursing appearance, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei couldn't stop laughing.

"Director Jiang, Lin Nan will definitely win an award, and it must be a big award! Hmm, the Jin Xiong! Hehe..."

Liu Yifei even playfully fanned the flames, causing Jiang Wen to roll his eyes.

He was both annoyed and unable to get angry; after all, at this table, the youngest was Liu Yifei.

"Jin Xiong? If he wins the Jin Xiong, when you hold your wedding, I'll go be your emcee, for free!"

Hearing this from Jiang Wen, Zhou Yun laughed too.

"That won't do, free means you only provide manpower. The gift money is the key, it can't be less.

Besides, the job of emcee for Yifei and my wedding is very popular; it might not be your turn!"

Lin Nan teased. Except for Jiang Wen wanting to curse, Liu Yifei and Zhou Yun laughed until they couldn't stop.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 604 =====