Chapter 623: Start of Filming; Must Return Home

Regarding Wang Zhonglei's snide response to the rejection of the *Mojin: The Lost Legend* extension key application, and his taking the opportunity to disparage it to promote *Mr. Six*, the industry is already buzzing.

In the eyes of the entire film circle, the gunpowder smell of the New Year release slot had long since reached its peak;

And Wang Zhonglei's behavior pushed it to the point of being ready to explode at the slightest touch.

The result of such direct provocation is inevitably facing a pincer attack from three films: *Mojin: The Lost Legend*, *Bad Guys Always Die*, and *Detective Chinatown*!

After all, these three films are primarily produced by Lin Nan Film Industry and Enlight Media, and these two companies are also the producers of *Mojin: The Lost Legend*, which Wang Zhonglei disparaged.

Lin Nan only saw the news reports online after returning home and hearing Liu Yifei mention it.

How should one put it? Has *Mr. Six* really gotten carried away? Just because Wu Yifan and Li Yifeng have massive fanbases, and the film's promotional effect is explosive?

Lin Dao feels it's time to take action:

Continue to increase the promotional intensity for *Detective Chinatown*, and add promotional press releases for *Mojin: The Lost Legend*;

Hmm, go attend the premiere of *Bad Guys Always Die* on the 20th. Do everything possible to stomp *Mr. Six*'s box office to the lowest possible level!

"Jointly produced by China Star and Bona Film Group, with a production budget reaching 500 million RMB, the large-scale mythological epic *League of Gods* officially wrapped filming this morning."

"It is reported that the film *League of Gods* took over seven months to shoot, and its main cast is top-tier in Chinese cinema:"

"The leads include Jet Li, Fan Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming, Yang Ying, Louis Koo, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Jacky Heung, Wen Zhang, Xu Qing, Zu Feng, and a host of other powerful big-name stars, all of whom are A-listers."

"At the wrap-up press conference, China Star Chairman Charles Heung and Bona Chairman Yu Dong emphasized once again: they will present a true epic mythological masterpiece to the industry and the audience."

"Facing numerous media outlets at the conference, the two jointly announced: starting today, *League of Gods* will enter a six-month period of intense post-production and special effects work;"

"The film *League of Gods* is scheduled for release during next year's summer vacation; the specific public screening date remains to be determined!"

The weather outside has suddenly cooled down, and a cold wind is howling right now.

While waiting for their meal, Liu Yifei, having nothing to do, leaned into Lin Nan's arms and scrolled through Weibo.

Not to mention the Hong Kong circle, but a large number of mainland actors and stars are all cheering for *League of Gods*, which is primarily controlled by China Star and jointly produced by Bona.

On Weibo at this moment, at a glance, a large number of industry insiders are following one after another, reposting the Weibo to congratulate them on a successful wrap-up.

The momentum of this film has truly been built to the extreme, attracting the attention of the entire internet.

Although the quality of the plot and film production is not yet known, the purpose of the promotion has already been achieved;

And just based on that luxurious cast, the heat and topic volume are destined to remain high, or even go off the charts.

Lin Nan rested his head on Liu Yifei's shoulder and teased with a smile:

"You can always trust one thing, and that is that historical films and traditional mythological blockbusters made by the Hong Kong circle are always 'trustworthy'!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei couldn't help but laugh and retorted: "Is this 'trustworthy' of yours the serious kind of 'trustworthy'?"

"The words are serious words, but whether the script and the film are serious, that's hard to say. Hehe..."

"You're teasing with this again, hehe..." Liu Yifei was amused, her face rubbing against Lin Nan.

"Nowadays, stars make money too easily; one popular star is worth a small listed company. Look at this, even the one who once dominated both the black and white paths of Hong Kong... is now desperately promoting his son. It's truly interesting."

For two consecutive days, the temperature in the capital has continued to drop, already reaching four or five degrees Celsius above zero; this is what winter should look like.

As of now, *Mojin: The Lost Legend*, which has been in public release for 15 days, has officially seen its total box office break through 1.712 billion, and yesterday's daily box office was still 40 million.

In the eyes of many industry insiders, the second domestic film to hit 2 billion at the box office might really be right before their eyes.

And what makes the possibility of *Mojin: The Lost Legend* breaking 2 billion uncertain is perhaps the fact that it didn't get the extension key, followed by the four-day direct conflict with *Bad Guys Always Die* and *Mr. Six*; additionally, the further a film goes, the faster its daily box office will drop.

On the morning of the 13th, *From Vegas to Macau III* and *The Monkey King 2*, two films for the Spring Festival slot, held promotional press conferences in the capital simultaneously.

Facing invitations from the two Hong Kong film crews, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei both politely declined.

However, it is clearly visible that the mainland film and television circle is more supportive of *The Monkey King 2*, because this film has more actors from the mainland!

"I originally wanted to go and support them, but it's really too far, and I'm too lazy to move. Haha..."

Lin Nan was driving while answering the phone. On the car radio, he turned the volume of Gong Li's Q&A at the press conference down to a minimum.

"This is a low-budget film, and they wouldn't dare to hope that Lin Dao could spare the time to come over. If you really came, it would delay your time." Yan Fei smiled and flattered him.

At this moment, there were already reports in the online film and television news, and the industry was also taken aback, because Lin Nan's shadow appeared again.

"Controlled by Happy Mahua and co-produced by Lin Nan Film Industry, the comedy film *Assassination of the Donkey*, adapted from the original stage play of the same name, held a low-key opening ceremony this morning at a scenic spot in Pinglu District, Shanxi."

"It is reported that this film is a low-budget production, all actors are from the stage play, and the leads are the original cast of the play, who graduated from the Central Academy of Drama... and are unknown."

In the eyes of many in the industry, Lin Nan investing in a low-budget film adapted from a stage play is purely helping newcomers. In other words, it's also a waste of money!

After all, *Goodbye Mr. Loser* didn't get a second part easily, not to mention that the leads of *Goodbye Mr. Loser* were at least regulars on the Spring Festival Gala, and had some fame.

But what about this *Mr. Donkey*? Without exception, the actors are all "amateur" faces, and almost no one knows them!

"This involves the concept of 'responsibility'. As a leader in the industry, supporting newcomers is very necessary. After all, Lin Nan is also a 'senior' now, and it's good for his reputation."

At China Film Group, Han Sanping was laughing and chatting with Ren Zhonglun, while Stephen Chow accompanied them with a smile; only La Peikang was lukewarm, because he had just been snidely remarked by Ren Zhonglun.

That sentence, "If Shanghai Film Group were the producer of *Mojin: The Lost Legend*, I would definitely go to the bureau and slam the table," sounded very nice, but if it really came to that, would Ren Zhonglun actually do it? Who knows? Right now, everything is just empty talk!

"Since Deputy Director Han has returned, let her follow along for the subsequent promotion, shall we?"

Stephen Chow looked at Han Sanping and invited her with good intentions.

"Hmm, that's fine. It's not good to stay at home all day; let her run around with the crew."

Han Sanping certainly wouldn't refuse. Currently, *The Mermaid* is definitely the most anticipated and eye-catching film in the Spring Festival slot;

Having Han Jia as a deputy director following the promotion will be of great benefit to her.

"I wonder if *The Mermaid* will have the possibility of getting an extension when the time comes. I think the box office shouldn't be bad either..."

Stephen Chow's seemingly joking sentence left the three people on the scene silent, their expressions varied.

After signing the documents for the year-end bonus, Lin Nan leaned back in his chair and stretched. The whole morning was spent on expenses. Of course, this is as it should be.

"The old rules for this year's annual meeting; I won't attend. You guys do as you please, have fun."

"Lin Dao, isn't that inappropriate? You haven't attended the annual meeting for several years, and our profits this year have multiplied several times."

While Yue Jun chatted and laughed with Lin Nan, he signaled to the finance department that they could leave first.

"The annual meeting is on the 2nd, but I have to return to my hometown. I'll stay at home a bit longer this year; I'll come back after the New Year to prepare for the Oscar itinerary."

Lin Nan's tone was relaxed, as if he were talking about something that had been planned long ago.

Upon hearing this, Yue Jun suddenly realized: "Oh my, my brain didn't turn! Newlyweds, after all, must return home for the Lunar New Year, haha..."

Lin Dao didn't speak, just smiled and nodded continuously; that's the logic.

When he returned home in the afternoon, the temperature outside seemed to be approaching zero. Maybe he could see snow in the next two days, but the probability of not seeing it was also extremely high.

After parking the car and arriving at the villa next door, Lin Nan smelled it from afar; it was the smell of a steaming hot pot.

Liu Yifei was hosting a dinner directly at Liu Xiaoli's place—Watching Shu Chang, Han Jia, and Tang Yan were the "gang"!

"Oh my, Lin Dao is back. Here, please sit."

Good heavens, long time no see, does Han Jia really not treat herself as an outsider?

"Lin Dao." Tang Yan greeted with a smile.

Liu Yifei held a shrimp in one hand and pointed to the chair on the side for Lin Nan with the other, her mouth still full. And Watching Shu Chang was a foodie, busy shabu-shabu-ing meat, her eyes fixed on the pot.

"Is *The Princess Weiyoung* stopped again?"

"Just a two-day break, just in time to accompany Luo Jin back; the filming at Ali is in the studio, so the weather doesn't affect it."

Unlike Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang, Tang Yan is also a "workaholic," with many press releases and quite a few acting contracts;

But relatively speaking, she doesn't seem as crazy as Yang Mi.

"Here, chopsticks."

"Oh right, the premiere of *Detective Chinatown* is on the 28th. Invitations will be sent out starting tomorrow; you guys should also reserve the slot."

Lin Nan sat down, took the chopsticks handed by Liu Yifei, and at the same time urged Tang Yan and the others.

"No problem, Lin Dao."

"Hmm, hiss... so hot!"

"Don't worry, I'm giving myself a vacation for these two months before the New Year, I'll be on call, don't even think about it after the New Year... Hmm, Changchang, you boiled it too long..." Han Jia went off-track halfway through speaking.

"Eat mine."

Liu Yifei shared the food she had "saved" in her bowl with Lin Nan; she raised her eyebrows, her face full of pride.

"Hmm, it has to be the person in bed, then I won't be polite, Xixi."

Lin Nan praised with a smile, and Liu Yifei smiled even more proudly; this is what she wanted. That look of expecting others to praise her, not to mention how silly it was. Hmm, you can't see it outside.

"Hey, I'm just eating a meal, and I have to be fed dog food by you guys. Tang Yan, you should have called your Luo Jin..."

Watching Shu Chang pretended to have goosebumps and complained.

"I'll just pretend I'm blind." Little Han added.

"Maybe Luo Jin will be here in a while? I told him, looking at that meaning, he should come over after he turns off his phone!"

Tang Yan said embarrassedly; she had just forgotten to mention this to everyone.

"Fine, it's my big mouth, another portion of dog food."

... ===== CHAPTER 624 =====