Chapter 63: The Gift

Lu Zheng was very hospitable, inviting Ning Hao and his wife, along with Lin Nan, to have dinner together.

Lin Nan did not refuse.

Through this meal, everyone could be considered to have gotten to know each other.

Jing Tian took the initiative to exchange contact information with Lin Nan, including Penguin.

Upon learning that they were both from the same hometown, the atmosphere became even more harmonious, and the topics of conversation increased; especially after a few sentences in their local dialect, the relationship grew much closer.

A beautiful girl opening her mouth to speak in a Northwest dialect—the scene was simply too much to look at.

There was no clichéd drinking culture; everyone chatted about the local customs of different places and excellent film and television works, making for a very good experience.

After the banquet, Lin Nan and Ning Hao’s couple got into one car, while Lu Zheng and Jing Tian left together.

"I really didn't expect that you two were actually from the same hometown."

Xing Ai found it amusing when she thought about the two of them conversing in their dialect.

"Yeah, it's quite interesting." Lin Nan thought about the scene just now and also felt it was interesting.

In the other car, the driver drove steadily.

"Today was a good harvest; you can consider yourself acquainted with Lin Nan now."

"This connection of being from the same hometown might just be that to ordinary people, but for those in this industry, it is a bond."

Lu Zheng glanced at the thoughtful Jing Tian.

"That place in the Northwest is not bad; many great directors rose from the Western Film Studio, the fourth generation, the fifth generation..."

"Maintain this relationship well; sometimes, even with money, you might not be able to squeeze into these core circles."

Jing Tian glanced at Lu Zheng, "I know, Uncle Lu."

In truth, she was not willing to maintain relationships so calculatingly; she preferred to interact simply as friends, which would be more relaxed and sincere, but what Lu Zheng and the others said was always different from what she thought.

Lin Nan inexplicably thought of a saying: girls from good families have simpler minds because they are well-protected by their families, always avoiding letting them see some unpleasant things.

Lin Nan looked at the exquisite card in his hand; this was a birthday invitation card handwritten by Liu Yifei.

He opened his office cabinet and took out a gift he had prepared long ago.

During this period, the entertainment industry was very lively, with all kinds of news dazzling people.

The Wang Jinghua affair had only just shown signs of calming down, and here the Little Dragon Maiden was about to hold a birthday banquet—in the words of Chen Jinfei and Liu’s mother, this was called a coming-of-age ceremony.

With "The Story of a Noble Family," "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," "Chinese Paladin," plus "The Return of the Condor Heroes" which hadn't been released yet but already had stills leaked, Liu Yifei was undoubtedly the new-generation actress with the highest popularity and the most fans.

According to the plans of Liu’s mother and Chen Jinfei, this banquet would invite numerous filmmakers, screenwriters, media personnel, and big names they could manage to invite, in order to pave the way for Liu Yifei's future career.

This was the best method they could think of. Lin Nan had to admit that this method was indeed the most direct and effective.

A portion of the invitations were sent out by Liu’s mother and the others, while only a small number of invitation cards were handwritten and made by Liu Yifei herself, aimed at that small group she was very close to: Lin Nan, Shu Chang, Zhu Yawen, Jiang Yiyan, and others, as well as girls like Jiang Xin whom she met while filming.

The media had been warming up the reports for days in advance; the theme "Crystal Princess, Fei Turns Eighteen" had a very fairytale atmosphere.

The Fangfei Garden at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse was directly booked as the venue for this banquet.

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen agreed to go together that day.

Shu Chang was convenient; as a best friend, she set off directly from Liu Yifei’s home.

In the Penguin group for the 2002 Acting Class, they were also talking about this matter. Liu Yifei was very thoughtful and sent invitation cards to all her classmates, but most couldn't go; there were too few people with smooth sailing careers, and most were busy on film crews and sets.

Many people in the group sent blessings, almost all of whom couldn't come, and Liu Yifei replied to them one by one.

This year, the school's start date was at the end of August, and many freshmen from afar had arrived a few days or even a week or two early; Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen saw many new faces.

After that day, Lin Nan had one more person in his Penguin friends list: Jing Tian, and they chatted a few times.

Regarding her future plans, she was very clear: she wanted to be an actress, and while releasing an EP, she had already signed for a movie.

Lin Nan curiously asked what movie it was, and it took a long time for Jing Tian to reply with a few words: "The Python," from Hong Kong.

Hearing this name, Lin Nan had a bad feeling; he just hoped she would have good luck.

On the 25th, the weather was kind, and it wasn't very hot.

Early in the morning, Zhu Yawen drove to the school to pick up Lin Nan.

"I've become your full-time driver."

Looking at Lin Nan who was washing up, Zhu Yawen said with annoyance.

"Wait for me a moment, I'll be ready soon," Lin Nan said.

Men are much less troublesome than women when it comes to grooming and dressing.

For this kind of formal occasion, a suit was more appropriate; Lin Nan had prepared his clothes two days in advance.

In terms of physique, both Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen were considered standard, and their heights were about the same; the two of them dressed in formal wear and walked on campus, and the head-turning rate was still quite high.

"It's Director Lin Nan and Senior Zhu Yawen. What are they going to do? So formal."

Some students were very curious.

"They should be going to attend Liu Yifei's birthday banquet; it's been mentioned online these past two days, it seems to be today."

"The people going should all be famous, right?"

"That's for sure, there should be quite a few film and television companies."

It must be said that Chen Jinfei's expenditure this time was truly not small; the media revealed that the budget for this banquet was around nearly two million.

Just speaking of the venue, the specifications of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse were very classy and high-end.

Many domestic blockbusters' premieres didn't have this scale; if one really had to compare, perhaps only the premiere of "Hero" could firmly hold the upper hand, because it was at the Great Hall of the People in the capital.

Starting from the main hall entrance and extending outward, the red carpet was dozens of meters long.

Adorned with flowers and crowded with luxury cars, a large number of media reporters had arrived early; cameras flashed outside the main hall, and there would definitely be no shortage of news material today.

Zhu Yawen drove, Lin Nan sat in the passenger seat, and there were two gifts in the back seat, neither box was large.

It was called a birthday banquet and a coming-of-age ceremony, but perhaps only these friends of Liu Yifei were truly preparing gifts with heart; for others, social networking and entertainment were the main purposes.

After parking the car, Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen picked up their respective gifts and headed toward the destination.

From afar, they could see the place where the crowd gathered, with ushers guiding guests onto the red carpet.

"Is that Director Yu in front?" Zhu Yawen said uncertainly.

"It's Director Yu Min." Lin Nan took a look.

"Wow, it's Teacher Zhu Shimao, that seems to be Teacher Yu Junjian, and also..."

Zhu Yawen recognized them one by one, becoming more excited as he spoke.

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen stepped onto the red carpet; reporters on both sides called out to Lin Nan. He turned his head to look—it was someone from Sina, an acquaintance, and he smiled and cooperated for a photo.

"Please sign."

The hostess handed over two pens, and Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen left their names in the guest book. Many people had already arrived, and looking at the signatures, they were all insiders.

Entering the main hall, the view was wide, with guests in groups of three or five holding glasses, chatting and laughing together.

"Director Lin Nan."

Chen Jinfei's appearance was not the kind that looked kind, and at this moment he was smiling and greeting Lin Nan, which made the latter feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Mr. Chen, hello."

"Haha, no need to be so polite. Yifei was just talking about you and Yawen; they are in the back right now."

Lin Nan exchanged a few polite words and then walked toward the back with Zhu Yawen.

Quite a few people saw Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen. The people from Huayi were still the younger Mr. Wang, and beside him were Zhang the Bearded, Yu Min, and Wang Jinghua; the people from Orange Sky were on the other side of the hall, giving a feeling of not interacting with each other.

"Director Lin, come over and join us," the younger Mr. Wang called out.

"Mr. Wang, I'll come over in a moment," he said, shaking the gift box in his hand.

Chen Jinfei looked at the hall entrance from time to time; it was clear that some people had not arrived yet at this time.

Passing through the hall and arriving at the backstage, it was very lively with many young women.

Liu’s mother stood to one side, looking at her daughter sitting in front of the vanity mirror, wearing a princess gown and looking graceful, while a makeup artist was applying makeup for her.

Shu Chang, Jiang Yiyan, Zhou Yang, and Jiang Xin were all dressed up, chatting about something on one side.

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen approached and were spotted by the sharp-eyed Jiang Yiyan, "Our great Director Lin and Zhu Yawen have arrived."

A group of people immediately looked over, and Liu’s mother smiled, "You're here."

"Auntie standing here, you look just like Yifei's older sister." Zhu Yawen had a sweet tongue, which left Lin Nan stunned; this guy must have been practicing in private.

"It's not as exaggerated as you say."

Although Liu’s mother said it was exaggerated, her face was already filled with smiles.

Liu Yifei wanted to turn her head, but she couldn't, as the makeup artist was applying makeup.

"Let me see what the gifts are."

Shu Chang took two steps over, took the gifts from Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen's hands, and retreated to the side of the group of girls.

"How can you be like this?" Zhu Yawen said.

The few girls didn't care about that.

"Xixi, these are the gifts they gave you, can we open them now?"

Shu Chang made a face at Lin Nan and the other, then asked Liu Yifei.

"Open them."

Liu Yifei couldn't say too much, fearing that facial movements would affect the makeup artist.

"This child."

Liu’s mother smiled at Shu Chang's behavior; isn't that just a child's personality?

"Oh, a crystal kitten, so beautiful! No wonder it's so heavy; Zhu Yawen is quite good at picking gifts."

Several girls chattered away, offering their critiques.

The better the relationship, the less appropriate it is to give expensive gifts; it is best not to mix other things into friendship.

"Why is Lin Nan's gift so light?" Zhou Yang teased.

"You didn't just put a random greeting card inside, did you?" Jiang Yiyan covered her mouth and laughed.

Lin Nan shrugged, "You shouldn't dismiss its weight just because it's light."

"Open it and see what it actually is."

Shu Chang did it herself, tearing off the wrapping and opening the flat box, which was the thickness of a notebook, to reveal a cowhide-colored document envelope inside.

"What is this? It's wrapped layer after layer."

Shu Chang pouted and glanced at Lin Nan.

Opening the document envelope, Shu Chang pulled out a stack of papers, all in English.

"Ah!"

Shu Chang let out a shriek and clutched the stack of papers to her chest; the other girls were startled by her scream before they could see what it was.

"Haha."

Lin Nan was amused by Shu Chang's reaction.

Relying on her seasoned experience, the makeup artist managed not to let her eyebrow pencil slip from the fright.

Amidst the confused gazes, Shu Chang said weakly.

"Qianqian, actually my birthday is today too, do you believe me?"

"Isn't it three months from now?" Lin Nan said with a mischievous smile.

"Hmph, I'm jealous," Shu Chang chided.

"Auntie, Lin Nan has prepared an unexpected big gift for Qianqian."

As she spoke, Shu Chang handed the documents to Mother Liu.

"What is it?"

Mother Liu took them and asked.