Chapter 632: The Bomb and the New Project

Liu Yifei's eloquent speech at the premiere of *Detective Chinatown* last night has been the top headline in film and entertainment news since midnight.

By morning, its popularity and the level of discussion had surged even further, catching the attention of the entire film industry and the whole internet.

The fact that three in-film advertisements actually sold for the unprecedented, staggering price of 210 million—what does this mean?

It means that although *Detective Chinatown* has not yet been publicly released, it has already achieved a net profit of 90 million, as the film's production cost was only 120 million.

And as the top-ranked, premier director in the country, Lin Nan's box office appeal and market influence are undoubtedly reflected to the fullest at this moment.

If it were just the sky-high price of the in-film advertisements at the premiere that left the industry dumbfounded, that would be one thing;

The key is that Liu Yifei also rarely, and for the first time in a public setting, revealed the future film project plans of Lin Nan Film.

Namely, that there is consideration for making *Detective Chinatown* into a film series!

Releasing such "internal" news is, for the film circle, no less than dropping a deep-sea bomb, with huge repercussions.

"What is most important for a film series? The original cast is what's most important!"

Early in the morning, the chatter had already started over at the Beijing Film Academy.

Because the art exam registration is right around the corner, and last year's Central Academy of Drama freshman Liu Haoran has overnight become the focus of heated discussion and the object of envy among the 2016 art examinees;

In the process, the Central Academy of Drama even has a faint trend of overshadowing the Beijing Film Academy at this critical juncture of the art exams.

Central Academy of Drama, art exam freshmen, Lin Nan Film, commercial film series... stringing these terms together is a naked slap in the face—a slap to the Beijing Film Academy's face.

"You'd best not wander around the Performance Academy these few days; they are full of frustration right now whenever they mention that Liu Haoran and *Detective Chinatown*."

"A top-tier cake like a commercial film series was given by their own big director to someone from the Central Academy of Drama! Tsk tsk tsk, sure enough, those who hurt their own people the most are always their own people! Haha..."

Listening to Lao Jiang's teasing, Lin Nan smiled speechlessly, and while continuing to bury his head in filling out forms, he asked:

"According to the process, it can be publicized before next summer vacation, right?"

Hearing this, the smile on Lao Jiang's face—which had just been enjoying the drama of the Performance Academy—instantly vanished, and in the blink of an eye, it turned into a "lemon-flavored" expression.

"Yeah, it will be publicized at the end of the semester. And other associate professors must submit their papers or works before the end of March next year, and participate in the promotion defense in April."

"As for you? No need for a defense. You just need to submit your work!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Nan understood immediately: "You're helping me prepare the title evaluation materials?"

"Hehe, if you have time, you can do it yourself! I really have a life of toil..." Lao Jiang retorted unhappily, full of resentment.

"Then thank you, Deputy Director Jiang, haha..."

Director Lin smiled and handed over several documents, including the *Work Information Registration Form* signed with his own name and the *Beijing Film Academy Directing Department Senior Professional Title Promotion Defense Commitment Letter*.

"Huh? It's actually not *Detective Chinatown*!"

Lao Jiang scanned the "Film Work Title" column and exclaimed.

"*Operation Meigonghe* is more suitable. But to avoid the risk of the film source being leaked, I can only send the copy over on the day of the defense in April. No problem, right?"

Lin Nan said in an unquestionable tone. After all, according to his plan, *Operation Meigonghe* is to be released in the second half of the year.

"For Director Lin's request, naturally there is no problem!"

Lao Jiang smacked his lips and nodded at Lin Nan.

After finishing the serious business, Lin Nan didn't stay at the school for even a moment longer; his target is too big, and there's no guarantee he won't be blocked by the Performance Academy or someone else.

But he has to come back once more tomorrow morning, because he still has his last elective class.

Near 11:00 AM, another piece of entertainment news abruptly landed on the entertainment headlines of major portals and the top of the Weibo trending list.

The entire film and entertainment circle and countless netizens on the internet immediately focused their attention on the long-absent Tang Ren's top actress and the former "Lightning Tiger."

"Following their marriage registration at the beginning of the year, this morning, popular actress Liu Shishi and 'Fourth Master' Wu Qilong announced the guest invitation list for their wedding;"

"The two have officially sent out wedding invitations to the film and entertainment circle; the wedding date is set for late March next year, and the location is Bali..."

"It is reported that Cai Yinong and Tang Ren Film's official Weibo did not repost any Weibo related to Liu Shishi's wedding..."

"Industry insiders reveal that Liu Shishi's acting agency contract with Tang Ren Film will expire within next year; the former's attitude is unclear, and she is suspected of having intentions to leave..."

Tang Ren.

Cai Yinong flipped through the wedding invitation in her hand, her expression quite nostalgic, but also clearly cold.

She discovered Liu Shishi in the final days of 2005, and after giving her the resources for a TV series, signed the contract in the second half of 2006; it has been nearly 10 years since then.

For over a year, faced with the company's and her own repeated tentative "retention" efforts, Liu Shishi's perfunctory attitude has already explained the problem: she will not renew when the contract expires!

That is why Cai Yinong is so "cold."

"Did Hu Ge and the others receive them?" Cai Yinong looked at the secretary.

"They all received them, and they have all reserved their schedules in advance and will go. President Cai, what about the company side?"

"Just send a gift; after all, she is a veteran of 10 years."

Cai Yinong said coldly; she will not be going.

"By the way, is there any news from Nazha and Chen Yao?"

Compared to the ungrateful ingrate she raised to A-list status, Cai Yinong is more concerned about the affairs of the other two artists at this moment.

"They both returned to school today, and there is currently no news on the audition results."

"Returned to school? Not running around for more announcements at the end of the year, why return to school?" Cai Yinong frowned.

"It seems they said they are students in Director Lin Nan's elective class, and there is a final class tomorrow."

Hearing this, Cai Yinong was instantly speechless.

For a small actor, an announcement is certainly not as important as leaving a good impression in front of a big director!

Cai Yinong nodded, then fell silent again.

After a long while, she looked at the secretary and asked a question that left the other party somewhat tongue-tied:

"After she leaves, in terms of the company's resource allocation, who can become the 'top actress'?"

Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang were there eating snacks, waiting for lunch at the restaurant.

And Lin Nan looked at the wedding invitation on the table, his expression quite disgusted, and complained:

"Is it so popular now to hold a makeup wedding more than a year or two after registering for marriage?"

"What are you talking about? There must have been a wedding before. It's just that now that they have fame, it's the right time for a big, grand affair; there must be purposes of hype, promotion, and building a persona in it."

Watching Shu Chang delivered the final verdict, stating her conclusion with certainty; she feels that Bao Bei doesn't seem like a good person.

That's right, the wedding invitation in front of Lin Nan was sent from Enlight Media; after all, he is Enlight's top brother.

"Just send a gift for the sake of President Wang, and have Xie Nan help bring it over later. We didn't have much interaction to begin with."

Liu Yifei said her opinion while cracking melon seeds.

"Fine, listening to my wife."

Lin Nan naturally had no objections, and raised his eyebrows at Liu Yifei.

Miss Liu caught it, and immediately returned the gesture with a playful wink.

"Lunch is coming soon, can you two stop? I want to eat, not eat dog food!"

Watching Shu Chang pouted, rolled her eyes, and complained unhappily.

"Others might not even have the qualifications to eat our dog food, yet you're complaining." Lin Nan teased with interest.

"Mm-hmm, you should be content, hehe..."

Liu Yifei, like a female bandit, grabbed Watching Shu Chang's shoulder and shook her laughingly.

Lin Nan watched, his expression hesitant for a moment.

Why is Miss Liu's action so familiar? Good heavens, this is being taught bad habits by that female hooligan Zhou Xun!

Sometimes one has to say, some people are indeed very suitable for the entertainment circle.

In the afternoon, Lin Nan saw the film news on the internet;

Watching Shu Chang's "little cousin" with no blood relation should have successfully hooked up with some film and television capital in the industry.

The film she starred in and shot in the second half of last year is now officially scheduled for mid-March; and her partner is Xia Yu, with Yang Zi playing a supporting role.

It's just that the name of this film sounds like a flop—*Los Angeles Kidnapping Plan*!

It's just that I don't know how badly it will flop when the time comes; after all, after the Spring Festival slot, the film market is bound to be depressed for a month.

Early on the 30th.

As expected by the industry, *Angel Whispers* continued to plummet. Yesterday, the 29th, the daily box office fell from 31.1 million on the 28th to 23.7 million.

And although the daily box office of *Mr. Six* also plummeted from 70.35 million on the 28th to 50.1 million, it stubbornly held onto the 50 million mark yesterday, the 29th, closing at 51.01 million.

The box office rivalry between the two films is indeed very eye-catching to the industry;

But the popularity of the news related to Hongxingwu's *Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms* is not inferior to *Angel Whispers* and *Mr. Six* at all.

"At around 8:00 AM today, Hongxingwu Film announced the core actress casting list for the TV series *Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms*:"

"Following several big-screen films, popular A-list actress Watching Shu Chang returns to the TV series stage and will play the female lead;"

"Popular actress Reba will challenge the role of the second female lead;"

"Beijing Film Academy Performance Department 2013 students Chen Yao and Meng Ziyi will play the roles of Su Jin and Xuan Nu respectively; popular actor Mu Tingting will play the role of Yan Zhi;"

"Central Academy of Drama Performance Department 2014 student Kang Keran will play the role of Shao Xin;"

Lin Nan hadn't left for school yet, but he knew that the Beijing Film Academy must have already "exploded," because it was even more heated on the internet!

"Holy crap, Watching Shu Chang? The goddess is back to act in a TV series?"

"She has played a fox spirit before! The early Xiao Yu was pure, and the darkened Xiao Yu was even more beautiful and cool!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, good heavens, in terms of seniority, acting skills, and achievements, shouldn't this crush Yang Mi's film version?"

"The one above, did you forget? In the voting for the female lead of the Alibaba Pictures film version, Watching Shu Chang was second, ahead of Yang Mi..."

"This year is coming to an end, and there are still 45 years until 2060; I wonder if I can still wait for it?"

"Looking at the photos, everyone is a beauty! Really pleasing to the eye!!"

"Watching Shu Chang's ancient costume roles and ancient mythological roles are really too many, and all of them are deeply impressive! Consort Donggo, Tianshan Tonglao, Shui Sheng, Xu Lian, Jing Wei, Xiao Yu..."

Clearly, in the actress lineup for the TV version of *Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms* announced by Hongxingwu, Watching Shu Chang is undoubtedly the focus of the entire internet.

Because in terms of audience affinity, she is truly an impeccable existence among actresses born after 1985, and she is someone who can go head-to-head with Liu Yifei!

*Dear Translator* crew.

When Yang Mi and Ceng Jia saw Hongxingwu's actress casting list, they were both stunned.

"I knew it, I knew it wouldn't be ordinary. Watching Shu Chang... this is no different from letting her come to act!"

Yang Mi's mouth felt a bit bitter, and she had a feeling of doubled pressure; even the expression on her face subconsciously became serious.

Ceng Jia was extremely embarrassed at this moment; every time she told Yang Mi: among actresses of the same age, there are few who can compare to you...

But often, every time someone pops up to challenge, it's those few—stronger than Yang Mi! Either in acting skills, status, resources, or national popularity, or possessing several of these!

"Mi Mi, we..."

"It's nothing, I don't take it to heart."

In just a minute or two, Yang Mi's momentum became much sharper.

In her view, she does not lose to anyone, does not lose to any actress of the same age... previously she was not inferior to them, and now she has even more confidence!

Even if the other party is a child star, with excellent acting skills, numerous hit representative works, and very high national popularity... an A-list actress!

"Good, well said, I always firmly believe that you are the most resilient! Watching Shu Chang is just lucky to have a good best friend..."

Ceng Jia was very excited to cheer Yang Mi on.

Cai Yinong was very excited because Chen Yao got a role.

Originally, in her guess, both of them would have failed, but now one has had good luck!

For the company, this is indeed a very good thing.

"Although Nazha wasn't selected..."

Speaking of this, Cai Yinong also realized the main reason for Nazha's failure. Namely, Nazha is very beautiful, but she clashed with Reba.

"Although Chen Yao's acting skills are not bad, this is the entertainment circle; actresses ultimately have to rely on their faces! How many can truly walk the path of an acting-focused star!"

Cai Yinong looked at the secretary and said very seriously.

The latter naturally understood the meaning of Cai Yinong's words: from now on, those few resources of Tang Ren, especially the Hong Kong circle resources, will fall to Nazha, replacing Liu Shishi's position.

Lin Nan drove his car into the Beijing Film Academy gate.

Originally, Liu Yifei wanted to join in the fun and come along to "listen to the class," but after being lured away by a phone call from Zhou Xun, she immediately called Watching Shu Chang to go out and have fun together.

There is a "gongs and drums" atmosphere inside the school.

Because at this time, there are only 7 days left until the Beijing Film Academy's art exam registration, and all departments are busy with art exam preparations, and a large number of art examinees are also busy at the Beijing Film Academy making up lessons and pulling strings...

Not only that, the actress lineup announced by Hongxingwu is also an important reason why the school has become lively and restless.

After all, this is the first time that students from the Beijing Film Academy's Performance Department have been selected by the couple Liu Yifei and Lin Nan; it is truly worth celebrating; and many times, for many things, once there is a first time, there will be a second!

"I've been squatting here waiting for you for a while."

Looking at Teacher Zhou's smiling appearance, Lin Nan always has a bad premonition.

"Teacher Zhou, why are you squatting for me?"

"I was afraid you would slip away too fast after class, so I blocked you in advance."

"It's already spread through the school this morning that Chen Yao and Meng Ziyi are both students in your elective class. Is there a reason for Yifei and you to decide on them both?"

"Look, someone has already suggested that you should increase the number of students for the next class by several times."

"So, you're looking for me to be a lobbyist?"

Lin Nan teased with a smile; he only felt relieved when he heard this.

"You've also been under my tutelage for a semester; do you think I don't know what kind of character you have? I won't do this kind of thankless work, and Deputy Director Jiang also slipped away very fast!"

"Then what is this?"

"Is Yifei signing people? I have people under me... hey hey, don't run, you're just showing off your long legs, right..."

"Teacher Zhou, choosing them is not because they are people in my elective class. Besides... you're thinking too beautifully; Yifei is so Buddhist, how could she sign artists? Haha..."

Lin Nan raised his hand over his head, waving without looking back; Teacher Zhou's voice grew more and more distant.

At 10:00 AM sharp, the number of students in the tiered classroom was even higher than when Lin Nan taught his first class;

It was truly people squeezing people, and there was even a scene where two people were sitting in one seat.

And the first row was those few familiar faces. There were Chen Yao and Meng Ziyi, who had just been selected by Hongxingwu, as well as Nazha and Song Yiren, who had been brushed off...

"First of all, I'll tell everyone a piece of good news: this is the last session of my elective class this semester, and I am finally going to be liberated."

Lin Nan first made a joke, letting the atmosphere at the scene quiet down.

Others make jokes to liven up the atmosphere, while he is "cooling it down," which is enough to show how heated the atmosphere in the classroom was.

It is estimated that many people assumed the reason Hongxingwu chose Chen Yao and Meng Ziyi was because they were students in Lin Nan's elective class!

"The second piece of good news: my elective class has no end-of-semester exam, because I also hate exams!"

When Lin Nan said this, there was a burst of laughter at the scene.

Clearly, only thirty people were official students in the class, but at this moment, it felt as if everyone was a student in the class who didn't need to take exams; the atmosphere was exceptionally good. Perhaps it was because Lin Nan, this top big director, was easy to talk to and young.

"In the last class, let's talk about the mindset needed when struggling in the film and entertainment industry; that is, everyone must have an understanding that effort and return are never proportional."

"To summarize, it's fourteen words: Small fame relies on support, that is, resources; big fame relies on fate, which is metaphysics!"

"Therefore, if you want to last long, your mindset must be good..."

Lin Nan seemed to have dragged the class out; it wasn't that he wanted to, but because he was surrounded and blocked, and everyone was asking him if he would open the class next semester.

Lin Nan hadn't thought about this matter yet, but he should be very busy next year, and he would most likely not come to school to open the class.

Time flew by, and finally arrived at the last day of December, which is also the last day of this year.

For the film production industry, the most important thing today is that Lin Nan's *Detective Chinatown* is released; this is another film that leaves no way for others to survive.

Early in the morning, film and entertainment news was flooded with news about several New Year's films; looking at it, it was all data.

"Produced by Huayi, directed by Guan Hu, starring Feng Xiaogang, Wu Yifan, Li Yifeng, Zhang Hanyu, Xu Qing, Liu Hua, Bai Jugang, and others, the New Year's action drama *Mr. Six* has been released for a week, with a total box office of 398.5 million, and yesterday's box office of 46.07 million."

"Controlled by Enlight Media, co-produced by Orange Image, directed by Deng Chao, starring Deng Chao, Sun Li, Liang Chao, and others; the New Year's comedy *Angel Whispers* has been released for a full week, with a cumulative box office of 574 million, and yesterday's box office fell to 15.87 million..."

"Jointly produced by Lin Nan Film, Enlight, Wanda, China Film, and Shanghai Film, directed by Director Lin Nan, produced by Liu Yifei, starring Wang Baoqiang, Liu Haoran, Tang Yan, Xiao Yang, Chen He, Zhang Zifeng, and others;"

"The New Year's comedy, action, detective blockbuster *Detective Chinatown* has landed in national cinemas early this morning and is officially released..."

"According to data from cinema chains, on the first day of *Detective Chinatown*'s release, the comprehensive screening rate reached as high as 58.88%!"

"The screening volume of many New Year's films such as *Mr. Six* and *Angel Whispers* has been significantly reduced and squeezed... the audience has been severely diverted and plummeted..."

Lin Nan felt that Huayi must really want to kill him right now, because the 58.88% screening rate must have been obtained by stripping the bones and sucking the marrow, cutting the flesh and bleeding from other films.

And *Mr. Six*, which had just been released for a full week, must be the primary target.

"Lin Nan, President Wang's call."

Liu Yifei, wearing a facial mask and a pink cotton pajama set, lay lazily on the sofa and beckoned to Lin Nan.

She had just woken up not long ago, and was still called up by Lin Nan, because Liu Xiaoli called back in the morning!

"President Wang?"

"Lin Nan, the first week of *Angel Whispers* is about enough, leave the subsequent *Mr. Six* to you, don't leave it any way to survive, haha..."

Hearing this, Lin Nan didn't know what to say to Wang Changtian for a moment; how could this be decided by personal will? One can only do one's best and listen to fate, and everything that could be done has already been done.

"Let's see tomorrow. Fortunately, it's not just the New Year's slot, tomorrow also officially enters New Year's Day, the box office should continue to explode."

Lin Nan thought simply in his mind and said very affirmatively: "It's definitely no problem for the first-day box office to exceed *Mojin: The Lost Legend*, after all, the screening rate is so high."

"Can it reach 2.5?"

"Hard to say, but we should be able to look forward to it."

"If it can reach 2.5, then with your appeal, 2 billion in a month shouldn't be too much of a quest..."

"Stop!"

Lin Nan hurriedly shouted, and Liu Yifei on the side was startled, hummed unhappily at him, and then began to close her eyes and rest.

"Alright, alright, I won't open champagne before the game. Just calling to tell you, Huayi's screening rate has been cut a lot, we have to beat the dog in the water... Alright, I still have next year's project proposal to read..."

Wang Changtian was about to hang up, but Lin Nan suddenly thought of *Pacific Rim 2* in his mind.

When making *Pacific Rim 1*, China Film was among the producers, and it was Lin Nan who took the initiative to give China Film a share.

And this time, he had already made up his mind not to bring China Film.

If China Film is not brought along, should Enlight Media be brought into the domestic producer camp? Or add someone else? After all, it's an A-level co-production, the lineup is naturally the bigger the better.

"President Wang?"

"Mm, what's wrong?"

Wang Changtian responded, but Lin Nan was a bit stuck again, his brain was a mess, and he had to sort out his thoughts carefully.

"Nothing, let's talk after the New Year."

"Hey, you're being inexplicable. Alright, that's it, hanging up."

"Mm."...