Chapter 64: Birthday

Liu Xiaoli glanced at it and exclaimed.

"Lin Nan, is this true? This film contract?"

Facing Liu Mu's expectant gaze, Lin Nan nodded. "It's true, Auntie."

"Qianqian, come and take a look."

Interrupted by Liu Mu, the makeup artist had to stop temporarily and went to the lounge.

"Mom, what is it? You're so excited." Liu Yifei was very puzzled.

"It's a good thing, Qianqian."

Shu Chang shouted excitedly.

Zhu Yawen couldn't stand the dawdling. "He prepared a gift for you for two months: the female lead of *Journey to the Center of the Earth*."

Once this was said, Zhou Yang, Jiang Yiyan, and Jiang Xin were all stunned. The news about *Journey to the Center of the Earth* a while ago was still fresh in their minds.

Hollywood, under Time Warner, New Line Cinema in control, a 3D sci-fi film with a total production cost of 60 million USD, with Lin Nan bringing in investment from Zhongying, Shangying, Wanda Cinemas, and Huayi for 18 million USD.

"Female lead?"

Liu Yifei looked at the documents in her hand, which were also the contract, and her joy was beyond words.

"You actually hid it for so long."

Liu Yifei raised her fair, tender fist at Lin Nan, her eyes full of joy.

"Didn't you always ask me for a movie role? I didn't have one temporarily, so I could only find one for you elsewhere," Lin Nan said in a gentle tone.

"Mm, I really like this gift, Little Lin Zi."

Liu Yifei's eyes were shining, and she showed her little tiger teeth at Lin Nan.

"As long as you like it. I just don't know if it will conflict with the time you record songs. The movie is planned to start filming at the end of the year, for a month and a half."

"It won't conflict."

Liu Mu said hurriedly. A female lead in a Hollywood sci-fi film—how many people wanted to fight and grab for that?

"I'm sour."

"Me too."

Zhou Yang and Jiang Yiyan were speechless.

The situation in the hall was unknown, but the backstage was all watching the contract in Liu Yifei's hand. The salary wasn't high, 200,000, but that was USD, and Liu Yifei was still a pure newcomer.

"Lin Nan, my birthday is in three months, you have to remember, okay?"

Shu Chang looked at Lin Nan pitifully.

"What! Didn't you have a birthday last year? Why do you want to have one again this year?"

Lin Nan looked incredulous.

"Ahhh, you're bullying me..."

Shu Chang looked like she was about to rush over to fight.

"Hahaha."

In the front hall, at this time, guests were full. Stars who had worked with Liu Yifei, such as Huang Xiaoming and Lin Zhiying, arrived one after another, and the media's lenses didn't want to stop for even a second.

Huang Xiaoming was preparing for Huayi's blockbuster *The Banquet*, and it hadn't been long since *The Return of the Condor Heroes* wrapped up. At this time, his popularity was at its peak. Coming to attend Liu Yifei's birthday banquet could be said to have earned enough media attention.

"Qianqian, a call from your father."

Liu Xiaoli answered a call and handed it to Liu Yifei.

Lin Nan and the others consciously retreated, leaving private space for Liu Yifei.

Several people appeared in the hall. Huang Xiaoming ran to Lin Nan familiarly: "Lin Dao, you guys came really early. Let's go have a drink."

"Okay." Lin Nan accepted readily.

Lin Nan had a very good impression of Huang Xiaoming. During *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, he had saved Liu Yifei once; he was very manly.

Zhu Yawen consciously went to Wang Jinghua's side, and Lin Nan followed Huang Xiaoming into the Huayi crowd.

"Wang Zong, Director Zhang, Director Yu."

Lin Nan greeted them one by one.

"Lin Dao, we were just waiting for you."

Raising the high and stepping on the low had always been the rule in the circle. Fortunately, Lin Nan's momentum was strong, and he was an honored guest wherever he went.

Not long after, Chen Jinfei came in smiling and welcoming a few people.

"It's the leaders from the cultural department..."

Wang Zhonglei whispered.

Lin Nan knew that this was the heart and a little help from Liu Yifei's biological father to his daughter.

So many people in the hall saw Chen Jinfei and his party, but no one went up to chat. They just saw Liu Mu and those few chatting and laughing about something.

Not long after, Liu Yifei also walked over, calling them uncles and such.

The few didn't stay too long, probably because it wasn't convenient, and left in a hurry. Just showing their faces was enough.

The guests took their seats. Lin Nan was pulled to sit next to Huang Xiaoming. This table was almost all Huayi people. Zhu Yawen was far away, with Wang Jinghua and the others. This seating arrangement was also intentional.

The dressed-up Liu Yifei took the stage, in a princess dress and crystal crown, her youthful beauty fully displayed, stunning the audience.

Chen Jinfei, in the capacity of godfather, and Liu Mu were on stage, talking about today's theme.

Taking advantage of Liu Yifei's eighteenth birthday, they invited many industry people to come and witness, and also hoped that everyone would take care of Liu Yifei's work and career in the future.

Sony Music's senior management took the stage and solemnly announced that they had reached a cooperation with Liu Yifei in music, and were currently tailoring an album for her.

Chen Jinfei expressed on stage his idea of wanting Liu Yifei to enter the big screen, seemingly jokingly greeting many film companies, directors, and producers.

The host had done his homework. When Liu Yifei thanked the crews of several TV dramas, he could accurately report who from these crews was present.

Of the four TV dramas, two male leads were present: Lin Zhiying from *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* and Huang Xiaoming from *The Return of the Condor Heroes*. Coincidentally, the directors and producers of the two dramas were the same: Zhang Jizhong and Yu Min had both come.

"Today, Yang Guo has arrived, so there's no need to wait another sixteen years."

The host's joke made many people present laugh and also found a promotional topic for this unreleased TV drama.

After talking about *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, it was *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*. Lin Zhiying was invited to the stage to sing *The Rainy Season of Seventeen* with Wang Yuyan—a memory kill from the Little Whirlwind.

During the meal, Wang Zhonglei asked about the start date of *Journey to the Center of the Earth*. People at this table looked over curiously.

"New Line put the filming time at the end of the year. The cycle is not long; it's mainly because the post-production time is relatively long."

This movie hadn't announced the main cast yet. Huayi was also an investor now and was quite concerned about this matter.

"Wang Zong is still thinking about the role?"

"Haha, why do you say that? Why wouldn't I? It's not easy to have a Hollywood movie with a chance to participate. Can there be few actors staring at it?" Wang Zhonglei said bluntly.

"The actors have all been decided," Lin Nan said.

Wang Zhonglei was obviously a bit disappointed. "Then forget it."

"Director Xiaogang's *The Banquet* is about to start filming. If you are free, come and visit the set. This is also Xiaoming's first big-screen work," Wang Zhonglei invited.

Huang Xiaoming also echoed on the side.

"That will have to be seen when the time comes. If it's convenient, I will definitely go," Lin Nan promised verbally first.

The song on stage had finished, and Lin Nan applauded at the right time, and everyone participated.

Liu Yifei performed a few talents alone, winning a round of praise.

The banquet began. Some people picked up wine glasses, wandered between tables, socialized and chatted, while others were in groups of three or five, chatting lively.

Liu Yifei was the protagonist today and needed to follow Liu Mu and Chen Jinfei to entertain guests and make connections.

At Lin Nan's table, even Huang Xiaoming had left the table. Wang Zhonglei and Big Beard Zhang also had their own social circles.

"You're quite free. Did you really come here just to eat?"

Zhu Yawen sat down next to Lin Nan. At this table, only Lin Nan was eating and drinking slowly.

"If I don't eat, what should I do? I sent such a big gift, I definitely have to get some back."

Lin Nan joked.

"Then you have to eat until you die here."

Zhu Yawen picked up the unused tableware on the table and joined the battle.

"You're not over there, why did you run to my table to eat?"

"There are too few acquaintances over there, and the utilitarianism is too heavy."

Zhu Yawen ate a bite of food. "You made a big move today. Once the news spreads, it will be headline news for several days again."

Lin Nan didn't answer, because several people in the circle had come over.

"Lin Dao, cheers to you. I hope we can cooperate in the future."

"Thank you."

Zhu Yawen didn't say a word and only spoke after the people left.

"Careless. You are also the object they want to make friends with."

Shu Chang brought Jiang Xin over: "You two are both here." She sat down as she spoke.

"Lin Dao."

Jiang Xin was a year older than Lin Nan, but at this moment, she seemed a bit restrained.

The gift Lin Nan gave Liu Yifei made her a bit unable to recover. The boy in front of her who was younger than her had a much, much higher status in the circle—a big director, a film company boss, and a person who cooperated with Hollywood companies.

Lin Nan glanced at Jiang Xin: "Sit down quickly. I remember the last time we met was when you were filming *Chinese Paladin*. At that time, I was in the *Lotus Lantern* crew next door to you."

"Yes, you often came over with Shu Chang to find Yifei at that time."

Lin Nan's words made Jiang Xin relax a bit.

"Hahaha." Zhu Yawen laughed out loud when he heard this.

"What's so funny?" Lin Nan said coldly.

"Nothing." Zhu Yawen held back his laughter and said.

Jiang Xin looked at this scene, a bit confused. Shu Chang looked at Lin Nan slyly.

"Sima Zhao..."

"Cough cough, Changchang, are you hungry? Eat a couple of bites quickly."

Lin Nan pushed the desserts and candied fruits in front of Shu Chang.

A few people of the same age sat together, and it was much more comfortable. They could say whatever they wanted to say without caring about the eyes of others.

It's just that Lin Nan was like a light source, and people came over to greet him from time to time.

Liu Yifei had changed her clothes and didn't need to drag her skirt.

"I'm so tired."

Liu Yifei came to the front of the few and complained.

"Tired? Such a big scene was prepared for you alone, and you still say you're tired."

Shu Chang mocked her best friend.

"If you're tired, sit down and rest for a while."

Lin Nan looked at Liu Yifei on the side and said softly.

"Little Zhu, move over." Liu Yifei said to Zhu Yawen.

"Why do I have to move?"

Although he muttered, Zhu Yawen still moved a position.

Liu Yifei sat next to Lin Nan, and on the other side was Shu Chang.

"Hurry up and let me eat a couple of bites. I haven't eaten since this morning."

Lin Nan and Shu Chang helped her pick up some things. Liu Yifei's eating manner was very good, her lips tightly closed, not making a sound.

Before Liu Yifei could eat a few bites, Liu Mu was already calling her over there. Lin Nan hurriedly handed over a napkin: "Slow down."

"Mom is calling, I have to go over. I'll find you guys after I come down."

Liu Yifei took the napkin, wiped the corners of her mouth lightly, and walked towards Liu Xiaoli.

Today's banquet, overall, was a success.

While everyone was immersed in the banquet, the media had already rushed to the news.

"Star-studded, Little Dragon Maiden's eighteenth birthday banquet is comparable to a film festival red carpet."

"Gathering of stars, half of the entertainment circle is present."

"Huayi and Wang Jinghua meet, no interaction."

"Sony signs Liu Yifei, will head towards the international stage in the future."

In the evening, the guests left one after another. Chen Jinfei took people to the entrance to see them off, with thoughtful etiquette.

"Be safe on your way back. Little Zhu, you didn't drink, remember to drive carefully and send Lin Nan back to school."

Zhu Yawen was quite happy when he heard the last sentence, but suddenly lost his smile.

"Got it, Miss."

"Rest early. You and Auntie are both quite tired today," Lin Nan said to Liu Yifei.

Liu Yifei's eyes were shining as she looked at Lin Nan: "I will, you too." ===== CHAPTER 65 =====

Liu Yifei's eyes were sparkling as she looked at Lin Nan. "I will, and so will you."