Chapter 651

The premiere of Bad Monkey's "Year Beast's Great Battle" was nothing short of "shabby," truly reduced to crumbs by the neighboring premiere of "From Vegas to Macau 3".

But who could blame the latter? It was a co-production by China Star and Bona, packed with big names, with countless industry stars and celebrities from Hong Kong Island and the mainland in attendance.

Plus, Andy Lau led Jacky Cheung and Nick Cheung in singing "Tun'er" a cappella before a sea of media; good heavens, that instantly topped every entertainment headline and hot search across the entire web!

Around noon, Lin Nan received a call from Ning Hao. The couple wouldn't be returning to their hometown for New Year's Eve; they had to worry about "Year Beast's Great Battle".

"I originally thought you were calling to offer New Year greetings, but then I figured, even for greetings, it should wait until the morning of the third day? Turns out, you're just here to complain!"

"Ever since 'Incense' so many years ago, I've almost forgotten what it feels like for a movie to lose money. This time, I'm afraid I'm going to take a tumble."

Although Ning Hao's voice carried laughter, a distinctly negative tone was clearly audible. The surroundings were somewhat noisy; evidently, the premiere luncheon hadn't ended yet.

"Oh well, then I can only wish you good luck. We are competitors for these eight days anyway; rest assured, I won't go easy on you. Hehe..."

"Heh, you damn fool, your mouth is truly sharp. I just heard them say you and Liu Feiren went to a banquet at Xi'an Film Studio yesterday?

During the New Year, does this count as returning home in glory? Or do you have some unspeakable 'deals' with Xi'an Film Studio?"

Hearing this, Lin Nan was left speechless; the news really traveled fast!

"Xi'an Film Studio is the state-owned industry giant back in my hometown, and since we are old acquaintances who have collaborated, inviting Liu Feiren and me to dinner is perfectly normal, right? You people just gossip all day long..."

While Lin Nan and Ning Hao chatted, quite a few industry bigwigs were indeed paying attention to the news just reported that morning: that he and Liu Liu Yifei had attended a banquet at Xi'an Film Studio yesterday.

"Based on my understanding of Xi'an Film Studio, once they catch Lin Nan, they won't hesitate to 'appeal to hometown sentiment and play on hometown poverty' to fleece every last drop of wool!"

Beside La La Peikang spoke with a tone of obvious reason, teasing.

"Wrong. Over at Xi'an Film Studio, this is called 'Xiangdang sentiment'."

Han Han Sanping corrected him. He could tell that Beside La La Peikang held a certain disdain for the current Xi'an Film Studio; Ren Ren Zhonglun likely shared the same attitude.

But regardless, even after declining for over a decade, Xi'an Film Studio remains the state-owned enterprise among China's six major film groups and the four groups in the national film industry layout that exports the highest volume of films and wins the most international awards, far ahead of the rest, ranking first in both categories!

To maintain such a record after declining for over a decade proves just how monstrous Xi'an Film Studio was back then and how solid its foundation was!

"The director for 'The Founding of an Army' from Hong Kong Island, Liu Weiqiang, is willing to take the job. Preparations are planned to begin after the Spring Festival; after all, casting so many roles and coordinating actors' schedules until a few months after Army Day is very time-consuming and labor-intensive."

Han Han Sanping nodded; he had come over yesterday specifically to discuss the film's preparations, yet he hadn't expected Beside La La Peikang to finalize the director so completely today:

"Liu Weiqiang is fine with Liu Weiqiang. Old Huang and I are merely the chief planners, artistic directors, and producers; we do not interfere with the group's choice of directors."

Hearing Han Han Sanping say this, the smile on Beside La La Peikang's face grew even more intense without him noticing, as he politely said, "Han Dong is the initiator of the 'Founding Trilogy'; you can't lose heart now that we are reaching the concluding work."

As a veteran "Mountain Eagle," how could he not see through the successor's mindset? Unlike his own tenure, which was characterized by aggressive expansion and dominance, Beside La La Peikang was simply blunt, power-hungry, and conservative, yet lacked ability.

Just as Han Han Sanping was sighing inwardly, he heard Beside La La Peikang bring up another matter:

"Recently, I heard rumors that China Film Group is preparing a blockbuster with an estimated investment that will be very, very high;

I even had someone reach out to communicate, hey, Han Dong, guess what? They actually rejected our goodwill... guarding against us as if we were wolves..."

Upon hearing this, Han Han Sanping felt even more speechless and somewhat disdainful; wasn't China Film Group guarding against wolves?

Snatching food from a brother unit? He hadn't even done that back in his day. He would launch projects, launch big projects, and do them independently!

The 5th ended in a rush. On the 6th, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei couldn't resist going out for a stroll again, only to be "caught alive" and eventually forced to flee.

On the 7th, time finally arrived at New Year's Eve.

In the morning, Lin Nan drove the Mercedes SUV that Liu Liu Yifei had bought for Watching Watching Lao Lin, taking her along to have a meal with Yan Ni.

This counted as the first time eating with a fellow industry member from his hometown; previously, during a New Year celebration, Yan Ni had invited Lin Nan, but he had politely declined at the time;

this time, with Miss Liu also present, and since they were idle anyway, the two readily agreed.

However, on the way back, seeing the online news reports, it seemed Zhang Zhang Yimou and Miss Jing Tian had also returned.

"Directed by Lin Nan and produced by Liu Liu Yifei, the New Year's comedy, action, and detective blockbuster 'Detective Chinatown' has, as of 6 PM this afternoon, accumulated a total box office of 2.908 billion..."

"The Hollywood imported blockbuster 'Kung Fu Panda 3', as of 6 PM sharp this afternoon, has accumulated a total box office of 760 million, with daily box office showing signs of decline."

"Starring Zhao Zhao Benshan, Yan Ni, Re Re Yizha, and others, with numerous industry actors and stars making cameo appearances, the film 'Happy New Year' has been in theaters for nearly seven days, with its total box office regrettably halting at just over 32 million."

Although New Year's Eve and the Spring Festival are two consecutive days, they mark the dividing line of the Lunar New Year.

The film market on the previous day is extremely weak; especially after noon, most cinemas are nearly empty, and many even close for the holiday;

but more than ten hours later, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the film market presents a completely different, booming scene;

the difference between the two is worlds apart, extremely extreme! All because of the traditional concept of the Chinese people: on New Year's Eve, the whole family reunites and stays up to welcome the new year!

Liu Liu Yifei held her phone there, having video calls with Liu Liu Xiaoli, Grandma, and others;

while Lin Nan occasionally flashed past from behind her, showing his face and shaking her high ponytail; for a moment, the atmosphere was excellent, filled with constant laughter and teasing.

"Oh, stop it. Go get busy; I'm waiting to eat the New Year's Eve dinner you made."

Liu Liu Yifei pushed Lin Nan away with a grumble, actually urging him to help Watching Watching Lao Lin; because she had been strictly forbidden from entering the kitchen, hmm, absolutely not because she was clumsy!

"Alright then, Mom, you and Miss Liu Qianqian chat slowly; I'll go help."

"Let Miss Liu Qianqian wash the dishes..."

Lin Nan pretended not to hear Liu Liu Xiaoli's words; even if he heard them, it would be useless; Watching Watching Lao Lin would never allow it, and in the end, Lin Nan would have to do it!

At 7:40 PM in the evening, a full table of dishes was finally ready.

Watching Watching Lao Lin had been constantly learning over these years; he had dabbled in many southern cuisines, perhaps just for today?!

"Come, come, you two can start eating first."

While inviting Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei, Watching Watching Lao Lin went to turn on the television;

although he also thought the current Spring Festival Gala was very boring, without that sound on New Year's Eve night, it just didn't feel complete; he might as well just listen to the noise.

"Ah, right, I heard that Liu Xiao Ling Tong is in this year's Spring Festival Gala?"

Watching Watching Lao Lin returned to his seat, looking at Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei, and asked.

In his eyes, his son and daughter-in-law should know these things; hmm, there's nothing in the celebrity circle they wouldn't know!

"Probably not... but wasn't he just on the Liaoning Spring Festival Gala yesterday?"

Lin Nan knew countless viewers were looking forward to seeing Teacher Six tonight, but...

"Why not? Wasn't it said earlier that he would definitely be there?" Watching Lao Lin furrowed his brow, quite puzzled.

"Because the Spring Festival Gala programs have to be reviewed many times, and as of this afternoon there hadn't been any news confirming Teacher Six's program, and also..."

Liu Liu Yifei stopped halfway through her answer, bit her chopsticks, and looked at Lin Nan.

"And as for the Spring Festival Gala now, how should I put it, it's simply not made for ordinary folks.

The more everyone wants to see a certain program, the more they want to see a certain star, the less the review committee will give you — they might even deliberately review it more harshly and eventually send it back..."

Lin Nan said with a smile, very bluntly.

That group has completely cut itself off from the grassroots; joys and sorrows don't translate between them. The Spring Festival Gala wants to lecture you, give you a lesson, talk about your outlook on life, your values...

"Sigh... let's eat."

Watching Lao Lin glanced at the few Spring Festival Gala outside-venue hosts chatting cheerfully on the TV screen, then sighed... He had been looking forward to it for so long, only to be let down?

When they actually started eating, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei didn't eat much;

because calls, text messages, and social media messages from people in the industry kept flooding in one after another, nonstop. Among them was Miss Jing Tian, who had just returned — she sent New Year greetings to both Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei.

On the first day of the New Year, from four or five in the morning, the intermittent sound of firecrackers could be heard. The controls back in the old hometown still aren't as strict as those in the capital!

Every time they were stirred into a half-asleep state, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei would snuggle closer to each other — mm, and keep sleeping...

Once a year, the most "volatile" moment of the film market had arrived; at exactly eight in the morning, the entire internet was already in an uproar.

"Co-produced by Bona and China Star, directed by Wang Jing, starring Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Zhang Liang Jiahui, Charles Heung, Xiang Zuo, Li Li Yuchun, and others, the Spring Festival commercial blockbuster 'From Vegas to Macau III' has officially been released, with a screening rate of 26.4% today..."

"Co-produced by Star Overseas, China Film, Shanghai Film, and Lin Nan Pictures, directed by Zhou Zhou Xingchi, starring Deng Chao, Zhang Zhang Yuqi, Lin Yun, and others, the sci-fi comedy-romance film 'The Mermaid' hit theaters nationwide in the early hours of today, taking the highest screening rate of 33.7%..."

"Starring Guo Fu, Gong Li, Feng Feng Shaofeng, Xiao Xiao Shenyang, and others, the fantasy blockbuster 'Journey to the West: Sun Sun Wukong Conquers the Demon'... ranks third in screening rate at 25.6%."

"Produced by Hou Zi Chu Pin, the animated film 'Nian Beast Battle' has a screening share of only 6.3% today..."

When Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei got up and finished washing up, Director Lin Da benefited from Miss Liu's presence — he received a New Year's red envelope from Watching Lao Lin.

While eating breakfast, the two browsed the news online;

Sure enough, besides the few Spring Festival films being the hottest topic, news of the Spring Festival Gala being scolded was also trending on the hot search.

The reason was simple — it had toyed with viewers across the country!

The hype beforehand was so loud, yet in the end Teacher Six never set foot on the Spring Festival Gala stage; his program had indeed been sent back by the review committee.

"Only 8 days left, and they slashed my screening rate to 4%?!"

Looking at the screening rate of 'Detective Chinatown', Lin Nan couldn't help but laugh.

"8 days, 2.908 billion. Lin Nan, this..." Liu Liu Yifei frowned slightly, hesitated, and still didn't finish her sentence.

"I know, getting 92 million in 8 days is very uncertain, very difficult! Leave it to fate."

Lin Nan said, narrowing his eyes. Suddenly, the phone rang.

Looking at the caller ID, even Liu Liu Yifei laughed: "Is Big Lao Wang calling to wish us a happy New Year? Hehe..."

"Big Lao Wang, Happy New Year." Lin Nan answered the phone, speaking in unison with Liu Liu Yifei.

"Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, Happy New Year.

Things are a bit dangerous, Director Lin."

The tone of Wang Wang Changtian's second sentence was somewhat serious; Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei both understood what he meant.

"Mm, it is a bit dangerous."

"Lin Nan, how about... juicing the box office a little?"

Hearing this, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei exchanged a glance; a hint of helplessness flickered in both their eyes.

"It's only been half a year since I publicly called out Edko Pictures, Big Lao Wang. I have my pride."

That sentence was Lin Nan's answer, and Liu Liu Yifei's face was already beaming with a smile of relief and support — very sweet, very sunny.

Wang Wang Changtian fell silent. Among the several producers, only Enlight needed that 3-billion figure the most, because Lin Nan Pictures, China Film, Shanghai Film, and Wanda Pictures were not listed companies!

After a long while, Big Lao Wang sighed, a little deflated: "Alright then, although it looks very uncertain, it's not without a chance... your face as a big director is the most important aspect!"

"Let's leave it at that, Big Lao Wang. On Lin Nan Pictures' films, it's best not to even think about such things."

"Got it, let's get together again after you're back..."

Just after hanging up, before Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei could even complain about Wang Wang Changtian, the two saw Watching Lao Lin coming back from his stroll outside, hands clasped behind his back.

"It's only the first day of the New Year, and you two already have work matters?"

"Dad, this industry doesn't have fixed holidays — even today, one of Lin Nan's films is still in theaters." Liu Liu Yifei explained with a sweet smile.

"I know, I even went to watch it earlier, invited quite a few old buddies, hehe..."

As he spoke, Watching Lao Lin walked up to them, his expression turning more serious: "You two, have you decided when you're going back?"

Watching Lao Lin's question was full of inner conflict — on one hand, he hoped Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei could stay a few more days; on the other, he knew the two had work and were very busy people, and he couldn't hold up his children's time.

This is also the conflicted inner state most ordinary parents face with their children during every Spring Festival.

"The eighth day, that's the 15th, and my film also happens to finish its run that day.

After we get back to the capital, we'll handle some trivial matters and rest for a couple of days, then Liu Yifei and I are heading abroad to Hollywood — there's work there too."

Lin Nan said truthfully, and Liu Liu Yifei nodded.

"The eighth? Counting today, that's still... 7 days? Good, good, the eighth is good, the eighth is good..."

Watching Lao Lin seemed to be able to switch faces at will — a smile instantly reappeared. He immediately started fussing over what to prepare for lunch, even though breakfast was still right in front of them!

Liu Liu Yifei gently shook her head at Lin Nan, smiling as she mouthed silently: "As long as Dad is happy."

Lin Nan understood instantly. In many ways, Liu Liu Yifei was far more thoughtful than he, the son;

Of course, on the mother-in-law's side, Lin Nan was the same — more devoted than Liu Liu Yifei, the daughter; after all, when it came to taking care of the baby in the future, they'd still need the mother-in-law!

…………

(End of Chapter)

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