Chapter 679: Jackie Chan's Eye for Talent—Truly

"It's already been a month and a half, and Wanda hasn't made a single sound or moved a muscle?"

"We followed the contract and paid the non-compete breach penalties for 35 mid-to-senior management personnel in full compliance with the law; it's best if we all stay out of each other's way from now on."

"Even if it comes down to a real fight, there's no need to fear anything. Do they really think they can strike in the dark to retaliate? Huayi isn't someone to be trifled with!"

Wang Wang Zhongjun smoked a cigar, puffing clouds of smoke as he joked with Jackie Chan. Beside them, Wang Wang Zhonglei, Feng Feng Xiaogang, Xu Ke, and others were all present, making the dinner party very lively.

"As long as there are no problems, that's good; after all, Wanda is the largest cinema chain, and its influence in the film industry is indeed pivotal."

Jackie Chan held a glass of red wine in one hand and nodded with a smile.

Wang Wang Zhongjun had invited him to continue collaborating on films, but some issues made him wary and hesitant, with the conflict between Huayi and Wanda being the most severe.

"Big Brother is purely worrying about nothing; this is after all within the country. Lin Nan can issue a public statement without any restraint, saying his own films will not enter the Golden Village cinema chain."

"But can Wanda publicly declare that Huayi's films are not allowed into their Wanda cinema chain? Do they dare?"

"If they dare to issue a similar announcement or make a public declaration, they will immediately be summoned for talks by multiple departments, including the General Administration. Trying to establish a monopoly hegemony within the country? Isn't that asking for death?"

Wang Wang Zhonglei chuckled and joked, which was also the source of Huayi's confidence.

"That's the logic Mr. Wang speaks; although I am a director, I also know that the business world is like a battlefield; if you can't afford to lose, don't play. Haha..."

Feng Feng Xiaogang bared a mouth of rotten teeth, and combined with his recurring skin disease, his smile was particularly ferocious.

Meanwhile, Xu Ke on the side silently ate, occasionally whispering to his assistant and current partner, showing no intention of getting involved in the conversation between Wang Wang Zhonglei and the others.

In his view, this matter was truly fantastical.

Because Huayi and Wanda were still jointly producing "The Monkey King 2: The Demon Chapter," and at tonight's victory banquet for "The Mermaid," the two sides were bound to meet.

Such a scene where enemies meet with eyes burning red, yet are also partners, was very interesting and worth looking forward to.

From yesterday noon to today noon, the incident had lasted a full day.

In the afternoon, the entire internet saw apology Weibo posts that were neatly arranged, as if pre-arranged, and they were long essays."

"The whole text seemed 'sincere' and 'extremely remorseful'; at first glance, it gave the visual impression that the person posting from behind the screen was already 'in tears' and 'weeping bitterly'?"

"Around 1 PM, Bao Bei'er, Han Geng, Wang Zulan, Du Haitao, and others updated long essays on Weibo, publicly apologizing and deeply repenting for their deliberate targeting and offending of Liu Yan at Bao Bei'er's wedding, and expressing sincere apologies..."

They apologized, and the media reported extensively on it."

"But two or three hours had passed, and the vast majority of netizens online still showed not a shred of intention to 'forgive' these people; instead, they criticized them even more righteously and with solid reasoning!"

"Pretending to be sincere, disgusting!"

"These few public apology essays were flowery in language, but one could not see any sincerity in them at all; were they ghostwritten? How could these people possibly have such literary talent?"

"Apologize? Are you sure it's a sincere apology? Then why didn't you apologize to Jia Ling? She was pushed down by your group of big men several times and fell several times!"

"Good heavens, the person upstairs found a loophole, and it's true! Why didn't you apologize to Jia Ling? Is it because no one is backing her up?"

"So, let's analyze: why were the Weibo posts from these few people so neatly arranged and the timing so tight? Without needing to think deeply, this was absolutely someone big giving them a warning!"

"No fault there; logically, ordinary public opinion could not possibly make these few people 'submit' so quickly. Moreover, Han Geng is still a top-tier, red-hot A-list star!"

"Someone must have intervened; could it be Mr. Wang from Enlight?"

"If it were Mr. Wang, wouldn't that mean airing family dirty laundry again? Impossible!"

"Hehe, I'd rather believe that Liu Yan has her own powerful backer or connections."

"Go check Weibo; just see who the 'big shot' appearing most in photos with Liu Yan is, and you'll know. A bunch of fools."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, the person upstairs has a meticulous mind... I see the suspected 'big shot'!"

"By the way, why are all the photos just of eating and drinking? Haha..."

"Well, eating and drinking can also build connections; simple and pure."

Around six in the evening, many filmmakers, actors, and film and television companies in the industry began to set off one after another."

The familiar State Guest Hotel banquet hall was where the victory banquet for "The Mermaid" was being held."

When Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei left the house, it was almost seven o'clock. But the time wasn't considered late because there was no red carpet segment scheduled for today."

A box office result of 3.39 billion yuan meant that at tonight's event venue, big shots would surely gather, and the stars would shine brightly."

Of course, it was also a stage for countless artists in the circle to aspire to climb and socialize; many high-quality resources often flowed out from such high-level banquets!"

In the car, Lin Nan shook his head speechlessly as he watched Liu Liu Yifei, dressed in casual couple's wear, still on the phone."

"This was truly endless; first Xie Nan called for a long time, then Liu Yan called for a long time. Women talking on the phone were truly like brewing porridge; it could be counted in hours!"

After a long while, just as the car was about to arrive at the State Guest Hotel, Liu Liu Yifei finally hung up the phone."

She pouted at Lin Nan, "This is Liu Yan's third call today; one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and now another one."

"The morning one was because Xie Nan looked for you; the afternoon one was to thank you; this one now must be about her not being able to attend tonight's banquet, right?"

Lin Nan affirmed with great confidence; the first two calls had had choking sounds, while this latest one was just a bit hoarse."

"Mm, she hid at home all day; all those people have called her..."

While Liu Liu Yifei was speaking, her two hands had already undone her high ponytail and tied it into a bun."

"Lin Dao, Sister Liu Yifei, we have arrived." On the passenger seat, Miss Liu's little assistant reminded them."

Through the car window, one could see the brilliant lights outside, as well as a large number of entertainment reporters, fans, and passersby outside the State Guest Hotel; everyone knew that the place was shining with stars today."

Before long, when Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei appeared in the lenses and the vision of countless people, the shouting instantly doubled, shaking the sky."

The media allowed into the banquet were after all a very small minority, while the vast majority could only wait outside; this brief glimpse through the lenses was their only material."

"Oh my, long time no see, you two."

Ahead, Jiang Wen, dressed in a suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, turned around and joked. Beside him was Zhou Yun, holding his hand tightly with interlaced fingers; she smiled and greeted: "Lin Dao, Liu Yifei."

"Director Jiang has emerged from seclusion?"

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei, hand in hand, walked up."

"Mm, striving for perfection, I polished the script three more times; it was finalized the day before yesterday. Next, I plan to rest for a while, then scout locations, initiate the project, cast roles, and start filming on an auspicious day!"

The four walked side by side toward the reserved banquet hall; there were many security personnel and staff along the way, and Jiang Wen spoke boldly about his film—the arrangements for "The Last Supper."

Inside the banquet hall, guests swarmed like clouds, heads bobbing in a throng. The entrance of Lin Nan, Liu Liu Yifei, and Jiang Wen drew a flood of gazes, with greetings rising and falling in waves.

"This is truly interesting!"

Lin Nan muttered softly, and Miss Liu nodded in agreement.

The Wanda camp, led by Liu Liu Xiaobin, and the Huayi camp, led by Wang Wang Zhongjun, Wang Wang Zhonglei, and Feng Feng Xiaogang, were situated far, far apart; indeed, the two circles were vaguely opposed to one another.

Wang Wang Changtian, Ren Ren Zhonglun, and Han Han Sanping were together, chatting and laughing;

while beside La La Peikang sat the "protagonists" of the evening, Zhou Zhou Xingchi and Xu Ke—one the director of "The Mermaid," the other the director of "The Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven's Demon Subjugation."

That's right, key members of the creative team for "Fu Yao Pian" had also been brought along, invited by China Film and Zhou Zhou Xingchi!

Little Zhang Zhang Ziyi was active among the great directors and big shots, her smile never fading; Fan Li Bingbing clinked glasses with Jackie Chan...

Han Jiawa was already waving at Liu Liu Yifei; she was sitting in a corner, scrolling through her phone while hunting for food.

"I'm going over to her side; you handle the socializing," Liu Liu Yifei said with a smile, and Lin Nan nodded.

After a moment's thought, Lin Dao Da walked toward the "circle" of Han Han Sanping and the other two.

Inside the vast banquet hall of the state guesthouse, several large circles were vaguely discernible, a perfect microcosm of the film industry, while actors and stars constantly wandered among them...

Just past eight in the evening, as a large contingent of waiters began serving dishes, Zhou Zhou Xingchi led a group of key creatives onto the stage.

A massive cake, a crystal-clear champagne tower under the lights... a card freezing the figure 3.39 billion... the celebration dinner officially began!

Lin Nan's table was entirely his own people: himself, Liu Liu Yifei, Han Han Sanping, Ren Ren Zhonglun, Wang Wang Changtian, Liu Liu Xiaobin, and Han Jiawa, so their conversation was rather casual.

"One can only say business is business, and dignity is dignity; the two are entirely unrelated."

Wang Wang Changtian glanced at Zhou Zhou Xingchi and Wang Wang Zhonglei toasting each other in the distance, his tone quite teasing.

Just now, the matter of "The Mermaid 2" had been brought up again; with the 3.39 billion box office jewel already set, there was absolutely no reason not to make a sequel, and at this moment, Zhou Zhou Xingchi was the walking delicacy.

"So, does that mean a sequel is confirmed?" Han Jiawa looked at everyone present and asked.

"Given his nature, how could there not be one?" The "he" in Han Han Sanping's mouth referred to Zhou Zhou Xingchi.

"It's interesting; is Jackie Chan really promoting that Wu Wu Yifan tonight? He was with him just now, and now they're actually sitting at the same table, side by side?"

Wang Wang Changtian looked in another direction; that table held Wang Wang Zhongjun, Jackie Chan, Wu Wu Yifan, Feng Feng Xiaogang, and others.

Hearing this, Lin Nan, Han Han Sanping, and others also cast a glance; it did indeed seem to be the case tonight.

It had been a long time since anyone had seen Jackie Chan publicly "promote" or "look after" a young person at a gathering within the circle like this;

Two years ago, aside from his own son and that person named Ko from Taiwan, the only ones he treated this way were young, beautiful female artists!

"If you are curious about this matter, I happen to know," Ren Ren Zhonglun put down his private chopsticks and smiled.

"Hmm? You know? Could it be that...?" Han Han Sanping asked, puzzled.

"Well, haven't you guessed it already?

Jackie Chan's Yaolai Jackie Chan Film & Television signed him just this morning. You must keep this confidential; others are waiting to announce it at the Shanghai International Film Festival!"

Although there were no big-mouthed people present, Ren Ren Zhonglun repeated the warning once more.

By now, Lin Nan's mind had already gone blank; Jackie Chan's taste was truly "sharp"! So many companies couldn't sign him, yet he managed to poach him?!