Chapter 685: Asking for a Favor; Public Announcement Approved

When Liu Liu Yifei slowed the car gradually outside the gate of Beijing Film Academy, Lin Nan finally realized belatedly:

"Liu Qianqian, isn't today the day the final exam results for the arts entrance are posted?"

"Mm, looks like it, so many people."

Liu Liu Yifei extended her pale hand to push up the sunglasses on her nose, her red lips parting slightly.

She gazed through the car window at the sea of examinees checking the results inside and outside the school, along with the crowds of relatives and friends who accompanied them; immediately, the BMW's speed slowed even further, crawling at a turtle's pace toward the gate and lining up.

A security guard gently tapped on the passenger-side window; unregistered vehicles must undergo temporary registration and inspection to enter the campus.

"Lin Dao, Producer Liu, it's you two."

The window rolled down, revealing Lin Nan with a smile on his face; Liu Liu Yifei also turned her head to take a look and nodded with a smile.

This greeting instantly attracted many people's attention. Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei fell into the sights of many, and for a moment, the surrounding noise erupted, making things even more chaotic.

"Results posted today? Who's number one in the Chen Yanxi?" Lin Nan asked curiously.

"Heh, who else could it be but the child star Guan Guan Xiaotong? Don't we have this every year?"

"I heard the results are posted at Central Academy of Drama today too; the number one there is also a child star, named Zhang Ying... seems she also participated in our arts entrance exam... probably stronger than ours..."

As a security staff member with an official post, joking and teasing about their own Chen Yanxi was something he did without any hesitation or fear.

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei exchanged a glance, both unable to hold back their laughter: "Then you carry on; we'll go in first."

"Alright, you two drive slowly; there are many people at school today."

Under the gaze of many eyes, the white BMW followed the line of vehicles ahead, slowly driving into the school.

"Lin Dao Nan and Producer Liu Liu Yifei? Rare chance to meet a big director and a big producer..."

"I heard Lin Dao will be teaching a class; the elective course he opened last year gave students resources, that one, 'Eternal Love' from Hongxing Wu!"

"Mm, this is the advantage of a film academy; there are more opportunities than at Central Academy of Drama. The vast majority of big directors and big producers in the industry graduated from film academies."

"Not necessarily? Don't big directors all prefer people from Central Academy of Drama?"

"But in terms of total opportunities, Beijing Film Academy definitely has more! After all, relatively speaking, within this huge industry, the number of big directors is undoubtedly negligible."

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei naturally couldn't hear the discussions amidst the roar of voices; they drove the car directly to the Directing Department.

And Old Jiang, shouldering his "mission," had been waiting in the office early.

Who else but Lin Nan had so many things to do? He only brought the copy and the thesis today, forcing him, the Deputy Director of the Directing Department, to prepare for being "in a frantic rush."

"Finally here, hurry and give me the copy and the thesis... the number I drew for you is probably around 10 o'clock; the last few from the Art Department should be finishing soon."

The moment he saw Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei, Old Jiang immediately breathed a sigh of relief and urged them.

"Hello, Teacher Jiang."

Liu Liu Yifei smiled sweetly and waved to greet him; a few days ago, she had "accidentally" spoken ill of him.

"Mm, good, good, chatty, right?" Old Jiang, "petty," brought up the old matter, laughing in anger.

"Hehe..." Miss Liu, holding Lin Nan's arm, smiled without speaking.

Lin Dao Da then handed over what he was holding and decisively took sides: "Director Jiang is indeed quite chatty; our Liu Qianqian didn't say anything wrong."

"I, I..."

Old Jiang stammered "I" for a long time but couldn't bring himself to scold; he rolled his eyes at Lin Nan, thinking, what kind of person is this? A bootlicker!

"Alright, alright, let's hurry over, Director Jiang Da. We can still watch the fun of other associate professors right now."

Lin Nan smiled and patted Old Jiang's shoulder, joking and teasing; the latter wore an expression of speechlessness and led the way ahead.

Light.

Wang Wang Changtian looked at Chen Hong opposite him, feeling quite emotional for a moment. The "Diao Chan" of yesteryear was just an actress, while the current Chen Hong was a dignified and elegant big producer.

Although her youth had passed, hadn't it been exchanged for a transformation of social class? As a couple, they were one; this made it so that almost no one in the film and television industry would refuse Chen Hong's face!

After chatting about some side topics, Chen Hong, with a smile on her face, immediately got to the main point.

"Today, coming to see Chairman Wang, our Director Chen also knows, is mainly to ask Light Media and Chairman Wang for a favor."

"Ask for a favor?"

In an instant, Wang Wang Changtian's expression became serious.

Coming all this way just to ask for a favor? The first thing that came to his mind was a supporting role in 'Pacific Rim 2'.

Because of the matter of the Chen Chen Kaige couple wanting to promote their own young son, he had heard some rumors about it.

"If Producer Chen is talking about 'Pacific Rim 2', then I indeed cannot grant this favor; I cannot help because the production company won't possibly want a complete amateur."

Hearing this, Chen Hong paused for a moment. Then she suddenly realized; Wang Wang Changtian must have misunderstood.

But she could also hear the subtext in Wang Wang Changtian's words, namely: if you want a role in 'Pacific Rim 2', then sorry, Light Media refuses!

Chen Hong showed a smiling face and explained: "Chairman Wang, you misunderstood; I didn't come for 'Pacific Rim 2'.

Although this movie is a top-tier resource, for a pure newcomer, its small supporting role can only add a glamorous resume but won't build a face.

Chen Feiyu's resume, Director Chen will arrange; the favor I want to ask for is a movie that builds a face..."

"Hmm?"

Wang Wang Changtian frowned; Light Media has many film projects every year, and he doesn't pay attention to every single one.

"Which movie is Producer Chen talking about?"

"Didn't Light Media release the project plan for the second half of the year? There is a youth film on the list;

Light Media's youth films are famous in the industry for high box office and high traffic; the favor I want to ask Chairman Wang for is the male lead of that youth film... we want to let Chen Feiyu try; youth films are very suitable for promoting newcomers."

Hearing this, Wang Wang Changtian finally understood. The group is indeed very skilled at producing youth films, with very rich producing experience;

so for this type of mature and low-cost film, he has always been indifferent, leaving it to the production department to handle themselves!

"Producer Chen, wait a moment; even if you tell me the movie's name right now, I would only have a vague understanding."

Wang Wang Changtian smiled and interrupted Chen Hong, then looked at the secretary, "Is General Manager Li in the company today?"

"He was here this morning. According to the schedule, Li Zong will fly to Chongqing this afternoon to visit the set of 'Love in the City of Light'. It seems the second tranche of funding has just been transferred."

"Then please ask Li Zong to come over."

Ignoring the secretary's response, Wang Wang Changtian looked at Chen Hong again. "When Li Zong arrives, Producer Chen can tell her about it. I do not interfere with youth film matters."

It took only three minutes for Li Li Xiaoping to reach the twelfth floor.

As a high-level executive of Light Media holding stock options, she was usually very busy; indeed, having just finished processing documents and was about to leave, she was immediately "stopped."

"Chairman Wang?"

"Li Zong, this is Producer Chen. She says there is a youth-themed film in our company's production plan..." Wang Wang Changtian introduced Chen Hong to Li Li Xiaoping.

"Li Zong."

"Producer Chen."

Li Li Xiaoping nodded in response. Of course she knew Chen Hong; she was the wife of Chen Chen Kaige, who in the industry didn't know her?

For such a major producer and the wife of a major director to come asking for a favor and a role, in her view, this was undoubtedly a very good thing.

"Yes, there is such a film production plan.

The youth film 'Secret Fruit' is an adaptation of the fan work from the major IP 'Left Ear'. It comes with huge traffic and is bolstered by our previous film 'Left Ear', so it certainly won't be bad...

But according to the plan, this film will only be approved for production, cast, and start filming in the latter half of the second half of the year..."

Li Li Xiaoping explained to Wang Wang Changtian, also responding to Chen Hong.

"Chairman Wang, it's no problem, we can wait." Chen Hong looked at Wang Wang Changtian and said bluntly.

Since Chen Hong had spoken to this extent, Wang Wang Changtian naturally would not say more, but agreed very readily.

Half an hour later, Li Li Xiaoping personally saw Chen Hong out.

When she returned to Wang Wang Changtian's office again, it was clearly visible that her own chairman was in very good spirits.

"A youth film with huge traffic built-in; it doesn't matter who stars in it. Moreover, we can build a good relationship with Chen Chen Kaige and Chen Hong; this favor is not a loss!"

Wang Wang Changtian spoke up voluntarily, his face beaming with joy.

"Excellent, that is the logic, Chairman Wang."

Beijing Film Academy, inside the tiered large screening hall.

The final shot of 'Operation Operation Mekong' ended, and the end credits had already appeared on the screen.

Inside the huge screening hall, the lights came on, and applause thundered.

Liu Liu Yifei immediately ran to the front, took the film print of 'Operation Operation Mekong' from Lao Jiang, put it in a box, and then stuffed it into her designer handbag.

Then she was seen crouching, jogging back to her seat in the fourth row near the door, beside Xue Xue Xiaolu.

Today, Lin Nan enjoyed a "treatment" that no other associate professors participating in the defense had enjoyed: a large crowd of professors and associate professors from unrelated departments had come, all just to make a scene.

"Look at the fluidity of Liu Liu Yifei's movements just now; it was as if she was afraid Lin Nan's film print would be lost."

Wang Jingwen, sitting on the edge of the third row, joked with a smile, immediately drawing a round of agreeing laughter.

Liu Liu Yifei's face turned red and hot; she was a bit embarrassed, but the smile on her face became even more brilliant.

"We must be the earliest audience to see this mainstream commercial blockbuster, right? We saved on ticket money, haha..." Cao Cao Baoping, in the second row, also joked.

However, the focus of the scene was not Cao Cao Baoping and others, but the full twelve senior professors in the first row, among whom Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang was conspicuously present, though not in the main seat.

"Greetings to all filmmakers and judges;

Next is the defense time. My defense topic, as the title on the first page of the thesis photocopy in front of everyone:

'On the Creation, Market, and Development Prospects of Mainstream Commercial Films – A Brief Discussion on 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy' and 'Operation Operation Mekong'..."

Lin Nan stood on the stage, smiling brightly, speaking eloquently.

But everyone seated below, whether the twelve old professors in the first row or the regular and associate professors making a scene behind them, without exception, everyone's expression was vaguely "speechless"; many people's corners of the mouth and eyes were "twitching"!

With such a topic and content, who do you want to comment? Who can comment? Who is qualified to ask questions and raise doubts? Isn't this bullying people?

Among the dozens of professors present, if discussing mainstream films, they might be able to argue a bit; but when it comes to mainstream commercial films, it seems you, Lin Nan, are the expert, right?

"Hey, the twelve in the first row all know the score; this is just a formality. Look at Director Tian, arms crossed over his chest, obviously not reading the thesis; right now there is definitely a faint smile on his face..."

Xue Xue Xiaolu spoke in a low voice to Liu Liu Yifei.

And Miss Liu, with her elbows propped on the table and two soft hands supporting her small face, was looking at Lin Nan on stage "holding forth" with smiling eyebrows and bright eyes.

She was a bit distracted and simply didn't notice Xue Xue Xiaolu speaking to her;

This left the latter quite speechless; a moment later she smiled and shook her head repeatedly. Young people, after all... envious.

In the afternoon, nearing one o'clock, Lin Nan's defense finally concluded. The twelve senior professors were all very "cooperative," giving everyone high scores!

And after a long interval, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei also ate in the cafeteria for the first time in ages, though it was close; they almost caused a commotion.

Finally, the two of them hastily ate a couple of bites and hurriedly ran away.

On the Directing Department side, Liu Liu Yifei drove when they came, and Lin Nan switched to driving on the way back.

Watching the two get into the car, Lao Jiang confirmed again, "It should be about two to three months. Remember to pay attention to the announcement document on the school's official website then."

"Then you should call and remind me; who sits around all day doing nothing looking at the school's official website?"

"Exactly, exactly. At that time, Lin Nan and I will likely be on the film set, very busy." Liu Liu Yifei waved cheerfully and said goodbye to Lao Jiang.

"You two are really big shots; fine, I'll call to remind you!"

Lao Jiang replied grumpily, and then, then he got exhaust fumes.

'Ice River Pursuit', which premiered this morning, seems to have a not-so-great market response; Liang Liang Jiahui has never been a box-office actor and can't drive traffic.

And 'Ode to Joy' by Noon Sun also held a large pre-broadcast media press conference this morning;

On the Lin Nan Film side, Yue Jun went to show support, after all, the two companies are also good cooperative partners.

Just as he got home, Lin Nan received a phone call from Wang Wei.

It was already mid-April now, with only a month and a half left until early June. The second round of financing…

"Lin Dao, should we hold the second-round financing dinner publicly, or keep it low-key and announce it later?"

"Let's keep it public — hold the dinner. Why on earth would we keep something this grand low-key? Since we already built up momentum for Penguin, we can't play favorites, can we?"

"Alright then, we'll send out the invitations early next month."

"Good, you handle it. Let Wang Dong and the others know too."

Liu Liu Yifei had been waiting for Lin Nan to hang up. She pouted and suggested, "Let's order some more food. I'm seriously hungry — we never should have gone to the school cafeteria."

Lin Nan certainly had no objection. He smiled and nodded. "I want meat."

……

On the morning of the 16th, news from the Cannes International Film Festival press conference made its way back to China. The official shortlists for every section were published in full.

From the "Main Competition" to the "Parallel Competition" to the "Out-of-Competition" screenings — across the three major sections and nearly twenty sub-sections, Chinese-language films scored a clean zero!

This was, without question, the most painful "Waterloo" for Chinese-language cinema at Cannes in recent years — bar none.

"Produced and supervised by director Chen Chen Kexin, directed by director Zeng Guoxiang, starring Zhou Zhou Dongyu and Ma Ma Sichun as the dual female leads, the literary romance film *Soulmate* is officially scheduled for release on September 14th…"

"Exclusively produced by Lin Nan Pictures, written and directed by director Xue Xue Xiaolu, starring Yang Mi, Yu Yu Hewei, Qin Pei, Teacher Hui Hui Yinghong, Zu Feng, Lu Yi, Wang Wang Zhiwen, and others, the film *Finding Mr. Right 2* will hold its premiere ceremony in Beijing on the 26th of this month…"

In his office, Lin Nan had been scrolling through the news when he suddenly saw Xie Nan posting photos into the group chat.

Good lord — they were photos of Wu leading a group of actors on a "stroll" through Africa, the noble excuse being that they were getting used to the environment in advance so they wouldn't suffer from the climate when filming!

It was also, in a roundabout way, a way of telling the producers that he hadn't been slacking off!

"Lin Dao, China Film Group called. They said the box-office share settlement for *The Mermaid* is expected to be delayed until June — and that's the earliest."

A knock at the door and the assistant's voice cut off Lin Nan's train of thought.

"The more distributors involved, the slower everything moves!" Lin Nan complained, exasperated, his mood souring instantly.

"Got it. Just keep pushing them."

Distributors are all sly — having that much money sit in their hands for even one extra day earns them hefty interest, let alone a month, two months, or even longer!

Back in the day, wasn't Bona exactly the kind of company that offended Zhang the Cannonball by constantly delaying share settlements for New Pictures' producers?

Lin Nan didn't stay long at the company before leaving — he had to make a trip to Bad Monkey.

Meanwhile, as 10 a. m. approached, the two films *Marriage Story* and *Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug* — which the company had quietly submitted for review at the end of last month — were finally approved and publicly announced.

The media went into a frenzy reporting it, and the entire internet was in an uproar — but the most "exciting" of all was the film and television industry.

Because this was the first time a Lin Nan Pictures film script had been approved with absolutely no warning — there had been no whispers beforehand at all;

And the information released by the Film Bureau was unusually "sparse" — there was simply no clue to be gleaned from it!

"Reposted from the official Film Bureau website — April film script approvals:

Submitted by Lin Nan Pictures, the films *Marriage Story* and *Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug* have passed script review… filming permits may be collected with the relevant documents."

"It is reported that Lin Nan Pictures' new film projects *Marriage Story* and *Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug*:

The former is written and directed by Lin Nan, a realistic-themed romantic literary drama; the latter is a fantasy, urban, romantic light comedy, written by multiple screenwriters, under Lin Nan Pictures."

"As of now, the directors for *Marriage Story* and *Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug* remain unconfirmed, and there had been no prior whispers within the industry…"

Launching two films at once — and in the strictest secrecy at that! The attention of the entire film and television industry was drawn to it.

Driven by the notion that the more mysterious and low-key something is, the more significant it must be, countless industry insiders, along with film, television, and entertainment companies, began scrambling for information.

Especially that "realistic-themed romantic literary drama"! Everyone knew Lin Nan's pattern — commercial film — awards-chasing film — then commercial film again…

"If I remember correctly, with *Operation Meigonghe* and *Detective Chinatown*, Lin Dao has already made two commercial blockbusters back-to-back. Surely it's time for a break, right? Switch up the genre…"

It could be said that the same thought flashed through the minds of countless actors and agents in the industry.

Because Lin Nan's filmmaking pattern was so crystal clear — and he was also the country's top awards-chasing director. For actors across the entire film and television industry, he was the most alluring film director there was — fatally so!

…………