Chapter 75

Huayi's messy affairs are truly numerous.

Ever since the fallout and split with Wang Jinghua, several talent management departments were established internally, leaving them to fight and scheme against one another.

Li Xue was brought up by Wang Jinghua and is currently the general manager of Huayi's talent management company, nominally in charge of all agents.

It is understandable to tilt resources toward one's own sister.

But "The Message" is not a project exclusive to Huayi, and the copyright is not even in Huayi's hands.

"This is not taking me seriously at all."

Lin Nan compared and flipped through two scripts for "The Message"; one was Chen Guofu's original draft, and the other had been altered.

The original script, like the original novel, had Zhou Xun's Gu Xiaomeng as the absolute female lead.

After the changes, it became a dual-female-lead story, with a significant portion of Zhou Xun's scenes split off to Li Bingbing.

Especially since the character played by Li Bingbing now has over ten minutes of nude and abuse scenes, there is a great possibility of the supporting role overshadowing the lead.

"A struggle for resources between female artists? I've learned something new." Lin Nan muttered.

News of the script changes for "The Message" spread quietly among Huayi's artists.

Most people consciously avoided the topic to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Li Xue greeted the minor artists with a smile and walked toward Wang Zhonglei's office.

"Mr. Wang, you were looking for me?"

"Sit down, I have something to discuss."

Li Xue closed the door and sat opposite Wang Zhonglei.

"What are Mr. Wang's instructions?"

Wang Zhonglei rubbed his eye sockets, "Forget about that script change matter; keep following Director Chen's original arrangement."

"Hasn't it already been changed and finalized? Why is it suddenly void?" Li Xue asked hurriedly.

"Lin Nan's side doesn't agree, and the company has no choice."

"Lin Dao?"

Li Xue was much smarter than Li Bingbing; she instantly cleared her thoughts and understood.

It was nothing more than Zhou Xun going to find Lin Nan, but she was a bit unwilling to give up.

"Mr. Wang, is there really no other way? Zhou Xun is already destined not to renew her contract with the company."

"There is no way. This project is a co-production, and the copyright is in his hands."

Wang Zhonglei even regretted his decision to agree to the script changes earlier; in the end, he brought trouble upon himself, and the matter still wasn't accomplished.

Li Xue left the office expressionlessly to find Li Bingbing.

Afterward, all actors confirmed to appear in "The Message" received notification that filming would continue according to the original script.

On the last day of July, Liu Yifei wrapped up filming with the "Inception" crew.

Dressed in a fresh and beautiful summer outfit, she was very eye-catching.

She was blocked by a large group of reporters at the airport.

Liu Mu held her daughter's hand, smiling constantly, answering questions as they walked until they got into the car.

"Let's go back quickly, Changchang is still waiting."

Liu Yifei urged, receiving an eye-roll from her own mother.

At the villa, Watching Shu Chang acted as if she were in her own home.

"Food and drinks, everything is ready."

"It is ready, all the result of Zhu Yawen and me working hard.

The 'Silly Girl' she plays is proficient in everything, but in reality, she is clumsy; making egg tarts on New Year's Eve, she couldn't tell salt from sugar..."

Lin Nan mocked mercilessly, ignoring Watching Shu Chang's unconvinced gaze.

Over half an hour later, a car stopped outside the villa.

Liu Yifei jumped out first, and a piercing scream rang out as the two girls hugged and jumped together.

"Alright, alright, let's go inside first." Liu Mu reminded with a smile.

In the garden, only the four young people remained laughing and joking; Liu Mu went inside to rest.

"Xixi, how does it feel to work with Nolan and Leonardo?" Watching Shu Chang asked curiously.

"I learned a lot; Director Nolan said I improved very quickly."

Liu Yifei was a little proud, even glancing at Lin Nan.

"Oh, I forgot, I haven't congratulated Changchang on graduating successfully yet."

"Haha, it's nothing really."

Watching Shu Chang's popularity reached a new level this year; "Painted Skin" and "Magic Mobile Phone" in April made her the young actress second only to Liu Yifei.

When she graduated in June, a large number of talent agencies and film companies extended olive branches.

However, after careful consideration, she chose to build a small studio to work for herself.

"Although I have a studio, I still need to ask Lin Dao and his family for more care in the future, hehe..."

Watching Shu Chang's eyes scanned back and forth between Lin Nan and Liu Yifei, teasing them.

"You're talking nonsense again." Liu Yifei, with flushed cheeks, was about to take action.

"Lin Dao, there's also me."

Zhu Yawen imitated Lin Zhiling's voice from "Red Cliff," giving everyone goosebumps.

Lin Nan was truly afraid of this guy popping out another line: "Mengmeng, stand up."

"We haven't gone out to play together for a long time, have we?"

The group instantly looked at Lin Nan, only to see him pull a few tickets out of his pocket.

"Olympic opening ceremony performance, tickets for the core area."

"Damn, good stuff." Zhu Yawen cursed.

"Five seats together, Auntie, let's go together."

Lin Nan said, giving one ticket each to Watching Shu Chang and Zhu Yawen, and two to Liu Yifei, who looked at Lin Nan with smiling eyes.

The group agreed to go to the Bird's Nest together on the 8th.

The promotional effect for "The Equation of Love and Death" was not very good.

Cao Baoping hoped Lin Nan could go there.

Official media were all reporting on the Olympics during this period.

Even Enlight Media, which has a huge relationship network in the television system, couldn't spare extra promotional resources for this film.

In the studio, the host was Xie Nan, who is currently being heavily promoted.

"Lin Dao, long time no see. In 'Painted Skin,' I was edited down to only two minutes by you."

"Haha, next time I'll leave you five minutes of screen time."

"That's a significant supporting role; I have to thank you first, but you must keep your word."

The recording began.

Cao Baoping talked about the things when the film project was initiated.

When he went to find Lin Nan for investment, the latter had just sent "The Martian" to Hollywood.

He agreed verbally over the phone and came back once in the middle to sign the contract.

"I went directly to the crew to find Zhou Xun and invited her to play Xiaowei.

But she said she had no chest and no butt, just an airport, and asked if I was joking, haha..."

Lin Nan adjusted the atmosphere appropriately, and Zhou Xun and the other actors laughed uncontrollably.

The selling point of the promotion was him, the producer, and Zhou Xun; after all, the two of them also came out of the "Painted Skin" crew.

"It's rumored outside that you won't renew your contract with Huayi after it expires. Is this true?"

After chatting about business, it was time for the gossip the media cared about; Enlight Media had greeted the crew about this.

"I do have this plan. I want to open a studio; I want to work when I want to work, and rest when I want to rest."

Zhou Xun said it very casually, while Zhang Hanyu and Wang Baoqiang laughed awkwardly.

Once these words were spread today, it would be ironclad proof; for the sake of promotion, was he really not afraid of offending Mr. Wang and the others?

"To be honest, I even asked Xun-ge if she wanted to sign with me after her contract expires.

As a result, she refused without even thinking; she didn't give me any face at all..."

After the show.

The media quickly reported the news that Zhou Xun confirmed she would not renew her contract with Huayi and had rejected Lin Nan.

But this was not the headline in the industry.

The hot news was actually: Ning Hao is suspected of having a conflict with Lin Dao Nan, and they will no longer cooperate on new films.

Many people called to ask what happened.

How would Lin Nan know why? He was also confused; they were eating together a few days ago, and today there was a conflict for no reason?

After carefully reading the report, he knew why.

Ning Hao really had a stubborn temper; once he decided on something, he wouldn't listen to advice.

China Film Group had just confirmed an investment of 16 million in Ning Hao in the morning, and this gossip news came out in the afternoon.

Thinking about it, the first film that made Ning Hao truly famous was "Crazy Stone," with Lin Nan providing the script and funding.

The second commercial film was "Crazy Racer," and Lin Nan also held half the investment.

This time the investment was a bit larger, and Lin Nan's shadow was nowhere to be seen; it would be strange if this group of media didn't write nonsense.

Ning Hao called Lin Nan, laughing and joking.

"I found it funny when I saw it too.

But this time I really didn't tell you about the funding; Chairman Han promised to help when 'No Man's Land' is under review..."

Ning Hao ultimately didn't change the script but thought of a roundabout way.

"When filming 'Incense,' I wanted to go for awards, but what truly made me famous was the comedy 'Crazy Stone.'

I think this script for 'No Man's Land' is very suitable; this time I will put in 120% effort to film it well..."

Since he had said this much, the underlying meaning was for Lin Nan not to persuade him anymore.

"Alright then, good luck."

"Thanks."

A major commercial film director starting a new film is a piece of fat meat for actors in the industry.

But with Ning Hao's personality, he wouldn't want vase-like actors.

…………

The people from Harper's Bazaar sent another invitation.

Liu Yifei had been on the cover of Bazaar in the middle of the year, so she naturally accepted this invitation.

This year was indeed quite special; the incident in May was chosen as the theme for this Bazaar Charity Night to raise funds.

Lin Nan thought about it carefully and still felt it was better to go.

Speaking of which, that Su Mang had been sending him invitations for several years, but he usually habitually threw the invitations into the trash.

Unlike official public welfare activities, this kind of non-official charity gala, although doing good work, was primarily entertainment-oriented.

The invitees were all the hottest stars in the industry, or big names with status and position.

How popular Liu Yifei is needs no explanation; with four TV dramas as a foundation and three Hollywood films as support, she, like Lin Nan, the big director, was one of Bazaar's highest-priority invitees.

……

Lin Nan was almost asleep when Tang Mu's call came through, sounding like he had been bullied by a group of big men.

"Didn't you say last year that you would only play for a month or two?"

"Damn Wall Street, they're all a bunch of liars, my hard-earned money..."

Tang Mu rambled on, cursing, and Lin Nan got the gist of it.

The stock market there was very abnormal last year; Tang Mu tasted sweetness in the first month or two, and as a result, he got stuck in it.

No wonder Tang Mu looked like he had lost the will to live when he came over to discuss the "Inception" investment earlier.

Working for Lin Nan for these few years was basically for nothing.

It looked like it was about to explode.

Lin Nan didn't dare to go deep; he just thought about getting some quality stocks when the time came.

"You purely deserve this; just honestly be a worker in the future.

That's it, disturbing my rest in the middle of the night..."

Lin Nan hung up the phone with a yawn; he felt that with Tang Mu's cowardly and lustful personality, he shouldn't jump off a building.