Chapter 761: The Precursor to Impending Calcium Deficiency; Don't Pop the Champagne Halfway

Facts proved that Cao Cao Baoping's worry about whether the final box office of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" could recoup its costs was completely unnecessary; he was overly conservative and humble.

Although it was the first time filming a black comedy suspense film, this movie had a production cost of only 30 million, making it a small-scale production.

Even though the market share occupied by suspense films in the current film market is relatively small, "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" will absolutely not lose money.

Because its film quality is sufficiently superior, featuring an all-star cast of skilled actors, directed by Cao Cao Baoping, and produced by Lin Nan Pictures. These selling points are self-evident and beyond doubt!

After the film screening, Lin Nan was thoroughly annoyed by Jiang Wen.

This guy asked questions for over an hour, all regarding internet promotion, and the questions became deeper and more detailed the more he asked.

Lin Nan Pictures is not specialized in promotion and distribution; how could he possibly know so clearly?

By the end of the answers, Lin Nan was truly annoyed, so he simply threw two summary sentences at Jiang Wen:

"Regarding your past 'faults', learn from experience and lessons; I suggest shifting the film's promotion ground from offline to online at that time, making it more approachable;

Find a 'young' planning team, obey arrangements, and do not babble nonsense whenever your brain heats up for no reason—you are a professional at making movies, but you are even more professional at arguing with the audience and the media..."

After finishing this conversation, Lin Nan himself felt a bit at a loss, because Jiang Wen listened very seriously and was actually taking notes on his phone?

This scene made Director Lin Da very unaccustomed; after all, Jiang Wen was famous in the circle for being a stubborn donkey.

Lin Nan had given him many suggestions before, but when had he ever seen him accept so "gently"? The answer was: never!

"Thanks, I will remember all your suggestions."

Jiang Wen looked up and thanked him very seriously. Then he patted Lin Nan's arm and walked towards the social crowd with a satisfied look, his steps much lighter... the luncheon was about to begin.

"Don't, you should at least refute a couple of sentences. You doing this makes me feel awkward..."

"Watching the two of you like this makes me even more awkward. One has changed his nature and humbly seeks advice; the other is sincerely thanked and begs for someone to refute him!"

Ning Hao teased with a "tsk tsk" sound, walking up to them, "This time I am actually quite scheduled, Jiang Wen seems to have a bit of an intention to go against his 'true heart', you know."

"What do you mean?" Lin Nan asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Before, he had a body full of backbone, arrogance, and talent, radiating an aura of 'wanting to earn money while standing up' from the inside out.

But look at the things he just asked about, and the seriousness of taking notes, the rare gratitude towards you... doesn't this look like a precursor to impending calcium deficiency, hmm?"

Facing Ning Hao's teasing tone and eyes, Lin Nan did not respond, because he had also realized it.

"Let's go, Fei and Na Zhou Jie are already seated."

"Mm, let's go."

Lin Nan and Ning Hao walked through the crowd towards the table where Liu Liu Yifei and Xing Ai Na were sitting. At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart:

"It is precisely because of his backbone, arrogance, and talent that Jiang Wen is more prone to obsession. He, who always claimed to be a versatile talent, has been transforming into a commercial director for so many years, yet his box office results are... how could he not be anxious?

Once a person is anxious, in order to achieve certain obsessions, they will unconsciously make concessions and break the bottom line they have always adhered to, just like Jiang Wen firmly choosing Eddie Peng this time.

Because the latter's marketing in recent years has been very successful; he is a 'skilled actor' with countless fans, good looks, a great figure, tough enough, hardworking enough, and has professional ethics... his positive image is infinitely maxed out..."

As soon as he sat down, Lin Nan heard Xing Ai Na talking about the matter of "Secret Fruit". The heat of this film is currently very high, attracting much attention and optimism within the circle.

And just a few minutes ago, several people in the circle blocked Wang Wang Changtian to persuade him, wanting to insert a little girl from the Taiwan Province into the crew to partner with Chen Feiyu.

If nothing unexpected happens, Comrade Old Wang should consider it seriously, or even decide within the next few days.

"Understandable, after all, the reputation of Light & Magic's youth films is famous outside; they are very good at promoting people. Of course, they are very good at promoting outsiders," Ning Hao couldn't help but tease.

Hearing this, everyone turned their heads to look towards Wang Wang Changtian's direction, four or five tables away.

"If Mr. Wang hears your words stabbing him in the heart, he might just sue you today."

"Don't worry, he can't hear it, haha."

The whole table immediately burst into laughter; Light & Magic was indeed a bit sinister;

None of their own artists could carry a show, and the new talents they tried signing in the past two years had not even caused a ripple. But they still did not give up and were still trying.

Since its release on the 14th, in 5 days, "So Young" achieved 97 million in box office, and "The White Storm 2" earned 163 million in revenue.

Meanwhile, "A Chinese Odyssey Part 3", which was like "shit" in the mouths of audiences and netizens, led strongly, ending with 335 million.

This phenomenon, on one hand, is enough to show how powerful the power of "nostalgia" is; on the other hand, it nakedly tells everyone that many people went to eat... that thing.

In view of this, Liu Liu Zhenwei finally spoke up, after all, box office represents "correctness", so he was right!

But the content of this statement was really a bit like pouring a spoonful of old manure on a pile of "shit", simply reaching a level that made netizens "outraged by both humans and gods".

"I believe that 'A Chinese Odyssey Part 3' will also become a classic many years later, just like 'A Chinese Odyssey Part 1: Pandora's Box' and 'A Chinese Odyssey Part 2: Cinderella' when they first came out were not accepted and recognized, but became classics many years later.

Actually, regarding 'A Chinese Odyssey Part 3', I still have several bolder and more stunning ideas that unfortunately were not filmed:

First, Sun Sun Wukong is actually Tang Seng's father; it was for his son that he embarked on the journey to the West;

Second, Sun Sun Wukong is gay; because he loved Tang Seng, he protected him and went on the journey to fetch scriptures together;

Third, the Great Sage is simply a woman; her purpose of causing havoc in Heaven was just to steal the peaches of immortality to change her gender...

I can understand the fans who scold me. Because in my opinion, I am the Sun Sun Wukong in the hands of the audience, and you have become Tang Seng..."

On the morning of the 19th, the internet went crazy with curses in response!

Many industry filmmakers and production companies were watching the spectacle and mocking:

Liu Liu Zhenwei probably thought that the box office result of over 300 million was enough? No need for it to be higher, so he would provoke the audience and fans so recklessly...

Turning off the radio and getting out of the car, Director Lin Da, who was late for work, still had a smile on the corner of his mouth; next, he would see how the box office trend would respond to Liu Liu Zhenwei.

Taking the elevator from the basement to the third floor, Lin Nan saw two people from the new generation of Four Little Flowers, Zhou Zhou Dongyu and Guan Guan Xiaotong, who had just finished military training.

With such thin arms and legs, looking so soft and limp, what are they thinking day after day? Are they sure they can act in military-themed works?

Amidst greetings of "Hello Director Lin", Lin Nan nodded and entered the elevator again.

"Today, the entire outside world is full of hot searches for 'A Chinese Odyssey Part 3' and Liu Liu Zhenwei; the news about the new filming of 'Duck Soup' has been pushed to the corners."

Just entering Tiangong Color, turning on the computer for less than 3 minutes, Yue Jun ran over.

"Starting filming today?" Lin Nan asked curiously.

"Yes, it is today. I heard they are also preparing to put it into the Spring Festival slot; it is truly tight on time and clear on goals, just aiming to cut a piece of the cake during the major slot."

"Four months from filming to wrap-up, post-production, and release—really knows how to hustle. The quality of a movie like this won't be top-tier, but it'll clear the passing grade."

As he spoke, Lin Nan had already picked up yesterday afternoon's footage and resumed post-production on *A Marriage Story*. The film was now just 10% away from completion.

Yue Jun sat beside him, reporting on casting matters.

Aside from a few key supporting roles still undecided, most minor roles in *Operation Red Sea* had been finalized.

Especially for the numerous small but essential roles, the Navy Political Department directly allocated them to cultural personnel within the military system—guaranteeing professionalism!

Near noon, after a long wait, Jin Dun finally called.

Two months and one week remained until the public release of *The Meigonghe Operation*.

As a mainstream commercial blockbuster, promotional work for the film must now begin—after all, *The Great Wall* has already launched its campaign.

Lin Nan naturally agreed without hesitation, since according to the plan set by his company and Guangxian, the promotional campaign for *The Meigonghe Operation* was scheduled to start next month.

At that time, he would personally lead the promotional tour, overseeing online press releases and interviews…

"So *The Meigonghe Operation* is finally ready to meet the public? We've been waiting over a year, haven't we?"

In the chairman's office at Shanghai Film Group, Ren Ren Zhonglun hung up the phone and gazed thoughtfully at Han Han Sanping.

"It started on National Day last year—exactly a year now. From filming to official release and audience debut, it's taken a full fourteen months!" Han Han Sanping nodded with a smile, tinged with regret.

Because this was also China Film Group's final participation in a Lin Nan Pictures-led project, holding just a 5% stake!

Of course, Shanghai Film Group also held 5%, but from now on, it had completely replaced China Film Group's position. That was the "line" Han Han Sanping had once established—now severed.

"Let's see how much box office we can carve out. I hope we can make up for past regrets and hit 3 billion."

"If so, four of the six production companies will likely see positive stock reactions. Shanghai Film Group just went public—I'm genuinely looking forward to it."

Ren Ren Zhonglun was dreaming sweetly—only Lin Nan Pictures and Jin Dun weren't publicly traded; the other four were all Shangshi Companies.

Han Han Sanping said nothing, only nodded with a smile. If the box office performed well, it would indeed happen.

At that moment, the desk phone suddenly rang. Ren Ren Zhonglun quickly answered—it had just been Jin Dun's call, but this one was the call he and Han Han Sanping had been waiting for all morning.

"Alright, three p. m. today? Got it. We'll be punctual. Thank you… Next time you lead a team to Shanghai Film Group for research, I'll host you personally…"

Two minutes later, Ren Ren Zhonglun hung up and stood up, smiling at Han Han Sanping.

"We should arrive at the city government no later than 2:30 p. m. Let's have lunch first. Come on, try our Shanghai Film Group canteen—it's no worse than China Film Group's. By the way, you've never eaten here, have you?"

"That's true—I'll try it today," Han Han Sanping said, rising as well.

"If everything goes smoothly, will the start of *I Am Not a Pharmacist* be roughly the same as *Operation Red Sea*?"

"Yeah, more or less."

…

*The Pursuer* had been loudly released, but Lin Nan paid little attention—he'd leave box office and reviews for tomorrow.

After waking up, he didn't even go to the company. As the saying went, the closer work got to completion, the more he procrastinated and slacked off.

Still, he could handle minor matters at home—like coordinating the participation of the main creatives from six films—*The Dragon Tablet Mystery*, *The Assassin 2: Arena of the Underworld*, *Xia Luo's Nightmare*, *Lost in Hong Kong*, *The Monster Hunter*, and *Wolf Warrior*—for the Hundred Flowers Awards.

Ma Li was on the set of *The Dragon Tablet Mystery* and couldn't return; *Lost in Hong Kong* had no nominations, but Wang Wang Changtian insisted everyone attend.

Wu Jing and Yu Nan were both on the *Wolf Warrior 2* set and couldn't return before the 24th—they'd arrive a few days later, by month's end.

Xie Nan would represent her director Wu to compete for Best Director; Ni Ni Dahong would also attend, and Liu Liu Yifei would serve as producer, producer, and crew representative.

The other three films had no issues—all main creatives would attend without fail!

"Can you stop pacing in front of me? Will you win Best Actress? You'll know in four days."

Lin Nan stared at Shu Chang circling the living room, speechless. A group of cats had been terrorized, fleeing everywhere.

"The more you tell her it's only four days, the more nervous and excited she gets—hopeless," Liu Liu Yifei chuckled, glancing at her friend.

Shu Chang first pouted, then immediately switched to a sweet, pleading expression and sidled up to Miss Liu.

"Cai Cai, last time it was called 'Huayi Hundred Flowers Award'—do you think they'll change the name this time?"

"Change it? To what?" Liu Liu Yifei leaned back, eyeing Shu Chang suspiciously—she had a bad feeling.

"Hehe, Lin Nan Pictures·Hundred Flowers Award!" Shu Chang spread her hands, grinning.

"Cough… cough…"

Lin Nan nearly choked on his own saliva. He shot Shu Chang an annoyed look: "What are you thinking? That name sounds terrible!"

"Bro, just tell me—is it possible?" Shu Chang wasn't fazed; she raised an eyebrow, challenging Lin Da.

"Lin Nan?"

Liu Liu Yifei turned to look too—she knew this possibility was very real. After all, over half of last year's box office hits came from their own studio, and Yue Jun had already handled PR…

The living room fell silent. Under the intense gaze of the two women, Lin Nan finally sighed.

"Whether there'll be public talk of a 'Lin Nan Pictures·Hundred Flowers Award,' I don't know, and I can't say. But when Yue Jun handled these matters, I specifically told him one thing…"

Here, Lin Nan paused deliberately. Liu Liu Yifei and Shu Chang grew anxious. "Tell us!"

"I told him: Put Shu Chang first!" Lin Da looked at Shu Chang, whose eyes widened in delight, and added: "Don't you dare open champagne halfway through!"

"Okay, okay. Hmph… hm… hahaha… Cai Cai… hahaha…"

………