Chapter 765: Lin Nan Pictures Is Rarely Surprised!

A night passed; although the Hundred Flowers Awards ceremony had ended ten hours ago, the internet seemed to have just "opened," buzzing with such fervor it was chaotic.

"The 33rd Hundred Flowers Awards concluded successfully in Tang Shan last night, with Lin Nan Pictures films emerging as the biggest winners.

'Wolf Warrior,' 'The Legend of the Demon Cat,' 'Go Away, Mr. Tumor,' and 'The Assassin 2: The Shura Battlefield'—four films in total—swept five major awards!"

"A partner under Shanhai Media, actress Especially Reba, pulled off an upset, defeating Ma Ma Sichun, Wang Zhi, Liang Jing, and Yao Chen to win the Best Supporting Actress award..."

"Overall, compared to previous years, this year's Hundred Flowers Awards results, while still facing some dissent, were clearly more recognized by the industry and the entire web, garnering high approval..."

Extensive media coverage of the Hundred Flowers Awards sparked countless netizen participation, with everyone critiquing and commenting:

"Welcome to the 'Lin Nan Pictures · Hundred Flowers Awards' era! This post carries no derogatory intent; it simply congratulates Lin Nan Pictures films on sweeping the Golden Rooster Awards and now dominating the Hundred Flowers Awards!"

"To be honest, Especially Reba winning Best Supporting Actress was indeed a bit perfunctory and controversial; but as for the other awards going to their respective winners, I fully approve and truly cannot find any point to question."

"We must admit, this year's Hundred Flowers Awards were indeed far more fair than previous editions, and by a lot! This is most likely the reason Lin Nan Pictures films participated in the Hundred Flowers Awards on such a large scale for the first time!"

"If you put it that way, it makes sense. Was the Best Supporting Actress award a favor to Lin Nan Pictures, or to Lin Dao?"

"On what grounds is Especially Reba winning Best Supporting Actress considered controversial? What about last year, when a trashy youth film that couldn't even make it to the big stage won Best Director! How do you explain that?"

"But we cannot deny that the reason Especially Reba defeated other opponents stronger than her to win Best Supporting Actress absolutely cannot be separated from the Lin Nan Pictures behind her; or more directly, it's because of Lin Dao Nan's immense influence!"

"Forget it, forget it. This year's Hundred Flowers Awards were already a rare, fair, and recognized edition."

"'The Legend of the Demon Cat' last year grossed 1.98 billion in box office and had explosive word-of-mouth. For this film to win only one Best Supporting Actress award is barely acceptable."

The internet was in an uproar; fans had already started fighting.

Especially Reba, who follows the star route, also has a huge following; plus, with the home-field advantage she currently holds, her combat power is absolutely not to be underestimated!

Meanwhile, industry insiders, media, and Lin Nan Pictures' fans and viewers online all adopted a mindset of watching the spectacle and making jokes;

After all, Lin Dao Da's reputation and relationships over so many years were simply too good, always making people involuntarily "love the house and the crow on it."

As for whether anyone in the film industry would dare to court death? Definitely not. Because the Lin Nan faction is a major mountain in the industry, and Lin Dao Da himself is the "administrator" of Weibo!

Just past nine in the morning, while Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei were still cuddling and sleeping in, Guo Fan, Lu Yang, and others had already arrived early at Lin Nan Pictures to continue the auditions for 'Red Sea Operation.'

For Guo Fan, who had just won Best Director at the Hundred Flowers Awards, his mood at this moment was like the weather outside: clear blue skies, warm and bright.

Lu Yang, on the other hand, wore a face of pure envy and jealousy; he smacked his lips and kept egging Guo Fan on to treat everyone...

"Director Lu, no need to rush. Once 'Red Sea Operation' is finished, we'll go for the next film awards; you pick the place! Haha..."

The person from the Naval Political Department said with a smile, looking as if to say, "You pick the place, I'll handle the rest."

In an instant, not only Lu Yang and Guo Fan looked over, but even people from China Film and Shanghai Film were pondering: What is this hinting at? Or is it a direct statement?

"Well said, well said, haha. Let's continue the auditions, the auditions..."

Lu Yang immediately took over the conversation with a smile; such a naked "hint" was better discussed after things settled down.

Meanwhile, Yue Jun had just hung up the phone in his office. His face wore an expression of wanting to laugh and cry, not knowing how to describe his current state of mind.

"Has Lin Dao come to the company yet?" Yue Jun asked the assistant.

"Director Yue, do you think Lin Dao, who only returned in the early morning, will come to the company today? Besides, post-production on 'Marriage Story' is already complete."

The assistant put down a stack of documents and replied with a smile.

"Oh my, my brain really must be filled with gruel; I actually forgot about that."

Yue Jun patted his forehead, mocking himself. Then he glanced at the time; it was still not even ten o'clock, so those two were definitely still asleep; he would make the call a bit later.

Huayi, the Chairman was in his office.

Wang Wang Zhongjun, Wang Wang Zhonglei, and others had also rushed back overnight last night because they had absolutely no mood to stay there any longer.

In the past, whenever a Huayi film participated in the Hundred Flowers Awards, there would be some return, and mostly major awards; but this time? It was a rare case of coming up empty-handed!

"Tomorrow early morning, the results of the closing ceremony and awards of the San Sebastian International Film Festival will be out; let's wait for this. The copyright for this film has already made money; the box office will just be icing on the cake!"

Wang Wang Zhonglei comforted Wang Wang Zhongjun, mainly because there were already bad "rumors" circulating in the circle; saying Huayi was no longer the Huayi of a few years ago, and its status as the private enterprise leader in the film industry was no longer deserved.

"Hmm, let them start running promotions immediately upon their return; the release isn't far off!"

Wang Wang Zhongjun nodded, speaking coldly, his mood still not very good.

Just then, the secretary knocked on the door: "Chairman Wang, General Wang Zong, Director Gu Gu Changwei has arrived and is waiting in the reception room."

"Hmph, coming two months early to talk about the contract expiring and not renewing, and doing so right after we just returned from Tang Shan! It seems Huayi is really on a downward slope in their eyes, heh."

Wang Wang Zhongjun said sarcastically, then sat up. Wang Wang Zhonglei followed closely behind, preparing to go together. Just as the two reached the office door, a receptionist came over.

"What is it?"

"Chairman Wang, General Wang Zong. Chang Chang Jihong has brought Huang Dong Xuan, saying they are here regarding 'Youth'."

Hearing this, Wang Wang Zhonglei laughed belatedly: "They made an appointment with me a few days ago; originally scheduled for noon, but they obviously came two hours early..."

"Gu Gu Changwei is leaving, and Chang Chang Jihong brings Huang Dong Xuan to run for the male lead? Hehe, to be honest, I actually have high hopes for Huang Dong Xuan! I'll go see Gu Gu Changwei; you go entertain Chang Chang Jihong and the others."

Wang Wang Zhongjun smiled with ill intent; Wang Wang Zhonglei immediately nodded. There was definitely some intention to make Gu Gu Changwei feel sick in this?!

At noon, the first thing Lin Nan did after getting up was involuntarily browse the news.

Stripping away all the Hundred Flowers Awards-related information, and removing those gossip pieces teasing and joking about himself, what caught Lin Dao Da's eye was the box office information for films.

'A Chinese Odyssey 3' was completely killed by Liu Liu Zhenwei, collapsing at 360 million, with a lifespan of 10 days; it didn't lose money.

'The White Storm 2' had a daily box office of 5.5 million, with a cumulative total of 180 million; but with the National Day slot right around the corner, it was also destined to fizzle out soon.

As for 'Soul Mate,' there was no need to say much; after 'The Unbeatable' was released, such art-house films would only fare worse... stopping at 150 million.

"152 million in 5 days, with daily earnings still nearly 20 million; this box office trend is really quite good. In the end, it should be able to push for 300 million, right?" Lin Nan estimated the box office situation for 'The Unbeatable.'

Liu Liu Yifei was lazily eating lunch there while also scrolling through Weibo. Her uncontrollable laughter inevitably affected her eating speed.

"Lin Nan, this really is just as you said, carried by your reputation. It's just that their jokes about you are too funny; they actually said since 'Mount Mount Weihu' didn't compete, it was as if they were giving you a Best Supporting Actress award as compensation! Haha..."

Shu Chang and Especially Reba had already posted on Weibo on their way back last night; by now, the data for comments and likes had exploded. However, mixed in were more or less posts joking about Lin Nan, truly making one want to laugh and cry...

"As long as there isn't too much negative public opinion, that's good."

Lin Nan sat back down at the dining table and picked up his rice bowl. As for Liu Liu Xiaoli, she had already eaten before Lin Nan and the other two got up; right now, she was out walking the dog, which counted as a post-meal digest.

The vibration of a mobile phone rang out; it was Yue Jun.

Liu Liu Yifei bit her chopsticks, raised an eyebrow, and signaled for Lin Nan to answer quickly; she had also guessed it was about the matter instructed last night.

"Speak, what is the reason?"

Hearing Lin Nan get straight to the point with his first words, Yue Jun couldn't help but chuckle, stammering as he smiled:

"Lin Dao, um, the Hundred Flowers Awards side probably didn't mean it intentionally."

"Didn't mean it intentionally? What does that mean?" Liu Liu Yifei asked instinctively.

"Liu Yifei, you know. The submission of works for the Hundred Flowers Awards is done by the cinema chains; sometimes the will of cinema chain capital can sway the Hundred Flowers Awards..." Yue Jun stopped there.

At this moment, Lin Nan also slowly came to his senses:

"Your meaning is... the Hundred Flowers Awards side is actively showing goodwill, so they gave Dilraba, an actor from the Lin Nan Film line, the Best Supporting Actress award? Just because she is one of ours?"

"Ah?" Liu Liu Yifei also seemed to have heard some funny joke, looking at Lin Nan with considerable surprise.

"Um, Lin Dao, Liu Yifei, roughly speaking, that is indeed the case. They have done this kind of thing many times; they completely didn't expect that after giving the award to Dilraba, our reaction would be so huge!"

Good heavens, Lin Nan was directly speechless. After all this, it was being blamed on him? Because Lin Nan Film was being overly sensitive to rare things?!

"Heh, I accept this goodwill, it's just a bit choking."

Lin Nan looked at Liu Liu Yifei, his smile quite speechless. The Hundred Flowers Awards rushing to give an award... the public opinion online, his own side could only hold their nose and admit it.

"Fundamentally speaking, they are indeed well-intentioned, hehe..." Hearing Lin Nan's complaint, Liu Liu Yifei also instantly started laughing.