Chapter 77: BAZAAR, A Gift

The news of Lin Nan's graduation production spread fast.

Actors and companies he knew in the industry all reached out to ask about it.

"It's not a commercial film, no investment needed."

"Thank you, Chairman Yang, for your kindness, but no actors needed, and I'm not short on funds either."

China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, Enlight Media...

One call after another, the same words over and over — Lin Nan said them again and again.

Unlike those film companies and conglomerates, the actors were practically going crazy.

Not a commercial film?

Then it must be an awards-chasing film!

Everyone in the industry knew Lin Nan's track record.

He wasn't just a blockbuster director — he also had two Silver Bear director trophies.

Li Li Baotian and Jiang Teacher Wenli from *Return to Dust*, Ryan Reynolds from *Buried*.

All three of them had come within a hair's breadth of winning Best Actor and Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival.

*Return to Dust* had also been nominated for a Golden Rooster domestically.

So if his luck held this time — a little better, a little better still...

"Lin Dao, look at the relationship between us. Sure, sis has a few Best Actress trophies already, but who would ever complain about having more?"

"Heh, you'd better focus on studying the script for *The Message*."

……

"Lao Zhu, listen to me — this has nothing to do with you."

Zhu Zhu Yawen also came over to join the commotion, only to be sent off by Lin Nan with a single sentence.

Lin Nan admitted he'd been careless.

He had originally planned to submit *The Martian* as his graduation work, just like *The Time Cruise* back then.

Who knew the academy would block that path for him ahead of time.

Now he had no choice but to go with an awards-chasing film. Fortunately, he'd just handed a script to Tom not long ago.

Liu Liu Yifei hovered around Lin Nan with eager eyes, waiting for her boyfriend to come clean on his own.

"I need someone of Leonardo's caliber to carry this script."

That one sentence was enough to deflate the young lady.

"Hmph, you're so annoying."

"Haha, aren't you heading off to the BAZAAR Charity Night press conference? Better get going."

"You're not going?"

"I'll go on the night of the charity gala itself."

"Fine, then I'll head off first. But you owe me another movie again..."

…………

BAZAAR Charity Night — this was its sixth year.

One had to admit, the event had fully tapped into the entertainment industry's love of fame and fortune, and was thriving.

Lin Nan had already received a copy of the auction catalog.

When he replied that he'd attend this event, Su Mang personally called to express her thanks.

Within two hours, a beautifully produced auction brochure was delivered to Lin Nan's company — the efficiency was impressively pragmatic.

"Jewelry, accessories, haute couture gowns, handbags, oil paintings, cars, limited-edition memorabilia..."

Lin Nan flipped through page after page — honestly, there was quite a lot of good stuff.

At the BAZAAR press conference venue, media outlets from all sides were present.

Because this year's scale was clearly more than double last year's — you could tell just from the guest list already released.

A-list stars gathered, several big-name directors too, and the bosses of Huayi, Bona, and other companies would also attend.

This year's charity night was destined to be a dazzling arena of fame and fortune.

"Liu Yifei, I believe this is your first time here, right?"

Huang Huang Xiaoming asked, looking at Liu Liu Yifei beside him.

"Mm, it's my first time."

Liu Liu Yifei smiled — many people were watching their way.

*Inception* had been snatched up by this very girl.

Nolan's *The Dark Knight* had already crossed a billion dollars worldwide.

Everyone with half a brain knew just how massive the *Inception* cake was now.

"Lin Dao's new film — you must know about it, right?"

Huang Huang Xiaoming lowered his voice as he asked, considering himself on decent terms with Liu Liu Yifei.

"He didn't tell me anything, just said he needed an actor of Leonardo's caliber."

That remark from Liu Liu Yifei left Huang Huang Xiaoming thoroughly embarrassed — a single sentence like that could send ninety-nine percent of actors packing.

"At the charity gala, you could ask him in person. Heh heh."

"Better not — I know my place." Huang Huang Xiaoming quickly waved his hands.

The press conference ended.

The next day, Liu's mother began picking out a gown for Liu Liu Yifei.

In Liu Liu Xiaoli's eyes, her own daughter was the most beautiful of all.

An orange-yellow bandeau off-shoulder waist-cinching gown with silver stripes was chosen as Liu Liu Yifei's outfit for the Bazaar Night.

Paired with a pearl necklace and gold high heels, she looked all the more fair-skinned and beautiful, every inch the lady from a good family.

"Mm, and the bracelet." Liu Liu Xiaoli nodded, dressing up her daughter.

It did look good, but Lin Nan just felt he was getting the short end of the stick somehow.

After a long while, Liu Liu Yifei stood up; the hem of her gown just reached her knees, which made Lin Nan even more uncomfortable to watch.

"Let's get ready to head out."

…………

For this Bazaar Night, an entire star-rated hotel had been booked out, with ordinary people refused entry.

The red carpet stretched from outside the hotel all the way to the third-floor banquet hall, with a staircase of more than ten meters in between.

The car stopped at the hotel entrance; Lin Nan got out first, then helped Liu Liu Yifei down.

Outside there were only Su Mang and the Bazaar staff.

Lin Nan had expected a large crowd of reporters.

"Lin Dao, Liu Yifei, welcome to Bazaar Night. Everyone's inside."

"Thank you."

Another staff member led the way up front, guiding Lin Nan and his companion inside.

Stepping into the third-floor banquet hall, it was instantly a world apart from outside.

A great many celebrities from the film, TV, and sports circles had gathered here.

When Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei entered, quite a few people noticed.

"Lin Dao, you're over here." Huang Huang Xiaoming waved.

The seating arrangement wasn't all that great.

Lin Nan was at a table with Wang Wang Zhongjun, Wang Wang Zhonglei, Yu Dong, and others.

Liu Liu Yifei was with Li Li Bingbing, Fan Li Bingbing, Zhao Zhao Yanzi, Zhou Xun, and other A-list actresses.

The two tables were quite far apart.

Huang Huang Xiaoming's table was fairly close by, with Chen Kun, Hu Jun, Lu Yi, Sun Sun Honglei, and others.

Further away were the Hong Kong and Taiwan contingent — John Woo, Chen Chen Kaige…

Lin Nan swept his gaze around; every one of the actresses had clearly put in serious effort.

"Lin Dao, that film of yours really isn't open to outside investment?"

Wang Wang Zhonglei asked as if no one else were there, and that single line drew a flood of eyes toward them.

"No, it's my graduation project — I don't need anyone else's investment."

"Haha, well there'll still be a chance to handle distribution when the time comes, right?" Yu Dong said with a grin.

Lin Nan didn't pick up the thread.

The auction segment actually didn't take up much of the night; up on stage they began talking about tonight's charity theme — disaster-area reconstruction.

A performance segment was, of course, indispensable.

Zhang Liangying led the charge; quite a few singers went up.

There were also two groups from South Korea — mm, the hottest kind.

"The first auction item: a Cartier lucky charm pendant…"

Quite a few paddles went up; even Wang Wang Zhonglei raised his once, but in the end someone else took it for 1.2 million.

Deng Deng Wendi threw money around quite fiercely, buying an oil painting for 3.5 million.

After that came a flood of luxury goods — LV, Dior, Hermès, Gucci…

Most of the paddles were raised by the actresses and the gentlemen who had brought female companions.

Huang Huang Xiaoming and a group of male entertainers were scrambling over a limited-edition Gucci commemorative "Oriental Red" bicycle.

Wang Wang Zhongjun spent close to a million and took home a complete set of Olympic posters.

"Lin Dao, nothing you fancy?"

"I'll keep looking. If nothing catches my eye, I'll just donate some money at the end."

No sooner had Lin Nan finished speaking than an item that interested him came up.

A jadeite necklace.

Platinum base, inlaid with 127 natural black diamonds and 191 natural white diamonds, with a 56-gram white glass-seed jadeite cabochon in the center.

It had an air of regal splendor about it.

Quite a few actresses' eyes lit up; several of the big directors' ladies were raising their paddles.

Lin Nan silently raised his own paddle.

"Lin Dao Nan, 950,000."

A whole batch of competitors vanished on the spot.

Liu Liu Yifei cast a distant glance at Lin Nan. This necklace wasn't suited to her — if it wasn't meant for her, then Lin Nan was a dead man.

Only a few Hong Kong directors' ladies hadn't given up; after a round of bidding, Lin Nan spent 1.2 million before it was finally over.

"Lin Dao, do you like jewelry?"

Yu Dong asked curiously.

"Not particularly."

If the jadeite necklace drew a crowd, then Tiffany's rose-quartz necklace had every young woman in the room swooning — who would ever think of themselves as old?

Liu Liu Yifei alone put in three bids; several of the top-tier leading ladies showed absolutely no intention of yielding.

Sometimes money isn't the most important thing.

"Lin Dao Nan, 450,000."

One raise of the paddle can solve ninety-nine percent of the problems; for the remaining one percent, just raise it again.

In the end, Lin Nan spent 500,000 and got that rose-quartz necklace.

For the following items, Lin Nan didn't get involved, though Liu Liu Yifei did manage to bid on one.

…………

Less than an hour after Bazaar ended, the total amount of charity funds raised was posted online.

Lin Nan vaguely remembered it was more than the figure they announced?

He thought about it — nothing more than the usual business: shouting prices with the mouth, and in the end it was just a formality.

Over a hundred celebrities showed up; the ones who actually paid up were probably at most a third.

A staff member delivered the auction items over.

Lin Nan stood in his own courtyard, looking at the luxurious jadeite necklace and a Chinese-style rose-quartz lantern necklace, very pleased.

Liu Liu Yifei came over, a box in her hand.

"For you."

A men's wristwatch — this was the only thing Miss Liu had bid on.

"Thank you."

Lin Nan smiled and pushed the rose-quartz necklace over. "Your birthday gift."

Liu Liu Yifei was delighted at first, then, looking at that jadeite necklace, was instantly a little unhappy.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Lin Nan spread his hands.

"Who is it for?" The girl pointed at the jadeite necklace on the table, very angry.

"It's not for you." Lin Nan's playful mood was rising.

"Hmph, say that again."

"It's really not for you.

Hey, hey, don't come over here, don't lay a hand on me…"

The offense and defense switched places — from hands to mouths.

In the end, the girl curled up in Lin Nan's arms, her cheeks flushed, her breathing very uneven.

"If you'd just said earlier it was for my mom, wouldn't that have been the end of it? You just had to tease me."

"It's not only for your mom — it's also for my future mother-in-law."

"Shameless, thick-skinned." Though she said so, the smile on Liu Liu Yifei's face couldn't fool anyone.

"Take it back with you in a bit."

"Aren't you delivering it yourself?"

"No, I'm afraid your mom will think I'm trying to steal her daughter away from her, and then refuse to accept it. Ha ha."

This was Lin Nan's first time giving a gift to Liu Liu Xiaoli; it was still safer to let Liu Liu Yifei take it back.

"Princess Princess Xixi, I'll put in a good word for you."

"A padded jacket this leaky — your auntie should know about it, right?" Lin Nan teased.