Chapter 778: Being a coward again; wrapping up, flights, press conferences

……

At 7:00 PM, at the Bund, Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, Ning Hao, and Zhu Yawen finally ate the big meal hosted by Tang Yan.

Zhang Hanyu didn't come; he left immediately after the promotional press conference ended because his schedule was too full.

Besides, he also knew that if he came, it would definitely affect the atmosphere of the meal, making everyone unable to let go.

"We are drinking red wine and eating delicacies here, and I don't know what my brother Luo Jin is doing right now? Well, it's highly likely that he's been training for a day and is lying on the bed with sore muscles!"

"Go to hell." Tang Yan frowned and glared at Zhu Yawen; this guy was doing it on purpose.

"It's about the same, anyway, it won't be too comfortable. But he will definitely earn from this trip, not just resources, but also connections."

Lin Nan smiled and affirmed. The project of the Navy Political Department was not just a simple film; it would leave an impression on the lead actor, which was the most important gain for an actor outside of the film.

"Tang Tang, Luo Jin might even win an award this time. Director Lu Yang was very smug those days. Lin Nan guesses he must have been painted a big cake by the leaders of the Navy Political Department."

Liu Yifei giggled and gave Tang Yan a wink.

"Don't, I never said that." Lin Dao immediately shook his head, refusing to admit it even if he died.

"Ah? Right, right, right, you didn't say it, I guessed it, okay?" Liu Yifei changed her words quickly, but the smile was obviously a bit fake.

"He has been nominated several times, I hope Xixi's guess is right this time; come, let's toast to your auspicious words."

Liu Yifei and Tang Yan, the two women, started drinking. Lin Nan originally wanted to tease them, but Ning Hao on the side interrupted him, handing over his phone as if watching the excitement:

"Look, the matter of you directly naming and criticizing Feng Xiaogang at the promotional press conference this afternoon has spread rapidly online in just over an hour;"

"When you wake up tomorrow morning, I estimate it will be a situation that cannot be contained at all; Director Feng has been disgraced by you, a peer, on the whole internet again, losing all his old face."

"He did shameless, shameless things himself, can this be blamed on me? I just spoke a fair word for the Normal University with a clear attitude."

"Besides, I am seeking truth from facts and didn't lie to slander him. It was he who had ulterior motives to slander the school to hype it, losing the face of all film people! Why, does he want to trouble me?"

"Hehe, guess how much I believe you? You must still be thinking about taking the opportunity to kill the competitor *I Am Not Madame Bovary*!"

"However, they are also to blame for their own self-destruction, just caught by you, kicking them while they are down. Tsk tsk tsk..."

Lin Nan didn't deny it, but smiled and nodded in the "expectant" eyes of the three, "Is it too much to bring some private goods while I speak righteously?"

"Hahaha, you are really a chicken thief..."

"Hee hee, I support Lin Nan."

"Lin Dao, I didn't hear anything, hehe."

……

At 9:40 PM, the four of Lin Nan boarded the return flight. When they landed at the Capital Airport two hours later, it was already the early hours of the morning.

And when the four returned home and reported safety to each other, it was close to 2:00 AM. However, for people in the film and television industry, this time was completely a daily routine.

"Why are you... still setting an alarm? And it's... 7:30?"

At home, Liu Yifei was lying on the bed in a daze, looking at Lin Nan, squinting her eyes, and asking with a hum.

"My classmate Liu Xixi, have you forgotten? There is still the premiere of *Mr. Donkey* this morning."

"Ah? Then hurry up... sleep, I'm going to... be sleepy to death..."

Watching Liu Yifei's sleepy and weak appearance, falling asleep before she finished speaking, Lin Nan couldn't help but laugh, raising his hand to stroke her smooth cheeks... turning off the lights, pulling her into his arms, and sleeping!

The next morning, the sun had just appeared. The film and entertainment news that had been fermenting for an afternoon and even a night finally exploded on the whole internet.

"Yesterday morning, the famous director Wong Kar-wai made a slip of the tongue at the *See You Tomorrow* film press conference, claiming that the film was his attempt at directing a comedy film;"

"But he corrected it in time a moment later, saying that the film was a return work of his own company, that is:"

"Jet Tone Films has been established for 25 years. 25 years ago, they filmed the comedy *The Eagle Shooting Heroes*, and 25 years later, they returned to the comedy *See You Tomorrow*, which is just returning to the starting point!"

"Director Wong Kar-wai supported the actor Angelababy, praising her acting skills as fitting the character, and her professionalism surpassing Nicholas Tse. He even said bluntly that after *See You Tomorrow*, Angelababy will be a truly excellent actress!"

"Best Actor Tony Leung used 'digging potatoes' to describe Angelababy's acting skills: she surprised me (feeling), just like you go to the field to dig a potato, you dig and dig, but you dig out a bunch, and then you continue to dig and dig, and you dig out a watermelon... I think she still has many possibilities and creativity on the road of an actor, and she is also very energetic on the set."

"The official account of CCNU issued a stern statement, refuting the unreasonable behavior of Director Feng Xiaogang and the *I Am Not Madame Bovary* crew... wantonly hijacking public opinion, slandering, smearing... causing bad influence..."

"Yesterday afternoon, Lin Dao Nan at the *Operation Mekong* promotional press conference in Shanghai, sternly scolded Director Feng Xiaogang for 'there is no silver three hundred taels here'..."

"He used fraudulent means, secretly crossed the sea... knowing the safety hazards of large gatherings and the need to report to the public security organs in advance, but still pretended to be confused, incited the emotions of the vast number of uninformed masses, cyberbullying... to achieve the private purpose of film promotion... losing the face of the film and television industry and film people..."

……

"Only Lin Dao Nan is tough enough to 'criticize' Director Feng by name like this! You know, for so many years, Feng Pants has been a loud Little Steel Cannon in the mainland film and television industry, haha..."

"Good fellow, how many times has Lin Dao 'spoken righteously'? Why does it feel like he has scolded Huayi many times? And every time he can scold the other party so they don't even dare to fart!"

"Upstairs, doesn't this just show that Director Feng has a problem? He has a guilty conscience, and doesn't even dare to refute..."

"The courage is also big! That is a 211 key normal university directly managed by the Ministry of Education, and he dares to slander it... Alright, it was slapped in the face in less than half a day?!"

"By the way, is Angelababy's acting really good? How much money did this big director and best actor take to say such conscience-less words?"

"Fart, that's their own movie, of course they have to say good things."

"A group of black fans, baby originally has acting skills..."

…… While Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were struggling to attend the rather shabby premiere of *Mr. Donkey*, at Huayi, Director Feng was cursing.

For ordinary netizens, the statements of the official accounts of Normal University and Ping'an Wuhan have little influence and cannot make much waves.

But Lin Nan is different. He expressed his attitude and mocked in front of nearly a thousand people and nearly a hundred media, and the whole industry and even the whole internet knew it, knowing it clearly!

Yesterday during the day, almost everyone online stood on his side, but after just one night, he, Liu Zhenyun, and Fang Fang became street rats, everyone shouting and scolding...

"This is the how many-th time? He Lin Nan is getting more and more arrogant now! Let alone the past, just talk about this matter and our conflict with Enlight last year, which time had anything to do with him?"

"What is he? What right does he have to nitpick? What is he acting like a big shot for? He took a few lousy awards, so what if he has capital? Does he really think the film industry revolves around him? Bastard..."

Watching Feng Xiaogang, who was furious beyond control, Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei were completely unable to get a word in.

After so many years, Lin Nan truly never followed the industry's unspoken rules, and he was becoming increasingly rampant! He didn't "respect his elders," didn't "cooperate," and damn it, he liked to meddle in other people's business for no reason...

But, just as Feng Xiaogang cursed, Lin Nan had awards, appeal, and influence, and he was major capital himself. Most importantly, he was too young—that was the most terrifying part.

This resulted in no one in the industry daring to provoke him; only he, with his unbridled tongue and meddlesome nature, provoked others.

"This matter needs to cool down. Don't run around with the film promotion during the time before the premiere; it's already known to everyone anyway. Besides, keep a low profile during this time. Don't show your face, don't argue with those people online, don't curse at netizens, and don't get caught with any more leverage..."

Wang Zhongjun did not respond to Feng Xiaogang's words, nor did he comfort him; instead, he directly arranged the subsequent matters: cool down, end it!

Hearing this, Feng Xiaogang's pale and uneven face became even more ferocious. Because the meaning behind Wang Zhongjun's words was to admit defeat once again.

Ever since he won the Golden Shell Award last month, he never dreamed that in less than a month, he would "once again" have to swallow his own broken teeth. How ironic that was.

"Sooner or later, I'll wait to see how he dies; there is no such thing as eternal prosperity in this industry, and I'm waiting for that day!" Feng Xiaogang gritted his teeth and cursed indignantly.

He had been in the film and television industry for decades, and apart from being servile when he first tried to curry favor with Wang Shuo and the others, how many years had it been since he felt this aggrieved? But in these past few years, how many setbacks had he suffered at Lin Nan's hands? This resentment was suffocating him!

Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei looked at Feng Xiaogang as if he were an idiot. If it were someone else, it might be easier to retaliate. But Lin Nan? One Golden Shell really wasn't enough, even if he had a day where he was down on his luck. He was just too young.

"Without a doubt, this *Mr. Donkey* is a boutique among low-budget comedy films!" At the premiere, after the microphone was handed to Lin Nan, his opening remarks were naked praise.

Lin Nan had previously promised Yan Fei that he would come to support this film, which lacked influence but was indeed of high quality; at this moment, he naturally wouldn't be stingy with his compliments.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the applause at the venue exploded. The media reporters behind the lenses were even more excited than words could describe. Because a film that Lin Nan publicly called "good" was never a lie!

Before long, the premiere entered the time for free socializing, and Yan Fei also approached Lin Nan and Liu Yifei.

"Lin Dao, how far do you think the box office for this film can go?"

Hearing this, let alone Lin Nan, even Liu Yifei laughed. The film's production cost was only 15 million; how much higher of a box office could they want?

"Let's strive to hit 200 million at the box office first. The cinema chains won't increase screenings just because I think it's a good film. After all, the cast still lacks market appeal; they are all fresh faces."

Lin Nan said with a smile, quite tactfully. Yan Fei was a sensible person and immediately stopped asking, "Alright, then let's take 200 million as a hurdle and aim for it first."

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei didn't stay long at the premiere, and before long, the two of them left quietly.

Just as they arrived home and were thinking about what to have for lunch, Tom's call came in quite inopportunely.

"Calling me again to talk about your election over there? I remember the results should be out within these two weeks, right?"

"Lin, have you been confused by being busy lately? It's already the end of the month. What I must tell you about is definitely *Pacific Rim 2*."

"According to the itinerary plan I previously set with Warner and Lionsgate, the entire project team will charter a flight to China on the morning of the 28th, which means they will arrive one after another by noon on the 30th your time."

"You'll have to arrange the airport pickup over there; I won't be going over this time. After the official start of filming, I'll find time to come and visit the set."

By the time Tom finished speaking, Lin Nan had already reacted; he had indeed been too busy to remember this matter lately:

"Alright, I will go to the airport to pick them up with the domestic producers. By the way, there are hundreds of people, how many flights are there?"

"Three flights; you might have to be at the airport for several hours."

Great, that's a major project. After all, it wasn't just the 150 people who went to Hollywood before who were returning; this time, the filming teams from Warner and Lionsgate were coming along too.

In the afternoon, Liu Yifei reported the latest news to Lin Nan with pleasant surprise: Red Star Dock had received notification that *Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms* had passed internal review, and the public announcement document would be out tomorrow.

Coincidentally, Xie Nan also called in the evening: *Wolf Warrior 2* would finish its domestic filming the day after tomorrow morning, which also meant that after 5 months of filming, this movie was finally about to wrap up completely.

Eternal Sky Film Industry.

"Lin Dao Nan is truly impressive! He slapped Feng Xiaogang's face so hard, yet we haven't seen even a single word of response from that side." Song Ge flipped through his phone and said with interest, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"This is strength and confidence; even Huayi and Feng Xiaogang have to bow their heads." Wu Ershan said with envy, then looked at Song Ge: "Chairman Song, is the media press conference for the morning of the 30th ready?"

"Hmm, it was just prepared this morning. Director Wu, our script can be submitted for review." Speaking of serious business, the aura around Song Ge changed instantly, becoming as gloomy as a smiling wolf.

"Good, I'll send it over this afternoon."

There was a tremor in Wu Ershan's voice; he was excited.

Being an international director was too far out of reach for him, and he didn't dare to hope for it; but being a capitalist, especially a major director and major capitalist in the domestic film and television industry... he was still full of drive.

(End of chapter)