Chapter 803: Early Start, Signing on the 20th

"This is an actress from my studio; she's just finished her first year under contract. It's my first time bringing her to such a big occasion, and I don't think you've met her before."

"Hello, Producer Liu, Director Han, Teacher Shu Chang. I am Chen Yuqi, please look after me..."

From afar, Lin Nan saw Tang Yan leading a young woman, running over to Liu Yifei and the other two with a beaming smile.

By comparison, she still lacked the ambition and boldness of Yang Mi.

The latter had just been leading the people from Jiaxing, strolling right in front of the directors; and she greeted them one by one, not feeling that her behavior was abrupt or inappropriate in the slightest.

Truly worthy of being the "Go-Getter" who could easily snatch the hot IP *Legend of Fuyao* from Chen Qiaoen while filming *Negotiator*!

"Lin Nan." Ning Hao's low call pulled Lin Nan's attention back.

He saw Chen Kexin walking over. A few seconds later, he raised his glass and greeted with a smile: "Director Lin, congratulations on the box office success of your *Operation Meigonghe*."

Although a bit confused, Lin Nan still nodded politely in response, "Thank you, Director Chen."

He had originally wanted to "return the favor" and congratulate him on the film he produced winning the double Best Actress awards at the Golden Horse;

But in a flash, Lin Nan remembered the "scandal" currently flying everywhere outside, so he immediately swallowed his words.

If he had really "congratulated" him, everyone around would probably die of embarrassment! Just like that, after a few minutes of inexplicable small talk and pleasantries, Chen Kexin turned and left.

This unprovoked social interaction left Lin Nan completely baffled. What kind of trick were they playing?

"What's going on? He can't possibly not know that I've had no good feelings toward their group for all these years. Why would he still come over with a forced smile?" Lin Nan looked suspiciously at Ning Hao, Wang Changtian, and Liu Xiaobin beside him.

"Of course he knows you hate them. But there's no way around it; they need to eat from the mainland's plate, and you are the number one big mountain in the mainland film and television industry resisting the Hong Kong circle, and also the largest shareholder of Weibo."

"Especially today, they just paid a large sum of public relations protection money to Weibo! How could they not come over to show their faces? They're striving to become friends with you in the future, or at least keep the peace."

With Wang Changtian and Liu Xiaobin equally puzzled, Ning Hao explained mysteriously. And honestly, it actually made a lot of sense!

"Chairman Wang, did Enlight Media also receive public relations fees?" Lin Nan looked at Wang Changtian with delayed realization; after all, the latter had called to mention this in the morning.

"Not much, nowhere near as much as Weibo." Wang Changtian smiled and did not deny it.

"They actually value this 'Zhang Yimou Girl' so much that they're protecting her at all costs? Is this completely tied to the Hong Kong circle?" Liu Xiaobin teased suspiciously.

Hearing this, Ning Hao opened his mouth, hesitated for a few seconds, and then couldn't help but reveal in a low voice: "They are protecting her!

I heard Chen Kexin mention it at a dinner party before. The Hong Kong circle is strongly promoting Zeng Guoxiang, and his next film is already set. It's a copyright they just acquired mid-year—*Better Days*."

"They plan to start the script from the beginning of next year, and after the Golden Horse, they'll be sprinting for the Hong Kong Film Awards! The casting must have been done months before filming started, but the female lead was the only one decided mid-year."

The three of them looked into Ning Hao's eyes. The meaning in his gaze was obvious: "I don't need to say more about who the female lead is, right?"

The next morning, *Operation Meigonghe* handed in its report for the fifth day of public screening, raking in 172 million.

And occupying the second place in yesterday's box office market was that anime film from Japan, *Your Name*.

This film had a strong opening day the day before yesterday, cutting down 76.32 million at the box office; yesterday, in just one day, the daily box office soared to 120 million.

This box office result was unacceptable to the entire film industry.

If they couldn't beat *Operation Meigonghe*, everyone would just accept it, because they were used to it. But why should an imported animated film, and a Japanese one at that, run wild in the domestic New Year film season?!

And so, in just one morning, a lot of black PR articles targeting this film appeared online for no reason; but the only point they could attack was: the plot is cliché and lacks innovation.

At the same time, the wave of "scandals" that broke out the evening before yesterday also began to be artificially cooled down, intentionally buried and kept low-key...

Although it could still be seen online, the number of miscellaneous entertainment news items had clearly multiplied several times, constantly pushing that "scandal" down, diverting attention, and shifting public opinion.

It is believed that within three to five days, this matter will naturally fade from the public eye—meaning the PR was successful!

"Mainly produced by Happy Mahua, with StarWu participating in the investment, written and directed by Song Yang, starring Ai Lun, Ma Li, Shen Teng, Tian Yu, and others, with guest appearances by Yin Zheng, Wang Zhi, Chang Yuan, and others;"

"Happy Mahua's second comedy film, *Never Say Die*, officially started filming this morning at the Qinglan Geological Park in Raoping, Guangdong. This location is the main exterior shooting site for the film."

"Produced and made by Daylight Entertainment, with Lin Nan Film participating in the investment, co-directed by Kong Sheng and Li Xue, starring Huang Xiaoming, Liu Haoran, Zhao Liying, Zhang Huiwen, and others;"

"The second installment of the *Nirvana in Fire* series, *Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin*, quietly started filming this morning at the Hengdian World Studios..."

"Then please, Screenwriter Han and Assistant Director Han, speed up the progress again. I'm planning to move up the start date for *Dying to Survive*, and the actors need to prepare in advance."

Lin Nan didn't go to the company in the morning; he had a bit of a cold and was huddled at home.

"Moved up? Brother Lin, why are you so impulsive? How much earlier is it?" On the other end of the phone, Han Jia complained speechlessly.

"It was originally scheduled for mid-March, but I just thought about it and decided we could move it up by a month, starting immediately after the Spring Festival."

"The 16th of the first lunar month?"

"Yes, February 12th. I'm also moving *The Wandering Earth* up by a month, so I can leave more time for later. Five minutes ago, I already called Yue Jun, and he will go and notify the Aerospace Science and Technology Group."

"You moving it up by a month means I have to join the crew a month early too, seriously. Fine, Old Han and I should be able to finish our work in the next few days. Hanging up now."

Seeing Lin Nan hang up the phone, Liu Yifei handed him the hot water she had just poured: "*Operation Meigonghe* ends its run on January 27th, so it's only half a month until filming starts. Thinking about it, it's not that long."

"Yeah, I'm really asking for it. I promised to lie flat, but I ended up taking the initiative to join the crew early!"

"Xixi, why don't you give me some medicine? My nose is so blocked, it's really uncomfortable." Lin Nan took the cup, looked at Liu Xixi with longing eyes, and spoke in a nasal voice.

Hearing this, she rolled her eyes and refused mercilessly, "Hmph, it's just a small cold. Don't take medicine if you don't have to. Drink more hot water. Isn't that how I usually get through it?"

Lin Nan really wanted to reply: "Can I compare myself to you?" But for the sake of his pride, he decisively shut his mouth.

Outside, *Sword Master* was already beyond saving. Because yesterday's second-day box office dropped by two million, raking in 7.45 million.

Although it had only been released for two days, the industry had already reached a verdict: this film with an investment of over 100 million was destined for a bloody loss, it was a sure loss!

Bona seemed to have accepted its fate and didn't put any more promotional costs into it. As for how much less it would lose in the end, it depended on luck.

With a cold, Lin Nan felt lazy and sluggish. Just like that, he muddled through the 4th and 5th at home.

On the morning of the 6th, Lin Nan, who had recovered about seven or eight tenths, received a call from Jin Dun;

Director Zhang started by "questioning" him, asking if he hadn't had anyone submit the application for the extension key for *Operation Meigonghe*?

Well, Director Lin had actually forgotten about this and hadn't notified Yue Jun.

He immediately called Yue Jun, who didn't delay and immediately sent someone to rush straight to the Film Bureau without stopping.

As previously communicated, in three or four days at most, the Film Bureau's extension document would be publicized.

By this time, outside, the focus of the entire film and entertainment industry was entirely on tomorrow's Asian premiere of *The Great Wall*.

Hollywood leads like Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, and others would also land at the Capital Airport after noon today, along with people from Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures.

Following *Operation Meigonghe*, the Great Hall of the People's Golden Hall would once again hold a film premiere!

Shanghai Film Group.

The film was to be released on the 23rd, but as of today, the industry still hadn't received any news about the premiere of *Railroad Tigers*.

Not to mention premiere invitations; no one had seen any.

"Chairman Ren, there has to be an arrangement for this matter; we can't keep dragging it out. Many media outlets outside have been asking about it." The secretary looked at Ren Zhonglun, whose brows were slightly furrowed, and reminded him softly.

"What does Jackie Chan say?"

"He said he'll listen to our arrangements. He can come out of the *The Mystery of Dragon Seal* crew at any time, and *Bleeding Steel* is also about to wrap up."

After a moment of silence, Ren Zhonglun gritted his teeth and made a decision: "Forget it, let him be busy with his own work."

"Reveal to the media that all necessary promotion has been done, *Railroad Tigers* will not hold a premiere. We have absolute confidence, we choose to go straight to public screening."

"This?"

"Go, just do it like that."

"Then, okay, Chairman Ren."

"The 20th? Okay, then let's settle it on the 20th. Transfer it to him privately? Heh, this 'Red Leader' is truly speechless, impressive!"

Lin Nan hung up the phone with Cao Guowei, who told him to bring a lawyer to sign the contract on the morning of the 20th. Of course, that person from 360 would also be present, and everyone would complete the transaction of 3.1% of the shares at once.

"Lin Nan, Alibaba Pictures sent a premiere invitation, the premiere of *See You Tomorrow* is set for the 20th." Liu Yifei returned from outside, holding the invitation in her hand.

"No time, no interest. Just arrange for someone to go there when the time comes."

... ===== CHAPTER 804 =====