Chapter 82: A Meal

Miss Jing Tian's schedule had been packed with a lot more engagements recently.

Unlike her previous EP—though the director was Ning Hao, that was only an MV, with limited impact.

*The Martian Rescue* was a different story.

This film truly brought this young girl genuine attention from the industry.

"You still have to shoot a big-name director's film."

Lu Zheng said to Miss Jing Tian with a smile on his face. She had just finished shooting an advertisement and come back, with her female assistant beside her.

"Uncle Lu, I want to treat Big Brother Lin to a meal." The girl spoke her thoughts.

"A meal? Hmm, that's not a bad idea. I'll arrange it."

"Let's just do it at home…"

Lu Zheng was momentarily stunned by those words, then nodded.

"Home is good. It feels more intimate."

*The Martian Rescue* hit 320 million without suspense, continuing to crush *Red Cliff* and reclaiming the box-office record lost by *Painted Skin*.

The higher-ups hoped to hold a seminar on this film—truly fitting the national character.

Lin Nan sat among a group of "scholars," listening to them talk about the "spirit" of *The Martian Rescue*.

His head was buzzing, and he was half-wondering if this was really the film he had made himself—how come he couldn't quite understand it?

After he got back, he heard Liu Liu Yifei say she had received an invitation.

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang had invested in a serviced apartment in the capital, and first- and second-tier stars and celebrities from the industry were all on the invitation list.

Lin Nan definitely wasn't going, so Liu Liu Yifei declined along with him.

Later, reading the news reports, he saw that Zhang Zhang Yimou hadn't gone either.

The Huayi Yi bunch, though, were quite happy to show up.

When that family gave an interview, they put on a regretful face: "Not being able to invite a few big-name directors is the most regrettable thing."

Lin Nan still remembered what Yang Yang Shoucheng had told him. The earlier Hong Kong media report saying Lin Nan excluded Hong Kong artists and only used mainland actors was most likely also connected to that family.

Two companies competing, yet the crossfire reached Lin Nan, who had just signed the *Ip Man* contract with Emperor Entertainment Group—truly a disgusting move.

Liu Liu Dehua probably really liked *The Martian Rescue*; he called specifically to say he had taken on a big-budget sci-fi film, starting production next month.

Lin Nan curiously asked around for the specifics—the director was Wang Jing, and the film was called *Future X-Cops*.

From the sound of it, Liu Liu Dehua seemed to quite like the script. A Hong Kong big-budget sci-fi film… he could only hope it wouldn't flop too badly when the time came.

Liu Liu Yifei, in full formal attire, was getting ready to attend a Carnier brand event.

This was an endorsement she had just landed not long ago, with a signing fee running into eight figures.

Among all the female stars in the country, this put her in the very top tier—especially considering she was barely out of her twenties.

The effect of three Hollywood films was on full display; other actresses could only watch enviously.

"Wait for me to come back."

Liu Liu Yifei waved and got into the car.

Lin Nan watched Liu Liu Xiaoli's group drive off, and his phone buzzed.

*Sword Butterfly*, which Hu Ge had previously starred in, premiered on the 16th.

Although a large number of viewers complained the plot was absurd and the film shoddily made, the box office was still decent—15 million over the first four-day weekend.

Industry insiders analyzed that this film had slipped through a gap in the schedule.

*The Martian Rescue* had been charging ahead for twenty days straight, and no film chose to seek death by going up against it. At that moment, *Sword Butterfly* dropped in and conveniently picked up the leftovers.

"What was President Cai thinking? She got you raised up with *Painted Skin*, and then let you go act in this kind of trash?"

Lin Nan held the phone, joking around with Hu Ge.

"Nothing I could do. President Cai said it was an old favor—who knew the word of mouth would be this bad."

"Take my advice: from now on, don't take Hong Kong films. They're very insular—the good ones will never be given to outsiders."

That Hong Kong circle is a strange bunch. They're already begging for scraps, yet they still spend all day thinking about using mainland actors to carry their people on the sedan chair—no self-awareness at all.

What's even more infuriating is that some mainland film and TV companies and actors are still happy to lap it up, flocking to it eagerly.

Hu Ge had been sent over by Cai Cai Yinong to play a supporting role for someone.

"I regret it now too. I'll definitely learn my lesson in the future…"

The good reviews he'd built up from *Painted Skin* were wiped clean by this one *Sword Butterfly*—Hu Ge was definitely feeling frustrated.

Some of his fans were quite level-headed, advising him to choose his scripts and crews carefully from now on.

If he really couldn't tell, he should go consult someone else—Lin Dao Nan, for instance.

…………

Only with comparison do choices appear.

The daily box office of *The Martian Rescue* was, incredibly, still rising.

By the 20th, China Film Group released new figures to the public.

The cumulative box office of *The Martian Rescue* had broken through 385 million.

Major news websites all began reporting on it.

This year's domestic film box-office record had already been refreshed three times.

But this time was especially significant—it was very likely to break through the 400-million mark.

The 21st: 394 million.

The 22nd: 403 million.

…………

"Domestic films have officially entered the 400-million box-office era!"

"The Martian has set a new record."

"Lin Nan — the first director to join the 400-million box office club!"

"The pride of Beijing Film Academy…"

……

The entire industry, every major film and television company, was watching and waiting.

"That's it? 400 million already?"

Before this year, the box office record was still in the hands of Curse of the Golden Flower.

From April until now, a full seven months, the box office record had climbed by more than a hundred million. Lin Nan had set new records twice, and every other major director felt their pressure multiply.

"I hereby announce that If You Are the One has officially wrapped…"

Feng Feng Xiaogang now only wanted to get the post-production done well. As for the box office, he'd set a target of 300 million — any more than that wouldn't be bragging, it would have to be achieved in a dream.

Zhang Zhang Weiping hurried off to find Zhang Zhang Yimou. Letting a greenhorn carry such a big name — how could that possibly work?

"Zhang Yimou, put that art-house film aside for now. You've been busy with the Olympics all year, and the company's running at a loss. Switch to a commercial film instead…"

After all these years, Zhang Zhang Yimou actually deeply resented others meddling in his creative work, but Zhang Zhang Weiping had indeed helped him a great deal, and he did need someone to handle things on the home front.

"But what about the script? Right now the only one I have thoroughly prepared is this art-house film."

"We can always adapt a novel or a foreign film…"

…………

Beijing Film Academy had already hung up a banner.

"Congratulations to our school's director Lin Nan on his work The Martian, which opens a new chapter in domestic sci-fi cinema."

Streams of students passing by saw the new banner.

"Senior Lin Nan has that much face? The school put up a banner for him?"

"You're way behind the times! I heard this is already the third time. The first two banners were both because Senior Lin Nan won the Silver Bear for Best Director…"

"Lao Tian, this student of yours really isn't suited to stay at the academy. With results like these — awards, box office, and breaking records every now and then — keeping him here would only hold him back, wouldn't it?"

"So I turned the school down right away. Of course, I hadn't told him yet at that point, haha."

Lu Zheng called Lin Nan and invited him to dinner.

The stated reason was to thank him for The Martian's help to Miss Jing Tian.

When Lin Nan drove to the place, he sensed something was off.

This wasn't a hotel, a restaurant, or a private kitchen.

It turned out to be an upscale residential community, full of standalone villas.

For a moment, Lin Nan half-regretted coming.

"Big Brother Lin Nan, over here."

Just as Lin Nan was about to make a call, he heard Miss Jing Tian's voice.

She appeared behind Lin Nan, her face alight with pleasant surprise.

"Tian Tian? There shouldn't be any restaurants around here, right?"

"Haha, no, but we can eat at my place."

Miss Jing Tian said this and began leading the way.

Lin Nan looked at the architecture and surroundings — the price was definitely no less than his and Liu Liu Yifei's place.

"Usually, I live around here…"

Miss Jing Tian walked ahead, chatting every now and then, clearly in a very good mood.

In a little while, the two arrived at a villa, where Lu Zheng stood outside with a broad smile.

"Riding on Lin Dao's coattails."

Lin Nan couldn't make sense of that line — riding on what coattails of his?

Once inside the villa, Lin Nan finally caught on. This was clearly where Miss Jing Tian usually lived — every bit of the décor was in a girlish style.

"Big Brother Lin, Uncle Lu, you can wash your hands first. We'll start eating in a moment."

The housekeeper and Miss Jing Tian brought the dishes out one by one, and finally the former left.

Lin Nan truly hadn't expected this meal to be eaten at Miss Jing Tian's home.

"I'm acquainted with Tian Tian's elders. Becoming an actress has been her wish since she was little.

We really have to thank Lin Dao for The Martian. Tian Tian has now managed to break through, and recently there have been no shortage of advertisers, endorsements, and scripts coming her way, haha…"

"Thank you, Big Brother Lin. A toast to you."

Miss Jing Tian held up a glass of orange juice, clumsily mimicking the gesture of a toast.

"You're welcome — consider it a favor for a fellow townsman." Lin Nan raised his own glass of juice.

It was obvious that Miss Jing Tian showed a flicker of disappointment.

"Shall we dig in?" Lu Zheng said, picking the right moment.

"Sure."

…………

Lin Nan felt that Miss Jing Tian's housekeeper's cooking was a bit ordinary.

"Lin Dao, have you finalized the cast for your graduation stage play?"

Lu Zheng suddenly asked.

Before Lin Nan could answer, it was Miss Jing Tian who looked at Lu Zheng in surprise.

"Uncle Lu?"

"I'm just asking Lin Dao on your behalf, hehe."

"This is a foreign-language film."

Lin Nan picked up a meat burger from the table and started eating it. This was how one should treat a guest—knowing what he liked to eat.

Lu Zheng's eyes lit up even more. "What about Tiantian?"

"Her acting isn't up to standard."

"I was kind enough to give Director Lu my advice back then, but you didn't listen, didn't you?"

Lin Nan felt that Lu Zheng really dared to dream. Even if there were a suitable role, he would prioritize Liu Liu Yifei—how could he possibly give it to someone else?

Lin Nan's single remark that her acting wasn't up to standard made Miss Jing Tian's heart inexplicably panic.

"I will study hard," she said softly.

"Actually, honing yourself in a film crew would also work, but you'd have to start from a supporting role and work your way up. Coming in as the lead right away, you definitely wouldn't be able to hold it. But not every actress has Zhou Xun's level of ability."

Lin Nan's suggestion—Lu Zheng clearly wouldn't listen to it either.

After finishing the meal and sitting for an hour, Lin Nan was ready to leave.

The two personally saw him out of the complex, watching Lin Nan drive away.

"Uncle Lu, you shouldn't have asked."

"I'm doing this for your own good too. What if there's a chance?"

Lu Zheng sighed with emotion, then remarked, "Today's meal—you learned a lot, didn't you?"

"Not that long…"

Miss Jing Tian answered softly, then turned and walked toward the villa.

Today she had truly just simply wanted to invite Lin Nan over for a meal, not thinking of anything else, nothing at all…