Chapter 862: Before Running Off; Hastening the Birth!

"At nine in the morning, the Air Force Political Department's main production, jointly produced by 18 units and film and television companies including China Film, Huaxia Film, China TV Media, Capital Satellite TV, and Aimeishen, the Air Force-themed commercial blockbuster 'Sky Hunters' has successfully wrapped filming in Beijing."

"The film's director Li Chen took the stage together with the lead actress Fan Li Bingbing to jointly announce the release schedule: the film 'Sky Hunters' will be scheduled for September 29, aiming at National Day, as a tribute to the Air Force…"

"Leaders from the Air Force Political Department and units such as China Film appeared at the wrap-up press conference, with the former loudly calling out to the Navy Political Department's themed commercial blockbuster 'Operation Red Sea':"

"Air and sea as one, competing and supporting each other… In the market's competitive comparison, the two films can fully showcase the unique spirit of different units and different branches of the armed forces in the new era, promoting the military bearing, military appearance… and military soul of the new era…"

"……"

"The slogans are really shouted pretty high, but I'm also genuinely afraid that side might fall flat."

"Although I don't understand filmmaking, I do know how to raise doubts: what kind of blockbuster can be made in 3 months and 24 days? Especially with so many warplanes deployed."

"Besides, from wrap to release, that's only 3 months and 20 days at most. Not only do they have to complete post-production editing and production, but also handle promotional roadshows and distribution… Will they make it in time?"

Listening to the big leaders' banter-style teasing, Lin Nan didn't interject. He only occasionally put on a smile and went along perfunctorily; because the topic was too high-end for him.

The leaders had called him to the Film Bureau for "tea," and he was genuinely resistant to it from the bottom of his heart. Wouldn't it be better to be at home, snuggled up in fragrant warmth, sleeping in?

"In plain terms, can this also be counted as an invitation for a military exercise launched by the Air Force against the Navy? Except the battlefield is the film market?"

Good lord, a probing remark from one of the accompanying staff instantly ignited the "fighting spirit" of all the Navy Political Department leaders present, their eyes practically glowing green, like wolves!

"Good, well said! I'll report it to the military leadership just like that when I get back, haha…"

"Come to think of it, that does make sense. 'Operation Red Sea' deployed a fleet of 054A missile frigates loaded with live ammunition and a large number of naval officers and soldiers, while 'Sky Hunters' also used a large number of warplanes and pilots, as well as ground engineering formations…"

"Oh my, this really is a different kind of military exercise, what a fine thing! Only with competition is there passion. A soldier's fighting spirit must be maintained at all times…"

Chirping away, the place got lively again. Lin Nan helplessly glanced at Han Han Sanping, his eyes carrying a question: what on earth are the two of us here for?

"Director Lin Nan, can 'Operation Red Sea' also be placed in the National Day slot?" Before Han Han Sanping could respond to Lin Nan, the question from the Navy Political Department leader drew everyone's attention on site to a focal point.

Good grief, as expected, fighting spirit is high—they're already thinking of going straight to a head-on "military exercise"? But didn't you just complain about 'Sky Hunters,' saying their post-production time was too short?

Lin Nan smiled and shook his head, denying: "According to the shooting schedule, the wrap date for 'Operation Red Sea' is expected to be at the end of July. If it's to be released during the National Day slot, the main creative team will definitely be in a flurry, and neither post-production nor marketing and distribution can be done to perfection."

"My suggestion is to schedule it for the Spring Festival slot, because 'Operation Red Sea' differs from 'Operation Meigonghe'—its grand scenes can ignite the entire nation's passion, allowing it to dominate the box office to the fullest extent during the prime season!"

"Oh? You're that confident about its box office?" Zhang Zhang Hongsen couldn't help but ask. He was the top man at the Film Bureau, so naturally he cared about the Spring Festival slot's box office.

Looking at the gazes from Zhang Zhang Hongsen and the Navy Political Department leaders, Lin Nan nodded affirmatively:

"Its script naturally surpasses 'Operation Meigonghe' by a whole notch, evident in the deployment of a live-ammunition fleet, while its scenes are far more thrilling and intense;"

"So I believe 'Operation Red Sea's' box office performance during the Spring Festival slot should not be worse than 'Operation Meigonghe's,' at the very least it should be on par."

"Good, then it's settled for the Spring Festival slot!" The leader with one star on his shoulder slapped his thigh forcefully and decisively cheered.

"……"

Qianshan Forest Park bamboo sea, the 'Shadow' crew, Zhang Zhang Yimou was directing a scene.

This continuously NG-ed shot was the scene of Guan Guan Xiaotong sitting on a shoulder sedan and making her entrance on a bamboo forest path in a misty, drizzling environment.

The effect to be presented in the shot was, in this environment, Guan Guan Xiaotong lying on her side on the shoulder sedan with amorous eyes—a fluid, beautiful shot that needed aesthetic appeal and had to fit the film's overall ink-wash style.

"Director Zhang, President Zhang is here." After Zhang Zhang Yimou finished giving Guan Guan Xiaotong his direction, Zhang Mo spoke up to interrupt him. When working on set, she always addressed Zhang Zhang Yimou by his title.

"Zhang Zhao?"

"Mm."

"Everyone take a break. Guan Xiaotong, you think carefully about the technique and expression I just talked about."

"Okay, Director Zhang, I'll be diligent." Guan Guan Xiaotong nodded hurriedly.

Although she was mesmerized by herself while watching those playback shots, since Director Zhang said it wasn't enough, it definitely wasn't; after all, he is universally recognized as the most skilled director in the Chinese-language film industry when it comes to filming actresses!

Zhang Zhang Yimou walked expressionless straight toward the tent in the distance, with only Zhang Mo following behind;

while Guan Guan Xiaotong sat down next to Deng Chao, Sun Li, and the others. If she had paid close attention, she shouldn't have found it hard to notice that the expressions of this couple were a bit off at the moment.

Although smiles hung on their faces, their eyes were cold and furtive, occasionally glancing toward the direction Zhang Zhang Yimou had gone.

Also shareholders "trapped" by LeTV, but in the eyes of top management like Zhang Zhao, only Director Zhang had the value of being repeatedly "pacified" by them!

"Mm? Did they start arguing?" Suddenly, Guan Guan Xiaotong asked in confusion—it was instinctive. But the moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had been too forward.

"You misheard, they were probably just talking a bit loudly." Sun Li smiled and "corrected" her.

At the same time, Hu Jun, Wang Wang Qianyuan, and a few others also calmly closed their eyes to rest. Although everyone knew perfectly well, but… they really hadn't heard a thing.

Inside the tent, under Zhang Zhang Yimou's cold face and harsh tone, Zhang Zhao still couldn't help but ask, his voice very light: "The next home Director Zhang found, is it Huanshi Media, right?"

Seeing that neither Zhang Zhang Yimou nor Zhang Mo responded, Zhang Zhao had his answer in his heart. His trip was indeed because of this matter—LeTV still didn't want to "let go" of Zhang Zhang Yimou.

"Director Zhang, LeTV won't fall."

"Whether LeTV falls or not no longer has anything to do with me. 'Shadow' is the last project we cooperate on. Once the contract expires, I will leave."

"The personal fortune you people dragged me into, I consider it just paying tuition one more time. If there's nothing else, President Zhang, please go back, so as not to disturb me and the crew from filming."

The cold words came from Zhang Zhang Yimou's mouth. Zhang Zhao knew there was absolutely no room to salvage this matter. And there were some things he couldn't reveal to the other party—even if he did, he couldn't keep the person!

"Alright, then please Director Zhang focus on making this film. Matters outside the film shouldn't involve the film itself. Let's part on good terms."

After speaking, Zhang Zhao quickly walked out of the tent with his assistant, not even greeting the other crew members; the group headed straight for the private car they had arrived in.

"Part on good terms? As if you people are the victims? How do you have the nerve to say that?" Inside the tent, Zhang Mo cursed in a low voice.

Before long, Zhang Zhang Yimou and Zhang Mo returned to the crew, and Zhang Zhao's car also slowly started up, driving toward the exit of Qianshan Forest Park.

In the car, he opened his call log and dialed back a number. A moment later, the voice came from the other end first: "If I'm not mistaken, the talk didn't go well, did it?"

"Yes, Zhang Zhang Yimou's attitude is very firm. This time, Dong Ping and his people get the bargain!"

"Heh, he's already determined to leave? But I'm the same—except I'm being forced."

The other end of the line first laughed and sighed, then instantly became formal and serious: "Hurry back. Before the end of the month, you must distribute the work functions I'll leave behind after I go… LeTV is in your hands."

"Chairman Jia, is the time set?" Hearing this, Zhang Zhao's voice suddenly became urgent, his entire being tensing up.

"Mm, it's set. You know, if I don't leave, we're all finished, and LeTV is finished too!"

After that one sentence, both ends of the line fell silent.

After a long while, the other end spoke again, except this time it was a heartfelt "settling of affairs":

I've already arranged everything at home, especially regarding property matters—it's enough to support them, the mother and her two children.

But there's one thing I still can't let go of: once I'm gone… she'll still have to survive in the film industry. Please look out for her—don't let her be bullied or tricked by those wolves and tigers in the business.

I understand. Let's not talk about this over the phone; when I come back, we'll discuss it in person.

Alright.

……

Lin Nan plans to begin post-production editing for *The Medicine Man* on July 1st; at the same time, Tiangong Color will officially launch the visual effects work for *The Wandering Earth*, with an estimated production cycle of ten to eleven months.

Also, he won't take on any other film projects before the end of this year. His schedule is already packed with too many commitments:

Attending the Shanghai International Film Festival, appearing at Tudou's IPO event, promoting and releasing *The Second Generation Demons*, the Venice International Film Festival and *Marriage Story*… Disney and *Hua Mulan*…

These are only the projects directly involving him; films he and Liu Liu Yifei invested in—such as *Wolf Warrior 2*, *The Expendables*, *The Red Sea Action*, *The Wasted Times*, and *Crazy Alien*—will inevitably divert some of his attention as well.

Therefore, from the second half of this year until next Spring Festival, Lin Nan knows he will likely be even busier than he was in the first half of this year!

"Life always seems to work this way—the more you say you want to lie flat and rest, the busier work becomes and the more tasks pile up. Because dozens of companies, hundreds of employees, are pushing you, forcing you to keep spinning nonstop…"

"But that doesn't mean you can't have a child!"

With just one sentence, Liu Liu Xiaoli crushed Lin Nan. He glanced at Liu Liu Yifei, seeking support. He'd just returned from the Film Bureau and was already being scolded by his mother-in-law—he was still dazed.

"We never said we wouldn't! But we just need to get through this busy stretch first?" Liu Liu Qianqian's presence and tone naturally dimmed before her mother's, her voice weak as she protested.

"This 'busy stretch'? How long is your 'stretch'? Is it one stretch after another?"

"Within two years?" Liu Liu Yifei offered a bright, pleading smile.

Liu Liu Xiaoli rolled her eyes, her expression sharp, "Hm?"

"Mom, we're really busy this year. Haven't you noticed I've been working out every day for the past two months? If I land the film, I'll still need months of professional training before joining the set…"

"Don't make excuses for me, and don't think you're young and have all the time in the world! Next year—no later than the end of next year—I want to see results!"

Liu Liu Xiaoli dropped a final threat, then stood and left, leaving Lin Nan still dazed and Liu Liu Qianqian pouting, face set in a look of defiant resistance.

"Liu Qianqian, what's going on? I just got back—what's wrong? Mom's actually confronting us directly?" Lin Nan asked, confused.

"Mom got a call from Grandma this morning, then gave me the silent treatment all morning… I only argued twice—I really am busy this year!" Liu Liu Yifei shot Lin Nan a look, then shrugged carelessly.

"So I'm just being dragged into this? Well, I guess I'm not exactly dragged in." Lin Nan sighed with a smile, because Lao Lin had been pressuring him too, every so often.

"Liu Qianqian, maybe we should start considering it. In two and a half months, you'll turn thirty. Three months after that, I'll turn thirty-three."

"Hm? Then… after *Hua Mulan*?" Liu Liu Qianqian smiled at Lin Da, her eyes soft as water, shimmering.

"Enough, enough—no using beauty tricks. I'll do my best to get the director's chair! Hmm, and Venice—we've got to push harder too…"

……

On the morning of the 10th, while Lin Nan was still dreaming—circling outside the delivery room, lost, hearing Liu Liu Yifei scream and curse him—the two bosses from Xiying and Shangying had already landed at the Capital Airport.

"Lin Nan, wake up and eat!"

Liu Liu Yifei's shout jolted Lin Da awake; he stared at Liu Liu Qianqian at the bedroom door and swallowed hard.

"Liu Qianqian, guess what I dreamed?"

"What dream?"

"I dreamed you were giving birth, and I got lost in the hospital. Then, out of nowhere, you ran out of the delivery room wearing a nurse's uniform and told me the mother and baby were both healthy after a smooth delivery! I was just about to ask: Why are you out? Who's in there giving birth? —and then you woke me up!"

"Hehe, I'd really like to know—who in your dream was giving birth in that delivery room? Why don't you go back to sleep and check?"

Liu Liu Yifei smiled sweetly as she walked toward Lin Nan. But why was she rolling up her sleeves? Full of murderous intent?

……