Chapter 863: Kick Off, Kick Off…

……

"Oh my, did our Director Lin get scratched by a cat? How come his neck is all red and purple in patches?"

"Director Ren, that description of yours isn't quite right. In the young folks' lingo these days, that's called planting a strawberry mark, commonly known as—a hickey!"

"Oh~~, I see, I see."

Lin Nan happened to arrive at the bottom of the company building at the same time as Ren Ren Zhonglun and Wang Yong's two groups, and so he was teased by them for quite a while.

At this moment, he only belatedly noticed the oddity on himself—wearing a black T-shirt, the "scratch marks" on his neck were completely visible to outsiders, weren't they?

"There are over twenty cats at home, I didn't even notice." Lin Nan said with a perfectly straight face, very earnestly explaining.

The two across from him nodded in cooperation, but the smiles on their faces were full of mischief, "Mm, we understand. Early morning after all, he's young, hehe…"

"Tell you what, are you two coming into the company or not? If you're not, you can head back home right now."

"Hey, look at you, getting antsy again?"

Ignoring the chatter of the two behind him, Lin Nan strode into the first floor of the company;

then he noticed that the looks the few young ladies at the front desk were giving him were a bit "improper"—first shocked, then stealing melon-eating-style glances.

When the group reached the small conference room on the third floor, Wang Wang Changtian and Liu Liu Xiaobin had already been inside drinking tea for half an hour, and had already joked about several juicy pieces of industry gossip.

"Eh? Director Wang, I remember Western Film said they'd send Director Zhang over before, didn't they? How come you came personally?" Seeing the three who entered, Wang Wang Changtian immediately bantered with Wang Yong.

"I figured that coming in person would show more sincerity, no? Besides, Western Film is pretty free these days, I can't compare to that busy-as-hell fellow at China Film."

"Right, Western Film's lifesaver is right here." Ren Ren Zhonglun picked up the thread, and also began to tease Wang Yong with a smile.

"Mm, that's not wrong either."

"Where's Director Lu Yang, hasn't he arrived yet?" While Wang Yong and the others were chatting, Lin Nan also asked Yue Jun.

"Director Lu went to the screenwriting department over half an hour ago, I already sent someone to call him just now."

"Director Lu Yang? He's involved in today's matter too?"

"What do you mean?"

"Detective Chinatown 2 has something to do with Director Lu Yang too?"

Liu Liu Xiaobin, Wang Wang Changtian, and Ren Ren Zhonglun asked in succession upon hearing this. In truth, they already had a little guess in their hearts—after all, Lin Nan Pictures' series films had set a precedent before.

"That's right, Detective Chinatown 2 will be directed by Director Lu Yang." Lin Nan nodded and gave an affirmative answer. Then, he glanced at Ren Ren Zhonglun and Wang Wang Changtian, and teased:

"What, do Directors Ren and Wang have any thoughts? Like backing out at the last minute? If that's the case… then I can tell you two right now, jumping ship at this point is still in time."

Hearing Lin Nan's teasing, Liu Liu Xiaobin and Wang Yong immediately burst into laughter.

Because the matter of Shanghai Film and Enlight Pictures "politely declining" Painted Skin 2 back then had been an enduring topic of conversation in the industry. Mm, commonly known as: a laughingstock.

"Hehe, you really know how to rub salt in our wounds!"

Ren Ren Zhonglun glared in annoyance, then sat there looking all composed and fell silent. Wang Wang Changtian also chuckled and pointed at Lin Nan, then speechlessly began waiting for people.

"I'd actually welcome Directors Ren and Wang having some thoughts, that way Western Film could get a bigger share, no? Hahaha…" Wang Yong laughed heartily and teased—setting Wang Wang Changtian aside, Ren Ren Zhonglun's eyes clearly wanted to stab him to death.

While they were talking, Director Lu Yang arrived in a whirlwind with his assistant; today's real business officially began.

When the budget report was placed in front of the four—Wang Wang Changtian included—their eyes were first drawn to the figure "300 million."

"I remember Detective Chinatown 1 only had a budget of 120 million, right? How did it jump so much this time?" Ren Ren Zhonglun looked at Director Lu Yang, then at Lin Nan.

"Last time the filming location was Bangkok, this time it's New York." Director Lu Yang smiled and only replied with one sentence, but that one sentence was already enough.

Because everyone present knew that 300 million RMB was only about 45 million USD, and to support the entire crew working in New York for two to three months was indeed not a lot.

"And this is with Crystal Pictures providing help—they only asked for a tiny bit of compensation, otherwise the budget would only be more; it might even reach 400 million, an extra 15 million USD in budget."

Yue Jun supplemented on his own initiative, then gestured to Lin Nan, and immediately left the conference room—just now, the script for A Cool Fish had passed its public review.

……

While Lin Nan Pictures' five companies were distributing the investment shares for Detective Chinatown 2, outside, the public-review information for several film and television works also forcefully drew the attention of the entire industry.

Under the attention and discussion of countless actors and netizens, these film and television pieces of information quickly shot up the Weibo trending search list, becoming today's film and entertainment focus…

"This morning, the famous IP-adapted, eponymous ancient costume xuanhuan drama Ever Night officially kicked off… the drama will from today onward open casting to the industry, audition requirements are listed in the attached document…"

"It is reported that the Ever Night crew has completed casting for some roles, the corresponding actors are all top veteran actors and powerhouse stars from both sides of the strait and Hong Kong;

Additionally, Sheng Kai Pictures under Director Chen Chen Kaige will also participate in the filming production and audition casting of Ever Night, providing art, color, cinematography and other guidance for the drama… serving as art director…"

"Reposted from the Film Bureau's public document: following Dying to Survive, the absurd comedy film script A Cool Fish, completed by screenwriter Han Jianü, officially passed review this morning."

"At around 11 AM, Han Jianü Studio, Lin Nan Pictures, and Shanghai Film issued a joint announcement: the black-humor, absurd comedy film A Cool Fish officially kicked off today;

The film will be produced by Director Lin Nan, directed by Director Han Jianü, with Han Han Sanping as producer and male lead; the casting work for this film officially begins today…"

"According to industry insiders: this morning, Director Feng Feng Xiaogang's film Youth was sent back for finished-film review for the second time, requiring further revisions…"

"Industry analysis shows that the production lineup for Youth is massive, involving Huayi, Dongyang Meila, Hu Hu Bayi Studio, Huaxia Film, Emei Film, Alibaba Pictures, Jingxi Culture and many other film companies and state-owned enterprises, yet it was still sent back for finished-film review twice in a row—the suspected problems are very serious!"

The overwhelming flood of film and television information and gossip undoubtedly dazzled the eyes of the entertainment industry;

and countless actors and agents in the industry were also watching eagerly and itching to make a move—one TV drama and one film were clearly both quality resources.

Especially that film—it was screenwriter Han Jianü's directorial debut, and its production lineup and behind-the-scenes configuration were dazzlingly gorgeous: Han Han Sanping, Lin Nan, Ren Ren Zhonglun.

Wasn't this just the bigwigs providing full-spectrum escort for Han Jianü?!

So, in the eyes of actors and agents in the industry, this film was no longer just a pure "film resource"—it was also a connections resource!

However, a group of people over at Huayi were in no mood to care about any Ever Night or A Cool Fish.

"…What's wrong with that era? Soldiers… can't they have problems? Where isn't there filth and dirt? Why can't the plot of being sent down for reform…"

Feng Feng Xiaogang's face was cold, he had been cursing for half an hour already. His whole person was in an agitated state, and on his deathly pale face a rare flush of color had risen.

"How about we think of something? Go talk to Hu Hu Bayi Studio, Huaxia Film, and Emei Studio, get them to help out?" Wang Wang Zhonglei looked at Wang Wang Zhongjun.

"No, no need!" Feng Feng Xiaogang rudely cut off Wang Wang Zhonglei.

"Director Feng, what are you trying to do? It's already June, the film has to be released by the end of September—if we don't get the screening permit soon, how are we going to do marketing? Are we doing it or not?" Wang Wang Zhonglei questioned with an unhappy expression.

"Let me revise it one more time myself, I still want to as much as possible… try not to touch the parts I think should be kept…"

If it still doesn't work this time, then we'll go with what you say, Boss Wang. After all, favors are best not used if you can help it, because they all have to be repaid!"

Watching Feng Feng Xiaogang's obsessive look, Wang Wang Zhongjun first nodded to Wang Wang Zhonglei, then picked up the thread: "Alright, this is the last time. If it still can't pass censorship, then we'll have to find someone to help!"

……

Lin Nan paused at the villa's entrance, instinctively turning back to glance at the lawn, the garden, and the cats and dogs in the yard…

"Mm, this is your home, no doubt about it! I'm just lying on your sofa eating some snacks, is it really that surprising?" Han Jianü said with an exasperated eye-roll.

"The key is that you're alone at our place — this is a first, how could I not find it strange? Where's Liu Yifei?" Lin Nan said with a smile, then lazily sank into the single sofa beside him.

"When I arrived, your Liu Yifei had just finished her run and is showering right now. Here, want some?"

After waving away Han Jianü's lychees offered in another person's name, Lin Nan brought up the casting for *Nobody*.

Sure enough, Little Han was the type to slack off — she planned to finish playing around this month first, from the Magic City International Film Festival to the potato listing on Hong Kong Island…

At the same time, her studio would start receiving audition resumes; then she and Han Han Sanping would begin auditions from the 1st of next month, finalize the cast within a month, and finally start shooting in mid-August.

As for the shooting schedule, she figured she definitely couldn't throw herself into the crew single-mindedly like Lin Nan, nor could she forbid the actors from "moonlighting on other productions" or "running other engagements"…

So she planned to wrap in four months, staying on set the whole time as both director shooting the film and student doing her internship, ultimately putting her theoretical knowledge into practice through the shoot and achieving complete mastery!

Lin Nan was very much in favor of Han Jianü's meticulous plan. After all, it was her first time directing, and the script was a very good one — to avoid wasting something good, naturally one had to take it slow, no need to rush.

"How did it go? How was this morning's *Detective Chinatown 2* share split?"

Liu Liu Yifei's questioning voice suddenly came from upstairs; Lin Nan and Han Jianü looked up at the sound.

There was Miss Liu, wearing a plain-colored slip dress, stepping down the stairs in flip-flops.

Her whole body was fair and smooth as if she'd soaked in a milk bath, especially her toes painted with red nail polish — strikingly eye-catching… her toes looked like pearls of jade…

Lin Nan, with great unspoken understanding, had already stood up; the hair dryer on the table was undoubtedly prepared for him… of course, if he'd come back any later, this job would have fallen to Han Jianü.

Before long, Director Lin was busy "serving his wife," blow-drying Liu Liu Qianqian's hair… chatting about the share split as he worked.

"We're keeping 40%, Enlight took 16%, Shanghai Film is 15%, and Wanda and Western Film got 17% and 12% respectively."

"Why is the share split so messy this time?" Liu Liu Yifei asked, quite puzzled.

She remembered that in the past, when shares were divided, each company got something like 5% or 10% — numbers like 12% or 17% almost never appeared!

"Messy? Of course it's messy. After I kept 40% for myself, the four of them started arguing. Well, this was the final result.

Originally Boss Ren and the others only agreed to give Western Film 8%, but Boss Wang's fighting power is strong — that mouth of his… tsk tsk tsk, he fought his way up to 12%…"

……

The film and TV industry suddenly livened up in the past few days, not only because there were several big cakes, but also because the Magic City's Magnolia Awards and International Film Festival were about to begin.

Even Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei were waiting for their departure itinerary, let alone the others in the circle? They could only be even more eager, looking forward to the red carpet — and only the red carpet!

And on the morning of the 12th, the public project launch and casting for *Detective Chinatown 2* pushed the already heated atmosphere of the film and TV industry to its peak…

So Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei began to "play dead," because there were simply too, too many people coming to fish for resources — after all, the two of them also had a say in the casting of *Nobody*!

On the evening of the 12th, the same day, Huang Huang Xiaoming and Song Wan Qian's *Shangqingge* and Huang Lei's *Shenyeshitang* both premiered.

Lin Nan felt he really deserved to die — he had actually watched the first two episodes of the Boss's "ancient-domineering-CEO drama" with a mindset of "curiosity" and "nitpicking," and then…

Honestly, there's a reason the Boss's "domineering-CEO dramas" can keep selling for good prices!

Because every one of his dramas has been highly recognized by audiences and the market — the more you watch, the more addictive it gets, ratings stay high… although the complaints about it being a bad, greasy drama are also massive!

The next day, morning.

Especially Reba, who had originally been out running engagements, came back in high spirits. Her mood was excellent — you could tell from the smile on her face.

She had received a call from Jiang Jiang Xuerou notifying her, and had rushed back specifically to sign the acting contract. Mm, the one Director Lu Yang would be directing — *Detective Chinatown 2*.