[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-that-year-in-huayu":3,"chapter-that-year-in-huayu-that-year-in-huayu-chapter-87":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","That Year in Huayu",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2286923,4473,"Chapter 87: Returning to the Country, December","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-87",87,"\u003Cp>Even though Lin Nan was bundled up so tightly, he was still blocked at the airport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin, has your *The Hunt* finished filming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think of *Forever Enthralled*?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Between *Future X-Cops* and *Cyborg*, which one are you more optimistic about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The film has finished filming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve been too busy, so I haven't seen Director Chen's film yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the latter two, I don't know much about them...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after he got into the car, news of Lin Nan's return to the country spread throughout the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A call from Emperor Motion Pictures came immediately after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was the premiere of *Ip Man*, and Yang Shoucheng hoped Lin Nan could make it to the venue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chairman Yang, I won't be going; I'm about to be home now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan figured the premiere had already reached the eating, drinking, and socializing phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point in him going over now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he returned to the villa, Lin Nan went to check on Liu Yifei, but she wasn't home; she must have gone to attend an event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, I'll go check on Bad Monkey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it carefully, it had only been a month or nearly two since he last saw Xing Aina, so how had her belly grown so much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Nan is here, sit down quickly.\" Xing Aina smiled and pointed at the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I say, Director Ning, you still let Sister Na come to the company? Why not hire a nanny to take care of her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's not that delicate. There are so many people here I can order around, haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heard him, no nanny needed; we are all nannies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Hao joked, holding the completed storyboards and handing them to Lin Nan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I truly envy Director Chen. Do you know how many prints his *Forever Enthralled* has in circulation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"1,400. That's more than the release of *Red Cliff I*. If it weren't for your *The Martian*, this would be a distribution record.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Hao felt that if he could give *Crazy Racer* that level of distribution, he would be confident in securing a floor of 100 million in box office, with a sprint toward 200 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the production cost and scale of *Crazy Racer* destined it to not have that many distribution resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is quite exaggerated; after all, Director Chen's status is what it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn't China Film Group still counting on him to go win another Golden Bear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all Lin Nan could say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For an art-house film's distribution scale to be second only to *The Martian* domestically—he couldn't think of any other reason besides that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the end of the day, that Palme d'Or trophy carries too much weight.\" Ning Hao sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he was full of confidence and wanted to choose the New Year slot for release, and there were quite a few films with the same idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final result was that *Crazy Racer* had to go head-to-head with *Red Cliff II*; even with a few days in between, it was still a tough battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also the reason Ning Hao called to ask if Lin Nan could come back to attend the premiere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although everyone said *Red Cliff I* was bad, its box office genuinely exceeded 300 million; there were quite a few audience members who watched it as a comedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed that with Lin Nan, *Crazy Racer* should be able to compete with *Red Cliff II* for box office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of films, the group started chatting about the recently released *Fatal Contact*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's really not easy for an actor to transition into a director.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Fatal Contact*, which had an investment of around 20 million, only had a first-day box office of a little over one million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the pressure of *Forever Enthralled* on one side, and with *Ip Man* and *If You Are the One* following right behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Fatal Contact*'s performance was destined to be hopeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard Wu Jing invested over four million of his own money into it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Practice makes perfect, right? Maybe he'll turn things around next time.\" Lin Nan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, when actors switch to directing, the films they shoot are usually of a specific type; the path is too narrow, and it will be very difficult to broaden it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suspect he might just stick to this type of subject matter from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Hao reached a conclusion about Wu Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were quite a few guests at the premiere of *Ip Man*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone already knew that this film was a collaboration between Lin Nan and Emperor Motion Pictures, and that the former held more than half the stake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chairman Yang, is Director Lin really not coming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Wenxi looked around the venue; all the artists Emperor could name were here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lin Nan could come over, the promotional effect would be even better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's already home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way, what was that thing you just said about Jiang Wen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Jiang just told me he is working on a script and is still refining it, asking if we want to invest; it's a commercial film.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Shoucheng scanned the venue but didn't see Jiang Wen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He just left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go tell him that the investment is no problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But he lost so much on the last one?\" Huo Wenxi reminded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see this person clearly; we aren't investing in a film, we're investing in the person. I have faith in him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Shoucheng said with unquestionable authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, Chairman Yang. I will contact him later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan was thinking about the post-production of *The Hunt*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, he had always done post-production editing at China Film Group, but this time he wanted to do it at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the equipment and the first batch of people returned, he wouldn't have to run outside for film post-production anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way to the Beijing Film Academy, Liu Yifei called; she was attending a brand event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking on the campus of the Beijing Film Academy, except for some teachers, Lin Nan could barely see any familiar faces; there was a feeling of things having changed and people being gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin is back at school?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many undergraduates only dared to watch from afar and whisper a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin graduates next year; I heard he turned down the school's offer to stay on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you joking? Would Director Lin care about that kind of 'opportunity'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That seems to make sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan felt quite sentimental; not every student could be like Yang Mi, who dared to take the initiative to run up and say hello.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Jiang looked to be in good spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is the effect of the black goji berries?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Jiang's face darkened instantly, and he silently covered his thermos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you here for today? Don't tell me you're here to submit a project.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It couldn't be that fast. I want to apply for an editing room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That really is a novelty. How long do you need?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Half a month to a month, I suppose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan knew that during this period, there would likely be many directing students coming back to edit their post-production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was a graduation project, he still felt it was better to edit post-production at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Jiang took a notebook out of his drawer, filled it out with a flurry of strokes, stamped it, tore it off, and handed it to Lin Nan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here, one month, the one with the best equipment. I haven't approved it for anyone else asking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's great, thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first-week box office for *Forever Enthralled* was announced in the afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because the results were quite good, that was why China Film Group did that, taking the initiative to cut out those 6 hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>42 million in domestic box office was already a new record for an art-house film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But clearly, the box office destination for *Forever Enthralled* did not end there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the evening, Liu Xiaoli drove back, and just as she parked, her daughter in the back seat opened the door and ran out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew with her eyes closed which direction her daughter had run; she had been absent-minded all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei wrapped her arms around Lin Nan, and the two embraced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few cats and dogs were barking nearby—well, they were Liu Yifei's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seem to have lost a little weight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl asked in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, her cheeks turned bright red, and she jumped off Lin Nan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're being naughty again.\" Liu Yifei rubbed her hip and said with a playful pout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, I was just spacing out, do you believe me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't believe you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the two of them had been acting lovey-dovey for over an hour, Liu Xiao came over to call them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, there was no awkward scene; they had only left a few hickeys, which had already faded quite a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ip Man\" was released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the screenwriter, Lin Nan brought a lot of attention to this film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging from the data fed back by China Film Group, the attendance rate was not bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversely, the other film, Wu Jing's \"Legend of the Wolf,\" was quite miserable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first-day box office was over one million, approaching two million, but it dropped directly to 800,000 on the second day; if this continues, it is highly likely to be dropped by the theater chains within a week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opening day box office for \"Ip Man\" settled at 14 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The line \"I want to fight ten\" began to appear on the internet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Shoucheng specifically called to talk about this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin, this film will not lose money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though \"If You Are the One\" and \"Red Cliff II\" are coming up later, it still has a very high probability of exceeding 100 million.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan understood what Yang Shoucheng meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to what was agreed upon before, if this film made money, Lin Nan would continue to cooperate with Emperor Motion Pictures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand Chairman Yang's meaning; let's talk about future cooperation after the film finishes its theatrical run.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, then we'll talk about it when the time comes.\" After receiving Lin Nan's affirmative reply, Yang Shoucheng felt much more at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If You Are the One\" sent an invitation to Lin Nan for its premiere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He refused without even thinking; he hadn't even gone to \"Ip Man,\" which he had invested in himself, so how could he possibly go to support another film?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jing was truly miserable; on the fourth day, \"Legend of the Wolf\" was silently pulled from theaters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mainland box office was only 4.2 million, and adding the Hong Kong box office, it only just reached 5 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for this film, there was no talk of selling copyrights at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a 20 million investment and only 5 million in box office, as one of the investors, Wu Jing would probably need several years to recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan suddenly felt that there were really a lot of things happening in December.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chinese Paladin 3\" over there was also about to wrap up filming soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Yinong was preparing to hold a wrap-up press conference in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With \"Chinese Paladin 1\" as a foundation, this show didn't have to worry about buyers at all; the press conference was just to build momentum for this \"Chinese Paladin 3.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin, can you come to the press conference site when the time comes? What about Yifei?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Cai Yinong opened her mouth, she went straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm really not sure if I'll have the time; the film's post-production is about to start editing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan automatically ignored the second question; not answering was an answer in itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lin can see which day you are free; the crew's wrap-up press conference can be arranged according to your schedule...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that Cai Yinong did not intend to give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let's wait until the end of the month; by then, the film's post-production should be about finished.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Lin Nan gave a time, and the other party hung up the phone, very tacitly not mentioning anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the outside world, there were more and more evaluations of \"Forever Enthralled,\" and the word-of-mouth was quite good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most people in the industry believed that Chen Kaige was returning and re-reaching the level of \"Farewell My Concubine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also voices of rebuttal, but they were quickly drowned out...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Chen also accepted several interviews, stating that it was not difficult to be shortlisted for the Berlin competition section and that he had more than a 50% certainty of winning the Golden Bear Award.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No director had ever dared to speak so publicly, but Chen Kaige did it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forever Enthralled\" was indeed quite good overall, and coupled with the director's halo, it really gave many people a hint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was that at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival, for the Golden Bear Award, Chen Kaige was determined to win.\u003C\u002Fp>",2184,"2026-06-20T03:22:09.099Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","9b0a6869c932069b3a0ec361d91e02e6ac8c294baab1ae7e0e784b92361f0fff","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-88","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-86",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-in-huayu-cover.jpg"]