Chapter 878: Lock It In and Bank It — Run or Business Trip?

"Net worth jumped by more than 38 billion…"

"But that's still just a string of numbers. Especially for a major shareholder like Lin Dao, turning that string of numbers entirely into his own cash and assets is a very, very difficult thing to do;"

"He's actually less free than the 'small sesame' shareholders like Shu Chang and Director Han Jia, who can cash out and leave whenever they want after the lock-up expires."

"Do you think Lin Dao has ever considered leaving? Those shares represent far more than money — more importantly, they represent the right to speak, influence over the entire film and television industry.

"Take the 'Fuyao' I'm currently filming, for instance. From top to bottom in the crew — from the producers to the director to the actors… do you know which online streaming platform everyone most hopes the drama will land on? I'll tell you: Tudou!

"Because Tudou has resources, users, traffic, and money. Its domestic market share ranks first — half the market."

Yang Mi cut off Ceng Jia's words. She understood the cast and crew's needs and desires for the platform better than the latter did. In Ceng Jia's eyes, money came first, but in Yang Mi's eyes, it wasn't only about money.

"You're right, but my most direct feeling is still that old saying, 'when one person attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs rise to heaven.' Shu Chang alone is nearly 300 million, and it's still climbing…"

"What about the Shangshi Pictures side? Have they given a final reply yet?" Cutting off Ceng Jia's sighs and envy once more, Yang Mi asked about the matter she was most concerned with right now.

When it came to business, Ceng Jia immediately perked up, the whole person sharpening: "Mimi, Shangshi Pictures agreed — just agreed. The bet is ending early; they're willing to return the shares and take the money and leave."

"Two and a half years, leaving with 650 million in cash — more than double. Lock it in and bank it — how could they refuse?"

A glint shone in Yang Mi's eyes. This time, she too would cash out several hundred million from her shares first — lock it in and bank it!

……

Cao Bao didn't press Lin Nan to return to school. First, the time the two had agreed on was early July; second, he also knew Lin Nan had to "lay low" for the past few days.

But these were actually secondary reasons. The main reason was that he himself had been cornered by Zhou Xun. The latter had come straight to the Film Academy and gotten straight to the point, asking about the new film.

And from the look of things, he wouldn't be free for a while — because Zhou Xun's intention was very clear: she wanted to get the female lead from him.

But he had already communicated his intent to Fan Li Bingbing, though it hadn't been formally finalized yet.

To be fair, if it were any other actress doing this kind of wall-prying, role-stealing business, Cao Bao would definitely get angry. But Zhou Xun — she's different.

Because Cao Bao understood Zhou Xun's acting, had worked with her before, and even won the Golden Rooster Best Actress with her. Their relationship was quite good, and he understood her temperament and personality…

But the same issue remained — he wanted to try his hand at an A-category international film festival abroad. Fan Li Bingbing had two A-category international film festival Best Actress awards, which would be a huge help to the film.

On this point, Zhou Xun was far inferior to Fan Li Bingbing; as the saying goes, miss it by a hair and you're off by a thousand miles.

"How about this — give me a bit more time to think it over, and I'll discuss it with the other investors. It's not about whether you audition or not, but we have to pick the most 'appropriate' person for the film, right?

I'm planning to choose the female lead from among this batch of top actresses in the country. You'll have a lot, a lot of competitors. Who would dare shamelessly claim to be the most suitable one?"

Watching Cao Bao's earnest, eloquent manner, Zhou Xun couldn't help laughing inside: "If I hadn't gotten the inside scoop from Lin Dao Da, I really would've been fooled by you, Cao Dao. Quite the act!"

"Fine, you think it over. Just don't forget to notify me when it's time for the audition." Zhou Xun smiled and waved her hand, telling Cao Bao not to see her out; the Film Academy was so small, she still knew her way around.

Besides, she was also planning to go chat with the "other investors" Cao Dao had mentioned that afternoon, hehe…

"'She Kill'! How do I politely turn her down without hurting her feelings?" Watching Zhou Xun walk away into the distance with her assistant, Cao Bao shook his head rather helplessly.

He admitted Zhou Xun's acting was superior to Fan Li Bingbing's. But sometimes, that's just how fate toys with you — when it came to international awards and international fame, Fan Li Bingbing had unquestionably won.

……

Although it was only the end of June, for the three major art academies, from the moment the gaokao scores came out, who would be admitted was already a foregone conclusion.

Sure enough, by early afternoon, the gaokao score sheets of the Class of '17 art-exam "new stars" like Wang Wang Junkai and Zhang Zhang Keying instantly became the hottest news online — the hottest of hot searches.

Even the official Weibo accounts of Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama tagged these youngsters, preemptively using terms like "Class of '17 freshmen" and "future alumni," pushing the related news's popularity straight to the top.

Lin Nan had spoken first, declining in advance the matter of attending the opening ceremony at that time; he'd rather head off early for a vacation on Venice's Lido Island…

"The real excitement is at the end of the year. Think about it — there'll be a big batch of already-famous artists and child stars taking the Class of '18 art exam. They're probably already preparing, right?"

Lin Nan was busy adjusting the post-production plan for 'Druggist,' paying no attention to Han Jianü's chatter beside him. But Liu Liu Yifei was different — she noticed the change in Shu Chang's expression.

"That relative of yours from before is preparing for the Class of '18 art exam?" Miss Liu asked softly. Little Han immediately looked at Shu Chang too.

"I don't know, probably? I deleted their contact info a long time ago, but yesterday afternoon they actually DM'd me on Weibo about Tudou's stock price soaring…"

Shu Chang said helplessly. Fame and fortune can make a person become very unfamiliar — especially someone who was so 'precocious' at such a young age, with thoughts so deep it's scary, and an extremely strong drive for personal gain.

"Then block them. You're a big shot now too — it would be strange if you didn't have relatives scheming after you, especially since this person stopped being a relative long ago." Han Jianü bluntly offered advice, simple and crude.

"'Nobody' starts auditioning the day after tomorrow. If you two have nothing going on, you can help Jianü audition actors. Starting the day after tomorrow, I have to get busy with post-production too." Lin Nan put down the plan in his hand, looked at Liu Liu Yifei and Shu Chang, and changed the subject.

"Sure, I was just worrying about being bored." Han Jianü was pleasantly surprised at the words and nodded eagerly.

"Oh, everyone's here? Then I've come at just the right time, hehe…" A slightly husky, smoke-rough voice suddenly rang out at the door. No need to look — they all knew who it was!

……

Over four consecutive days, 'Reverse Time Rescue' raked in 150 million for its opening weekend, and let the whole internet know just how watered-down the Houston International Film Festival really is.

The completely collapsed critical reception once again confirmed Lin Nan's "pay-for-award" claim — this film was just too terrible.

And by the fifth day, July 3rd, the film's daily box office simply avalanched, plummeting from over 30 million to 4.54 million…

This once again perfectly confirmed the pattern of fan-film box office trends. At this point, the fans could no longer carry it!

……

"This morning, the premiere ceremony for 'Secret Fruit,' the Fan Wai Pian film of Rao Rao Xueman's same-named adaptation, produced by Enlight Pictures and starring Chen Chen Feiyu, son of director Chen Chen Kaige, was grandly held in Beijing… numerous industry filmmakers and actor-stars showed up at the premiere…"

"Adapted from a same-named game, the period action fantasy blockbuster 'Dynasty Warriors,' starring Wang Kai, Louis Koo, Han Geng… Nazha, Carina Lau, Lam Suet, Lü Liangwei and many other actors, held a high-profile launch in the capital."

"It is reported that the comedy film 'The Island,' the directorial debut of Huang Bo, co-produced by Bad Monkey Pictures, Red Star Woo, and Huang Bo Studio, written by Xing Aina, co-produced by Xing Aina and Liu Liu Yifei, successfully wrapped filming in Qingdao shortly after ten in the morning."

"As of 11 a. m. today, Tudou's market capitalization on the Hong Kong stock market surpassed 130 billion RMB… financial industry insiders predict that within the next few days, Tudou's market cap will fully stabilize…"

……

He plunged headfirst into Tiangong Color, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the fourth day.

He looked up, glanced at the time — it was almost 11:30 a. m.

He directly told his assistant to grab him a lunch and bring it back; he'd eat at the company. As for Liu Liu Yifei? Han Jianü, Director Han — she'd handle the meals!

"Lin Dao, Wang Dong's side called again. Tudou's IPO celebration banquet tonight — you're really not going?" Yue Jun wandered over, carrying a stack of documents.

"The star of the show is Wang Wei; I won't go. Besides, a celebration banquet is nothing but eating, drinking, and socializing. The IPO already succeeded — there's no need for me to attend every single event. It's boring, no interest."

In the pause between sentences, Lin Nan took the things Yue Jun handed him.

It was about the funding for 'Detective Chinatown 2,' 'Crazy Alien,' and 'Nobody' — the total amount was a bit large and needed his signature.

"Plan the Venice itinerary in advance, and also ask about the general schedules of the other cast members to see if anyone wants to join. If so, arrange it together."

"Let me think. The shortlist should be announced before the end of this month. If nothing unexpected happens, the opening ceremony should be in the latter half of next month, at the latest on September 1st or 2nd. Time will pass quickly; it's better to prepare early..."

After signing and handing it back to Yue Jun, Lin Nan also brought up the Venice International Film Festival.

"Alright, I'll have someone arrange it these next two days."

A box of rice, four dishes, and a soup—that was Lin Nan's lunch.

Meanwhile, Han Jia's studio seemed to be eating better, as Liu Liu Yifei had already posted photos on her Moments.

Old Han and Little Han generously ordered a huge table of dishes just to treat Liu Liu Qianqian and Shu Chang, who had come to help.

A phone call came in at an inopportune moment. Lin Nan glanced at it. Great, it was Wang Wang Changtian.

"Mr. Wang, shouldn't you be at the luncheon for your own premiere right now? Why are you calling me, interrupting my lunch? Don't you need to handle social engagements?"

"Social engagements? My place has turned into a chaos. Everyone is discussing the situation over at Le. com... That surnamed Jia, he seems to have run away..."

"He was met and questioned by reporters at the airport... but he denied running away... Yet before boarding, he posted a Weibo message, the content of which felt very much like 'hiding silver and claiming no wealth'..."

"The news online should be fermenting right now... It has already surged to the top of the hot searches and headlines... Everyone is arguing, debating whether he really ran away or actually went on a business trip..."