Chapter 904: Billions; Award Presenters

……

"Around 8 PM domestic time, Alibaba held a high-profile 18th-anniversary gala at the Huanglong Sports Center; numerous film and television stars gathered on site, shining brilliantly, dazzling to the extreme..."

"The Chairman of the Board and Founder, accompanied by a group of co-founders and senior executives, made a 'glamorous' appearance on a decorated float... Jack Ma performed in a metal rock style, imitating Michael Jackson's classic moonwalk..."

Alibaba was indeed very high-profile; they chose to broadcast this anniversary gala live simultaneously.

Therefore, Lin Nan, Liu Liu Yifei, Shu Chang, and Zhou Xun could only 'be so fortunate' to enjoy this funny 'wonderful performance' while having lunch here in Venice.

Meanwhile, on the domestic internet, especially on Weibo, it had long been chaotically lively, full of mockery and sarcasm.

"At the beginning of the year, the richest man Wang took the stage, sang 'Friends', 'Waiting', 'Nothing to My Name', and even hit high notes; in September, listening to the richest man Ma sing rock again... What virtue do we commoners have to witness the performances of the richest men?"

"Damn, he's insulting my idol!"

"'Feng Feng Qingyang' imitating Michael Jackson looks just like a clown; the movements are stiff, the limbs are uncoordinated, extremely ridiculous, purely here to make people laugh..."

"The one above, do you know how to appreciate? You are the clown! Of course, I am also a clown! The fact that we can't appreciate it only proves our level is insufficient, but Father Ma dances well!"

"That's right, even if Michael Jackson came back to life, even if he himself came personally, I still have to say today: he can't compare to Father Ma's dance moves!"

"To tell the truth, in Teacher Ma's singing and dancing, there is a golden glow. Hmm, the gold of gold."

……

"Cough... cough..." Crab meat dipped in sauce choked into Lin Nan's trachea, causing him to cough non-stop, while Liu Liu Yifei patted his back.

"It's really not that I was careless eating; it's just that he... he was too funny. Not only did he have the same makeup and styling as Michael Jackson, but he also wore a mask. This talent show is simply... hahaha..."

"By the way, shouldn't my brother's dance moves in 'Dying to Survive' be better than this?" Shu Chang asked Liu Liu Yifei with ill intent, and Zhou Xun was equally interested.

"Mm, of course, hehe." As if recalling that teasing scene again, Liu Liu Yifei's smile grew even brighter.

"Actually, this 7-hour time difference seems quite suitable; it just allows us to watch the live broadcast of the evening over there in the domestic region. Oh right, and tomorrow's Harper's Bazaar Charity Gala.

Tomorrow afternoon, we can watch the live broadcast while getting our makeup and styling done. I reckon there will definitely be some trouble this year. After all, those few who are capable of causing trouble are all back in the domestic region."

Zhou Xun reminded them in a sarcastic tone, with hidden meanings in her words.

Indeed, it was just like that; it could almost be confirmed that the top-tier Chinese stars who were absent from the Venice closing ceremony red carpet would most likely all appear on the Bazaar red carpet and at the charity gala.

"Alright, after lunch, everyone should grab some time to go out and play for one last afternoon. Because starting early tomorrow morning, we'll have to get busy.

By the way, Brother Xun, when are you planning to return to the country? Liu Yifei and I need to stay here for two more days after the film festival closing to handle film copyright matters."

Lin Nan changed the subject and asked Zhou Xun. As for Shu Chang, she would naturally accompany him and Liu Liu Yifei.

"Mm... then I won't wait for you; I'm leaving tomorrow morning." After thinking it over, Zhou Xun answered seriously.

"Fine, then you go back first. After we return to the country, I'll go help you resolve the 'She Kills' matter."

As soon as Lin Nan's promise was spoken, Zhou Xun's eyes immediately widened, "You're not lying to me, right?"

"Not lying to you, I'll testify." Liu Liu Yifei nodded with a smile.

……

An afternoon passed in the blink of an eye. When it was late night here in Venice, the moon set and the sun rose domestically, marking a new day.

The daily box office for 'Wolf Warrior 2' had already dropped below 5 million, but the total box office had officially broken through 5.7 billion, reaching 5.701 billion.

Light Media, Chairman's Office.

Wang Wang Changtian knew very well that 'Wolf Warrior 2' could only go this far. As for the total box office, let alone 6 billion, even 5.75 billion was impossible to reach. The remaining box office afterwards would most likely not exceed 30 million.

"Contact Shanghai Film Group; according to the distribution contract signed with the cinema chains previously, have them allocate the revenue based on the total box office of 5.7 billion first, meaning up to last night. As for the small amount of box office remaining afterwards, we can wait slowly, no rush, and we won't urge them!"

For a movie destined for high box office, Wang Wang Changtian had specifically kept an eye on things back then.

To prevent cinema chains from deliberately dragging their feet and delaying revenue allocation due to issues with the extended secret key, Light Media proposed and Shanghai Film Group adopted it; the two distributors then signed a supplementary agreement for 'Wolf Warrior 2' with all cinema chains.

Namely: the distributors and the production company could settle at a certain time point and request the cinema chains to allocate the box office up to that point in advance.

And under the situation where the production company and distributors held great power, with Wanda Cinema and Shanghai Film Cinema leading the way in agreeing, other cinema chains could only express verbal dissatisfaction.

"Okay, Chairman Wang."

"Combining investment revenue allocation and distribution revenue allocation, Light Media can get... 783 million this time!" Wang Wang Changtian muttered with sparkling eyes, then instructed his secretary again:

"Also notify Lin Nan Pictures and Hongxing Wu about this matter... Actually, I'll send them both a text message personally. At this hour, it should still be early morning over there..."

……

"I hope Lin Nan and the others have good luck in 18 hours." After breakfast, Han Jianu collapsed onto the sofa. While boredly flipping through the news, she was also muttering about the 'Marriage Story' crew.

To be honest, seeing Shu Chang about to attend the A-class film festival awards ceremony as a crew member, Han Jianu was indeed a bit envious at this moment.

So, she was now even more determined to have 'Dying to Survive' register for the Shanghai International Film Festival.

"Dad, do you think they will win the award?"

"At this hour, they have most likely received the call. Although there is a very small probability that Lin Nan has the cultivation to not learn from Director Chen Chen Kaige's 'Farewell My Concubine' back then..."

Han Han Sanping, wearing glasses, was flipping through a newspaper. He was going to attend the Harper's Bazaar Charity Gala with his daughter this afternoon, continuing to support her...

"That definitely won't happen; even if Brother Lin hasn't received the call, he won't throw a fit like Director Chen and simply refuse to attend the closing ceremony. Of course, I still lean towards the crew winning an award tonight... Hey, these shameless ones. The Harper's Bazaar Charity Gala actually posted on Weibo, wishing the 'Marriage Story' crew a cup at Venice tonight, and even tagged Liu Yifei and Brother Lin..."

"It's a commercial charity event that originally wanted traffic and gimmicks; right now, the highest traffic is obviously in Venice, on Lin Nan and the others," Han Han Sanping joked with a smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, the landline on the table rang. Han Jianu immediately picked it up, "Hello? I'm here. Dad, it's for you!"

Han Han Sanping reached out to take the phone, listened, and nodded in response from time to time. Two minutes later, he ended the call, stood up to change clothes, and instructed Han Jianu without turning around:

"I have to go to the bureau for a meeting. If I can't be back before 4 PM this afternoon, you go to the Harper's Bazaar Charity Gala by yourself."

"Dad, what kind of meeting is it, that it has to last so long?"

"The 'Salary Cap Order'!"

……

The sun on the island always seemed particularly glaring.

Around 1 PM, almost all filmmakers and actors scheduled to attend the closing ceremony in Venice began preparing for the afternoon red carpet.

Inside the huge dressing room of the hotel, Liu Liu Yifei, Shu Chang, and Zhou Xun were all getting their makeup and styling done simultaneously.

Of course, a tablet computer was also standing on the vanity table in front of the three of them, with the screen showing the live broadcast of the Harper's Bazaar Charity Gala.

Have to say, Zhou Xun is still sharp—she successfully foresaw the joke on the domestic side.

"…Fan Li Bingbing and Li Li Bingbing putting on a big show of sisterly affection—tell me, is this scene funny or what? Everyone in the circle knows the two of them would love nothing more than to destroy each other.

Then look at Yao Yao Dazui, caught between the two Bingbings, looking completely at a loss. In front of those two, she's still got a long way to go…

This Yang Mi is also a top-tier current dan, but look at her—she can only stand off to the side now, completely unable to get a word in…compared to the big dans, her skills aren't enough yet.

That singer Zhang Zhang Shaohan, right? Poor thing, somehow got squeezed out of the center position by some devilish trick! That center spot is truly miserable—no one pays her any attention at all; everyone's just chatting right past her…

Zhou Xun chirped away with her commentary—her makeup artist was really having a hard time.

"Xun-ge, can you keep it down a little? I'm about to burst out laughing." Liu Liu Yifei reminded her in an exasperated tone, because Zhou Xun's way of ribbing those people really was funny.

"Exactly. Your hostility toward those two Bingbings—you're not hiding even a tiny bit of it." Watching Shu Chang also chimed in with a chuckle.

"Anyway, it's all our people over here, what's there to hide? No need to hide at all—I just hate those two. Oh-ho, Director Lin's back from his rounds?" Zhou Xun suddenly shifted her tone. Because in the dressing mirror, Lin Nan had appeared at the doorway.

"Mm, I just ran into Sister Gong Li, so we chatted for a bit." Lin Nan looked at Liu Liu Yifei's eyes in the mirror and said with a smile.

"You've been gone for quite a while—what did you talk about?"

"Chatted a bit about the 'Lanxin Grand Theater' she's currently filming. From what she said, after this movie she'll also be coming to Venice. Also, heard a little piece of gossip…"

"What?" the three asked in unison.

"Sister Gong Li said tonight's Best Actress award will be presented by her." Lin Nan opened his mouth, his tone slightly rising.

"That's impressive! Sister Gong Li won the Venice International Film Festival Best Actress award when she was 27!"

Zhou Xun murmured softly at this. Her gaze had unconsciously drifted toward Liu Liu Yifei in the mirror.

…………