[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-that-year-in-huayu":3,"chapter-that-year-in-huayu-that-year-in-huayu-chapter-979":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},2287815,4473,"Chapter 979: The Return Journey; The Ambition of *Mermaid 2*","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-979",979,"\u003Cp>\"Mr. Wang, it has been handled cleanly. You can basically no longer see that video on any of the major portals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm, I know. But it's best to keep an eye on it for another day or two, just to avoid any fish slipping through the net.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up the call with PR, Wang Zhonglei wearily pinched the bridge of his nose. He felt genuinely unlucky, having to clean up Feng Xiaogang's mess and deal with such negative public opinion during the New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did Director Feng say?\" A moment later, Wang Zhonglei looked up at his secretary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He didn't say anything explicitly, but judging by his mood and temper these past two days, there's a high probability he's holding a grudge against this 'Feng Girl'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell her privately that the ties of affection from *Youth* end here, and from now on, everyone will be strangers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, tell Director Feng—say it's from me—that there should be no settling of scores after the fact. Going too far isn't good; it's easy for gossip to spread outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei nodded in thought, instructing with a cold face. In his view, she was just an actress; she lacked foresight and couldn't recognize reality, so if she was ruined, she was ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to retaliate against a third-tier actress for such a trivial matter, only to end up being talked about and plotted against by those with ulterior motives in the circle... that would truly be a case of the loss outweighing the gain. It wasn't worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this circle has never lacked actresses, especially young, pretty actresses and female artists!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood, Mr. Wang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the secretary turned to leave the office, Wang Zhonglei suddenly frowned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt inexplicably familiar with that last thought he just had? As if he had muttered it a long time ago? When he was looking down on someone or something?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan pulled his suitcase and walked out of Tianhe Airport, fully bundled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to last year, Wuhan this first lunar month was a bit cold, with daytime temperatures only around eight or nine degrees, and hovering between one and two degrees at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, a Mercedes-Benz sedan slowly pulled up in front of Lin Nan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car window rolled halfway down, and an exquisite face appeared in his field of vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tossed her head lightly at the great Director Lin, giggling and urging: \"Director Lin, put your luggage away yourself and get in the car obediently. I'm not getting out, it's too cold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While she was speaking, the trunk slowly opened; Lin Nan finished the job in a flash and sat in the passenger seat with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go, driver.\" Patting the female driver's firm thigh wrapped in high-waisted jeans with one hand, Lin \"the lecher\" Nan began to direct the way; he remembered the route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Nan, to host you, there are 10 dishes for lunch today.\" Miss Liu raised an eyebrow at the owner of the wandering hand, then abruptly slammed on the gas pedal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn!\" Lin Nan was caught off guard and jolted, getting a huge fright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, you little rascal! Haha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Operation Red Sea* and *Detective Chinatown 2* were in the midst of a heated theatrical run, and as the boss of the production and lead control parties for both films, Lin Nan's whereabouts were naturally impossible to hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, Bad Monkey Pictures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Hao was busy with the film's post-production while asking Xing Aina: \"What day was Lin Nan's flight again? He didn't even return to the capital, but flew to Wuhan instead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard Yifei mention it before, it's 4 days from now, the morning of the seventh day of the first lunar month. They should both be back tomorrow; after all, Yifei has to start training again the day after.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then book me on that same flight on the morning of the seventh. I didn't stop working during New Year's Eve or the Spring Festival, so even if I'm delayed for a few days, it won't affect the post-production schedule. I'll definitely be done by mid-March.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of this, Ning Hao suddenly paused, turned his head to look at Xing Aina with a chuckle, \"Are you really not coming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great screenwriter Xing rolled her eyes with a sneer, \"You don't need to be hypocritical. If I really said I was going to South Korea with you guys, certain people might immediately feel resistant, complaining about a lack of freedom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What you're saying is pure slander and defamation, haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh, if I say I'm not going, I'm not going. You forgot, I still have to represent our family at Huanxi for a few days of meetings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the latter half of Xing Aina's quite serious words, the sycophantic smile on Ning Hao's face vanished, instantly becoming somewhat solemn and serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huanxi has invested in quite a few films over the past two years, most of which were small-scale, low-to-medium budget projects. Looking at the paper data alone, almost all of them were in a state of loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is only because Huanxi is a listed company that these losses can be shifted, and shareholders can still make money... but in the long run, this is certainly not a sustainable method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Dong Ping is now waiting for Zhang Yimou's contract with LeEco to expire, to formally hold a shareholder signing ceremony for Zhang Yimou and publicly launch *One Second*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting this year, Huanxi's \"Great Director\" projects will also be fully rolled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If everything goes smoothly, the shareholders will follow the launch, filming, and release of each \"Great Director\" film, according to a strictly formulated plan... preparing in advance in the stock market, waiting to harvest the leeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the first wave of benefits for this year is basically already set; it will be brought to everyone by the great Director Zhang Yimou!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, then this most important matter is left to you, the housekeeper. I'll just follow Lin Nan and go enjoy myself with peace of mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Hao nodded and joked in a flattering tone, but his response was a sneer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the morning of the fourth day, the films of the Spring Festival season handed in their first box office report to the industry and the entire internet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As of last night, the first weekend of the Spring Festival film season has concluded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Navy-themed mainstream commercial blockbuster *Operation Red Sea* took 3 days to reach a total box office of 1.101 billion; the comedy film *Detective Chinatown 2* followed closely behind with 989 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The period, action, and fantasy epic *Monster Hunt 2* ranked third on the total Spring Festival box office chart with 554 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the films, the Deyun Society film *Ancestors* hit the bottom with a high profile, earning only 38.47 million. Multiple cinema managers stated that the film is destined to lose money, with no possibility of breaking even!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reprinted from Hollywood Film News: Director Li An's new sci-fi film *Gemini Man* officially started filming in Los Angeles at dawn today, domestic time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Paramount Pictures representative accepted an interview and stated that *Gemini Man* has been added to the export film memorandum; the film will also land in the world's second-largest film market, the Chinese film market, when it is released!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the morning, the contemporary drama series *Like Flowing River*, co-produced by Daylight Entertainment and Lin Nan Pictures, produced by Hou Hongliang, and directed by Kong Sheng and Huang Wei, held its grand opening ceremony...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's the same old saying: the film and television industry never has statutory holidays; the grander the festival, the more prosperous and busy the industry will be, because that represents the market and money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, less than ten minutes after Lin Nan and Liu Yifei sat in the Red Star Dock car, a work-related call came in. One can only blame the paparazzi for their high efficiency and the speed of dissemination on Weibo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The leaders at the Naval Political Department have organized a dinner, the time is noon on the seventh. See how many people you can bring over besides Guo Fan and Lu Yang? Anyway, you definitely have to...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't 'definitely' me, only Guo Fan and Lu Yang can go. I already promised the Olympic Organizing Committee before the New Year that I have to fly to the neighbors' place on the seventh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh my, I forgot about that.\" On the phone, Han Sanping clearly slapped his own forehead, \"Then it's just the two of them from your company. No, what about Yifei?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't have time, I have to train.\" Liu Qianqian, who was dozing off on Lin Nan's shoulder, immediately responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take a day off, come with me?\" Han Jia's voice suddenly cut in, in a seductive tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about you take a day off? Representing yourself as the boss's wife of Lin Nan Pictures, and also representing you and me, to go together?\" Lin Nan lowered his head slightly and smiled at Liu Yifei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah?\" Liu Qianqian's eyes held a question; she was clearly tempted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go, it's not even the Lantern Festival yet, no need to be in such a rush to train yourself to death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, then I'll reluctantly give you some face, hehe. No, I'm giving Chairman Han and Director Han face!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>China Film Group, in the large conference room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A meeting held on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year must be about something important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, all the production companies and key creative personnel of the *Mermaid 2* film project were present: La Peikang, Zhou Xingchi, Wang Zhonglei, Shanghai New Culture... Wu Yifan, Lin Yun, Allen, Lin Zicong...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Zhou, why don't you tell everyone about the specific arrangements.\" Chairman La looked at Zhou Xingchi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter nodded immediately upon hearing this. Then, speaking in stumbling Mandarin, he introduced at a rather slow pace:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All preparations for *Mermaid 2* have been completed, and the crew and I plan to officially start filming on March 3rd. That day is also the first day after the Spring Festival has completely ended, since the day before is the Lantern Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ensure the confidentiality of the entire filming process, we do not intend to hold an opening ceremony or a media press conference this time, and we will also prevent all media reporters from visiting the set or taking candid photos...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is forbidden for all crew members to leak any information related to the film's content to the outside world. Once this rule is violated, I'm sorry, please leave the crew...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xingchi stated his strict requirements in a serious manner, during which he specifically looked at Wu Yifan, Lin Yun, and other main actors, all of whom nodded busily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be honest, I am looking forward to *Mermaid 2* more and more now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Mermaid 1* was the first film in the 3 billion box office club in Chinese film history, so what about the second one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look outside, let alone before, just take this Spring Festival season; there are two films that have the trend and a high probability of sprinting towards the 3 billion box office mark...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when *Mermaid 2* is released, can't we fully look forward to challenging the box office record of *Wolf Warrior 2*? Or even higher?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei smiled and stirred up the atmosphere; this was also his most genuine thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the others in the conference room, almost everyone had a smile on their face. Because from the current cards on the table, it was exactly as Wang Zhonglei said—the situation was excellent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's one way to put it, but if you look closely, there are also some loopholes. *Wolf Warrior 2* was able to have that kind of groundbreaking box office performance, and the harsh external environment accounted for at least half the credit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, *Mermaid 2* doesn't need to be under too much pressure. Even if it doesn't reach the performance of *Wolf Warrior 2*, it won't be difficult to challenge the 4 billion box office mark, using the box office foundation of *Mermaid 1* as a guarantee and starting point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it seems that no Chinese film has occupied this tier yet, right? Of course, it depends on whether these two films in the current Spring Festival season have a chance. I think there's still a good chance! Haha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chairman La took over the conversation and laughed heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all fairness, it had been a long time since any film had given him such confidence. And it was a film controlled by China Film Group, as the largest investor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Near noon, the opening preparation meeting for *Mermaid 2* ended. Except for Wang Zhonglei, everyone left China Film Group one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chairman La, I wonder what stage that tribute film is at now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why? I remember Huayi clearly stated before that they were not interested in these kinds of projects?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huayi indeed doesn't have much interest in these tribute film projects. After all, these are originally state-owned enterprise projects, and for private enterprises, it's a thankless task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there are some actors with whom we have good relations, and we still want to help them. Although Huayi no longer has an artist management business, the number of actors with whom we have good relations in the industry has always been high, and most of them are talented...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Wang Zhonglei's PR-style smile, Chairman La suddenly felt nauseated, and his tone was unquestionable:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if this tribute film is starting to cast, China Film Group will select actors according to the requirements of suitability. For those who have good relations with Huayi, just let them come for an audition. Everything is centered on the tribute film, and there will be no special treatment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei naturally understood the meaning in these words; it was quite resolute and resistant. He could only accompany him with a smile and then stood up to say goodbye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thankless task? Heh, being able to say such things, it's no wonder the leaders are increasingly disgusted with you!\" Looking at the empty conference room door, Chairman La sneered and cursed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After the Bureau returns to work, you can send someone to submit the application for the extension of the secret key for *Detective Chinatown 2* that same morning. As for *Operation Red Sea*, we don't need to worry about that; the Naval Political Department will handle the coordination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, Lin Nan was sprawled on the sofa at home, talking to Yue Jun on the phone to give instructions on important matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood, I will have people prepare the materials in advance. Director Lin, I heard that the Bureau is moving in March?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan naturally knew what Yue Jun was asking. The Film Bureau would be separated next month, and it would be renamed and listed by April at the latest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, regarding film business, Lin Nan Pictures would no longer deal with Director Zhang in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in all other film and television industry businesses besides film, such as TV dramas and variety shows, Director Zhang would still be the supervisor in the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, it's next month. So, the matter of the extension key for *Detective Chinatown 2* needs to be handled early; it would be best if it could be approved before the end of this month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I estimate it shouldn't be a problem! After all, he has been our leader for so many years, and he is about to step down from his post soon anyway. It's just one last favor for his own people, haha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2608,"2026-06-20T03:22:13.361Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","f0da908b3de57eca7a102ab684bfe6ff23b02813ba08bf94260021793cf75565","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-980","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-978",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-in-huayu-cover.jpg"]