Chapter 133

Thump-thump

Yan Li opened the door, his robe hanging open, and saw Fan Xiaopang staring in shock.

Cough.

Yan Li, embarrassed, fastened his robe: "Sorry, I thought it was… my assistant."

You thought it was Dong Xuan!

Fan Xiaopang knew the two had met secretly on set often; she didn't care, but she studied Yan Li's abdomen with amusement.

"Nice physique."

The whole crew knew Yan Li had a great build, especially when he wore Jin Zha's heavenly battle armor—imposing and majestic.

But armor only showed the exterior; in private, because of the cold, Yan Li wore thick clothes and it wasn't visible.

If not for this unexpected visit, Fan Xiaopang never would've known this scheming man had abs.

Tsk~

No wonder Dong Xuan was always beaming and indulged Yan Li in everything, guarding against anyone who got too close like a thief—there really was something to him.

Ah.

Yan Li, uncomfortable as Fan Xiaopang circled him, inspecting even his sensitive areas, spoke up.

"What do you want?"

"I came to thank you for recommending me for Su Daji. Director Cheng called me—he thanked you for your support, Yan Zong."

Fan Xiaopang bowed deeply in thanks; only then did Yan Li understand, waving his hand.

"Wait until the role is confirmed—this project hasn't even been officially approved yet. Thanks are premature."

Though Yan Li had confidence in this project, things in the film industry were never certain.

The project could be canceled tomorrow, or he might not get involved, or Fan Xiaopang might not land the role—all possible.

"Whether I get the role or not doesn't change my gratitude for your favor."

Fan Xiaopang emphasized the key point: not getting the role was her or the crew's problem, but the recommendation was Yan Li's genuine help—and that deserved thanks.

Yan Li looked at Fan Xiaopang in surprise; he'd only ever seen this girl bickering with him, and now that she was serious, he felt uneasy.

But soon, Yan Li got used to it.

After thanking him, Fan Xiaopang vaguely mentioned she was now focused on her career, didn't want romance, and saw Yan Li purely as a colleague and friend.

Yan Li was initially confused, then understood—he pointed at Fan Xiaopang in shock: "You think I like you?"

"Who else?"

Fan Xiaopang counted off on her fingers: since Yan Li's debut, he'd done six dramas—half of them involved Fan Xiaopang.

Once or twice could be coincidence; three times couldn't be explained that way.

Even if in Huan Tian Xi Di, Yan Li's choice was commercial, why did he pick Fan Xiaopang again for Fengshen Bang?

After much thought and asking friends, Fan Xiaopang made a bold deduction—

Yan Li liked her!

Even his constant bickering, teasing, and tricking her were just special ways to get her attention.

Like little boys who pull a girl's braid to make her remember them.

Yan Li: "………"

He reached out, touched Fan Xiaopang's forehead, then his own: "Go take medicine if you're feverish. If you can't, I'll approve leave for the hospital—don't tough it out, you're delirious."

"You're the one who's delirious."

Fan Xiaopang brushed off her forehead disdainfully: "I've made myself clear—don't think about me. I don't fight other women for men."

"Then let me be clear too—I'd rather jump off this fourth floor than be with you."

Yan Li spoke with absolute finality; he'd kindly recommended a role and was met with such suspicion—this was too much.

Who did she think she was?!

Yes, Fan was pretty, but Yan Li had seen plenty of beauties.

Dong Xuan, Qin Lan—how different could they be? Wang Ou, Huang Shengyi—also famous beauties. Even the other seven fairies—he could easily win over one or two with some effort.

Did Fan Xiaopang really think she was Su Daji, capable of bewitching him?

Originally, Fan Xiaopang should've been pleased by his rejection—but hearing him say it so firmly, even claiming he'd jump off the building rather than be with her, she felt annoyed.

I can dislike you, but you can't look down on me.

But she'd already said it all—no going back—so she gritted her teeth and replied.

"You'd better mean it."

"Let's hold each other to it."

Yan Li eyed her coldly—he'd seen more than a few women come crawling back.

He knew Fan Xiaopang's nature: pragmatic, ambitious, power-worshipping.

Yan Li had just risen, and though he was far stronger than these actors, in the industry and society he was still a junior, a kid.

So whether Li Bingbing or Fan Xiaopang, they all saw themselves as equal—or slightly inferior—to Yan Li, holding themselves aloof, keeping their distance.

To them, being with Yan Li was "low-tier," since better options existed.

They'd never compete with Dong Xuan or others—too embarrassing. Even someone like Seeing Huo Siyan, who stole men, looked down on them slightly.

Yan Li understood all this, but didn't care much—reality was just like this.

But today, Fan Xiaopang had provoked Yan Li!

With his career going well, Yan Li had felt a bit self-satisfied—no laziness, but his drive had dulled.

But today, his drive returned—he'd make this girl regret her words.

…

After exchanging threats, the atmosphere between them grew tense; Fan Xiaopang, being in a weaker position, dared not hold his ground against Yan Li indefinitely, so he circled around to soften his stance.

"Are you still hyping up that 'Two Bings Competing for a Man' thing?"

"Of course we are."

Yan Li nodded with unusual decisiveness: "One thing at a time. If the drama gets exposure, you get famous too—that's a good thing, so we should keep hyping it. Don't let personal matters interfere with work."

Fan Xiaopang: "…"

No wonder you're you—if you don't get rich, I'll jump off the fourth floor…

Just as gossip came up, Yan Li casually discussed the hype around "Two Bings Competing" with Fan Xiaopang.

Li Bingbing has been on set for a while now, and her state is stable; we can let a few "insiders" leak that the two of you have been clashing on set.

"Pick a hype topic: you two screaming at each other, Li Bingbing slaps you, you two argue on set, Li Bingbing knocks your lunchbox to the ground, you two exchange venomous words over something, you cry after Li Bingbing insults you…"

"No."

Fan Xiaopang couldn't help but interrupt: "Why does it always have to be me taking the hit? Why can't I be the one bullying her?"

"Originally it was meant to be mutual, but you just offended me, so now it's all Li Bingbing bullying you."

"…"

Fan Xiaopang, enraged by Yan Li's blatant retaliation, fell silent—but she was fierce enough to state outright:

"If you're really going to play dirty, I'll hype it myself—I'll say we're having an affair, Li Bingbing catches us in the act, and you beat her up to protect me… Oh, by the way, she was pregnant then, and got knocked down and miscarried. See how you'll ever survive after that."

"F***…"

Yan Li was impressed—no wonder she came from a Qiong Yao drama background; she could come up with such a melodramatic plot.

If this rumor actually blew up, I'd be finished—and you, a little mistress who climbed into bed, would go down with me.

"Those earlier ideas were just jokes—we're not actually going to let you two brawl in broad daylight; that'd be too far, and hard to cover up afterward."

"So here's the version we're considering: you and Li Bingbing have a fierce argument in the makeup room, suspected of physical conflict—people hear the sound of a chair falling—but since several other actors are guarding the door, only the two of you are inside, so no one knows what really happened."

"That way, we leave plenty of room for public speculation—light or heavy, as needed. Later, when you two deny it, we can downplay it easily."

"…"

Fan Xiaopang pondered it—this version really did feel more authentic and more discussable.

Just the three words "Did she hit her?" would be enough to spawn dozens of threads on Tianya, each with thousands of replies.

"You're really… good at hype."

Fan Xiaopang gave a thumbs-up; in her heart, she actually admired Yan Li.

Capable, imaginative, career-driven—he shared many similarities with her, had common ground, treated people with kindness and generosity, and was also outstanding in looks and physique.

If Yan Li were single, she might have considered giving him a shot—but unfortunately, he was too promiscuous.

Still the same old thing: she would never, never, ever compete with another woman for a man…

————

PS: 8000+, the missing part will be made up tomorrow

(End of Chapter)