Chapter 183: Yan Boss First Shows His Might, Qin Lan Arrives at Hengdian
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In the
Tax evasion records aren't easily uncovered; illegal fundraising and fraud are hard to prove—concrete evidence is required, and the violent assault case was a secret within a secret.
Yan Li looked innocent: "What's it got to do with me? All reports came from concerned citizens."
Fan Xiaopang rolled her eyes—you think she believed him?
"Fine, but I just started it. This kid was too hated—when the wall falls, everyone pushes. Plenty wanted to take him down."
Yan Li couldn't casually use intelligence to directly attack him—that would invite risk if noticed by the wrong people.
So Yan Li didn't show much on the surface—just a small display of strength, letting people know he wasn't to be trifled with.
Most of the time, Yan Li merely goaded Song Zhude's enemies to kick him while he was down, stoked the flames, offered help, revealed key contacts and evidence, then left the rest to them—and amplified the publicity to ensure authorities took notice.
So to outsiders, Song Zhude brought it on himself—too arrogant, and this time he'd picked a hard target.
The hard target, Yan Li, led the charge, letting other enemies see his weaknesses, strike while he was vulnerable, and join in; Yan Li rode the wave and crushed Song Zhude.
Even Song Zhude himself believed this—some key evidence, he suspected, came from betrayal by those close to him—or Yan Li's manipulation.
Yan Li had offered a plausible explanation.
But Fan Xiaopang had witnessed Yan Li's fury, then his calm detachment as events unfolded—she sensed this wasn't so simple.
The so-called "wall falls, everyone pushes" seemed perfectly timed, natural, inevitable.
But if it were truly that easy, why hadn't these people acted sooner? How had Song Zhude stayed free so long?
This was surely Yan Li's secret orchestration!
Though Fan Xiaopang didn't know exactly how he'd done it, she still felt the terrifying power of the young man before her.
"Are you a reincarnated soul?"
"Huh?"
Yan Li was stunned by Fan Xiaopang's question; she explained: "I read those online novels—you're this age, so ruthless and cunning, you're definitely a reincarnated veteran with memories from your past life, so your strikes are precise."
"..."
Yan Li sighed: "Stop reading those web novels. Reincarnation? Why not say I've got a golden hand?"
"Those are too fake. Reincarnation's at least plausible."
Yan Li could tell Fan Xiaopang was joking to dispel fear and wariness.
Yan Li had dismantled Song Zhude in three moves—he'd scared her.
Song Zhude looked like a clown, but he had real skill.
He'd smeared many stars with rumors—Jin Qiaoqiao, for instance, was flooded with sexual lies, furious but powerless.
If it were Fan Xiaopang herself, she'd have no recourse but to rage or sue for defamation—maybe force an apology or a blog ban, but for a man like him, it meant nothing.
Even hiring someone to ambush him in a sack would be tough—he had many enemies, some money, and multiple hideouts; ordinary people couldn't find him.
The more she imagined herself in that position, the more she grasped Yan Li's skill and "influence."
Yan Li understood Fan Xiaopang's emotions but offered no comfort.
He usually spoiled this girl—occasional scares were good, kept her from getting arrogant.
But he hadn't expected that after initial shock and fear, Fan Xiaopang quickly turned delighted and excited.
Because she realized one thing: she was Yan Li's person—the more powerful he was, the better for her.
This girl even urged Yan Li to take down the other four top actresses one by one—Li Bingbing was an ally, just cripple her, then she'd climb to the top.
"Climb to the top? Why not crown yourself empress?"
Yan Li snapped: "Do you know how much effort and money I spent? This approach is brutal—it makes you a target. Avoid it if you can."
If they don't provoke me, I won't provoke them!
That was Yan Li's guiding principle—and one of the rules for using the system to retaliate.
Powerful tools must be used sparingly.
This kind of reality-breaking bug weapon must be used with extreme caution.
Until Yan Li could use real-world influence to "cover" the system, it should remain a hidden trump card.
Fan Xiaopang liked to show off—he deliberately exaggerated the cost and consequences to warn her.
So she wouldn't rely on his backing to stir trouble, forcing him to clean up after her.
Fan Xiaopang couldn't cut corners—she was disappointed, but still pleased: "Took down Song Zhude—kill a chicken to scare the monkeys. Now who dares spread rumors?"
Yan Li nodded in deep agreement.
Even though he'd mostly operated behind the scenes, leading the charge with thunderous retaliation and leaving behind faint but ominous associations, many now saw Yan Li's power.
Young, but truly ruthless!
Yan Li's public image improved dramatically.
No more clownish figures hijacking attention—criticism now focused only on facts; rumors and insults vanished. Even malicious blogs and Tianya posts targeting him were deleted by platforms, moderators, or the accounts themselves.
Even Fan Xiaopang and Li Bingbing benefited from the shift.
Inside and outside the industry, Yan Boss and Yi'an's reputation surged—but this time, it was fear-based fame.
Reality is like this: people fear power, not virtue. Show muscle at the right moment, and you gain hidden advantages.
But Song Zhude wasn't bold enough—he'd only bullied minor stars, limited influence. Had he been worse, Yan Li's strike would've had greater impact.
"How many years will he get?"
Fan Xiaopang asked curiously; Yan Li shook his head: "Hard to say."
His record wasn't clean, but not filthy either—otherwise he wouldn't dare come out to stir up drama.
Many of his acts were gray areas. Yan Li consulted lawyers—some charges, even with evidence, might not stick.
Lucky case: 3–5 years out. Unlucky: 5–7 years. Over 10 years? Extremely unlikely.
But Yan Li had already arranged things—ensuring his time inside would be comfortable.
Whether this old bastard would cause trouble again after release? Yan Li didn't care.
He could handle him easily now—what would it matter in a few years? With the system, Yan Li wasn't afraid of retaliation.
If Song Zhude was smart, he'd accept defeat quietly—Yan Li wouldn't pursue him endlessly.
If he wasn't smart? Yan Li wouldn't mind sending him back for another comfortable stay. If he fled overseas? Even better—Yan Li's intelligence network had touched darknet-like channels, even easier than domestic ones.
"This guy's finished."
Yan Li declared. Fan Xiaopang glanced at him, dazzled. She loved this dominant, powerful side of him. Seeing no one around, her slender fingers curled gently around his.
"Regardless, we've vented our anger. Let's go out to eat—celebrate."
Yan Li gripped her hand, playing with it lightly, teasing: "Thinking of that again?"
Fan Xiaopang, flustered, pinched him: "Think? Pfft. Fine, don't go. Like I care."
"Heh."
Yan Li smiled. She didn't care? These days she monopolized him—Wang Ou was nearly frantic.
She'd sworn she was just watching him to stop him from doing stupid things, soft and hard tactics shutting Wang Ou up, then gossiping behind her back with Wu Jiani.
"No matter what, I can't go today—I've got something to do."
Fan Xiaopang frowned: "Another engagement?"
"No. I'm picking someone up."
"Oh."
Fan Xiaopang assumed it was an investor—didn't think much of it, returning to the earlier topic: "What time will you be back? I'll buy food—we can celebrate at the hotel."
"Uh..."
Yan Li squeezed Fan Xiaopang's small hand: "I might not come to your place today."
Fan Xiaopang's body tensed slightly, her brows knitting: "Is Dong Xuan here?"
Yan Li: "... o, not her."
"..."
Fan Xiaopang understood. She snorted, yanked her hand away, turned her head, and closed her eyes, ignoring him.
Yan Li hesitated briefly, said nothing, kept playing with his phone, waiting for the set to be ready, then picked up his costume and headed out to film.
After he left, Fan Xiaopang opened her eyes, her lovely face flushed with anger.
Dog man. Put his pants on and forgets you. Yesterday he held her, called her his favorite woman—today he ignores her...
————
Hangzhou, Xiaoshan Airport
Hengdian currently has no airport, but there are many nearby ones.
Yiwu and Xiaoshan airports are close, but flights are relatively few; Shanghai's airports have more flights, but getting there requires a several-hour drive.
Qin Lan didn't get a ticket to the closer Yiwu airport, but Xiaoshan isn't far from Hengdian—about two hours by car.
When she stepped out of the airport and saw Yu Yanli there to pick her up, Qin Lan was delighted and rushed straight into his arms.
Since Yu Yanli came to Hengdian to film, he had only returned to Beijing once in the past two months, and she happened to be away and they didn't meet.
If not for matters in Beijing holding him back, Qin Lan would have joined the set long ago.
She isn't like Dong Xuan, who, after her ex's exposure, is still "avoiding suspicion" and can't come to visit the set.
They can only wait for Yu Yanli to return to Beijing, or sneak off secretly to nearby Shanghai or Hangzhou for clandestine meetings.
Outside, people came and went; though both had taken precautions, they didn't risk it and kept their behavior restrained.
But once inside the car, Qin Lan could no longer hold back, softly kissing Yu Yanli in secret.
"Did you miss me?"
"Yes."
"..."
The driver, Wu Maowen, stared straight ahead, pressed the accelerator, and cut a quarter of the time off the journey to the hotel Yu Yanli had booked.
One after the other, they entered the hotel, reached the room, and Qin Lan, unable to contain herself any longer, clung to Yu Yanli like a koala, making him experience the passion of water turning to fire.
Yet, through Yu Yanli's efforts, Qin Lan was brought back to her original state, singing their classic duet "Shui Lan Hua"...
(End of Chapter)
End of Chapter
