Chapter 197: The Sun, Moon, and Stars: The Three Palaces of Dong, Fan, and Qin Attack Huang Shengyi

After that, Yan Li's conversation with the Wang brothers became more casual and affectionate.

They exchanged industry and business rumors, shared non-confidential company plans, and discussed potential collaborations.

In business, even competing companies—unless they're mortal enemies with no room for coexistence—usually maintain some level of contact or cooperation.

Even Yan Li and Huayi, though determined to take down Chengtian, weren't trying to destroy them utterly.

After all, Chengtian's scale was undeniable.

You could prevent them from becoming the top dog, but killing them off completely? That was far too difficult—and unnecessary.

The ideal outcome was to cripple them, knock them off the main table, and let them fade into obscurity.

But if you could fully suppress them, drastically weaken their threat, and render them unfit to compete, that would already be a satisfying result.

Even if Yan Li and Huayi were only half-allies now, if Chengtian came to propose cooperation, as long as it didn't aid the enemy or harm competition, it wasn't out of the question.

Merchants prioritize profit above all.

One moment they curse and clutch knives, vowing to wipe out the other's entire family; the next, they sit at the same table, raise glasses, and smile away old grudges. It happens all the time.

The Wang brothers had rarely interacted with Yan Li before; today was their first private gathering.

Though they'd already held a high opinion of the young man beforehand, after deeper conversation, they were genuinely startled.

Before meeting Yan Li, the Wang brothers had expected him to be young and impetuous—not just to flatter him, but to also assert dominance.

In their view, Yan Li's biggest weakness was his late start and lack of deep roots.

As sons of powerful families, they'd been in the industry longer and had broader connections; they could demonstrate their strength in these areas to remind the youngster of the elders' power.

But before they even began speaking, Yan Li had already given Huayi a gift—a massive favor.

The brothers barely steadied themselves, and once they started talking, instead of shocking Yan Li with insider secrets until he bowed in awe—as they'd imagined—they were the ones being outshone by Yan Li.

There was no denying the brothers had stronger connections and background, but when it came to gathering intelligence, even the CIA was Yan Li's junior.

He knew where Deng Ge was!

But such information, even if he knew it, he couldn't reveal—plus, he was too cautious to get involved or bluff with false authority.

Everything he did say were "ordinary" pieces of news that insiders would find surprising and impressive, but not terrifying.

Yet this alone was enough for the Wang brothers to reassess Yan Li, even conjure up wild speculations, and grow even warmer in their attitude toward him.

"Si Yan, you must treat General Yan well today—he's your benefactor. You must know gratitude."

"Yes, I understand. General Yan, try this."

Hu Siyan obediently replied, carefully peeling a shrimp and feeding it to Yan Li's mouth, her eyes practically dripping with adoration.

She'd just watched Yan Li chat effortlessly with the Wang brothers.

Though her status meant she understood only fragments, she grasped enough to realize Yan Li was far more powerful than she'd imagined—even the Wang brothers treated him with great respect.

This sent her heart racing—if she could attach herself to Yan Li… uh, she'd probably be hunted down by Dong Xuan and Fan Xiaopang together.

Still, gaining some benefits wouldn't hurt—even if she got nothing, she'd accept it.

Glancing at Yan Li's strong, upright figure and confident, bold aura, Hu Siyan instinctively clenched her thighs.

She was willing to become his exclusive PR rep for the company!

…

As the drinking continued and the gathering neared its end, without waiting for the Wang brothers to speak, Hu Siyan stepped forward to support Yan Li.

"General Yan has had too much to drink—he's not in good shape. I'll see him off."

"?"

Yan Li, whose alcohol tolerance was excellent, face unw flushed, breath steady, eyes clear, and stance firm, glanced at the Wang brothers, who were already reeking of liquor, and silently accepted Hu Siyan's claim.

Huayi had arranged a hotel for post-drinking rest, but Yan Li didn't go.

The first rule against seduction tactics: always guard against hidden cameras. Too many men had been caught by greed or drunkenness.

The Wang brothers had questionable morals; Yan Li didn't trust them at all.

Watching Hu Siyan and Yan Li get into the car and leave, Wang Zhonglei rubbed his face.

"Fuck, this kid can really drink—and that little bitch Hu Siyan, siding with the enemy, who the hell was she drinking for?"

"Enough."

Wang Zhongjun's head was spinning. They were both seasoned drinkers, decent in their tolerance, yet they'd been thoroughly outmatched by Yan Li, one-on-two.

This had been a relatively mild gathering—neither side had pushed hard; they'd stopped as soon as they sensed the other was done. But Yan Li? He'd barely warmed up.

Still, the evening had gone well overall.

They'd reconciled with Yan Li, formed a loose alliance, eliminated a threat, and gotten a sense of his true strength.

Understanding him better, recognizing his advantages, they could now better respond to him—and Wang Zhongjun also spotted one of Yan Li's weaknesses.

"This kid's a lecher. We can exploit that."

Huayi was an entertainment company, flush with beautiful women. Whether to lure or trap, their advantage over a man like him was enormous.

"Won't that be giving him too much?"

Wang Zhonglei frowned. Wang Zhongjun shot him a glare, knowing his brother's nature.

"You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a lamb. Besides, this kid eats well—he doesn't lack for food. Don't waste mediocre women on him. He won't even look."

Wang Zhonglei: "..."

Fan Xiaopang had been seduced by this bastard, Li Bingbing was likely in the same boat, and now Hu Siyan today.

All of them were Huayi's top actresses and rising stars.

And now they'd have to raise the stakes even higher—not just a little, but massively. Was Huayi turning into a talent show for the Yan family…?

…

On the other side, driver Wu Maowen dropped Yan Li off at Palm Spring International Apartments.

Hu Siyan clearly knew this famous Beijing neighborhood—her eyes lit up.

"General Yan, did you buy a place here?"

This apartment complex was ranked among China's top ten luxury residences, with high-end amenities and exorbitant prices—over 20, 00 RMB per square meter, and unit sizes were large; even a single apartment cost several million.

"No, I'm renting."

Yan Li spoke plainly. Rabbits have three burrows: some places he bought outright for stable living, some for investment plus fixed bases, and others were just temporary hideouts.

For temporary hideouts, there was no need to buy. What if trouble followed? Renting was better—easy to quit and vanish if things turned sour.

Since it was rented, there was no need to overthink—luxury and comfort, plus Yan Li's status, meant security and service had to be top-tier.

Palm Spring Apartments primarily served celebrities and business elites, offering 24/7 security, emphasizing safety and privacy, and providing concierge services to handle countless minor tasks.

Yan Li treated this place as a long-term hotel—and told Hu Siyan outright: be grateful, but don't get ideas.

Hu Siyan didn't know if she understood, but the moment she stepped inside, she was stunned by the lavish, exquisite décor.

"What a beautiful home."

Since Palm Spring was among China's top ten luxury residences, its caliber was obvious. Even the fully furnished apartment Yan Li rented could pass for a set in a modern idol drama.

In fact, being a newer complex, it was even more refined and attractive than the luxury apartments shown on today's TV dramas.

Hu Siyan had only truly become famous this past year; though she'd seen some things before, this was her first time in a top-tier apartment like this.

"I wish I could live here every day."

Hu Siyan made no effort to hide her admiration. Yan Li remained calm.

"Rent is 30, 00 to 80, 00 RMB per month. I know a broker who can get you a discount."

"..."

Hu Siyan felt the cruel gap in the world. After half a year of exhausting work, how much had she earned? Ten thousand RMB a month in rent? It was robbery.

And Yan Li—renting such a place for tens of thousands, barely even staying in it? What a waste of money.

Uh…

Remembering the rumors that Yan Li had hundreds of millions in wealth, Hu Siyan said nothing.

He had money—he could burn it!

The more she thought, the angrier she got. Why did Dong Xuan get such luck? Why did she snag such a golden husband?

She wasn't any whiter or any bigger than Hu Siyan—maybe just taller—but was she any more seductive?

Because Dong Xuan had led the exclusion of her from "The Seven Fairies," Hu Siyan held the deepest grudge—and today, she felt a touch of revenge.

Hmph. You bullied me? Fine. I'll give you a bright green hat.

She pressed close to Yan Li, rubbing against him, her voice soft and plaintive.

"General Yan, if it weren't for some people, I'd have signed with Yi'an."

The Wang brothers were right that Yan Li was lecherous—but they'd misunderstood one thing.

He was lustful, but his courage was small.

If it weren't for Hu Siyan, an old acquaintance whose character he knew, and if he hadn't nearly become "Dong Yong" before and believed he could control himself, he'd never have taken her away.

So now, he didn't need to be distant. Seeing her mood low, he kindly reached out to soothe her—lest she suffocate from pent-up emotion.

"Huayi isn't bad. I saw how much the Wangs value you."

Value her by making her drink with them?

Hu Siyan blushed, enduring Yan Li's wandering hands, her voice soft and trembling.

"General Yan, I've already played one of your Seven Fairies. You can't favor one over another—only thinking of Bingbing and Yang Xue and Jiang Xin. If there's any good project coming up, take me along too."

"That's easy."

Yan Li had no objection to giving Hu Siyan a role—it was just a way to silence her. He could even go out of his way to bypass Dong and Fan, or use Huayi as a cover.

Fan could act in Huayi's dramas; why couldn't Huayi's Hu Siyan act in Yi'an's?

But what role she got would depend entirely on her own effort.

Hu Siyan was sensible, grateful, and always repaid kindness.

Later, after Yan Li triggered the secret she carried on her back, she burst into tears and insisted on becoming his sworn sibling—sometimes calling him brother, sometimes father.

The Seven Fairies (4/7)

————

The next day, near noon, Hu Siyan finally left the Palm Springs Apartment; she had planned to take an afternoon off, but her agent kept pressing her to return to the company.

Helpless, Hu Siyan dragged her exhausted body to the office.

Wang Zhonglei personally received her and asked about Yan Li's circumstances.

Hu Siyan's heart stirred; she picked a few things to tell Young Master Wang, while keeping others to herself.

Yan Zong's influence was considerable, and he had treated her well—there was no need to devote herself entirely to Huayi.

In Hu Siyan's mind, she leaned more toward Yan Li; after all, he had made her famous, slept with her, and still provided resources, while Huayi talked big but treated her like a prostitute.

If that was the case, why not use Yan Li's name at Huayi to extract some benefits?

Then, turn around and sell Huayi's secrets to Yan Li—Yan Zong was generous and wouldn't let her down.

That way, she could benefit from both sides and maintain a lasting connection with Yan Li.

Hu Siyan now understood why Shuang Bing had fought for Yan Li, and deeply grasped Pan Qiaoyun's famous line from Water Margin.

Years in this circle couldn't match one night of pleasure with Yan Li!

Wang Zhonglei didn't realize Hu Siyan was lying; in his mind, she was quite obedient.

It was normal she had no useful information—Yan Li was sharp and capable; he wouldn't be careless around her.

Seeing this, Hu Siyan added: "Yan Zong said Yi'an has a Qing palace drama coming up and wants me to play a role."

"…"

Wang Zhonglei gave her a long look, then nodded: "That's good news—it shows Yan Zong has a good impression of you. Keep in touch."

"I think so too. Yan Zong has been very kind to me—he even gave me the keys to his apartment, and when I left, he sent his personal driver to take me."

Hu Siyan spun a mix of truth and lies, and seeing Wang Zhonglei seemed skeptical, she hinted that during the filming of Happy Heaven's Seven Fairies, she and Yan Li had been together—though for some reason, she had ultimately been left out.

Now, after their brief separation, she had learned from past mistakes, targeted her approach, and rekindled some of Yan Li's old feelings for her.

Wang Zhonglei believed her!

Hu Siyan was the female lead in Happy Heaven's Seven Fairies; given Yan Li's lecherous nature, it was unlikely he hadn't pursued her.

He had thought last night's connection between Hu Siyan and Yan Li was too smooth—if they'd already been involved, it all made sense.

Perfect!

He understood Hu Siyan's character well—her moral bottom line was low; Huayi could bribe her to spy on Yan Li, and even deliver a fatal blow when the time came.

Thinking this, Wang Zhonglei treated Hu Siyan even better, and readily agreed to her request to reduce her drinking engagements.

Come on—if he wanted Hu Siyan to act as a mole inside Yan Li's circle, yet still forced her to be a prostitute, he'd be treating Yan Li like an idiot.

After Hu Siyan left the company and saw no one around, she couldn't help but excitedly fist-pumped; then, after a moment's thought, she called Yan Li.

"... eah, Young Master Wang asked me everything, but I didn't say a thing—I suspect he might be plotting against you. You must be careful."

"... f I hear anything, I'll tell you right away."

"... on't thank me—I... I've always had my heart with you."

"..."

At Yi'an Pictures, Yan Li hung up the phone with a strange expression.

How did these Wang brothers run their company? Why were there so many moles inside Huayi?

Yan Li didn't need moles—his intelligence network knew far more than they ever could.

Still, keeping a spare pawn didn't hurt—what if it proved useful? If this was Huayi and Hu Siyan's scheme, he wasn't afraid—he might even turn it against them.

Ignoring Hu Siyan's matter, Yan Li turned to Xiao Guan, the head of the marketing department, who had been reporting halfway through, and told him to continue.

Xiao Guan had stepped aside to get water while Yan Li took the call; now, with permission granted, he resumed his report.

"Currently, due to the hype surrounding The Legend of the Condor Heroes, The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng is slightly more popular than The Investiture of the Gods, with seven satellite channels offering bids, and CCTV-8 has sent representatives for direct negotiations."

"The highest bid so far is 750, 00 yuan per episode—30 million total. CCTV-8 offered 25 million yuan plus partial advertising revenue..."

Although it hadn't been long since Yan Li released The Conquest and Happy Heaven's Seven Fairies.

But due to the booming market and economy, and the 4+X policy gradually intensifying competition among satellite channels, the TV drama market had become increasingly prosperous.

Top-tier TV dramas now approached a million yuan per episode; fewer and fewer popular series sold for just 20 million yuan.

For example, CCTV recently announced the price for Hu Mei's new drama Qiaojiada Academy: 800, 00 yuan per episode, totaling over 35 million yuan.

The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng's rival, The Legend of the Condor Heroes, currently has contracts with no episode priced below 600, 00 yuan.

TV drama prices used to rise every few years, then annually, now every six months—or even with every season.

Private film and television companies had also entered their spring.

Yan Li, known as the King of Distribution, naturally refused to merely follow the market—he aimed to lead it and break its limits.

Currently, no TV drama had ever sold for over a million yuan per episode in a single transaction.

Yan Li wanted to try.

If he could reach that price, his title as King of Distribution would be even more secure, strongly advancing his plan to build a related alliance centered on distribution.

"Pack up today. Tomorrow, take a few key staff with me on a business trip—probably one to two weeks, likely visiting several provinces. Prepare thoroughly."

"Understood."

Xiao Guan was thrilled—Yan Zong was finally taking direct action.

He was a veteran salesman, but every time he accompanied Yan Li on distribution, he rediscovered that long-lost passion—the exhilaration of invincibility, total control, repeated triumphs, and returning victorious—it was addictive.

Watching Xiao Guan rush off energetically, Yan Li was speechless—the company rumors weren't baseless.

The marketing department really was a bit obsessed!

While Yan Li was on a business trip distributing his shows, Huayi, in desperate straits, finally announced good news: its top star, Li Bingbing, declared she was staying with Huayi.

As the universally recognized top star of Huayi and the artist who had received the most resources and the deepest public binding, Li Bingbing's public statement stabilized Huayi's situation considerably.

Huayi hadn't collapsed—it still had its pillar stars!

During an interview, Wang Zhonglei downplayed the impact of Wang Jinghua's departure, instead vigorously discussing Huayi's future artist management reforms, adopting a "no destruction, no creation" posture.

Compared to the story of Wang Jinghua, when discussing Fan Xiaopang, Wang Zhonglei explicitly clarified.

Huayi had no rift with Fan Xiaopang!

Regarding Fan's departure, Huayi offered blessings and understanding, and indicated they might collaborate again in the future.

This statement drew attention from many observant people; forums like Tianya even ran multiple discussions.

Some believed Wang Jinghua had betrayed them, while Fan Xiaopang had simply seized the opportunity to leave—two different matters; Huayi likely held little or no ill will toward Fan.

Others speculated Huayi might have reached some cooperation or exchange with Yan Li, turning a poaching into a peaceful transfer.

Even a "source" leaked that Yan Li had spent ten million to rescue Fan Xiaopang from her suffering.

Huayi: You're in suffering? Your whole family is in suffering!

But this leak was believed by many, later appearing on major portals and media reports—partly because the story was sensational, partly because someone was pushing it behind the scenes.

Fan Xiaopang's team had tasted the sweetness of Yan Li's "million-yuan car to make a beauty smile" before, and now they especially loved such publicity stunts.

It generated buzz and elevated Fan Xiaopang's status, turning her into a "ten-million-yuan star," naturally raising her fees and endorsements.

It also further whitewashed the so-called "third party" label—after all, if Yan Li was throwing away millions, it proved his "true love" for Fan Xiaopang.

While this was good for Fan Xiaopang, it made Yan Boss look like a sycophant.

But then again, it further solidified Yan Li's image as wealthy and generous; the public grew increasingly "understanding" of the actresses linked to him, even viewing his promiscuous lifestyle as somewhat reasonable under the halo of wealth.

If all else failed, Yan Li or Fan Xiaopang could always come out later to clarify.

Compared to Yan Li, the most restless were Dong Xuan and Qin Lan.

First a million-yuan car, then the top star of the company, now a "ten-million-yuan redemption"—Fan Xiaopang was shining brilliantly, almost becoming the openly known golden couple with Yan Li.

What should they do!?

Dong Xuan gritted her teeth and stomped her foot—showing off? She could do that too. She pulled Guan Yue aside and whispered urgently.

Soon after, a blog post appeared, an exposé by a 2000-level student who had quit the entertainment circle from Beijing Film Academy.

The article discussed many classmates, with Dong Xuan and Yan Li occupying half the content.

In third-person narration, it recounted some sweet campus romance between them, revealing that Dong Xuan, as a student, had landed the female lead in Snow Goddess Dragon solely due to Yan Li's help, emphasizing their deep bond and so on.

Though it didn't explicitly say they would reconcile, it subtly implied Dong Xuan was Yan Li's truest love.

After the blog post went public, it sparked considerable controversy.

Reporters contacted Dong Xuan for interviews, but she ignored them; her friend Guan Yue, however, spoke with reporters.

During the interview, Guan Yue angrily condemned this invasion of privacy and demanded the leaker apologize to Dong Xuan.

When pressed whether the exposé was true, Guan Yue hesitated.

"It's all in the past."

This interview indirectly confirmed the blog post was likely true; after the blog was deleted and the account shut down, many became even more convinced.

So Yan Li's true love was Dong Xuan!

While Yan Li's reputation as a player grew, others believed their feelings were not entirely gone and that reconciliation was possible.

Some pure-love fans, moved by the sweet memories in the article, flooded Yan Li's blog and forums with comments urging him to win Dong Xuan back—she was the real woman; Fan Xiaopang only wanted fame and fortune, not a true partner.

"..."

Fan Xiaopang was furious—this Dong woman was insane! I'm marketing my own value, and now she's stealing my spotlight?

If you're an "ex-girlfriend," just stay an "ex-girlfriend," okay?

Qin Lan was angrier than Fan Xiaopang.

Dong Xuan could run out to assert her presence, subtly striking back and declaring her sovereignty.

She could only watch helplessly as Yan Li's "old love" and "new flame" exchanged silent boasts, like an outsider.

Finally unable to hold back, Qin Lan posted a photo of her puppy on her blog, with a caption roughly meaning the puppy, raised only by its mother, missed its father.

This was nearly equivalent to outing her relationship, but Qin Lan had already given up—she hadn't mentioned any key terms anyway.

Those two women were showing off; if she didn't do something, she'd choke on her resentment.

With two blockbusters, *Return of the Pearl Princess 3* and *The Great Song Inspector*, Qin Lan, even if less popular than the current top young actresses, was still a recognized star.

Her blog had a substantial following, and it quickly drew attention.

Her agent reacted swiftly, calling immediately, urging her to delete it—Qin Lan was in her ascent phase, and publicizing a relationship would harm her career.

Qin Lan ignored it and refused to delete; she didn't directly call out Yan Li, yet still delivered a sharp rebuke to the two women—she had already been extremely restrained.

Not only did she refuse to delete it, but when reporters contacted her, she openly stated she was no longer single and had an excellent relationship with her boyfriend.

"…"

Magic City, a five-star hotel

Yan Li stared at Qin Lan's blog, lit a cigarette in silence—he knew Dong and Qin were deeply wary of Fan Xiaopang, but hadn't expected such a fierce reaction.

Whether Dong Xuan's declaration of "old love" or Qin Lan's self-outing as coupled, neither was a clever move.

But they proved they'd truly been stepped on.

If he didn't take a stance now, Fan Xiaopang would succeed in taking his side, leaving them both out of the picture entirely; at least now there was still room to maneuver—really, it was more a warning to Fan Xiaopang and a test of Yan Li's intentions.

Qin Lan, having once been with Fan Xiaopang, understood Yan Li's leanings; now, her pain was mostly the bitterness of becoming an outsider.

Dong Xuan felt uneasy—it had been over a year since filming *The Seven Fairies of Joy and Happiness*, and she was unfamiliar with their current situation; Yan Li was growing kinder to Fan Xiaopang, and she couldn't tell what Yan Li truly felt anymore.

Don't let the "ex-girlfriend" role turn real again.

And Fan Xiaopang—her marketing kept tying herself closer to him, the gossip growing louder and louder.

She claimed it was for career and exposure, but Yan Li, through the system, saw clearly whether she had other hidden motives.

"Troublesome~"

Yan Li lit another cigarette; handling this was far more difficult than dealing with the old wolves at the TV station.

After much deliberation, he hesitated over his phone, then simply tossed it aside.

Let them fight; do whatever they want. His reputation was already ruined; he wouldn't really break up. He'd just work harder when he went back…

…

Yan Li had already prepared himself for the three women to go berserk, the backstabbing to ignite, and him returning to Beijing to clean up the mess.

Unexpectedly, the next morning, everything was calm.

More accurately, his side was calm—the storm had all hit someone else—

Huang Shengyi

This junior sister had sparked outrage from Starlight Company for shooting sensual photos for *Men's Journal*, and the company vowed harsh punishment; Huang Shengyi then naturally held a press conference to play the victim, accusing Starlight of exploiting her.

At two press conferences, Huang Shengyi delivered the best performance of her career.

She herself, along with Starlight Company and its backer Zhou Xingchi, became the center of public attention.

Many supported Huang Shengyi; many also supported Zhou Xingchi.

But overall, due to accusations of "ingratitude" and Zhou's unbeatable public image, Huang Shengyi's public opinion was clearly at a disadvantage.

Yet Huang Shengyi had prepared extensively—playing the victim, recruiting media bias, and even having a so-called "wealthy consortium" backing her with threats.

Even Yan Li, as her "ex-boyfriend," wasn't spared.

Huang Shengyi told interviewers they had spoken on the phone, that Yan Li was deeply concerned for her and even offered to lend her money to get through the crisis, and she was immensely grateful for his help, and so on.

This statement contained exaggeration, but wasn't false; Huang Shengyi deliberately blurred the timeline and specifics.

Ultimately, she created the illusion that Yan Li stood on her side, boosting her own image.

To be honest, if it were Yan Li himself, he might not admit it, but he wouldn't deny it—he'd just as well lend Huang Shengyi a hand.

But Huang Shengyi had chosen the worst possible moment, when Dong, Fan, and Qin were all simmering with rage.

As soon as Huang Shengyi surfaced, all three turned hostile toward her.

Dong Xuan was the angriest—she hated Huang Shengyi the most; last time she hadn't had a chance to deal with her, and now she dared to jump again.

Immediately, someone on Tianya leaked that Yan Li's only college girlfriend was Dong Xuan, and Huang Shengyi was just riding the coattails—Yan Li ignored her, and simply didn't bother to clarify.

Others also leaked that they might have had a brief affair, but never been boyfriend and girlfriend; Huang was merely a third party.

Earlier leaks about Yan Li and Dong Xuan's sweet past had made Yan Li look like a man who turned evil after getting rich; now this was the perfect chance to wash his image clean and shift blame onto Huang Shengyi.

Yan Li was fundamentally decent—it was really a bad woman causing trouble, ultimately leading to misunderstandings and a regrettable breakup between Yan Li and Dong Xuan.

Now she dares to come out and claim she's Yan Li's ex-girlfriend? Pfft.

Fan Xiaopang also hated it—again, this "ex-girlfriend"? They've both been dumped, can't they just live their quiet lives and stay out of it?

With Dong Xuan, she still felt guilt and restraint, so she dared not act recklessly; but Huang Shengyi? She didn't care.

Fan Xiaopang directly gave an interview, stating she'd never heard Yan Li call anyone, then publicly launched an attack on Huang Shengyi.

"If you want to switch companies, just pay the breach fee. Now you regret it—why didn't you cry when you were filming movies?"

This was harsh—Huang Shengyi's contract really was problematic.

But the public generally understood Fan Xiaopang's fierce reaction.

Clearly, this was the "current girlfriend" being provoked by the "ex-girlfriend."

When a man's reputation is dragged down by his ex's mess, which woman wouldn't be furious? Fan Xiaopang hadn't even screamed—she'd already shown remarkable restraint.

Dong Xuan had originally planned to stay out of sight, but seeing Fan Xiaopang speak out publicly made her look like a coward, hiding behind the scenes.

So she accepted a phone interview, and when asked about Huang Shengyi, called her "not a sincere person."

This statement carried deep implications.

It could confirm the rumor that Huang was a third party, and challenge her lies about breaking her contract and playing the victim—directly destroying her character.

Netizens praised it: "No wonder she's a professor from Beijing Film Academy—kills without a blade."

And it was clear now—their conflict ran deep; Dong Xuan hated Huang Shengyi intensely.

With Dong Xuan and Fan Xiaopang both striking out, Qin Lan was left stranded.

One was the "old love" with old grudges, the other the "new flame" with new resentments—both had legitimate reasons to speak out, and still, it had nothing to do with her.

Even if she stepped forward to attack Huang Shengyi, the other side wouldn't even know who she was.

"…"

After stewing for a long time, Qin Lan posted a photo of Zhou Xingchi's drama on her blog, then wrote a long review gushing praise.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend—since Zhou and Huang Shengyi were at odds, she supported Zhou Xingchi.

After being slapped in the face by Fan Xiaopang, before she could recover, Dong Xuan delivered a sharp counterblow; Huang Shengyi failed to gain any momentum, and her reputation sank further.

In panic, Huang Shengyi called Yan Li—he ignored her.

He had given her a choice before; she hadn't taken it. He felt he'd done his duty.

This time, she dragged him into her banner—he himself said nothing, but now several women had had enough and stepped out to attack; no matter what, she couldn't go after Dong Xuan and the others just to defend Huang Shengyi.

Huang Shengyi had no choice—she had neither time nor strength to fight Dong Xuan and the others, and returned, humiliated, to focus on severing ties with Starlight.

After this bout of "united hatred," the three women cooled down, their mutual hostility slightly diminished, and silently stood down.

Meanwhile, Wang Ou, Wu Jiani, Hu Siyan, Li Bingbing, and others watching from the shadows trembled or fell into deep thought.

Did Dong and Fan secretly join forces to suppress them together?

Two suns in the sky?

Two imperial courts side by side?

Qin Lan: "…"

Don't I count as a person? Don't you understand the Three Palaces and Six Courtyards? Don't you know the Three Luminaries—Sun, Moon, and Star? So uncultured…

(End of Chapter)