Chapter 199

Puff—

Yan Li spat out his tea, staring blankly at Director of Marketing Xiao Guan.

"What did you say?"

The latter's expression was equally hard to describe, but he still nodded with a hint of pride.

"That's right—Zhang Dahuzi's The Legend of the Condor Heroes is asking if we can handle distribution?"

"Did that old man take the wrong medicine?"

Yan Li still couldn't believe Zhang Dahuzi would come to him to distribute The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

The two had exchanged plenty of verbal blows in front of the media, though both knew it was publicity stunt and hadn't broken ties, but the feud had certainly made things ugly.

Zhang Dahuzi was a senior, and a man who cared deeply about face; being publicly humiliated by a young upstart, how could he possibly feel comfortable?

So the Feng-Diao rivalry was both a publicity stunt and real competition—even if it didn't reach the point of blades drawn, it was still thick with tension.

Old Zhang was determined to take Yan Li down, to show him what "the old ginger is the spiciest" really meant.

Now he's asking Yan Li to distribute it—effectively bowing his head to Yan Li.

Bowing to a young man? Does he have no pride left?!

Hmm, Yan Li thought again and found it understandable—this kind of old hand had seen too many storms; humiliation wasn't new to him.

His face was thick as leather; losing face once or twice didn't matter, as long as he could make money.

Yan Li wanted money so badly he didn't even mind being scolded—he actively stirred up rumors of him playing both sides; Zhang Dahuzi was a veteran of publicity stunts, he cared even less.

"Tsk, I'm still too green."

Yan Li felt a pang of reflection—he wasn't afraid of being scolded, but bowing to a rival? That was hard.

Too proud!

But Yan Li had no intention of changing—he had no shortage of money-making opportunities, no need to be so flexible; otherwise, he'd be betraying the system.

"So, Boss Yan, do we take this job?"

Xiao Guan was eager—the Legend of the Condor Heroes was a flagship project in the industry; even at a 10% split, the distribution fee would run into several million.

Not to mention, if Yi'an could distribute The Legend of the Condor Heroes, holding both the industry's two best Wu Xia dramas and forcing Zhang Dahuzi to bow, it would greatly elevate Yi'an's reputation and prestige.

"Let's talk."

What Xiao Guan could see, Yan Li naturally understood too.

If this deal went through, making money was secondary—the real gain was the massive boost to face and reputation, which benefited Yan Li and Yi'an enormously; he'd even be willing to throw in some cash.

But Yan Li knew that if Zhang Dahuzi was willing to bow, The Legend of the Condor Heroes' demands wouldn't be small.

Sure, he'd sold the single-episode price of The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng to a million, but there was some luck involved; doing it again would be far harder.

Hmm, then again, maybe not.

The first time breaking a record is always hardest, but once someone's opened the door, the second and third times might follow naturally.

Moreover, Yan Li's reputation as the King of Film Sales didn't just attract project clients—it also gave TV station bosses a convenient excuse.

Everyone knew Yan Li was tough; paying more for his dramas was understandable, and it gave both superiors and subordinates something to justify.

If the ratings were good and the station made big profits, they might even be praised—having outsmarted the King of Film Sales, they'd be seen as capable and shrewd.

It's like playing soccer with Ronaldo: losing isn't shameful; drawing or even a narrow win is a major achievement.

If someone else distributed The Legend of the Condor Heroes and the TV station paid one million per episode, the drama buyer was useless.

If Yan Li distributed The Legend of the Condor Heroes and the TV station paid one million per episode, they might still grumble—but they'd know they'd done their best, and could try harder next time.

This was also why Yan Li preferred being misunderstood as China's biggest DVD distributor, and even quietly—or actively—promoted the nickname "King of Film Sales."

In business, your persona matters too!

…

With Yan Li's approval, Yi'an's marketing department initiated contact with The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

Surprisingly, yet predictably, the party reaching out was Cixi Film & Television, the producer—not Zhang Dahuzi himself.

This was like taking off your pants to fart—pointless.

Everyone knew Zhang Dahuzi wouldn't approve, The Legend of the Condor Heroes couldn't switch distributors—it was pure cover-your-ears-and-steal-the-bell.

But at least there was a thin veil of dignity, and it left some room for future publicity stunts.

Yan Li had previously muttered that if the two dramas got mixed up, it'd be hard to fight later.

Now it was perfect—Zhang Dahuzi pushed the whole thing onto the producer, stuck out his old face, and carried on; he'd just take more mockery, which he probably didn't care about anyway.

It was a bit disappointing—Yan Li had wanted to see Zhang Dahuzi's face when they met, but the old man had dodged.

Cixi Film & Television, founded in 2000, was run by Ma Zhongjun, a former screenwriter who went into business in the 90s and later founded Cixi.

Unlike typical private companies, Cixi had some state-owned backing, with shareholders from CCTV and Shanghai Media Group.

This allowed Cixi to become one of the first private companies granted a license, giving it sufficient capital and resources to join major projects.

Over the past few years, Zhang Dahuzi's Jin Yong adaptations were primarily co-produced by Cixi Film & Television and Huaxia Audio-Visual.

Cixi Film & Television co-produced The Legend of the Condor Heroes and The Legend of the Condor Heroes, and also co-produced Wang Pangzi's The Little Fish and Hua Wuxue, making it a representative in the Wu Xia drama field.

After confirming Yi'an's interest, Cixi's boss Ma Zhongjun personally came to negotiate with Yan Li.

Cixi was doing well, but Yi'an was no longer a small company, and this involved a multi-million-dollar project like The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

Zhang Dahuzi had already stepped back; if Cixi sent only a mid-level executive, it would be a blatant disrespect to Yan Li.

Not only Cixi, but the other producer, Huaxia Audio-Visual, also came—but since their share in the drama was smaller, they sent only a senior executive, with Cixi leading.

Both producers showing up together signaled their seriousness and their stance.

Although Zhang Dahuzi was the main force behind The Legend of the Condor Heroes, he couldn't reject the decision of the two producers, especially since he'd already tacitly agreed.

Yan Li was quite satisfied—since Zhang Dahuzi wouldn't come, someone with sufficient weight had to be there to decide.

Otherwise, if they agreed today and regretted tomorrow, dragging it out with endless back-and-forth—he didn't have the energy for that.

Cooperation is easy to discuss—the fact that they found them and Yan Li came shows their willingness to cooperate.

But Yan Li set three demands.

First, regarding the TV station previously negotiated for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," Yi'an bears no blame—they must handle their own loose ends.

Before arriving, Yan Li had already investigated thoroughly: the original distribution team, who had broken ties with Zhang Dahuzi, had already nearly reached agreements with several satellite channels, though no contracts were signed, the basic terms were settled.

If Yi'an took over now and suddenly raised prices, the TV stations would refuse; switching to another station would risk offending people.

Yan Li knew he couldn't avoid all responsibility, but the bulk must fall on Zhang Dahuzi and Ciwen.

Second, he hoped to use this distribution to achieve a more comprehensive and tighter collaboration between "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" and "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng."

This would benefit promotional efforts for both drama crews and make Yan Li's distribution easier.

TV stations understand the value of rivalry and excitement—further binding the two sides creates greater operational space and makes many matters easier to negotiate.

It's not just about raising the price of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," but also appeasing the satellite channels tied to "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng."

Yan Li had once used plenty of hype—breaking records, attracting attention, crushing other satellite channels—to persuade them.

Now, negotiating "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" with other stations while turning away from those same channels would be hypocritical, so a win-win solution must be offered.

Yan Li could sell dramas not just because of his system, but also because he consistently upheld the principle of "I earn money, but I don't let TV stations lose out," earning excellent after-sales reputation.

Some distributors sell and walk away, caring only about the final payment.

Yan Li and Yi'an would coordinate follow-ups, going to great lengths to make the drama a hit—even when TV stations earned low advertising revenue, they'd worry about it too.

Compared side by side, TV stations naturally preferred cooperating with Yi'an.

Third, money: Yan Li demanded a 20% distribution share.

Ciwen's boss Ma Zhongjun and Huaxia View's executives couldn't help shaking their heads.

The first two were manageable: though the first demand was difficult, it was their own choice and acceptable; the second, a win-win, was unquestionably agreed upon.

The last point was why they shook their heads—20% distribution share was too high.

Yan Li laid out the numbers: the original team sold it for 60 million, with a 15% distribution share totaling 9 million, leaving the producer with 51 million.

Yi'an would sell it for 80 million, with a 20% share of 16 million, leaving the producer with 64 million—massive profit.

Yan Li's numbers were tempting, but Ciwen and Huaxia View weren't fools.

The original distribution team, though partly outsourced, included their own staff, and their share wasn't that high.

It was uncertain whether Yan Li could even reach that sales figure, and there were additional costs—alienating TV stations, appeasing Zhang Dahuzi to save face—all had to be factored in.

If the profit was too low, it wasn't worth it—better to stick with the original team.

Everyone in business knows: one side demands wildly, the other counters reasonably.

For projects involving tens of millions, contracts with millions in distribution shares can't be settled in a few words—settle the intent first, then negotiate slowly.

Yan Li hosted dinner for Ma, the Ciwen boss, and Huaxia View's team.

If this cooperation went well, these two companies might become his long-term clients.

Ciwen was fine—it was even smaller and weaker than Yi'an's rapid rise.

Huaxia View was different: though low-profile, its strength was solid, it cooperated with many producers, involved in both film and program production, and was among the rare companies able to distribute films overseas.

Yan Li valued its overseas distribution capability—he had long wanted to open overseas channels.

How could a King of Drama Sales boast only within China?

Currently, Yan Li focused mainly on Hong Kong and Taiwan—he'd already established contacts in Taiwan, and was paving the way in Xiangjiang.

Once he secured the Hong Kong and Taiwan markets, his next step would be breaking into overseas markets.

Europe and America, with deep cultural barriers, could wait—Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia still had clear markets for Chinese film and television, ripe for profit.

Yan Li didn't know Huaxia View's overseas channels in detail, but he could investigate later—if possible, they could cooperate.

Besides mainland China, they could use Xiangjiang-linked companies and connections as a springboard—Hong Kong films once dominated Asia, leaving many old relationships.

Besides dining to build ties, Yan Li invited the two to attend Fan Xiaopang's signing ceremony.

On September 15, the day before Fan Xiaopang's birthday and his Yi'an signing ceremony, inviting industry stars and bigwigs to celebrate was standard procedure.

Yan Li also asked them to pass along a message: if Zhang Dahuzi had time, he could come lend support—but Old Zhang probably wouldn't bother.

…

Yi'an's negotiations over "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" didn't last long—both sides were pressed for time, so speed was essential.

In the end, Yi'an's distribution share was set at 16%, but the total sale price had to reach a figure Yan Li considered not difficult to achieve.

After signing the contract, Yan Li personally contacted every TV station that hadn't bought "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng," and also began discussions with potential partners for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes"—though prices were now different.

Oh my god!

Yan Li is distributing "The Legend of the Condor Heroes"?!!

Some TV stations were stunned by this change, but media outlets that got the news were thrilled.

Out of face-saving concerns, Zhang Dahuzi and Ciwen hadn't publicly announced the change of distributor, and Yi'an, wary of cooperation, hadn't promoted it loudly.

Of course, calling around to every TV station was hardly better than an official announcement.

The media began reaching out to all parties for confirmation; under pressure from journalist friends, Yi'an's marketing director Xiao Guan "helplessly" responded.

"Yes, the 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' production team approached us directly—their sincerity was strong."

"The previous turmoil didn't affect cooperation—both dramas are excellent projects; we're doing our utmost to ensure mutual benefit."

"Director Yan is currently negotiating with several TV stations—he left Jingcheng yesterday and is very busy; he may not have time for interviews for now."

"…"

Compared to Yi'an's subtly victorious posture, Zhang Dahuzi and Ciwen received more media "adoration."

Ciwen insisted it was merely normal business cooperation, expressing confidence in Yi'an's professional distribution ability—nothing more.

Zhang Dahuzi himself remained silent; his assistant said this was the producer's decision, and Zhang was busy casting for "Bi Xue Jian," with no time to care about other matters.

Many netizens saw through these postures clearly; Tianya tore them apart, sparking heated discussion.

【The boasts were deafening, but then they went to Yan Li for distribution—total humiliation.】

【Inside info: The per-episode price for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" didn't reach 800,000; "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng" sold for 1 million. Investors panicked and ignored objections to contact Yan Li.】

【Hahaha, after all this hype about the "Phoenix vs. Condor" battle, the big beard hasn't even aired yet and already got slapped in the face.】

【That's the smart move, come on—so what if you lose face a little? It's about making money.】

【Let's be real, the King of Sales is truly awesome. Zhang the Big Hu Zi is a household name in the industry, yet he's bowed to him on this.】

【You really think Yan Li's some sales genius? He's just a front man. Behind him is a big boss—everyone's giving in out of respect for the boss, and over half the profits from these dramas go straight to him.】

【That's right—I'm that big boss. Yan Li is my underling, and you upstairs are my dog.】

【Conspiracy theories need logic too. Yan Li works with dozens of TV stations across at least a dozen provinces and cities. What kind of big boss could make so many stations bow to him? Even if such a person existed, they wouldn't bother with this—it's too exhausting.】

【You just see Yan Li making money, but ignore the performance of the dramas he distributes. Look closely—they all did well. That proves he has great taste in selecting dramas. Good dramas naturally sell for high prices.】

【Yan Li's making so much money, and now another female star's in trouble. Damn, it's infuriating.】

【Oh no, the White Dragon Girl! Yan guy, if you lay a finger on Liu Yifei, I'll kill you.】

【And that little Guo Xiang—I saw the promotional stills, she looks pretty good too. Be careful, stay far away from this bastard.】

【...】

"These people are insane. Talking about Big Hu Zi, then suddenly dragging me into it."

Yan Li stared at the forum post on his screen, speechless.

But then again, while these netizens argue among themselves, they barely care about the behind-the-scenes power struggles—they'd rather gossip about entertainment scandals.

Compared to the general public, the real uproar caused by Yi'an's distribution of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" came from within the industry.

People were amazed at Zhang the Big Hu Zi's ability to bend, astonished at Yan Li's distribution skills, and curious how much "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" could sell for.

If it sold for another 1 million per episode, the title "King of Sales" would be permanently nailed to Yan Li.

Yan Li himself was confident, but the contracts weren't easy to negotiate. It was only September anyway—plenty of time.

He contacted major TV stations, traveled on business where deep cooperation was possible, and spent the rest of his time overseeing preparations for several drama crews.

"The Legend of the White-Haired Demoness" was the fastest to prepare; by mid-September, once Fan Xiaopang finished signing, they'd go straight into production.

The entire drama was expected to run 32 to 36 episodes, depending on editing, with an investment of around 20 million.

The female lead, Lian Nishang, needed no introduction—played by Fan Xiaopang.

The female second lead, Tie Shanhuan, was played by Wu Jiani; another major role, He Ehuah, was given to Li Lin, who had returned to acting.

The latter was recommended by Fan Xiaopang—of the Seven Fairies, only this one and Yang Xue still had decent relations with her.

Fan Xiaopang wasn't a bad person and knew how to make friends, but she truly wasn't good at maintaining relationships.

Especially with female friends—perhaps because her appearance was intimidating, she was constantly overshadowed when seen with others, so gradually no one wanted to hang out with her.

Shuang Bing and she used to be close friends, but now they've broken up. Even the Three Beauties of "The Legend of the Seven Fairies" once had genuine affection—now it's all cold.

This past spring, the Seven Fairies had a big marketing push, but everyone knows how it really went.

For "The Investiture of the Gods," Wu Jiani's relationship with the Three Demons of Xuanyuan was only okay; Wang Ou, whom she bullied, was just glad she didn't draw little demons on her.

Even on this matter, Yan Li had a special chat with Fan Xiaopang, urging her to preserve these friendships—if even these kind-hearted ones turned away, it'd be hard to find her supporting roles later.

As for the male lead, Zhuo Yihang, Yan Li chose Ren Quan.

He not only had sufficient clout, but his appearance matched Zhuo Yihang's refined, indecisive demeanor.

Moreover, Fan Xiaopang and Ren Quan had a good relationship—they were old friends, so they worked together more smoothly.

Of course, there was also a private motive no one else knew: this sister… brother, Yan Li found him reliable.

Yan Li himself had a poor reputation, but he most admired male actors with upright conduct—he found sleazy guys disgusting.

Actors like Chen Kun, Ren Quan, and Hu Bing—he was willing to give them opportunities.

Of course, using them carried risk—if one day a "Yan Li x Beauty" scandal broke out, Boss Yan might not be able to laugh.

The remaining roles in "The Legend of the White-Haired Demoness" were mostly filled by familiar faces, including Zhang Songwen and Wu Yue.

Another drama starring Yan Li, "The Legend of Xue Rengui," involved more war scenes and had a larger budget—estimated at 30 to 35 million.

The male lead, Xue Rengui, was played by Yan Li; the male second lead, Zhou Qing, was portrayed by Lin Jiachuan.

But Zhou Qing's role was just an assistant—though he had many scenes, he wasn't particularly standout. Yan Li brought in several famous supporting actors to bolster the cast.

There was no choice—he lacked enough fame himself and felt a bit insecure.

Huang Haibing and Nie Yuan were brought in to cameo as Qin Huaiyu and Luo Tong—the sons of Qin Qiong and Luo Cheng.

This had been the crew's original plan, serving as an Easter egg continuing from the first series, "The Heroes of Sui and Tang."

But producer Li Si's influence wasn't enough, especially for Nie Yuan, who was extremely busy.

Yan Li personally intervened. As a newly risen big boss in the industry, both were willing to give him face.

But due to limited schedules, some minor scenes were cut—essentially making them cameos.

Tong Dawei was also brought in by Yan Li to play a villain in the main plot—they'd known each other for years, but this was their first collaboration.

Pan Yueming played Tang Gaozong Li Zhi; Zhang Zhilin, who had signed a three-year mainland agency contract with Yi'an, played a general from the Boliao Kingdom.

The former's fame rose after "Huan Tian Xi Di," the latter's was expected to surge after "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng."

Roughly speaking, five popular young male stars were playing supporting roles—even with limited screen time, the prestige was substantial.

This was Yan Li's first time as male lead, and everyone was willing to come lend support. Normally, this would be downright extravagant.

The male roles were extravagant; the female roles were no less prestigious.

The female lead, Princess Princess Zhao Yang, was played by Li Bingbing. Originally, she wasn't the intended choice, but her fame could sell the drama, so even if the character had to be rewritten, she was used.

Also, Yan Li and Li Bingbing's second collaboration invalidated the "out" rumor—the "Two Bings v. Yan" drama flared up again, and "The Legend of Xue Rengui" would inevitably attract attention.

The female second lead, Liu Yinhuan, was originally considered for Dong Xuan—a virtuous, gentle young lady. But since the "Two Bings v. Yan" drama was already complicated, bringing her in would make it too messy.

Other familiar faces either had scheduling conflicts or other commitments, so new faces were being considered.

Yu Zheng from "The Great Qing Harem" actively recommended a candidate: her classmate from Shanghai Theatre Academy, named Yang Rong, who had previously appeared in "The Young Emperor" and "Young Bao Qingtian 3."

Yan Li glanced over—it had a decent appearance and aura, and the reputation was passable; though not confirmed, it was almost certainly the one.

The third female role, Zhang Meiren, was originally meant for Yang Xue, whose fame surged after "The Little Fish and Hua Wukue."

But her schedule was full, so they settled for Lin Jing, whom he knew from "Emperor Wu of Han"; she was a specialist in playing favored concubines, and this role was child's play for her.

The final role was Tuo Ya, and Yan Li planned to cast a minority ethnic actress for some exotic flair.

As it turned out, Jiang Xin showed up to audition herself—she was also from a minority group, born in Xinjiang, skilled in martial arts and horseback riding, perfectly matching the requirements.

Yan Li: "..."

He really had nothing to say—aside from lacking any exotic looks, Jiang Xin truly fit the role.

Since no better candidate turned up, and Jiang Xin was an old friend, Yan Li ultimately gave her the role.

As for "The Great Qing Imperial Harem," Yan Li didn't prioritize it much and didn't interfere much in casting.

After learning Qin Lan got the second female lead and Dong Xuan couldn't take it, he settled on Wang Ou as the female lead and added Hu Siyan; the rest he left to Yu Zheng to sort out.

It was said the Artist Agency Department fiercely argued with Yu Zheng and secured Zhang Zhilin a major role, making him one of the two male leads.

Yu Zheng wanted to invite Yan Kuan, his old classmate, but the man cared too much about his image and refused outright to shave his head.

Now they leaned toward Qiao Zhenyu; several company executives knew about him, and Yan Li thought Qiao had potential and wanted to sign him.

Although "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" hadn't been officially greenlit yet, the rights had been secured for the script, and it was one of the top contenders for the male lead.

After reviewing all his current projects, only Dong Xuan hadn't landed a role.

But Yan Li wasn't worried—he wasn't limited to Yi'an's dramas; he easily pulled together several scripts for her to pick from.

On September 14, amid his busy schedule, Yan Li went to a luxury hotel in Jingcheng to inspect the setup for Fan Xiaopang's signing ceremony.

Fan Xiaopang was there too—after all, she was the star tomorrow and needed to review some procedures.

"Manager Yan, look at our signing podium—it's shaped like ice blocks made of glass, totaling 999 pieces, each embedded with red roses."

"It symbolizes 'long-lasting' and 'prosperity,' and the fusion of ice and fire also connects with Bingbing herself."

"This is our Starlight Corridor—on both sides are stills and posters from Bingbing's past dramas, plus screenshots of ads and news reports."

"When Bingbing walks through it to reach the signing podium, it signifies leaving the past behind—today is a new beginning. Our ceremony's theme is 【Starlight Shining Together · Future Walk Together】."

"..."

Jia Qian, head of the Artist Agency Department, and the event company responsible for the ceremony design explained the meanings behind each setup to Yan Li and Fan Xiaopang.

Yan Li was fairly satisfied; Fan Xiaopang's smile was already uncontrollable.

Earlier, Yan Li had said there would be a grand welcome ceremony—he wasn't lying.

Beyond the favors and connections involved, the expenditure alone exceeded a million yuan; every detail radiated sincerity and prestige.

Thinking that such a grand spectacle was all for her, that she would be tomorrow's absolute star, Fan Xiaopang's vanity was utterly satisfied; when she went to view the gift bags, she instinctively linked arms with Yan Li.

"Cough, there are other people here."

"I don't care."

Fan Xiaopang huffed—so what if others were watching? Their little secret was half-out in the open; even if they kissed publicly, no one would be shocked.

Yan Li let her be; together they looked at the gift bags, which included items not just for guests but also for her fans.

In such a situation, how could Fan Xiaopang's fans be absent? Yi'an had invited over a hundred fans from across the country, including Hong Kong and Taiwan.

They provided clothing and other items, gave out gift bags, and covered meals and accommodation—transportation wasn't included, mainly to set a threshold and avoid too many attendees.

After all, those willing to travel far and spend money to attend Fan Xiaopang's signing ceremony were diehard fans among diehards.

The gift bags included signed posters or signed CD albums, items and accessories with Fan Bingbing motifs, samples of her endorsed products, and a photocopy of a handwritten letter from Fan Xiaopang.

These items weren't cheap, but not overly expensive either; the key was the sincerity—fans would surely love them.

Fan Xiaopang herself loved them and wanted a few extra copies to give away, but quantities were limited; only two were squeezed out for her as keepsakes.

When Fan Xiaopang went through the procedures, Yan Li played with his phone below; when she was nearly done, he checked the time, called out, and prepared to leave.

Fan Xiaopang had been talking to Jia Qian, but seeing Yan Li leave, she hurried after him and grabbed his arm.

"Where are you going?"

"It's time—time to go home for dinner."

Fan Xiaopang hugged his arm: "Don't go. Stay at my place tonight."

Yan Li looked at her with amusement: "Aren't you the one who said colleagues should keep things professional?"

Since Hengdian, because Yan Li favored Qin Lan, Fan Xiaopang had been holding a grudge.

Outside work, she'd teased him plenty, but whenever it came to the real thing, she dangled it just out of reach—both to manipulate him and to get revenge.

What she hadn't expected was that this dog of a man actually held out.

If you offer him an opening, he'll take it; if you turn cold, he'll treat you strictly as a colleague.

This made Fan Xiaopang even more resentful; she even thought he was lustful and money-grubbing, not taking her seriously.

But today, seeing the signing ceremony, watching how much money and effort Yan Li had poured into preparing it for her, and hearing he'd secretly offered many ideas, Fan Xiaopang felt touched—perhaps she'd misunderstood him.

Besides, after knowing him so long, she knew this dog of a man had a stubborn temper—he responded to softness, not force.

The more强势 she was, the less he'd yield.

If she softened, acted cute, he'd patiently coddle her.

Wasn't that exactly how that little bitch Qin Lan did it—pretending to be gentle, making this dog of a man dance for her?

Hmph, who do you think can't do it too?

Ignoring the faint glances around her, Fan Xiaopang hugged Yan Li, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him lightly, her voice sweet and soft.

"I'm sorry, okay? It's all my fault. Let me make it up to you when we get back, big brother~"

"Ugh, don't pull that act."

Fan Xiaopang rarely acted like this; Yan Li was unaccustomed, but he also enjoyed it.

The Tiger of Vermilion became a kitten, the spicy pepper turned into a sweet pepper—extreme contrast.

Fan Xiaopang clearly saw through this dog man's insincere words, ramped up her soothing, then delivered a knockout blow.

"I want…"

This demon!

Yan Li's Adam's apple moved involuntarily; he quietly pried off Fan Xiaopang's hand without waiting for her to speak.

"I'll go wait for you in the parking lot."

Though their relationship was half-open, discretion was still necessary—tomorrow was Fan Xiaopang's signing ceremony; don't let other things steal the spotlight.

The two left one after the other, then returned to her apartment in Fan Xiaopang's big G.

"Don't go too far—we've got important business tomorrow."

Fan Xiaopang specifically warned him: this dog man was too beastly; she couldn't afford to be too sore to show her face tomorrow.

Yan Li was slightly dissatisfied; despite his act of innocence, he was just as hungry for Fan Xiaopang—finally getting a taste, he wasn't about to be denied a full meal.

"Good girl, after it's over, do whatever you want, okay?"

Fan Xiaopang coaxed him; what could Yan Li do? He couldn't delay the main event—so he settled for a light appetizer for now, waiting for tomorrow's feast.

…

The next day, Fan Xiaopang arrived early to prepare for fittings, makeup, and a rehearsal, awaiting the afternoon ceremony.

Yan Li went to the company for a small meeting, also coordinating the TV and portal website livestreams.

Correct—the signing ceremony was recorded and broadcast by two TV stations, including a sub-channel of Jingcheng TV; though not nationally syndicated, its prestige was still high.

Several entertainment news programs, such as "Entertainment Scene" and "China Film Report," would also cover the signing ceremony with substantial segments—these were nationally syndicated shows.

Additionally, Sina. com provided full-text and photo livestreaming, with multiple entertainment media outlets present.

Leaving aside Hong Kong and Taiwan, no mainland artist had ever received such a high-profile signing ceremony.

Fan Xiaopang wasn't top-tier, but Yi'an was treated with superstar-level fanfare.

This was also a form of promotion.

Status and fame—you must keep shouting; sometimes, by repeating and drilling it into people's minds, you naturally become a superstar.

But such a superstar is hollow, lacking real achievements to back it up, prone to exposure and mockery.

Still, Yi'an's strategy for Fan Xiaopang wasn't just shouting—it came with a series of supporting resources.

Packaging and real achievements proceeded together, slowly turning her into a true superstar.

Yan Li arrived at the venue near noon; Fan Xiaopang was eating backstage, beside her not only the makeup artist but also a little brat.

Pinching the child's chubby cheeks, Yan Li picked up a piece of meat from Fan Xiaopang's lunchbox, chewing as he asked: "Who's this little fatty?"

"Did you wash your hands?"

Fan Xiaopang looked disgusted; given her nature, she could never play the humble servant daily—after last night's harmony, she'd already reverted slightly to her true self.

"He's my brother."

"Your brother?"

Yan Li was surprised; he knew Fan Xiaopang wasn't an only child and had mentioned a brother, but he hadn't realized the age gap was this vast.

The kid looked barely five or six?

Fan Xiaopang was nearly twenty-four; the siblings were nearly twenty years apart.

"Your dad's in great shape."

Yan Li blurted this out, making the makeup artist laugh; Fan Xiaopang rolled her eyes dramatically.

But after the teasing, Yan Li prepared to leave—he realized that with this little fatty present, Fan Xiaopang's parents couldn't be far away.

He knew the plan included inviting Fan Xiaopang's parents to the ceremony, but that didn't mean he wanted private contact with them.

Their relationship was awkward; he didn't know how to act around them.

But Yan Li was too late—he hadn't reached the door when he met a middle-aged woman with delicate features and elegant bearing; upon seeing him, her eyes lit up.

"You must be Director Yan, hello hello, I'm Bingbing's mother."

"Oh my, Auntie, hello hello!"

Yan Li felt bitter inside, but his face instantly wore a polished, warm smile.

"I was swamped this morning and couldn't get away; I just arrived and heard you were here, so I rushed over to pay my respects."

Fan Mu replied politely: "We're fine, Director Yan, you should focus on your duties."

"As long as you're here, attending to you is my greatest duty."

Yan Li's words made Fan Mu beam; he invited her into the makeup room, signaled the makeup artist to leave, then said:

"Auntie, when it's just us, no outsiders—don't be so formal. Just call me by name."

Fan Mu, slightly reserved: "Then I'll take the liberty."

"Not a liberty—you are the senior."

After again making Fan Mu delighted, Yan Li asked: "Where's Uncle? Hasn't he arrived yet?"

"He's here—he's outside, preparing his speech; he's memorizing his lines."

"Tell Uncle not to be nervous—just speak freely. This is our home turf; say anything you like. If anything's off, I'll tell the media to cut it."

Fan Mu's smile never faded: "Thank you so much."

"You're being polite again—this is only natural."

Fan Mu's smile brightened further; her gaze toward Yan Li brimmed with admiration and satisfaction as she held his hand.

"Bingbing will rely on you heavily from now on."

"No need to say more—I won't make grand promises in front of you, but you and Uncle, watch my actions—I'll make sure Bingbing never suffers, and her career will soar."

"That's good, that's good."

After chatting a few more lines, Yan Li's phone rang. He answered the call, then looked at Fan Mu with some difficulty.

"Auntie, two important guests just arrived, I need to go receive them. What do you think?"

Fan Mu hurriedly said, "Go on, go on, don't mind me."

"Alright, I'll be off then. If you need anything, just come find me directly—Fan Bingbing has my number."

Yan Li said a few more words, then hurried off as if granted a great reprieve.

Watching his departing back, the lingering smile on Fan Mu's face still hadn't faded as she spoke to her daughter.

"This young man is not bad."

"…"

Fan Xiaopang knew her own mother too well. She had already thought Yan Li was young and rich—a promising stock—and today, after being sweet-talked by him again, she was probably already mentally treating him as a son-in-law.

You take him as a son-in-law, but he may not take you as a mother-in-law.

She was sharp-eyed and clear-headed. Yan Li's words were spoken openly, but he hadn't admitted to anything—those same words still worked perfectly fine if applied to a boss or a friend.

"Don't just stay silent. You're not young anymore either—when you see a good man, you have to make your move, or you'll regret it when it's too late."

Fan Mu, seeing Fan Xiaopang not speaking, scolded her, frustrated that her daughter was failing to live up to expectations.

Ever since Yan Li and Fan Xiaopang publicly came into contact, Fan Mu had noticed him.

The more she looked into him, the more she felt this young man was excellent—outstanding ability, generous with money, a brilliant future ahead.

These days, being a celebrity doesn't pay that well, and it's a youth-dependent career. Many actresses and their families think the way to go is to marry a rich man.

A first-generation entrepreneur like Yan Li isn't much influenced by his family, and he's young and handsome, and treats Fan Xiaopang well too—far more comfortable than those wealthy families with all their ridiculous rules.

The only flaw is that he's a bit of a ladies' man, but which successful man doesn't have a wandering eye? Fan Mu trusted her daughter to keep him firmly tied down.

"You hear me?"

"Got it."

Not wanting to listen to the nagging, Fan Xiaopang gave a perfunctory reply. Fan Mu glared at her, but said nothing more, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

Fan Xiaopang understood her—as the mother knows the daughter best, she understood Fan Xiaopang even more.

With that fiery temper of hers, if she truly didn't want it, she would have already started arguing back long ago.

Although she was now grumbling and brushing it off on the surface, she had never once said the word "no."

Fan Mu's eyes rolled: "Isn't tomorrow your birthday? Invite him over to the house for a meal."

Fan Xiaopang poked at the lunchbox with her chopsticks, her voice a bit airy: "I still have work tomorrow. Let's just celebrate the birthday next time."

"Didn't we agree—"

Fan Mu suddenly caught on, and couldn't help but glare at Fan Xiaopang again.

This wretched girl, her elbow turns outward.

Just now she had been the one urging Fan Xiaopang on, but now learning her daughter wouldn't even spend her birthday at home, she felt a bit sour about it.

Sigh, once a daughter grows up, she no longer listens to her mother…

——————

PS: Ten-thousand-word update, begging for monthly tickets

(End of this chapter)