Chapter 199: Hateful: Yan Li Makes So Much Money and Has Female Stars Too

"Puff—"

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

"What did you say?"

The latter's expression was equally hard to describe, but he nodded slightly 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 eat something rotten?"

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 all publicity stunt—no real rupture, but things had gotten ugly.

Zhang Dahuzi was a senior, and a man who cared deeply about face; being publicly humiliated by a young upstart couldn't possibly sit well with him.

So the Feng-Diao rivalry was both a publicity stunt and real competition—even if it didn't escalate to open warfare, it was thick with tension.

Old Zhang was determined to take Yan Li down, to show him what "the old are still the sharpest" really meant.

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

Bowing to a kid? Is he throwing away his dignity?!

Hmm, Yan Li thought again—he could understand it. This kind of old hand had seen every storm; humiliation wasn't new to him.

His face was thick as leather; losing face once or twice didn't matter—if money was to be made, it was worth it.

Yan Li himself didn't fear criticism—he'd even actively stoked rumors of him playing both sides to make money. Zhang Dahuzi was a veteran of publicity stunts; he cared even less.

"Tsk. I'm still too green."

Yan Li sighed. He wasn't afraid of being criticized, but bowing to a rival? That was hard.

Too proud!

But Yan Li had no intention of changing. He didn't lack opportunities to make money; he didn't 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 major industry project—even a 10% distribution cut would mean several million.

Not to mention, if Yi'an could distribute 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes,' holding both the best two wuxia dramas in the industry—and forcing Zhang Dahuzi to bow—would massively boost Yi'an's reputation and prestige.

"Let's talk."

What Xiao Guan saw, Yan Li understood perfectly.

If this deal went through, making money was secondary—the real gain was the face and prestige it would bring Yan Li and Yi'an. He'd even be willing to throw in some cash.

But Yan Li knew Zhang Dahuzi wouldn't bow unless his demands were huge.

He'd sold 'The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng' at a million per episode, but there was some luck involved; doing it again would be far harder.

Hmm, then again, maybe not.

Breaking a record the first time is always hard—but once someone's opened the door, the second and third times become natural.

Besides, Yan Li's reputation as the "King of Selling Dramas" wasn't just attractive to clients—it was also a convenient excuse for TV station bosses.

Everyone knew Yan Li was tough; paying more for his dramas was understandable, and it gave both sides a face-saving excuse.

If ratings were good and the station made big profits, they might even be praised—for outsmarting the "King of Selling Dramas," proving they had skill and clout.

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

If another distributor sold 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' and the station paid a million per episode, the acquisition manager was useless.

If Yan Li sold it and the station paid a million per episode, they might still grumble—but they'd know they'd done their best, and could try harder next time.

That's why Yan Li preferred being misunderstood as China's biggest DVD distributor, and even actively promoted the nickname "King of Selling Dramas."

In business, your persona matters too!

…

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

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

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

Everyone knew Zhang Dahuzi wouldn't approve, so 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' couldn't switch distributors—it was pure cover-up.

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

Yan Li had previously grumbled that if the two dramas got tangled together, it'd be hard to fight later.

Now, Zhang Dahuzi had dumped the whole thing onto the producer—letting him keep his face while still coming back. He'd just take more mockery; he probably didn't care anymore.

It was a pity, though—Yan Li had wanted to see Zhang Dahuzi's face when they met. But the man had dodged.

Ciwén Film & Television, founded in 2000, was run by Ma Zhongjun, a former screenwriter who went into business in the 1990s and later founded Ciwén.

Unlike typical private firms, Ciwén had some state-backed ties, with shareholders from CCTV and Shanghai Media Group.

This made Ciwén one of the first private companies granted a license, giving it enough capital and resources to join major projects.

Over the past few years, Zhang Dahuzi's Jin Yong dramas were primarily co-produced by Ciwén Film & Television and Huaxia Audiovisual.

Ciwén was a producer of 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' and 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes,' and also co-produced Wang Pangzi's 'The Little Fish and the Flowerless,' making it a representative in the wuxia drama field.

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

Ciwén was doing well, but Yi'an was no longer a small company, and this involved a multi-million-dollar project.

Zhang Dahuzi had already withdrawn; if Ciwén sent only a mid-level executive, they'd be treating Yan Li with utter disrespect.

Not just Ciwén—the other producer, Huaxia Audiovisual, also showed up. But since their share in the drama was smaller, they sent only a senior executive, letting Ciwén lead.

Both producers arriving together signaled their seriousness and their stance.

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

Yan Li was satisfied with this: if Zhang Dahuzi wouldn't come, then someone with real authority had to.

Otherwise, they'd agree today and regret tomorrow, dragging out negotiations—he didn't have the patience for that.

The cooperation itself was easy—they'd come to him, and he'd come to them; that already showed mutual interest.

But Yan Li laid out three demands.

First, the TV stations previously negotiated with for 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'—Yi'an wouldn't take responsibility for them; they'd handle their own mess.

Before coming, Yan Li had already checked: the original distribution team, now severed from Zhang Dahuzi, had already nearly reached agreements with several satellite channels—though no contracts were signed, consensus was nearly complete.

If Yi'an took over now and suddenly raised prices, the stations would refuse; switching to other stations would risk offending them.

Yan Li knew he couldn't avoid all responsibility, but the bulk of the burden had to fall on Zhang Dahuzi and Ciwén.

Second, he wanted to use this distribution to create a deeper, more integrated collaboration between 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' and 'The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng.'

This would benefit both dramas' promotion and make Yan Li's distribution easier.

TV stations understood the appeal of rivalry; further tying the two together expanded operational space and made negotiations smoother.

It wasn't just about raising the price for 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'—it was also to appease the satellite channels tied to 'The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng.'

Yan Li had previously used "breaking records," "grabbing attention," and "outshining other stations" as his selling points.

Now, turning around to negotiate 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' with other stations made no sense—he needed a win-win solution.

Yan Li's ability to sell dramas wasn't just from the system—he also upheld the principle of "I make money, but I don't let the TV stations lose," earning excellent post-sales reputation.

Some distributors sold and vanished, caring only about final payments.

Yan Li and Yi'an followed up actively, doing everything possible to make the drama a hit—even worrying when TV stations earned low ad revenue.

Compared to that, TV stations naturally preferred working with Yi'an.

Third—money. Yan Li demanded a 20% distribution cut.

Ma Zhongjun of Ciwén and the Huaxia Audiovisual executive couldn't help shaking their heads.

The first two demands were manageable: the first, though inconvenient, was their own choice and acceptable; the second was a win-win, so obviously agreed.

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

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

If Yi'an sold it for 80 million, a 20% cut was 16 million, leaving 64 million for the producers—huge profit.

Yan Li's numbers were tempting, but Ciwén and Huaxia Audiovisual weren't fools.

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

Yan Li might not even reach that price, and there were hidden costs—alienating TV stations, appeasing Zhang Dahuzi's wounded pride—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 knew: one side demands wildly, the other counters.

For a project worth tens of millions, with a contract potentially worth millions in cuts, you couldn't finalize it in a few sentences—set the intent, then negotiate slowly.

Yan Li hosted dinner for Ma Zhongjun and the Huaxia Audiovisual team.

If this deal went well, these two companies could become his long-term clients.

Ciwén was fine—it was currently smaller and weaker than the rapidly rising Yi'an.

Huaxia Audiovisual was different: though low-profile, it was powerful, partnered with many producers, involved in both film and program production, and one of the few companies able to distribute Chinese dramas overseas.

Yan Li valued their overseas distribution capability—he'd long wanted to break into international markets.

How could the "King of Selling Dramas" only dominate domestically?

Currently, Yan Li focused on Hong Kong and Taiwan—he'd already established contacts in Taiwan, and was laying groundwork in Hong Kong.

Once he secured the Hong Kong-Taiwan market, his next step would be to break into overseas markets.

Europe and America, with deep cultural barriers, could wait—but Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia still had significant markets for Chinese dramas, ripe for profit.

Yan Li didn't know the exact details of Huaxia Audiovisual's overseas channels, but he could investigate later—if possible, they could collaborate.

Beyond mainland China, Hong Kong-based companies and networks could serve as a springboard—Hong Kong films once dominated Asia, leaving many old connections.

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

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

Yan Li also asked the two to pass along a message: if Zhang the Big Beard had free time, he could come lend support—but Old Zhang was unlikely to pay him any mind.

…

The negotiations between Yi'an and "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" didn't take long; both sides were pressed for time, so speed was essential.

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

After the contract was signed, Yan Li personally contacted every TV station that had previously declined to buy "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng," and also began discussions with potential partners for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes"—though the prices were now different.

Oh my god!

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

Some TV stations were stunned by this turn of events, but the media that got wind of it were thrilled.

Out of face-saving concerns, Zhang the Big Beard and Ciwen had not publicly announced the change in distributor, and Yi'an, wary of damaging cooperation, also refrained from loud promotion.

Of course, calling around to every TV station was hardly better than a formal announcement.

Media outlets began reaching out to all parties for comments, and under the "harassment" of journalist friends, Yi'an's marketing director Xiao Guan "reluctantly" stepped forward to respond.

"Yes, the production team of 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' approached us directly—they were very sincere."

"The previous controversy didn't affect our cooperation. Both dramas are excellent projects, and we're doing our best to ensure mutual benefit."

"Director Yan is currently negotiating with several TV stations. He left Beijing yesterday and is very busy—he probably won't have time for interviews for now."

"…"

In contrast to Yi'an's subtly victorious posture, Zhang the Big Beard and Ciwen received even more media attention.

Ciwen insisted it was merely a normal business collaboration and that they simply trusted Yi'an's professional distribution capabilities.

Zhang the Big Beard himself remained silent; his assistant said the decision was made by the producer, and Zhang was currently busy casting "The Legend of the Sword of Blood," with no time to care about anything else.

Many netizens saw through all the posturing, and Tianya tore it all apart—discussion was heated.

【They blew their own trumpets so loudly, then ended up hiring Yan Li to distribute—so embarrassing】

【Inside info: 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' couldn't even get 800, 00 per episode; 'The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng' sold for 1 million. Investors panicked and ignored opposition to contact Yan Li】

【Hahaha, after all that hype over the 'Phoenix vs. Condor' battle, before the drama even aired, Big Beard got slapped in the face】

【That's the smart move, honestly—who cares about a little face loss if you're making money】

【By the way, the King of Sales is really amazing—Zhang the Big Beard is a household name in the industry, yet he's bowed to Yan Li 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 just showing respect to the boss, and half the profits go straight up】

【That's right—I'm that big boss. Yan Li is my little brother. You upstairs? My dog】

【Conspiracy theories need logic too. Yan Li works with dozens of TV stations across at least a dozen provinces—what kind of big boss could make so many stations bend over backward? 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 do well. That proves he has great taste in selecting scripts. Good dramas sell for high prices】

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

【Oh no, Little Dragon Girl—Yan, if you lay a finger on Liu Yifei, I'll kill you】

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

【…】

"Are these people insane? Talking about Big Beard, now they're dragging me into it."

Yan Li stared at the online posts, speechless.

But then again, while netizens talked a lot, they paid little real attention to these behind-the-scenes power struggles—they were far more excited by entertainment gossip.

Compared to the general public, what truly caused an uproar within the industry over Yi'an's distribution of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" was the reaction from insiders.

People were amazed at Zhang the Big Beard's ability to bend, awed by Yan Li's distribution skills, and curious how much "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" could earn.

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

Yan Li himself felt confident, but the contract wasn't easy to negotiate—after all, it was only September, plenty of time remained.

He kept contacting major TV stations, traveling for potential deep collaborations, and spent the rest of his time overseeing preparations for several drama teams.

"The Legend of the White-Haired Witch" was progressing fastest; by mid-September, once Fan Xiaopang finished her 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 explanation—played by Fan Xiaopang.

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

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

Fan Xiaopang was a decent person and knew how to make friends, but she was terrible at maintaining relationships.

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

Shuang Bing used to be a true sister, but now they'd broken up; the Three Beauties of "My Fair Princess" once had genuine friendship too—now it was all cold.

This past spring, the Seven Fairies had a big marketing push, but everyone knew the real story.

For "The Investiture of the Gods," Wu Jiani could only say her relationship with Huang Sanshi was okay; the fact that Wang Ou didn't curse her with voodoo dolls was already a miracle.

Even on this matter, Yan Li had a serious talk with Fan Xiaopang, urging her to nurture her friendships—if even these kind-hearted women turned against her, 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 perfectly matched Zhuo Yihang's refined, indecisive demeanor.

Moreover, Fan Xiaopang and Ren Quan had a good relationship—they were old friends, so their chemistry would be natural.

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 admired male actors with upright conduct—he found sleazy types 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, Old Yan might not be able to smile.

The remaining male roles in "The Legend of the White-Haired Witch" 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 himself; the second male lead, Zhou Qing, was portrayed by Lin Jiachuan.

But Zhou Qing's role was merely an assistant—though he had many scenes, he wasn't particularly standout, so Yan Li brought in several famous supporting actors to lend weight.

He had no choice—he lacked enough fame himself and felt a bit insecure.

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

This had been the original plan, a nod to the first drama, "The Heroes of Sui and Tang."

But producer Li Si's influence wasn't enough, especially with Nie Yuan—he was extremely busy.

Yan Li personally intervened; as a rising industry big shot, both men were willing to give him face.

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

Tong Dawei was also brought in by Yan Li to play a villain—he'd known Yan Li for years, but this was their first collaboration.

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

The former's fame had risen after "My Fair Princess," and the latter was expected to become a huge hit 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 undeniable.

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

The male roles were extravagant, but the female roles were no less prestigious.

The female lead, Princess Zhaoyang, was played by Li Bingbing—originally not the intended choice, but Li Bingbing had high name value and could sell the drama, so even if the character had to be rewritten, she was kept.

Moreover, Yan Li and Li Bingbing's second collaboration revived the "Shuang Bing vs. Yan" rumors—"The Legend of Xue Rengui" would inevitably attract attention.

For the second female lead, Liu Yinhuan, Dong Xuan was originally considered—a gentle, virtuous noblewoman—but since she was his ex-girlfriend, adding her into the "Shuang Bing vs. Yan" drama would make things too messy.

Other familiar faces either had scheduling conflicts or other commitments, so they planned to bring in newcomers.

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

Yan Li reviewed her—her appearance and aura were excellent, her fame decent; though not yet confirmed, it was almost certain.

For the third female lead, the Lady Zhang, they originally wanted Yang Xue, whose fame had surged after "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer."

But her schedule was full, so they settled for Lin Jing, whom Yan Li 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, Tuoya, was meant for an ethnic minority actress to add exotic flavor.

But Jiang Xin showed up to audition herself—she was also ethnic minority, born in Xinjiang, skilled in martial arts and horseback riding, perfectly matching the requirements.

Yan Li: "…"

He really had nothing to say—except for lacking exotic looks, Jiang Xin was truly perfect for the role.

Since no better candidate was found, and Jiang Xin was an old friend, Yan Li ultimately gave her the part.

As for "The Qing Dynasty Harem," Yan Li gave it little attention and didn't interfere much with casting.

After learning Qin Lan was cast as the second female lead and Dong Xuan couldn't join, he settled on Wang Ou as the female lead and added Hu Siyan—leaving the rest to Yu Zheng and his team.

It was said the talent agency fiercely negotiated with Yu Zheng to secure a major role for Zhang Zhilin, making him one of the dual male leads.

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

Now they leaned toward Qiao Zhenyu—the company's senior executives knew, and Yan Li thought Qiao had potential and wanted to sign him.

Although "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" hadn't officially launched, the rights had been secured and the script developed—he was already a top candidate for the male lead.

After reviewing all his current projects, only Dong Xuan had landed no role.

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

…

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

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

"Director Yan, this is our signing podium—crafted from glass to resemble ice blocks, totaling 999 pieces, each embedded with red roses."

"It signifies longevity, also symbolizes prosperity, and the fusion of ice and fire connects with Bingbing herself."

"This is our Starlight Corridor; on both sides are stills and posters from Bingbing's previous dramas, along with screenshots of advertisements and news reports."

"When Bingbing walks through here to the signing stage, it signifies leaving behind the past—today is a new beginning. Our signing ceremony's theme is 'Starlight Shared, Future Together.'"

"…"

Jia Qian, head of the artist management department, and the event company responsible for designing the signing ceremony explained the meanings behind all the arrangements to Xiang Yanli and Fan Xiaopang.

Xiang Yanli was reasonably satisfied; Fan Xiaopang's smile was already uncontrollable.

Earlier, Xiang Yanli had said the grand welcome ceremony was no empty words.

Beyond the countless favors exchanged, the expenditure alone exceeded a million yuan—every detail radiated sincerity and prestige.

The thought that such a grand spectacle was all for her, that she would be tomorrow's absolute star, filled Fan Xiaopang's vanity to bursting; when she went to inspect the gift bags, she instinctively linked arms with Xiang Yanli.

"Cough, there are others here."

"I don't care."

Fan Xiaopang snorted. So what if there are others? Their little secret was half-out in the open—even if they kissed publicly, no one would be shocked.

Xiang Yanli let her be; together they inspected the gift bags, which included items not only for the guests but also for her fans.

Under these circumstances, how could Fan Xiaopang's fans be absent? Yi'an had invited over a hundred of her 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 was not included, mainly to set a threshold and avoid too many attendees.

After all, those willing to travel far and pay 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 featuring Fan Bingbing's elements, samples of her endorsed products, and a photocopy of Fan Xiaopang's handwritten letter.

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

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

When Fan Xiaopang went through the formalities, Xiang Yanli played with his phone below, waited until she was nearly done, checked the time, and called out, preparing to leave.

Fan Xiaopang had been talking to Jia Qian; seeing Xiang Yanli about to leave, she hurried over 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 today."

Xiang Yanli studied her with amusement: "Didn't you say we're colleagues—professional distance?"

Since Hengdian, because Xiang Yanli had favored Qin Lan, Fan Xiaopang had been holding a grudge.

Outside of work, she'd teased him often, but whenever it came to real moments, she'd dangle the bait—both manipulation and revenge.

What Fan Xiaopang hadn't expected was that this dog of a man actually held back.

Offer him an opening, he'd take it; turn cold, and he'd treat her strictly as a colleague.

This made Fan Xiaopang even more resentful; she began to think Xiang Yanli was lustful and greedy, not taking her seriously at all.

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

Besides, after so much time together, she knew this dog of a man had a stubborn temper—he responded to softness, not force.

The more dominant she was, the less he would give in.

If she softened, coaxed, or pouted, he'd patiently coddle her.

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

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

Ignoring the subtle glances around, Fan Xiaopang hugged Xiang Yanli, tiptoed, and kissed him lightly, her voice sweet and soft.

"I'm sorry, okay? It's all my fault. I'll make it up to you when we get back—Big Brother~"

"Ugh, don't pull that act."

Fan Xiaopang rarely acted this way; Xiang Yanli was unaccustomed, yet he enjoyed it.

The tiger turned into a kitten, the chili pepper into a sweet pepper—such a striking contrast.

Fan Xiaopang clearly saw through his insincere protest; she ramped up the coaxing, then delivered the knockout blow.

"I want…"

That seductress!

Xiang Yanli's Adam's apple moved involuntarily; he quietly pried her hands off, before she could finish.

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

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

The two left one after the other, then rode back to her apartment in Fan Xiaopang's G-Wagon.

"Don't go too far—tomorrow's a big day."

Fan Xiaopang specifically warned him; this dog of a man was too animalistic—she didn't want to be too sore to show her face tomorrow.

Xiang Yanli was annoyed; though he played the innocent, he was just as hungry for her—finally getting a taste, and now he couldn't even have a full meal.

"Good girl, after everything's done, you can do whatever you want, okay?"

Fan Xiaopang coaxed him; what could Xiang Yanli do? He couldn't delay the main event—so he'd settle for appetizers for now, saving the feast for tomorrow.

…

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

Xiang Yanli went to the company for a small meeting, coordinating TV and portal website livestreams.

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

Several entertainment news programs, such as "Entertainment Scene" and "Chinese Film Report," would also feature segments on this signing ceremony—these were nationally syndicated programs.

Additionally, Sina. om provided full live text and photo coverage, with multiple entertainment media outlets present.

As for Hong Kong and Taiwan, forget it—no mainland artist had ever had such a high-profile signing ceremony.

Fan Xiaopang wasn't top-tier, but Yi'an treated her like a superstar.

This was also a form of hype.

Status and fame—you have to keep shouting; if you shout enough, keep hammering it into people's heads, you naturally become a superstar.

But such superstars are hollow—no real achievements to back them up, prone to exposure and mockery.

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

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

Xiang Yanli arrived at the venue near noon; Fan Xiaopang was eating backstage, beside her a makeup artist and a little kid.

Pinching the child's chubby cheeks, Xiang Yanli 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 stay humble daily—after last night's truce, she'd already reverted to form.

"He's my brother."

"Your brother?"

Xiang Yanli was surprised; he knew Fan Xiaopang wasn't an only child, had heard she had a brother, but never imagined the age gap was this huge.

The kid looked about five or six?

Fan Xiaopang was nearly twenty-four—there was nearly a twenty-year difference between them.

"Your dad's still in great shape."

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

But after the teasing, Xiang Yanli prepared to leave—he realized the little boy's presence meant Fan Xiaopang's parents couldn't be far away.

He knew the invitation of Fan Xiaopang's parents to the ceremony was planned, but that didn't mean he wanted to interact with them privately.

Their relationship was awkward—he didn't know how to behave around them.

But Xiang Yanli was too late; before he reached the door, he met a middle-aged woman with delicate features and elegant bearing, who brightened upon seeing him.

"You must be Manager Yan, right? Hello, hello, I'm Bingbing's mother."

"Oh my, Auntie, nice to meet you, nice to meet you."

Xiang Yanli felt bitterness inside, but his face instantly wore a polished, warm smile.

"I was swamped this morning and couldn't get away; only now did I learn you were here, so I rushed over to pay my respects."

Fan's mother politely replied: "We're fine, Manager Yan, you should focus on your duties."

"As long as you're here, spending time with you is my top priority."

Xiang Yanli's words made Fan's mother beam; he invited her into the makeup room, signaled the makeup artist to leave, then said:

"Auntie, with no outsiders here, don't be so formal—just call me by my name."

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

"Not a liberty—you're the elder."

After making Fan's mother happy again, Xiang Yanli asked: "Where's your husband? Hasn't he arrived yet?"

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

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

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

"You're being polite again—it's only natural."

Fan's mother's smile grew even brighter, her gaze filled with admiration and satisfaction as she held his hand.

"Bingbing will rely on you for care from now on."

"No need to say more. In front of you, I won't make grand promises—just watch me. I'll make sure Bingbing never suffers any injustice, and her career will soar."

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

After chatting for a few more moments, Yan Li's phone rang; he answered it, then looked at Fan's mother with an uneasy expression.

"Auntie, two important guests have arrived—I need to go greet them. What do you think?"

Fan's mother hurriedly said, "Go ahead, go ahead."

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

Yan Li said a few more words and left in a rush, as if freed from a heavy burden.

Watching his retreating back, the faint smile on Fan's mother's face never faded; she turned to her daughter and said:

"This boy is quite good."

"..."

Fan Xiao Fan knew her mother all too well—she'd already thought Yan Li was young, wealthy, and a promising prospect, and after hearing his sweet talk today, she probably already saw him as a son-in-law.

You might see him as a son-in-law, but he doesn't necessarily see you as his mother-in-law.

Her eyes were sharp—Yan Li spoke openly, but never actually confirmed anything; his words would still fit perfectly if applied to a boss or a friend.

"Don't stay silent. You're not a child anymore. When you see a good man, you've got to act—otherwise you'll regret it."

Seeing Fan Xiao Fan say nothing, Fan's mother scolded her in frustration.

Ever since Yan Li and Fan Xiao Fan began publicly associating, Fan's mother had taken notice of him.

The more she studied him, the more she thought he was excellent—capable, wealthy, generous, with a brilliant future ahead.

These days, actors don't earn much, and fame is fleeting. Many female stars and their families aim to marry into wealth.

Yan Li, a self-made man, isn't much influenced by family expectations, is young and handsome, treats Fan Xiao Fan well, and is far more comfortable than those aristocratic families with their endless rigid rules.

His only flaw is that he's a bit of a playboy—but which successful man doesn't have a few romantic entanglements? Fan's mother trusted her daughter to keep him firmly tied down.

"Did you hear me?"

"I heard."

Not wanting to listen to more nagging, Fan Xiao Fan gave a distracted reply. Fan's mother shot her a glare, but said nothing—her eyes held a hint of amusement.

Fan Xiao Fan knew her; no one understood a daughter better than her mother, and her mother understood her even better.

With her fiery temper, if she truly objected, she would've argued back long ago.

Now, though she complained and brushed it off, she'd never actually refused.

Fan's mother's eyes flickered: "Aren't you having your birthday tomorrow? Invite him over for dinner."

Fan Xiao Fan poked at her takeout box with her chopsticks, her voice distant: "I've got work tomorrow. Let's celebrate my birthday another time."

"But we agreed—"

Fan's mother suddenly realized, and couldn't help glaring at Fan Xiao Fan again.

That stubborn girl—she's siding with him against her own mother.

Just moments ago, she'd been pushing Fan Xiao Fan to pursue him; now that she learned her daughter wouldn't even spend her birthday at home, her heart grew heavy.

Sigh… once a girl grows up, she's no longer under her mother's control…

——————

PS: Ten thousand words—please vote for monthly tickets

(End of Chapter)