Chapter 200: Yi

The banquet hall entrance

Yan Li warmly shook hands with the guests: "Manager Wang, Director Feng, thank you for coming."

Wang Zhonglei chuckled: "Of course, we're practically half of Bingbing's family—better to see things through properly."

Yan Li laughed heartily, inwardly sneering.

Bullshit family—sounds nice, but you're just here because you heard Wang Jinghua is coming, afraid I'm still connected to Chengtian, so you came to check.

Also, the record-breaking sale price of The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng and the proven strength of securing the distribution rights to The Legend of the Condor Heroes had shaken Huayi.

Their next plan is a major push into TV drama production, competing with Yan Li's Yi'an, but also potentially cooperating.

Who goes against money!

Huayi has plenty of dramas planned for production or participation—if Yan Li can help them sell a few more million copies, even more.

Then he becomes Huayi's top PR priority; even Little Wang himself can serve him personally.

"..."

Luckily Yan Li didn't hear that, or he'd already be kicking them out.

Compared to Wang Zhonglei, he was even warmer toward Feng Xiaogang.

This man, though full of quirks, is undeniably the top commercial director on the mainland; more than half of Huayi's achievements and influence in film rest on his shoulders.

Yan Li was somewhat envious of this man.

He had previously triggered a 2010 hit film's 【Annual Intelligence】, where Feng's two films together grossed over one billion yuan, ranking first and third in that year's Mandarin-language box office.

If possible, Yan Li truly wanted to poach Feng Xiaogang to make money for him.

Feng Xiaogang had no special attitude toward Yan Li—neither cold nor overly warm, showing some respect, but not fawning.

Big directors are in high demand.

The Wang brothers fawn over him; even Han Sanye of China Film gives him some face; Feng Xiaogang's pride runs deep.

If not for Wang Zhonglei dragging him here and giving him a heads-up that Yan Li wasn't an easy mark, he might have treated him like a junior.

Yan Li wasn't surprised; he'd dealt with this breed before.

Especially those with ample investment and powerful backers—each one thinks he's the shit.

Feng Xiaogang is relatively decent now; there are still a few big mountains looming over him, his career hasn't peaked, and he still has some sense of reality.

Another big director Yan Li had met once, Chen Da, was the one with his eyes stuck to his forehead.

As for the other big director, Lao Mouzi, Yan Li hadn't met him, but heard he was relatively amiable—among this group of directors, at least he was easy to get along with.

After a few words, Wang Zhonglei couldn't hold back his nerves and pulled Feng Xiaogang away.

He brought Feng here to show off Huayi's strength, but seeing Yan Li's excessive warmth, he got nervous.

This bastard is a master at poaching talent—he took Fan Bingbing away, nearly lost Li Bingbing.

Feng Xiaogang's a man, so the seduction trick won't work, but who knows what new tricks Yan Li has up his sleeve.

Caution is wise!

Only then did Yan Li notice Huo Siyan trailing behind Wang and Feng.

In such a setting, Li Bingbing, the top female star, should've come—but the two Bingbings are now estranged, so Huo Siyan seized the opportunity.

Don't forget, nominally the Seven Fairies are still good sisters; at least the others haven't broken ties.

Not only Huo Siyan, but Li Lin and Jiang Xin also showed up; Yang Xue was busy and didn't come, but sent a video blessing, treated the same as Xiao Yanzi from The Return of the Pearl Princess and Lin Xinru.

As for Dong Xuan, though she didn't come or send a video, she sent a gift.

No other meaning—just in case the media asks later, she has something to say, preserving a bit of dignity.

Only Li Bingbing, who had already torn things up once and was hoarding her rivalry with the other Bingbing, gave no gesture at all—even prepping media questions to ride the wave of exposure.

"Director Yan~"

Huo Siyan's gaze was tinged with resentment; since last time, Yan Li hadn't contacted him, barely reaching out on his own.

It was only through Huo Siyan using Huayi's business to call or text him that Yan Li would reply at all.

The only comfort was that Yan Li kept his word—he'd given her a major role in The Great Qing Harem.

"Li Lin and Jiang Xin are here too; you should catch up. Don't forget to take the parting gifts—they're quite nice."

Yan Li's expression was calm; this was a transaction. If he had to chat with every woman daily, he'd need eight hands and no time left.

He'd given her what she deserved, and Huo Siyan had leveraged his influence at Huayi to secure advantages for herself—he'd tacitly cooperated.

The so-called mole was of little use to Yan Li; even if it had value, he'd just set a price later—he wouldn't shortchange her.

Seeing Yan Li show no reaction, Huo Siyan felt disappointed and was about to say more when another major guest arrived at the door; Yan Li went to greet them, forcing her to swallow her words.

It was Liu Yanming, boss of Hai Run.

Hai Run held a 20% share in The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng and had profited handsomely alongside Yan Li; they were in their Honeymoon Phase, so of course they came to show support.

But this time, he wasn't accompanied by Sun Li, but by another Hai Run leading actress, Li Xiaoran.

This woman had starred in several Hai Yan dramas but never truly exploded in fame; her visibility hadn't even reached the level of Sun Li's Jade Guanyin.

Of course, cumulatively, Li Xiaoran's fame was still solid, and she was quietly shifting toward the Qingyi role type—currently the only one with the qualifications to challenge Sun Li for Hai Run's top female star.

This was Yan Li's first meeting with Li Xiaoran; his strongest impression was her paleness.

Fan Xiaopang and Dong Xuan were pale, but this woman was even paler.

After brief pleasantries, Yan Li sharply sensed she wasn't impressed with him—indeed, some quiet resistance.

This wasn't the first time Yan Li had felt this emotion.

Not every woman liked him just because he was rich and handsome; on the contrary, due to his "infamous" reputation, many women had a poor first impression of him.

Some, after contact, improved their view of him; others grew deeper in prejudice—he'd long grown accustomed to it.

If useful, treat him well; if not, ignore him. He couldn't possibly control how others saw him.

After seeing Liu Yanming and others seated, Yan Li welcomed many more distinguished guests.

Some were collaborators, such as the bosses of Tang Ren, Zhou Yi, and Ciwen Studios.

Others, like Gao Qunshu, Fan Xiaotian, and Cheng Lidong, had previously worked with both him and Fan Xiaopang.

There were also other celebrities who had a good relationship with Fan Xiaopang, such as Ren Quan, Huang Haibing, Huang Haibo, Zhou Jie, Qiao Zhenyu, Pan Yueming, and others.

Wang Jinghua also brought several artists to support the event, and together with Wang Zhonglei, they briefly became the center of attention.

However, the presence of his former employer and former agent to show support confirmed that Fan Xiaopang's departure was amicable and that she had excellent connections.

This was precisely Yan Li's purpose in inviting both sides: to eliminate hidden tensions and ensure Fan Xiaopang's smooth transition to Yi'an.

Out of respect for his face, combined with neither side wanting to owe the other a favor, and aided by personal ties, Huayi and Sister Hua both showed up, showering reporters with praise.

Yi'an's artists were also present: the roommate trio, mercenary Zhang Zhilin, and second sister Wang Ou—all arrived.

The others were fine, but Wang Ou originally didn't want to come, fearing Fan Xiaopang would hold a grudge and make things difficult for her; Yan Li also wanted to demonstrate Yi'an's unity, so she gritted her teeth and showed up anyway.

Yet, her only officially broadcast work so far is "Survival: The Migrant Worker," giving her limited fame and little public attention, allowing her to blend into the background.

…

With guests arriving in full number and time now due, the hostess, Chunni, the top anchor of Jingcheng TV, announced the signing ceremony would begin.

After a series of lavish, emotional opening remarks, Chunni raised her hand and gestured toward the Starlight Corridor and red carpet beside the venue.

"Now, let us welcome today's main character—Fan Bingbing—with the most enthusiastic applause."

At the other end of the red carpet, dry ice sprayed outward as Fan Xiaopang walked slowly forward.

She wore a white, off-shoulder, form-fitting mermaid dress—elegant yet sensual, noble yet subtly alluring—her ears adorned with delicate tassel earrings, a massive gemstone necklace around her neck, and diamond-studded rings and wristwatch on her hands, exuding luxury.

This outfit was not cheap; the dress was custom-made in Xiangjiang at considerable cost.

The accessories, except for the wristwatch which was borrowed, included high-end pieces bought earlier in Europe, some Fan Xiaopang had saved up to buy herself, and one sponsored by a brand endorsement.

Altogether, the entire ensemble cost tens of thousands!

Clothes make the man, horses make the saddle; with her already top-tier beauty and poise, this "armor" made Fan Xiaopang dazzlingly beautiful.

Added to that, today being her big day, Fan Xiaopang fully unleashed her aura—on the red carpet, her gaze firm, her steps confident, displaying a state never seen before, making her glow even brighter, radiant as a star.

The audience erupted in applause—most clapped warmly, but many were genuinely awestruck; the most enthusiastic, of course, were her fans.

Watching today's grand signing ceremony and the breathtaking Fan Xiaopang, these die-hard fans nearly clapped their palms raw.

Under the host's introduction, Fan Xiaopang walked through the Starlight Corridor and red carpet, reached the stage, thanked the guests and fans, and expressed her inner excitement.

Then came the official signing ceremony.

Yan Li, the boss, also stepped onto the stage; today he dressed far more modestly than Fan Xiaopang.

Slim black trousers, a black shirt, leather shoes—though his attire was simple, his physique could not be hidden.

Broad back, narrow waist, muscular legs—the shirt and trousers stretched taut over his frame, his posture upright and martial, his rugged face combining maturity and composure with a hint of dominance; together with Fan Xiaopang's white and his black, they complemented each other perfectly, appearing especially harmonious.

Below the stage, Fan Mu wore the satisfied smile of a mother-in-law; several reporters raised their cameras and clicked away.

But smiles from others, like Wang Ou, were forced; two individuals watching the live text and image stream online even gritted their teeth until they ached.

Is this a signing ceremony—or a wedding?!

And worse was yet to come: the two took golden pens and signed the contract on a signing platform adorned with 999 "ice-brick" roses.

Then Yan Li presented Fan Xiaopang with her signing gift.

First, film and television contracts: confirmed projects include the movies "Mo Gong" and "Tokyo Trial," and the TV dramas "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" and "The White-Haired Witch."

Below the stage, Wang Zhonglei of Huayi couldn't help cursing inwardly: shameless, stealing talent, playing the "borrowed-flower-offering-Buddha" trick—as if "Mo Gong" were his own production for Fan Xiaopang.

Yan Li didn't know his thoughts; even if he did, it wouldn't matter.

The "favor" he obtained through intelligence exchanges was his own to give Fan Xiaopang—why shouldn't it count as his movie for her?

Besides, this is promotion; a little exaggeration is unavoidable.

Beyond the confirmed projects, Yi'an planned substantial future resource investment: three to five films, three to five tailor-made TV dramas, all aimed at propelling Fan Xiaopang into the ranks of top-tier superstars.

Hmm, this is also promotion—but similar plans do exist; specifics will be determined later.

Outside film and television, in commercial endorsements, Yi'an announced seventeen endorsements and commercial advertisements for Fan Xiaopang all at once.

Note: endorsements and commercial advertisements are entirely different concepts.

Endorsements involve comprehensive cooperation: the brand holds exclusive rights to use the celebrity's image for a set period, with closer collaboration—and higher prices.

Advertisements are different: simply filming a commercial or video or print ad for a single product, limited to that product, with minimal collaboration, and lower pay.

Fan Xiaopang previously had few endorsements, but her advertising income was never small; after joining Yi'an, they aggressively pursued more for her.

Here, Yi'an had one advantage: close ties with television stations.

At this stage, many ads cannot bypass television; Yi'an could collaborate with TV stations and advertisers to secure commercial opportunities for Fan Xiaopang.

For example, when "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" was sold to Hunan TV, various cooperative resources included one advertisement and a variety show invitation for Fan Xiaopang.

Of the seventeen endorsements and ads mentioned above, nearly half were secured through this method, with the rest due to the efforts of her agency team and Fan Xiaopang herself.

Yi'an's artist management department had recently hired a deputy director specifically to handle commercial negotiations and secure advertisements and endorsements for artists.

Even while at Huayi, Fan Xiaopang was already considered half an advertising favorite.

Before Li Bingbing took "Cell Phone," she was actually overshadowed by Fan Xiaopang in this area; even after Li Bingbing successfully entered the film industry and rose in fame and status, she didn't pull far ahead of Fan Xiaopang.

Huayi valued Fan Xiaopang precisely because they saw her strong commercial potential.

True to form, as soon as Fan Xiaopang joined Yi'an, they immediately leveraged this strength, pushing her toward the path of "Queen of Endorsements."

Wang Zhonglei's grip on his seat tightened until his knuckles turned white—what could be more painful than watching your own money tree become someone else's?

Other female stars, hearing the cascade of film projects and endorsements, felt their hearts ache with envy.

With so many film roles and ads, how much money will this Fan woman make?!

They ignored Fan Xiaopang's fame, buzz, and inherent advantages that naturally attracted endorsements; Yan Li and Yi'an merely used their own resources to amplify Fan's existing strengths.

These people completely disregarded Fan Xiaopang herself, attributing nearly all credit to Yan Li.

The film roles were given by Yan Li, the ads negotiated by Yan Li—Fan Xiaopang was just a seductive siren reaping the benefits…

Besides film and advertising, Yan Li announced that Fan Xiaopang would soon enter the music industry, with Yi'an crafting a custom album for her.

At present, the Mandarin music scene is booming, and many popular actors are eager to cross over for the trend.

The purposes and benefits are numerous.

Another career path means more exposure; music awards and album sales can boost an artist's value and generate more buzz.

Crossing into music also allows for image shaping—such as literary goddess, glamorous songstress, heartfelt little queen, and so on.

It solidifies and harvests fan bases; actors have fewer ways to monetize, and while popular actors may rival singers in popularity, they earn far less—releasing solo albums and holding concerts can cash in on their fame.

Although fans spend money, they gain interaction and see another side of their idol, sometimes strengthening their bond even more.

Most crucially, producing an album costs little, carries low risk, but yields high returns.

"…"

Yan Li announced a long list of follow-up plans, growing hoarse; resources were fully allocated, and workload was maxed out.

In Fan Xiaopang's words, they were using her like a pack animal.

But complaints aside, she herself was more than willing—this woman was absolutely a career addict, unafraid of hardship or exhaustion for fame and money.

The album plan had originally been dropped by Yan Li, but upon learning of it, Fan Xiaopang actively requested to add it—because it meant money, publicity, and a chance to fulfill her singer fantasy.

Honestly, from a boss's perspective, Yan Li adored employees like Fan Xiaopang.

She had strong ambition and worked tirelessly; if lack of resources held her back, Yan Li felt he owed her.

So now, all of Yi'an's artist resources were tilted toward Fan Xiaopang.

So much so that some inside Yi'an joked the Artist Management Department should be renamed Fan Xiaopang Studio.

It was exaggerated, but not wrong—who else could they rely on when the others were so useless? Of course everything revolved around her.

After announcing the series of resource allocations, Yan Li, as boss, gave Fan Xiaopang another gift.

A platinum crown set with gems!

Modeled after Queen Victoria's crown, though less extravagant—only gems and a few tiny diamonds, the rest was ornate platinum, yet still exquisitely magnificent.

Earlier, Yan Li had been unsure what gift to give; he'd considered many options but found none suitable.

Eventually he decided on a crown—beautiful and symbolically fitting: coronation as king.

Originally, he'd planned a gold crown, but later thought it looked cheap and was too inexpensive, so he switched to more expensive platinum.

Fan Xiaopang was pleasantly surprised; she knew Yan Li had prepared a gift, but hadn't guessed it was a crown.

Though she preferred a ring more, she still liked it very much.

Zhou Weiwei bowed her head as Yan Li placed the half-kilogram crown on Fan Xiaopang's head; the latter, wearing the crown, smiled brightly and boldly toward the reporters' cameras.

…

The final scenes held little substance: close friends and family took turns offering congratulations and speeches, then videos from those absent were played.

After that, fans came on stage to interact and exchange gifts, and so on.

The gifts these fans gave weren't expensive, but carried deep thought.

Especially their joint gift: each fan brought a bit of soil from their hometown, sealed in a jar, along with blessings for Fan, showing fans from all over were with Fan Xiaopang.

Yan Li also received a small gift.

A portion of that soil was molded into a small ceramic piece shaped like a 【Bingjing】, as thanks for his support and help to Fan Xiaopang.

Hmph~

Yan Li was almost envious; his own fans only cared which woman he dated, never giving such thoughtful gifts.

After the fan segment ended, interviews followed with Yan Li, Fan Xiaopang, and several guests.

Once the interviews were mostly done, the signing ceremony was essentially over.

Yan Li felt a pang of regret—he'd planned a fireworks finale, but Jingcheng banned fireworks in the city center, so it was scrapped.

There was a thank-you dinner that night, but hardly any guests attended, aside from a few staff and fans.

Those who came were all notable figures; who needed one meal? Most squeezed in just long enough to show support, say hello, and leave.

Some came just to free-load, like Seeing Huo Siyan and Wang Guan—but their intentions weren't the food.

Too bad, Yan Li was never without people around him, and Fan Xiaopang kept accompanying him; there was no chance at all.

With no heavyweight guests, Yan Li didn't stay long; he assigned company executives to hold the fort and prepared to leave.

Before departing, he specifically went to greet Fan Chengcheng's parents and slipped a large box into Fan Xiaopang's younger brother's hands.

Inside seemed to be some kind of remote-control car; Yan Li didn't know for sure—he'd had his assistant Ding Feng buy it.

Fan Chengcheng's parents were elders, so that was fine; but since the child was meeting him for the first time, he had to give a greeting gift.

Pinching the chubby boy's cheek, Yan Li took his leave; as soon as he left, Fan Xiaopang bid her parents farewell and followed after him.

"Dad, Mom, I'm going to see him off."

Once they were out of sight, Fan Mu began packing up, ready to leave; Fan Chengcheng's father looked puzzled.

"Aren't you waiting for Bingbing?"

"Wait for what? You think she's coming back?"

Fan Mu rolled her eyes at her husband—why bring a bag just to see someone off? Clearly they'd conspired to slip away.

"…"

Fan Chengcheng's father felt conflicted: his cabbage, raised for over twenty years, had been stolen by a pig—a rich, flashy pig.

Fan Chengcheng, still too young to understand his parents' words, clung tightly to the large box Yan Li had given him, eager to open and play with it.

Fan Xiaopang followed Yan Li, only to realize he wasn't heading to the parking lot; when she asked, she learned they were going to the hotel's back entrance, where a car awaited them.

Today's ceremony was livestreamed; paparazzi couldn't be avoided—they were surely lying in wait, not just at the hotel parking lot, but likely near Fan Xiaopang's apartment too.

They got into the car Yan Li arranged and went straight to Haidian Wanshuan Xinxin Jiayuan—the same place where Li Bingbing had once repaid a favor.

The Palm Springs Apartment where he'd taken Seeing Huo Siyan was a long-term hotel; this was Yan Li's private base, reserved for trusted associates.

But Fan Bingbing isn't an outsider, so just make do—no one else will be brought into this space by Yan Li.

Too many people aren't safe; if the nest is discovered, it could easily blow up, especially since neither Fan Bingbing nor Fan Xiaopang has a good temper.

Yan Li unlocked the door with the key and was about to change shoes when Fan Xiaopang lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.

"So eager?"

Yan Li was puzzled—last night hadn't been without their share of passion—but Fan Xiaopang ignored him, acting more proactive and fervent than ever, as if she wanted to devour him whole.

This was one of the brightest, most glorious moments of her life—she was the sole, absolute center of attention.

The media's awe, rivals' envy, fans' cheers, and loved ones' praise—all rested on the perfect stage this man had built for her.

Emotions—tenderness, joy, excitement, sweetness, happiness—had already stirred her heart wildly; she'd held back from acting in the car only through immense self-restraint.

After kissing for a long while, Fan Xiaopang gasped and pulled away: "Did you bring the Wang Guan?"

"I did."

Her handbag was too small to hold the Wang Guan, so he was carrying it; the driver had even reminded him not to forget it when they got out.

"Where is it? Get it out."

Fan Xiaopang urged him. Yan Li raised an eyebrow, intrigued: "You want to wear it?"

"No. You wear it."

Fan Xiaopang pulled out the Wang Guan, stood on tiptoe to place it on Yan Li's head, then clapped her hands in satisfaction.

"You look like a dark prince now. Come on, let's go inside."

Yan Li: "..."

Shouldn't it be the hero battling the Princess? How did it turn into a witch bullying the prince...

————

"Today only the husk remains, welcoming glorious years, holding tight to freedom in the storm..."

The phone rang with "Glorious Years." Fan Xiaopang, half-asleep, realized the bed beside her was empty. She stretched out a pale, delicate arm from under the thin blanket.

"Hello?"

The other end paused, then continued reporting as if unaware a woman was speaking: "Director Yan, the first batch of news and reports about yesterday's signing ceremony have been sent to your email. We're still tracking updates and will compile any new coverage."

"Understood."

Fan Xiaopang said it, and the other side hung up as if she hadn't spoken at all.

She put the phone down, flopped back onto the bed, but couldn't sleep. She scratched her head, half-sat up, and spotted the ruined wedding dress on the floor.

"Ah?!"

Fan Xiaopang cried out in dismay—this dress was custom-made, expensive, and she adored it, yet it was ruined after just one wear.

This dog of a man, such a wastrel... uh...

After cursing, Fan Xiaopang suddenly remembered—last night, she'd been the one who tore and ripped, so she couldn't blame Yan Li.

With a guilty flush, she gathered the dress, wondering if she could repair it later. She slipped on Yan Li's black shirt and stumbled out of the bedroom.

Hearing movement in the kitchen, she went to check—and sure enough, Yan Li was cooking.

Fan Xiaopang smiled sweetly, leaned over, and smacked a kiss on his face: "So domestic."

"What else can I do? If I'm not domestic, I'll starve."

Yan Li was speechless—Qin Lan, Dong Xuan, and even Fan Xiaopang were all terrible cooks.

Either they ordered in or went out to buy food—or he had to cook himself.

While boiling noodles, Yan Li gestured toward the living room: "Don't forget to take your medicine. It was delivered this morning with the pills."

Fan Xiaopang, hearing this, snapped and bit him: "You said it was all outside!"

Yan Li looked slightly guilty: "Just in case."

Fan Xiaopang pinched him twice, grumbling, then took the medicine—she was still young, and her career was rising; she had no intention of getting pregnant.

After taking the medicine, Fan Xiaopang wandered around the apartment. Previously, they'd mostly stayed in hotels or Yan Li visited her apartment—this was the first time she'd been to his "home."

It was spotless—obviously unoccupied.

Fan Xiaopang felt a pang of bitterness—this dog of a man probably had several such dens, enjoying himself with those other women.

"Noodles are ready."

Yan Li carried two bowls over, noticing her mood, assuming she thought it was too plain.

"Just fill your stomach for now. There's a birthday banquet tonight."

Fan Xiaopang's peach eyes flickered. She murmured: "I thought you'd have to rush back to put out fires in your harem."

Of course he'd have to put out fires—but today was Fan Xiaopang's birthday. If he left now, she'd never forgive him.

"Stop talking. Eat fast. You might not see me again when we get back."

Yan Li played up his misery a little, making Fan Xiaopang laugh: "Don't worry—I'll get you revenge."

"No need."

They bantered back and forth, eating noodles—warm and pleasant.

After eating, Yan Li heard Fan Xiaopang mention the earlier call. He took out the laptop delivered with the medicine that morning and watched the signing ceremony reports.

The first headline made Fan Xiaopang beam with delight—and made Yan Li's head ache:

"Yi'an Holds Grand 'Wedding,' Yan Li 'Weds' Fan Bingbing"

Clicking open, aside from the sensational headline, the report itself was fairly normal.

It detailed highlights from yesterday's signing ceremony, emphasizing its grandeur and luxury, and subtly praised Yan Li and Fan Xiaopang as a perfectly matched pair.

Yan Li couldn't help glancing at Fan Xiaopang—was this her doing? Had she paid for the puff piece?

There were many similar reports—some directly arranged by Yi'an.

They emphasized Yi'an's sincerity, the ceremony's grandeur, and how much Fan Xiaopang was valued.

What first in the mainland, unprecedented, millions invested, superstar treatment...

In short, a mix of truth and falsehood, all to indirectly elevate Fan Xiaopang and Yi'an.

Besides these bought-out media outlets, some outlets viewed the signing from a relatively objective angle.

"The Crown Crowned: Yan Li and Fan Bingbing's Ambitious Conspiracy"

For instance, this article unusually ignored the gossip between Yan Li and Fan Xiaopang, analyzing instead how their collaboration would benefit each other, and what their future plans and ambitions were.

The answer is mutual gain!

Fan Xiaopang, leveraging Yan Li and Yi'an's resources, will surely experience major career growth; Yan Li's roster gains an artist capable of standing alone, whose star power boosts film and television projects and the entire company.

But both sides have flaws: Yan Li lacks sufficient film resources, and Fan Xiaopang lacks sufficient track record, with slightly weak business skills—compared to those top leading ladies, he's more of a pretty face.

How far the two will go, and whether they can truly achieve coronation, remains to be tested by time.

"You're a pretty face? Your whole family's a pretty face."

Fan Xiaopang was furious, but Yan Li remained calm, even thinking the article's analysis was quite good.

He glanced at the byline: Pang Yidian. Yan Li recognized the name, but wasn't he from Southern Metropolis Daily? How did it end up reposted on a blog?

Went underground?

Or got fired?!

He then read other articles—everything under the sun, including gossip about Fan Xiaopang and the guests, plus some outright negative and attack pieces.

Such flamboyance naturally invites hatred and resistance; it's no surprise some resented it—even Yan Li didn't care, and Fan Xiaopang didn't take it to heart either.

He checked Tianya and Tieba as well—the discussions were lively.

This was only the first wave, not yet fully fermented; later came the TV broadcast and Yi'an's follow-up promotion.

For just one ceremony, Yan Li spent over a million; naturally, he didn't care about later promotional costs, only seeking to maximize the signing ceremony's impact.

If he could achieve that, the money would be well spent—Fan Xiaopang could earn back tens of times that amount in the future.

The more he thought about it, the happier he became; Yan Li's gaze toward Fan Xiaopang grew especially tender, and the latter, slightly embarrassed, pouted.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"You remind me of a cat."

"What kind of cat?"

"A lucky cat."

Fan Xiaopang's face darkened; she flipped over and straddled Yan Li: "Let me show you what a tigress really is..."

(End of Chapter)