[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment":3,"chapter-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-201":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Intelligence King of Chinese Entertainment",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260504,4411,"Chapter 201: Who Said There Can Be Only One Crown?","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-201",201,"\u003Cp>On September 16, Yu Yanli stayed home with Fan Xiaopang to celebrate his birthday; the two didn’t leave the house all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, outside, news about Fan Xiaopang’s signing ceremony began to spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As television broadcasts and edited segments from information programs aired, the incident’s influence grew larger, and media and online outlets began digging into every detail of the signing ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【It is understood that Yi’an arranged for Fan Bingbing endorsements and advertisements across multiple fields, including clothing, cosmetics, video games, and automobiles, with brands such as Head & Shoulders, Yulan Oil, Grey Mouse Casual Wear, and Changan Ford…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【A source revealed that Fan’s total income from these endorsements and ads is approximately 8 to 14 million, earning her the title of Gold-Digging Queen…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ou, who had returned to Beijing to discuss the script of The Great Qing Harem with Yu Zheng, saw this article afterward and her eyes turned purple with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boss is blind!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Fan Xiaopang rake in so much money made Wang Ou feel worse than if she’d been killed herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t help calling her agent, Jia Qian, director of Yi’an’s artist agency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she was the company’s second-in-command; not every endorsement and ad deal should go to Fan Xiaopang alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Qian currently manages only two artists: Wang Ou and Fan Xiaopang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fan Xiaopang has her own team brought over from Huayi, enjoys greater autonomy, and some of her business matters are personally overseen by Yu Yanli; Jia Qian, as her nominal agent, is more of a collaborator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, every aspect of Wang Ou’s career is fully managed by Jia Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even securing Wang Ou the lead role in The Great Qing Harem required Jia Qian’s efforts—originally, the production team wanted a more famous actress, and even Yu Yanli’s recommendation, Hu Siyan, was initially favored over Wang Ou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Hu was a well-known rising star; Wang Ou was still relatively unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Jia Qian’s planning—applying internal pressure through the artist agency and having Wang Ou personally approach Yu Yanli—that ultimately won her the lead role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Jia Qian and Wang Ou have grown closer; Wang trusts her and speaks her mind when dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t just be jealous—she earns a lot, but she also brings in a lot for the company.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Qian naturally leans toward Wang Ou emotionally, but as an agent and director of Yi’an’s artist agency, she firmly stands by Fan Xiaopang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t rush—you’re just starting out, not yet famous, and there aren’t many ads willing to hire you, and the rates are low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once your next few dramas air and your fame rises, the company will definitely arrange something for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trust me—and more importantly, trust Director Yu. We absolutely want you to take more ads and earn more money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about this? I’ll ask Director Yu if we can secure two ads for you, plus some variety show invitations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Change your mindset. She’s powerful—you can’t resist her. Better to cling to her leg, flatter her, and maybe she’ll pull you along. Your fame is low; with her backing, exposure and other benefits won’t be lacking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ou felt wronged—she wanted to flatter Fan Xiaopang, but that sly fox refused to take her along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless she broke ties with Yu Yanli, but that would be trading a watermelon for a sesame seed, becoming a full-fledged servant to the Fan family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much thought, Wang Ou decided the breakthrough still lay with Yu Yanli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was endorsements or other resources, ultimately, Yu Yanli called the shots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Qing Harem was just like that—Jia Qian fought for her for a long time, the production team kept making excuses, until Yu Yanli stepped in and made the final decision; no director, producer, or investor dared object again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this over, Wang Ou pulled out her phone and began her usual brainwashing routine on Wu Jiani.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t possibly match Fan Xiaopang alone; if she pulled Wu Jiani in, maybe they could at least put up a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【……The investment for Mo Gong was 150 million RMB, a collaboration among Chinese, Japanese, and Korean actors targeting the Asian market, with Liu Tianwang as the lead…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Surprisingly, even after leaving Huayi, Fan Bingbing still landed the female lead role. Combined with the fact that Wang Zhonglei and Wang Jinghua—archenemies—both attended her signing ceremony, one wonders whether Fan Bingbing skillfully played both sides, or whether Yu Yanli’s maneuvering was simply masterful…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The investment for The White-Haired Witch exceeded 20 million RMB… Yi’an revealed plans for a historical epic tailored specifically for Fan Xiaopang, costing tens of millions, and with the previously massive-budgeted The Investiture of the Gods, Yu Yanli has already invested over 100 million in Fan Bingbing…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Siyan watched the newspaper article with a sour expression, wondering if Yu Yanli had been bewitched by Fan Xiaopang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is he treating her so well?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back on Fan Xiaopang’s dazzling signing ceremony yesterday, today’s flood of media coverage, and all the favors Fan received from Yu Yanli…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Siyan grew increasingly bitter—why didn’t Yu Yanli choose her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yu Yanli gave her even one-third of Fan Xiaopang’s treatment, she’d be willing to bear his children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【……Agent Jia Qian stated that future plans include comprehensive development of Fan Bingbing across film, television, fashion, and commerce, with deliberate efforts to expand overseas into Asian and global markets…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing tossed the magazine aside disdainfully: “Expand overseas? Does she even know which door to open?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis, don’t underestimate her—she may not be capable herself, but she’s got Yu Yanli.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue frowned; she’d heard Yu Yanli had been close to Hong Kong and Taiwan recently. If they used those regions as a springboard, breaking into Japan and Korea wouldn’t be difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this stage, domestic stars were still popular in Asia; Fan Xiaopang had starred in My Fair Princess and already had a solid fan base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Films and TV dramas might be hard to secure, but through advertising and commercial deals, it was still a viable path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She really did latch onto the right leg.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing’s tone was bitter, tinged with hidden regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she snatched the female lead in The Mobile Phone, she and Fan Bingbing had completely pulled apart; back then, she’d been proud. Now, it was hard to say whether it was good or bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Becoming Huayi’s top actress had further bound her to Huayi; she neither dared nor wanted to leave easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Fan Xiaopang, who had few constraints and no attachments, she directly pursued Yu Yanli and joined Yi’an.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Yu Yanli was inferior to Huayi; even now, he still lagged behind in stature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the key was Yu Yanli’s rise had been too fast!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few years, he already held several multi-million-dollar projects and became the King of Film Distribution, drawing industry attention through his distribution advantage, and leveraging that to secure TV and advertising resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, all these resources were concentrated on Fan Xiaopang alone—enough to make Li Bingbing tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this pace continued, before long, even if Yu Yanli couldn’t catch up to Huayi, he’d become a dominant force in the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes Li Bingbing even wondered—if she’d chosen Yi’an instead…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook her head, dismissing the impractical thought. In the short term, she couldn’t leave Huayi, and Yi’an’s scale couldn’t support both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go talk to Boss Wang and the others—if I’m staying, shouldn’t I get a ceremony too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang’s grand signing ceremony had stirred Li Bingbing, making her want one of her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already brought it up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue sneered: “It’s not just us pushing—it seems Zhou’s team wants one too. Those two brothers are already headachy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yi’an threw money around to build hype for the company and Fan Xiaopang, aiming for a stunning debut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this kind of spectacle is freshest for the first one; those who follow don’t get the same effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Yi’an only has one Fan Xiaopang—no matter how much they spend, it’s a one-time cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huayi has many artists—not just Li Bingbing and Zhou Young Master, but potentially other major signings too. If they give ceremonies to the two of you, they can’t leave others out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the ceremony is too cheap, artists and fans will be dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if every artist gets a ceremony on Fan Xiaopang’s level, the money will vanish into thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wang brothers had privately cursed Yu Yanli for ruining people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing and her sister didn’t care—they quietly watched how Huayi would respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was more famous than Fan Xiaopang; her ceremony should be bigger and better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was equal to or worse than Fan Xiaopang’s, then the Wang brothers were stingy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, Zhou Young Master, as a newcomer, couldn’t surpass her as top actress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【……Beyond professional investment, Yu Yanli is also generous with beauties—he first gifted Fan a million-yuan Mercedes G-Class, then spent tens of millions to “buy her freedom”… this signing ceremony cost nearly 2 million, inviting countless celebrities and media…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【……Experts revealed that the gemstone necklace Fan Xiaopang wears is from a famous French luxury brand… worth about 300,000 yuan; other accessories are also valuable…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【……When asked about a ten-million-yuan signing fee, Yi’an’s representative declined to respond directly, citing business confidentiality. Internal sources suggest the fee may be even higher than rumored and includes equity clauses…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shengyi, having just finished talking with her lawyer and returned to her hotel, heard the TV report and a flicker of irritation crossed her weary eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s just a signing—why make such a never-ending spectacle?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned off the TV, took a deep breath, then couldn’t resist slamming the remote control onto the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lately, she’d been trapped in a media storm; though her exposure was high, her image and reputation had plummeted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse, the contract termination hadn’t gone as smoothly as expected—the two sides ended up in court, and her legal fees were nearly as high as the termination penalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Yang Dashao, who kept promising to fix everything, didn’t have nearly the power she thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could do was cover her legal fees and help her contact drama crews and advertisers to land more work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no different from what Yu Yanli had offered her—no, it was even worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yanli lent her money to pay the termination fee, intervened directly, and let her leave Xinghui smoothly without damaging her image or reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he introduced her to quality resources and roles—given his power, the offers would have been top-tier and effortless. Not like now, where she’s scrambling for every job, busier even than when she was at Xinghui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Yang Dashao told her Yu Yanli lending her money and making her repay it through acting was exploiting her, with malicious intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, most of the money she worked hard to earn went to Yang Dashao for lawsuits, leaving her with little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she loses the lawsuit, she’ll owe even more—termination fee plus legal fees—and her reputation will be ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her own hardships she could endure, but seeing another woman shine brilliantly under Yu Yanli’s help, the contrast was painfully sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only she’d listened to her senior brother, paid to break her contract, and found a way to join Yi’an—would Fan Xiaopang’s current everything be hers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shengyi knew this line of thinking was biased, but she couldn’t help it—the worse things got, the more she couldn’t stop thinking it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, her phone rang. A voice dripping with smug pride came through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shengyi, some friends are coming over—come join us for dinner. You’ve got half an hour, hurry up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shengyi replied, then hung up the phone. She tried to get up and change clothes, but her foot slipped, and she fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rubbed her aching ankle, pain mingling with regret as tears streamed down her face…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guanghuali and Beiying Small Community\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【…Fan’s mother openly said Yan Li had been very kind to their family, and she was pleased with Fan Xiaopang’s choice… As the saying goes, a mother-in-law’s view of her son-in-law grows ever more delightful…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【…Fan Bingbing said Yan Li’s meticulously arranged signing ceremony was the best birthday gift she’d received at twenty-four… Money isn’t important—people are…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Lan squinted as she slowly trimmed her nails, shaping them bit by bit from rounded to sharp, testing them against her pillow, then continuing to file.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The usually lively white teddy dog now huddled in the room’s corner, curled into a trembling ball, shaking occasionally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan ignored her friend Guan Yue, who was ranting beside her about a cheating man, and silently chopped vegetables with a knife, focused entirely on preparing dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carrots sliced into threads, cucumbers cut into slices, eggplants chopped into cubes, ham sausage minced into paste, bananas mashed into pulp—beside it, a bowl of burnt rice simmered in the pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Achoo! Achoo…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang brought Yan Li a cup of prepared medicine and asked anxiously: “It’s not even cold. You’re as strong as a donkey—why are you sneezing nonstop? Shouldn’t you go to the hospital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li blew his nose: “Probably sweated too much, and the AC’s set too low. Caught a chill from drying sweat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang shot him a disgruntled glare: “Serves you right—for being greedy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was passive, okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li was speechless. These past two days, because of the ceremony and her birthday, Fan Xiaopang had been far more forward than him—she practically clung to him, even eating with her body pressed against his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I started it, but I didn’t make you go on forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang retorted: “I just set the tone—the rest was all you controlling the pace. Sometimes I begged you to stop, and you didn’t listen. How can you blame me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s your fault—you’re like a seductress. Only my strong body kept me from being drained dry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the seductress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang pouted at him, then snuggled into his arms, her voice sweet and soft:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you get me a few days off from the set? Just stay with me a little longer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can personal feelings delay great ambitions? Don’t you want to be a big star? Don’t you want to earn money and become a rich woman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang snuggled deeper into his arms, humming: “Aren’t you still here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li sighed in despair: “I never thought you’d be this shallow. Men can’t be relied on—you must depend on yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay committed to your career. Become the most outstanding, dazzling woman—let men worship you, admire you, be unwilling to leave you. Don’t make yourself a man’s appendage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang clapped her hand over his mouth, laughing bitterly: “Sounding so noble—aren’t you just trying to make me earn money for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li corrected: “It’s not just about earning money…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right—you also need time to put out fires. If this goes on too long, those two at home will start sharpening their knives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang saw right through Yan Li’s thoughts. Her bright oval face curled into a cold smile. Yan Li looked embarrassed, lowering his head to kiss her earlobe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One day, max. Otherwise, something’s bound to happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let something happen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang’s peach-shaped eyes flickered, her lips curving slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that talk about putting career first, about discussing only ambitions and not emotions, about not caring for men—she hadn’t forgotten it all, but it had grown fainter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, her affection and longing for Yan Li grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She now desperately hoped Qin Lan and Dong Xuan would break up with Yan Li, so she could claim him for herself and become the rightful mistress of Yi’an.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she feared showing it too clearly and scaring Yan Li away—this dog of a man clearly wasn’t done playing and had no intention of settling down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she planned to proceed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang sensed Yan Li still had affection and attachment for her—even after Qin Lan’s incident, he’d indirectly apologized in private.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might still be less devoted than to Dong and Qin, but he certainly didn’t see her as expendable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, she could gradually strengthen her place in his heart while quietly pushing Dong and Qin out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang felt confident in her plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she and Yan Li had a business alliance—their interests were tightly bound. Plus, they shared many similarities, compatible personalities, mutual understanding, and their bond would deepen over time and collaboration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interest + emotion—how could Dong and Qin compete with her?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once those two were out of the picture, and she became Yan Li’s most important woman, everything else would follow naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One day, then. But I want to go out. You come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Staying home is better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Better my ass (gritted teeth)—I’m still sore!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Try something new…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pervert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang, bristling, kicked her soft white foot at his face: “You like it, don’t you? Then enjoy it—really enjoy it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beijing Film Academy, playground\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 2005 freshman military training parade ended. Guan Yue directed the students back to their classes, then glanced at Dong Xuan, who stood nearby, visibly downcast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That bastard still hasn’t come back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan nodded, voice hoarse: “Says he’s busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Busy my ass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Yue couldn’t hold back her anger: “Even if he’s busy, he can’t find time to come home? It’s been nearly a week—what the hell is he doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan looked around, tugged Guan Yue’s sleeve, her tone trembling with confusion and panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think Yan Li wants to break up with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Yue fell silent. Earlier, when they’d seen the signing ceremony, they’d been ready to punish Yan Li severely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, after days of his absence, both Dong Xuan and she were growing restless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add to that Fan Xiaopang’s grand signing ceremony, Dong Xuan’s label as “ex-girlfriend,” and other factors—they’d begun imagining worst-case scenarios.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yan Li walked away now, Dong Xuan would be left abandoned—she couldn’t even drug him if she wanted to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way. You and Yan Li have history. He’s probably just swamped—company matters piled up, and his show ‘Bright Sword’ just aired. Everything’s stacked together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Dong Xuan’s fragile state, Guan Yue dared not say more, fearing she’d make things worse—instead, she began comforting her best friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But privately, she knew waiting wasn’t a solution. She’d go find Yan Li herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that bastard truly abandoned her, she’d leak to the media: Yan Li was cheating, juggling two women, the whole mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, that bastard already had that reputation. Had he seen this coming all along?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a pretty girl in military training uniform ran over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Dong, I’d like to take a day off tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan perked up slightly. She and Guan Yue were teaching assistants for the 2005 Performance Undergraduate class—half-counselors, mainly handling student life issues: requests, troubles, absences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Again? Yang Mi, you’ve asked for leave several times already in less than a month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Yue frowned, but Dong Xuan was more lenient—Yang Mi wasn’t an ordinary student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before entering Beijing Film Academy, she’d already begun acting and even signed with Rongxinda, appearing in several dramas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the role of Little Guo Xiang in ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the drama hadn’t aired yet, its reputation was strong. Yang Mi had already gained significant exposure and was the most popular freshman in 2005, with the brightest prospects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a student couldn’t be treated like a regular one—she deserved special consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you requesting leave this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, the company arranged an audition—I need to go test for a role, Teacher Dong. Please help me—it’s a crucial production.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Mi had requested leave before and knew Dong Xuan was easier to persuade, so she targeted her as the main entry point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan nodded: “Write me a leave slip. But you must be back before dark—I’ll check dorms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem, thank you, Teacher Dong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Mi left happily. Guan Yue stared at Dong Xuan: “You spoil them too much. So easygoing—you’ll get flooded with requests.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I play the bad cop, you play the good cop. Approve real needs, deny the rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan was kind, but not without limits. She and Guan Yue worked in perfect sync—one firm, one gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph. You’re just pretending to be nice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Yue rolled her eyes, but privately admitted she was indeed more impatient than Dong Xuan—she couldn’t even play the bad cop well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’m sorry. Dinner’s on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan linked arms with Guan Yue and smiled. The latter huffed: “I’m not going with you—my Da Wei’s waiting at home…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped mid-sentence, realizing her mistake. Sure enough, Dong Xuan’s smile vanished. She slapped her own mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let men play with their balls. Let’s sisters hang out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After tidying up the office, it was time to leave. Guan Yue and Dong Xuan walked arm-in-arm out the school gate. The latter glanced at the roadside and suddenly stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Yue asked. Dong Xuan nodded toward a Volvo by the curb: “Look there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that your car?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Yue froze, then realized—her face flushed with both joy and anger: “So this bastard finally showed up?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Beidian and Beiying residential areas were so close—just a few minutes’ walk—Dong Xuan rarely drove to work, so the car usually stayed parked at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the car had been taken out and parked at Beidian’s gate; no thief would be this bold—it must be Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan pressed her lips together, suppressing her emotions, and walked over with a cold expression; Guan Yue followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tapped the window—it was indeed Yan Li, wearing sunglasses, grinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been waiting for you half an hour—I thought you’d left through another gate. Get in quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Yue snorted: “Get in for what? To attend your wedding to that fox spirit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of talk is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop pretending. You made such a fuss—the newspapers and TV are all saying Boss Yan has won the beauty’s heart. So now the groom’s bringing us candy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What groom? That’s just a signed artist. Where are you getting this from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Signed artist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan finally spoke: “Even the mother’s family of this signed artist showed up. Was my little gift enough? If not, I’ll add an envelope.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li silently cursed—he’d always relied on Dong Xuan to defend him when Guan Yue teased him; if she was upset, she’d at least just watch coldly. But now she was joining in? This was real anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think about it—Fan Xiaopang’s signing was bad enough, but the fact that he’d vanished for days afterward? It was like pouring oil on fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yan Li had no choice—he’d been held up by Qin Lan these past few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That woman knew about Dong Xuan. If he’d come to Dong first, it would’ve blown up—calming her would’ve been twice as hard. He had to pacify Qin Lan first, then tackle Dong Xuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now it looked like that plan wasn’t any better—Dong Xuan’s resentment had solidified after being ignored for days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough, don’t say things like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cleared his throat awkwardly, glancing around at the passersby: “Get in the car. We’ll talk at home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan ignored him, turning to leave. Yan Li had no choice but to get out, grab her, and shove her into the car despite her struggles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Yue moved to stop him—then saw Dong Xuan struggling, but waving at her discreetly where Yan Li couldn’t see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder you’re being ridden like a horse—go ahead, spoil him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Yue silently gave Dong Xuan the middle finger, then turned to Yan Li: “You two sort out your own mess. But if you hurt my friend, I won’t let you off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright—I’ll treat you and Dawei to dinner later. Bye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li nodded, opened the driver’s door, and slid in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan still tried to resist, but feared a scene in front of the school—so she sat stiffly in the backseat, ignoring Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li didn’t care—he saw their little exchange perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman was naive. She avoided his gaze, but didn’t realize the tinted windows acted like half a mirror?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Volvo drove off; soon after, Guan Yue left too. From behind a nearby tree, a figure stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s Yan Li, boss from Yian? Isn’t he supposed to have broken up with Teacher Dong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still tangled? Or was the breakup just for show?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Mi couldn’t be sure, but one thing was certain—their relationship was far from ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A “former girlfriend” from campus? That weight couldn’t be matched by any flashy, scheming woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And judging by their earlier interaction, it seemed Yan Li was even trying to appease Teacher Dong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a big leg!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Mi, though just a freshman who’d finished military training, had been working since early on—her mindset was far more mature than most college students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, she’d already consciously cultivated a relationship with Dong Xuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, she didn’t know about Dong’s connection to Yan Li, but Dong Xuan was still a well-known actress in the industry—her status, connections, and fame far outstripped Yang Mi’s as a newcomer. Maybe she could help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Yang Mi had elevated Dong Xuan’s importance by several levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew Yan Li and Yian’s reputations—both were surging. Her former company, Rongxinda, had even had a mid-level executive defect to Yian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many believed Yian would catch up to Rongxinda soon—some even thought it had already surpassed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least over the past two years, Rongxinda hadn’t produced any major hits like “The Seven Fairies,” “Bright Sword,” or “The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, their top actress, Zhou Young Master, had left after her contract expired. The company now relied solely on its top actor, Chen Kun—and rumors swarmed everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One rumor claimed Yan Li was trying to poach Chen Kun to Yian, forming a powerhouse duo with Fan Xiaopang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the explosive scene when Fan Xiaopang joined Yian just days ago, Yang Mi felt a surge of ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she could connect with Yian’s boss through Teacher Dong…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Mi turned and walked away—her focus had shifted from auditioning for drama crews to figuring out how to get closer to Dong Xuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beiying Residential Area\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan stormed in with a cold face, went straight to the bedroom, and locked the door. Yan Li silently retrieved the key from the TV cabinet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too lazy. Last time he’d already pulled this trick—now he didn’t even bother changing the key’s hiding spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the door. Dong Xuan sat on the bed, eyes slightly red. Yan Li reached to hug her—she pulled away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t touch me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li didn’t care. He held her anyway, despite her resistance, soothing her gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, this worked fine. But this time, Dong Xuan was truly furious—she’d started with a bit of acting, then it turned real: tears fell steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li hated this tactic most of all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether she threw tantrums or argued, he could handle it calmly—but he couldn’t stand a woman crying, especially one he cared about. Her tears paralyzed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And both Dong Xuan and Qin Lan had learned this weakness—cried like wounded little lambs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li, who’d always been shamelessly callous, now felt a pang of guilt and shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hours of soothing, Dong Xuan finally calmed a little. Yan Li then pulled out a box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop pouting. I got you a gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think a gift fixes everything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan was displeased—thought money could buy her off? Did he really think she had no temper? But Yan Li urged her to open it, swearing she’d love it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his earnestness, Dong Xuan grew curious. She opened the box—and her eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crown!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li took the white gold crown from the box and placed it on Dong Xuan’s head, telling her to look in the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This crown is bigger, heavier, and more exquisite!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan touched the crown delicately, gazed at herself in the mirror, and let a faint smile form—then quickly erased it, shooting Yan Li a glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You planned this all along, didn’t you? One small, one big—you’re thinking awfully clever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li said nothing. To be precise—he’d actually prepared three crowns altogether…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4724,"2026-06-19T16:16:54.562Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","bb5686e74df787f6a65e87d0e80165c579c3b59539df4bf5fbbca2130f0554a0","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-202","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-200",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-cover.jpg"]