[{"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-232":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},2260535,4411,"Chapter 232: Human Relations and Social Nuances: Yan Li Takes the Punishment for His Sister","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-232",232,"\u003Cp>At a restaurant, Yan Li specially treated some trusted subordinates and old hometown brothers who had contributed to this operation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intelligence cannot be casually produced out of thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Yan Li needed to send people to certain places to make a round, pay the necessary money, and while the amount of intelligence gathered wasn’t important, the key was that someone had gone, establishing credible channels and sources that the parties involved would trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With over a dozen people scattered across various routes, some even visiting the same places twice under different identities, no one knew who had actually provided Yan Li with the intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition, some borderline evidence-gathering was handled by a few trusted brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything went wrong, it would all be blamed on their righteous anger and “acting on their own initiative,” with zero connection to Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that this involved his greatest secret and gray-area matters, Yan Li could not be too cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, Yan Li had Wu Maowen bring in two suitcases; as the boss and elder brother, he couldn’t just let his brothers off with a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me be clear: I’m giving you money so you can save it, not waste it. Save up, settle down in Jingcheng early, and don’t touch any of that nonsense—anyone who misbehaves, I’ll deal with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before handing out the money, Yan Li sternly warned everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingcheng is a big city full of all kinds of people; there are always dangerous temptations. Losing money isn’t the worst—losing your way is fatal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone responded in agreement; these were the people Yan Li had carefully selected, and they were already tightly managed, so they were all sensible enough to avoid what they shouldn’t touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After distributing the money and dismissing them, the brothers left with smiles, leaving only Yan Li’s most trusted few behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, don’t we still have some dirt on them? Why not crush a few completely?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the brothers expressed confusion—Yan Li had said he’d kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, so why had he stopped halfway and made peace?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t that Song Zhude get dragged in last time? Yan Li doesn’t seem like the soft-hearted type.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That situation was different from this one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If possible, Yan Li would have liked to kill a chicken outright, but many things aren’t that simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Song Dazui was just a small trash, full of his own dirt, easy to control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the ones we’re dealing with now aren’t any pushovers; most importantly, if you crush one to death, the others will feel the same fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li talks about fighting to the death, but he doesn’t actually intend to; fighting alone against many isn’t easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most crucially, there are certain forces here that don’t want things to escalate—they want stability and cooling down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li can ignore others’ faces, but he can’t afford to ignore this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He can be a prickly ball, pushing for his own interests within reason, but if he keeps pricking endlessly, even the hardest prickly ball will be smashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So whether acting as a prickly ball or making demands, Yan Li had clearly mapped out the bottom line of the relevant parties before acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t push to the end, he made everyone look foolish and bleed a bit—the effect was clear: for now, no one dares to provoke him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this window, Yi’an and Yi’an can continue their rapid development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To forge steel, you must be strong yourself; once you reach a certain level, those little devils won’t dare to provoke you, and as for the bigger demons, let them fight it out on their own merits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Business always involves fighting and social maneuvering; Yan Li prefers the latter, but he isn’t afraid of the former.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the gathering, Wu Maowen, who had deliberately avoided alcohol, drove Yan Li home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Maowen asked casually from the driver’s seat; he’d watched a Qing dynasty palace drama the day before and increasingly felt his job resembled that of the Imperial Palace’s Eunuch in Charge of the Imperial Bedchamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that eunuch only had to flip the imperial plaques—he had to drive Yan Li to the place and pick him up again the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li gave an address that sounded unfamiliar; Wu Maowen paused slightly but didn’t ask, recalling the route and driving there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving, Yan Li went upstairs, pulled out a keychain, and tried several unfamiliar keys one by one; on the third try, the door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing, in the living room, had heard the noise and stood up to see Yan Li entering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re late?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Had a social obligation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li glanced around the living room: “Where’s your sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing tensed: “What do you want with her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s the one who did it—who else should I hold accountable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing had no suitable slippers, so Yan Li simply went barefoot and sat down on the sofa like a general ready for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go get me a glass of water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you ordering around?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing grumbled but poured him a glass of warm water, then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re going to defend Fan Xiaopang, take it out on me—don’t drag my sister into it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two are a pair of fools.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li stared at Li Bingbing in disbelief; honestly, when he learned from the system that these two sisters were behind it, he was genuinely disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing’s fear of Fan Xiaopang was understandable; spreading rumors, leaking dirt, and belittling each other was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sides were natural rivals—not only did Li Bingbing and her sister do this, but Fan Xiaopang’s side had also pulled plenty of dirty tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they were rivals and collaborators alike—“Shuangbing” meant “two as one”; they fought but didn’t break ties, pulled dirt but never went for the kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Fan Xiaopang were truly crushed, how could Li Bingbing alone stand against the Four Little Divas and other rising stars?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So no matter how fierce their rivalry, when either side faced real trouble, they shouldn’t kick them while down—they should lend a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li had explained this logic to Fan Xiaopang and the Li sisters before; he thought they understood, but at the critical moment, they still couldn’t tell friend from foe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Li Xue—he’d confirmed it: she was the one who instigated this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Li Bingbing’s plan was to stay neutral, even if she didn’t help; she wouldn’t get involved. But Li Xue goaded and manipulated her until Li Bingbing tacitly approved her participation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue’s motives for getting involved were complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were career considerations, resentment toward Fan Xiaopang personally, and even a touch of misplaced anger toward Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s affair with her sister had Biaomianshang  been buried, but the resentment still lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t hatred born of love, but resentment born of love; she couldn’t strike her own sister, so she vented her fury on Yan Li—or on Fan Xiaopang, whom he favored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stupid!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li had already scolded them over the phone; now he showed up in person, making Li Bingbing snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She and Yan Li were more like partners—mutual aid, not deep dependence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She often listened to him because he treated her and her sister well and gave advice that served their interests—not because she’d tolerate endless scolding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not over yet—it wasn’t our idea to start this, we just added a little fuel to the fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re going to defend that seductive fox, you’ve got my dirt too—just leak it. I’ll take the blame along with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li looked at her, nodded, stood up, and prepared to put on his shoes and leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing watched him, and when she saw he wasn’t bluffing—when he actually put on his shoes and moved to go—she reached out and grabbed his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really plan to leak my dirt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re friends—I’m not that cruel. But if you’re talking like this, there’s nothing left to discuss. We go our separate ways from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he removed the key Li Bingbing had given him from his keyring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yan Li’s cold, final stance, Li Bingbing grew anxious and softened her tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We did wrong, I’ll give you whatever explanation you want—but you can’t keep yelling forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did I get it wrong? Aren’t you two fools?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s tone was sharp: “You think I’m defending Fan Xiaopang? Don’t you realize she’s my shadow? If she’s in trouble, do you think I’ll be safe?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve known each other for years—ask yourself honestly: have I ever wronged you two? When have I ever let you down? When you needed help, did I ever fail you? Now when I’m in trouble, you don’t help—and you stab me in the back? If it were you, wouldn’t you be heartbroken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing hung her head under Yan Li’s scolding; if Yan Li had blamed Fan Xiaopang, she’d have argued back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when Yan Li turned the issue to himself, Li Bingbing had no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it was indeed the sisters who had acted improperly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Bingbing submit, Yan Li’s tone gradually softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Li sisters had erred, but it wasn’t an irredeemable mistake; the “Shuangbing” card was still valuable—abandoning it would be a waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Li Bingbing was the top star at Huayi, and Li Xue was a senior talent agent there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s closeness to them was like planting a thorn in the heart of the Wang brothers at Huayi—whether he used them or not, it hurt; if he severed ties with Li Bingbing now, he’d be pushing them straight into Huayi’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li refused to arm his enemy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This visit, though he spoke harshly, was primarily meant to warn them—to make the Li sisters learn their lesson and never repeat it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh. Leading a team is truly hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially a team with such complicated dynamics—everyone has their own agenda. You must balance interests, maintain unity, constantly warn them, remind them, punish mistakes, reward good behavior, and always know the right measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Yan Li’s sharpness and his system’s advantage made it possible to handle these women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Yan Li’s mix of scolding and coaxing, Li Bingbing admitted fault and vowed never to repeat such a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her only condition: she would handle her sister herself—no need for Yan Li to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li didn’t argue, but since she took responsibility for the scolding, she must also take the punishment for her sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ice Princess can only watch with envy—then let Soldier Yan charge full speed ahead…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Yan Li finished showering and was changing into the clothes Wu Maowen had just delivered, preparing for work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened, and Li Xue walked in carrying several breakfast bags; she froze upon seeing Yan Li putting on his pants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, good morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li fastened his belt and awkwardly greeted her; Li Xue nodded but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「……」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li pretended to check his watch, claimed he was running late, slipped on his shoes, and prepared to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue, seeing his hurried demeanor, handed him one of the breakfast bags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. You might not even have enough. I’ll grab something on the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li waved his hand, opened the door, and left. After he was gone, Li Xue picked up the breakfast bag, intending to place it on the dining table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she noticed the table was unusually clean—cups, teapots, everything gone—and the table’s position and orientation felt slightly askew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue: “……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hesitating for a long while, Li Xue placed the breakfast in the kitchen, then pushed open the bedroom door to check on Li Bingbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There she saw her sister fast asleep, the bed littered with scattered, cool-toned undergarments and silk stockings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had planned to leave quietly, but curiosity got the better of her—she couldn’t resist waking Li Bingbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop messing around. I really can’t anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing groaned, burrowed deeper under the thin blanket. Li Xue’s emotions churned with complexity; she couldn’t help pinching her hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing blinked sleepily, saw Li Xue, froze for a moment, then snapped fully awake. She cleared her throat and pulled the blanket tighter around herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xue’er, go outside first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d seen it before. Li Xue rolled her eyes, but seeing Li Bingbing’s current state, she felt uneasy and nodded, turning to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A while later, Li Bingbing emerged wearing a nightdress, looking reasonably well—except her knees were red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue clenched her teeth: “That bastard really knows how to abuse people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing her sister’s gaze, Li Bingbing tugged the nightdress down, but it was too short to cover anything—so she just gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He came over yesterday and scolded me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing shared with her sister the conversation she’d had with Yan Li the night before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter is over. Don’t let it happen again. You need to put those thoughts away. If you push him too far, even I can’t protect you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing tried to counsel her sister, but Li Xue bristled: “Sounds noble, but you’re still siding with that fox.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing looked at Li Xue seriously: “I know you’re resentful, but this is fate. If you can’t handle it, take it out on me—but don’t go too far.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, the two Li sisters had respected Yan Li, but hadn’t felt deeply dependent on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Yan Li moved into film production and Li Bingbing shifted her focus to movies, their interactions with him inevitably increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Li sisters didn’t want to break ties with Yan Li—this time, they’d acted secretly, never expecting him to uncover it. Had they known, they’d never have moved so boldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue took a breath, then finally nodded. Seeing her sister’s posture, Li Bingbing felt a pang of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sister’s resentment ran deep—and it was partly her fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To resolve this, either she had to sever ties with Yan Li, or quickly find someone for her sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing felt the latter option was safer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sister was at an age for marriage. Previously fixated on Yan Li, now that this was over, settling down would ease her heart—and spare Yan Li from using this as leverage every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she thought this, Li Bingbing unconsciously rubbed her knees, silently cursing that bastard—he’d pay next time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yi’an Film & Television, conference room\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After meeting with the film and distribution departments, Yan Li began dividing up the “spoils” with the artist management team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the gains were substantial, especially since many involved actresses, with a significant portion tied to artist resources—film roles, commercials, endorsements, and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang, as the victim, had taken the most criticism—and received the largest share of benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the endorsement deals went to her, with a few going to Wang Ou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang didn’t want to give that seductive bitch an easy win, but she was swamped, and the company had no other female artists—so she had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides endorsements, there was a TV drama’s female lead role—Fan Xiaopang didn’t want it, so it went to Wang Ou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other film and TV resources were distributed among Zhou Yiwei, Lin Jiachuan, and others; whatever they couldn’t handle, they traded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the two most important film resources discussed with the artist management team were the big concessions from Orange Sky and Huayi:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orange Sky’s co-investment in *Red Cliff* and a key role in Feng Xiaogang’s new film, *The Assembly*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, *Red Cliff*: the film had recently made major breakthroughs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through China Film’s mediation, Orange Sky—or rather, its Japanese backer—was preparing to invest $20 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such a massive investment, Orange Sky naturally had demands: they intended to push their own artists into this mega-production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li reached an agreement with Orange Sky and Han San Ye , securing one key role for Yi’an.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Red Cliff* had enormous funding and was drawing industry-wide attention, with a star-studded cast lined up. Even if the film flopped, landing a role would significantly boost an artist’s status and exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li had pushed Fan Xiaopang into *Mo Gong* for this exact reason—and now he was doing the same with *Red Cliff*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cast of *Red Cliff* was too lavish; Yi’an’s other artists couldn’t compete for decent roles—only Fan Xiaopang’s name carried enough weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Red Cliff* was a man’s film; meaningful female roles were scarce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s top choice was clearly Xiao Qiao—the female lead—but the production team was determined to promote someone else, so he settled for Sun Shangxiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, the leading candidate for Sun Shangxiang was Xiao Yanzi—if Fan Xiaopang wanted it, Xiao Yanzi was willing to step aside as a concession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Xiao Yanzi stepping down, and China Film, Orange Sky, and Yi’an uniting, the role was virtually guaranteed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for *The Assembly*, the situation was slightly more complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li wanted the male lead, but the Wang brothers weren’t fools—they flatly refused, offering instead to give Yi’an the female lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yan Li had already used his system to scout the details: Sun Shangxiang had some screen time in *Red Cliff*, while the female lead in *The Assembly* was just a supporting role—he’d rather take the second male lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even securing that second male lead proved troublesome: Feng Xiaogang had high standards and didn’t like most candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yiwei, whom Yi’an had originally proposed, was outright rejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any actor recommendation had to be approved by the director—that was the agreed rule; no blind submissions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For *Red Cliff*, the three parties could persuade Wu Yusen; for *The Assembly*, Feng Xiaogang held absolute authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yiwei was out. Zhang Zhilin was fully booked—he’d already been assigned *The Informers*. He was already overfed; if they gave him more, he’d start complaining about hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhilin and Fan Xiaopang were fundamentally different!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining candidate of similar caliber, Qiao Zhenyu, was recommended—but Feng Xiaogang still didn’t like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t out of malice—he had someone specific in mind: Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet while Feng Xiaogang wanted Yan Li, Yan Li heard the film would shoot for months, with over a month of pre-training in Northeast China—and immediately declined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too long. His schedule didn’t allow it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was now stuck—but Yan Li wasn’t worried. He already had a direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*The Assembly* was scheduled to begin filming in September or October, with over a month of training before that—casting was already underway, and Huayi had no shortage of candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And from Huayi’s list, Yan Li had already picked a suitable one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for artist management, Yi’an had been operating for some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among its artists, Fan Xiaopang was unquestionably Yi’an’s number one female artist; its number one male artist was currently Zhang Zhilin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li had a good impression of Zhang Zhilin, but his Hong Kong identity made him unsuitable as Yi’an’s top male artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Yi’an was a mainland company aiming to become the mainland’s top studio. If the top female artist was a mainland leading lady, the top male artist must be a mainland leading man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Zhang Zhilin was married, preferred steady acting roles, and lacked strong idol appeal or commercial clout—major drawbacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhilin was currently the most popular, so who else could be Yi’an’s number one? But Yan Li’s private plan was to promote another mainland young actor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he’d considered Qiao Zhenyu, but Yan Li always felt the guy lacked ambition and drive—he might not hold the top spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li didn’t want just Yi’an’s number one—he wanted someone like Fan Xiaopang: aiming to be the mainland’s number one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ambition, ability, and grit—all had to be in place. He couldn’t just dominate within the company; he had to be able to fight—and even crush—other companies’ top male artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Zhenyu probably couldn’t do it. Neither could his good friend Zhou Yiwei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li scoured his options, but few stood out—until he relied on his system’s monthly intelligence alerts to narrow it down to one candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beijing, a small residential community\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li looked at her gloomy boyfriend and comforted him: “Don’t be upset. If this role’s gone, wait for another chance. When I’m done with work, we’ll go to Sanya next month to relax.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao glanced at his girlfriend and forced a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood—but losing a role he’d almost secured? Anyone would be crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was Feng Xiaogang’s film—it would have been a crucial boost to his career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d also hoped to use this film as a stepping stone to get closer to Huayi—now that was gone too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao couldn’t help sighing. Truthfully, his ambition wasn’t especially strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His drive to climb higher came partly from his own desire—but also from pressure from his girlfriend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li was more famous than him, and the number one artist at Hai Run—her fame, connections, and resources all overshadowed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His male pride and sense of crisis pushed him to seek a bigger company, to chase greater career heights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Deng Chao’s phone rang. He pulled it out, eyes widening slightly, then quickly answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Boss Yan… I’m free, I’m free. Okay, okay, XX Restaurant, got it. I’m on my way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up, Sun Li asked curiously: “Boss Yan? Which Boss Yan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yan Li from Yi’an.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does he want with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao said he wasn't sure, but he suspected it had something to do with The Assembly Call; Hua Yi had clearly said that whoever took the role was Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, with a senior figure inviting him, Deng Chao dared not delay—he immediately drove to the agreed location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he arrived, he called, and soon after, he was led into a private room where only Yan Li was waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li spun the turntable: \"I remember you're from Nanchang. The head chef here is your fellow townsman—I specifically ordered local dishes. Try them and see if they're authentic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao took the menu, slightly overwhelmed. Though he didn't know Yan Li's intent, this gesture couldn't be a bad sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After ordering, Yan Li and Deng Chao exchanged pleasantries, then steered the conversation toward The Assembly Call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did Hua Yi dump all the blame on me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li asked with a smile—he didn't need a system trigger to know this; the Wang brothers had surely buried countless traps for him behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao dared not meddle in the seniors' disputes; he awkwardly smiled but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li didn't mind and continued: \"Do you know why Hua Yi gave the role in The Assembly Call to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao had initially dared not speak the truth, but seeing Yan Li's amused expression, he finally laid it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's talk in the industry that you've had the upper hand in your dealings with Hua Yi and other companies...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear. Yan Li nodded: \"You're upset about losing a role you were about to get, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao opened his mouth to reply, but Yan Li added: \"It's just you and me today. Be honest. No games.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, Deng Chao nodded: \"You're an actor too. No actor feels good after having a role taken from him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li asked again: \"Then do you know why you were the one taken from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao shook his head: \"I haven't offended you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You haven't offended me, and I'm not targeting you. We simply negotiated for a role that happened to be yours. When the deal was sealed, you became expendable. That's all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li revealed the truth. Deng Chao's expression shifted, but he had nothing to say—only silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know why you became expendable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li asked again, and before Deng Chao could react, he answered directly: \"Because you're not famous enough. Because you have no backing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this role were meant for Ge You, no one could take it—and no one would dare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I took the second male lead instead of the lead because the designated lead, Zhang Hanyu, is fiercely protected by Feng Xiaogang, and he's about to join Hua Yi—so the Wang brothers will back him too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Deng Chao's fluctuating expression, Yan Li said no more, letting him process it alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several minutes, Deng Chao finally spoke: \"Director Yan, you didn't call me here just to give me a lecture, did you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course not. I don't have that much free time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li sipped his tea: \"Simple question: Do you want to get that role back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao asked: \"What's the condition?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li looked surprised: \"Aren't you shocked by this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao shook his head, calm: \"I already figured it out. You're a big boss. You invited me out, asked me about The Assembly Call—clearly you're not here to mock me. The intent isn't hard to guess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Smart man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li smiled with appreciation: \"I like smart people. Interested in joining Yi'an? This role is your welcome gift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took my role—and now offers it back as a welcome gift!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Deng Chao had prepared himself, he still sucked in a breath, keeping his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A movie supporting role isn't enough to tie me down for the next few years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already said—it's just a welcome gift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li knew The Assembly Call alone couldn't win Deng Chao. If it did, the man wouldn't be the talent he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once you join Yi'an, resources won't be lacking. By the way, I heard about the script your teacher wants to make—it's a good story. The company can invest. You'll play the lead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the table, Deng Chao gripped his pants: \"Hua Yi's CEO, Wang Zong, highly appreciates me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li glanced at him, then pulled out two chopsticks: \"Do you know what 'one mountain cannot hold two tigers' means?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao didn't understand. Yan Li explained: \"Li Bingbing is Hua Yi's top actress. Now they've signed Zhou Xun, whose fame and status even surpass hers. Do you think they'll get along?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...They'll fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me tell you another not-so-secret secret: Hua Yi and Huang Xiaoming have basically agreed—he'll almost certainly play the lead in The Deer and the Cauldron. If you join Hua Yi, you'll be competing with this rising mainland heartthrob for the top spot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao objected: \"But Yi'an has Zhang Zhilin too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct. Not just Zhang Zhilin—Qiao Zhenyu as well. The role of Chu Liuxiang in The Legend of Chu Liuxiang is already his. If you join Yi'an, you'll be competing with both of them for the top spot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao was stunned. Wasn't this supposed to be a pitch showing Yi'an's harmony versus Hua Yi's cruelty? Why was Yan Li doing the opposite?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li saw his confusion: \"It's all true. No need to hide it—hiding would be pointless. Competition is inevitable. But I believe you'll win.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao, slightly surprised: \"You believe that much in me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not because I believe in you—but because I'll back you. If I back you, you'll win. Conversely, Hua Yi backs Huang Xiaoming—you'd lose if you went there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li laid it bare: there's no such thing as fair internal competition. If everything were fair, who would bother with top stars and top actresses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao's emotions were complicated. He'd considered signing with Yi'an, but still leaned toward the stronger Hua Yi. Yet Yan Li's offer was deeply tempting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another key factor: he deeply admired Yan Li's ability and experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't a fan or a groupie—but he held strong affection for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following such a charismatic leader was a powerful lure for Deng Chao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after Yan Li defended Fan Xiaotian recently—this had further improved Deng Chao's impression of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Fan Xiaotian was close to Yan Li, it still revealed his character: if he could protect his girlfriend so fiercely, he wouldn't abandon his own employees when trouble came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actors seek companies not just for resources, but for a backer—whether that backer can be trusted is crucial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao was tempted, but this decision was too major—it could affect his next few years, even his entire career. He couldn't decide on a whim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to carefully consider it himself, and consult family, his girlfriend, friends, and even his team members who might follow him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Deng Chao asked for a few days to think. Yan Li had no objection—and gave him another small welcome gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Paparazzi have been following you and Sun Li. Be careful. If you need help, I can handle this problem for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao stared at Yan Li in shock. His relationship with Sun Li was secret—no one outside knew, and even within the industry, very few were aware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Yan Li not only knew about their romance—he knew the paparazzi were tailing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of reach...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Chao's gaze toward Yan Li subtly grew more reverent. The boss was powerful—he could protect you, but also easily control you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li calmly lit a cigarette. He'd deliberately shown off his strength. A boss must combine kindness with authority—make subordinates understand his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't worried Deng Chao would run away. If the man lacked this much courage, he wasn't worth cultivating. Running would be better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Yan Li had to admit—he admired this kid. He'd even stolen a top actor from Hai Run's boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Laogen was decent too—he let go of the company's top actress so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, maybe there's a new rising star—or maybe he's just getting old and can't hold on anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li felt a quiet pride. Among all the moneyed patrons in the entertainment industry, he wasn't the richest, nor the most handsome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in combat power, Yan Li was unquestionably the undisputed champion...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4968,"2026-06-19T16:16:54.562Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ed93afac20161ede976fcd6a75d02559781bd9942640f1a0c7f14a8c359457b1","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-233","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-231",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-cover.jpg"]