Chapter 235: Signed to Yi

After attending the charity event, it was already evening.

Yan Li had a dinner engagement that night, inevitably involving food, drink, and business talk; as everyone knew, such occasions rarely let you eat properly.

Hungry, Yan Li simply pulled Ning Hao and Huang Bo to a small restaurant to grab something to eat.

"This garlic-braised fish is great, and this hui guo rou too—plus your two signature dishes."

Yan Li ordered a few dishes, then let Ning Hao and Huang Bo order theirs; Huang Bo, with his low status, kept refusing, so Ning Hao politely ordered one, and Yan Li added another.

The three of them plus the driver and assistant made five people total; seeing the portion sizes on the next table, six dishes would be enough.

"How was the roadshow?"

Yan Li, while rinsing chopsticks and bowls with tea, asked Ning Hao; they hadn't lost contact these past weeks, but their conversations had mostly been about box office data and promotional plans—this was their first real casual chat.

"Tired."

Ning Hao voiced his feeling: the roadshow wasn't just showing up in any city and calling it a day.

The schedule was packed, almost one city per day, sometimes even two.

In each city, they didn't just visit one cinema; if it was a box office stronghold, four or five were perfectly normal.

You could say every day was either on a roadshow or en route to one—not only exhausting, but you couldn't show it; you had to maintain enthusiastic energy for audiences and media.

During this roadshow, most of Ning Hao's team hadn't slept a single proper night.

"But it was fulfilling."

Ning Hao sighed, then added: though physically drained, everyone felt happy inside.

The box office for "Crazy Stone" kept climbing, and the fame of their creative team kept rising; wherever they went, they saw local audiences enthusiastically cheering for them.

That kind of joy, constantly wrapped in fame and fortune, was more effective than adrenaline.

Ning Hao was fine—he was a director with talent and insight, his temperament stronger than an average person's, so he could still hold it together.

A few creatives who'd never experienced this before didn't even feel tired; they were ecstatic.

Yan Li smiled, then turned to Huang Bo: "Bo'er, you've stolen quite a bit of the spotlight this time."

Although Guo Tao was the male lead in "Crazy Stone," due to his character and plot role, his likability fell far short of the trio of bumbling thieves.

Of the three bumbling thieves, the most standout were Dao Ge and Hei Pi—Liu Hua and Huang Bo.

Setting aside the plot, just in terms of memorable lines, these two brothers came up with quite a few.

Such as "Brand, Bennylu," "I'm in my career ascent phase," "You insulted my dignity and my intelligence," "Call your daddy," and so on.

Because the movie became popular, these lines even became somewhat of a pop culture phenomenon, further boosting their popularity.

Huang Bo now couldn't quite be called a star—that'd be an exaggeration—but he was no longer the unknown he once was; if lucky, he could be recognized on the street, and more production teams were willing to approach him.

This is the importance of a breakout film or signature role for an actor—it can directly change a career, even an entire life.

Huang Bo flashed his signature toothy grin and raised his cup to toast Yan Li and Ning Hao.

"I'm where I am today thanks to Director Ning and Manager Yan's promotion and support."

What a smooth talker!

Huang Bo's role in "Crazy Stone" had nothing to do with Yan Li, yet now he was suddenly called his "patron."

Yan Li smiled and raised his cup to clink with Huang Bo's, then asked: "I remember you're from Dao City, right?"

Huang Bo nodded, then further forged a connection: "Yes, we're both from Shandong Province."

"Then we truly have fate on our side—alumni and fellow provincials."

Yan Li was just making this up; there were countless Beidian alumni from Shandong, including Huang Xiaoming—he'd even "competed" with him for Qin Lan, yet never told him they had fate.

The circle was so small; no matter how you twisted it, you could always find some "fate."

Born in 1974, Huang Bo was now thirty years old, with an extremely rich life experience.

His parents were government officials, their family well-off; he loved singing and dancing since childhood, entered singing competitions, formed a band and toured, ran a factory, worked as a dance instructor, then became an actor, passed the entrance exam for Beidian's dubbing class, and has been acting ever since.

These experiences gave Huang Bo exceptional social skills and worldly experience.

So when he heard Yan Li's words, he immediately sensed Yan Li was sending him a friendly signal.

Huang Bo didn't yet know Yan Li's intent, but if a big boss like Yan Li wanted to get closer to him, he welcomed it wholeheartedly.

After all, he was just a minor actor—there was nothing worth coveting about him; no one would possibly be interested in him personally.

Even if Yan Li liked men—which he didn't—Huang Bo felt he was perfectly safe.

So he actively responded to Yan Li's signals, steadily drawing closer.

After chatting a while, Yan Li felt it was enough, and finally got to the point: "Interested in joining Yi'an?"

Yi'an had Zhang Zhilin and Zhou Yi, and future signees Qiao Zhenyu and Deng Chao; they didn't lack young male leads, but they lacked power actors.

Zhang Songwen and Lin Jiachuan were still too green; Huang Bo, with his potential to win Best Actor, had more spark—and he was better at comedy, filling a gap Yi'an lacked.

Huang Bo froze; beside him, Ning Hao couldn't help kicking him under the table, frantically signaling him.

They were good friends; Ning Hao genuinely wanted Huang Bo to succeed.

Though Huang Bo had some minor fame now, he was still unknown in the industry; Yi'an was a well-known company with abundant resources.

More importantly, it was Yan Li himself personally recruiting him—clearly he saw potential in Huang Bo; missing this chance would be a terrible loss.

Huang Bo snapped back and quickly apologized: "Sorry, Manager Yan, I was just startled."

"No problem. If you have concerns, say them outright—it's not a small matter. You can take time to think it over."

Yan Li smiled; this idea had come to him on a whim—if he hadn't met Huang Bo, he might never have thought of it.

To be honest, in this industry, stars who could become popular and make money weren't easy to find or cultivate, but real power actors were everywhere.

Yan Li himself preferred profitable artists; signing power actors was just to diversify the roster and enhance the company's prestige.

So if Huang Bo accepted, great; if not, it didn't matter.

"No no no, no need to think—I've always wanted to join Yi'an! I was even planning to ask Director Ning to recommend me, but I never expected you'd invite me personally—thank you so much, I'll definitely perform well."

Huang Bo wasn't lying—he really had thought about joining Yi'an, but only as a passing thought.

Everyone knows it's good to lean on a big tree, but his name isn't well-known, and his appearance isn't striking—why would any major film studio want him?

Yan Li's invitation gave Huang Bo immense surprise, so much so that he froze, even speaking without thinking.

"Glad you're willing."

After gently calming Huang Bo and learning he had previously worked independently with no contract disputes, Yan Li told him to go directly to Yi'an's Artist Agency Department to negotiate his contract—how far he got would depend on his own ability.

As for meeting gifts or a signing ceremony, don't even think about it.

Huang Bo's fame and status aren't high enough.

Especially the signing ceremony—Yi'an has only held one for Fan Xiaopang so far, and might hold another for Ning Hao later.

A fresh genius director whose debut (theatrical film) grossed over 50 million yuan deserves Yi'an's promotional push.

As for Qiao Zhenyu and Deng Chao, including Zhang Zhilin who renewed his contract, the company has voiced interest, but it's still uncertain—it depends on scheduling and whether they deliver.

A signing ceremony and all the promotional hype cost a lot; to earn this treatment, you must have the capital to deserve it.

When Yan Li spent heavily on Fan Xiaopang, the man repaid the company handsomely.

Yi'an's top female artist title isn't given lightly.

Sixty to seventy percent of the company's artist agency revenue comes from Fan Xiaopang; the rest comes from Zhang Zhilin, who rose to fame with The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng, plus Wang Ou and Zhou Yi.

…

After dinner, everyone went their separate ways. Yan Li returned to the company to sign a few documents, changed clothes, then took a car to a high-end restaurant.

"Yan Zong, come in, come in—I'll introduce you: this is Mr. Yang from Yinghuang; this one doesn't need introduction, does he?"

Yan Li was the guest and arrived late; by the time he got there, most people were already there. Wang Zhongjun, the host from Huayi, helped with introductions.

No need for introductions—Yan Li recognized nearly everyone in this private room.

The Wang brothers, Feng Xiaogang, Ge Daye, Mr. Yang from Yinghuang, and the big-nosed Chinese icon—Cheng Long.

He'd dealt with the first few to some degree; no need to elaborate.

Wang Zhongjun assumed Yan Li didn't know Mr. Yang or Cheng Long, since the latter had said so.

But in truth, Yan Li had never met Mr. Yang before—yet he had met Cheng Long: "Big Brother, don't you remember? We met backstage during the 2005 Spring Festival Gala."

During the Seven Fairies Gala, Cheng Long and his son were there too—we'd crossed paths backstage.

But back then, Yan Li wasn't well-known in the circle, and Cheng Long probably didn't pay him any mind.

Huo Siyan, who was also at the banquet, was present at the time and helped remind him.

"We were the Seven Fairies on the Gala—there were two Bingbing sisters. Yan Zong took us to take photos with Big Brother, and your Young Master shared a dressing room with us."

"Oh, now I remember."

Cheng Long didn't recall Yan Li, but he remembered the two Bingbings and the seven beautiful girls—he smacked his forehead in frustration.

"Getting old, memory's terrible—I already knew Yan Zong back then."

Yan Li understood perfectly: the higher your status and fame, the more people come to befriend or flatter you, the more who beg for photos and autographs—you can't possibly remember them all.

Bringing this up wasn't Yan Li proving "the river shifts east and west over thirty years"—it was just a way to quickly break the ice.

In social conversations, strangers naturally feel wary and guarded.

But if you're connected—even if only by a thin thread—it's always better than a first meeting, and you have something to talk about.

Even if the topic is slightly awkward, using that awkwardness to "laugh off past grievances" creates empathy and mutual recognition, accelerating rapport faster than normal socializing.

Especially for someone like Cheng Long, who carries a bit of elder-brother gangster aura—this approach would make him see Yan Li as straightforward and principled.

Yan Li's intelligence-gathering ability is a system boost, but his social skills? Absolutely his own talent.

Of course, the system matters too—constant intelligence feedback lets him read people with greater precision, and through countless negotiations and social engagements, Yan Li's interpersonal skills keep improving, growing stronger.

After some small talk, everyone sat down. Besides the big bosses, there were several female companions accompanying them.

Huo Siyan needs no explanation—she leveraged Huayi's influence, and given her close ties to Yan Li, the Wang brothers tacitly accepted her as Yan Li's person.

This invitation to Yan Li naturally included her, his dedicated PR manager.

Besides Huo Siyan, Huayi brought two female artists—one was Hu Ke, whom Yan Li had briefly met during The Lucky Pig Zhu Bajie.

Rumor says she'll appear in Huayi and Zhang Jizhong's The Deer and the Cauldron—likely already signed under them.

The other was probably a newcomer Yan Li didn't recognize.

After being taught a lesson by Wang Jinghua, Huayi signed many minor actors and newcomers—Xiong Naijin was one.

But when Yan Li asked Huo Siyan, she said the woman wasn't a Huayi artist—though she was one of the cast of The Deer and the Cauldron, apparently named… Li Feier.

Speaking of The Deer and the Cauldron, Yan Li was genuinely curious about one thing.

Since this drama is produced by Huayi, they'd naturally promote their own people—like Hu Ke here today, and the rumored Huang Xiaoming, both of whom are flirting with Huayi.

Li Bingbing and Zhou Young Master have high status; it's understandable they don't want to play minor wives to Huang Xiaoming or other young male leads.

Don't use The Legend of Xue Rengui as a comparison—Li Bingbing was the female lead there, and the male lead was Yan Li himself; not only is her status high, but the two share a "bond."

Whether repaying a personal favor or publicly showing friendship, it makes perfect sense.

But Li and Zhou aren't taking roles, and Huo Siyan's fame is now decent at Huayi—though not enough to carry a lead—she'd likely be willing to take a role in this popular Jin Yong drama, yet no word has surfaced.

Hearing this, Huo Siyan looked slightly wounded and pouty: "I want to play, but Producer Zhang won't let me."

Yan Li raised an eyebrow: "Is it because of me?"

Huo Siyan carries many traces of Yan Li—after all, she was the female lead in his first drama, and many see her as someone Yan Li made famous.

"I'm not sure—maybe he just doesn't think I'm good enough."

After playing the victim, Huo Siyan tried to backtrack—Yan Li knew her little tricks inside out.

Still, he was quite willing to give Zhang the Hu Zi and Huayi a little trouble.

"Do you want to play? I'll speak up for you."

"Really?"

Huo Siyan's eyes lit up with surprise; Yan Li nodded—he had no stake in the drama, so he loved using others' resources to build his own goodwill.

Zhang the Big Hu Zi stubbornly refused to give Huo Siyan a better role.

He, an "outsider," stood up for her, yet Huayi gave him no resources—no need to say who Huo Siyan hated more.

This girl still had some influence inside Huayi; she might even stir up discord among Huayi's ranks.

Meanwhile, Yan Li also wanted to test Huayi's limits; now that he held the upper hand, he might as well take every advantage.

"But I'll warn you—I'm standing up for you, so watch out, Huayi might think you're a mole."

Yan Li voiced the risk ahead of time to prevent Huo Siyan from regretting it later—but this girl reached out with her small hand and subtly brushed his crotch.

"Aren't I already your person?"

Even without this, the Wang brothers already distrusted her; if so, why not lean on the illusion fully? Use Yan Li's prestige as long as possible.

At worst, she'd be ignored—but with Yan Li around, they wouldn't blacklist or bury her.

Yan Li slapped away Huo Siyan's hand: "You call me 'Big Brother-in-Law' so sweetly—when has a little sister ever touched here?"

Huo Siyan replied confidently: "I'm not your real little sister, and besides, a little sister's butt is half hers brother-in-law's anyway."

Good grief—if that's true, Qin Lan has given him no shortage of half-butt situations…

…

Yan Li didn't just whisper quietly to Huo Siyan; he kept up with the drinking table chatter and accepted a toast from the female companion brought by Boss Yang of Yinghuang.

He recognized this woman—ASa from Twins, Cai Zhuoyan, one of the female leads in "Project A."

Yan Li had no interest in her; after politely responding, he turned to chat with Feng Xiaogang and Jackie Chan.

Throughout the banquet, these two were the only ones he truly cared about.

But Feng was heavily guarded by the Wang brothers, and Jackie occasionally blocked questions too—understandable; each company's golden goose, he'd be careful too.

When the wine flowed halfway and the mood was right, the Wang brothers finally brought up the real matter.

First, they lavished praise on "Crazy Stone," then invited Yan Li to participate in the distribution of "The Banquet" and "Project A."

Yan Li didn't refuse—he'd come here, which proved his willingness to cooperate.

But willingness to cooperate was one thing; how to cooperate was another.

Yan Li didn't state his terms outright; these were people of status—no shouting prices in public. First reach consensus, then negotiate privately.

The Wang brothers understood this too; their invitation wasn't just about cooperation—it was mainly to resolve past grievances and draw closer.

Last time was messy; if they untied the knot, cooperation would naturally follow.

After all, who wouldn't welcome a chance to make money?

With the cooperation settled, the atmosphere grew livelier, and Yan Li casually brought up Huo Siyan's matter.

"Siyan is especially interested in 'The Deer and the Cauldron'—she begged me, and I see her as a little sister, so I'm shamelessly asking you two."

"You know I've had some disputes with Director Zhang, and Siyan is Huayi's own talent—internal matters are naturally easier for you than for an outsider like me."

The Wang brothers hadn't expected this twist.

And the timing was perfect—just after sealing cooperation, Yan Li had shown goodwill by letting bygones be bygones; if he gave face, how could Huayi not return it?

Remember, the cooperation was just agreed upon—no terms discussed, no contract signed, it could still vanish in an instant.

The brothers exchanged glances; the elder stayed silent, the younger stood up and volunteered to speak with Zhang the Big Hu Zi.

Yan Li's face must be honored, but Zhang the Big Hu Zi's couldn't be ignored—the younger brother would go first; if successful, everyone wins; if not, the elder could still mediate.

No wonder brothers are best for taming tigers—their coordination was excellent.

Yan Li didn't care whether Huo Siyan got the role—he quietly observed the Wang brothers' attitude and unspoken understanding.

With Yi'an's rapid rise, it would inevitably clash with Huayi.

The brothers had studied Yan Li in private; Yan Li, too, was using his system and rare opportunities to study them.

Huo Siyan knew nothing of this behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Seeing Wang Zhonglei take full responsibility, she thought the role was hers—her gaze toward Yan Li practically dripped with longing, and under the table, her small hands never stopped moving…

————

PS: Something came up suddenly—tomorrow's chapter: 7000 words (0/7000)

(End of Chapter)