Chapter 238: Whether It

Yi An's version of "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" retains the style of "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng."

That is, an episodic detective drama.

However, compared to the fast-paced 4–5 episode arcs of "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng," the individual arcs in "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" are far fewer.

The first arc, "Floating Blood Fragrance," features Chu Liuxiang facing off against Wu Hua and Nan Gong Ling of the Beggar's Sect.

The second arc, "The Great Desert," features the villain Shi Guanyin and related plots involving the Kucha Kingdom.

The third arc, "The Painted Brow Bird," centers on the main antagonist, Shui Mu Yin Ji, the mistress of the Divine Water Palace.

These three arcs total 30 episodes, averaging ten episodes per arc, with some transitional and character-developing plots woven in.

After all, television dramas aren't novels—you can't summarize everything in a few sentences; important supporting characters need proper individual storylines.

Anyone familiar with the Chu Liuxiang series knows the novel originally has eight arcs, but the final one, "Midnight Orchid," is suspected to be a forgery; the first seven are more widely accepted.

The three arcs mentioned above are all part of the first season of "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang."

Although the story has episodic structure, there are many interconnections, making it a long-form novel.

These three arcs are also the three most influential in the entire Chu Liuxiang series.

The subsequent arcs are sequels written by Gu Long, titled "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang," featuring characters such as Xue Yiren, Zuo Qinghou, the Bat Young Master, and the Sutra Robe Holy Sect.

The plots are more scattered, with stronger episodic qualities, and their quality and reception are slightly lower than the first season, with less impact.

When preparing "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang," the writing and production teams extensively discussed adaptation plans.

"The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" itself isn't as fast-paced as "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng," and it has more supporting characters; compressing it into 4–5 episode arcs would require cutting too much plot.

The fast-paced episodic structure of "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng" received much praise, but also some controversy.

Many felt that certain original plotlines were cut or altered, making some arcs feel overly simplistic or abrupt.

Supporting characters were poorly developed—figures like the Old Man and Gong Jiu, beloved by countless Gu Long fans as major villains, ended up with barely any screen time.

Fan Xiaopang, Sun Li, An Yixuan, and other female stars and charismatic roles appeared for only a few episodes before disappearing—such a waste.

The production team, based on these flaws and considering both the source material and the actors' roles, ultimately extended each arc of "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" to ten episodes.

More than that wouldn't work—it would feel bloated; ten episodes strike the perfect balance, enriching plot and characters without becoming tedious or dragging.

Ten episodes per arc, filming all arcs at once, would require roughly sixty to seventy episodes—too expensive, too risky.

Thus, Yan Li personally decided: "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" would start with thirty episodes.

Afterward, if performance is strong, they could combine later arcs to produce a sequel: "The New Legend of Chu Liuxiang" or "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang 2."

This is a well-worn tactic in the film and television industry.

Even "The Investiture of the Gods" followed this pattern: if one part can't finish the story, split it into two to share the risk.

If the first part succeeds, the sequel commands a higher price; if it flops and no one watches, there's no need to make a sequel.

And because it's split into two parts, they ensure the original cast remains available for the second part.

For casting "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang," especially for characters appearing in both parts, they favored "one of our own."

In plain terms: you get paid for the first season, but you must reserve your schedule for the second.

This demand isn't unreasonable—or it is, depending on perspective.

But given that "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" is a hot project, most actors—except a few top stars with tight schedules—were willing to cooperate.

Yan Li didn't get deeply involved in casting, but he personally decided many roles.

Chu Liuxiang was one of the earliest roles locked in—even while filming "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng," Yan Li already had ideas.

Many companies and production executives recommended others: Jiao Enjun, Yan Kuan, Chen Kun, and so on.

But Yan Li rejected them all.

Jiao Enjun's appearance and acting were fine, but he was too old.

He could play mature, stoic, solemn roles like Erlang Shen or Ye Gucheng, but playing Chu Liuxiang made him seem too aged.

Yan Kuan and Chen Kun were the same—their looks and aura didn't fit.

Of course, this doesn't mean Yan Li's pick, Qiao Zhenyu, perfectly matched Chu Liuxiang.

You could list dozens of flaws: his physique leans feminine, his aura is too upright, his acting lacks polish—but he has three crucial advantages.

Good-looking, young, signed with Yi An!

No one can perfectly portray Chu Liuxiang—a flawless literary character, filtered through countless fans' imaginations, with Zheng Shaoqiu's classic version still looming large; whoever plays him will fail to satisfy everyone.

When casting "The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng," Yan Li was heavily criticized; from then on, he learned a lesson.

You can never please everyone.

Even if you pulled Chu Liuxiang himself out of the book, someone would still say he doesn't match their vision.

So, pick someone reasonably suitable who also maximizes your own interests.

At the very least, Qiao Zhenyu's face holds up.

He won't be some greasy, overweight street vendor turning the Gentleman Thief into the Pathetic Thief.

So, Qiao Zhenyu may face criticism and disbelief, but not enough to make most viewers abandon the show outright—this allows other aspects of the drama to gradually shape a portrayal that fits Chu Liuxiang.

The charm of audiovisual media is giving your imagination an anchor, then grounding it in reality.

You can't reach 100, maybe not even 90, perhaps not even 80—but 70 to 75 isn't bad.

Yan Li is a businessman, not an artist.

While he has personal aspirations for high quality, his main goal is still to make more money.

If 70 and 80 earn roughly the same, the difference means little to him—especially since a 70-point project can generate profit elsewhere.

Jiao Enjun may be wonderful, Yan Kuan may be stunningly handsome, but Yan Li can't make money from them.

"The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng" made Zhang Zhilin famous; "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" will definitely boost the lead actor's popularity.

Qiao Zhenyu is young and handsome; even if he lacks drive, he has some cultivation potential—he might not become the top male star in mainland China, but as a top-tier popular actor, he can earn plenty.

Chen Kun is the top star of Rong Xinda; his chance of switching studios is low. Jiao Enjun is older, with low cultivation potential.

If Yan Li had considered Yan Kuan, he might have hesitated, but he signed with a new company last year.

Moreover, Yan Li had already secured Deng Chao; Qiao Zhenyu lacked ambition and had less conflict with Deng Chao. Replacing him with Yan Kuan might spark a battle for the top spot.

So, overall, Qiao Zhenyu wasn't the best choice for Chu Liuxiang, but for Yan Li, he was the most "right."

Don't pick the best—pick the most "right!"

Similarly, for other roles in "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang," many practical factors must be considered, not just suitability.

Outsiders criticize Zhang Jizhong and Huayi for nepotism, but Yan Li wasn't much better—perhaps even worse.

Zhang Jizhong and Huayi still liked using outsiders; Yan Li truly preferred familiar faces and his own people.

His good reputation in the industry and the loyal support from his inner circle weren't without reason: once he noticed someone, if they had a role, he genuinely promoted them.

For the Chu Liuxiang lead trio: Qiao Zhenyu, who plays Chu Liuxiang, met Yan Li through "Snow Goddess Dragon," and played the lover of the Sixth Fairy in "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies."

Hu Tiehua's actor, Wu Yue, played the lover of the Fourth Fairy in "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies" and also starred in "The White-Haired Witch"—he's also an old acquaintance of Yan Li's.

Ji Bingyan's actor, however, was a newcomer: Zhao Hongfei, who played Duoduo in "Secret History of Xiaozhuang" and Yelü Qi in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes."

This guy is a specialist in Wu Xia and Qing-dynasty dramas, having appeared in many such series; his appearance and acting are solid, making him perfect for Ji Bingyan—a cold-faced, sharp-witted, slightly tsundere character.

For the female lead group: Li Rongrong is played by Dong Xuan.

No introduction needed—she wasn't cast in previous installments; it was her turn.

She was chosen for Li Rongrong because the role is nominally the female lead, and the character blends strength and gentleness, possessing both martial heroine spirit and tender sweetness—perfect for Dong Xuan.

But because of Dong Xuan, many of his own people couldn't be used.

The Teddy Sisters wouldn't dare come near; Wang Ou, Yang Rong, and Wu Jiani also didn't want to provoke her, and they were busy with other projects and dance studios.

Jiang Xin and Li Lin from "Huan Tian Xi Di Seven Fairies" went to star in Fan Xiaopang's "The Legend of Yang Yuhuan."

So, besides Yang Xue as Li Hongxiu and Guan Yue in a semi-cameo role, "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" used some "outsiders."

For example, Shu Chang as Song Tian'er.

Song Tian'er is pure, cute, playful, and lively—she's practically Shu Chang's comfort zone, a role she can nail effortlessly.

The reason for casting Shu Chang is simple: she's famous.

Her roles in last year's "Jingwei Fills the Sea" and "Bao Lian Deng" made her one of the hottest young actresses now, bringing significant benefits to the production.

Notably, Shu Chang was poached from "The Deer and the Cauldron."

She was originally slated to play Princess Jianning in "The Deer and the Cauldron," but due to someone's interference, Hu Siyan snatched the role of Jianning.

While "The Deer and the Cauldron" was negotiating with Shu Chang to switch roles or collaborate next time,

"The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" came knocking, offering her a substantial role as Song Tian'er, pulling the dissatisfied Shu Chang into their own production.

Of the six core characters—the trio of Chu, Hu, Ji, plus the three romantic interests Su, Song, Li—four are familiar faces or insiders; only Zhao Hongfei and Shu Chang are first-time collaborators.

Even the supporting roles are filled with many insiders or connections.

For example, Cui Peng plays the Monk Wu Hua—he's Dong Xuan's college classmate, and his casting was facilitated by her.

Yuan Shanshan, who plays a disciple of Shi Guanyin, also has Dong Xuan's influence behind her.

Others include Han Xue (Gong Nanyan), Mu Tingting (Liu Wumei), Yang Tongshu (Shuimu Yinji), Qiu Cixuan (Shi Guanyin), and Tong Yaya (Princess of Kucha).

Yang Tongshu and Han Xue were both previously known to Yan Li; the former was invited to act, the latter was recommended through connections.

Mu Tingting and Tong Yaya were selected through auditions; Yan Li doesn't only favor insiders—if the conditions fit, he uses insiders; if not, he looks outside.

Moreover, beyond the main roles, he doesn't personally involve himself much in casting; some insiders got roles because someone recommended them, or because he saw them and preferred familiar faces over strangers.

As for Qiu Cixuan, Yan Li only later found out she was Korean and didn't speak Mandarin well.

At first, Yan Li wanted to replace her, but Yu Zheng, who recommended her, came to him with footage of Qiu's costume and audition clips; considering her limited screen time, Yan Li reluctantly granted Yu Zheng a favor.

Yan Li not only favors insiders over outsiders, but also has a regional bias—he prefers to promote mainland actors.

Actors from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and abroad aren't rejected, but he isn't enthusiastic about them; if they can't speak Mandarin properly, they're especially disadvantaged in his eyes.

…

The announcement of "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang"'s casting successfully stole the spotlight from "The Deer and the Cauldron."

Unsurprisingly, Qiao Zhenyu became embroiled in casting controversy.

But due to his lower fame and better reputation, plus less dissonance, he was somewhat better than Huang Xiaoming.

Aside from Qiao and Huang, the two absolute leads.

The female roles in "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" were compared endlessly with Wei Xiaobao's seven wives in "The Deer and the Cauldron."

Without comparison, you wouldn't notice; once compared, Yan Li's aesthetic became clear.

"The Rouge Lady" isn't called that for nothing—ignoring fame and acting skill, not one of them is unattractive.

Dong Xuan is famously the icy goddess from "Snow Goddess Dragon" and the heroic Third Fairy; Yang Xue has "Sixth Fairy" and Jiang Yuyan as her signature roles; Shu Chang needs no introduction.

Several supporting roles or those with lesser fame or careers still possess undeniable beauty, including newcomers like Tong Yaya, Yuan Shanshan, and Mu Tingting—all prettier than Li Feier and He Zhuoyan from "The Deer and the Cauldron."

Tianya, eager for drama, launched a voting poll comparing the two dramas' casting.

"The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" won decisively, 61% to 39%.

The longer Yan Li worked in the industry, the more he felt the phrase from this year's breakout comedian—"It's all thanks to the competition"—was brilliantly accurate.

Sometimes, victory doesn't require you to do exceptionally well—it just requires you to do better than your opponent.

These two dramas, already under intense scrutiny and automatically compared, now clashed even harder after this casting storm.

The impatient Zhang Dahuzi came out to praise the actors of "The Deer and the Cauldron" and implied that certain rivals were spreading dirt.

According to past patterns, Yan Li should have stepped forward to refute and mock, sparking another war of words.

But no one expected that "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang" responded to Zhang Dahuzi.

But this time, the speaker wasn't Yan Li—it was the producer of the drama, and newly appointed head of Yi'an TV Department, Wang Decai.

The implications of this move were enormous—so enormous that Zhang Dahuzi was momentarily shaken.

What the hell does this little bastard mean? Sending a junior to fight me? Is he looking down on me?!

Zhang Dahuizi misunderstood— it wasn't Yan Li looking down on him, but Wang Decai who looked down on him.

Wang Decai believed that since Zhang Dahuizi had joined Huayi, he was now subordinate to the two Wang brothers.

Yan Li and the two Wang brothers were both bosses; how could bosses quarrel with each other's subordinates?

Soldiers against soldiers, officers against officers, generals against generals!

So Old Wang volunteered himself, asking Yan Li to hold the line while he took on Zhang Dahuizi alone.

Yan Li didn't think it was as simple as Old Wang imagined.

Although Zhang Dahuizi had joined Huayi, the two sides leaned more toward cooperation; even the Wang brothers had to give him some face—it couldn't be summed up as simply "subordinate."

Nowadays, Huayi had only the two Wang brothers, plus Feng and Zhang; and even those two had to treat these two with respect, showing Zhang Dahuizi's status.

Moreover, Old Zhang's influence in the industry was no small matter—he was one of the top two TV producers on the mainland, with deep seniority and outstanding achievements, a true industry heavyweight.

Ordinary people rarely got a response if they tried to bait him.

But Old Wang wanted to try, and Yan Li supported his subordinate standing on his own—if things went badly, he'd step in himself.

True enough, Zhang Dahuizi was provoked, but he completely ignored Wang Decai.

Not only did Zhang Dahuizi refuse to play along, but the bystanders wouldn't allow it either.

This was the Jin-Gu battle, the clash between Yan and Zhang, the new and old generation of producers—they were here to watch two heavyweights fight; who the hell was Wang Decai?

On Yan Li's blog, netizens were everywhere stoking the fire.

Some said young people shouldn't act so aloof—if you're young and fiery, be young and fiery; don't act like an old relic.

Others said he'd forgotten his roots—where was the boldness and passion he once showed when he cursed Zhang Dahuizi?

Others earnestly urged that the soul of the Jin-Gu battle was precisely the collision between these two outstanding producers, Yan and Zhang; if you replace one, it loses all flavor.

Someone advised Zhang Dahuizi to insult him more harshly, or make a bet—like whoever lost would run naked down Chang'an Street.

With Yan Li so young, he'd surely be provoked into fighting back.

Zhang Dahuizi: "..."

Yan Li: "..."

Still, facing the storm of public opinion, Yan Li finally spoke out—he posted a blog.

【I didn't want to bully an elderly man, but given everyone's kindness and expectations, I can only continue sparring with Zhang Laoshi...】

At just 25, Yan Li wasn't that arrogant, and he actually needed and enjoyed the spotlight of public appearances.

As soon as Yan Li spoke, Zhang Dahuizi immediately replied.

"Bully an elderly man? When I was making TV dramas, he wasn't even born. If he wants to spar, I'll oblige—don't say I'm bullying a kid."

Yan Li: "Zhang Laoshi has been in the industry over twenty years longer than me, yet he's still sparring with a young man like me—hmm, your growth rate is truly impressive."

Zhang Dahuizi: "Someone once said that to me too—but over these past twenty years, they've all vanished and disappeared. The sea of art is turbulent; young man, first prove you can stay a few more years."

"..."

Seeing the two trade barbs across the void, netizens and media were moved to tears.

It's back! Everything's back! This is the real flavor!

————

The casting controversy and the Jin-Gu battle brought enormous heat to The Legend of Chu Liuxiang.

The crew was scheduled to start shooting in September, but TV stations were already calling to inquire about prices.

But such a flagship project could never be sold so quickly—it needed more hype; the hotter it got, the higher the price.

Perhaps Zhang Dahuizi would even hand over The Deer and the Cauldron to Yan Li for distribution, letting Yan launch another Chu-Lu double release and cement his title as the King of Distribution.

Compared to The Legend of Chu Liuxiang, Yan Li now preferred to talk about The White-Haired Witch, The Legend of Xue Rengui, and The Great Qing Harem.

These three dramas were already in post-production; the earliest would air by year-end, the latest by next year, and all were ready for distribution.

The most popular of the three were naturally The White-Haired Witch and The Legend of Xue Rengui.

The former featured Fan Xiaopang and Ren Quan; the latter featured Yan Li and Li Bingbing.

The Great Qing Harem was slightly weaker, but its cast—Zhang Zhilin, Wang Ou, Qin Lan, Huo Siyan—was far more luxurious than at the start of filming, making it a hot commodity in the industry.

Yan Li had already set KPIs for the distribution department.

The initial-phase revenue target for the first-round broadcast rights, some local channels, and DVD rights for these three dramas was 100 to 150 million RMB.

100 million was the pass line—33 million per drama on average; if the distribution department couldn't sell them for this price, the head should leave.

Once the pass line was reached, sell as much as possible.

Yan Li set not only KPIs but also corresponding bonus tiers: 100 million was standard split; 120 million raised the bonus; 140 million raised it again; beyond the planned 150 million, the bonus exploded.

Great rewards produce brave men!

With the broad channels he'd opened, the distribution elites he'd cultivated, and generous material incentives, Yan Li believed even without him, the distribution department wouldn't perform poorly.

Not to mention Yan Li would still personally oversee things, offering guidance and support.

After all, the more they earned, the more he earned; Yan Li might not be deeply involved, but he certainly wouldn't let go.

These three dramas were only the projects in which Yian participated in investment and production; there were also distribution deals.

Such as Tang Ren's Young Yang Family Warriors and The Immortal from Beyond the Sky, Zhou Yi's The Eight Diagrams of Ghost and Gods, Hai Run's Wolf Poison Flower, Ci Wen's Seven Swords Descend from Tianshan, and Zhonglu's (producer of Snow Goddess Dragon) The Spring of Cottonwood Flowers—nearly ten dramas in total.

Some were nearly finished, some still being sold, some in preparation for distribution.

Prices varied, and market reception differed.

But overall, there was no shortage of buyers—not a single drama would lose money.

Yan Li roughly calculated: if distribution went smoothly, 300 to 350 million was certainly possible, perhaps even more.

After all, it was only August now; more projects might still come in, but due to the heavy workload, he probably wouldn't take on too many—or would wait for next year's projects.

Add to that the three previous dramas and The Detective Di Renjie 2, and Yian's distribution performance this year might surpass last year's.

Too bad the Feng-Diao battle and The Investiture of the Gods were distributed last year—if they counted this year, Yan Li could hold a distribution symposium and give lectures.

He can even give lectures now.

Last year, some still questioned whether Yi'an was truly the top in the TV drama distribution industry.

This year, Yi'an's fierce performance silenced every skeptical voice.

The name 【King of Sales】 continues to be praised throughout the TV drama industry…

Besides the meteoric rise in distribution, production is also a key focus for Yi'an.

Beyond The Legend of Chu Liuxiang and The Legend of Yang Yuhuan, Yi'an is collaborating with Yongle on the second season of The Investiture of the Gods.

Leveraging its distribution advantage, Yi'an has invested in dramas like Golden Wedding, The Legend of Shaolin Temple, and The Sword of Life and Death.

Especially for the latter two, Yi'an's investment share is substantial—over 30% each—with considerable influence, and plans to insert some actors.

Recently, Li Boss from Xiaoma Bunteng asked if I'm interested in Gao Xixi's new drama Sweet Sweet; he can give me a stake.

Oh, and I promised Deng Chao a new drama, The Difficult Love of Wang Laowu; once he finishes Gathering the Call, we can start preparing.

You don't realize how much until you tally it up—then you're shocked.

Yan Li's eyes grew dizzy from so many book titles, and he marveled at why Yi'an's idle funds were always so scarce.

Though money flows in continuously, it also flows out continuously.

Thus, film and TV company bosses may be famous, but their cash is tight.

The reason is that money is tied up in projects—funds are constantly recovered and reinvested into new ones.

Successful companies accumulate more projects, mobilize broader resources and capital, may have little liquid cash, but their voice grows louder.

Unsuccessful companies, if one or two projects fail and cash flow stalls, their lives become unbearable.

If it triggers a chain reaction affecting half the company's projects, they won't die—but they'll lose skin.

Yan Li now increasingly understands why Hua Yi's two brothers want to go public, and why Orange Sky and Ciwen also want to go public.

Only after going public can a film company's shares be turned into cash.

As long as they cash out at a high stock price, whether the company profits or loses doesn't affect their personal gains.

If Yi'an weren't Yan Li's wholly owned company, and if he had more freedom to access funds and other income sources—not entirely dependent on Yi'an—he might already be scheming to take Yi'an public.

But Yi'an isn't considering going public for now; at Yi'an Cinemas, Yan Li is counting on going public to recoup his investment.

For the flagship cinema in Tianjin, Yan Li visits at least every ten or fifteen days whenever he has time.

With an investment estimated in the hundreds of millions, he feels pressure—he wishes Yi'an Cinemas would grow strong and fast, go public, see stock prices soar, and net him a few or even hundreds of billions…

…

In the morning, attend a distribution meeting; at noon, have lunch with a TV station executive; sneak off to Chaoyang to check on the stock team.

In the afternoon, listen to reports from multiple drama crews and cinema managers, chat with Ning Hao and several screenwriters about script ideas, and meet two clients before quitting time; in the evening, attend a business salon and a social dinner.

Yan Li worked until one a. m., then returned to Fuli City, only to find Qin Lan awake.

Not only was she awake, but several members of the Teddy Sisterhood were there too, seemingly comforting Liu Yun.

"What's going on?"

Yan Li asked, puzzled—he hadn't told her he was coming, and last night he hadn't been home; Qin Lan hurried over to greet and explain.

The scene before him was simple: Liu Yun discovered Nie Yuan was cheating.

More precisely, she didn't discover it herself—paparazzi caught Nie Yuan and Ajiao sightseeing together, entering the same hotel.

Yes, Ajiao from the Xiangjiang Twins; they'd been filming Snow Mountain Flying Fox together, likely falling for each other on set.

If photos alone hadn't been conclusive, Liu Yun had undeniable proof.

Somehow, she'd checked Nie Yuan's phone and computer and dug up plenty of evidence and details.

Not just Ajiao—but also Hu Ke, who had previously been linked to Nie Yuan, and Xie Na, host of Happy Camp—all confirmed.

Most interestingly, Xie Na and Liu Yun knew each other and had a decent relationship; neither expected the two had been involved behind her back.

"Liu Yun treated him so well—she hid her identity for three years to avoid hurting his career. And what does he do? Cheats on her, then goes after her friends. What a bastard."

"Cough, cough."

As Qin Lan ranted about Nie Yuan, Yan Li coughed awkwardly—he couldn't help feeling these words were aimed at him.

"So what are you planning to do?"

Yan Li could tell the Teddy Sisterhood had no intention of letting this go—Huo Siyan and Li Xiaolu's eager expressions were barely contained.

Sure enough, as soon as Yan Li asked, Li Xiaolu spoke up: "We must expose his Chen Shimei behavior and let everyone condemn that womanizing scumbag."

"Cough, cough—just say it plainly, no need for all those words."

Yan Li found it jarring and corrected Li's phrasing; only then did she realize—when it came to womanizing, this man was the original.

Qin Lan couldn't resist pinching him quietly, then said: "How we handle this depends on Liu Yun's wishes."

Because of Yan Li, Qin Lan viewed the matter more calmly; by nature, she was soft-spoken and preferred a harmonious resolution.

Huo Siyan quickly added: "No matter what, we can't let him bully one of our Teddy Sisterhood sisters."

She supported Liu Yun making a scene—when the Teddy Sisterhood stormed in, they'd make a huge splash.

But since Qin Lan was involved and Yan Li was present, she dared not speak too loudly—she only insisted the Teddy Sisterhood must participate.

Even without public fanfare, jointly intimidating Chen Shimei would be fine—it would show the sisterhood's unity, care, and mutual support.

Liu Yun's eyes were slightly red, but she didn't cry; she spat out: "I'll make him ruined and disgraced."

She was fiery-tempered, loved fiercely and hated fiercely—she tolerated no sand in her eyes.

Nie Yuan had dated her for three years, even planned to marry her, met her parents, and renovated a house—yet this bastard cheated on her with three women behind her back.

This was only what was discovered—there might be more she hadn't found.

Liu Yun's trust in Nie Yuan had collapsed; her past affection had been replaced by hatred, filled with vengeance.

Yan Li frowned—Nie Yuan was also his friend; in this situation, he couldn't just ignore it.

"Liu Yun, calm down. There might be a misunderstanding—or room for reconciliation."

"So I'll get Nie Yuan to meet you, have him apologize, and guarantee he won't do it again. Years of relationship aren't worth such a brutal strike."

Liu Yun glanced at Yan Li: "Too late. When I confronted him, I gave him a chance—he refused, broke up with me, and told me to get lost."

"..."

Yan Li couldn't help but glance at Qin Lan, who nodded and whispered a few words.

Liu Yun left Nie Yuan's house almost as if she'd been swept out the door; Qin Lan drove to pick her up.

If it weren't for that, Liu Yun wouldn't have been at Fuli City, and Qin Lan wouldn't have called the Teddy Sisterhood over.

If they wanted to reconcile, Liu Yun would've discussed it with Qin Lan first, trying to resolve things with minimal fallout. Calling the Teddy Sisterhood meant Liu Yun had already decided to tear everything apart and make a huge scene.

Damn!

Yan Li was speechless—he truly didn't know how to evaluate Nie Yuan's move.

Still, given Nie Yuan and Liu Yun's personalities, this wasn't impossible.

Liu Yun had a fiery temper, and with this happening, he could already picture her pointing at Nie Yuan's nose and screaming—certainly using the harshest words possible.

Nie Yuan was proud and aloof, with a bad temper to boot. Now that his career was thriving and his ego was inflated, he couldn't tolerate blame or humiliation.

Two firecrackers, shouting louder and louder—any extreme action wouldn't be surprising.

Yan Li even suspected that if he called Nie Yuan now, the latter would ignore him and dare Liu Yun to expose everything.

People don't feel pain until they're taught!

After a brief pause, Yan Li still couldn't walk away—he spoke to Liu Yun, analyzing the situation.

"You're furious now, thinking only of revenge—but after you've destroyed him, what good does it do you?"

"Is three years of love worth it just to vent your anger?"

"Here's what I'll do: I'll mediate for you, try to get some severance pay—he'll have to pay up. You get your revenge and some real benefit."

Yan Li proposed a more practical solution—his final act as a friend to both of them.

If they still couldn't reach an agreement, he'd done all he could. Whatever Liu Yun did, whatever fate Nie Yuan faced—it had nothing to do with him.

Yan Li's word carried weight—no need to elaborate.

And he wasn't just siding with Nie Yuan—he'd also fought for Liu Yun's interests.

Qin Lan, Huo Siyan, and the others joined in persuading her, and Liu Yun was somewhat persuaded, nodding.

"I'll listen to you."

"Good. It's late—let's call it a night. We'll talk again later."

Yan Li dismissed them. Qin Lan had wanted Liu Yun to stay overnight, but Liu Yun didn't want to intrude. Huo Siyan took charge and offered to take her in.

They'd be working together on The Deer and the Cauldron soon—perfect chance to get closer.

Besides Huo, Liu, and Li, the other member of the Teddy Sisterhood today was Zhao Ke.

Ma Yili and Xiong Naijin weren't in Jingcheng, so they didn't come to the meeting.

Huo and Liu left together. Li Xiaolu, who loved gossip and drama, decided to stick around for more tea, and said she'd stay at Huo Siyan's place too. Altogether four people—three had gone, and Zhao Ke followed.

Luckily, Huo Siyan's apartment, though small, had two bedrooms—enough room to squeeze everyone in.

At the convenience store still open in the neighborhood, they bought alcohol and snacks, planning to help Liu Yun drown her sorrows.

Alcohol was the best medium for bonding—under today's circumstances, drinking together quickly brought them close.

Liu Yun bitterly listed Nie Yuan's sins; the others joined in cursing him. But as they ranted, Zhao Ke, the youngest, couldn't help asking a deadly question.

If others were stepping on multiple boats too, why did Nie Yuan get blamed, but Yan Li was accepted without issue?

"How could that be the same!"

Huo Siyan spoke first: "What's Yan Zong's status and wealth? What's that Nie guy? Thinks he can step on multiple boats? Dream on."

Li Xiaolu nodded in agreement, counting off on her fingers for Zhao Ke.

Yan Li's many accolades and personal charm attracted and captivated women far more than popular actor Nie Yuan.

With superior resources, status, and financial power, what Yan Li could offer women was entirely different.

"Your sister Liu and that Nie guy—how much did he spend on her? Do you know how much Yan Zong spent on your sister Qin? Forget everything else—those Fuli City apartments cost millions, and the deed is in Qin Lan's name alone."

"Liu Yun, the apartment you and Nie Yuan planned to marry in—I won't even ask how much it cost. Was your name on the deed?"

Li Xiaolu turned to Liu Yun, firing a soul-deep question. Liu Yun said nothing, lifted her beer, and drank it down in one gulp.

"And your sister Qin and Yan Zong—what kind of life do they lead? What kind of drama do they play? You and that Nie guy dated underground for three years—how much did you ever benefit?"

Zhao Ke fell silent. Li Xiaolu and Huo Siyan's meaning was clear.

Yan Li is awesome—so he has the right to step on multiple boats.

Nie Yuan isn't awesome—and still tries to step on multiple boats? Who else should he blame?

"Also..."

Liu Yun, eyes red from drinking a can of beer, said: "Even if Yan Li is promiscuous, he's always upfront—no lies, no deception. It's mutual consent."

This was somewhat one-sided. Yan Li had originally hidden things too—only later did he go public, and the women, for various reasons, all tacitly accepted it.

But Qin Lan wouldn't tell them this—so except for a few insiders, most people believed Yan Li had always been open about his affairs.

To Liu Yun, if Nie Yuan had told her upfront he planned to step on multiple boats, and she'd stupidly agreed, then now complaining would be her own fault.

But they'd been in a normal relationship, aiming for marriage. Nie Yuan cheated—so Liu Yun naturally hated him.

"To me, no man is good. Even if he seems faithful now, who knows what he'll do later?"

"Better to go for someone like Yan Zong—kind to people, generous, and good-looking."

Huo Siyan laid out her "heretical logic." Liu Yun instinctively wanted to argue, but didn't know how—she just kept drinking.

Li Xiaolu wasn't fully convinced: "Men like Yan Zong are too clever, too cold-blooded. Fine for fun—but if you want to marry, find someone who can settle down."

Huo Siyan sneered: "Your Li Chen—is he the settling-down type?"

Li Xiaolu might grumble about Li Chen privately, but in public, she still defended him.

"What's wrong with Chen? He's handsome, honest, and does exactly what I say. He's not rich, but he's not poor either."

If your standards aren't high, Li Chen is actually a decent boyfriend—otherwise, Li Xiaolu wouldn't have dated him for so long.

"If you think it's good, then it's good."

Huo Siyan didn't think Li Chen was that honest; she had caught him secretly watching her and other girls.

But all men are like that, and she had no concrete proof. Seeing the atmosphere grow heavy, she shifted the topic to something every woman loved to discuss.

"Actually, Director Yan has one advantage most men can't match."

"What? What?"

Zhao Ke, low in status and young, dared not speak up or argue, so she automatically took on the role of the straight man.

Huo Siyan mumbled a few words, then roughly gestured a length and shape, causing everyone present to gasp—even Liu Yun stopped drinking her gloomy wine.

"How do you know?"

"……Of course Lan Jie told me. Do you think I measured it myself?"

Huo Siyan spoke nervously, but luckily Liu Yun didn't press further.

It's normal for girlfriends to discuss such things—there are even more extreme and detailed topics they talk about.

Liu Yun and Qin Lan had never discussed it, but given Huo Siyan's relationship with Qin Lan, talking about it wasn't unreasonable.

Li Xiaolu, who was closer to Huo Siyan, gave her a strange look; based on her understanding of her, she felt there was something fishy in those words.

Still, she said nothing more, only continued asking with keen interest.

Previously, it was only known that Yan Li was handsome, fit, rich, and generous—no one expected him to have this advantage too. No wonder Lan Jie always looked radiant, yet often tired.

Huo Siyan wasn't an observer—she was the one who experienced it. Though afraid of being exposed, she spoke vaguely, yet still drew soft gasps and follow-up questions from the women.

Li Xiaolu and Liu Yun even secretly compared Li Chen to Nie Yuan.

One sighed silently; the other clenched her teeth.

Especially Liu Yun, who showed not the slightest mercy toward Nie Yuan, openly confessed.

"If he had half of Yan Li's ability, I'd have hesitated longer before breaking up with him."

Zhao Ke, young and inexperienced, found Huo Siyan's description exaggerated and questioned it.

Huo Siyan giggled: "Don't believe me? Go try him yourself."

Private jokes among girlfriends, playful banter—this was normal. They'd done similar things even in front of Qin Lan. Zhao Ke wasn't afraid, only said:

"I'd like to try, but Director Yan probably wouldn't want me."

An innocent remark shattered Huo Siyan's composure; Liu Yun and Li Xiaolu fell silent.

The more they compared, the sadder they became—worse still, good men belonged to others…

————

ps: 10,000-character update (4000/8000)

(End of Chapter)