Chapter 302: Feng Kuzi Backs Down, 2008 Has Arrived

Under Hua Yi's arrangements, Han Sanye personally reached out to invite Yan Li and others for a gathering.

Conflicts and friction in the film market are normal, but they should be resolved if possible.

Hua Yi and Yi'an are both industry giants; excessive hostility would have a bad impact.

Feng Kuzi is a renowned director; some mistakes shouldn't be grounds for total condemnation—many media outlets have publicized the real-life inspiration behind "Assembly," and he shouldn't bear the blame alone.

Besides Han Sanye, key figures from the Film Bureau and Propaganda Department were also invited, along with Cheng Long and Jiang Wen, both of whom maintain good relations with both sides, to mediate.

This lineup carried serious weight and showed genuine intent to settle the matter.

Yu Pangzi from Bona also came; as one of the few major figures in the film industry and a close ally of Yan Li, he was specifically arranged by Han Sanye to stabilize Yan Li.

But Han Sanye miscalculated—Yu Pangzi arrived with Yan Li, yet along the way, his words subtly sowed discord.

It's natural: as Hua Yi and Yi'an expanded in film, Bona's status as the so-called industry's top distributor has diminished.

When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman profits!

From Bona's perspective, the fiercer the fight between Yi'an and Hua Yi, the better it is for them.

And as for Feng Kuzi—even if reconciliation succeeds, the grudge between both sides is already formed; Yan Li won't recruit him, and Feng won't go to Yi'an.

With their lead director treated this way by Yan Li and Hua Yi's response proving so inadequate, Feng Kuzi must be deeply disappointed, even angry.

Alienated by Yi'an, estranged from Hua Yi—Bona's opportunity arrives.

Yu Pangzi has long coveted Hua Yi and New Picture.

If he could bring Feng Kuzi over to Bona, he'd control a money tree, with wealth and influence rushing in—wouldn't that be delightful?

His intentions were crystal clear to Yan Li.

As always, their relationship is decent, but only decent—Bona and Yi'an cooperate and compete simultaneously; with that alone, Yu Pangzi plots behind the scenes, and Yan Li remains cautious.

Including this invitation to mediate, Yan Li isn't afraid of Hua Yi—he simply sees no need.

Hua Yi is listed; it doesn't want to fight to the death. Yi'an is growing rapidly—why would it be distracted by such trivial matters?

The fisherman wants profit, but the snipe and the clam aren't fools!

Though Yan Li always acts like he's on a rage pill whenever trouble arises, ready to throw everything into a fight, it's not actually like that.

Scolding Feng Xiaogang isn't even a big deal—he acted unreasonably, so what's wrong with yelling at him? Besides, he was even offered a toast before.

Exposing Feng Xiaogang's dirt was all superficial stuff; the Two Wangs had real ammunition—did Yan Li, with his advantages, have none?

Even if many claims lack evidence, once the narrative gains momentum, mud on the pants isn't shit—but it looks like shit, and Yan Li might well have obtained evidence anyway.

Regarding the "Assembly" incident, Yan Li merely stoked the flames from behind.

If he truly wanted to escalate, he had friends and connections in state media and sensitive departments—he could have defined the nature of the matter outright, and it wouldn't have been a mere study session anymore.

As for Hua Yi having powerful backers, Yan Li is fully aware—but he himself isn't without influence either.

Most crucially, in such struggles, once someone initiates, allies automatically join in.

If pushed too far, Yan Li releases a few things, and the rest takes care of itself.

Let me reiterate: Yan Li fears only the collective will of the Iron Fist; individual people or so-called factions simply can't scare him—it's merely a question of whether it's worth it.

He's a businessman, not some committee member—he doesn't need to drag in such nonsense.

His outward frenzy is merely a tactic to inflate demands—to start with maximum intensity so the other side calculates privately and realizes it's not worth it, then sits down to negotiate calmly.

What he fears most is a back-and-forth of escalating demands—small ones calling for bigger ones, big ones calling for the elders—gradually ratcheting up until the sunk costs reach a point where stopping becomes impossible.

So in reality, Yan Li's loud, dramatic actions, though appearing fierce, are purely about making an example of one to warn the many.

If he truly wanted to kill, he wouldn't make a sound or involve himself—he'd simply produce a lethal weapon and strike dead in one blow.

Ultimately, the conflict between Yan Li and Feng Kuzi isn't that deep.

If someone spits on you, you can slap him a few times, beat him up, even break a leg—but there's no need to stab him dead outright.

That's the act of a true lunatic—lunatics don't survive to today, and no one wants to play with such lunatics…

As for Yu Pangzi, Yan Li is just messing with him, loudly threatening to slap the Two Wangs later.

But when they arrived, he held Wang Zhongjun's hand tightly, smiling like they were closer than brothers.

After seating, Han Sanye spoke some formalities, Cheng Long and Jiang Wen also made some gestures, then Feng Kuzi rose to toast and apologize.

"Director Yan, from start to finish, I acted carelessly and failed to consider properly—I've caused trouble for you and Yi'an, and I sincerely apologize."

Feng Kuzi's expression wasn't good, but not terrible either—he forced a faint smile.

Today's reconciliation, though framed as Hua Yi and Yan Li saving face, hinges most crucially on letting him off the hook.

If he still showed Yan Li a sour face or sulked, given Yan Li's temper, even if he didn't beat him again in front of everyone, he'd face retribution later.

Feng Kuzi is really just that—he's a big director, but deep down still carries the insecurity of his days as a runner.

Yan Li's arrogance is mostly purposeful—he has sufficient backing, and even fake arrogance can instantly turn real.

Feng Kuzi's arrogance stems from a psychological need to retaliate against his past, and as merely a director, he has some strength, but most of his confidence is propped up by others.

In plain terms, a director is nothing more than a top salesperson or project manager—no matter how impressive, he still can't match the power of the backer or financier behind him.

Previously, the Two Wangs pampered and protected him; insiders and outsiders praised him, so no one dared to provoke him—Feng Kuzi got carried away and truly believed he was a major figure in the film industry.

But this time, facing a real hardliner, he became a punctured balloon and finally understood the true height of heaven and depth of earth.

So for an old hand like him, who climbed from the bottom and made it this far, regardless of what he truly thinks, outwardly he still knows how to bend and stretch.

"Hmm."

Yan Li glanced at Han Sanye and the others, then nodded slightly and took a sip of wine.

He didn't want to fight Hua Yi to the death; Feng Kuzi was just who he was—he accepted the toast and agreed to let the matter drop, already giving everyone face.

Don't expect him to give Feng Kuzi a smile—youth should have some spirit.

Seeing this, Han Sanye felt it was still a bit uncertain and signaled Feng Kuzi to offer two more toasts.

For the final cup, he specifically intervened again, and only then did Yan Li's expression soften as he drank it.

Han Sanye felt quite honored—Little Yan had a violent temper, but still respected him.

To be fair, Yan Li has never been the type to stir up trouble—he never picks fights unless provoked. This whole mess wouldn't have happened if Feng Xiaogang hadn't gotten a little success and started boasting and blabbing. Now that he's been taken down, he got what he deserved.

Seeing this, the others relaxed—they hadn't worked for nothing after all.

Yan Li and the two Wangs began negotiating. He'd saved face today, but his real gains were still unsettled; Huayi had to bleed a little.

Seizing the moment, Han Sanye comforted Feng Kuzi—they were old associates, after all; Feng's earlier films had all been funded by China Film Group.

Even though Feng was now with Huayi, he hadn't severed ties with China Film Group.

Han Sanye still held some respect for Feng—he was one of the top directors on the mainland. His active role in brokering peace, though slightly biased toward Yan Li, had at least helped Feng escape the ditch.

If this dragged on, it was unclear how Yan Li and Huayi would fare, but Feng would surely be cannon fodder.

Yu Fat seized the chance to step forward, showering Feng Xiaogang with goodwill, probing for any opportunity to poach him.

Yan Li noticed and specifically warned the two Wangs to watch out for Yu Fat.

Bona wanted to be the fisherman; Yi'an wanted to be too!

Yan Li also observed Feng Xiaogang's expression—his face was gloomy, but not particularly bad. He nodded inwardly.

If Feng's face had been dark with resentment, that would've meant hidden hatred, lingering defiance—he'd have to be dealt with again.

But if he'd appeared calm and natural, as if nothing had happened, Yan Li would've grown even more wary—such suppressed malice meant he was plotting something; he'd have to strike first.

Only now, with poor spirits but no other signs, clearly accepting defeat, was this normal.

Even so, Yan Li planned to use the system to investigate him once he got home—if the old bastard wanted to play dirty, he'd show him who was dirtier.

…

After dinner, everyone dispersed immediately—this occasion wasn't suited for a second round.

Even if they wanted a second round, private contacts didn't require another banquet.

Feng Xiaogang, in a foul mood, got straight into his car and went home; the two Wangs didn't stop him.

Though Feng hadn't been as humiliated today as last time, he still hadn't been dignified. Let him process it himself—comfort him later.

Feng Xiaogang returned home with a grim face; his wife Xu Fan asked anxiously, "How did it go?"

Feng Xiaogang didn't answer, just sat down on the sofa. Xu Fan, assuming it hadn't gone well, frowned.

"Even Han Sanye's face didn't move him?"

"Should I reach out to Jiang Shan? She seems to have a good relationship with Yan Li. It's just a small dispute—he's already yelled at you. You're in such a bad state now. Does he really need to crush you completely?"

Xu Fan and Jiang Shan were old classmates and close friends, with an excellent relationship; she vaguely knew something and wanted to mediate.