Chapter 302

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 reflect poorly.

Feng Kuzi is a renowned director; some mistakes shouldn't lead to total condemnation—many media outlets have already publicized the real story behind "The Assembly," and he shouldn't bear the blame alone.

Besides Han Sanye, key figures from the Film Bureau and Propaganda Department were also invited, including Cheng Long and Jiang Wen, both of whom maintained 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 showed up; 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 keep Yan Li calm.

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

It was only natural: as Hua Yi and Yi'an expanded in film, Bona's status as the so-called top distribution company had diminished.

When the heron and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits!

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

And as for Feng Kuzi—even if reconciliation succeeded, the grudge would still be planted; Yan Li wouldn't recruit him, and Feng wouldn't join Yi'an.

With his lead director treated this way by Yan Li and Hua Yi's response so lackluster, Feng Kuzi must be deeply disappointed, even furious.

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

Yu Pangzi had long coveted Hua Yi and New Picture.

If he could lure Feng Kuzi to Bona, he'd control a money tree—profits and influence would flood in; wouldn't that be perfect?

He knew exactly what Yu Pangzi was thinking.

As always, their relationship was decent, but only decent—Bona and Yi'an cooperated and competed simultaneously; with that in mind, Yu Pangzi schemed quietly, and Yan Li remained guarded.

Even this invitation to mediate wasn't out of fear of Hua Yi—it was simply unnecessary.

Hua Yi had gone public and didn't want to fight to the death; Yi'an was growing rapidly and had no reason to be distracted by such trivial matters.

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

Though Yan Li always seems like he's on a rage high when trouble strikes, ready to throw everything into battle, it's not really like that.

Scolding Feng Xiaogang wasn't even a big deal—he acted unreasonably, so what's wrong with scolding him? Besides, he'd already been offered wine before.

The dirt dug up on Feng Xiaogang was all trivial stuff; Wang Er had real ammunition—did Yan Li, with his advantages, have none?

Even if many claims lacked evidence, once the narrative took hold, mud on the pants isn't shit—but it might as well be; and Yan Li might very well have obtained evidence.

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

If he truly wanted to escalate, he had friends and contacts 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 was well aware—but he himself wasn't without influence either.

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

If pushed too far, Yan Li would release a few things, and the rest wouldn't require his direct involvement.

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 only a question of whether it's worth it.

He's a businessman, not some committee member; he doesn't need to get tangled up in this 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 slow escalation: one side makes a move, the other counters, small demands grow into big ones, big ones into grand ones, until the sunk cost reaches a point where stopping becomes impossible.

So in reality, Yan Li's loud, showy actions, though fierce-looking, 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.

In truth, the conflict between Yan Li and Feng Kuzi wasn't that deep.

If someone spits on you, you can slap him, beat him, even break his 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 a madman…

As for Yu Pangzi, Yan Li was just teasing him, loudly vowing to slap Wang Er twice later.

But when they arrived, he gripped Wang Zhongjun's hand tightly, smiling as if they were closer than brothers.

After seating, Han Sanye spoke some formalities, Cheng Long and Jiang Wen made some gestures, then Feng Kuzi stood to raise a 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 both sides saving face, hinged most crucially on letting him off the hook.

If he continued to sulk or resist, given Yan Li's temper, even if he didn't beat him again in front of everyone, he'd face retribution later.

Feng Kuzi was really nothing special; though a big director, he still carried the insecurity of his days as a runner.

Yan Li's arrogance was mostly purposeful—he had real backing, and even fake arrogance could instantly turn real.

Feng Kuzi's arrogance stemmed from a wounded psyche trying to retaliate against his past; he was just a director, with some ability, but most of his confidence was propped up by others.

In plain terms, a director is merely a top salesperson or project manager—no matter how impressive, he can't match the power of his backer or financier.

Previously, Wang Er pampered and protected him; the industry and public praised him, so no one dared provoke him—Feng Kuzi got arrogant, truly believing he was a top-tier figure in film.

But now, facing a real hardliner, he was like a punctured balloon—he finally understood the true height of heaven and depth of earth.

So as an old hand who climbed from the bottom, having made it this far wasn't easy; regardless of what he thought inside, outwardly he still knew how to bend and stretch.

"Hmm."

Yan Li glanced at Han Sanye and the others, then nodded slightly and sipped his wine.

He didn't want to fight Hua Yi to the death; Feng Kuzi was just Feng Kuzi—he accepted the toast, agreeing to let it go, and had already given everyone face.

Don't expect him to smile at Feng Kuzi—youth still needs some spirit.

Seeing this, Han Sanye felt it still wasn't secure enough and signaled Feng Kuzi to offer two more toasts.

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

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

To be fair, Yan Li never caused trouble for no reason—he never provoked unless provoked; this incident wouldn't have happened if Feng Xiaogang hadn't gotten a little success and started boasting and babbling; now that he's been punished, he deserves it.

Seeing this, others relaxed—they'd finally not wasted their effort.

Yan Li and Wang Er began negotiating; today he'd gained face, but substance still needed to be secured—Hua Yi had to bleed somehow.

Seizing the moment, Han Sanye comforted Feng Kuzi; they had long-standing ties—Feng's earlier films had all been funded by China Film Group.

Though Feng was now with Hua Yi, he hadn't severed ties with China Film Group.

Han Sanye still valued Feng—he was one of the mainland's top directors; by actively facilitating reconciliation, though slightly biased toward Yan Li, he'd helped Feng escape the pit.

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

Yu Pangzi seized the chance to approach Feng Xiaogang, showering him with flattery, probing for a chance to poach him.

Yan Li noticed and specifically warned Wang Er to watch out for Yu Pangzi.

Bona wants to be the fisherman—but so does Yi'an!

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

If Feng's face had been dark with resentment, it would mean hidden hatred—he still wasn't defeated, and Yan Li would keep pressing.

But if Feng appeared calm and natural, as if nothing had happened, Yan Li would be even more wary—such hidden scheming meant he was plotting something, and he'd have to strike first.

Only now, with poor mood but no other signs, clearly accepting defeat, was it normal.

Even so, Yan Li planned to use his system to investigate him when he returned—if the old bastard played dirty, he'd show him who was dirtier.

…

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

Even if a second round were arranged privately, there was no need to organize another banquet.

Feng Xiaogang, in low spirits, got in his car and went straight home; Wang Er didn't stop him.

Though Feng hadn't been as humiliated as last time, he still hadn't been dignified—let him process it himself, then 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 on the sofa; Xu Fan, assuming it went badly, frowned.

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

"Should I call Jiang Shan? She seems close to Yan Li—this is just a small dispute, he's already yelled at you, you've been humiliated—does he really need to finish you off?"

Xu Fan and Jiang Shan were old classmates and best friends, extremely close; she vaguely knew something and wanted to mediate.