Chapter 312: Water Margin City, Childbirth, and Yang Mi Being PUA'd

In mid-April, Yan Li appeared in his hometown of Zao City to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Water Margin Film City.

As previously mentioned, several regions had actively competed for this project, especially those claiming ties to the original Water Margin sites.

Then there was Zao City, because the Water Margin Film City required cooperation from A New Water Margin, which Yan Li oversaw—he was a native of Zao City, giving him deeper connections.

To secure the project, Zao City's officials worked tirelessly; not to mention the efforts of his parents back home, with both family heads making multiple trips to Beijing to visit Yan Li.

Moved by their sincerity, and influenced by hometown ties, but most crucially because Zao City offered superior terms.

Yan Li intervened personally and ultimately helped Zao City secure the project.

More precisely, it was a joint construction between Zao City and Ji City, mostly located in Zao City, with a smaller portion in Weishan County of Ji City.

This was done for harmony's sake—multiple original Water Margin sites lie within Ji City; it would be unjust to let them get nothing. Zao City had already gained an advantage through Yan Li, so some concession to Ji City was necessary.

The entire Water Margin Film City covers 400, 00 square meters, with a total planned investment of 1. to 1. billion.

Its architectural style is based on the buildings and Tang-Song cultural backdrop of Water Margin, featuring filming and tourist attractions such as Dongping Prefecture, Duan Prince's Mansion, Zishi Street, and the Water Margin Stronghold.

Yi'an invested little money but contributed a series of licenses including A New Water Margin, aided marketing and promotion, and through subsequent collaborations and minor funding, holds a 10% equity stake in the film city.

This percentage is already quite favorable, considering Yi'an contributed little capital yet still enjoys many perks from the production team.

This equity stake is attributed to Yi'an's actual resources, Yan Li's current control over Weibo channels, and the advantage of facilitating the project's establishment in Zao City.

If Yan Li pushed harder, he could have secured more—but after thinking it over, he decided to stop here.

One reason was to support his hometown; there was no need to be so mercenary. Another was that there was little real cash involved, and many intangible resources couldn't be directly quantified—taking more equity might invite trouble later.

Ten percent was more like "hard-earned compensation"—not too much, not too little, more easily accepted by outsiders; enough that few would envy him or harbor resentment over it.

After touring the site and dining with local officials, Yan Li returned home for a visit.

His parents no longer lived in the village—at least not regularly—too many eyes and too much hassle, so they bought a house in town.

Yan's grandmother still lived in the village, but compared to before, her old house had been completely torn down and rebuilt; the new house was bright and clean, fully equipped, and had two people caring for her.

One was a nanny Yan Li had specifically hired—a professional skilled in elder care; the other was his grandmother's niece, whom Yan Li called Auntie Biao.

Auntie Biao's background was tragic: she had been widowed early, and her only son, whom she raised alone, died before he could have children.

Yan's grandmother brought her over to care for her niece—she cooked, cleaned, and was provided room and board, plus a salary.

No one, including Yan Li, had objections; the nanny could handle daily care, but emotional comfort was another matter.

Having a blood relative around to chat with, to gossip with, cost the Yan family next to nothing—a few thousand yuan a month.

His parents had only recently returned from Beijing, so Yan Li's main purpose this visit was to see his grandmother.

"Yan… Li, have some tea."

Auntie Biao was nervous; despite Yan Li's youth, he was a real big boss—not to mention the old comrades who followed him to Beijing, or the investments he'd made back home, bringing many relatives and friends along for meals.

She was earning money from Yan Li, so she had to be careful.

Not to mention, Yan Li held his position and carried his aura—even sitting simply there, he exerted pressure. Yan's grandmother didn't care, but she, having met Yan Li only a few times, dared not act like an auntie.

"Auntie, you go on with your work. I'll chat with Grandma."

Yan Li didn't know Auntie Biao well; after a few polite exchanges, he turned to speak with the old woman.

The old lady's health had improved significantly since last year, especially her spirit—her grandson was successful and filial, she ate well and drank well every day, naturally her mood was good.

The only regret was her husband had passed away early, never enjoying this fortune.

She reminded Yan Li to burn some paper money for his grandfather later; Qingming had just passed, so he'd still receive it.

She also nagged him to hurry up and give her a great-grandchild.

Zhang Hong had also pressed him, but less urgently; Yan Li had brushed her off, and she couldn't do much—now that her son was so powerful, she couldn't really scold him like when he was a child.

The grandmother was more insistent—she had more confidence than Zhang Hong, and a single sentence silenced Yan Li.

"If you have children soon, I might still see them. Wait a few more years, and I might not be around to see them."

"Don't talk like that—it's bad luck."

Yan Li cut in, but the old lady took it lightly: "It's fine. Your grandfather passed at fifty, and if I work hard, I'll live to seventy—I've already seen our family thrive. I'm luckier than your grandfather."

"I'm not pushing you, but you're almost thirty. Someone must inherit this family legacy."

"Whether it's Bingbing, or your mother's favorite Xiao Dong or Xiao Qin, or anyone else—just have one child, boy or girl, and your father, mother, and I will rest easy."

She didn't say anything harsher, but Yan Li was an only child; if anything happened to him, the inheritance would go to other Yan family branches or Zhang Hong's relatives.

So Yan Li must have descendants—once he did, no matter what, nothing would go to outsiders.

Whether Yan Li was the most filial grandson was debatable, but he was certainly the best to his grandmother.

Yan's grandmother had suffered most of her life, and in her final years, she enjoyed comfort through her grandson's success. She was a sharp woman—no matter what the past held, she now genuinely supported Yan Li and planned for his benefit.

Moreover, from the entire Yan family's perspective, her words were wise and prudent.

If Yan Li had no children, some might start thinking too much; if he had children, everyone would settle down, benefiting the Yan family more than harming it.

"I'll consider it."

Yan Li's reply wasn't an excuse—he'd been thinking about this since last year.

He was indeed getting older; Qin Dongfan was also approaching thirty. Though not urgent, the matter deserved to be scheduled.

Thirty years old!

Yan Li set himself a goal: to become established at thirty—have a child around this age, and step into the next phase of life.

He told no one—not even his grandmother or parents. He'd privately contacted Qin Dongfan, but he didn't want his words leaked, and he wanted to keep a backdoor open.

…

Yan Li didn't stay long in his hometown. He had dinner with his grandmother, parents, and uncle and cousins, visited the graves the next day, then returned to Beijing.

Upon returning to Beijing, Yan Li received news that Yang Mi's contract termination with Rongxinda was going poorly.

"Why?"

Yan Li genuinely didn't understand—Yang Mi was determined to join Yi'an, and Yi'an had offered fair breach compensation; Rongxinda had no reason to hold her back.

Jia Qian, head of Yi'an's artist agency, said: "They claim they have high confidence in Yang Mi's future."

Yan Li understood—Rongxinda believed Yi'an valued Yang Mi and thought the compensation offered was too low.

When Yang Mi originally signed with Rongxinda, she was an unknown; the breach penalty was negligible. Even now, she was only a minor star, so Yi'an's compensation was based on her current fame and status.

Yi'an insisted it had done nothing wrong—Yang Mi had a proper contract, everyone followed the contract. She's this popular now, so Yi'an compensates accordingly.

In fact, Yi'an was being considerate—many companies poach artists without offering any compensation, and even negotiate or delay breach fees.

But Rongxinda didn't see it that way: Yang Mi was a minor star now, but she had several upcoming roles and a promising future.

Her early departure caused Rongxinda greater losses, and they insisted this be accounted for.

"What does Yang Mi say?"

"She says she'll follow the company's instructions—whatever the company decides, she'll do."

Yan Li shook his head—it sounded loyal, but was actually evasive. Still, it was normal; in this corporate clash, she, as a junior artist, had no voice.

"Tell Rongxinda: that's final. If they won't agree, sue for termination—no compensation, not a cent."

Yan Li offered compensation to avoid the reputation of bullying the small, but that didn't mean he was soft.

Rongxinda did their math well—what about Yi'an's math?

Over the next few years, Yi'an invested heavily to promote Yang Mi—should Rongxinda still get a cut of the profits?

Whether their claim was reasonable or not, strength ultimately decided. Yi'an didn't want a messy fight, but Rongxinda had pushed too far—now it was time to settle matters with action.

To be blunt, sometimes people act greedily not because they're cruel, but because being too polite makes others think you're easy to take advantage of.

Jia Qian hesitated: "Rongxinda has some damaging information on Yang Mi."

"What kind of information?"

Yan Li asked. Jia Qian gave a rough outline—it wasn't fatal, or Yang Mi wouldn't dare leave, but it would still harm her reputation.

Forcing out a promising talent only to leave her half-broken would be a loss for Yi'an—this was Rongxinda's negotiating leverage.

"That's ruthless."

Yan Li sighed—Rongxinda was truly in decline, resorting to such tactics.

When Zhou Young Master left Rongxinda, Li Xiaowan had been angry and said some bitter things, but overall, they'd kept things civil, preserving the appearance of a clean break.

Now, with Rongxinda struggling, aside from A New Dream of the Red Chamber, it was almost purely an artist agency.

Its former stature was gone—it was willing to destroy itself to pressure artists and Yi'an.