Chapter 313: The Rotting Mess: The New Social Media War

Jingcheng, Tuanjie Lake

Yan Li woke up on time, shoved Wang Ou off his chest, pulled his leg free from Bai Bing's grasp, and got up to wash up.

Because of Bai Bing, Yan Li had been visiting Tuanjie Lake far more frequently these days.

The three of them had always been an open secret; Bai Bing had even moved into Wang Ou's place, and they'd all mentally prepared for this. After a few subtle setups, Wang Ou played along, and the rest unfolded naturally.

Though Bai Bing and Wang Ou had only just begun syncing, they hadn't developed any combined techniques yet, but they were obedient, and their contrasting personalities added their own unique flavor.

Once unfamiliar, Yan Li now had a preliminary understanding of Bai Bing's character after some interaction.

He was introverted, mostly quiet in private—perhaps non-professional, from a decent family, with a faint air of quiet superiority.

Previously, crushed by reality and struggling to survive, he hadn't had the luxury to show it.

Now, with Yan Li shielding him, his hardships resolved and his mindset relaxed, his suppressed nature began to surface.

Bai Bing's superiority wasn't the kind that dismissed material wealth and fame—otherwise, he wouldn't have been pulled into this by Wang Ou.

It was a pseudo-superiority rooted in rigid morality: outwardly reserved and cold, inwardly full of dramatic self-justification.

Put plainly, he wanted everything, yet his heart wasn't open or generous.

The women around Yan Li—like Wang Ou or Hu Siyan—were rare in openly admitting they relied on men, even taking pride in it.

Most weren't that bold; they all carried some inner discomfort. Yang Rong and Bai Bing, for instance, were especially conflicted.

But Yang Rong and Bai Bing were different.

Yang Rong was a pragmatist: she had plans for her future, knew being a mistress wasn't permanent, yet couldn't bear to let go of Yan Li—so she was torn, inconsistent, but fundamentally didn't strongly resist staying with him.

Bai Bing, however, was trapped by his personal moral dilemma, unable to accept how he could have "fallen" so low.

Like a fresh college graduate who'd done something dirty, gained benefits, and now felt both delight and inner condemnation.

He wanted to keep going, but held back; he didn't want to quit, yet couldn't bear to let go—neither fully resigned to his fall nor firm on his bottom line, he finally gave in with a "helpless" excuse, but a thorn still lodged in his heart.

Yan Li had seen enough human nature, and with his system's help, he could read Bai Bing's psychology clearly.

He could understand it—even found it amusing. He'd met plenty of obedient types; this kind of pseudo-superiority had its own charm.

After washing up, Yan Li changed clothes, put on a mask, and went downstairs to exercise.

Over the past two years, Beijing's air quality had deteriorated—even early mornings were poor. Yan Li jogged two laps to warm up, then found a quiet spot to practice fistwork and cultivation.

The richer he got, the more he valued his body. He couldn't claim to train every single day of the year, but he ensured at least 300 days of consistent exercise.

Hmm, special activities didn't count.

After finishing his routine, Wu Maowen had already arrived. Yan Li took his breakfast from him and walked upstairs.

For women, physical condition mattered, and financial ties were crucial—but so were care and attention.

But Yan Li was too busy to expect him to revolve around one woman and fulfill all her daily needs.

So, for most, it was either words or money—buying breakfast now was already a gesture.

Even this breakfast was often bought by his driver or assistant; he just carried it upstairs.

Don't underestimate buying breakfast—you have to consider who's buying it.

A lickspittle buys it, she ignores him; a boyfriend buys it, it's expected; but when Yan Li, this big boss, buys it, it's the mark of a tender, considerate man.

Not an exaggeration—he'd even heard Qin Lan, Dong Xuan, Wang Ou, and others bragging to friends. What to other men was ordinary, made their friends envious and praise them.

So strive for success—once you succeed, even your farts smell sweet…

…

Upstairs, Wang Ou and Bai Bing were already awake.

Yan Li's biological clock was stable; barring special circumstances, his wake-up and exercise times were always nearly identical.

Wang Ou, having been with him longer, had developed the habit of setting her own alarm, waking up just before Yan Li finished exercising to join him for breakfast.

If he didn't bring breakfast, she'd quickly make some—anything to keep him from going to work hungry.

Don't think Wang Ou only knows how to pimp. If Yan Li said a word, plenty of people would line up to introduce him.

Wang Ou's meticulous care and loyalty were her foundation; pimping was merely an extension built on that. Without those, Yan Li wouldn't even glance at her.

Bai Bing didn't have this habit, but since Wang Ou was up, he couldn't stay in bed—he got up too.

It must be said that Bai Bing had indeed learned some things from Wang Ou these days.

He'd once thought Wang Ou was just lucky—she'd met Yan Li early and was bold enough to pull others down with her, which was why she'd become his confidant.

Now, watching Wang Ou's daily actions and understanding her feelings for Yan Li, Bai Bing realized that if he were Yan Li, he'd value Wang Ou too.

In fact, Bai Bing privately suspected Yan Li had brainwashed Wang Ou.

Because he felt Wang Ou was too subservient—though she had her own schemes, she genuinely tried to please Yan Li, even seemed to enjoy it.

If Yang Rong knew his thoughts, she'd wholeheartedly agree.

Wang Ou, due to her original family background, had a pathological attachment to Yan Li.

But Yang Rong and Wang Ou met during the filming of "The Last Qing Concubine," when Wang Ou was being sidelined—so they'd known each other since humble beginnings, shared hardships, and developed deep trust.

But when Wang Ou met Bai Bing, she acted like an elder sister, holding herself above him.

Even during intimate talks, she brushed over many things—so Bai Bing didn't know the truth, and often suspected either that Yan Li was PUAing Wang Ou, or that Wang Ou was a lovesick fool who'd give up everything for love.

Wang Ou had no idea how "great" she seemed in her new little sister's eyes.

While Yan Li was showering, she put his workout clothes in the washing machine, washed her hands, and told Bai Bing to wash the dishes and chopsticks—reheat anything that had cooled.

When Yan Li came out, the three ate together. He glanced at his phone, then looked at Bai Bing.

"Are you free today?"

"Yes."

Bai Bing, nudged by Wang Ou, quickly replied.

He actually had work today—Wang Ou had scheduled a photoshoot for a print ad, and they'd planned to go to a spa in the afternoon.

But Wang Ou had also told him: whenever Yan Li asks, unless it's something absolutely critical and truly impossible to reschedule, everything else must be pushed back for Yan Li.

"Good. Let Wang Ou take you to buy a new outfit. The premiere of 'The Kung Fu King' is tonight—I'm taking you both to join the buzz."

Yan Li ignored their small gestures and gave the order directly.

After breakfast, Yan Li left first; Wang Ou pulled Bai Bing off to shop.

With time tight, Wang Ou didn't wander—she dragged Bai Bing straight to a luxury brand, called a stylist, and had him pick outfits and coordinate looks—extremely efficient.

"Miss Bai has fair skin and gentle features—she suits darker tones."

The stylist picked a deep green gown for Bai Bing—pure and elegant. Wang Ou wore a light blue blouse with a knee-length skirt—sharp and spirited.

They added accessories. Bai Bing, eager to impress, paid before Wang Ou could, then stared at the bill in shock.

Just those two outfits and trinkets cost nearly 100, 00!

And that didn't include the stylist's fee—Wang Ou had a partnership with him; they'd settle later.

Wang Ou saw his thoughts and smiled: "Yan Zong wouldn't call you out of nowhere—he has another purpose. When we go out with him, we don't have to steal the spotlight, but we absolutely can't embarrass him."

"As for money, it's nothing. Spend it, then ask Yan Zong for more. This isn't frivolous spending—it's necessary. He won't blame you."

Bai Bing had earned little before, and hadn't yet adjusted his mindset to the ease of money. Wang Ou began teaching him step by step.

Being frugal is good—but some money can be saved, some absolutely cannot.

And behind closed doors, Wang Ou shared some heartfelt words with her little sister.

Since Bai Bing had attached himself to Yan Li, while still favored, there was no need to be so cautious—grab as many benefits as you can; even if they split later, you'll have saved something.

Wang Ou didn't think she was betraying Yan Li.

Yan Li didn't care about hundreds of thousands or tens of thousands—as long as you were obedient and sensible, taking extra advantage was fine.

On that basis, giving her little sister a little extra wasn't disloyal—it was better than letting those foxes benefit.

After buying clothes and styling, time was nearly up. Yan Li had already told them not to meet him—he'd meet them directly at the venue.

When they arrived, the premiere was already a grand scene.

After all, "The Kung Fu King" was the first collaboration of two mega-stars, backed and distributed by Huayi—countless bigwigs and celebrities had come to support it, from Beijing's circle and Hong Kong's.

When Wang Ou and Bai Bing arrived, Yan Li hadn't shown up yet—they waited in the car.

After a while, Yan Li arrived. The two flanked him on either side and walked the red carpet together.

For Yan Li and Wang Ou, walking the red carpet was nothing new.

Bai Bing had walked one before too—minor actors often piggybacked on red carpets. As an Yinghuang artist, his company occasionally sent people to support their own projects.

For instance, "The Kung Fu King" had some Huayi artists with no real ties present—ostensibly showing support, really just filling seats and boosting exposure.

For the production team, more people meant a better scene; for the artists, they could issue a press release and ride the hype.

Oh, now there were blogs and Weibo—taking photos with big names could also boost traffic.

But in the past, Bai Bing had been unknown, walking red carpets as an invisible nobody.

Today was different. Though Yan Li's acting career was only decent, his fame and status here were top-tier.

Especially after the recent "I Speak for Myself" ad, Yan Li had truly exploded in popularity—with lasting momentum.

Even on the red carpet, spectators were yelling for him to throw them salt.

Walking the red carpet with him, Bai Bing's attention level was incomparable to walking alone—even reporters in the interview zone specifically asked questions.

Wang Ou was known to everyone; this new beauty beside Yan Li was unfamiliar—and a good news story.

"This is Bai Bing. He played Xue Baochai in 'The New Dream of the Red Chamber,' one of the female leads in our 'Painted Skin' TV series, and also appeared in 'The New Three Kingdoms.'"

Wang Ou was an Yi'an artist—Yan Li bringing her was perfectly reasonable. Bai Bing wasn't—so they needed an excuse.

A key actor from a company project about to collaborate? That worked.

Yan Li's introduction was skillfully phrased.

"Painted Skin" had big name recognition; the Four Great Classical Novels were traffic goldmines. By linking Bai Bing to these three projects, he instantly sparked reporters' curiosity, and they swarmed him with questions.

Though he'd never faced such a scene before, Bai Bing wasn't a rookie—his company had trained him for this.

With Wang Ou's help, though visibly nervous, they still passed smoothly.

After passing the interview zone, Wang Ou smiled: "Bingbing, today wasn't a waste—Yan Zong's favor will land you several headlines."

Bai Bing wasn't foolish; she looked at Yan Li with gratitude and thanked him.

Though the cast roles were prearranged, an official mainstream report featuring Yan Li personally escorting you down the red carpet and introducing you—those levels of attention were worlds apart.

"Don't rush—this is just the beginning."

Yan Li rarely took the trouble to personally elevate someone; how could this be all he had planned? Better acts were still to come.

He didn't drag out the suspense—after arriving at the venue and exchanging pleasantries, Yan Li led Wang Ou and Bai Bing straight to Cheng Long.

Yan Li came to support "The Forbidden Kingdom" not because of Huayi, but at Cheng Long's invitation.

Earlier, Cheng Long had been very cooperative with those Weibo matters; reciprocity is propriety—Cheng Long supported Yan Li, so Yan Li must return the favor.

Of course, he also wanted to discuss something else with Big Brother—"Shinjuku Incident."

Previously, the "Shinjuku Incident" crew had sent an invitation for Fan Xiaopang to join.

Fan Xiaopang's team reviewed the script: the role was minimal, merely decorative, and it was unclear who the female lead would be—they'd heard rumors the role was meant for Xu Cai'nu, possibly sparking another battle over billing.

A billing battle meant nothing to Fan Xiaopang's team; even if the opponent was one of the Four Dan and Two Bing, they'd fought before.

But for a decorative role, and not even their own project, the cost-benefit ratio was terrible.

Fan Xiaopang politely declined, but the news reached Yan Li's ears. After learning the situation, he thought: if Fan Xiaopang didn't want it, he could give it to Wang Ou—now there was another option: Bai Bing.

"Shinjuku Incident" was funded by Yinghuang; Bai Bing was an Yinghuang artist—supporting your own artist made perfect sense.

Bai Bing herself had little chance of securing it, but if Yan Li helped pass the word, her odds would rise dramatically.

When Yan Li elevates women, he gives them resources directly—and also helps them secure other opportunities, especially when he has his own company.

Using someone else's resources to court a woman felt more rewarding; the other party didn't lose out either—they'd be promoted and share in the profits.

Moreover, if Bai Bing acted in Cheng Long's film, her fame would skyrocket, which would also benefit "Painted Skin" and "Three Kingdoms" later.

One move, multiple gains—everyone wins!

Cheng Long glanced at Bai Bing and felt a faint sense of familiarity, then suddenly remembered.

"I get it—you're that little Kim Hee-sun."

He had a vague memory of her; he'd heard about her at Yinghuang—a new signing aiming for the Chinese Kim Hee-sun style—but nothing had come of it until now, and he never expected her to connect with Yan Li.

Cheng Long still respected Yan Li's face, but he didn't promise outright—only that he'd recommend her to Yinghuang and director Er Dongsheng.

Once he said that, it was practically settled.

If Cheng Long agreed, Yan Li could speak to Yinghuang and Er Dongsheng; for a role of minor importance, it wasn't hard to secure.

After speaking with Cheng Long, Bai Bing was dazed—she never imagined Yan Li would push her into Cheng Long's movie.

Wang Ou was also stunned, tinged with a hint of jealousy—Yan Li was being far too generous to Bai Bing.

Seeing this, Yan Li gently patted her hand but didn't explain immediately.

His support for Bai Bing was part of a larger plan.