Chapter 35

Jimen, bedroom

Dong Xuan slept soundly curled up against Yan Li; Yan Li was about to head to Shishi for filming, and she, unwilling to part, had been unusually affectionate these past few days.

But her combat power was too weak—each time she was utterly exhausted and collapsed into sleep.

Yan Li, however, remained energetic; that little exercise couldn't tire him, and he was preoccupied with thoughts, wanting to check the midnight-updated intelligence before sleeping.

After playing with his phone for a while and smoking two cigarettes, the time finally came—Yan Li opened the system.

【Daily Intelligence 1: The boss of Baoshi Pictures, Shi X, has an unconventional sexual orientation…】

He'd already guessed it; now the system confirmed it—this was definitively settled!

When Yan Li first met makeup artist Wang Xiu in "Heroes of Sui and Tang," he claimed he could tell Wang Xiu's condition because he'd encountered similar people before—that was a lie to cover for the system.

But after prolonged contact with Wang Xiu, Yan Li truly could discern certain subtle details.

Just recalling the meaning-laden expression on Wang Xiu's face when handing him his business card made Yan Li feel sick.

He held no judgment against such people—Wang Xiu was still treated as a friend, as long as he didn't set his sights on Yan Li.

Yan Li knew that those without power or influence seeking advancement would inevitably make sacrifices; he had prepared himself mentally for this—but that didn't mean he'd surrender everything.

Some things could be endured; others simply couldn't!

Even if Yan Li had no system as a hidden card, even if he had nothing at all, he'd rather return home to be a cook than cross his own moral line.

【Daily Intelligence 2: Tong Dawei and Shi X have an extremely close relationship… Shi X intends to gift him a Cherokee worth over 800,000 RMB…】

Seeing this line, Yan Li understood Tong Dawei a little better.

Unfortunately, Yan Li simply couldn't stomach it—if it were a wealthy woman, not especially ugly, throwing resources and money at him like this, he'd barely be able to resist.

Over 800,000 RMB!

His family's restaurant had been running for over a decade and hadn't earned that much.

Yan Li exhaled, calming himself.

So it's just a Cherokee— he had the system; later he'd earn money and buy a BMW X5 worth over a million…

Daily Intelligence 3: Shi X is suspected of financial fraud, with the involved amount exceeding ten billion RMB; relevant authorities have formed a joint special task force and are currently under surveillance of Shi X...

Fuck!

Yan Li was stunned by this line.

Although he'd politely declined Shi's advances, he still regarded Shi as a well-known big shot in the industry—how could it be that now, it looked like the guy was about to crash?

The information revealed in the intelligence made Yan Li's heart race and his skin crawl.

If the case was confirmed, even if Shi didn't get executed, he'd never see the outside world again.

Perhaps because Shi Boss was so influential, today's daily intelligence almost all linked back to him.

Yan Li also spotted Huang Xiaoming among them; as Shi Boss's favored rising star, his senior classmate had also… endured humiliation in silence.

And Qin Lan—if Yan Li hadn't intervened, who knew how things might have turned out between her and Huang Xiaoming; he'd have to make her thank him properly later.

After a harsh glimpse into the darkness and cruelty of society and the industry, Yan Li was deeply shaken and couldn't help lighting another cigarette to calm his nerves.

Shi Boss's affair had taught him a lesson!

It also strengthened Yan Li's resolve: stability above all, avoid gray areas, never cross the line.

…

In mid-August, "Conquest" began filming; Yan Li and Zhou Yi departed for Shishi.

Reluctant Dong Xuan came to the train station with Guan Yue to see them off, but Tong Dawei didn't come along.

Since that day, the guy hadn't contacted Yan Li again—he probably sensed Yan Li had figured something out, felt too embarrassed, and chose to avoid him.

Yan Li was happy to have the peace; apart from Shi Boss, he still had a decent impression of Tong Dawei.

Plus, with the relationships between Dong and Guan, if things continued like this, they might become friends—and then Yan Li wouldn't be sure whether he should warn Tong to cut ties with Shi early.

Not saying it felt disloyal!

Saying it was hard to bring up and might invite trouble!

Tong Dawei's self-imposed avoidance had, unintentionally, solved Yan Li's problem—everything else could wait until dust settled.

After bidding farewell to Dong Xuan, Yan Li and Zhou Yi boarded the bus to Shishi.

Shishi is the capital of Hebei Province, not far from Jingcheng—roughly four hours by road.

Yan Li and the others took a taxi to the hotel housing the "Conquest" crew, reported to director Gao Qunshu, then received their room keys from the production supervisor.

The room quality was slightly better than his room in Hengdian—at least it had a large CRT TV and a shower.

But without Wang Decai to help him, Yan Li didn't get a single room.

However, the crew assigned Yan Li's roommate as Zhou Yi—both had shared a dorm for two years in college, so this was nothing unusual.

As Yan Li was packing and discussing with Zhou Yi about buying some Daily Necessities later, the assistant director showed up and ordered him to go for makeup and costume fitting immediately.

"So soon?"

Normally, unless it was a special case like a cameo, new actors were given time to settle in and rest.

Especially for a supporting actor like Yan Li, with limited screen time—no one rushed to put him to work right away.

"Director Gao said every day of delay means another day of expenses—get it done fast."

Clearly, the "Conquest" crew was truly strapped for cash, terrified of overspending, so they were pushing the schedule hard.

Yan Li had no choice; if they were in a hurry, he couldn't hold them back—he'd follow orders.

On the way to the makeup room, Yan Li considered whether to hire an assistant.

Actors sometimes get overwhelmed on set; having someone to run errands and handle chores made things much easier—this was why established artists in recent years began bringing one or two assistants along.

But Yan Li's work and income were still unstable; supporting another assistant would be tough.

Besides, anyone he brought close had to be trustworthy—he couldn't just use anyone. He filed the thought away, planning to look for someone gradually later.

The makeup and costume fitting for "Conquest" was even simpler than Yan Li expected.

After all, it's an urban drama with a crime theme, so there won't be many elaborate costumes or makeup.

The clothing consists mainly of dress shirts and suit pants, adopting a business style; but to reflect Wu Tian's wealth, he wears a solid gold Rolex on his left wrist.

Considering the budget of The Conquest production team and the makeup artist's indifferent attitude.

That Rolex is most likely a Counterfeit Goods bought at a small commodities market.

Yan Li is tall, so his legs are long, and with his broad back and narrow waist, he's naturally a walking clothes hanger.

A simple black dress shirt and suit pants on him look fitted and upright; sitting with one leg crossed over the other, he radiates charm.

The two young Misses in the makeup room both had their eyes glazed over.

It was the older lead woman who kept her composure—she stepped back two paces, carefully sized up Yan Li, then stepped forward and undid two buttons of his shirt, forming a V-shape that exposed his neck and chest skin, instantly adding a touch of sensuality and wildness.

The lead woman was satisfied; the young Misses were excited; Yan Li hesitated: "Isn't this a bit too flashy?"

Wu Tian is a boss with a dark background, not a male dancer at a nightclub.

"I've got a solution."

One of the young Misses volunteered, rushed over, and fussed with Yan Li's hair until she styled it into a slicked-back pompadour.

The slicked-back style looked a bit dated, enhancing Yan Li's maturity and giving him an air of shrewd competence, which somewhat offset the flashiness of the open buttons, turning it instead into elegance and confidence.

This time, even Yan Li, looking at himself in the mirror, felt a faint sense of awe.

So handsome—no wonder it's me!

Maybe, in the future, I could even branch out into idol dramas…

(End of Chapter)