Chapter 371: Insult Without Revealing Shortcomings, Huayi Goes Public, a New Era Begins

Yan Li didn't learn until the next day that Xu Qing had left overnight.

Fan Xiaopang's attack was too devastating, and it exposed things Xu Qing had long deliberately ignored or deceived him about.

This sister had already finished all her scenes on set; she'd been making excuses to stay anyway, and once her mindset collapsed, she just left outright.

Yan Li called her, but she didn't answer—no idea what that meant.

A single phone call halting a plane, then speeding to the airport, followed by a flurry of kisses and apologies—such a scene was impossible for Yan Li.

Xu Qing was probably emotionally unstable now; he'd contact her again later.

They'd only agreed to collaborate on set; separating early wasn't a big deal, but Xu Qing had taken some hits—he'd find a way to compensate her later.

"Master Yan, are you alright?"

Ge Daye asked with concern; ever since that day when the champagne scene and the Hongmen Banquet scene were linked together, the two had started calling each other "Master Ge" and "Master Yan," and sometimes Jiang Wen joined in the fun.

"Just a small thing."

Yan Li calmly brushed off his sleeve corner—yesterday he'd knelt behind Fan Xiaopang and sincerely apologized; Fan Xiaopang, moved by his earnestness, had finally cried and forgiven him.

Of course, there were also some unresolved grievances between Dong Xuan and Fan Xiaopang—none of which could be spoken of outside the circle.

"Tough!"

Ge Daye had been in the industry for so many years—he'd heard of far too many on-set affairs caught in the act, seen it more than once.

Most cases that escalate to this point rarely resolve peacefully; at least two days of chaos usually follow. It was truly rare to see someone like Yan Li show up on set the next day as if nothing had happened.

Talking about this, Yan Li grew curious: "How did Director Feng handle it this year? You're close to him—tell us."

Yan Li was referring to this year's "Night Stay Gate" scandal: Director Feng Kuzi had been close to a female host from Phoenix TV, who had hosted many events since 2007, and rumors had long circulated.

Early this year, paparazzi caught Feng and the female host returning to one of his residences and not emerging all night.

Notably, the female host had publicly claimed to be married—but later clarified she had divorced last year and was single.

Since Feng Kuzi was a behind-the-scenes director and the host had little fame, Huayi pushed hard to bury it, and it never blew up.

As it was an old partner's private matter, Ge Daye didn't elaborate much, only praised Xu Fan.

This guy was truly magnanimous—he actively cooperated with Feng and Huayi to clean up the mess.

He normally turned a blind eye; as long as no one brought it home or made a scene, he pretended not to know.

Ge Daye teased Yan Li: "I've never seen Xu Fan storm onto a set to confront anyone."

"Too mild is boring—sometimes I like something that burns the tongue, something stimulating."

Yan Li wasn't just being stubborn—he liked Fan Xiaopang precisely because of her temper. If she were like Qin Lan or Dong Xuan, it'd be dull.

His tastes were varied—he wanted to taste sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, warm, and icy all at once.

Ge Daye gave a thumbs-up. Though he thought Yan Li was being stubborn, he had to admit: apart from looks and fame, Fan Xiaopang's contributions to Yi'an meant that occasional willfulness could be understood.

Just then Jiang Wen arrived, spotted Yan Li, and shouted with laughter: "Bro, didn't your sister-in-law scratch you yesterday? You didn't even warn me—you should've let me stop her!"

Stop her? You were the first one to run away yesterday, old guy.

"It's fine."

Yan Li brushed it off lightly, then patted Ge Daye: "We were just talking—I lack experience, need to learn from seniors."

"Hey, Lao Jiang, you've been around longer—ever heard of someone getting caught at the door, forced to write a guarantee letter? I gotta interview this guy—how'd he escape hukou?"

Jiang Wen: "..."

Don't insult by exposing someone's shortcoming—no wonder Fan Xiaopang was so vicious yesterday; she clearly learned it from you.

Ge Daye, watching the spectacle, was nearly laughing himself into a faint; Jiang Wen couldn't take it anymore and smacked his thigh.

"Young brother, I'll drop a bomb too—back when someone went to the countryside..."

Ge Daye leapt up, clamping his hand over Jiang Wen's mouth: "I'm sorry! You two are fighting—don't drag me in!"

Yan Li, meanwhile, egged them on—partly out of curiosity, partly unwilling to let Ge Daye stay clean.

If everyone looks foolish, then no one looks foolish; if it's entertainment, let everyone enjoy it.

After laughing and joking, they began filming; it was already nearing late October, and Yan Li's scenes were almost over.

The major scenes were mostly done; now it was mostly supporting roles, watching Jiang Wen's ideas, and doing some reshoots.

Yan Li made it clear: he could delay his schedule a few days to cooperate, but once he left, asking him to return for reshoots would be impossible.

So Jiang Wen had to figure out everything concerning Huang Silang before Yan Li left.

Jiang Wen, considering Fan Xiaopang's visit, made a gesture of goodwill and adjusted the schedule—Yan Li wrapped at 2 p. m.

Yan Li had planned to take Dong Fan out for dinner, but feared they'd cause chaos, so he detoured to buy something and brought it home.

He unlocked the door; Dong Xuan was hugging a cat and watching TV. Yan Li asked: "Did Bingbing leave?"

If Fan Xiaopang was leaving, she should've told him.

"Still asleep inside—like a pig."

Dong Xuan complained, then the bedroom door opened and Fan Xiaopang stepped out, hair loose.

"You're the pig—I just didn't feel like coming out because I was tired of you."

Saying this, Fan Xiaopang came barefoot, opened the takeout box, and grabbed some braised vegetables with her fingers; Dong Xuan recoiled in disgust.

"Did you wash your hands?"

Fan Xiaopang chewed, held up her fingers, and made a scratching motion: "It's your own stuff—why complain about dirt?"

Even Yan Li couldn't take it anymore: "Go wash your hands right now."

"I already washed them—if I hadn't, would I even eat it?"

Fan Xiaopang wiped her hands with a tissue, sat cross-legged on the sofa, and reached for Dong Xuan's cat; the latter refused.

"Don't touch it—she might scratch you."

"No way—I watched her yesterday. A dumb cat, wouldn't dare scratch."

Fan Xiaopang pinched the Ragdoll cat's face; it softly mewed and let herself be handled.

"Look."

Dong Xuan gnashed her teeth, stroking the plush cat: "Pathetic."

"Cats follow their masters."

Fan Xiaopang casually added fuel to the fire; Dong Xuan set the cat down and glared at her: "Are you looking for trouble? I'm in a bad mood right now—don't go stirring up shit."

"Oh come on, I can't see a trace of it—yesterday I saw someone laughing harder than ever."

Fan Xiaopang gritted her teeth. Yesterday, that Dong woman had taken advantage of her vulnerability—she'd long wanted revenge.

Yan Li stepped out of the bathroom and saw the two, shaking his head: "I wasn't home just now, and you two were fine. The moment I come back, you start fighting—is this some performance for me?"

Dong Xuan snorted coldly: "This is my place. Get her out of here—I don't want to see her."

Fan Xiaopang shot back: "The house is in your name? I could just as well say it's mine."

Yan Li said nothing, only pulled out his phone and aimed it at them. Fan Xiaopang instinctively covered her face.

"What are you doing?"

Yan Li explained: "Keep going. I'm filming this to send to Qin Lan—she's been nauseous these past two days, in a bad mood. Watching you two fight will cheer her up."

"Pfft."

Fan Xiaopang spat at him; Dong Xuan hurled a pillow straight at him.

Yan Li didn't care. The best way to resolve internal conflict is to create an external one.

He'd used this trick before—always worked, never failed.

By bringing Qin Lan into it, he could divert some of the heat. The tension between them would ease.

They rarely got together—he didn't want to waste time on bickering and mediation.

"I bought a few DVDs. We'll watch a movie later."

Three of them, going out was inconvenient, and there wasn't much else to do at home—so they'd watch a movie.

These past few days, whenever Yan Li had free time, he'd watch movies with Dong Xuan—it was a decent way to relax.

Fan Xiaopang had no objections; she boldly claimed the right side of Yan Li and snatched the chance to stick her feet into his lap to warm them.

Dong Xuan arrived a step late but refused to yield, snuggling into Yan Li's arms and prodding Fan Xiaopang with talk of university.

Back then, when the two were dating in university, Yan Li had little money, so they'd specifically find hotels with TVs and DVD players, rent discs, save on movie tickets, and watch several films in one go.

But to be fair, back then both were young, full of blood and vigor, addicted to pleasure—halfway through the movie, the soundtrack would often be drowned out by other sounds.

Fan Xiaopang blinked: "So you two used to go to cheap motels? When I was with Yan Li, we stayed in top European luxury hotels."

"Thanks. You took the hard times—I got the good ones."

Dong Xuan was speechless, then snapped back: "Vain, stealing someone else's man, you slutty fox."

"Then why are you eating grass you've already chewed? Qin Lan said she was Yan Li's girlfriend back then."

Fan Xiaopang, arriving late, couldn't compete on seniority—so she resorted to "using others' knives to kill."

When facing Dong Xuan, she sided with Qin Lan; when tearing into Qin Lan, she suddenly defended Dong Xuan—her loyalty was always flexible.

When facing Qin Dong together, she either sowed discord or ignored seniority entirely, focusing instead on contributions to Yan Li's career, her own strength, and public recognition.

As the saying goes: the strongest and most powerful becomes the Son of Heaven; the one with universal support becomes the Empress.

The Empress isn't won by fighting—she's earned by doing!

Despite all the controversy, Fan Xiaopang was indeed the one most publicly recognized as Yan Li's true Empress—otherwise, Qin Dong wouldn't have been forced to team up.

"Enough. Just watch the movie."

Yan Li patted his butt to quiet them down, but soon Fan Xiaopang started fidgeting again, nudging him with her foot—only to be caught red-handed by Dong Xuan.

"Shameless."

"You're shameless? You didn't even get pregnant, yet yesterday you were already shouting 'Dad!'"

Fan Xiaopang's attacks were too brutal; Dong Xuan couldn't hold her own alone—Yan Li had to intervene.

"Say less. Yesterday I delivered my grain to her—you're yelling so loud now, what if Dong Xuan gets pregnant? You'll turn into the Child-Bearing Guanyin."

Dong Xuan's eyes lit up, smiling sweetly at Fan Xiaopang: "Hey, if I get pregnant because of your luck, I'll give you a big red envelope."

"Dream on."

Fan Xiaopang sneered: "Qin Lan's belly is already showing—you haven't moved a muscle. Save that red envelope for Qin Lan's baby's full-moon banquet."

Dong Xuan's smile vanished. That slut kept harping on this.

Fan Xiaopang pressed further: "You've got a little sister named Yaya, right? Since you look so alike, why not ask her to help? Raise the baby as your own—it's Yan Li's blood anyway."

Dong Xuan flew into a rage: "Fan! Watch your mouth! This is between us—don't drag my sister into it!"

"Heh."

Fan Xiaopang sneered: "Stop pretending innocence. You picked someone who looks just like you, and is so much younger—carrying her around every day. Do you think I don't know what you're up to?"

"Everyone calls Wang Ou a piece of trash, yet one of you runs a Teddy Bear sisterhood, and the other has a fake twin and a whole gang of female students."

"I'd like to ask—are you really building alliances, or just using them as weapons to win favor? Hmph, 'sisters united'—how clever."

Fan Xiaopang had always believed Qin Dong's alliance-building had dirty motives.

As for Qin Lan, she didn't believe she didn't know what kind of person Hu Siyan was.

Teddy Bear sisterhood? Ha—could turn into Yan Li's harem in a blink.

Dong Xuan and Tong Yaya looked so alike—she didn't believe Dong Xuan didn't know what kind of man her husband was, or what he might think of such a resemblance. And those North Film students—beautiful, young, brimming with dreams for the future. Hmph.

Even if they had no intentions now, when they grew older and faced wave after wave of young girls, would they still hold firm?

Fan Xiaopang believed Qin Dong were no better than Wang Ou—only she stood pure and solitary, blooming alone.

"Bullshit."

Dong Xuan was truly furious: "Don't smear me with your filthy mind—and don't pretend to be virtuous. Do you think no one knows about your little affair with Li Bingbing?"

"………"

Fan Xiaopang couldn't hold back and said, "You and I are just allies?"

Dong Xuan shot back, "Allies stacked on top of each other?"

"You and Qin Lan too."

"We've never denied it, let alone pretend innocence while projecting our own malicious intentions onto others and then slandering them."

Dong Xuan was truly furious; earlier arguments had been mutual teasing, but Fan Xiaopang's words had now crossed into an attack on her character and professional integrity—she absolutely could not accept that.

"Then tell me, have you truly never thought about Tong Yaya and Yan Li?"

Yan Li also turned his gaze toward them—he was genuinely curious. Dong Xuan hesitated for a moment, then firmly declared.

"No."

"You hesitated. You're lying."

Fan Xiaopang seized Dong Xuan's momentary hesitation and launched an attack; Dong Xuan was both ashamed and furious.

"I didn't do anything—can't I occasionally imagine things? Have you never imagined anything?"

Fan Xiaopang declared firmly, "No."

Yan Li shook his head: "I don't believe you. Last time you told me about the Seven Immortals…"

Before he could finish, Fan Xiaopang clapped her hand over his mouth. She was bold and carefree; occasional loose talk in private was normal.

Dong Xuan looked at Fan Xiaopang with disdain. Everyone had let their tongue run wild, and everyone had occasionally imagined something thrilling.

To treat something that never happened as if it had, and to impose guilt through subjective speculation—it was truly baseless.

Yan Li also sternly told Fan Xiaopang to apologize to Dong Xuan.

A few sharp words didn't matter, but slinging around false, massive accusations had gone too far. If he didn't intervene, their fights would grow even wilder—who knew what other false charges they'd hurl next?

Seeing Yan Li's expression, Fan Xiaopang dared not argue further and bowed her head to apologize.

She could play around normally, but when Yan Li turned serious, pushing further would only invite trouble.

Dong Xuan rubbed her chin: "Just apologizing isn't enough—shouldn't you serve tea to make amends?"

Fan Xiaopang gritted her teeth: "Fine, I'll kneel down and bang my head twice, and call you 'Granny'?"

"Alright."

Dong Xuan nodded. Fan Xiaopang reached out, gripped her with full force: "Come on, let me properly attend to Granny."

Watching the two tumble into a heap, Yan Li glanced at the movie—barely one-tenth played—and sighed, then began unbuttoning his shirt.

Yesterday I was too soft… didn't discipline him properly…

…