[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment":3,"chapter-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-40":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Intelligence King of Chinese Entertainment",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260343,4411,"Chapter 40: Yan Li: This Industry Is Too Dark!","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-40",40,"\u003Cp>Early September, Shishi\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just past Bailu, the daytime heat still lingered, but nights had grown cooler, and many people had switched from T-shirts to long-sleeved shirts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a certain street, a red Ford Probe sports car slowly pulled in and stopped at the curb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened, and a dashing young man in a suit with a slicked-back haircut stepped out, humming a tune, pressed his key fob, then walked toward an alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, cut.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Qunshu called out, and Yan Li returned; makeup and props had already planted explosive charges and blood packs on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a van arrived, blocking the Ford, and Sun Honglei and several others got in, each looking menacing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crew adjusted the equipment, Gao Qunshu gave the signal, and they rolled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li had returned to the car and was about to drive off when he found his path blocked; he honked twice, but it did no good, so he frowned and got out to confront them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the van, Sun Honglei gave the order, and his men Li Yixiang and Zhang Li rushed at Yan Li with shotguns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Yan Li stepped out, a shotgun barrel pressed against his head and another against his chest—he froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes filled with confusion and panic; he opened his mouth to speak, trying to calm the situation, but Li Yixiang and the other immediately fired with fierce stares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Bang! Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three shots total—one to the head, two to the chest—Yan Li didn’t even flinch; he collapsed backward against the car door, face drenched in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yixiang and the others quickly left; the cinematographer moved in for close-ups of the “corpse,” and Gao Qunshu announced “Cut!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant Yan Li had officially finished filming in The Conquest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually had one more scene: the police arriving to inspect the scene, with him lying there as a corpse for coordination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gao Qunshu thought it was just one shot—not worth keeping Yan Li for two more days; he’d just hire a background actor later for a partial leg close-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Yan Li’s wrap party still had no flowers or cake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His status on set had clearly risen, especially after the drinking contest—he was now untouchable in The Conquest, second only to Gao, Jiang, Sun, and Liu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But The Conquest crew was broke—they saved wherever they could!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even flowers or cake, let alone the dinner box meals: the potato stir-fried chicken had less than ten pieces of meat per portion; Yan Li still managed to fish out four chicken feet. He didn’t dare ask about the meal budget—he feared he’d make the producer cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was some progress—at least the “comfort money” for his death scenes had increased significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From one yuan in The Sui and Tang Heroes, it had quintupled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li immediately treated Sun Honglei and the others to drinks; last time, half-confused, he’d thought keeping the money and red envelopes meant something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, after talking with other actors, he learned: you must spend it—keeping it was bad luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The envelope itself didn’t matter, but Yan Li didn’t keep it either—after all, it carried the character for “death”; better not to keep it, or it’d invite misfortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t keep the deposit envelope, but he did find himself a keepsake from The Conquest—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tian’s fake Rolex and fake gold necklace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bought at a small goods market for just a few dozen yuan; Yan Li told Director Gao, then took them outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Yan Li truly wanted as a keepsake was the red Ford sports car—but when he mentioned it, Gao Qunshu told him to get lost; Yan Li could only regret missing it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No flowers, no cake, no wrap party to look forward to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his sister wasn’t useless—Jiang Shan, looking out for her brother, took the initiative to organize a farewell dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides Zhou Yiwei, his good friend, Binzi, Li Yixiang, Zhang Li, Liu Weiwei, He Tiehong (portrayed by Zhou Guoquan), and several other actors who got along well with Yan Li all came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Honglei came too, but he was busy filming; he drank two glasses, chatted briefly, then left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner, since many actors had big group scenes the next day, no one went for a second round—they just dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li had booked his train ticket for tomorrow and wanted to return to his room to pack, but Jiang Shan called him back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your train leaves at noon—packing tomorrow won’t be late. You’re leaving—won’t you spend more time talking with your sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li felt awkward and gave Zhou Yiwei a look; the latter blinked, then understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Yan, you two talk—I’ve had too much to drink, I’m heading back to my room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li wanted to kick him to death—was that how you were supposed to help?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t refuse—Jiang Shan had been kind to him on set; he couldn’t just forget her kindness. The words were spoken—he might as well talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Shan led Yan Li to her room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the biggest star on set, paid a friendship rate; no matter how broke the crew was, they couldn’t make her share a room—so Jiang Shan was the only one with a luxury suite with a king bed, even better than Gao Qunshu’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s good to be famous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li sighed—famous actors had a world of difference in status and treatment compared to ordinary ones; no wonder every actor wanted fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got good looks and solid acting—you’ll be famous someday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Shan encouraged him, told him to sit, then went to shower and change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Jiang Shan emerged in a light, low-cut black silk nightgown, sitting across from Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Yan Li’s height, a casual glance down revealed a full view of cleavage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Shan remembered something, stood up, opened a cabinet, took out a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses, and smiled at Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you can drink—didn’t get enough earlier, right? Try this—I bought it at the hotel where I was filming two days ago, imported from France.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She poured him nearly half a glass, handed it to him; after he took two sips, she asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li nodded honestly: “Not to my taste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Shan laughed happily, crossed her legs, not caring that the hem of her nightgown had ridden up to her most sensitive areas; she held her glass with one hand, elegantly swirled it, and took a small sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I couldn’t stand it at first either—got used to it slowly. Red wine beautifies skin, slows aging, protects blood vessels; a little is good for your health.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li looked away, took two more sips—still not used to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sour and astringent, thick and sticky—it wasn’t as refreshing as beer, nor as soothing as baijiu—but it wasn’t unpleasant either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Jiang Shan had been kind to host him, so Yan Li followed her lead, drank a few more sips, and offered polite praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, after a few more sips, it feels better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Shan didn’t mind; she chatted casually with Yan Li—first about work, then gossip about the industry, finally turning to love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when speaking of her own love life, Jiang Shan’s emotions surged violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Your brother-in-law was fine at first after we married, but then things got worse and worse... Once, I caught him on the phone with a woman—he claimed she was just a friend... Pfft, I knew what he was up to—eating from one bowl while eyeing the pot, no good man...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Jiang Shan held deep resentment toward her husband; she started with a few kind words, then launched into endless complaints and blame—Yan Li felt awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, it was their private matter; second, some of her words felt like veiled insults—even him wasn’t spared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more she ranted, the angrier she got, downing glass after glass of red wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She drank nearly half the bottle, plus what she’d consumed at dinner—Jiang Shan was clearly drunk; her cheeks flushed, her gaze on Yan Li grew hazy. Suddenly, she stood up and plopped down beside him, voice hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, what do you think of me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li felt things slipping out of control—he tried to escape: “Sister, you’ve had too much—rest. I’m leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could rise, Jiang Shan grabbed his hand, leaned in close, her warm, wine-scented breath brushing his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be afraid—I don’t mean anything by it. I just want to tell you: this industry is complicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got good looks and talent, but you’re still young, lacking experience. To rise and become famous, sometimes you need someone to give you a hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I really think you’re a good kid—I want to help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Help? Fine—but why are your hands moving down?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About two hours later, Yan Li returned to his room; Zhou Yiwei was already asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li sighed in relief, quietly took a shower, and lay on the bed—when Zhou Yiwei’s concerned voice came from beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Yan, you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly: “This industry is too dark. When you go out to film alone someday, protect yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, if you didn’t want it, how could a woman hold you back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li paused half a minute: “Do you know you sometimes say things that are really annoying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yiwei chuckled, said nothing more, and thought of Jiang Shan’s still-striking beauty—if only he could encounter such “darkness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d accept it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1591,"2026-06-19T16:16:52.605Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","927c3021f37ddd3483bc67c06892054169288dfdc06e8cf9abe91edcfac60327","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-41","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-39",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-cover.jpg"]