Chapter 44

"Teacher Hu, you've worked hard—let me treat you to dinner later."

"Don't be so formal with me; be sure to show up."

"…"

After bidding farewell to Hu Qiang, Yan Li returned to the car and looked at Li Peng in the back seat.

"Li Zong, would you like to rest a bit, or head to the next school?"

"Let's take a break—I need to think over which ones are most suitable."

Li Peng rubbed his tired eyes; though the time spent had been short, seeing over a hundred students in one go—observing, selecting, analyzing, and even conversing with those he found promising—had drained him. He was no longer young, and his stamina was fading.

"Alright. Since you said you wanted to try authentic Jingcheng roast duck, I know a small place called Minfuju—it's delicious. Let me take you there."

Yan Li didn't take Li Peng straight to the hotel—he wasn't here just to run errands for him. He seized every opportunity to build ties.

It was for Dong Xuan, and also for himself.

Over the past two days, he'd used the system to find out: Li Peng had come north from Taiwan to develop on the mainland, and found a backer—the Zhonglu Group!

Zhonglu Group was a company based in Shanghai, primarily focused on investment; last year, it acquired the famous Yongjiu bicycle brand.

Besides Yongjiu bicycles, Zhonglu also acquired Shanghai's Xie Jin Film Company, entering the film and television industry.

Li Peng was a senior executive of the restructured Zhonglu Film Company, currently fully responsible for the production of "A Mother's Thousand-Mile Journey" / "Snowflake Goddess Dragon."

According to Yan Li's intelligence, Zhonglu Film Company had limited capital and was not highly valued by its parent company, Zhonglu Group.

But it was still a legitimate film company, and willing to invest in productions—something Yan Li, in his current position, needed to cultivate.

His channels were limited, his connections few. Even if there was no fruit, he'd still shake the tree three times—might come in handy someday.

Li Peng was quite respectful toward him—or rather, after two dealings and having worked together, he greatly admired this young man.

Bold and decisive, strong in social skills, articulate and polished in action.

Li Peng had even considered bringing Yan Li onto the "Snowflake Goddess Dragon" set as an executive producer to assist him.

But the shrewd, seasoned Li Peng could see Yan Li's ambitions lay elsewhere.

Though the boy appeared eager to serve, he wasn't merely fawning or groveling—every word and deed carried restraint, clearly grounded in his own confidence.

To be honest, Li Peng often felt Yan Li had figured him out, and held the upper hand in their interactions.

Such finesse—and so young!

Li Peng had high hopes for Yan Li's future; even if he never became a major figure, he'd surely carve out a place in the industry.

If so, Li Peng considered whether to offer a favor while Yan Li was still rising.

After all, Dong Xuan's qualifications were solid. Granting her the role for Yan Li's sake would earn him a major favor—and if this boy ever made it big, it would be worth far more.

Li Peng hadn't yet decided, but during meals and conversation, he began deliberately showing warmth toward Yan Li.

If the other actors for "A Mother's Thousand-Mile Journey" hadn't already been cast—if the leads weren't already tied to established networks—he'd have seriously pushed to secure a role for Yan Li.

It would be a favor, and also a way to lure Yan Li into helping on set.

"This old man's really sneaky."

That night, Yan Li read the day's intelligence report and learned Li Peng's thoughts; he muttered irritably.

But he hadn't considered this possibility himself—apparently, showing potential could attract investment support.

Hmm, learned another trick!

————

In the following days, Yan Li accompanied Li Peng to visit Zhongxi and Junyi schools.

To Li Peng, he was a local power in Jingcheng, with connections at every major art school.

To the schools, he was an executive producer from a legitimate production team, coming to scout students and help them rise to fame.

Playing both sides seemed easy, but it wasn't so simple to pull off!

But Yan Li had his intelligence system: he knew the audition rules of every school, which teachers loved helping students, which students enjoyed organizing such events, which could be bribed, which could be bribed themselves…

After this round of visits, Yan Li had genuinely built some connections across Jingcheng's major art schools—and his lies had become truths.

Now, if another production team came to scout art schools, Yan Li could confidently declare:

"I own this place!"

With the art schools settled, the Jingcheng talent agencies were even easier—just one phone call, and they'd rush over with files to recommend candidates.

But Li Peng didn't value Beijing drifters much; conservatory-trained actors were fine, but non-conservatory ones were almost entirely ignored.

Several leads in "A Mother's Thousand-Mile Journey" were non-conservatory, and if the female lead were a complete newcomer, the director would be cursing just trying to train them.

After reviewing and comparing everyone again, Li Peng still felt Dong Xuan was the best fit.

"…"

Should've just skipped all this hassle!

Li Peng, who had already been hesitating about building ties with Yan Li through this matter, now made up his mind completely. He invited Yan Li and delivered the good news.

Yan Li had already known through the system, but he still put on a look of stunned delight.

"Li Zong, rest assured—Dong Xuan will give her all and not disappoint you."

"Good. I trust my judgment—and I trust yours."

Li Peng's every word implied he was doing this for Yan Li's sake, aiming to cement the favor; Yan Li played along perfectly, saying he'd never forget it.

No matter Li Peng's private motives, he had indeed helped Yan Li and Dong Xuan.

So Yan Li had to accept this favor.

Yan Li believed in repaying every kindness: if you help me, then someday when you need me, I'll return the debt.

Of course, Yan Li also called Dong Xuan over—not to thank Li Peng, but to take credit.

According to future intelligence, Dong Xuan was the female lead of "Snowflake Goddess Dragon"—that's why Yan Li went through all this trouble to intervene.

First, to ensure nothing went wrong; second, to assess whether the production team posed any danger; third, to impress Dong Xuan.

He had worked so hard to win her the female lead!

One could imagine what Dong Xuan was feeling — if Yan Li later slipped up again, just on account of this, Dong Xuan's anger would instantly drop by a good third.

Li Peng, an old hand, had long since seen through the little game between Yan Li and Dong Xuan.

Since he was doing a favor, he went all the way, lavishing Yan Li with praise in front of Dong Xuan.

How Yan Li had worked so hard helping Li Peng on her behalf; the biggest reason she got the role was Yan Li; what lucky girl she was, to have a man willing to give so much for her — blah, blah, blah.

Yan Li himself was a little moved, and Dong Xuan need not even be mentioned — the tenderness and gratitude in her gaze as she looked at Yan Li could have drowned him on the spot.

That night, after getting home, Yan Li thoroughly enjoyed a taste of emperor-level treatment.

Dong Xuan was gentler than ever before, giving him whatever he wanted, doing her utmost to satisfy every one of Yan Li's reasonable and unreasonable demands…

(End of chapter)