[{"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-55":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},2260358,4411,"Chapter 55: The Sequel to","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-55",55,"\u003Cp>Words unaligned, not a single sentence more; after a few brief exchanges, Yan Li parted ways with Fan Xiaopang and joined Liang Guanhua, who had been waiting for him, heading toward the makeup room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, what did she want to talk to you about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Guanhua, ever curious, Yan Li answered honestly: “She explained why she forgot her lines earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Guanhua looked puzzled: “Why tell you? Shouldn’t she explain to the director?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know what she was thinking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of this, Yan Li was also baffled—forgetting lines? Go back and memorize them. What’s it to me? Own your mistake, don’t blame others for shaking their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think this girl has something special for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Guanhua adopted the air of a seasoned veteran, his fat face squinting and winking: “Shall I set you two up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s different!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably thousands of words of gossip slandering him tonight—maybe even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s expression was simple and earnest: “Forget it. She’s a rising star. I’m nobody. I wouldn’t dare climb so high.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re just too honest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Guanhua sighed in frustration—Yan Li was good in every way: articulate, savvy, skilled—but shy around girls. No wonder such a handsome man was still single.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they chatted, Yan Li received a call—Cheng Lidong invited him to dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li understood: Cheng Lidong had hinted before that a friend of his had a project stuck, and wanted to quietly inquire through Yan Li’s “relative.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Cheng hadn’t spelled out details, Yan Li already knew most of it through his system and felt the issue was manageable—he could do a favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, wait a bit—I’ll take off my makeup and come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li confirmed with Cheng Lidong, then removed his makeup, changed clothes, and got into Cheng’s car, heading toward the city center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observant eyes saw this and further confirmed the rumor that Yan Li had close personal ties with producer Cheng Lidong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang heard the news too; he grumbled about sycophants, but his anger had cooled considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What else could he do? The guy had the boss of the set protecting him—he couldn’t touch him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suzhou, a restaurant\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the private room, Cheng Lidong introduced both sides: “Xiao Yan, this is Director Meng Ji—he directed ‘Spring Light Shines on Zhu Bajie’ and ‘The Wulin Outer History.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li clasped his hands tightly: “Director Meng, it’s an honor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Meng, this is the young brother I told you about—Yan Li. A truly good guy, excellent actor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Ji wore glasses and rarely smiled; his attitude toward Yan Li was neither cold nor warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lidong’s words left Meng Ji skeptical—he’d come to Suzhou only to catch up with Cheng, and hadn’t taken much notice of the recommendation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Ji wasn’t Cheng Lidong, who mainly operated in Zhejiang with low status and limited connections in Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been directing since the 90s, knew plenty of people inside and outside Beijing’s system; the production company behind this project wasn’t some small fry—they couldn’t fix it, so how could some green kid possibly help?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha—he’d checked: no senior official in the bureau had the surname Yan; even his friend working there had never heard the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, given Cheng Lidong’s prior example, Meng Ji didn’t think Yan Li was a fraud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too many people worked in the bureau—who could keep track of every relative? Besides, some kept a low profile, so it was normal that his friend didn’t know him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yan Li’s evasive manner didn’t seem confident at all—he strongly suspected Yan Li had just stumbled by accident last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li sensed Meng Ji’s coolness and didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t the one in a hurry!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li wanted to build connections, but he didn’t grovel to every successful person—he wasn’t dependent on anyone. Why should he be so humble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So if Meng Ji didn’t speak up, fine—no connection. At least he got a good meal today, not a wasted trip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li remained calm, ate and drank normally, chatted politely, and kept the posture of a respectful junior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But don’t expect him to intuitively offer to help—no chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the meal neared its end and still no business had been raised, the intermediary Cheng Lidong couldn’t hold back any longer and broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Yan, here’s the thing—Director Meng has a crime drama stuck in review. You’re well-connected—could you look into it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Lidong spoke, so Meng Ji couldn’t pretend ignorance—he’d try anything, even if it was a long shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Meng Ji spoke, explained the situation, then added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Yan, rest assured—I’m known for my word, Old Cheng knows. If this gets done, I won’t let you down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Meng Ji had pledged, Yan Li didn’t put on airs—he also praised Cheng Lidong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Cheng asked, I have to help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Director Meng, I’ll be upfront—I have limited ability. I can only ask around, and I can’t guarantee anything will help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such matters could be assisted, but never promised outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Use only three-tenths of your strength, speak only three-tenths of your capability—always leave room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Ji understood. Yan Li then took out his phone, said he’d step out to make a call and check the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was gone nearly twenty minutes. When he returned, he met Cheng Lidong and Meng Ji’s expectant gazes and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s some progress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Ji hadn’t expected Yan Li to actually find anything—he was pleasantly surprised and stood up to pour him a glass of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li didn’t drag it out: “The situation isn’t fully clear yet, but it’s likely tied to the bureau’s recent XX campaign…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Meng Ji listened, he realized most of what Yan Li said was known to him—but one key detail was new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn—he’d missed the real deal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s all I know for now. I’ve asked my relative to look further—I’ll update you, Director Meng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li didn’t reveal everything at once—too soon, and it would seem excessive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, recalling Cheng Lidong’s experience, Yan Li thought stretching the timeline made the effort seem more arduous—and the favor more valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, he wouldn’t give direct advice anymore, only a general direction and vague hints—to avoid trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Yan Li constantly downplayed his “intelligence access,” outsiders found his credibility rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His main system was too overpowered, but by downplaying, he now fit perfectly within normal reality’s logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Meng Ji—he now truly believed Yan Li was well-connected; his attitude had warmed tenfold. Even before the matter was resolved, he’d already extended an olive branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m currently preparing a new drama—‘Spring Light Shines on Zhu Bajie’ sequel. Xiao Yan, if you’re interested, I’ll reserve a role for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Spring Light Shines on Zhu Bajie’ sequel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li perked up—the original’s popularity meant likely strong ratings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he knew he wouldn’t land the lead role of Zhu Bajie—maybe he could snag a standout supporting part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1152,"2026-06-19T16:16:52.605Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c7d16e0528522794c71e5d40f4457026830a7b903dfee7de2e326365e8bcf9be","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-56","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-54",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-cover.jpg"]