Chapter 56: You

Yan Li delayed for two or three days before calling Meng Ji to reveal the situation.

The rest didn't concern Yan Li—he only needed to gather information; how to resolve and smooth things over was Meng Ji's job.

Meng Ji acted quickly, and progress came soon; by the next afternoon, he invited Yan Li and Cheng Lidong to dinner to express his gratitude.

Only when they arrived did Yan Li and the others learn that today's gathering included not just Meng Ji, but also Fan Xiaotian, the boss of Suzhou Funa, the Lead Producer of the sequel to "Spring Sunshine Zhu Bajie."

Meng Ji handled things efficiently; having promised Yan Li the role, he introduced him to Fan Xiaotian.

Once Fan Xiaotian gave his nod, the investor and director would both be secured, and the matter would be settled.

Moreover, as the boss of a well-known film and television company, Fan Xiaotian didn't just have one drama under his control.

Both Meng Ji and Cheng Lidong were on good terms with him; if they lent a hand to speak well of Yan Li, and given Yan Li's own strong qualifications, he might even land another project.

"Fan Zong has arrived."

The group was chatting in the private room when Meng Ji received a call, and everyone went out to greet him.

Fan Xiaotian didn't come alone—he brought along a vice president of his company and a beautiful young woman named Han Xue.

According to the accompanying vice president, Han Xue was a new actress, but Yan Li had no recollection of her—she must have just debuted.

The girl didn't speak much; she simply listened as Fan Xiaotian exchanged pleasantries with Yan Li and the others, only raising her glass to toast Meng Ji and Cheng Lidong when Fan Xiaotian prompted her.

What surprised Yan Li most was that she wasn't drinking alcohol—she was drinking juice, and Fan Xiaotian and the others didn't object.

Either she's family or his mistress!

Yan Li mentally circled her name, didn't overdo his attentiveness, simply greeted her briefly, then focused entirely on chatting with Fan Xiaotian and Meng Ji.

As they spoke, the private room door knocked, and a delicate, radiant girl with an oval face pushed it open and immediately apologized.

"Sorry, Boss Fan, Director Meng, I finished shooting late."

The vice president teased: "Bingbing, since you're late, you owe three rounds of drinks?"

The newcomer was Fan Xiaopang from the "Jubao Pen" crew; Yan Li saw her and paused slightly, but wasn't overly surprised.

Yan Li had already researched: Fan Xiaopang's other Wu Xia drama, "Shadow of the Floating Clouds," was also produced by Suzhou Funa as Lead Producer.

Her participation in "Jubao Pen" was arranged by Cheng Lidong asking Fan Xiaotian for the favor.

Now that Fan Xiaotian and Cheng Lidong were meeting, her showing up was perfectly normal.

While Yan Li remained calm, Fan Xiaopang was utterly astonished to see him here.

Is this brown-noser really that good at sucking up?

He's already won over Director Cheng—and in just a few days, he's already reaching his claws toward Boss Fan.

Astonished as she was, with so many big shots present, she had no interest in paying attention to some nobody like Yan Li.

Taking advantage of the vice president's joke, Fan Xiaopang downed three full glasses of baijiu to apologize for being late.

She's got serious drinking capacity!

Yan Li joined the others in applauding and cheering, surprised; though her glass was small, three of them added up to roughly two or three taels.

Most people, empty-stomached, would show some reaction after drinking that much, but Fan Xiaopang's face didn't flush, she didn't pant—she seemed completely unfazed.

Yet, after those three glasses, the banquet's atmosphere instantly warmed up.

Yan Li had been slowly chatting and sipping, inching closer and deepening impressions—but Fan Xiaopang's sudden energy disrupted his strategy.

With no choice, Yan Li had to join in, raising his glass frequently, immersing himself in the lively atmosphere, drinking heartily and chatting freely.

Then, Fan Xiaopang realized… no one was paying attention to her anymore…

In drinking capacity, Yan Li was far stronger than her; in conversation, he was sweeter and more skilled.

In terms of gender and looks, Fan Xiaopang had the advantage—but Yan Li was cheating.

Yan Li understood Cheng Lidong and Meng Ji deeply; he could tailor his topics to their interests, holding their attention firmly.

As for Fan Xiaotian, Yan Li had little direct contact and limited system data—but by winning over Cheng and Meng, he'd already become the center of conversation; he could then gradually test a few topics until he found one Fan Xiaotian cared about.

Yan Li had no interest in pleasing the vice president; if he wanted to chat, fine—if not, just toast him. A few taels of alcohol down, the man would wilt.

"…"

Fan Xiaopang watched Yan Li exchanging glasses with everyone, and couldn't help glancing at Han Xue, who looked equally bewildered.

How is a male actor more popular at this men's drinking party than we female stars?

Normally, if she encountered this situation, Fan Xiaopang wouldn't understand it, but she'd gladly enjoy the quiet.

But right now, Fan Xiaopang held some "personal grudge" against Yan Li; she couldn't stand him stealing the spotlight and becoming the center of the banquet—she felt compelled to challenge him.

So she picked up her glass to join in—but for a long time, she couldn't get a word in.

These men kept switching topics: Iraq's situation, whether Zidane or Ronaldo was better, then suddenly to why Chiang Kai-shek lost…

She didn't understand any of it; if she spoke up rashly, she'd miss the point and only draw amused chuckles, ending with Yan Li smiling her off.

"I'll stay with Boss Fan and the others. Could you ask the waiter to reheat the dishes?"

Reheat… the dishes?!

Fan Xiaopang stared at Yan Li in disbelief, her whole body trembling with rage.

This was an unforgivable humiliation!

Yan Li, you're treating people way too harshly!

When had Fan Xiaopang sunk so low as to be ordered around like a servant?

Even back when she first debuted in "Huanzhu Gege," with those two women towering over her, she'd never been ignored to this extent.

"Go do it now."

Yan Li was still urging her; in front of everyone, Fan Xiaopang flew into a rage, glared at Yan Li with her peach-blossom eyes, then turned and stormed out of the private room.

"Crazy."

Yan Li muttered, then suddenly remembered something and opened the door to call after her: "Bring a few more packs of cigarettes."

Fan Xiaopang: "…"

Pull, pull, pull—I really want to slap you to death!

Han Xue beside him couldn't help but suppress a smile; Yan Li saw this, hesitated a moment, then raised his cup in greeting before continuing to ignore her.

Someone this unpredictable is hard to gauge in terms of interaction boundaries, so just maintain politeness and respect.

————

After several hours of merrymaking, the gathering finally broke up; the others were already drunk and unsteady, Fan Xiaotian and Cheng Lidong could barely stand.

Yan Li, however, was still fine—though his face was flushed, his eyes were clear and his steps steady; he helped Fan Xiaotian and the others into their cars, bidding them warm farewells.

Finally, he supported Cheng Lidong and turned to Fan Xiaopang, who hadn't left yet.

"We've both been drinking and can't drive—we're planning to find a place to stay overnight. Are you coming with us, or going back to the set?"

Fan Xiaopang didn't want to stay with Yan Li, but it was too late, and as a woman who'd been drinking, taking a taxi alone was somewhat unsafe.

"I'll go with you."

Yan Li nodded; beside the restaurant was a hotel. He supported Cheng Lidong inside and booked a twin-bed room.

Fan Xiaopang stared at him, seeing only one room key in his hand, and eyed him warily.

"I'm warning you—don't you dare think you can hit on me just because you've had a few drinks. I'm not falling for that crap."

Yan Li looked at her, baffled: "What hit on you?"

Fan Xiaopang snapped: "We're three people, and you booked one room—what's that supposed to mean?"

Yan Li was speechless, pointing to the front desk: "This room is for the two of us. You get your own room—and pay for it yourself."

She's… pretty, but thinks way too highly of herself!

She won't warm his bed, and probably insults him behind his back anyway—Yan Li had no interest in playing the considerate gentleman…

(End of Chapter)