Chapter 56: You, Yan Li, Are Too Much!

Yan Li waited 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 producer of the sequel to “Spring Sunshine Pig Eight.”

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

Once Fan Xiaotian gave his nod, both the investor and director would be secured—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 in hand.

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; 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 said little, merely listening as Fan Xiaotian exchanged pleasantries with Yan Li and the others; only when Fan Xiaotian prompted her did she raise her glass to toast Meng Ji and Cheng Lidong.

What surprised Yan Li most was that she didn’t drink alcohol—only juice—and Fan Xiaotian and the others raised no objection.

Either a close relative or a mistress!

Yan Li mentally circled her name, showed no excessive flattery, simply greeted her briefly, then focused entirely on conversing with Fan Xiaotian and Meng Ji.

As they spoke, the private room door knocked; a delicate, radiant girl with an oval face stepped in and immediately apologized.

“Sorry, Fan Zong, Meng Dao, I finished work 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” cast; Yan Li saw her and paused slightly, though he wasn’t overly surprised.

Yan Li had already researched: Fan Xiaopang’s other wuxia drama, “Shadow of the Pegasus,” had Suzhou Funa as its primary 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 natural.

While Yan Li remained calm, Fan Xiaopang was astonished to see him at this gathering.

Is this brown-noser really that good at kissing ass?

He’s already won over Director Cheng—and in just a few days, he’s already reaching for Fan Zong.

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

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

She’s got serious drinking capacity!

Yan Li joined the others in clapping and cheering, though her cups were 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 even breathe hard—completely unfazed.

Yet, after those three cups, the dinner atmosphere instantly grew livelier.

Yan Li had planned to slowly build rapport, sip gently, deepen impressions—but Fan Xiaopang’s energy shifted the pace, rendering his strategy ineffective.

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

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

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

In gender and looks, Fan Xiaopang had the advantage, but Yan Li had the system’s edge.

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

As for Fan Xiaotian, Yan Li had little direct contact and limited system data, but by securing Cheng and Meng, he’d already positioned himself at the center of conversation; he could gradually test a few more topics until he found one that sparked Fan Xiaotian’s interest.

The vice president held no appeal for Yan Li—he’d chat if willing, otherwise just toast; after a few taels of liquor, 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 could a male actor be more popular at a men’s drinking party than female stars?

Normally, if she encountered such a situation, she wouldn’t understand it—but she’d gladly enjoy the quiet.

Yet now, Fan Xiaopang harbored some “personal grudge” against Yan Li; she couldn’t stand him stealing the spotlight and becoming the center of the party—she felt compelled to challenge him.

So she picked up her glass to join in, but for a long time couldn’t insert a single word.

These men kept switching topics—Iraq’s situation, whether Zidane or Ronaldo was better, then why Chiang Kai-shek lost…

She couldn’t follow any of it; if she spoke up, she’d miss the point and only draw amused chuckles, eventually being dismissed with a smile by Yan Li.

“I’ll stay with Fan Zong and the others—could you ask the server 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 me too badly!

When had Fan Xiaopang sunk so low as to run errands for others?

Even back when she debuted in “My Fair Princess,” overshadowed by those two women, she’d never been ignored to this extent.

“Go quickly.”

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

“Crazy.”

Yan Li muttered, then suddenly remembered something and called after her: “Bring a few more packs of cigarettes.”

Fan Xiaopang: “...”

Smoke, smoke, smoke—I want to strangle you!

Beside him, Han Xue couldn’t help smirking; seeing this, Yan Li hesitated a moment, then raised his glass in salute, and continued to ignore her.

Someone this unpredictable was hard to gauge—just maintain polite respect.

————

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

Yan Li, however, was fine—his face was slightly flushed, but his eyes were clear and his steps steady; he saw each of Fan Xiaotian’s group into their cars, warmly bidding them farewell.

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

“Both of us drank—we can’t drive. We’re planning to find a place to stay overnight. Are you coming with us, or returning to the set?”

Fan Xiaopang didn’t want to stay with Yan Li, but it was too late, she’d been drinking, and going home alone as a woman wasn’t safe.

“I’ll go with you.”

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

Fan Xiaopang saw he held only one keycard and eyed him warily.

“I’m warning you—don’t you dare try anything after a few drinks. I don’t fall for that crap.”

Yan Li stared at her blankly: “What are you talking about?”

Fan Xiaopang snapped: “Three of us, you booked one room—what’s your meaning?”

Yan Li sighed, pointing to the front desk: “This room is for you and me—you pay for your own room.”

Pretty… but thinking too highly of yourself!

She wasn’t going to warm his bed, and probably cursed him behind his back—Yan Li had no interest in playing the considerate gentleman…

(End of Chapter)