Chapter 77

Yan Li stayed in Zao City until the tenth day of the lunar month, signing the contract with Zao City TV for the purchase of "Conquest" before preparing to return to Jingcheng.

Thanks to Chen Jianjun's influence, the contract with Zao City TV was relatively generous—8,000 yuan per episode—making it worth Yan Li's time.

The most crucial project, however, was "Railway Guerrillas"; Yan Li dug deeper and found the returns were genuinely high.

The investment was roughly within 15 million yuan, but with subsidies and support, the actual cost was around 8 to 10 million yuan.

For a main-theme drama of this scale, backed by Shandong Film, national broadcast was a certainty—and likely not just on a provincial satellite channel.

Yan Li did a rough calculation: if everything went smoothly, selling all rights could bring in over 20 million yuan; after deducting costs, profits might exceed ten million.

There was also an implicit benefit: if the main-theme drama was well-made, the authorities would inevitably offer policy advantages, benefiting both Yan Li personally and his company.

This idea had come from Peng Dan, whom he'd met through "The Ju Bao Pen."

According to "Annual Intelligence," this sister later specialized in main-theme content, branding herself a "Red Artist," and despite starting from third-class films, she rose to prominence, holding titles like Standing Committee Member of the All-China Youth Federation and Provincial-level CPPCC Committee Member.

In China's business world, having these titles didn't necessarily mean anything—but without them, you'd definitely be represented by others…

————

"Mom, stop stuffing it—I can't eat all this."

When Yan Li came home, he arrived with bags upon bags; when he left, it was bags plus extra-large bags.

"You don't have to eat it all—there's your girlfriend and classmates; share it out. Everything's homemade, clean, and you can't buy it outside."

In past winter breaks, Zhang Hong had held back, fearing he'd be overloaded on the train; now that he had a car, she had no restraint—she stuffed it full.

Yan Li had no choice but to let her do as she pleased; by the end, not only was the trunk packed to the brim, but the back seat was full too.

Even the front passenger seat had a new cotton quilt his grandmother had prepared.

The old lady had somehow heard that Jingcheng was colder than home, assumed her grandson was suffering through the cold, and insisted he take the quilt back to Beijing—this morning, she even came to supervise him putting it in the car.

After packing, Yan Li got in, fastened his seatbelt: "Mom, I'm leaving. Tell Dad—if the shop's too busy, hire some help."

After the New Year, Yan Family Braised Meat officially launched, and business was booming—Old Yan didn't even have time to see his son off.

"Got it. Your second aunt is coming to help in a couple days. Drive safely, and call me when you arrive."

Zhang Hong muttered a few more reminders; Yan Li waved goodbye, gently pressed the accelerator, and drove away from home.

As familiar streets faded behind him, Yan Li felt a quiet pang of parting—but once on the highway, he gradually shifted his mood, becoming determined and eager.

A new year, a new journey—time to work hard!

…

Yan Li had originally planned with Dong Xuan to visit her on the set of "Snow Goddess Dragon" after the New Year.

But Dong Xuan's mother couldn't bear letting her daughter spend the holiday alone on set, so she arrived on the third day of the New Year to keep her company.

This disrupted Yan Li's plans entirely!

Dong Xuan did want him to meet her mother—but Yan Li dared not go; meeting parents often changes things, better to avoid it for now.

Fortunately, the "Snow Goddess Dragon" set was nearly finished; Dong Xuan would return to Jingcheng soon enough—seeing her a little earlier or later wouldn't matter.

With Dong Xuan away, Qin Lan was also on set filming, and Huang Shengyi was still on winter break.

Yan Li could only return alone to Jimenli.

But Jimenli was empty too—everyone else was home for the New Year, including Lin Jiachuan, whom Yan Li had granted leave until after Lantern Festival.

Still, Yan Li didn't feel lonely—he had his own things to do.

Last year, he'd built up a fair network of contacts; the holiday was perfect for visiting, exchanging gifts, and maybe uncovering new opportunities.

Also, "Conquest" was set to premiere on Tianjin Channel 3 at the end of February, with broadcasts scheduled soon after in Jin Ling, Xi'an, and other stations.

Yan Li planned to contact media outlets to help promote it—both for publicity and to attract attention from provincial satellite channels.

…

"Editor Sun, I'm counting on you."

"Teacher Yang, thank you for your trouble."

After networking with a newspaper editor and several reporters, handing out red envelopes as token fees, Yan Li finally caught his breath—then his phone rang. It was Tong Dawei.

"Old Yan, what's going on? I've been waiting half an hour."

"Got it. Just finished—ten minutes, I'll be there."

With strict drunk-driving checks in Jingcheng during the holiday, Yan Li didn't risk driving—he called a taxi, and soon arrived at a bar in Sanlitun.

After contacting Tong Dawei, the latter quickly appeared and led him into the bar.

Inside, deafening music blasted, lights flashed wildly, and a crowd of young people danced and jumped to the beat, full of energy.

"Fun, right?"

Tong Dawei shouted. Yan Li glanced at the chaotic scene and gave a half-hearted nod.

He didn't dislike the bar's atmosphere, but he wasn't fond of it—mainly because it was too loud; prolonged exposure gave him a headache.

They reached a private booth in the back, where seven or eight people were scattered. Tong Dawei draped an arm around Yan Li and introduced him.

"Yan Li, my friend—he's an actor, graduated from Beijing Film Academy."

Tong Dawei then introduced the others, though Yan Li already recognized half of them.

Venice Film Festival winner, Xia Yu

Popular young actress, Li Bingbing

Popular young actor, Ren Quan

And one familiar face scowling at him—Fan Xiaopang.

This was a Huayi Artists' gathering—no, more accurately, a Wang Jinghua-affiliated young artists' gathering.

After meeting Wang Jinghua, Yan Li had used the system to learn about her relationship with Huayi: they were partners, with Wang Jinghua functioning as a semi-independent co-owner, operating as her own faction within Huayi.

Thus, Wang Jinghua's artists weren't strictly Huayi artists, and not all Huayi artists fell under Wang Jinghua's umbrella.

But if this was a Wang Jinghua gathering, why had Tong Dawei brought him here?

Yan Li's thoughts turned, and combined with scattered past intelligence, he understood what had happened.

Tsk, Sister Hua hasn't given up on him yet!

Indeed, Xia Yu, the most famous among them and the one who had been with Wang Jinghua the longest, showed Yan Li exceptional warmth—presumably because Wang Jinghua had instructed him to court him.

Yet Yan Li had little interest in Xia Yu's overtures, instead paying closer attention to Fan Xiaopang, who was chatting with Li Bingbing.

So, not long after, Yan Li found an opportunity to approach and offered a toast.

"Bingbing, long time no see."

Fan Xiaopang was surprised, but he couldn't strike a smiling face, so he nodded: "Long time no see."

Li Bingbing beside him was curious: "You two know each other?"

"We shot a drama together. Back then, Bingbing and I hit it off immediately—we were perfectly in sync."

Yan Li explained, and Fan Xiaopang, listening nearby, froze, staring at Yan Li with a strange expression.

This bastard either lost his memory or got drunk out of his mind?

After how badly they treated each other on "The Ju Bao Pen," how could he dare say they hit it off immediately?

That's right!

Yan Li's smile was utterly sincere—he had no intention of hitting it off with Fan Xiaopang, but he had fallen head over heels for "Fan Jiuyi."

A billionaire woman!

He wasn't about to become a kept man clinging to her leg, but this girl earned so much—she'd surely become a massive star in the future, and her business acumen was solid too.

Who knows? Maybe we'll have a chance to collaborate and get rich someday. If we can be on good terms, better not make an enemy…

(End of Chapter)