Chinese Entertainment Intelligence King

Chapter 257 Talent Points: The Most Beautiful Singer and the Double Soldiers Expose Each Other's Weaknesses

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, in the early morning

When Fan Xiaopang woke up in the morning, he saw Yan Li practicing a set of kung fu in a very serious manner. It was a bit like the Tai Chi practiced by old men in the park. The movements were slow, but not too slow, and there were occasional variations in speed.

Fan Xiaopang pulled out a small stool from somewhere and sat on it to watch Yan Li practice boxing.

She knew that Yan Li insisted on practicing boxing, but she hadn't seen it many times.

The main reason is that Yan Li is used to getting up early to exercise, and he dislikes the small space at home, preferring to exercise outside where he can move around more freely and the morning air is fresher.

Every time Fan Xiaopang was with him, he either had to leave in a hurry because of work, or he was exhausted after being kept up all night and had to sleep in the next day. He had no time or energy to watch him practice boxing.

Yan Li took a break today and didn't get up early. Plus, it's Chinese New Year, so the streets were packed with people, and even the courtyard houses were crowded. So he decided to practice at home.

After finishing his punches, Yan Li stood up and wiped his sweat with a towel.

Fan Xiaopang asked curiously, "Is this the stance training you were talking about?"

"Hun Yuan Wu Ji Stance Exercise is something I obtained from a master (system). It is a carefully selected and absorbed version of the essence of various boxing styles and schools, used to nourish the body, invigorate the spirit, and strengthen the blood and qi."

After hearing Yan Li's explanation, Fan Xiaopang became interested: "Can I practice too?"

"can."

This stance training exercise may have been tailor-made for Yan Li by the system. Others may also experience some effect from practicing it, but not as strong. It is only slightly better than other health-preserving exercises.

Because this stance training is more suited to men, its effects on women are relatively less pronounced.

Yan Li had previously considered initiating some health-preserving exercises suitable for women or the elderly for his family to practice.

But I haven't come across anything suitable; they're mostly generic products that you can find online with a little effort.

"Then I'll practice too."

No one wants to be unhealthy, and Fan Xiaopang is no exception. She's beautiful and rich, it would be a shame if she died young.

She works out regularly, and almost all female celebrities in the industry do, though they differ in their training methods, the amount of exercise, and the effectiveness of their workouts.

"Come on, learn from me."

Yan Li broke down the movements and demonstrated them himself, then taught and corrected him step by step.

Fan Xiaopang practiced as he learned, but before he could finish a single round of punches, he was already panting, his face flushed, and covered in sweat.

Don't get me wrong, Yan Li was genuinely teaching boxing and didn't do anything else. Fan Xiaopang was just exhausted.

"You seem to have it easy fighting, so why am I the one who's so tired?"

Fan Xiaopang was puzzled, but Yan Li explained with a smile: "It looks easy, but in reality, many of the movements involve most of the body and the whole body. Beginners will definitely find it difficult to get used to."

It's a system-triggered training exercise triggered annually and seemingly tailor-made for Yan Li, with excellent results. How could it be the same as the Tai Chi practiced by old men in the park? There are many intricacies involved.

Yan Li acquired this stance training in early 2006, and it took him several months to just barely get the hang of it.

I've been practicing for over a year now, and I can barely manage to say I'm proficient. It will take at least 3 to 5 years to reach mastery, and by then the effects of this stance training will be much better.

Of course, Yan Li was over thirty years old at that time, and his physical functions were certainly not as good as they are now.

Yan Li doesn't ask for much; he'd be content if things were on par with his current situation, and even better if they were slightly better.

"I'm not practicing anymore, it's too tiring."

Fan Xiaopang didn't stick to it. She sometimes gains weight, which is related to her tendency to gain weight easily, as well as her inability to control her diet and her slight laziness in exercising.

Of course, this is compared to those super curvy female celebrities. Compared to ordinary people, her figure management is still quite good.

Yan Li shook his head; he had taught Qin Lan and Dong Xuan before.

Dong Xuan performed the best, which may be related to her childhood training in dance. She has stronger stamina, explosive power, and core strength, and her fighting style is quite impressive. However, she is not very interested in it.

He had thought Fan Xiaopang would perform better, but he didn't expect him to be slightly inferior to Qin Lan.

Come to think of it, physical training and martial arts training are two different things; their physical characteristics and talents are different...

...

After taking a shower, Yan Li cooked the frozen dumplings that hadn't been cooked yet, made some cold dishes with the ingredients they had at home, and heated up the leftovers from last night. The two of them then ate brunch on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

After finishing their meal and watching a rerun of the Spring Festival Gala, Fan Xiaopang, feeling much more energetic, insisted on dragging Yan Li to the temple fair.

During the Spring Festival, Beijing hosts numerous temple fairs of all sizes, offering a wide variety of folk games, food, drinks, and entertainment, creating a lively atmosphere.

Yan Li came to Beijing in 2000 and has stayed there for many years, but he has never visited a temple fair during the Spring Festival.

When I was in college, I would go home for Chinese New Year during winter break. But these past two years, I've either been busy with work or on set, so I haven't had time to go to the temple fair. Today is the first time.

Fan Xiaopang arrived in Beijing earlier than Yan Li, but he only visited once.

Also, because of going home for the Chinese New Year and being busy with work, there were only one or two times when I happened to be in Beijing for the New Year, and I didn't have anyone to accompany me. I felt that it was not interesting to go out, so I gave up.

This year, I didn't go back to my hometown, and I had the time. Plus, I had some alone time with Yan Li, so Fan Xiaopang was quite enthusiastic about visiting the temple fair.

Yan Li hesitated for a moment, but didn't want to spoil her mood.

Speaking of "love", Dong Xuan and he are the most normal. They did all the things that couples should do in college and had a serious relationship.

When he was with Qin Lan, neither of them were famous, and they were a normal couple for a while.

However, Yan Li was busy starting his business at that time, and Qin Lan also had a job. Later, she was involved in a scandal with Shuang Bing, so the time and number of times they were together were incomparable to those of Dong Xuan.

As for Fan Xiaopang, because their relationship was quite special, and because they were already quite famous at that time, and because they were both busy, there was obviously less of this kind of "daily life in love" and it was more like "daily life in love".

However, while Fan Xiaopang and Yan Li's "daily love" moments were few, they had many more unique experiences.

The European holiday, celebrating the Spring Festival together for several consecutive years, and the grand signing ceremony to "marry" her were all privileges that Dong and Qin did not receive.

Yan Li always said that one should keep the bowl of water level, but in reality, when he tried to do so, he realized that it was difficult to keep the bowl of water perfectly level, as there were always various reasons why it was uneven or crooked.

However, he didn't dwell on it. Since he couldn't keep it perfectly level, there was no need to keep trying to keep it level all the time.

Sometimes it's okay to let it veer off course, as long as the water doesn't spill.

Everyone has their own unique memories and treatment, which makes it easier for him to maneuver around. If all else fails, there's always the option of double compensation as a safety net.

The two people disguised themselves well, wearing coats, hats, sunglasses, and masks.

The temple fair was bustling with activity, with cars and people coming and going. Couples and pairs of lovers were everywhere, and it was hard for anyone to pay special attention to any particular couple and see through their disguises to recognize them.

Even if there are doubts, people may not be convinced and can just brush it off. It's the Lunar New Year, and everyone has their own things to do. Not many people care whether the couple they bump into are celebrities or not.

Fan Xiaopang also had a rare moment of carefree fun, dragging Yan Li to visit several temple fairs.

After watching the flower parade, dragon and lion dances, I also bought pitch-pot, ring toss, and shooting games, as well as a whole bunch of other random things like sugar figurines, clay sculptures, and ornaments.

Yan Li also found some good things at the Changdian Temple Fair near Liulichang.

Two pieces of Ru ware, one Xuande incense burner, one painting each by Tang Bohu and Qi Baishi, and two ancient jade pieces from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

Whether it's real or fake is another matter; it only cost a few thousand yuan in total, and Yan Li simply thought it looked good.

He uses Xuande censers as incense burners, Ru ware for storing things, calligraphy and paintings as decorations, and ancient jade for playing with. He has a bunch of "national treasures" serving him, regardless of whether they are real or fake, he puts on a grand show.

Moreover, when it comes to antiques and collectibles, authenticity is one aspect, but who owns them is another.

An old man dressed in tattered clothes was shouting at the top of his lungs that his Ru ware was genuine.

Even if it's an authentic item, and everything matches perfectly, few of those experts would dare to give a definitive answer.

Yan Li is worth over a billion yuan. Even if he has a cheap item, he can claim it's genuine and was bought abroad at a high price.

Even if it's obviously fake, many experts still wouldn't dare to give a definitive answer.

Many big shots collect antiques, and some even run private museums. Only they themselves know how much of it is genuine.

These are still antiques, at least they have a distinction between genuine and fake and historical value. The real issues lie with those collectible items, flowers, birds, rare stones, and various works of art.

The true value is impossible to determine; it is assigned and determined by the market. But who controls the market?
Yan Li used to think about collecting antiques and showing off as a collector, but after learning a lot about the inside story, his interest waned.

I might collect things, but at most I'll collect things that I like or that have high value for preservation and appreciation, as personal interests and financial investments.

He not only knows about antiques, but also about jade gambling and other industry secrets. It can only be said that he was too naive before.

He can still find bargains. No matter how murky the industry is, he can't stop them from using cheat codes. With his system's precise positioning, he can always catch some fish that slip through the net.

However, these women who slipped through the net are just playing around, using the more cost-effective methods to make women happy. As for making money or earning extra cash, forget about it; it's too much trouble and not worth it.

After buying a lot of things, Fan Xiaopang drove Yan Li to Xinghewan in Chaoyang and showed him their future new home.

Xinghewan is a top-tier residential community in Beijing that has gained considerable fame in the past two years, claiming to be the number one luxury residence in China.

This kind of boasting isn't limited to just one company; Yan Li in Beijing alone has heard of several "China/Asia's No. 1 Luxury Residences."

Regardless of whether Xinghewan is number one or not, its features are indeed quite unique among high-end residential communities in Beijing, and its price is also very attractive.

The opening price was 1.8 yuan, and the actual transaction price was even higher. Some of the best units, super large units, high-quality floors, and special views could reach more than 3 yuan. Larger single-level apartments and duplexes are all genuine luxury homes worth tens of millions of yuan.

Fan Xiaopang bought a duplex apartment of about 450 square meters.

Including parking spaces and other miscellaneous expenses, the total cost was nearly 1500 million.

Yan Li was the one who brought up the idea of ​​buying a house first. He bought houses for Dong Xuan and Qin Lan, and even promised to sponsor Wang Ou's house. There was no reason for Fan Xiaopang to be left out.

So he had mentioned to Fan Xiaopang before that her apartment was too small and that she should buy another apartment to live in.

Yan Li recommended two houses to Fan Xiaopang, both of which were quite expensive, but Fan Xiaopang didn't like them.

Unlike Dong, Qin, and Wang, Fan Xiaopang is a genuinely wealthy woman.

With a net worth of tens of millions and a strong ability to make money, plus the fact that she already owns a house, any further purchase would definitely be for improvement and enjoyment. Especially since Yan Li asked for a house, in her eyes it would be a "wedding house," and she is optimistic about the housing market in Beijing.

With a determined effort, Fan Xiaopang headed straight for the most luxurious mansion in Beijing.

Fan Xiaopang has chosen a house and doesn't need Yan Li to spend any money; she plans to pay the down payment herself, demonstrating the boldness and financial strength of a popular actress.

By the time Yan Li found out about this, Fan Xiaopang was already preparing to go through the formalities, and there was no way to stop him.

He thought about it and found that Fan Xiaopang's reasons were also valid. He was qualified and capable of living in a mansion, so why should he compromise and live in a "small house" just to match Qin and Dong?

So Yan Li didn't interfere, but told Fan Xiaopang not to take out any more loans, and that he would make up the difference.

Those others had already paid, so Yan Li didn't mind paying a little more from Fan.

Anyway, it was agreed that the two houses owned by Dong and Qin were just temporary. Once he had more money, he could get better ones. As long as you have money, there is no shortage of good houses in Beijing.

Although I bought the house in Xinghewan, it hasn't been handed over yet, and it still needs renovation. I'll be lucky if I can move in this year.

Fan Xiaopang took advantage of his free time to bring Yan Li over for a look and chat about their hopes for a bright future living in their new home.

In fact, this was not the first time Yan Li had experienced this.

When Qin Lan bought the Fuli City property, she would share the renovation progress with him whenever she had time, and Dong Xuan would also talk to him about their new home quite often.

Therefore, Yan Li understood what to do at this moment: to play the straight man, to cooperate with the woman's words, to occasionally mention minor shortcomings, and to express his own needs, thereby increasing participation and a sense of shared experience. The effect was excellent.

How good is it?

In a moment of impulsiveness that night, Fan Xiaopang declared that he wanted to have a child with Yan Li so as not to waste the nursery in their new home. Yan Li tried his best to persuade him to stay, and only felt at ease after reading the intelligence report in the early hours of the morning.

...

The next day, the two of them didn't stay idle. Yan Li had to go to the company to handle some miscellaneous tasks and also visit some close relatives to offer New Year's greetings.

Fan Xiaopang also has some work, including some interviews after the Spring Festival Gala.

Although it couldn't steal the spotlight from the other language-based performances, the hit song "Invisible Wings," combined with Fan Xiaopang's popularity as a leading lady and her outstanding stage presence, still allowed Fan Xiaopang to gain some exposure on the grand stage of the Spring Festival Gala.

The title of "Most Beautiful Singer" somehow ended up on Fan Xiaopang's head.

This saying originally had a somewhat derogatory connotation.

At first glance, it seems pretty good, but it actually subtly suggests that apart from his face, Xiao Pang's singing skills, stage performance, and songwriting ability are not as good as other female singers.

This cannot be considered wrong. The song "Invisible Wings" became a hit, and many people believe that it was actually somewhat accidental.

The person surnamed Fan was lucky to have come across a great song, and he was already very popular. In addition, Yi An's promotion and marketing were very effective, which is why he achieved this level of popularity.

There are many voices saying that the song is a marketing gimmick and that it's a waste for her to sing it.

Including the Spring Festival Gala, there were many positive reviews, but also quite a few sarcastic remarks. Some people even mocked others for singing with their mouths, saying that Fan Bingbing sang with her face, and that the show only became popular because of her good looks.

After research, Fan Xiaopang's team felt that this might be a good starting point to solidify Fan Xiaopang's title as the "Most Beautiful Singer."

Some people have good singing skills, some have high academic achievements, and some have great temperament. So why can't being beautiful be an advantage for a singer?

If I can't be the most popular, hottest, and best singer, then I'll be the most beautiful one. Not only will I be remembered by everyone, but I can also further leverage Fan Xiaopang's strengths and avoid my weaknesses.

To be honest, both Fan Xiaopang and his team are a little embarrassed to praise his singing skills. But when it comes to praising his looks, the team is full of confidence, and Fan Xiaopang is more than willing to do so.

So, taking advantage of his excellent performance on the Spring Festival Gala stage, Fan Xiaopang's team did some targeted marketing and promotion, and actually managed to gradually transform this originally derogatory nickname into a positive one.

This is a common practice in the entertainment industry, a form of reverse or reverse public relations.

Actively embrace, amplify, and redefine a negative label, transforming it into a favorable factor, or even an important persona.

For example, the nickname "Fairy Sister" was originally a derogatory term, but after various analyses and reshapings, it has become her biggest label.

There's also Zhang Ziyi, which started as a derogatory term, but gradually became a positive one, or at least a neutral label.

A similar case in the last two years is "Brother Chun" from "Super Girl". If she hadn't had this "persona" and been discussed by the whole nation, she might not have become as popular as she is now.

Besides reverse PR, Fan Xiaopang's team also frequently engages in disparaging and attacking others.

Although there aren't many singers known for their beauty, there are some.

The older generation goes without saying, such as Teresa Teng and Vivian Chow. They have either passed away or are past their prime, so comparing them to others won't have much effect. In fact, because they are so popular, it will cause resentment from fans and casual observers.

It's best to avoid provoking those talented singers with large fan bases, as you're likely to get humiliated and cause trouble.

So she's targeting idol singers and crossover singers who rely on their looks, lack talent, have poor results, and don't have as many fans or as much popularity as her, making them easier to bully.

Besides these people, another main target of the criticism is the "Four Dan and Two Soldiers".

Aside from Xiao Yanzi and Zhou Gongzi, who have achieved some success, the others have made very few accomplishments in music.

Fan Xiaopang started late, his film and television achievements are barely up to par, and his honors are far behind. So as long as he is ahead in other aspects, he will be praised in great detail and criticized relentlessly.

It's not just about musical achievements; even the number of times someone has appeared on the Spring Festival Gala is being compared.

Of the four actresses, three have appeared on the Spring Festival Gala. Xiao Yanzi appeared twice (in 2000 and 2004), while Zhou Xun (in 2002) and Zhang Ziyi (in 2000) each appeared once.

Both of them have appeared on the Spring Festival Gala. Fan Xiaopang appeared twice, except for this year. The previous time was in 2005 when he appeared with Li Bingbing during the Seven Fairies Gala.

Well, the two beauties from Huanzhu are in the lead, while Xu Cainu is still at the bottom.

In the past two years, Shuangbing has been relentlessly trying to provoke and discredit the four actresses. It's hard to say how much the other three have been affected, but Xu Cainu has been subjected to all sorts of "humiliation," and she probably hates Shuangbing to the core.

Although he had work to do, it was only the second day of the Lunar New Year, so he didn't have many plans and finished work and went home after a few hours.

Yan Li returned earlier than her and was currently working on the promotional schedule for "The Legend of Xue Rengui".

Seeing Fan Xiaopang return, he greeted her, "Get ready, we're going out for dinner later."

"Who?"

Fan Xiaopang was curious, but Yan Li pointed to a name on the schedule, and Fan Xiaopang immediately got angry.

"Why are you having dinner with this old woman? I've tolerated her for two days, what kind of crooked idea are you coming up with now?"

Yan Li was speechless: "You still talk about my heart? Your heart isn't dirty. It's normal to have a meal together during the Spring Festival. It's not just her, but also her sister. I'll beat you two, but I can't beat her sister too, can I?"

"It's hard to say."

Fan Xiaopang didn't trust Yan Li's integrity, and she didn't understand why Yan Li insisted on inviting the two of them to dinner.

“Sister, they still need our help for Painted Skin. The two sisters are trying to get closer to each other and have taken the initiative to invite us to dinner. I can’t just turn them away, can I?”

"Alright, stop thinking about it. Just understand one thing: she's helping you and our family make money."

"You may not like her, but you like money, right? If it's for the money, you'll give her a smile, won't you?"

"..."

Fan Xiaopang was convinced. Yan Li had already explained to her that "Painted Skin" relied on the gimmick of having two soldiers.

A commercial blockbuster with a female lead as the main character is not easy to make; a collaboration between two forces is indeed a promising path.

Fan Xiaopang understood this, and Li Bingbing understood it too, which was a major reason why the two agreed to cooperate.

It's so hard to get access to blockbuster movies!
Although they are both famous, there are four leading actresses ahead of them, as well as various actresses from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Even if they can get one or two roles, most of them are supporting roles, rather than core and highlight roles like in "Painted Skin".

Yan Li launched a project with an investment of over 100 million (claimed), linking the two soldiers' bond to ensure their outstanding performance and exposure. Furthermore, the two are on the same level, receiving equal treatment, with neither one overshadowing the other.

This situation is quite tempting for the current Dual Soldiers, and coupled with their personal relationship with Yan Li, it ultimately led to this collaboration.

There weren't many clothes in the courtyard, so Fan Xiaopang prepared to return to his apartment. He rummaged through his drawers and put together a battle outfit, putting himself in a way that would overshadow Li Bingbing.

Yan Li shook his head: "It's just a meal, why are you making such a big deal out of it, as if you value her so much? That just makes you look bad."

Fan Xiaopang thought about it and agreed, but he was still a little unsure: "But what if I don't dress up and get tricked by this old woman?"

Yan Li rubbed her head: "With a face like yours, even if you go out without makeup, have a few pimples, and put a burlap sack over your face, you still won't lose to anyone."

"You're the one who should be wearing a sack."

Fan Xiaopang said coquettishly, then gave Yan Li a sweet kiss before going to her room to put on makeup.

It can't be too formal, nor can it be completely bare-faced. Just put on some light makeup, change into decent and elegant clothes that are neither outrageous nor shabby, and rely on your personal appearance to outshine the two sisters.

After getting everything ready, Yan Li drove Fan Xiaopang to a hot pot restaurant, pointed to the storefront, and asked Fan Xiaopang.

"Does it look familiar?"

Fan Xiaopang thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Isn't this the place where you talked to Sister Hua and the two of us about dual-soldier marketing back then?"

"That's right. Returning to the old place has a unique feel to it, and it also proves that I wasn't lying back then. The two-pronged attack was indeed a great success."

Fan Xiaopang understood: "You're quite thoughtful."

Yan Li chose this place not only to commemorate the past and strengthen relationships, but also to further emphasize the symbiotic relationship between the two sides and to further enhance their cooperation.

It has to be said that Yan Li's trick was quite effective.

Fan Xiaopang thought back to the past and then to the changes in the past two years. Even though he knew Yan Li's intentions, he was filled with emotion. He thought Li Bingbing would feel the same way.

The "two soldiers clashing" tactic was crucial to both of their careers; it was a milestone and a catalyst.

Yan Li and his group arrived earlier and went into the room first. Not more than ten minutes later, Li Bingbing and her sister arrived.

Upon entering the private room, Li Bingbing took off her coat, revealing her shapely figure in a tight-fitting sweater, and gave Yan Li a hearty smile.

"This is a good spot; we'll have a few more drinks later."

Fan Xiaopang looked at Li Bingbing's attire, muttered a few words, and then wore a smug smile.

"Back then, someone looked down on me because I wasn't famous enough. Now look at me, the tables have turned."

Li Xue was quite blunt with Fan Xiaopang: "You got to where you are today because you were trying to scam my sister back then."

"Yes."

Fan Xiaopang didn't deny it, but then said, "I benefited from your sister's fame back then, but now your sister is benefiting from mine, and she'll be benefiting for many years to come. No matter how you look at it, you two sisters are the ones who benefit."

Li Bingbing sneered: "You've released two press releases and bragged about nothing, even fooling yourself. Who are you to talk back to me?"

She admitted that Fan Xiaopang has been on a good track record in the past two years, especially last year, when he performed strongly. The two of them officially established their reputation as a duo of four actresses and two soldiers.

Considering Fan Xiaopang's momentum and age, Li Bingbing might actually benefit from her influence someday.

That's the future, not the present!
Although Li Bingbing's momentum hasn't been as rapid as Fan Bingbing's, she's still a steadily rising leading lady at Huayi Brothers, currently in a period of rapid career development. It's really hard to say who's getting the better deal right now.

"hehe."

Fan Xiaopang curled his lip: "You still have the nerve to pretend here? The Forbidden Kingdom gave a little girl the lead role. Liu Tianxian is more than a decade younger than you, tsk tsk, how did you manage to get by?"

Upon hearing this, Li Bingbing and her sister turned pale with anger. As the saying goes, you shouldn't hit someone in the face, and Fan Xiaopang's words were too hurtful.

However, Li Bingbing was no pushover either, and immediately retorted with a sarcastic remark.

"You're so capable. How could you give a supporting role to a model from Taiwan in 'Red Cliff'? Liu Yifei is a popular actress, while that model has only acted in a few movies. Aren't you ashamed?"

Fan Xiaopang was also a little angry: "No matter what, I've never been suppressed by outsiders in my own company's projects. How dare you call yourself the number one sister? Bah! You should give way to Young Master Zhou as soon as possible."

Li Xue, unwilling to let her sister fight alone, stepped forward and said, "Shameless! You got lucky and still dare to show off. You're nothing without Yan Li's support!"

"I'm happy, I'll show off. I have a man who loves me and makes me happy. I don't have to worry about anything. You two sisters don't have to stick together and get bullied."

Fan Xiaopang was not ashamed at all; instead, he flaunted his close relationship with Yan Li, which provoked the Li sisters.

The relationship between Li Bingbing and Yan Li is self-evident. Li Xuefan, the chubby girl, always seemed to harbor hostility towards her, and her gaze towards Yan Li was always rather complicated.

Fan Xiaopang wasn't sure about the relationship between the two, but that didn't stop him from taking the opportunity to get excited.

These words were quite hurtful; Li Xue's face turned red, and she almost stood up and started cursing.

Li Bingbing also kept trying to calm herself down, but her composure and willpower were stronger than her sister's. At the crucial moment, she suppressed her anger and launched a powerful counterattack.

She looked at Fan Xiaopang and suddenly chuckled, "In 'Painted Skin,' I play the first wife, and you're the mistress."

Fan Xiaopang: "..."

Before she could react, Li Bingbing added insult to injury: "He doesn't love you, he loves me."

"In the end, I'd rather die with you than be with you."

"Hey, why does Yan Li always like to make you play the role of the mistress between us?"

"..."

Fan Xiaopang gritted his teeth: "Because you're old, because you're ugly."

Li Xue slammed her hand on the table: "Who are you talking about?"

Fan Xiaopang slammed his hand on the table: "When I say you two sisters, I'm including you and your sister."

boom!
Wow!

First, Li Bingbing slammed her hand on the table, but before she could even speak, Yan Li slammed down a bowl and plate. Seeing the three of them turn their gazes toward her, she spoke in a cold voice.

"That's enough. The more you talk, the more absurd it becomes. We've arranged to meet here so you can look back on the past and look forward to the future, not to expose each other's shortcomings and hurl insults at each other."

A clash is likely to occur when the two soldiers meet, which Yan Li anticipated.

Not only is there a special relationship between the two parties and they don't like each other, but there is also a struggle for the right to speak and take the initiative.

Whoever gains the upper hand will have the upper hand in this collaboration and competition between the two sides in "Painted Skin".

Yan Li understood this as well, and his decision not to stop the dispute was also an attempt to test the limits and resilience of the two sides' cooperation.

The result was a little worse than he had imagined; those two were like firecrackers, they would start fighting over the slightest disagreement.

Yan Li is increasingly inclined to play the role of Wang Sheng himself, not for any other reason than that no one else could possibly handle these two ladies.

Under Yan Li's forceful intervention, the two soldiers finally calmed down, but they were still angry with each other.

Yan Li was too lazy to bring the two together; unless it was in bed, it was difficult to get them to genuinely join forces.

It's better to clearly state the interests involved; no amount of persuasive words can compare to a shared interest.

There's not much to say about Fan Xiaopang. She can't carry a commercial blockbuster on her own right now, so she has to rely on the synergy of the two. And as Yan Li said, "Painted Skin" is what makes money for their family.

Li Bingbing's situation is not good either, as the internal competition within Huayi Brothers is too fierce.

Zhou Xun is eyeing the market covetously, along with Lin Xinru, Huo Siyan, and others. Now, Huayi Brothers is also getting involved with Liu Yifei.

With a long-standing friendship and a strong bond between the two sisters, Yan Li is the most trusted ally and supporter of the Li sisters, maintaining her position as the top sister and forcing Huayi Brothers to provide her with resources.

Yan Li needs Shuangbing to drive "Painted Skin," and Shuangbing also needs "Painted Skin" and each other's help.

This project is a win-win situation for all parties involved. As long as Yan Li can keep the two sides in check and prevent a complete breakdown in relations, they will continue to cooperate even if there are gaps between them.

Whether Shuangbing calmed down after Yan Li's earnest persuasion is hard to say, but at least the "Painted Skin" project was not affected.

The meal wasn't exactly a pleasant one for both host and guests, but it was still worthwhile.

With everyone's goals and interests aligned, they laid a lot of groundwork for "Painted Skin" and the future battle between the two sides.

After finishing their meal, Yan Li saw that it was still early and asked Li Bingbing and her sister if they wanted to come over for a while.

It was both a matter of routine politeness and an attempt to see if the relationship between the two soldiers could be eased. Although a strained relationship wouldn't affect filming, a more harmonious one would be more conducive to cooperation.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Yan Li said this, Fan Xiaopang and Li Bingbing both cast strange glances at him, and even Li Xue's eyes looked slightly odd.

Let's sit down at home, who's going to sit down?!

Yan Li: "..."

What kind of image do these women have of me? They think I'm some kind of lustful monster, that every word I say is associated with that kind of thing...

________
P.S.: Acupuncture and IV drips take about three hours every day, and there are often queues. I also can't stay up late at night.

Therefore, due to limited update time, updates may be a bit late these days. Please forgive me.
(End of this chapter)