044 The city's top art universities, brothers standing shoulder to shoulder

“Mr. Hu, thank you for your hard work. I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”

“Don’t be so formal with me. I’ll definitely accept.”

“...”

After bidding farewell to Mr. Hu, Yan Li returned to the car and looked at Li Peng in the back seat.

“Mr. Li, would you like to take a break, or shall we head to the next school?”

“Let’s take a breather. I also need to consider which candidates are more suitable.”

Li Peng rubbed his tired eyes. Although the busy period hadn’t lasted long, meeting over a hundred students in one go—observing, selecting, analyzing, and even discussing with some promising ones—had been exhausting. He was getting older and felt he couldn’t keep up as well as before.

“Alright then. You mentioned wanting to try authentic Beijing roast duck. I know a small place called Minfuju with excellent flavors. I’ll take you there.”

Yan Li didn’t send Li Peng straight to the hotel. After all, he wasn’t merely there to run errands; he had to seize every opportunity to build connections.

It was partly for Dong Xuan, but also for himself.

In the past couple of days, he had used his system to gather information. Li Peng had moved from Taiwan to the mainland for his career and had found a financial backer—the Zhonglu Group!

This Zhonglu Group was a company based in Shanghai, primarily focused on investments. They had acquired the famous Forever Bicycle brand just last year.

Besides Forever Bicycle, Zhonglu had also taken over Xie Jin Film Company in Shanghai, entering the film industry.

Li Peng was a key executive in the restructured Zhonglu Film Company, currently fully responsible for the production of “A Thousand Miles to Find Mother” / “Snowflake Goddess Dragon.”

Though Yan Li’s intel showed that Zhonglu Film Company had limited capital and wasn’t highly valued by its parent company, Zhonglu Group, it was still a legitimate film company willing to invest in productions. That alone made it worthwhile for Yan Li to cultivate a good relationship.

His current channels were limited, and he lacked extensive connections. It never hurt to have more allies; one never knew when they might come in handy.

Li Peng was quite proud and, having worked with Yan Li a couple of times, admired the young man.

He was bold and proactive, had excellent social skills, and spoke and acted with great tact.

Li Peng had even considered inviting Yan Li to join the “Snowflake Goddess Dragon” crew as an executive producer to assist him.

However, Li Peng, experienced and shrewd, saw that Yan Li’s ambitions lay elsewhere.

On the surface, Yan Li was attentive and diligent, but he wasn’t merely flattering or trying to please. Every word and action was measured, showing he had confidence beneath it all.

Frankly, Li Peng often felt that Yan Li had figured him out and held the upper hand in their interactions.

Such finesse, and so young!

Li Peng was optimistic about Yan Li’s future. Even if he never became a major figure, he could still carve out a place in the industry.

Given that, Li Peng considered whether he should build goodwill with Yan Li before he rose to prominence.

Dong Xuan was also quite promising. Offering her a role as a favor to Yan Li would earn him a big debt of gratitude. If Yan Li succeeded one day, that favor would be valuable.

Li Peng hadn’t made up his mind immediately, but during their dinner and chat, he consciously began showing closeness to Yan Li.

If it weren’t for the fact that other actors for “A Thousand Miles to Find Mother” were already cast and the main roles fairly set, he would have tried to secure a part for Yan Li.

It would serve both to trade goodwill and to entice Yan Li to help him on set.

“That old fox is really cunning,” Yan Li muttered with a wry smile after reading the daily intelligence report that evening, aware of Li Peng’s intentions.

Still, he hadn’t thought of this approach before. It seemed demonstrating potential could indeed attract investment support.

Hmm, another trick learned!

———

In the following days, Yan Li accompanied Li Peng to several schools, including the Central Academy of Drama and the Military Art Academy.

Being a local figure in Beijing, Yan Li had connections at major art schools.

As an executive producer from a legitimate production team, he actively came to select students and help them rise to fame.

Playing both sides might seem easy, but in reality, it was not so simple!

Luckily, Yan Li had the intelligence system. He knew the interview rules of each school’s production crew, which teachers were enthusiastic about helping students, which students liked organizing such activities, who could be bribed, and who might be open to accepting benefits...

After this round of visits, Yan Li truly built up some contacts in Beijing’s top art schools. His lies also gradually became truths.

So, when another production came looking for talent at art schools, Yan Li could confidently say, “I’ve got this covered!”

With the art schools secured, the local agent groups in Beijing were even easier—just one call and they eagerly brought recommendations.

However, Li Peng didn’t take non-professionally trained actors seriously. He tolerated the formally trained, but basically ignored those without formal training.

Several leads in “A Thousand Miles to Find Mother” were non-professionals, and having a completely new lead actress would have driven the director mad with all the coaching needed.

In the end, after rounds of selection and comparison, Li Peng still decided Dong Xuan was the best fit.

“...”

If only I hadn’t gone through all that trouble!

Originally hesitant about leveraging this matter to build goodwill with Yan Li, Li Peng now made up his mind firmly. He invited Yan Li over to share the good news.

Yan Li had already learned it through the system, but still feigned surprise and joy.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Li. Our Dong Xuan will perform well and won’t disappoint you.”

“Good. I trust my judgment, and I trust yours,” Li Peng said, showing respect to Yan Li and wanting to cement their favor. Yan Li cooperated fully, declaring he would never forget this kindness.

No matter Li Peng’s personal motives, he was indeed helping both Yan Li and Dong Xuan.

And so, Yan Li accepted the favor.

He lived by the principle that a kindness must be repaid. If someone helped him, when the day came he needed help, he would return the favor.

Of course, Yan Li didn’t forget to call Dong Xuan over. On the surface, it was to thank Li Peng, but in truth, it was to take credit.

In future intelligence, Dong Xuan was the lead actress in “Snowflake Goddess Dragon.” Yan Li had gone to great lengths to intervene and assist.

One was to ensure everything went smoothly without risk, two was to gauge any potential dangers on set, and three was to put on a good show in front of Dong Xuan.

After all, he had worked hard to secure her the lead!

It was easy to imagine how Dong Xuan felt. If Yan Li made a slip later, this alone could soften her anger considerably.

Li Peng, a seasoned operator, had long seen through the relationship between Yan Li and Dong Xuan.

Since he was selling favors, he decided to do so wholeheartedly, lavishing praise on Yan Li in front of Dong Xuan.

He spoke of how hard Yan Li worked to help Dong Xuan and Li Peng himself, how the credit for her getting the role belonged mostly to Yan Li, how lucky the young woman was to have such a devoted man on her side, and so forth.

Even Yan Li was somewhat moved. Dong Xuan, looking at Yan Li with tender and grateful eyes, could drown him in affection.

That night, back at home, Yan Li truly enjoyed the treatment of a king.

Dong Xuan was more gentle than ever, catering to his every reasonable and unreasonable wish...