Chapter 4

The next morning, Yan Li was startled awake by his alarm clock. As usual, the first thing he did after getting up was check his system for the daily intelligence update. The daily intelligence usually updated precisely at midnight, while the monthly intelligence updated at midnight on the first day of each month. However, because Yan Li often stayed up late studying, working part-time, or hustling for roles, he would wake up groggy the next day, which delayed his productivity. In the first two months of getting the system, Yan Li was so excited that he’d stay up until midnight every day to wait for the updates. Over time, though, he got into the habit of checking them in the morning after he woke up. Sometimes, he even browsed the updates while using the toilet, treating it like an electronic newspaper. It became a form of entertainment that also saved time. But perhaps it was due to adjusting to Hengdian’s unfamiliar environment—Yan Li hadn’t settled into his usual routine yet. This morning, he didn’t need the toilet and sat on his bed instead to check the updates. Daily Intelligence Update Daily Intelligence ①: The scriptwriter of "Legends of the Sui and Tang Heroes," Su Xiaoyu, influenced by the producer, decided that the original storyline lacked sufficient romantic development. Thus, the script introduces original female characters like Li Rongrong to expand the plot, reduce costs, and broaden the audience base... "Wow, turns out the blame doesn’t just lie with the screenwriter—the producer had a hand in this too. Still, even if the producer approved it, the screenwriter deserves criticism for turning the added romance into a lineup of heroines. Were they previously writing erotica films or what?" Daily Intelligence ②: The [Boss Ma’s BBQ] stall at the bustling night market on Hengdian’s Wansheng South Street is known for fresh ingredients, skilled cooking, friendly service, and great prices. Recommended dishes: Grilled fatty kidneys and lamb skewers. "Got it, adding this to my food list." Yan Li expertly saved this tip to his favorites and then categorized it under the Hengdian subfolder of his Food Map. This was one of Yan Li's clever ways of utilizing the system. Thanks to the system’s convenience, he had already discovered over a dozen hidden culinary gems in Beijing, its film production base areas, and other regions. And this feature wasn’t limited to food. Hotels, barber shops, farmers’ markets, clothing stores, internet cafes, KTVs, karaoke lounges—you name it—all kinds of places for dining, entertainment, and daily living could be cataloged. This knack earned Yan Li the nickname "Living Radar" from his friends, as he always seemed to know where to find the best spots. Now that he was in Hengdian, Yan Li saw it as a new treasure map waiting to be explored, filling him with excitement. He planned to check out that BBQ stall later. If it didn’t live up to its reputation, he’d remove it from his list—it wouldn’t do to tarnish his "Living Radar" moniker. Daily Intelligence ③: Behind-the-scenes gossip from "Legends of the Sui and Tang Heroes": Actress XX is romantically involved with investor XX. Actress XXX allegedly secured her role after a rendezvous with producer XX at the Hailing Hotel in Beijing. Actress XX is dating married co-star XXX. "Here we go again!" Yan Li felt exasperated. This system had an insatiable appetite for digging up dirt about who was sleeping with whom. Every time he joined a new production, the system would expose a slew of scandals—everything from investors keeping mistresses, to directors engaging in casting couch practices, to background actors having one-night stands. For the most part, he treated these tidbits as a way to understand the dynamics of a production crew and avoid trouble. He wasn’t particularly interested in gossip, preferring to focus on memorizing his lines. Daily Intelligence ④: A new store in Hengdian’s Star Plaza is hosting a lottery event, with the grand prize being a Dayang motorcycle. The winning ticket can be found at... Yan Li tossed this into the Useless Intelligence category without a second thought. The system wasn’t omnipotent. While it could locate a winning lottery ticket, winning wasn’t guaranteed, and claiming the prize was another challenge altogether. Yan Li had learned this the hard way when he first got the system and tried using it for lottery schemes. After sifting through the rest of the daily updates, Yan Li finally got up for breakfast. He had no scenes scheduled for the morning, just costume fitting in the afternoon, and likely some filming tomorrow afternoon. But in the acting world, preparation and waiting were the main themes. After breakfast, feeling stifled in his small hotel room, he wandered outside and eventually found a quiet grove off the beaten path. He practiced his lines and then warmed up by doing some martial arts. His teacher at the Beijing Film Academy had once suggested he treat martial arts as a unique skill. With an action scene coming up, it was the perfect time for a refresher. While practicing in the grove, Yan Li noticed someone watching him. He turned and saw a young woman in a T-shirt and jeans. She had long hair, a delicate oval face, and an elegant air. “Do you need something?” Yan Li asked, slightly embarrassed. “Oh, no! Sorry for disturbing you,” she said hurriedly. “I was just passing by and got curious.” Her voice was soft and sweet, matching her gentle appearance. After exchanging polite nods, she left.