Chapter 118: Another Undercover Agent

Although Yan Bin concealed his intentions well, Lin Fan still sensed something was off. Coupled with Huang Lixun’s drastic change in attitude over just a few days, he became certain there was a conspiracy at play behind the scenes.

On the surface, he acted as if he had noticed nothing, smiling politely. “Since that’s the case, I’m relieved. Tomorrow, I’ll bring the three of them to the company for training. I hope Teacher Yan will guide them well.”

“Of course…” Yan Bin replied with an equally insincere smile.

The three of them then discussed further details regarding the training program.

All the while, Lin Fan was quietly instructing his system to run a scan on Yan Bin.

“System, can you investigate Yan Bin’s background?”

The system responded at once.

“Yes, but you’ll need to redeem a ‘Detective Card’ to access his background. I can automatically retrieve personal information on female targets, but not proactively monitor male ones…”

Lin Fan spent a hundred thousand wealth points to exchange for the Detective Card.

Once activated, the card provided him with Yan Bin’s detailed profile.

[Name: Yan Bin]
[Age: 26]
[Weight: 57kg]
[Height: 181cm]
[Occupation: Drama Academy Lecturer]
[Favorability: -30 (Malicious intent detected; host should be on guard)]
[Connections: Su Qianlong, Su Mingxuan, Cao Song (Vice President of Drama Academy), Han Yi (Renowned Director), etc.]
[Skills: Hypnosis, Brainwashing, Mental Manipulation]

Seeing Yan Bin’s network of connections, Lin Fan was suddenly alarmed.

“So that’s why he seemed off to me—he’s an undercover agent sent by Su Qianlong! Looks like he wants to use mental manipulation on me.”

A cold sneer rose in Lin Fan’s heart.

Had he not been vigilant, he might have been deceived by Yan Bin’s near-goddess-level beauty.

Even the system warned him to be wary, which meant this man was far from ordinary.

During the discussion, Yan Bin had offered several suggestions to Lin Fan. But Lin Fan never met his gaze directly, instead feigning indifference and claiming he couldn’t make decisions alone and needed to consult with Su Yuanmo first.

Yan Bin could do nothing about this, and after a while, he stopped trying to brainwash Lin Fan.

On the contrary, Lin Fan noticed that Huang Lixun displayed signs of having been mentally manipulated.

“Could it be that he’s trying to get close to Miao Tiantian and the others?” Lin Fan suddenly had a bold suspicion.

He hadn’t seen Bai Jiahao’s name among Yan Bin’s connections, but with Su Qianlong and his brother both present, it was clear Su Qianlong was orchestrating something from the shadows, and Bai Jiahao surely had some knowledge of it.

After an hour, Lin Fan excused himself, citing ill health.

As he descended the stairs, a sense of lingering fear gripped his heart.

Yan Bin’s brainwashing technique was truly formidable. If not for his precautions, he might have fallen victim to Yan Bin’s psychological manipulation.

“Looks like I’ll have to ensure the girls study some anti-brainwashing and anti-hypnosis techniques when we get back, or the three of them will definitely fall prey to that damned androgynous freak’s mental control!” Lin Fan thought grimly.

Since the press conference wasn’t over, Lin Fan simply waited in the theater lobby on the first floor.

To his surprise, as he was perusing the movie posters, he ran into Chen Yanzi again.

“Lin Fan, just you wait. I will make sure your name is ruined. Don’t think that just because some old woman’s backing you, you can bully me. I, Chen Yanzi, will spend my life stamping you beneath my heel, tormenting you mercilessly!”

Lin Fan chuckled lightly at her words.

This woman’s spite really knew no bounds.

All because he refused to get back together with her, she now regarded him as a lifelong enemy.

“You may seem pitiful, but I admire your courage. Very well, I’ll wait and see just how capable you are. But if you want to trample on me, be prepared to pay a hefty price. I wonder how far you’re willing to go…” Lin Fan sneered inwardly.

This woman had neither talent nor beauty. To reach his level would be next to impossible—unless she was willing to sell her dignity and her body.

“I will do what I say! You think you’re something just because you’ve latched onto Li Li, that big star? I can latch onto someone even more powerful and influential!” Chen Yanzi spat through gritted teeth.

“You really think someone powerful would take a liking to a woman like you?” Lin Fan retorted with a laugh.

What a ridiculous fantasy this was.

Unwilling to be outdone, Chen Yanzi shot back, “If you can flatter Li Li, I can flatter someone even more powerful! I bet you only got your money by selling your dignity. I was right about you—you’re a born sycophant, a filthy, groveling dog!”

“Chen Yanzi, you’re just asking for it!” Lin Fan roared, his face twisted in anger.

He hadn’t seen her in a while, but her talent for verbal sparring had only grown.

In a battle of words, he was no match for this shrew.

Since he couldn’t out-argue her, he could at least walk away.

“What, are you thinking of hitting me? Go ahead and try!” Chen Yanzi crossed her arms, radiating arrogance and defiance, goading him further.

But Lin Fan dared not make a move.

Who knew if someone nearby was filming, or if she’d arranged for someone to secretly record him?

At that moment, Li Li suddenly appeared behind Chen Yanzi.

“So, you were calling me an old woman, were you?”

Chen Yanzi spun around. Seeing who it was, her face instantly turned pale, and she lowered her head in fear.

“Miss Li, I…I didn’t say anything. You must have misheard.”

“You think I’m deaf?” Li Li retorted, her anger turning into a cold laugh. Without another word, she slapped Chen Yanzi hard across the face.

“Acting wild in front of me—where did this stray monkey come from? You should be grateful I even acknowledge you!”

Li Li snorted, glaring fiercely at Chen Yanzi.

Covering her face in humiliation, Chen Yanzi stood frozen and dazed, her spirit utterly crushed.

“Lin Fan, if you run into a lunatic like her again, don’t show her any mercy. Women like this are just asking for a lesson!” Li Li said, careful to choose her words since others were around. She never explicitly told Lin Fan to hit Chen Yanzi.

“It’s almost time for dinner. Let’s go eat… By the way, I’d like to invite an old friend of mine to join us—Ren Zhenpeng. You know him too.”

She changed the subject.

“Of course, I’ve long heard of his business acumen, and he recently invested in Superstar Media. I’d love to seek his advice,” Lin Fan replied, unconcerned about her bringing a friend.

He actually preferred it this way; if it were just the two of them, the paparazzi would surely make a big deal out of it.

Li Li probably thought the same, which was why she suggested it.

Lin Fan had seen her and Ren Zhenpeng act together as Gongsun Ce in “Justice Bao.” On-screen, their chemistry was undeniable.

They remained close in real life, though after Ren Zhenpeng married, their contact became rare. Today’s meeting was pure coincidence.

As the two of them left together, Chen Yanzi glared at Lin Fan’s back, her eyes burning with fury and hatred, murderous intent rising within her.