Huayu: I really am a genuine top star.

Chapter 43: Being adept at navigating social situations is the most skillful way to survive.

As she spoke, she winked at Shen Li: "Besides, I have high hopes for you. You've got a sharp wit in your eyes; you're not someone to be underestimated. I call this 'early-stage investment,' you know?"

Shen Li: "..."

Damn, this woman has a really smooth way of talking; she's almost completely fooled him.

However, Shen Li grew up in an environment where she was "unloved by her parents," and she has a beast-like intuition for understanding human nature and manipulation.

Ling Yingying's words sounded straightforward, but in reality, they were full of loopholes.

"Just for fun"? A second-year female student majoring in performing arts has very precious free time. Who would work for free for a freshman's entrepreneurial project just for "fun"?

"Gaining entrepreneurial experience"? She's studying acting, and she'll be working in the entertainment industry, not the internet industry. What use is this experience to her?

Most importantly… “early-stage investment.” Investments need returns. What kind of return does she want?

Shen Li's eyes lit up, and she had an idea.

"Sister Yingying, I'm so flattered that you think so highly of me." He was incredibly grateful, tears welling up in his eyes.

"However, 'Grain Run' is still just an idea; we don't even have a proper mini-program yet. How about this: once our product launches, we'll invite you to try it out first. If you think it's good, we can talk about cooperation then. Is that okay?"

Ling Yingying stared at Shen Li for several seconds.

"Wow, Shen Li, you're very discreet." She shook her head, her tone tinged with admiration. "Such a beautiful woman like me offered herself up, and you still managed to remain unmoved and rationally negotiate. You've got good self-control, kid."

Shen Li chuckled, "Sister Yingying, you flatter me. I was just afraid of taking up your time."

"Alright, then we'll do it your way." Ling Yingying didn't press the issue. "When your product launches, come to me first. I keep my word."

Just then, the roasted lamb chops arrived.

The lamb chops were roasted to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, sizzling with oil and emitting a wonderful aroma.

Without a word, Ling Yingying put on gloves, grabbed a lamb chop, and started gnawing on it. Her eating manners were as unrestrained as a Liangshan hero, completely disregarding her image.

Strangely, the way she ate the lamb chop had a wild beauty to it.

With red lips and white teeth, she tore into the mutton, the oil dripping from the corners of her mouth. She stuck out her tongue and licked it off. The scene was... well, it was both sensual and wild.

Shen Li also grabbed a lamb chop and started gnawing on it, while making plans in her mind.

Ling Yingying, nicknamed "Little Daji" at Beijing Film Academy, is a sophomore majoring in acting. She has a straightforward and fiery personality, but she's definitely not brainless. Her offer to be the spokesperson for "Lili Run" (a children's sports promotion) must have ulterior motives.

What's the point?

Perhaps she genuinely believes in this project and wants a piece of the pie. If that's the case, then things are easier; we just need to negotiate the profit-sharing arrangement.

It's also possible she was sent by someone to test him. There are very few people in the entire Beijing Film Academy who can command Ling Yingying. Chu Yao? Hao Yan? Or someone else entirely?

Furthermore, she simply found Shen Li interesting and wanted to "have some fun." This kind of rich girl (although we don't know her family background yet, her behavior is unlike that of an ordinary family) sometimes acts impulsively without any clear purpose.

Regardless of the possibility, Shen Li's strategy remains the same: maintain distance, focus on observation, and never make promises lightly.

"By the way, Shen Li," Ling Yingying said, wiping her mouth after finishing a lamb chop, "I heard you're quite close to Chu Yao?"

"Not really, not really," Shen Li said with an innocent look. "We've only spoken a few times in class. Chu Yao is a really nice person; she even said she'd help my platform by introducing clients to it."

"Introducing clients?" Ling Yingying's lips curled into a smile. "She's quite 'enthusiastic'."

Shen Li discerned several nuances in those words: sourness, probing, and even a hint of... hostility?

"Sister Yingying, do you know Chu Yao?" he asked tentatively.

Ling Yingying's lips curled into a smile, which carried a hint of meaning. "I'm not familiar with her, but I know the people behind her very well."

Shen Li was taken aback: "The person behind it?"

"Her cousin, Lan Xiu," Ling Yingying said, taking a swig of beer. "A sophomore in the broadcasting department, and the vice minister of the student union's external relations department. She's a real ruthless character. Most of Chu Yao's resources and connections were paved for her by her cousin. Lan Xiu may look cold and aloof, but she's actually very shrewd. Last year, a senior waited on her hand and foot for half a year, only to be discarded after he was done with her."

Shen Li immediately thought of Lan Xiu? The deputy director of the external relations department? The aloof and elegant woman who interviewed him?

Shen Li feigned shock: "Really? That's terrifying! Senior Sister Lanxiu... doesn't seem like that kind of person."

Shen Li silently memorized this information, but her face showed a shocked expression: "Really? That's terrifying!"

"Doesn't look like it?" Ling Yingying scoffed, her breasts heaving violently with her laughter. "The less like it is, the more ruthless it is. Let me tell you, nobody like you with no background is the easiest to be used as a pawn."

She took a step closer, and the scent of beer and perfume wafted towards her.

The neckline of the tight white tank top drooped slightly due to this movement, making the magnificent view even more unobstructed.

Shen Li nodded repeatedly, her face full of gratitude: "Thank you, Sister Yingying! I'll remember that!"

But in my heart I was thinking: Sister, isn't your "kind reminder" also a form of "winning her over"?

Ling Yingying and Chu Yao clearly don't get along. Her attempt to win over Shen Li is probably driven not only by the desire for Shen Li to "run away," but also by the consideration that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

The girls at Beijing Film Academy are all incredibly shrewd.

However, as the saying goes, "When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits." While the two women were vying for power, Shen Li was able to profit from both sides.

"Sister Yingying," Shen Li changed the subject, revealing her innocent smile.

"You must know a lot of senior female students in the performing arts department, right? Could you introduce me to some? My 'LiLiRun' is in need of 'celebrity errand runners'."

Ling Yingying's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! The senior students in the performing arts department are all incredibly beautiful. Using them for errands would create an amazing publicity effect!"

She pulled out her phone and started scrolling through her contacts: "Wait a minute, I'll create a group for you. I know tons of upperclassmen, sophomores and juniors. All types—innocent, sexy, mature, cute—you name it!"

Shen Li watched her operate with a smug look, thinking to herself: Ling Yingying's network of connections is indeed a treasure trove.

If we can use her to develop the senior students in the performing arts department into seed users and "celebrity deliverymen" for "LiLiPao", then a large part of the platform's cold start problem will be solved.

As for the grudges and feuds among these fairies, he will refrain from getting involved for the time being. He will remain neutral, observing both sides and gathering intelligence from both.

Being able to navigate between different situations is the wisest way to survive.

After finishing the roasted lamb chops, they also downed six bottles of beer. Ling Yingying has an amazing alcohol tolerance; she drank five bottles without even turning red in the face. Shen Li drank one bottle and was already feeling a bit tipsy.

"Shen Li, your alcohol tolerance is terrible," Ling Yingying mocked him. "You call this starting a business? How are you going to handle social engagements?"