Huayu: Starting from retirement, sweeping across the domestic entertainment industry

Chapter 236 "The First Wife"

Li Ran took Zhang Ruonan back to his hometown.

He has two days left on his vacation, and plans to stay home today and fly back to Shanghai tomorrow afternoon.

Time wasn't plentiful, but it was enough to prevent the meeting from feeling too rushed.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Zhang Ruonan unconsciously twisted the seatbelt, her lips pursed and then relaxed, finally unable to hold back, she asked, "Li Ran, is it inappropriate for me to suddenly go to your house like this?"

Her voice carried a hint of barely concealed tension, her eyes fixed on the receding roadside trees, as if trying to find an answer in those shadows.

Li Ran gripped the steering wheel with one hand and said casually, "What's the big deal? If we don't go now, does that mean we'll never go again?"

He glanced at her sideways, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Besides, you've met my mom before. My grandparents aren't strict people either. My grandpa is a man of few words, and my grandma is very warm and welcoming. You'll see when you get there."

Even so, Zhang Ruonan still felt her heart pounding.

Meeting his mother is one thing, but going directly to her home is another.

She placed her hands on her knees, trying to appear calm.

The car turned onto an asphalt road lined with camphor trees on both sides, and after driving for a few more minutes, it finally stopped in front of a spacious courtyard.

Li Ran turned off the engine, opened the car door and got out. When he turned around, he saw Zhang Ruonan standing next to the car, as if she had been nailed to the spot, looking up with her mouth open, staring blankly at the tall courtyard gate in front of her.

With its blue bricks and gray tiles, upturned eaves, and walls that stretch out to both sides, the courtyard seems to have no end in sight.

The stone steps in front of the gate are wide and flat, with a stone beast on each side, its posture simple and ancient, exuding an understated grandeur.

Li Ran walked over and naturally took her hand. "Let's go, what are you standing there for?"

Zhang Ruonan was led forward a couple of steps by him, still not quite in a daze, her voice slightly unsteady: "This is your house? Didn't you say it was just an ordinary self-built house in the countryside?"

"It's just a self-built house," Li Ran smiled, speaking casually. "It's just a bit big."

"Is this a bit bigger?" Zhang Ruonan finally turned to look at him, her eyes filled with shock and a complex emotion that was hard to describe. "It's almost like a manor. I really can't imagine the lives of you rich people."

When she said this, there was a hint of bitterness in her voice.

She always thought she knew Li Ran very well, which made her feel that the distance between them wasn't that far.

Now that she has seen it with her own eyes, she understands just how terrifying Li Ran's family background is.

Although I knew about it before and had learned some things from Zhang Jingyi, it was nothing compared to the shock I felt when I saw it with my own eyes.

No wonder so many girls are willing to have his children.

The thought popped up uncontrollably, but she quickly suppressed it.

Li Ran didn't say anything like "What's mine is yours".

He knew Zhang Ruonan too well; this girl had her own pride and self-respect.

She preferred to work hard to earn money rather than ask him for help; what she wanted was never dependence.

Moreover, strictly speaking, these things are not his yet, even though he is the sole heir.

He simply squeezed her hand, his tone gentle and natural: "Then let me show you a good experience today."

After saying that, he pulled her inside.

As they passed through the courtyard and around the screen wall, the two had just stepped into the living room when a surprised voice came crashing down on them.

"Oh! Ruonan, you're pregnant too?"

Wang Churan stood by the sofa, her eyes wide open, her expression a fascinating mix of surprise and elation, a sense of relief as if she had found her tribe.

Li Ran was immediately speechless. What was all this about?

He glanced at Zhang Ruonan subconsciously, and sure enough, her expression froze for a moment, and she became visibly embarrassed.

"No, you can't come if you're not pregnant, right?" Li Ran retorted irritably, but her gaze suddenly stopped when it swept over Wang Churan.

A bright purplish-red mark was smeared around her mouth, spreading from the corner of her mouth to her chin, making it look like she had just had a fierce battle with some food.

"Did you eat dragon fruit?"

"No," Wang Churan denied outright, while subconsciously licking the corner of his mouth.

"Then what's wrong with your mouth?" Li Ran raised an eyebrow at her, his eyes saying, "Do you think I believe you?"

"You're going to interfere with me just because I'm eating dragon fruit?" Wang Churan pouted, her lips almost big enough to hang an oil bottle on, her tone a mix of guilt and self-righteousness.

"Did I say I care? Eat whatever you want." Li Ran couldn't help but laugh at her expression.

"No, you're denying it as soon as you open your mouth? The crime scene is still right on your face."

"It's Mom and Grandma who have been taking care of her," Liu Haocun said, walking over from the stairs with a glass of water. He interrupted the two's bickering and went to Wang Churan's side to explain, "She's probably just afraid you'll talk to her about it."

Li Ran was a little confused: "No, why should we care about what she eats?"

Wang Churan pursed her lips shyly, looked down at her toes, where the dragon fruit juice stains hadn't been wiped clean yet. Coupled with her guilty expression, she looked both pitiful and funny.

Liu Haocun spoke up for her, his tone tinged with a helpless smile: "She's had a huge appetite lately, and she's eaten until she's stuffed several times. She also keeps sneaking around in the fridge when no one's looking. We're just worried she'll get a stomachache."

Wang Churan finally raised her head and looked at Li Ran, her eyes filled with the aggrieved look of a wronged little animal: "I don't know what's wrong with me, I just keep wanting to eat lately — look how much weight I've gained."

As she spoke, she stretched out her arm and pinched it in dissatisfaction, squeezing the soft flesh of her arm into a small ball.

Li Ran smiled helplessly: "It's okay, I'll still like you even if you gain a little weight."

It could be a reaction caused by pregnancy.

He remembered that Liu Haocun didn't want to eat anything at first, and would frown at the slightest smell of cooking oil, while Wang Churan was the opposite, like a little monster that could never be filled inside her.

"Where are Grandma and the others? Why are there only the two of you?" Li Ran looked around. The large living room was quiet, with only the two of them.

"Grandma is in the kitchen. She said she's going to make soup herself today," Liu Haocun explained. "Mom and my mom went out to buy some things and won't be back until later."

As soon as she finished speaking, Grandma came in. She looked up and saw that there was another girl in the living room, and she paused for a moment.

Another one?

On that aged yet spirited face, the expression underwent an extremely subtle transformation—first a stunned look, then a sudden realization, and finally settling on a near-numb calm.

How many is this? She subconsciously glanced at Zhang Ruonan's stomach.

How could her eldest grandson do such a thing?

Li Ran looked at her grandmother and quickly stepped forward to introduce her: "Grandma, her name is Zhang Ruonan, just like Cunzi and the others."

Zhang Ruonan stood upright and obediently called out, "Grandma."

Her voice was sweet and soft, and coupled with her clean and beautiful face, the old man's heart softened instantly.

Grandma went over and took her hand, her gaze involuntarily glancing down again, and asked with loving tenderness, "Child, how many months pregnant are you?"

Wang Churan couldn't help but burst out laughing, leaning against Liu Haocun as she said, "Grandma, Ruonan isn't pregnant."

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Grandma's face. She coughed lightly and patted Zhang Ruonan's hand to make amends, saying, "It's good that you're not pregnant."

It's all her fault for having such a good grandson. Now, whenever she sees a new girl in the house, her first thought is, "Is she pregnant again?"

She released Zhang Ruonan's hand, and her gaze immediately fell on the mark on Wang Churan's lips that hadn't been wiped clean yet, and her brows furrowed immediately.

"You ate dragon fruit again? Didn't I tell you to eat less of it? It's cold in nature, and it's not good for pregnant women to eat too much." Grandma's tone was that of an elder, a tone that disguised concern as reproach.

"I only ate one—" Wang Churan lowered his eyes, his voice growing softer and softer.

"Not even one. If you can't control your eating, you'll suffer later, complaining of stomach aches."

She then changed the subject, her tone softening, "The chicken soup in the kitchen will be ready soon; you two can have some later."

After saying that, she remembered that she was still holding Zhang Ruonan's hand, so she turned her head and added, "You should drink some too, just to nourish your body. I started making this soup before dawn, it's very nourishing."

Seeing that the atmosphere had relaxed, Li Ran observed that the three girls were standing together, with Grandma pulling Zhang Ruonan aside and asking her questions, Wang Churan chiming in, and Liu Haocun quietly smiling.

He quietly took two steps back, then turned and walked down the corridor toward the study.

At this time, his grandfather would mostly be in his study reading those ancient books that he had read countless times.

Behind him came his grandmother's strong voice and the laughter of several girls. Li Ran paused, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curving into a smile, before raising his hand to knock on the study door.

Li Ran didn't wait for a response from inside before pushing the door open and walking in.

The study was filled with the faint scent of ink and the unique smell of old paper. The bookshelves on all four walls reached from floor to ceiling and were filled with all kinds of ancient books and thread-bound books.

A celadon lamp sits on the mahogany desk by the window, and half a book is spread out on the table.

The old man was sitting in a wicker chair, his back ramrod straight, a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose, his gaze fixed on the pages of a book.

Hearing the door open, he looked up and saw Li Ran. He took off his glasses and casually placed them between the pages of his book as a bookmark.

"You're back?" The old man's voice wasn't loud, but it was full of energy, carrying a composure that could only be cultivated through years of pampered living.

Li Ran nodded and sat down in the empty rattan chair next to the old man.

Two chairs were placed side by side in front of the window, with a low table between them. On the table were a purple clay teapot and two teacups, the tea still steaming faintly, as if they had known he would come.

"I went back to Changsha the night before last," Li Ran poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and continued, "I recorded a program on Hunan TV yesterday, I'm staying home today, and I'm flying to Shanghai tomorrow afternoon."

After listening, the old man remained silent for a while, then sighed.

The sigh was very soft, but it made Li Ran pause in his teacup.

"Can't you stay a few more days?"

Li Ran put down his teacup and smiled helplessly.

The smile held an apology, but also a sense of helplessness: "Filming over there is only halfway done, and the entire crew is waiting. But—"

"6

He changed the subject, deliberately lightening his tone, "After this film wraps up, I plan to take a good rest for a while and spend more time with you, sir."

The old man chuckled twice, his laughter carrying the knowing slyness unique to elders. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes gathered together, revealing a playful side of an old man: "Are you keeping me company, or are you keeping those two girls, Haocun and Churan, company?"

Li Ran didn't argue when he was exposed; he just smiled and lowered his head to drink his tea.

The old man waved his hand, his tone returning to its usual magnanimity: "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I'm not old enough to need you by my side every day. You'll have your busy days ahead."

He paused, his smile deepening, his voice filled with barely suppressed anticipation, "When the time comes, with my great-grandson by my side, you, as his father, can just stand aside."

Li Ran was taken aback upon hearing this, then realized what was happening and unconsciously leaned forward, her tone filled with obvious surprise and a hint of suppressed excitement: "Is it confirmed that Hao Cun is pregnant?"

"We found out about 80% last time." The old man pointed in a certain direction, lowering his voice as if sharing a tremendous secret, "Only your parents and I know about this right now. Even that girl herself is still in the dark."

Li Ran nodded, indicating that he understood.

Revealing such matters in advance could easily cause complications, and the old man's caution was not without reason.

The old man took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, then dropped another bombshell, saying in a calm tone: "Chu Ran might be carrying twins."

Li Ran's expression didn't change much.

He naturally knew that these things, coming from the old man's mouth, were basically true.

Although fetal sex determination is officially prohibited, for the Li family, finding out these things is no more difficult than finding out if it will rain tomorrow.

Let alone the Li family's affairs, even for an ordinary pregnant woman, if she slips a red envelope and offers a pack of cigarettes to the attending physician, the doctor will most likely give her some vague hints during casual conversation.

In a society based on personal relationships, some rules are written on paper, while others live in people's hearts.

As Li Ran pondered the significance of these two pieces of news, he suddenly sensed that something was amiss.

Looking up, he noticed that the old man had stopped smiling and his gaze had become serious.

"Xiao Ran," the old man spoke, his voice a shade lower than before, his speech slower, each word as if carefully chosen before being uttered, "Grandpa has something I'd like to discuss with you."

Li Ran wasn't used to the old man speaking to him in this tone, so he subconsciously laughed it off: "Grandpa, why are you still discussing this with me? Just give the order."

"That won't do." The old man's tone remained firm, and the seriousness in his eyes deepened. "This is a major life event for you. Grandpa can make decisions on other things, but this one requires your approval."

Li Ran realized that the old man was not joking, so he stopped smiling, put the teacup back on the low table, and sat up straight.

"Grandpa, please speak."

The old man didn't rush to speak.

He turned his head, his gaze passing over the window to the old tree in the yard, as if searching for a suitable beginning.

After a moment, he turned his gaze back to Li Ran's face.

"Here's the thing, I've talked to your mother a few times," the old man said, speaking slowly with a calmness that only the elderly possess, "about your marriage."

Li Ran remained silent, waiting quietly for what was to come.

"Our country's law is monogamy," the old man said, raising a finger as if drawing a red line that could not be crossed. "Our Li family will not do anything illegal. As for your moral issues, as long as they are not heinous, I, this old man, will turn a blind eye and won't bother with you."

He paused, his tone softening slightly, as if relaying something he was reluctant to say but had to: "Your mother's idea is to make Xiaotian your official wife."

Li Ran remained outwardly calm, but his mind was racing.

It seems that even though Cunzi got pregnant first, her mother's heart still leaned towards Xiaotian.

It can't be called favoritism; perhaps it's more about having a better opinion of her—maybe it's Xiaotian's personality. From her mother's perspective, she probably felt that a girl like that was more suitable to be her daughter-in-law in public.

The old man seemed to see through his thoughts and, without pausing for long, continued, "But my opinion is different. I think Haocun is more suitable, after all, she's carrying the eldest son."

He shook his head slightly, a hint of wistfulness in his voice at the changing times: "I understand what your mother is worried about. But what kind of society is this now? Whether someone is a legal wife or not, what does it matter? Status is meaningless, children are real."

"Of course," the old man looked up and stared directly at Li Ran, his eyes gleaming as if he wanted to see right through him, "This is ultimately your own business. Give Grandpa a straight answer on what you think."

After he finished speaking, he stopped talking and just quietly looked at Li Ran.

The study was so quiet that only the ticking of the old grandfather clock in the corner could be heard, one tick after another, slowly and steadily, yet each tick seemed to strike the heart.

Li Ran remained silent for a long time.

The sunlight streaming through the window cast a shadow on his face.

He lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously stroking the armrest of the rattan chair. The rattan beneath his fingertips felt rough yet warm, like the very texture of the old house itself.

The old man's patience seemed endless; he didn't urge him, but simply picked up the now-cold tea and slowly drank it.

Finally, Li Ran spoke, his voice filled with a deep sense of helplessness and self-mockery: "Grandpa, no matter who I choose, it's not fair to the others—"

He stopped halfway through his sentence because he knew that saying it was pointless.

fair?

From the moment he made things turn out this way, the word "fairness" ceased to apply.

Sure enough, the old man smiled.

That smile held the wisdom of someone who's been there, and the knowing yet discreet understanding of an elder's tacit knowledge of the younger generation's little tricks.

"So you're not going to choose any of them, just stay single in public, so you can openly and legitimately flirt with other women?"

The old man's tone wasn't harsh, but every word hit the nail on the head. "Your grandpa is a man too. Do you think I don't know what you're up to? That's why I'm telling you this. Only when you officially settle on someone will you feel more at ease. Otherwise, you'll just keep going like this—one today, one tomorrow, it'll never end."

He raised his hand and poured himself another cup of tea, his movements unhurried, as if he were talking about something very ordinary: "Just like your father back in the day."

Li Ran's somewhat heavy mood was instantly lifted by these words.

His eyes lit up, he leaned forward, lowered his voice, and asked with an expression more of gossip than worry, "Grandpa, I don't have any brothers or sisters outside, do I?"

The old man sneered, a cold laugh that came crisply and decisively, almost without any thought: "Don't worry about that, your father doesn't have your guts."

He put down his teacup, his tone as certain as if he were reading a notarized document: "You are my only grandson."

Li Ran breathed a quiet sigh of relief, but he didn't care too much about it.

"Now, tell me your question." The old man clearly wasn't going to let him get away with it, and steered the conversation back on track. "Give me an answer."

Before Li Ran could speak, he added, his tone calm but his words like a precise scalpel: "Is it that local girl from Changsha, or your college sweetheart?"

Li Ran's expression froze for a moment.

The old man leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if to say, "You little rascal, you might fool others, but you can't fool me."

To outsiders, all they saw was a large, bustling crowd, but he knew that the only people Li Ran truly cared about and weighed in his heart from beginning to end were these two.

Li Ran closed his eyes, as if making a difficult decision.

When she opened her eyes again, although there was still a struggle in them, there was a certain resigned calm.

"If I could only choose one—" he began, his voice very soft, the rest of his words almost drowned out by the ticking of the old clock.

The old man didn't show any surprise after hearing the name; he simply nodded, as if this answer was exactly what he expected.

"Okay, that's settled." He patted the armrest of the wicker chair, making the final decision. "I'll talk to your mother and the others. It's best to finalize the marriage within the next two years, don't drag it out."

Then he added, his tone shifting from discussion to an unquestionable command: "Also, although you didn't choose Haocun, that girl..."

He paused, his gaze darkened, and his voice became a few decibels louder.

"But the eldest son and grandson must be the child in that womb. There is no room for discussion on this matter."