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

When dinner was over, Li Ran casually checked her phone and realized that she was trending on social media again.

He glanced at it, didn't pay much attention, and put the phone back in his pocket.

Li's mother walked in from the balcony; she had just finished a phone call with her sister.

She looked at Li Ran, her tone tinged with helplessness: "Your aunt told you not to post random things on Weibo anymore. She said if you keep doing this, she'll take back control of your Weibo account."

Li Ran chuckled awkwardly: "It's just trending on social media, it's not a bad thing."

Li's father chimed in from the side, "I'll just talk to Old Cao and tell him not to let you have sex, wouldn't that solve the problem?"

Li Ran waved his hand: "There's no need for that. Is it really necessary?"

He paused for a moment, then added, "Besides, I'm a celebrity now, and I need exposure."

Zhang Jingyi stood to the side, slightly taken aback.

Old Cao?

Cao Guowei? Chairman of Sina?

She lowered her head and didn't speak, but a ripple of emotion stirred within her.

Li Ran's family seems to be more complicated than she imagined.

There's still something to do this afternoon.

The conversation between Li's mother and her own mother, and the things Li's mother said to her alone later...

As she recalled those words, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.

There was a sense of disappointment and resentment, but also a feeling of being recognized and grounded.

She glanced at Li's mother.

Li's mother happened to be looking at her and smiled faintly.

Zhang Jingyi smiled and nodded.

Li's mother looked at Li's father and said, "If you don't understand, don't worry about it."

She stood up: "Let's go back to our room and rest."

Mr. Li stood up, and the two went upstairs together.

……

The lighting in Li Ran's bedroom was soft.

Zhang Jingyi came out of the shower with her hair still wet and hanging over her shoulders.

Li Ran had her sit in front of the dressing table, picked up a hairdryer, and carefully dried her hair.

The hot air hummed, and his fingers ran through her hair, very gently.

Zhang Jingyi stared at him in the mirror, somewhat lost in thought.

His profile is very handsome, with well-defined features and a focused gentleness in his eyes.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to begin.

Li Ran put down the hairdryer and smiled, "All done."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "By the way, what did my mom and your mom talk about during the day?"

Zhang Jingyi did not speak.

She turned her head, looked at him, and remained silent for a while.

Li Ran looked puzzled.

Zhang Jingyi smiled and shook her head: "She didn't say anything. My aunt told me not to tell you."

Li Ran said helplessly, "No, you've been won over by my mom?"

Zhang Jingyi nodded, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "Yes! Auntie bought me so many things."

Li Ran chuckled: "Alright, I won't ask anymore. Let's go to sleep."

……

During halftime, a sliver of moonlight shone through the curtains, casting its glow on the wall.

There were used balloons in the trash can...

Zhang Jingyi lay in Li Ran's arms, staring at the ceiling.

It was quiet for a long time.

Then she suddenly spoke up: "Brother Li Ran, maybe we don't need to do that next time!"

"Um?"

"Let's have a baby first!"

Li Ran was stunned for a moment.

He seemed to have heard Tian Xiwei say the same thing.

Why do people want to have children after getting to know their own mothers?

He turned to look at her: "Why did you suddenly think of this?"

Zhang Jingyi did not speak.

She simply looked at him quietly, her eyes reflecting the bright moonlight streaming in from the window.

After a while, she spoke softly, "Brother, you don't actually need to hide it from me."

Li Ran frowned slightly.

Zhang Jingyi reached out and gently smoothed the wrinkles between his brows: "Auntie told me all about it today."

She paused, then continued, "Also, I've actually sensed it for a while now. I just didn't want to face it..."

Her voice softened, as if afraid of disturbing something.

Li Ran looked at her: "So you knew everything."

She nodded and looked at him quietly.

Li Ran remained silent for a few seconds.

He looked at the quiet girl in his arms. Her eyes were bright, reflecting his image and something else he couldn't quite make out.

"I'm sorry, Jingyi."

He spoke in a low voice, "I just didn't want to make you sad. I didn't intend to hide it from you for too long, it's just... I was afraid you wouldn't be able to accept it."

Zhang Jingyi shook her head: "You don't need to apologize."

She was silent for a moment, then continued, "Li Ran, I'm the first person you've ever taken home willingly. I understand..."

Li Ran hugged her tighter: "Aren't you angry?"

Zhang Jingyi shook her head.

Her face was pressed against his chest, her voice muffled: "Brother, I just want to stay by your side. Actually, I don't really crave marriage that much."

She paused, then said, "You know my situation. So none of this matters..."

She looked up at him and said, "Brother, it's enough that I'm here with you. You don't need to hide anything from me in the future. I'll learn to accept things on my own..."

Li Ran looked at her.

Her eyes were bright, and there was a firmness in them that he had never seen before.

He lowered his head and kissed her.

Perhaps Zhang Jingyi is not outstanding among the others.

She lacked Tian Xiwei's courage and boldness, Wang Churan's brilliance and shrewdness, and Zhou Ye's...

She was a little shy and introverted, and spoke in a soft voice.

But that long-lasting affection, without any purpose, is just a simple liking, from high school to now, six years have passed without wavering.

This is the real reason why Li Ran decided to introduce her to his parents first.

The Weibo post he made today was also intentional.

He liked Xiaotian just as much, but deep down he didn't like being told what to do.

His mother wanted him to marry Xiaotian, but he insisted on bringing Jingyi home first.

His mother clearly sensed his intentions, which is why she spoke to Zhang Jingyi about something today.

He looked at her and said earnestly, "Okay. I won't hide it from you anymore."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Let's go to sleep."

Zhang Jingyi nodded and leaned back into his arms.

But Li Ran knew that he could ask his mother about the things she didn't want to say tomorrow.

the next morning.

Li Ran stood in front of the stove frying eggs, while her mother nimbly chopped fruit beside her.

In the living room, Zhang Jingyi sat on the sofa, holding her phone, occasionally glancing up in the direction of the kitchen.

Li Ran turned her head and smiled, "Mom, you noticed everything?"

Li's mother continued working, glaring at him: "You're my own flesh and blood, don't I know what you're thinking?"

She paused for a moment, then said, "I do hope you can just marry Xiaotian directly. That way, it'll save you from causing trouble later, like bringing another one back someday."

Li Ran smiled and asked, "Did you arrange for Xiao Chen to join?"

Li's mother nodded: "Xiao Chen has been very devoted to you, don't think about replacing him."

Li Ran chuckled awkwardly, "No, I'm just checking."

He paused, then asked more casually, "What did you, Zhang Jingyi, and her mother talk about yesterday?"

Li's mother's expression darkened.

She put down the knife, turned around and looked at him: "Just tell them everything about your situation. They need to know something about you, at least."

She paused for a moment, then said, "Fortunately, her mother is open-minded. She asked Jingyi's opinion but didn't say much. You young people can handle your own affairs."

Li Ran nodded.

Li's mother looked at him, a hint of warning in her eyes: "As for the others, I don't know them very well, except for Xiaotian. But..."

She paused for a moment, then said, "If you dare to let Jingyi down, don't even think about coming home."

Li Ran chuckled awkwardly, "How could I? If I really wanted to, would I have brought her home first?"

Li's mother glared at him: "Don't give me that smirking look. You're just like your father."

She paused, then asked, "You know about Jingyi's family situation, right?"

Li Ran nodded: "I know some."

"It's good that you know."

Li's mother said, "Jingyi is a good girl, and I like her very much. She's just a little too soft-hearted..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Li Ran understood what she meant.

She has a soft nature and can't command respect.

But Li Ran knew that although Zhang Jingyi looked gentle, she could be really stubborn when she got angry.

Breakfast was simple.

Fried eggs, toast, milk, and a small dish of fruit.

After finishing his meal, Li Ran stood up and said, "Mom, Dad, we're leaving. The film crew has everything set up, and we can start shooting this afternoon."

Li's mother nodded and looked at Zhang Jingyi: "Jingyi, come visit again when you have time."

Zhang Jingyi smiled and nodded, "Okay, Auntie. Goodbye, Uncle."

Mr. Li waved his hand: "Be careful on the road."

……

The car drove out of the villa area and down the mountain road.

Zhang Jingyi sat in the passenger seat, gazing at the scenery rushing past the window, and remained silent for a while.

Then she suddenly spoke up: "Brother Li Ran."

"Um?"

"My aunt is so kind to me."

Li Ran smiled but didn't say anything. His mother treated all her daughters-in-law well...

I arrived at the film set in the afternoon.

Li Ran saw his assistant, Xiao Chen, called him aside, and asked, "Are you getting double pay?"

Xiao Chen paused for a moment, then gave an awkward laugh. "Brother Ran, you already knew?"

Li Ran chuckled awkwardly, "Hehe, you're very kind. From now on, just take one share, and I won't pay you a salary anymore!"

He left after he finished speaking.

Xiao Chen quickly followed, "No! Brother, I haven't gotten married yet!"

……