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

After listening to Hu Lianxin's idea, Li Ran remained silent for a moment.

He was well aware that in today's entertainment industry where new talents emerge constantly, it was already a pretty good opportunity for Hu Lianxin to play the second female lead in this drama.

Although she played the second female lead in "Southwest Associated University," the male lead, Wang Hedi, was just a rising star, and Zhou Ye is also not very famous now.

Moreover, Li Ran remembered that the drama seemed to have been shelved for more than two years before it was finally broadcast. Although it did well after its broadcast, it did not bring any significant boost to the careers of the main actors at that time.

In contrast, while the script of "You're Beautiful When You Smile" is controversial, its subject matter is close to that of today's young audience, making it a rare opportunity for exposure.

"Alright," he finally spoke, his voice lower than before, carrying a hint of barely perceptible compromise.

"I just think there are some problems with this script, but it's definitely a good choice for you, at least it will make more viewers remember your name."

As for the potential criticism Hu Lianxin might face from netizens, Li Ran had taken that into consideration and decided to ask her aunt to help revise her lines later.

At the very least, we can't let her say something like, "So what? It's just losing a game."

Two days later, Li Ran finally embarked on his journey back to his hometown, Changsha.

The youth campus drama "Minglong Boys", jointly planned and produced by Wajiji Entertainment, Kuzi Films and the Hunan Provincial Department of Education, is about to start filming in this vibrant city.

The production team selected a key local high school as the main filming location, where the tree-lined paths, teaching buildings, and playground will become the stage for the story.

Zhou Ye arrived in Changsha a few days ago. She not only completed her makeup and script reading, but also took the time to familiarize herself with the campus environment and filming process.

Li Ran, on the other hand, was assisting Hu Lianxin with the contract signing and didn't arrive at the hotel reserved by the production team until the evening before filming began.

After unloading his luggage, he didn't even have time to rest before heading to the pre-production banquet with Zhou Ye to get to know the main cast and crew and other actors.

The moment the wooden door was pushed open, the noise and heat from inside the private room rushed out.

Li Ran stepped aside to let Zhou Ye go first, his gaze sweeping over the dozen or so faces around the round table, and he inwardly felt a sense of foreboding.

Director Ding, sitting at the head of the table, was chatting and laughing with someone while holding a teacup. Sure enough, only two empty seats side by side remained in the large private room, waiting for them.

"I'm so sorry, Director Ding! I encountered some traffic on the way, and I'm sorry to have kept you and everyone waiting." Li Ran said apologetically.

Director Ding put down his teacup, his eyes behind his glasses curving into crescents: "Little Li's here? Come on, sit down, it's no big deal."

Li Ran followed his gaze and looked to his side, where he saw Zhang Ruoyun holding a wine glass and smiling at him.

The actor who rose to fame for his role as Fan Xian in "Joy of Life" wore a dark gray casual suit today, with the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, revealing a mechanical watch on his wrist.

"We're all on the same side, why be so polite!"

Zhang Ruoyun swirled the amber-colored liquor in her glass, her tone joking, "However, those who are late will have to drink a penalty shot, Brother Li Ran."

"This is a must!"

Li Ran pulled Zhou Ye to sit down in an empty seat, and poured himself a full glass of baijiu. "Since Brother Ruoyun personally asked me to drink this glass, I have to drink it."

He tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp. As the spicy liquid slid down his throat, he knew very well that Zhang Ruoyun was trying to help him out of a difficult situation.

He and Guo Qilin are good friends, and Guo Qilin played Fan Sizhe in "Joy of Life," who is the younger brother of Fan Xian, played by Zhang Ruoyun. This "brotherly bond on screen" extended off-screen, making the two acquaintances long ago.

Li Ran and Zhang Ruoyun naturally became acquainted.

Although Director Ding didn't say much due to Li Ran's status, he was still somewhat displeased. However, after seeing Li Ran down a glass of wine, that displeasure vanished.

Zhou Ye sat quietly next to Li Ran. He knew that Li Ran was not a good drinker. Seeing that Li Ran's face was slowly turning red, he quickly put some food on his plate: "Have some food to calm him down."

Director Ding put down his teacup, glanced at the main creative team sitting around, and smiled gently: "Alright, everyone's here. Please make yourselves at home and don't be shy."

He raised his glass of baijiu (Chinese liquor), glistening with droplets of water, and said, "I propose we raise a glass together to wish us a successful start to filming tomorrow and a smooth shooting schedule!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of responses erupted from the room.

The atmosphere in the private room gradually warmed up. Amidst the clinking of glasses, the crisp sound of dice hitting porcelain bowls mingled with the laughter of the crowd.

Zhou Ye's gaze fell on Li Ran, and he noticed that Li Ran's cheeks were flushed an abnormally, and even his ears were red. He couldn't help but frown.

"What are you doing?" Zhou Ye reached out and patted Li Ran's arm, his tone tinged with helplessness and reproach. "You know you can't hold your liquor, yet you still downed that glass of baijiu in one gulp. You're too honest."

Li Ran was already a little dizzy, and he grinned foolishly at Zhou Ye: "It's okay, I'll be fine after a while."

At this moment, the actress sitting next to Li Ran tugged at his clothes and whispered, "Ran Shen, I have some hangover medicine, would you like to take one?"

Li Ran turned his head and looked at the girl. He felt that she was somewhat familiar, but his head was spinning and he couldn't remember who she was.

Zhou Ye leaned over to look at Tian Xiwei and said, "No need, Xiao Tian, ​​just let him stay by himself for a while."

Zhou Ye had previously participated in script readings and was already familiar with the actors. Considering the hangover cure might be bad for their health, he declined on Li Ran's behalf, but still looked at Tian Xiwei and pleaded:

"By the way, Xiaotian, after this is over, I'll need your help to support him. I can't support him by myself."

Tian Xiwei smiled sweetly: "No problem, coconut. I'm very strong."

Sitting next to Tian Xiwei, Li Mingde overheard their conversation and muttered disdainfully, "I've never seen an actor like this before. He can't even read the script properly, and he's late for a drink and still needs a girl to help him. He can't even drink, so what's with the act?"

"You lousy gamer, go back to playing games." He lowered his voice so much that it was unclear whether others could hear him, but it clearly reached Tian Xiwei's ears.

Upon hearing this, Tian Xiwei glared at him: "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute. Just stay put!"

However, since the two had previously worked together on "So Cute Us", Tian Xiwei did not react on the spot. After giving him a retort, she ignored him.

Li Mingde was taken aback by the rebuke, not expecting Tian Xiwei to speak ill of him on behalf of Li Ran. Seeing that she had already turned to chat with Zhou Ye, he glared fiercely at Li Ran, who was leaning back in her chair pretending to doze off.

I was extremely unhappy.

After the dinner, Zhou Ye and Tian Xiwei helped Li Ran walk towards the door.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Ruoyun quickly ran over: "Let me do it! I didn't expect this kid to be so weak."

He reached out and took Li Ran from their hands, noticing that he was already quite drunk and sluggish: "This kid is pretty heavy. You two are really going to have to do this for me."

Tian Xiwei quickly waved her hand. Zhou Ye knew that he and Li Ran had a good relationship, so he entrusted Li Ran to him with peace of mind.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Ruoyun," Zhou Ye said, thanking him.

Zhang Ruoyun was slightly taken aback; it seemed their relationship was more than just that of classmates. However, he didn't ask any further questions.

"Which room is he staying in? Take me there!" Zhang Ruoyun asked Zhou Ye.