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

That evening, the premiere data for "So Cute Us" skyrocketed, with an A-level production cost directly generating S+ ratings.

This prompted Mao Deshu to call Li Ran as soon as he learned about the results.

"Li Ran, I really have to thank you for this! I absolutely have to treat you to a meal; you can't refuse!"

Li Ran smiled and agreed, "Okay, Director Cat, let's get together properly after the show finishes airing."

……

In its previous life, this drama was a dark horse among pay-per-view dramas, and its performance was quite good. However, with the addition of Li Ran, a popular actor, the performance has naturally doubled.

The quirky tactics employed during the live-stream promotion further amplified the buzz, attracting a large number of onlookers eager to see the drama starring Li Ran and Tian Xiwei, the newly crowned number one CP (couple) on the list.

Li Ran doesn't have much time to focus on these things right now; tomorrow is the audition for "Snow in the Sky," and he values ​​this popular male-oriented IP even more.

The production team this time is so much better than in his previous life; he really wants to make "Snowy Mountain" his get-out-of-jail-free card.

Just like Zhang Ruoyun's "Joy of Life", he also wants to challenge the status of Emperor Yun in male-oriented novels.

……

The following day, the capital city enjoyed unusually good weather.

Sunlight streamed through the glass curtain wall of the office building, reflecting onto the lobby floor.

The area in front of Tencent Video's office building is already filled with various minivans and commercial vehicles.

Li Ran and several people got out of the car.

The four girls, Tian Xiwei, Wang Churan, Zhou Ye, and Hu Lianxin, each have their own unique charm, and together they form a beautiful sight.

Zhang Jingyi and Zhang Ruonan arrived later; their car had just arrived, and they were walking over from the other side.

Li Ran glanced at the time, nodded to the staff, and someone immediately came forward and led them to the elevator.

He looked at the girls and said, "You guys go to the lounge first, I'll go to the audition room."

Zhou Ye tugged at his sleeve and asked softly, "Aren't you coming with us?"

Li Ran smiled and said, "You guys aren't children anymore, you're fine on your own."

He glanced at Tian Xiwei standing beside him, then at Zhang Jingyi, and finally his gaze settled on Zhou Ye's face: "Do your best, don't be nervous, I'll be here watching."

Zhou Ye pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but Hu Lianxin pulled him away.

The audition room is on the fifteenth floor.

Pushing open the door, I saw several people already sitting inside.

Behind the long table, Tencent Video CEO Sun Zhonghuai was chatting with director Zhang Li. The two were laughing and talking, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

The screenwriter Wang Juan and several casting directors were also sitting nearby.

Li Ran quickly stepped forward: "Hello, Mr. Sun, hello, Director Zhang."

Sun Zhonghuai looked up, saw him, stood up with a smile, and patted him on the shoulder: "Li Ran, Director Zhang and I were just talking about you."

Director Zhang Li leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over Li Ran with an appreciative smile: "You did a great job in 'Little Red Flower.' I've watched it, and I feel a Golden Rooster Award nomination is a sure thing, and you might even win Best Actor directly."

Li Ran smiled modestly: "Director Zhang, you flatter me. I'm just a newcomer who's been in the industry for less than a year, and there's still a lot I need to work on."

He paused, then added, "I'd be content with just a nomination; I'm still a ways off for Best Actor."

Sun Zhonghuai chuckled and joked, "You're not that old, but you speak like a man of many years."

Li Ran chuckled awkwardly but didn't reply.

He knew in his heart that a nomination was a sure thing, but winning Best Actor was still a bit of a stretch, and he didn't want to be ridiculed as a "water emperor" (a derogatory term for someone who doesn't win).

The audition room on the fifteenth floor had a relaxed atmosphere, but the lounge downstairs had a much more subtle one.

The lounge is spacious, with a row of sofas along the wall and a coffee table in the middle, on which are bottled water and fruit.

Tian Xiwei and Wang Churan sat together, one scrolling through her phone and the other flipping through a script.

Zhou Ye and Hu Lianxin sat close together, whispering to each other, occasionally glancing up at the other people in the room.

Zhang Jingyi and Zhang Ruonan sat on the sofa in the corner, chatting quietly.

In addition, there were quite a few actresses sitting in the room.

Zhang Tianai sat by the window, her posture elegant, holding a script in her hand, occasionally glancing up at the doorway.

She came to audition for the role of Nangong Pushe. This role had been rumored to be played by many people before, but in the end, it was decided that it would be between her and Wang Churan.

Li Chun, a well-established actress, sat on the other side. She was there to audition for the role of Xuan Yuan Qing Feng, and she was Hu Lian Xin's competitor.

There were also a few younger faces, including Meng Ziyi who auditioned for the role of Hongshu, and Zhang Yishang who auditioned for the role of Shuxiu.

Both are rising stars, not very famous, but they are young and beautiful.

Sitting in the corner was a quiet-looking girl named Lu Yuxiao, who had come to audition for the role of Princess Suizhu.

She had little presence; she sat there alone, neither speaking nor looking at anyone, just quietly staying there.

There was also a very young girl, Amy, who was only fourteen years old and came to audition for the role of Hehe Girl.

She was wearing a white sweater, with two small braids, sitting on the sofa, her calves barely touching the ground.

Wang Churan's eyes lit up when she saw her. She walked over and sat down next to her: "Amy, you're here for an audition too?"

Amy looked up, recognized her, and gave her a sweet smile: "Sister Chu Ran! You're here too?"

Wang Churan smiled and nodded: "I'm here to audition for the role of Nangong Pu She. What about you?"

"Hehe, girl," Amy said, "you mean the one riding the panda?"

Wang Churan was amused by her serious tone. She glanced around and lowered her voice to ask, "Do you know who auditioned for the role of ginger?"

Amy shook her head, her little braids swaying slightly. "I don't know. What's wrong, sister?"

Wang Churan didn't explain much, he just patted her head and said, "It's okay, just do your best."

She stood up and returned to Tian Xiwei's side.

His gaze swept around the lounge, taking in everyone.

Li Ran didn't tell them about the audition arrangements for the other people, nor did she say who would play Jiang Ni.

She can only see it herself now.

The door was pushed open again.

A girl wearing a simple sweatshirt walked in. She was Li Gengxi, Qiao Yingzi from "A Little Reunion," a rising star who was gaining popularity recently.

The moment Wang Churan saw her, he felt an inexplicable aversion.

I can't explain why, but it just doesn't feel right to look at it.

Hu Lianxin saw her too. She leaned close to Zhou Ye's ear and whispered, "Isn't that Qiao Yingzi? What role is she auditioning for?"

Zhou Ye glanced at it, thought for a moment, and said, "I don't know, but I feel it's ginger paste."

She paused, then lowered her voice: "After all, Xu Jinglei is standing behind her."

Hu Lianxin smiled, her tone carrying a hint of understanding: "I get it, she's a resource-backed star."

Li Gengxi looked around the lounge, but didn't see any familiar faces, so he found a corner to sit down.

As luck would have it, he happened to be right next to Zhang Jingyi and Zhang Ruonan.

Zhang Jingyi and Zhang Ruonan ignored her and continued chatting about their own things.

Zhang Ruonan was a little nervous, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers: "When does it start? I'm so nervous."

Zhang Jingyi comforted her, "They should be here soon! I think they're almost all here."

Zhang Ruonan whispered, "There are quite a few female celebrities here. I wonder if I'll be chosen."

Zhang Jingyi smiled and said confidently, "Didn't Brother Li Ran say you'd be fine? Don't worry."

Li Gengxi overheard their conversation.

Of course she knew Zhang Jingyi, one of Li Ran's rumored girlfriends, and the "Xinyi for Ran" CP that was all the rage online.

She remembered what Xu Jinglei had told her before she came, and her heart stirred. She turned to Zhang Jingyi and asked curiously, "Are you and Li Ran really dating?"

Zhang Jingyi was stunned for a moment.

She turned her head and looked at the girl who had suddenly approached her, her brows furrowing slightly.

How could this person be so rude? Who asks such a question on the first meeting?

She shook her head, her tone indifferent: "No. Is there something you need?"

Li Gengxi completely ignored the aloofness in her tone and continued to press, "Then do you know what kind of girl Li Ran likes?"

Zhang Jingyi looked at Li Gengxi and suddenly found it a little funny.

Ask her, Li Ran's girlfriend, what kind of girls does Li Ran like?

She calmly replied, "I don't know."

After saying that, she turned her head and continued chatting with Zhang Ruonan, ignoring Li Gengxi.

Zhang Ruonan also looked at Li Gengxi with suspicion, thinking to herself: Is this guy sick?

Not far away, Tian Xiwei took in the whole scene.

Although I couldn't hear what they were talking about, it's definitely an oddity that someone as good-tempered as Zhang Jingyi could turn her back on them.

She looked at Wang Churan, who had returned to her side, and gestured in that direction with her chin: "Do you see Li Gengxi?"

Wang Churan nodded: "I noticed her as soon as she walked in. How should I put it... she made me uncomfortable at first glance."

Tian Xiwei nodded: "Me too. I don't know what she said to Zhang Jingyi just now, but Zhang Jingyi just turned her head and ignored her."

Wang Churan rolled her eyes: "That's pretty bizarre. Which role do you think she auditioned for?"

Without hesitation, Tian Xiwei replied, "Ginger mud."

Why?

Tian Xiwei leaned back on the sofa, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the lounge: "Among the actresses on set, only Zhou Ye and she are a good match."

"The others either lack connections or are simply not the right age or appearance."

She paused for a moment, then said, "Li Ran cast Zhou Ye as Qingniao. I feel like she'll be the one chosen for the role of Jiang Ni, since she's Xu Jinglei's person."

Wang Churan sneered, "Does she look good enough to play Jiang Ni? You might as well let the little fox play the role."

The "little fox" she was referring to was Hu Lianxin.

Tian Xiwei shook her head: "Li Ran would never let any of us play Jiang Ni, but I feel he wouldn't let her play the role either."

Wang Churan asked in confusion, "Then who do you think will play Jiang Ni among these people today?"

Tian Xiwei's gaze fell on the girl who had been sitting quietly in the corner.

Lu Yuxiao.

It has no fame, no presence, just quietly staying there, like an inconspicuous little grass.

Wang Churan followed her gaze and frowned: "Who is she? I have absolutely no recollection of her. Does she have a powerful background?"

Tian Xiwei shook her head: "I don't know, probably a newcomer."

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of meaning: "But I feel that Li Ran would really like this one."

Wang Churan paused for a moment, then lowered his voice: "You mean... Li Ran is planning to pick up girls again?"

Tian Xiwei nodded, then shook her head: "I just have a feeling. Li Ran didn't let us play Jiang Ni because he was afraid we would quarrel and wanted to treat everyone equally."

Tian Xiwei nodded, then shook her head: "I just have a feeling. Li Ran didn't let us play Jiang Ni because he was afraid we would quarrel and wanted to treat everyone equally."

She continued her analysis: "If he were to cast us, he would definitely choose between Zhou Ye and Hu Lianxin; both of them would be very suitable."

"If you choose someone else to play Jiang Ni, do you think Li Ran's personality would clash with her? Don't forget what the 'little green tea' thing is all about."

She glanced at Zhang Ruonan: "And that Zhang Ruonan, Li Ran's gaze towards her was strange on New Year's Eve."

Wang Churan smiled and leaned back: "I don't care about these things, and I can't control them anyway."

She paused, then suddenly thought of something: "I'm a little curious now. You said that Li Gengxi is backed by Xu Jinglei, and it might have been decided beforehand. Does Li Ran have the right to just replace him?"

Tian Xiwei glanced at her, her eyes carrying a knowing look that said, "You're still too young."

"You should know that the project 'Snowy Mountain' was initiated by Tencent, and Li Ran has a lot of say in it."

She lowered her voice and leaned closer: "Also, Li Ran's background is much deeper than you think. I can't explain it to you clearly, but you'll find out in time."

Wang Churan nodded thoughtfully.

At that moment, the door to the lounge was pushed open, and a staff member walked in.

He held a list in his hand and glanced at everyone in the lounge: "Jiang Ni, who auditioned for the female lead, please come with me."

Li Gengxi stood up, straightened his clothes, and followed the staff out.

The door closed behind her.

Tian Xiwei looked at the door, a slight smile curving her lips.

She turned to Wang Churan and smiled, "How about it? I was right, wasn't I?"