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

Renowned author Peach Blossom Jasmine has joined Cola Novels with her new work, "Hua Yu: Starting from Retirement, Sweeping Through the Domestic Entertainment Industry"!

Liu Haocun took Li Ran's hand and led her through the bustling backstage corridor, stopping in front of a small lounge.

She knocked on the door, and without waiting for a response, pushed it open and went inside.

Li Ran followed her across the threshold, his gaze sweeping across the room...

Then he froze.

Besides director Zhang Yimou, he also saw someone he never expected to be there.

His mother.

Li's mother was sitting on the sofa, holding a cup of tea, looking at him with a smile.

Li Ran opened his mouth in surprise and asked, "Mom? What are you doing here?"

Liu Haocun, who had been beaming with joy, froze as if struck by lightning upon hearing these words.

She slowly turned her head, looked at Li Ran, then at Li's mother, her deer-like eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.

Li's mother smiled and said, "Knowing you were going, I came to see you."

Li Ran silently complained to himself: You never came to visit me in previous years.

Looking at me isn't the main thing; looking at Zhou Ye and the others is the real business, isn't it?

But he didn't say it aloud; he just smiled and looked at Zhang Yimou, saying, "Hello, Director Zhang."

Zhang Yimou nodded, his gaze sweeping over Li Ran with admiration in his eyes: "Li Ran, hello."

Li's mother looked at Liu Haocun, who was still standing there in a daze, and waved him over: "Haocun, come and sit down. Weren't you just chatting happily?"

Liu Haocun nodded mechanically and sat down next to Li's mother.

She glanced furtively at Li's mother, then at Li Ran, and whispered, "Auntie, the son you're talking about... is it Li Ran?"

Li's mother laughed even harder: "How about it? Are you satisfied with my son? How about he be your boyfriend?"

Li Ran said helplessly, "Mom, please stop teasing Cunzi."

Li's mother and Zhang Yimou both burst out laughing.

Liu Haocun then realized that he had been tricked.

But she wasn't angry; she just lowered her head shyly, her ears turning slightly red.

Zhang Yimou's smile faded, and he looked at Li Ran with a serious expression: "Li Ran, it's like this. My team is preparing to make a movie about e-sports. I called you here to consult with you, a former world champion, about your thoughts."

Li Ran was slightly taken aback.

There was indeed such a rumor in my past life, but it eventually came to nothing.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Director Zhang, what specific subject matter are you planning to film? League of Legends?"

Zhang Yimou nodded: "The initial idea is to create a script based on your experiences. That's why I wanted to hear your opinion."

Li Ran remained silent for a moment.

League of Legends is still at its peak in popularity.

Although DWG won the S10 championship, EDG will likely win the S11 championship this year, as the LPL's popularity and influence remain very strong.

Unlike in the years that followed, when he was beaten so badly by that old man that his fans were heartbroken.

He looked at Zhang Yimou and said seriously, "Director Zhang, if you want to make a film about e-sports, I don't think that two short hours of film can capture the essence of e-sports."

He paused for a moment: "Of course, if you just want to make a biography of me, the film's length is sufficient."

Zhang Yimou shook his head: "Li Ran, I want to make a good film about e-sports. Could you elaborate on your thoughts?"

Li Ran nodded.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Current e-sports themed films and television dramas are filled with too many romance scenes. I'm not saying that e-sports players don't need love, but current e-sports dramas are essentially romance dramas disguised as e-sports stories."

Zhang Yimou nodded, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Li Ran continued, "Esports players can have romantic relationships, such as the understanding and support of their families. You have to understand that a few years ago, playing professionally was generally considered by the public to be a waste of time."

"Also, esports shouldn't only be viewed from the perspective of success. Just like me, the defeat at the Bird's Nest in 17 was a disappointment, but that's part of esports as well."

His voice was calm, yet carried a penetrating power: "I have succeeded. But there are still many, many athletes fighting for that championship. Some have already retired in disappointment."

"These are all part of esports..."

After listening, Zhang Yimou remained silent for a long time.

Then he looked at Li Ran and slowly said, "Li Ran, I will pass on your opinions to my team. Of course, we will need your continued suggestions for improvement."

Li Ran smiled and nodded: "Of course. I also hope to make an excellent e-sports work so that more people can understand e-sports and e-sports players."

Zhang Yimou smiled and suddenly asked, "Then are you interested in playing the lead role?"

Li Ran replied without hesitation, "Of course I'm interested."

Zhang Yimou nodded: "Then let's talk in detail later."

……

As Liu Haocun walked out of the lounge, he kept his head down and remained silent.

Seeing her expression, Li Ran couldn't help but laugh: "What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Liu Haocun looked up, a hint of grievance in his doe-like eyes: "Li Ran, I was so embarrassed just now..."

Li Ran raised an eyebrow: "How is it embarrassing?"

Liu Haocun pouted, "Oh dear! The auntie didn't say she was your mother at first. She even said she'd introduce her son to me, how was I supposed to know it was you..."

She became increasingly aggrieved as she spoke: "I told them I'm an artist and don't have time for dating. Turns out, my aunt and Director Zhang both knew, and I was the only one who was clueless..."

Li Ran chuckled: "What's the big deal? Are you satisfied with the guy my mom introduced you to?"

Liu Haocun pouted: "I'm not satisfied. If I had known that Auntie's son was a big jerk, I would never have agreed."

Li Ran sighed: "Then I'll have to ask my mom to introduce you to other people."

Liu Haocun immediately became anxious: "No! I'm still a tiny bit satisfied."

She held out her hand, gesturing a tiny distance between her thumb and forefinger: "Just a tiny bit..."

The two returned to their original positions.

Tian Xiwei looked up at Li Ran: "Is Mom here too?"

Li Ran was taken aback: "How did you know?"

Tian Xiwei waved her phone: "They just sent me a message."

Liu Haocun's gaze instantly sharpened.

She looked at Tian Xiwei and slowly asked, "What did you just call Auntie?"

Tian Xiwei smiled and said calmly, "Call me Mom."

Liu Haocun turned to Li Ran, his deer-like eyes filled with confusion.

Li Ran opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but didn't know where to begin.

Tian Xiwei stretched out her wrist, displaying the jade bracelet, which was emerald green and translucent, gleaming with a warm light under the lamp.

"My grandma gave it to me when I went back to my hometown for the Chinese New Year."

She looked at Liu Haocun and asked calmly, "Li Ran, do I look good in it?"

She asked Li Ran, but her eyes were on Liu Haocun.

Liu Haocun's expression changed slightly.

Wang Churan's expression also changed.

Sisters, you're moving way too fast!

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside her: surprise, a sense of crisis, and a touch of resentment.

No, she has to speed things up too; she can't let Tian Xiwei keep getting ahead.

Liu Haocun looked at the jade bracelet and snorted coldly, "The jade bracelet is beautiful. But on some people's hands, it just looks awkward."

Tian Xiwei didn't say anything, but continued to show off the bracelet on her wrist, a faint smile on her lips.

Li Ran was sandwiched between the two, feeling as if the air was about to freeze.

Just then, a voice called out from not far away, "Brother Ran!"

Li Ran turned his head and saw Wang Junkai waving at him.

He felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately stood up: "I'll go over there for a moment."

Then he quickly left.

Seeing that Li Ran had left, Liu Haocun snorted coldly and also got up and went elsewhere.

She didn't want to see Tian Xiwei showing off.

……

Watching the two leave, Wang Churan glanced at Tian Xiwei and couldn't help but ask, "This year's Weibo Night was quite lively."

She counted on her fingers: "All four members who returned from overseas are here, as are Bo Jun Yi Xiao, and two of the three members of TFBOYS are here. And there's Li Ran, the newly crowned top star."

Tian Xiwei nodded: "It is indeed lively."

She paused, her tone revealing a hint of understanding: "But right now, the only ones who can still be considered top stars are Li Ran and Bo Jun Yi Xiao."

Wang Churan nodded thoughtfully.

Yes! Times have changed...

Zhou Ye changed into a well-fitting suit and finally no longer had to lift her skirt while walking.

She and Hu Lianxin walked together toward the rest area, chatting about the interesting things that happened on the red carpet.

Halfway there, Zhou Ye's gaze was suddenly drawn to a figure.

It was the back view of a middle-aged woman, walking out of a lounge and heading in another direction.

That figure, that aura, that gait...

Zhou Ye's heart skipped a beat.

She tentatively called out, "Auntie?"

The figure paused.

When Li's mother turned around and saw Zhou Ye, a gentle smile immediately appeared on her face: "It's Xiao Ye!"

Zhou Ye's eyes lit up, and he quickly ran over, his face beaming with undisguised joy: "Auntie, what brings you here?"

Li's mother first looked at Hu Lianxin beside her.

This must be the little girl who was initially signed into Wajijiwa; she is indeed very pretty.

She looked away, smiled at Zhou Ye, and said, "I haven't been too busy with work lately, so I came to visit Li Ran."

Hu Lianxin then realized who the person in front of her was.

She tensed up instantly, quickly stepped forward, and bowed respectfully: "Hello, Auntie! I'm Hu Lianxin, and I'm also an artist signed with Wajijiwa Entertainment..."

Li's mother looked at her gently: "I know you. My sister mentioned you to me."

But in her heart she thought: "My son is really obsessed with looks; she's another very pretty girl."

Zhou Ye naturally took Li's mother's arm: "Auntie, let me take you to find Li Ran!"

Li's mother waved her hand: "We just met, why would you want to see him?"

She pulled Zhou Ye's hand and led him inside: "Come on, let's go to the lounge with Auntie for a while. There's still some time before it starts, and it's not comfortable to stay in the lounge."

As she walked, she said, "There's fruit in the rest room, are you two hungry?"

……

When Zhou Ye and Hu Lianxin pushed open the door to the lounge, they were both taken aback.

The lounge is very large and was clearly arranged specifically for important guests.

Two people were already sitting on the sofa: Zhang Jingyi and... Zhang Ruonan.

Zhang Ruonan was enjoying her strawberries when she looked up and saw Li's mother come in. She quickly stood up, her mouth still bulging.

Li's mother waved her hand with a smile: "It's alright, Xiao Nan, you eat yours."

Zhang Ruonan smiled sheepishly, swallowed the food in her mouth, and sat down again.

Hu Lianxin couldn't help but glance at Zhang Ruonan a few more times.

What's up with Zhang Ruonan? And why does Zhang Jingyi always bring her along? All she does when they meet is eat...

Mother Li gestured to the group, "Don't stand, sit down and eat."

She glanced at the fruit on the table: "I know you haven't eaten anything because you're all dressed up so beautifully. It's fine to eat fruit; it doesn't have any smell, and your dresses won't pick up any odor."

Zhou Ye pulled Hu Lianxin down to sit: "Thank you, Auntie!"

Looking at her, Li's mother had a mischievous smile in her eyes: "This child, why are you still being so polite with me? You called me 'Mom' the first time we met."

Zhou Ye's face flushed red.

She recalled the blunder on the set of "The Young Dragon" when, due to nervousness, she blurted out "Mom".

Thinking about it now, I just want to crawl into a hole and disappear.

Li's mother smiled and looked at the assistant beside her: "Go and have someone prepare some more fruit, and then bring Xiaotian over."

The assistant nodded, got up, and left.

……

A short while later, the door was pushed open again.

Tian Xiwei and Wang Churan walked in.

As soon as Tian Xiwei entered the room, her eyes were fixed on Li's mother.

She walked straight over, sat down next to Li's mother, affectionately took her arm, and said in a coquettish tone, "Mom, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

After he finished speaking, the lounge fell silent for a moment.

Zhou Ye's expression changed slightly.

Hu Lianxin's expression also changed.

Zhang Jingyi's eyelashes trembled slightly.

They all knew that Li Ran had taken Tian Xiwei back to his hometown for the Chinese New Year, but no one expected...

She's actually started calling me "Mom" now.

Zhang Ruonan was slightly surprised, then continued to eat her melon seeds with her head down.

It's none of my business. I'm just here to watch the show. She really is eating a piece of cantaloupe cut into small pieces.

Li's mother immediately guessed Tian Xiwei's little scheme.

This girl is deliberately showing off!

She smiled helplessly: "I only confirmed my arrival yesterday. Didn't I just tell you via WeChat?"

Besides Xiaotian, she also notified Zhang Jingyi.

Zhang Jingyi came over with Zhang Ruonan after walking the red carpet.

Tian Xiwei smiled, her eyes crinkling: "I just missed my mom."

Li's mother gently tapped her forehead: "Alright, eat your fruit."

She didn't want Tian Xiwei to continue talking; if she did, the girls were afraid they would explode.

You see, she deliberately didn't inform Li Ran today because she wanted to come and meet these future daughters-in-law herself.

At this moment, Li's mother looked Wang Churan up and down and sighed inwardly. This girl is really beautiful, elegant and pleasing to the eye. If we only talk about appearance, this is the one who is most pleasing to the eye.

I just don't know what his personality is like...

When Wang Churan saw Li's mother looking her over, she quickly introduced herself: "Hello, Auntie! My name is Wang Churan, and I recently signed with Wajiji Entertainment."

Seeing that she was sitting upright and polite, Li's mother smiled with satisfaction. "Chu Ran, have some fruit!"

At this moment, Tian Xiwei had already reached for the fruit and deliberately showed off her jade bracelet.

Zhang Jingyi's gaze fell on Tian Xiwei's wrist, and her expression changed...

That jade bracelet was translucent and warm to the touch; it was indeed a fine piece.

But her attention was drawn to the red string next to the bracelet.

It was a thin, red, hand-braided rope with a peace knot, but there were two gold threads mixed in with it, which she had added on purpose.

She can't be mistaken.

This is the one she wrote for Li Ran.

She spoke, her voice trembling slightly: "Tian Xiwei, how did the safety rope I gave Li Ran end up in your hands?"

The air in the lounge seemed to freeze instantly.

Li's mother's heart skipped a beat...

Oh no! This is going to start a fight.

Tian Xiwei was stunned for a moment.

She had almost forgotten about it.

She always wore this red string, and she got so used to it that she forgot it was given to Li Ran by Zhang Jingyi.

She was so focused on showing off her bracelet that she forgot about this.

Li's mother glanced at Xiaotian, her eyes conveying a reminder: don't cause trouble, explain yourself quickly.

Little did she know that she was the one who helped Li Ran keep it a secret from Xiao Tian, ​​only to find out later that it was Zhang Jingyi who gave it to her.

But Tian Xiwei didn't notice.

Meeting Zhang Jingyi's gaze, she said, "What? You gave it to Li Ran? Li Ran gave it to me."

She would never admit that she knew it was a gift from Zhang Jingyi.

Zhang Jingyi's eyes were already somewhat...