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

Li Ran lowered his head, swiping his fingers across his phone screen, reading through the comments and revelations under the trending topics.

His expression was calm, showing no signs of emotional fluctuation.

Zhang Ruonan leaned over and stared at the screen as well.

Under the top trending topic, the "relationship history" of Li Ran and several girls was clearly compiled.

The gossip surrounding Tian Xiwei, Zhou Ye, Zhang Jingyi, and Li Ran has already been thoroughly investigated by netizens.

The rumors about visiting the set, wearing the same clothes, and alleged cohabitation are all old news, nothing new.

Liu Haocun's revelations are quite interesting.

Many candid videos filmed by the crew of "A Little Red Flower" have been released.

The two acted intimately on set, chatting and laughing, and occasionally even touching each other.

Adding to the fact that Liu Haocun drew a heart around his name on the autograph wall on the red carpet today, the credibility of this couple has skyrocketed.

Hu Lianxin's revelations are rather vague.

However, the timing of Hu Lianxin's quick signing with Wajijiwa Entertainment after Li Ran's visit to Zhou Ye on set has raised suspicions among netizens.

But this doesn't prove anything, after all, Wajijiwa signs so many people every year.

Li Ran scrolled down and suddenly froze.

He looked up at Zhang Ruonan, his expression somewhat subtle: "Wait, sister, how come you're involved in this?"

Zhang Ruonan leaned over for a look and was also stunned.

The screen prominently displayed: #Zhang Ruonan and Li Ran suspected of being in a relationship#

The accompanying photos consisted of several pictures of the couple, but Zhang Jingyi, who should have appeared in each of them, was cleverly cropped out.

There are also reports that the two will soon collaborate on a new movie, "Since This Love Has Disappeared".

That's true; the movie project has been greenlit, but it hasn't been officially announced yet.

Zhang Ruonan was speechless: "How would I know?"

Even more outrageous, she herself became a trending topic.

The top trending topic was: #ZhangRuonan's Cold Palace Concubines#

The accompanying picture shows Zhang Jingyi standing outside the car with a bewildered expression after Li Ran helped her into the car and closed the door.

Netizens commented with a chorus of "hahaha": "Hilarious! The Empress has gotten on the train, while the concubines in the Cold Palace are still standing outside."

"I could laugh at that expression for a year."

Zhang Ruonan: No, I haven't gotten on the bus yet!

Zhang Ruonan was utterly shocked when she saw this trending topic: "No way? How did I end up in the cold palace?"

She looked up and glared at Li Ran: "Li Ran, the point is, you've ruined your career, okay?"

Zhang Jingyi looked at him worriedly: "Brother, what do we do now?"

Li Ran shook his head: "It's okay, I'll take another look."

He went through the details of the leaked information again carefully.

The more he looked, the more confident he became.

These revelations actually contain nothing substantial.

The most shocking thing was his own actions tonight: in front of all the media, he took Zhang Jingyi's hand and left.

Other details, such as appearing together, set visits, and contract signing dates, are all ambiguous speculations.

The only somewhat interesting thing was the photos of Zhou Ye and her friends entering and leaving Li Ran's residential area.

But those photos mostly showed them traveling together, with no sign of Li Ran.

Li Ran had long anticipated this day would come.

Besides them, many other celebrities also live in his neighborhood.

Several of Xiao Zhan's teammates, as well as Ma Boqian and several others who came from "The Coming One," all own houses there.

It can be easily explained that those were employee apartments arranged by Wajijiwa.

He put down his phone, looked at the two somewhat nervous people, and gave a wry smile: "It's not a big problem, just the enemy's bomb-proof measures."

Zhang Ruonan's eyes widened: "This isn't a big problem? Little brother, you're really carefree!"

Li Ran chuckled: "Don't worry, it won't affect our new movie."

Zhang Ruonan pursed her lips: "Is that what I care about?"

Zhang Jingyi asked softly, "Brother, given your background... how come anyone dares to slander you?"

She didn't quite understand.

She knew Li Ran's background. These people dared to slander Li Ran, although it wasn't exactly slander, the things they revealed were indeed true.

Li Ran shook his head: "Not everyone cares about my dad. They don't rely on my dad for their livelihood."

"It's perfectly normal for me to start stealing food from their bowls now."

Although major platforms have partnerships with them, and some of their parent companies are even partners.

But independent film and television agencies in the entertainment industry don't care which company's heir you are.

If their interests are affected, they will still take action.

The latest chapter is packed with exciting plot twists! Come check out Cola Novels!

Moreover, this is clearly not the work of a single company.

With so many revelations appearing at the same time and in such a coordinated manner, it suggests that at least several companies are working together to stir up trouble.

Even if we can't kill him, we can at least ruin his reputation.

At that point, he'll either have to slink back to being a pampered young master or go back to playing professionally.

Li Ran knew that he couldn't let things develop unchecked.

He dialed his father's number, and it rang several times before being answered.

Mr. Li's voice sounded sleepy, clearly indicating he had already rested: "What's wrong, you brat? Why are you calling so late?"

Li Ran briefly explained the situation.

After listening, Li's father frowned and said, "Okay, I understand. I'll let Old Cao know."

He paused for a moment: "You don't need to rush this kind of thing. It's just a matter of interests."

Mr. Li immediately pointed out the crux of the matter.

"I don't understand the ways of your entertainment industry. You should talk to your aunt and see if it's okay. If not, then don't be a celebrity. You have no privacy at all, and you don't even make much money."

His tone suddenly became serious: "I want to hold my grandson right now, do you understand?"

Li Ran chuckled awkwardly, "Alright, Dad, I got it."

"You should let Uncle Cao know first, and I'll discuss it with Auntie."

"Alright, that's enough. You should get some rest."

After hanging up the phone, Li Ran glanced at the dishes on the table but barely touched them.

None of the three of them had any appetite.

He glanced at the WeChat message from his assistant, Xiao Chen, then looked up at the two of them and said, "There are a lot of media outside right now, you two should leave first."

Zhang Jingyi and Zhang Ruonan nodded.

They knew they couldn't help, and staying would only cause trouble.

Li Ran instructed his assistant, Xiao Chen, to lead them out through the back door, while he would exit through the front door later to draw attention to them.

Sure enough, there were people squatting by the back door as well.

Three paparazzi, hiding in the shadows, rushed up and surrounded Zhang Jingyi and Zhang Ruonan as soon as they saw them come out.

Xiao Chen reacted very quickly, stepping aside to block the two of them.

He was a burly man, and with a stretch of his arm, he separated the three paparazzi.

"Brother Li Ran will come out from the main entrance in a little while and answer everyone's questions."

He said in a calm voice, "Let the two teachers leave first."

After saying that, he escorted the two of them to the car parked on the side of the road.

A paparazzi tried to rush up and stop the car, but Xiao Chen blocked him.

The man staggered a couple of steps and almost fell.

Xiao Chen glanced down at his chest; there was no employee badge.

Which media outlet are you from?

The man didn't speak.

Xiao Chen didn't ask any more questions and turned back to the restaurant.

Inside the private room, Li Ran remained seated.

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Xiao Chen pushed the door open and came in: "Brother Ran, there were people at the back door too. The two teachers have left safely."

Li Ran nodded and stood up: "Then let's go too."

As soon as the two stepped out of the restaurant, they were surrounded by more than a dozen figures.

Long lenses, short lenses, flashlights, and a barrage of questions were all shoved at Li Ran's face.

Xiao Chen instinctively tried to block him, but there were too many people and he couldn't stop him at all.

Li Ran glanced at the group and knew that he wouldn't be able to leave without answering a few questions.

He gently patted Xiao Chen on the shoulder, signaling him to move aside.

Then he stepped forward, smiled at the reporters, and said, "Just one question."

His voice wasn't loud, but it had a strange penetrating quality: "As for the matter online, I will reply later."

The reporters immediately erupted in a flurry of questions.

Li Ran raised his hand: "Okay, let's line up and come one by one."

He reached out and tugged at Xiao Chen, glancing at the roadside where a minivan was parked, not the one they had arrived in.

He continued, "Don't rush. Let's start with you..."

He randomly pointed to a reporter: "Yes, let's start with you. Everyone else, please..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

He suddenly moved.

Like a nimble cheetah, it slipped through the gaps in the crowd.

The speed was so fast that no one could react.

By the time the reporters came to their senses, he had already rushed to the roadside, opened the car door, and climbed inside.

The car door slammed shut.

Xiao Chen stepped forward and stopped the person who wanted to chase after them.

The van started up and sped away.

The reporters stood there, looking at each other in bewilderment.

……