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

Zhou Ye looked down at Li Ran, staring into his eyes, wanting to know his answer.

Li Ran was taken aback by the sudden questioning. He could clearly see the complex emotions in Zhou Ye's eyes: grievance, unease, possessiveness, and a hint of anger.

"Coconut," he said, his Adam's apple bobbing as he spoke very slowly, trying to calm her down.

"After all, we still have to film together. Would it be inappropriate for me to refuse outright at a time like this...?"

Zhou Ye frowned: "Is it because she's still your fan that you enjoy this feeling?"

"I didn't enjoy it." Li Ran immediately denied it, his tone resolute, refusing to admit his true feelings no matter what.

"I just don't want to ruin our relationship..."

Seeing that Li Ran was still trying to smooth things over, Zhou Ye sneered, got off him, kicked him aside, and gave him a sharp look.

"Go back to your room and sleep. Don't even think about touching me today!"

Li Ran stood up, sighed softly, and saw that she had already turned her back and was not going to pay attention to him. He knew that there was no chance for him today, so he could only go back to his room.

The film set early the next morning.

Li Ran had just finished filming a scene with Li Mingde, in which Li Mingde's character, Shen Yao, relentlessly mocked him. After the scene ended, Li Ran seemed to have gotten too into character, as his eyes still held a hint of hostility when he looked at Li Ran.

Li Ran didn't pay much attention. He was still thinking about Zhou Ye's anger yesterday and was figuring out how to coax his sulking "happy little dog".

Just then, a sudden argument erupted from the director's monitor.

"Why? Why is it that when Li Ran wants to revise the lyrics and adjust the details, he can just discuss it with you, but when it comes to me, I just want to add a highlight line for my character, and why can't I?!"

It was Li Mingde's voice, high-pitched, his hand still tightly gripping the script, trembling slightly with excitement.

The busy staff around them immediately stopped what they were doing and looked over with surprise or curiosity.

Director Ding was staring at the monitor playback when he was taken aback by the sudden question. His face darkened visibly, clearly not expecting a minor actor to dare to question him.

He slowly stood up, took off his glasses, wiped them with the corner of his clothes, and put them back on. His movements were slow and deliberate, yet they exuded a sense of impending doom.

"Li Mingde," Director Ding's voice wasn't loud, but it was as cold and hard as stone. "The crew has its rules. Actors need to know what they should and shouldn't do."

He glanced at Li Mingde from head to toe, his eyes full of disdain. "If you don't want to act, then get lost. Don't you even look in the mirror and see what kind of person you are?"

These words were utterly merciless, directly trampling Li Mingde's already fragile self-esteem underfoot.

Director Ding waved his hand, as if shooing away an annoying fly: "Pack your things and get out of here! A newbie who's not even a nobody, does he really think he's a star? The crew can't function without him?"

That last sentence was like an invisible slap across Li Mingde's face. He froze on the spot, his lips trembling, his face turning from red to white, and then from white to green.

Director Ding stopped looking at him, took out his phone, scrolled through his contacts, and his tone returned to its usual cold, professional tone, "Hello, Producer Wang? Yes, it's me. Li Mingde doesn't need to stay any longer; he doesn't have many scenes. Replace him."

The words "replacement" clearly reached Li Mingde's ears. He stood there for two seconds, as if he couldn't process this sudden change.

The next second, extreme embarrassment and rage overwhelmed all his reason.

He turned his head sharply, his angry gaze sweeping across the crowd, instantly locking onto Li Ran, who was frowning and watching everything from a distance.

It's all because of him! If it weren't for him, why would I feel this is unfair? If it weren't for his "privilege," why would the director be so harsh on me?!

"Li Ran!" Li Mingde roared angrily, like a mad dog in heat, grabbed the script in his hand, and with all his might, smashed it hard against Li Ran's face!

"I'm done playing along with you, you little brat! You're just a lousy gamer, what kind of acting do you even know?! Do you even know what acting is?!"

The script sliced ​​through the air, accompanied by the whistling of wind and the screeching sound of rustling paper, heading straight for Li Ran's face.

Li Ran was completely unprepared for this mad dog to bite him. He instinctively turned his head to dodge, but the edge of the script still grazed his forehead, leaving a faint red mark.

The shock only lingered in Li Ran's mind for a moment. In his two lifetimes, even in the most intense competitions on the field, he had never been insulted like this, with objects thrown at him.

A surge of anger welled up inside him, and his fist clenched instantly.

Damn it, has this kid gone mad?!

His eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, ready to give this mad dog a wake-up call.

A slender figure rushed in front of him in an instant, bringing a gust of wind, and stood between him and Li Mingde without hesitation.

“Pah!”

A crisp, loud slap that almost echoed throughout the entire set suddenly rang out!

Time seemed to stand still for a moment.

Everyone stared in disbelief at the figure that suddenly rushed out—Tian Xiwei.

She stood in front of Li Ran, her chin slightly raised. Her face, which usually wore a sweet smile, was now covered in frost. Her big, round eyes were wide open, burning with raging anger as she stared intently at Li Mingde, whose head had been turned to the side by the blow.

Li Mingde was completely stunned by the slap. A clear red mark of five fingers quickly appeared on his cheek, and his ears were ringing. He didn't react for a long time.

Tian Xiwei's voice was crisp and bright, carrying undisguised anger and disdain, clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Li Mingde! Are you out of your mind?! Did your brain get squeezed in a door or filled with water?! Didn't I warn you already?! Try slandering Li Ran again and see what happens!!"

Her chest heaved with excitement as she pointed her finger at Li Mingde's nose, her words ringing out firmly.

"Who are you calling a lousy gamer? Li Ran is a gold medalist in the Asian Games demonstration event! He's an athlete who brings glory to the country! Who do you think you are? Besides barking incompetently and causing trouble out of jealousy, what else can you do?! Even a rat in the sewer is more upright than you! You're disgusting to look at!"

Still not satisfied with her outburst, Tian Xiwei stepped forward before anyone could react, clenched her fist, and delivered a solid punch to Li Mingde's stomach!

"Ugh!" Li Mingde groaned in pain, clutching his stomach and staggering back two steps before crouching down due to the pain.

It's easy to imagine how much force Tian Xiwei just used.

The set fell silent. Everyone was stunned by Tian Xiwei's series of slaps and punches.

Even Director Ding, who was originally furious, opened his mouth in surprise and forgot to speak.

"Holy crap, is this girl that fierce?"

Li Ran was completely stunned when he saw the girl standing in front of him, her back trembling slightly with anger.

He thought to himself that even five Zhou Yes combined wouldn't be enough to defeat her.

At this moment, Zhou Ye heard the arguing and walked out of the lounge, just in time to see this scene.

Watching Tian Xiwei's unwavering, even somewhat fierce, back as she protected Li Ran, and seeing the shocked and complex look in Li Ran's eyes as he looked at Tian Xiwei, the string in her heart suddenly tightened to its limit.

She rushed to Li Ran's side, "Li Ran, are you alright!"