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

Inside the lounge.

Producer Wang gently pushed the door open and entered. His face no longer held the coldness he had shown when facing Li Mingde; instead, it wore a warm smile tinged with apology.

"Li Ran, are you alright?" Producer Wang asked Li Ran first before gesturing to the others.

"The matter that just happened has been resolved. Li Mingde has been officially removed from the production team, and the team will follow up on the relevant responsibilities and follow-up matters."

"Don't worry, such unwarranted attacks on colleagues will never be allowed on set."

Li Ran politely thanked him: "Then I'll leave it to Producer Wang. I trust the crew will handle it properly."

"Of course." Producer Wang waved his hand, then changed the subject, revealing a perfectly appropriate hint of embarrassment on his face.

"However, there's a small problem now. We can't find a suitable actor to replace him right away."

He glanced at the people in the lounge. "Teacher Zhang, Zhou Ye, you know a lot of people in the industry. Do you have any suitable newcomers or friends you can recommend? Come and try out for a role. If it's suitable, we can finalize the deal and save ourselves the trouble of searching extensively."

Zhang Ruoyun put down her water glass, stroked her chin, thought seriously for a moment, and then shook her head: "I really can't think of anything particularly suitable for the time being."

Zhou Ye also shook his head slightly, his voice calm: "Producer Wang, I'm just a newcomer, and I don't know any actors."

Seeing that neither of them had a suitable candidate, Li Ran quickly searched through the company's artists who might be suitable in the near future.

He was about to speak when he noticed Tian Xiwei sitting there, her lips moving slightly as if she wanted to say something, but then she hesitated and swallowed her words.

"Xiao Tian," Li Ran turned to Tian Xiwei, his tone gentle and natural.

"Do you have any suitable actors in mind? Tell me, if they are suitable, it will save Producer Wang the trouble of finding someone."

Producer Wang turned his gaze to Tian Xiwei, a deeper meaning creeping into his smile.

"Xiaotian, if you have any suitable candidates, please feel free to recommend them. It won't hurt for them to come and audition; maybe they'll be cast if they're a good fit."

Actually, Producer Wang is not without suitable candidates; he has quite a few new talents under his company, Kuzi Films.

He only asked them because he wanted to give Li Ran face, but he knew that Li Ran was more than just the "crown prince" of Wajiji Entertainment.

It was unexpected that Li Ran would take the initiative to let Tian Xiwei speak, but using her to do this favor would have the same effect, and Li Ran seemed to have different feelings for Tian Xiwei.

As for who is recommended and how good their acting is, that doesn't matter. As long as it's not too outrageous, the audition is just a formality.

Seeing this, Tian Xiwei did not hesitate, and a sweet smile instantly bloomed on her face, with two dimples appearing.

"Then thank you in advance, Producer Wang, for giving me this opportunity!"

Her voice became a little lighter, "Actually, she's a friend of mine, a newcomer who hasn't been in the industry for long, named Wang Anyu."

"He has played minor supporting roles in some dramas before. I think his image, temperament, and seriousness might be quite suitable for this role."

Producer Wang quickly went through the name in his mind, but didn't recognize it. He figured the person was probably a newcomer.

He looked at Tian Xiwei: "Okay! I've noted down the name."

"Then please contact your friend first and ask about his intentions and availability. If it's convenient, have him come over as soon as possible so we can arrange a screen test and go through the process."

Zhang Ruoyun drank her water, glanced at the expressions of the others, and couldn't help but laugh. At the same time, she couldn't help but admire the shrewdness of Producer Wang, a seasoned veteran.

The networks and interactions within this circle can sometimes be quite subtle yet direct.

Wang Anyu received a call from Tian Xiwei and learned that he would not only get a role but also be able to film with his idol "Burning God". He was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night and booked a ticket to come over.

The next morning, he appeared on set with heavy dark circles under his eyes.

When Li Ran entered the lounge in the morning, he saw Tian Xiwei talking to a tall boy. The boy turned around when he heard the voice, and two dark circles under his eyes were particularly noticeable.

"Burning God!" The boy's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward, his eyes still brimming with tears, making the grown man look pitiful.

"Hello! I'm Wang Anyu!"

Li Ran was amused by his appearance and extended her hand, smiling, "Hello, just call me Li Ran."

"Did you get beaten up?"

Wang Anyu scratched his head sheepishly: "I was so excited when I got Xiaotian's call that I flew straight here and didn't even close my eyes on the way."

Tian Xiwei smiled and said, "He's such a crybaby, he gets so excited to see his idol."

Zhang Ruoyun then pushed the door open and came in. Seeing Wang Anyu's appearance, she joked, "Wow, whose panda has escaped?"

Wang Anyu quickly bowed: "Hello, Teacher Zhang! I especially love your portrayal of Fan Xian!"

"The new actor playing Shen Yao? He's much more polite than the last one." Zhang Ruoyun patted him on the shoulder.

Li Ran smiled too. Although Wang Anyu in front of him was inexperienced, his attitude was sincere, and he was much more pleasing to the eye than Li Mingde.

……

After Wang Anyu joined the crew, the production team resumed normal filming. Shen Yao's role was not significant to begin with, and since filming had only just begun, Li Mingde hadn't filmed many takes, so the casting change was completed smoothly.

Although Wang Anyu is a newcomer, he is diligent and has the help of Xiao Tian. After a few scenes, he fits the role well and does not appear awkward, which makes Director Ding very satisfied.

However, beneath the calm surface of the film set, undercurrents were still surging.

After the incident of "beating up" Li Mingde, Tian Xiwei became Li Ran's number one fan in the eyes of the rest of the crew.

Everyone is speculating about how long it will take for Li Ran to be won over by Tian Xiwei. After all, no one believes that Li Ran can resist a girl like Tian Xiwei who is sweet-looking and so protective of him.

Li Ran's attitude towards Tian Xiwei was indeed more natural and intimate than before, like that of a young couple in the early stages of a romantic relationship.

Zhou Ye witnessed all these changes, and his initial jealousy was gradually replaced by a deeper sense of crisis.

She suddenly realized that her earlier tantrum over snacks seemed pale and powerless in the face of Tian Xiwei's action of "standing up for him".

She also began to adjust her "strategy," no longer giving Li Ran the cold shoulder or avoiding him, but instead sticking to him whenever she had the chance.

Her presence suddenly intensified, and she silently asserted her dominance to everyone with the natural intimacy that only a legitimate girlfriend would have.

The film crew was never short of insightful people, and soon someone sensed something unusual.

"See that? Zhou Ye is sticking to my side like glue now."

"How could we not separate? Tian Xiwei was so ruthless that day, and she protected us so fiercely."

"Li Ran is in a difficult position now. Zhou Ye and she were college classmates and have known each other for a long time. I heard that the roles she plays are all ones that Li Ran specifically asked her to play."

"So what? If it were me, I'd choose Tian Xiwei. She can switch between sweet and spicy, and she's a girl who only has eyes for me. Who wouldn't like that?"

"I support Zhou Ye; I feel she is Li Ran's ideal woman."

"Hehe, they've known each other for so long, if they wanted to be together, they would have been together long ago. Why wait until now? Anyway, I'm rooting for Xiaotian. Don't you understand the devastating power of a sudden, unexpected attraction?"

"How do you know they're not together? I don't think their relationship is as simple as just classmates. Maybe they haven't officially announced it yet?"

"I like Zhou Ye, but I'm afraid of domestic violence from someone like Tian Xiwei..."

"You're dreaming! It's Li Ran's turn to choose, so let's just wait and see what happens..."

These sounds naturally reached Li Ran's ears as well.

In the lounge, Li Ran looked at Zhang Ruoyun's gossipy expression and chuckled, "Why do I have to choose? Can't I have both?"