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

Inside the luxurious and spacious conference room, a long, dark walnut table is bathed in the soft glow of the overhead lights.

Mr. Li gently put down his phone, and the almost imperceptible gentleness on his face also disappeared.

He turned to his secretary, who was waiting quietly beside him, and his voice regained its usual calm and crisp tone: "After the meeting, you personally contact Li Ran, find out the details, and cooperate according to his wishes."

"Yes, Mr. Li."

"Alright," he said, his gaze sweeping over the attendees, his knuckles tapping twice on the table to bring the slightly distracted atmosphere back to normal, "Let's continue."

A senior executive who had worked with him for many years spoke up with a smile, his tone full of familiar flattery: "President Li really loves his son. We've had so many meetings, and this is the first time I've seen you take a phone call in the middle of the meeting."

He then changed the subject, saying, "But on another note, Young Master Ran is truly remarkable. He quietly brought back an Asian Games gold medal, bringing honor to our group."

Mr. Li picked up the purple clay cup in front of him, took a sip of the already warm tea, and the corners of his mouth turned up almost imperceptibly—a unique curve that belonged to a father.

He waved his hand dismissively, as if discussing a trivial matter: "There's nothing we can do, he's our only son. He insisted on going off to play video games, and nobody could stop him. His mother and I thought, 'He can just play for a few years and then come back,' but we never expected..."

He paused, carefully concealing the pride in his words, "I didn't expect him to play so well," leaving only a faint sense of helplessness, "It was alright, he didn't mess around."

Only he himself knows the complex sense of guilt behind this "indulgence".

The five-year coma following the accident when Li Ran was a teenager is an unhealable rift in his and his wife's hearts.

……

That evening, at the film crew's hotel, Li Ran ended his call with his secretary, left his room, and headed towards Zhou Ye's room across the street.

During the day, in the lounge, he made that phone call in front of Zhou Ye and Tian Xiwei. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather something he did intentionally.

The moment the hands-free button on the screen is pressed, something has already changed.

Of course, feelings can't be just about feelings; pure things are too fragile, and something else must be added appropriately.

Among these, vested interests are often the most solid foundation.

Only one dim light was on in the room, casting a warm yellow glow on Zhou Ye's profile.

She sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, engrossed in playing on her phone, completely ignoring Li Ran who entered the room.

Li Ran walked over to her and realized that she was still angry about what happened during the day.

He reached out and ruffled her fluffy hair, his voice softening: "What's wrong? Is our happy little puppy upset again?"

Zhou Ye's finger stopped swiping the screen. She slowly turned her head, her eyes shining brightly, and said clearly, word by word, "Li Ran, let's make it official!"

Li Ran was taken aback, then realized that Tian Xiwei's existence truly posed a real threat to her.

"Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

His tone remained calm. "Will your company agree?"

"I'll talk to the company myself." Zhou Ye stared at him intently, as if trying to find an answer in his face. "I'm just asking you, do you agree or not?"

Li Ran paused for a moment, then chose a safer approach: "I need to ask the company what they think first."

"Don't give me that." Zhou Ye sneered, interrupting him.

"Who doesn't know that CEO Long has always turned a blind eye to his artists' dating life? Besides, with your background, can the company really control you?"

She leaned forward, her voice low but sharp as a needle, "Are you worried about the company, or are you afraid that if it's made public, you won't be able to continue pursuing Tian Xiwei? You're worried she'll find out, aren't you?"

Li Ran was slightly surprised.

When did Coconut's little brain become so smart?

He gave his usual, slightly helpless smile: "No way, you can announce it if you want, as long as your company has no objection."

Zhou Ye's eyes suddenly lit up, as if the dark clouds had been blown away by the wind. He couldn't help but smile, but he forced himself to suppress it. His expression changed as quickly as turning the pages of a book.

"Really? It's a deal then. I'll go talk to Sister Bingbing after filming wraps up."

She paused, then leaned closer, her tone softening, but with a hint of spoiled warning, "But Li Ran, from now until the official announcement, you have to stay away from Tian Xiwei. I'll be jealous."

Seeing her sudden shift from gloom to cheerfulness, Li Ran chuckled and shook his head, reaching out to pinch her feigned serious face: "Alright, whatever you say. Now you're a happy little puppy again?"

"Get away from me!" Zhou Ye slapped his hand away, wrinkled his nose, and said with disgust, "Go take a shower, you smell terrible."

Instead of leaving, Li Ran got up and easily picked her up in his arms.

"Hey, what are you doing!"

"Let's shower together, it'll save water." He carried her towards the bathroom, his voice laced with laughter and a hint of something deeper, barely perceptible.

Zhou Ye struggled in his arms for a moment, but finally buried his burning face in his shoulder.

The light cast their shadows on the wall, swaying and eventually disappearing into the hazy, warm glow emanating from the frosted glass door of the bathroom.

The next morning, the air on set was still filled with the aroma of coffee.

While Zhou Ye was trying on makeup, Li Ran found Tian Xiwei reciting her poems in a corner. The morning light shone on her, turning her bangs a light gold color, a picture of tranquility.

Li Ran walked over and told her the news about the remake of "So Cute Us".

Wajiji Entertainment will make up the investment and co-produce with Kiwi, and he will take over the role of Tan Song.

Tian Xiwei was stunned at first, then her stunned expression was replaced by great joy. Almost without thinking, she took a step forward and hugged Li Ran tightly, her voice muffled on his shoulder, filled with undisguised excitement and gratitude: "That's great, Li Ran, thank you so much."

The hug came naturally and warmly.

Li Ran was glad Zhou Ye wasn't here at the moment, otherwise that jealous little jerk would probably have given a "self-destruction" performance on the spot.

He raised his hand and gently hugged her back, patting her back reassuringly.

Li Ran understood the importance of a drama's effective broadcast for new actors, and also understood why Xiao Tian was so excited.

At the same time, he also noticed that since meeting his mother yesterday, Tian Xiwei's attitude towards him had undergone a subtle but clear change.

That previously tentative and distant goodwill seemed to suddenly settle down, take root, and become straightforward and frank.

Perhaps in her heart, that was a kind of tacit approval. Li Ran couldn't help but wonder what her mother had talked about with her alone yesterday.

"Alright," he said, releasing his grip at the opportune moment, his voice gentle. "We still have scenes to film later. If someone sees us, they'll say I'm involved in some kind of 'unspoken rule' on set."

Tian Xiwei stepped back a little, looked up at him, and couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.

She raised her fist: "Let's see who dares! Unless they want to become the next Li Mingde."

"Besides, if we're talking about 'sexual favors,' it'll be me taking advantage of you, the 'young master'!"

Looking at her energetic appearance, Li Ran chuckled and asked, "What did you and my mom talk about yesterday?"

"I won't tell you, it's a secret between me and my aunt!" After saying that, she turned and left, heading towards the filming location.

Just as Li Ran was staring blankly at her back, Zhou Ye's voice came from behind him.

"Li Ran, what are you standing there for! Let's go, we need to start filming."

Li Ran looked at Zhou Ye, who was already made up and styled, and said, "It's okay, let's go!"

After filming wrapped up for the day, Li Ran received a call from her agent while resting at the hotel that evening.

"After filming wrapped on 'The Dragon Boys,' we started reshooting 'So Cute Us.'"

"By the way, Tencent Esports sent an invitation to you to be a commentator for the LPL Spring Finals on May 2nd..."