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

Long Danni changed the subject, saying bluntly, "However, you haven't completely secured your position as the male lead yet."

"The project is primarily invested in by Tencent Pictures. After all, you came from Tencent Esports, and Tencent Pictures treats you as one of their own. Given your current popularity, they are pushing you to star in it."

"However, another important co-investor has reservations about your acting skills as a newcomer and is not very confident in betting on you for such an important role."

She looked at Li Ran and said the name directly: "They tend to recommend the male lead of 'Better Days,' Yi Yangqianxi. His current box office appeal and acting reputation are top-notch among the younger generation."

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze both scrutinizing and encouraging. "So, ultimately, a formal audition is needed to decide. You and Yi Yangqianxi will compete on the same stage, and the director and investors will decide based on the results."

Despite the pressure, Li Ran remained calm. The rewards the system was giving him were clearly designed for this role, so what did he have to fear?

He nodded calmly, his voice steady, "Understood, Auntie. I'm fine with the audition. When?"

Seeing his composed demeanor, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Long Danni's eyes, and she explained, "You don't need to feel too much pressure."

"Tencent Pictures is the largest investor, and our own investment company also has a significant stake. As long as your performance during the audition isn't too terrible, your chances of getting the role are quite high."

"I understand," Li Ran replied, then asked, "When will filming begin?"

"Filming is tentatively scheduled to begin at the end of August or the beginning of September. The auditions are arranged for mid-to-late July, giving you time to prepare," Long Danni replied.

Li Ran quickly calculated in her mind: the reshoots for "So Cute Us" are expected to be completed by mid-June, leaving a gap of more than a month in between.

He looked up and shared his idea: "Auntie, between the end of the reshoots and the film audition, I'd like to participate in a talk show."

"Oh?" Long Danni raised an eyebrow. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I mainly want to give a direct response to all the speculations about my retirement."

Li Ran said seriously, "There are too many rumors circulating online now, with fans speculating and all sorts of gossip."

"It's not a solution to keep avoiding the topic. It's better to find a suitable opportunity to lay everything out clearly myself, cut off those messy thoughts, and save it from being used against me in the future."

Long Danni pondered for a moment, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the sofa: "The idea is good. However, it's not easy to find a ready-made program for this kind of in-depth dialogue. Those entertainment variety shows won't work, and serious interviews might not have the right atmosphere."

Li Ran had been waiting for these words. A premeditated smile crept onto his lips as he leaned forward. "Auntie, since we can't find a perfectly suitable one, why don't we make one ourselves?"

"Produce your own show?" Long Danni looked at him with some surprise.

"Yes!" Li Ran's eyes lit up as he began to describe his idea, "Let's make a lighthearted and therapeutic online variety show. We'll create a home-like setting, invite two regular guests as hosts, and invite different celebrity friends to visit each episode to chat, eat, and play some games."

"The atmosphere needs to be authentic and natural, able to uncover something heartfelt, and also promote new dramas and songs. The cost should be controllable, the model flexible, and most importantly, the power of discourse should be in our own hands."

As Long Danni listened, as a seasoned industry professional, she keenly sensed the potential of this idea.

The online variety show market is booming, and there is indeed a gap in this kind of slow-paced, interactive "companion-type" variety show.

She quickly entered assessment mode: "The concept is good. But in terms of execution, the team, the platform, the guests..."

"I've thought it all through!"

Li Ran had clearly thought this through carefully, and spoke faster, "The platform will cooperate with Tencent Video. They have a large user base and also need high-quality exclusive content."

"One of the regular guests is Mao Buyi, who is gentle, witty, and has a good image as a musical talent. The other one is..."

He paused, then said a name that surprised Long Danni slightly, "We could try Li Xueqin, who's been quite popular on the recent stand-up comedy show. She's observant, witty, and can both catch jokes and elevate them. She and Mao Mao should have a wonderful chemistry."

Li Ran directly brought out the later "Mao Xue Wang" mode from his memory and locked in the core lineup in advance.

Long Danni looked at him with some surprise: "I understand Mao Buyi, he's pushing his own people. Why are you paying attention to stand-up comedy? Li Xueqin is quite interesting, that dejected yet sincere energy is quite unique."

She was surprised by Li Ran's wide range of interests, but didn't delve into it, since it's normal for young people to be aware of popular trends.

After a moment's thought, she quickly grasped the key point: "This proposal is feasible. However, the specific model, budget, sponsorship, and production team still need to be discussed and validated by the variety show department. We can't just rely on an idea."

At that moment, a thought flashed through her mind, and she looked at Li Ran and smiled, "That's right, since we're going to do it, the first episode has to be a hit."

"Besides your appearance as a heavyweight guest and the discussion about retirement generating a lot of attention, we could also invite Xiao Zhan as a guest. The two of you appearing together would definitely generate a lot of buzz."

She looked at Li Ran meaningfully and said, "It's a good opportunity to take advantage of the relatively gentle and healing context of this program to try to repair his image and deal with some of the subsequent negative impacts. It's a win-win situation."

After a moment's thought, Li Ran understood Long Danni's considerations.

"Okay, Auntie, whatever you think is suitable is fine. You and the team can decide on the specifics." Li Ran readily agreed, knowing that Long Danni was much more experienced than him in this regard.

Seeing that the conversation had gone on for a while, Long Danni turned her gaze to Li Ran and resumed her elder-like tone, "Alright, we've talked about the important matters enough. Go and call your manager over. If there's nothing else, go back and rest."

Li Ran stood up, paused upon hearing this, and muttered under his breath, complaining, "Auntie, why don't you just press the intercom yourself? Why do you have to make me do it?"

Long Danni, with her sharp ears, immediately glanced at him, a half-smile on her face: "What? Now you're a big star, you've filmed a movie, appeared on a variety show, and I can't boss you around anymore? Should I call your mom and tell her how big a star her son is now?"

"No, no, no!" Li Ran immediately raised his hands in surrender, a fawning smile plastered on his face. He quickly stood up. "Yes, yes, no, how could I dare! I'll go right now, I'll go myself, I'll run to invite you!"

Watching his slightly hurried yet intimate figure disappear behind the door, Long Danni finally withdrew her gaze, shook her head, but couldn't help but smile slightly.

This kid's getting more and more ambitious, but they're all well-thought-out ideas.

After leaving Wajiji Entertainment, Li Ran suddenly remembered Zhou Xun's invitation on a variety show. Since he had nothing to do today and the Mountain School wasn't far from here, he decided to leave.

It would be good to go see my junior from elementary school, Zhang Jingyi!

Without hesitation, he put on a mask, looked at the navigation, and drove towards the school at the foot of the mountain.