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

Hu Lianxin watched Tian Xiwei turn and leave decisively.

Before the slight panic of her secret being exposed had completely subsided, she quickly turned to Zhou Ye, smiling and speaking affectionately.

"Coconut, don't listen to her nonsense! She's just saying this to try and drive a wedge between us because she thinks we're on good terms. Don't fall for her tricks."

Zhou Ye nodded vigorously, then hugged Hu Lianxin's arm, nuzzling his cheek affectionately against her shoulder, his voice filled with trust.

"Of course I know! Xiao Hu is the best to me, we're best friends, how could I believe that tyrannical woman's instigation? I believe you!"

Hearing Zhou Ye's unwavering trust, Hu Lianxin finally relaxed a little.

But a sense of guilt, hard to put into words, quietly began to grow in my heart.

She quickly changed the subject, shifting the focus back to Tian Xiwei to cover up her unease.

"Exactly! Look at her, she looks just like Stitch from the cartoon, with her eyes wide open. I never expected her to be so wicked, her words are always barbed and she just keeps stabbing people in the heart."

Zhou Ye was amused by the vivid yet sarcastic metaphor of "Big-Eyed Stitch," and the gloom that had been hanging over him because of Tian Xiwei's words immediately dissipated.

She chuckled and nodded repeatedly, "Xiao Hu, your description is spot on! It's exactly the same! Fierce yet adorable, it's a pity he's a mischievous Stitch!"

The two burst into laughter, as if the unpleasantness brought by Tian Xiwei earlier was just a trivial little episode.

In the evening, Li Ran finally finished filming her last scene of the day. After removing her makeup and changing into her own clothes, she took Zhou Ye and Hu Lianxin out for dinner.

Oda returned to the hotel by himself.

During the meal, Zhou Ye enthusiastically suggested going to a karaoke bar after dinner, and Hu Lianxin naturally agreed.

Seeing the expectant looks in the two women's eyes, Li Ran had no reason to object.

Inside the KTV room, the lights were dim, and the prelude to the music flowed through the air.

Zhou Ye grabbed the microphone first and requested a currently popular sweet love song.

Holding the microphone, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Li Ran, and began to sing along with the melody…

Li Ran's smiling lips stiffened almost imperceptibly the moment he sang off-key on the first syllable.

He tried his best to maintain his expression, attempting to capture a melody from the performance of this so-called "nightingale of the Chinese entertainment industry," but found it to be a real test.

He silently closed his eyes, feeling the torment of his soul. Zhou Ye's singing was like a requiem for Karlsruhe, causing immense harm to Li Ran.

Hu Lianxin sat beside her, trying hard to purse her lips, afraid that she would laugh out loud, but her shoulders trembled slightly as she tried to hold back her laughter.

When the song ended, Zhou Ye felt extremely good about himself, his cheeks flushed with excitement and immersion.

She put down the microphone and sidled up to Li Ran like a puppy seeking praise, blinking her eyes: "How did I sing? Was it good?"

Li Ran opened his eyes, met her expectant gaze, and reluctantly said, "It sounds great! It sounds really great!"

"With a clear, melodious voice and rich emotion, she's truly a lost nightingale in the Chinese entertainment industry, a soulful songstress whose talent has been wasted on performing arts!"

Hu Lianxin listened in stunned silence, her mind racing.

Bro, your ability to lie through your teeth and flatter without batting an eye is truly masterful, unparalleled! I'm impressed!

Zhou Ye, however, was completely oblivious, and was overjoyed by Li Ran's praise, shaking his head smugly.

She casually shoved the microphone into Hu Lianxin's hand: "Little Hu, you sing one too! Let Li Ran hear who sings better!"

Hu Lianxin took the cold microphone and watched as Zhou Ye naturally snuggled up to Li Ran, the two of them being intimate and laughing together.

She suddenly remembered Tian Xiwei's words during the day, and watching Zhou Ye and Li Ran playfully fighting, a wave of emptiness and bitterness welled up in her heart.

She silently scrolled through the song selection screen, her fingers tracing through a series of song titles, finally stopping at "Always Quiet".

Perhaps only the restrained, quiet, and even slightly humble emotions in this song can adequately encapsulate her unspeakable feelings at this moment.

As the prelude began, Hu Lianxin took a deep breath, suppressing her chaotic thoughts.

When she opened her mouth, her clear voice, which carried a hint of story, immediately caught Li Ran's attention.

In stark contrast to Zhou Ye's "bold and unrestrained" singing style, Hu Lianxin's voice is delicate and nuanced, full of emotion yet restrained, with each note seemingly carrying a secret.

Li Ran looked at her with some surprise. She hadn't expected Xiao Hu to sing so well and to have such a good grasp of the emotions in the song.

When the classic chorus was sung, Hu Lianxin's gaze involuntarily drifted towards Li Ran, carrying a hint of pleading and confiding.

"My love for you has always been quiet, in exchange for the occasional care you give me."

Li Ran happened to be looking at her too, and their eyes met briefly in mid-air.

At that moment, Li Ran clearly understood some unspoken thoughts from the intense and suppressed emotions conveyed in her moist eyes and singing.

He paused for a moment, then understood, and looked away, but the feeling remained in his heart.

"It's supposed to be a movie for three people, but I never get a name."

Zhou Ye was completely immersed in her best friend's beautiful singing, swaying gently to the melody, humming softly, her face full of admiration.

They were completely unaware of the brief but subtle exchange of glances just now.

"My love for you has always been quiet; I was determined from the very beginning. I thought what I wanted was the past, but I've discovered that love must be reciprocated..."

As the last note faded, the private room fell silent for a moment.

Zhou Ye was the first to clap enthusiastically, exclaiming sincerely, "Wow! Xiao Hu, you sang so well! It was so moving!"

She chuckled, a hint of smugness in her voice, and added, "But, compared to me, a natural lark, you still lack that little bit of brilliance!"

After saying that, she playfully made a cute gesture that could break the defenses of some Korean men.

Hu Lianxin smiled, not arguing, but looking at Li Ran, she asked softly, "Brother Li Ran, what do you think of my singing?"

Li Ran looked at her, nodded, and said sincerely, "You sang very well. Not only was your technique good, but more importantly..."

"I can hear the genuine emotions in the singing."

Zhou Ye blinked in confusion, looking at Li Ran and then at Hu Lianxin: "Emotion? Isn't this song just a pretty sad tune? What special emotion is there? I just think the melody is nice, and Xiao Hu sings it well too."

Li Ran smiled without saying a word, offering no explanation.

Hu Lianxin then handed the microphone to him, saying, "Brother Li Ran, why don't you sing a song too? We can't just listen to us sing."

Li Ran thought for a moment, took the microphone, and requested the song "Want to Be Free".

His voice is decent, but his singing skills are clearly only at the average karaoke level. He occasionally goes off-key or loses his rhythm, but compared to Zhou Ye's "destructive" performance, it is still pleasant to listen to.

After the song ended, Zhou Ye and Hu Lianxin responded with extremely enthusiastic applause and cheers, as if he had just completed a performance worthy of a superstar.

"Li Ran's voice is so beautiful!"

"Ran Ge's singing is also quite captivating!"

The two women's enthusiastic support made Li Ran feel a little embarrassed, and he waved his hands repeatedly.

System, when will you be generous and give me a reward for my singing skills?

Dude, what if you have to sing on stage someday?

He didn't want to swallow a thousand needles like a liar!