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

After filming wrapped up for "So Cute Us".

Li Ran and Tian Xiwei spent another two days and three nights together at the hotel, until Tian had to rush to the filming location of her next web series, at which point they temporarily parted ways.

Li Ran also returned to his home in the capital.

He had some rare free time these past few days, so he stayed home and played video games.

The audition for "A Little Red Flower for You" is scheduled for next week, so there's still some time.

Meanwhile, the previously proposed variety show "Mao Xue Wang" is progressing rapidly. The production team has been assembled, the venue has been finalized, and the first episode will be recorded tomorrow.

That evening, Li Ran and Chen Duling finished a duo match and checked the time.

"Sister Dudu, I'm logging off now. I have a show to record tomorrow."

Chen Duling's somewhat aloof voice came through the earphones: "Okay! Then you should go and rest! We can play again next time."

"Okay, let's meet up sometime."

After exiting the game, Li Ran took a shower and went to bed early.

Although he proposed this new variety show and aimed for a lighthearted format, it is, after all, his own production, and he can't just focus on his two dark circles under his eyes.

The next morning, Li Ran drove himself to Wajijiwa's headquarters.

He pushed open the door to Long Danni's office with practiced ease, and was surprised to find that besides his aunt, there was another person inside: Xiao Zhan.

This top figure in the company, who had been silent for most of the year due to the incident at the beginning of the year, was now sitting on the sofa, talking quietly with Long Danni.

He looked a bit thinner, but seemed to be in better condition than outsiders had guessed, with a calm gaze.

Upon seeing Li Ran enter, Xiao Zhan immediately stood up, a gentle and polite smile on his face, and extended his hand: "Li Ran, hello. Congratulations on your successful transition and the wrap-up of your new film."

Li Ran shook hands with him politely: "Hello, Zhan Ge."

"I'll have to trouble you guys to guide me during today's recording, since I don't have much experience with variety shows."

As the two exchanged pleasantries, Long Danni's voice rang out, carrying her usual crisp and decisive tone: "Alright, we'll be working for the same company from now on, so there's plenty of time to get to know each other."

She looked at Xiao Zhan, her tone turning businesslike and admonishing, "Xiao Zhan, relax a bit today and do your best."

"As long as we reappear in the public eye and then have solid works to follow, the situation can gradually turn around."

Xiao Zhan's contract will not expire until 2026. As a top celebrity, he still has huge commercial value and a large fan base.

If the aftermath can be handled properly, it will still be of great benefit to the company.

Arranging for him to appear on "Mao Xuewang" is both a test of public opinion and a way to pave the way for his comeback.

When it comes to the company's artists, Long Danni maintains her consistent business-like approach, prioritizing profit above all else.

She then turned to Li Ran, her gaze more casual, but still full of advice: "As for you, I won't say much. Remember, this show is your idea, so do your best."

"Right now, what's most important to you is your movie audition next week, understand?"

Li Ran immediately stopped joking and nodded seriously: "Don't worry, Auntie, I know what I'm doing."

Long Danni briefly explained the precautions and procedures for recording the program before letting them set off.

"The recording location is an apartment I rented near the company, and it's already set up. Today is the first recording session, and we'll be editing the footage as soon as possible. It's expected to be exclusively released on Tencent Video next Monday."

The recording site of "Mao Xue Wang" was a high-end apartment.

The program's production philosophy is non-interventional, companion-style filming.

The apartment was filled with fixed camera positions, and there was no interference from the production crew or complicated game tasks throughout the entire process.

The core idea is to present the authentic interactions between the hosts, Mao Buyi and Li Xueqin, and the guests who visit each episode, like old friends, where they naturally get along, chat, eat, and daydream.

When Li Ran and Xiao Zhan arrived at the apartment building, Li Ran was carrying a rather large shopping bag filled with fresh ingredients.

Xiao Zhan looked at him with some surprise: "You bring your own ingredients to the show? Didn't the production team provide any?"

Li Ran smiled and explained, "It's a lifestyle variety show, so I think showing some life skills would make it more authentic."

"We have to eat anyway, and it feels better to cook for ourselves. Today, let Zhan Ge try my cooking, authentic Hunan cuisine. I don't know if you'll like it."

"You can cook?" Xiao Zhan was even more surprised. In his memory, Li Ran was an e-sports champion who had just entered the entertainment industry. He didn't expect her to have this skill.

"I know a little about my hometown cuisine, but my skills are limited," Li Ran said modestly.

As they talked, they arrived at the apartment door, and Xiao Zhan raised his hand and pressed the doorbell.

Soon, the door was opened, revealing Li Xueqin's signature "melancholy" face.

Her eyes lit up when she saw the two people outside the door. She quickly stepped aside and greeted them warmly but politely, "Welcome, welcome! Teacher Xiao Zhan! Teacher Li Ran! Please come in, please come in!"

"Hello Xueqin, please don't call me teacher, that's too polite." Xiao Zhan smiled and nodded, then stepped inside.

Li Ran followed suit, smiling, "Yes, just call me Li Ran. Sister Xueqin, sorry to bother you today."

"Oh dear, not at all, not at all, you're making an appearance!" Li Xueqin waved her hand with a smile, her gaze falling on the heavy bag in Li Ran's hand. "Wow, Li Ran, you brought something too? This is..."

"I had some ingredients, thinking I could cook for myself for lunch," Li Ran explained.

"Let me do it, let me do it!" Li Xueqin quickly stepped forward to take the bag. It was quite heavy. "Wow, it's quite complete! Come in and sit down."

At this moment, Mao Buyi also walked over from the living room.

He was dressed in simple loungewear, looking somewhat shy and introverted, but his smile was genuine. He first shook hands with Xiao Zhan: "Welcome, Teacher Xiao Zhan."

Then he turned to Li Ran. The two had met a few times at Wajiji before, so they weren't strangers. Mao Buyi gave Li Ran a light hug and said, "Li Ran, welcome to visit."

"Brother Mao Mao," Li Ran replied with a smile.

Li Xueqin carried the ingredients to the island in the open kitchen and put them on, then came back.

She and Mao Buyi, as the hosts, began to show their two guests around their meticulously decorated home.

The apartment is quite spacious, with a warm and simple decor and excellent natural light.

The living room is covered with a soft carpet, furnished with a comfortable sofa and beanbag chairs, and there are some books and records piled up next to the TV wall, with Mao Buyi's guitar in the corner.

The overall atmosphere does indeed feel like the home of an artsy young person.

Li Ran was soon drawn to a small nest in the corner of the living room, where a wrinkled pug was lying.

"This must be a gold ingot, right?" Li Ran squatted down, smiling as he held out his hand.

Yuanbao wasn't shy at all. It sniffed his fingers, then stuck out its tongue and licked them, and its tail began to wag slightly.

Li Ran gently scratched its chin and behind its ears, and Yuanbao immediately purred contentedly and rubbed against his palm.

"It seems Yuanbao really likes you," Mao Buyi said with a smile as he watched from the side.

Li Xueqin also came over and asked curiously, "Li Ran, do you really like puppies? You seem quite skilled at playing with them."

Li Ran continued stroking Yuanbao while nodding, "Yes, I like it."

"Back when we were at the IG base, the team had a Pomeranian mixed breed named Erniu. When we were tired from training, we would play with it, which was a great way to relieve stress."

Li Ran sighed, "I also want to have a pet, but I haven't decided what kind to get yet, and I'm also afraid that I'll be too busy with work to take good care of it."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan laughed and said, "I have a Munchkin cat named Nut, and it's very affectionate."

"If you don't mind the shedding and occasional aloofness, owning a cat is actually not bad. They are relatively independent and suitable for busy people."

"JianGuo? That's a cute name too," Li Ran said. "But I still prefer to have a dog, probably because I had experience with ErNiu before."

"But like you said, time is an issue."

Mao Buyi suggested, "Many pet shops now offer pet boarding services, which is quite convenient when you're busy with work or traveling. It just requires a bit more effort to choose a reliable one."

The three men squatted or stood by Yuanbao's little nest and chatted about pet ownership in a natural and relaxed atmosphere.

Li Xueqin glanced at the clock on the wall and realized it was almost noon.

She clapped her hands, reminding everyone, "Teachers, have we finished talking? Shouldn't we start thinking about people's livelihood issues?"

"What should we eat for lunch? Order takeout, or...?"

Xiao Zhan immediately looked at Li Ran, a mischievous yet expectant smile on his face: "Isn't the chef here with the ingredients? Li Ran, today we have to have a good taste of our 'Waji Prince's' cooking, so that I, as a 'veteran employee,' can also enjoy some perks."

After spending a short time together, Li Ran could tell that Xiao Zhan was actually very easy to get along with. There was no malice in his words; they were more like friendly banter to liven up the atmosphere.

He laughed and replied, "Absolutely! I'll make sure to serve our Wajijiwa's top male star well today, otherwise my aunt will cut my resources."

Xiao Zhan quickly waved his hand, smiling modestly, "Don't say that. You and Mao Mao are the company's 'top two' now, one a musical prodigy and the other a rising star. I'm just a washed-up old man."

When Mao Buyi was mentioned, he pushed up his glasses a little shyly, didn't reply, and just smiled bashfully.

Li Xueqin, who was listening nearby, suddenly slapped her forehead in realization: "Oh dear! What a forgetful me! I was so happy that I forgot the three of you work for the same company!"

"This lineup... Boss Long is really making a fortune quietly! He's gathered three top stars?"

Li Ran smiled and shook his head: "Sister Xueqin, don't flatter me to death. What kind of top star am I? I'm just a newcomer actor."