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

Li Ran got up and went to the kitchen, and Li Xueqin followed, taking the initiative to help out.

Mao Buyi and Xiao Zhan stayed in the living room, teasing Yuanbao while chatting quietly about their recent situations.

Xiao stood in a private and safe setting and sincerely reflected on the events of the past few months.

He thanked his loyal fans and promised to repay their support with more solid works in the future, hoping to regain their recognition.

In the kitchen, Li Ran quickly tied on an apron.

He looked at Li Xueqin and said, "Sister, why don't you start steaming the rice?"

"Okay!" Li Xueqin replied and skillfully went to wash the rice.

Li Ran then began preparing the ingredients.

He first washed the fish head, cut it, and then placed it on top of shredded ginger and chopped chili peppers he had bought, before putting it into another steamer.

Next, I started processing the pork belly, preparing to make braised pork.

Next, prepare chopped green and red bell peppers, garlic cloves, and ginger slices, and marinate the beef slices...

His movements were methodical and orderly, clearly indicating he was not a novice.

Watching from the side, Li Xueqin couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Li Ran, your technique is amazing! I never knew you had this skill! I thought you professional players either ate takeout or ate in the cafeteria."

While quickly stir-frying the marinated beef in the wok, Li Ran explained with a smile, "Training used to be quite busy, and there were aunties cooking at the base."

"But if I get hungry on my days off or after training late at night, I'll sometimes make something to eat myself. Cooking isn't that hard. There are plenty of tutorials online now. Just follow them. Practice makes perfect."

She added in her mind that as long as you don't always try to "innovate" like Teacher Huang and come up with some weird combinations, making some home-style dishes is quite simple.

He paused, then joked, "Of course, that's assuming you're not the kind of kitchen disaster."

When the last plate of stir-fried pork with chili peppers was served, its enticing aroma drawing Xiao Zhan and Mao Buyi from the living room.

"Wow, it smells so good!" Xiao Zhan sniffed and exclaimed sincerely.

Mao Buyi nodded shyly, "It looks delicious."

The four of them carried several delicious-looking dishes to the dining table in the living room, set out the bowls and chopsticks, and sat together, immediately creating an atmosphere of eating and chatting.

"Wow! This fish head is so fresh, and the chopped chili peppers are just right!"

"The braised pork belly is fatty but not greasy, and melts in your mouth!"

"Stir-fried pork with chili peppers is so delicious with rice!"

"The stir-fried beef with yellow peppers is cooked to perfection!"

Praises were endless.

To be fair, Li Ran's cooking skills are only at a decent level of home-style cooking, far inferior to those of professional chefs.

However, his status as a world champion in esports makes his cooking skills a huge highlight and a charming contrast, definitely a plus.

Li Xueqin picked up a piece of braised pork, ate it with great satisfaction, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Li Ran, whoever becomes your girlfriend will be so happy! Handsome, good at games, and can cook—he's practically the ideal type!"

Upon hearing this, Li Ran paused with his chopsticks, as if only Coconut had eaten the few simple meals he had cooked.

Xiao Zhan, speaking from experience, half-jokingly and half-seriously reminded her: "Xueqin, don't go around stirring things up. Li Ran has just transitioned to a new career and is in the prime of his career. You have to be careful about dating and such."

His words were both a reminder to Li Ran and a message to the potential cameras and audience.

Li Ran readily agreed, saying, "I haven't thought about those things for now; let's focus on doing the work at hand first."

As a regular cast member on the show, Li Xueqin knows that she needs to explore topics that interest the audience to enhance the show's appeal.

Her eyes darted around, and she threw out another question: "By the way, Li Ran, you have a lot of female fans online, they all call you 'the number one handsome e-sports player'."

"Take this opportunity to chat with the audience: what are your criteria for choosing a partner? What type of girl do you like?"

Mao Buyi glanced at Li Ran with some concern and asked in a low voice, "This... can I tell you?"

Li Ran seemed quite composed. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Actually, I think the most important thing is the feeling. If the feeling is right, nothing else matters."

"Feel?"

Li Xueqin immediately grasped the key words and demonstrated her erudition and stand-up comedian qualities.

"If I remember correctly, Li Ran, you're an Aquarius, right? Aquarius men's criteria for choosing a partner... well, to put it bluntly, looks are a prerequisite. Only if someone is good-looking can you talk about feelings and soul. Right?"

Li Ran burst into laughter at her straightforward and accurate summary, and did not deny it: "Sister, your summary... hits the nail on the head! I'm speechless."

Li Xueqin sighed dejectedly, "Sigh! Looks like I have no chance! Aquarius men have too high a looks requirement."

After the joke, Mao Buyi also joined the conversation.

He recalled an old story and asked curiously, "Li Ran, I remember Mr. Long mentioning something before, saying that he initially wanted you to participate in 'The Coming One'? How come you ended up playing professionally?"

Li Ran laughed and shook his head: "How could I sing? Going up there would just be embarrassing. As for playing professionally... it's more out of passion!"

"Back then, I was ranked number one on the Korean server for a long time, so I was quite confident in my skills."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan also joined the conversation.

"The first time I noticed you was at the Bird's Nest in 17, when you lost and that shot of you looking back at the trophy."

"That scene of you crying really went viral back then! Even I, someone who doesn't follow esports, saw it. Was that your first time truly entering the public eye on a large scale?"

Li Ran nodded, his eyes filled with reminiscence: "Although we lost the game, which was a pity, that scene really made many people who didn't know anything about esports start to wonder what 'League of Legends' was and why these young people who play games have such strong feelings."

"In a sense, it has allowed more people to see the dedication and passion behind esports."

Mao Buyi added, "However, in terms of public influence and positive significance, I think your Asian Games victory was more impactful. That was a true honor recognized by mainstream sports and the government."

Li Ran agreed, saying, "The Asian Games gold medal is a symbol that proves that playing professionally and in e-sports can also bring glory to the country, and it is a respectable sporting spirit."

"This is of great significance to the entire industry and its practitioners."

Li Xueqin steered the conversation toward the more central point of contention: "Speaking of achievements, your championship win in 18 generated phenomenal buzz."

"But many people, especially your longtime fans, still feel very sorry and don't understand why you suddenly retired at your peak. How do you view this decision? Can you share your honest thoughts with everyone?"

Li Ran remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice lower than before: "The decision to retire is one that I have thought about for a long time."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Like I just said, I was originally a student at the Beijing Film Academy. I went to play professionally because of my dream about esports."

"In three years, I won two World Championships, one Asian Games, three LPL league championships, one Mid-Season Invitational championship... and also won a number of FMVP awards."

He recounted his honors in a calm tone, without boasting, as if stating a fact.

"Wow, so many!" Xiao Zhan couldn't help but exclaim. Although he knew Li Ran had good grades, the sheer number of names listed was still astonishing.

Li Ran smiled, a rare hint of youthful smugness in his expression: "That's right, those three years, I absolutely humiliated them."

Suddenly his expression became more serious, and he slowly said, "However, esports has never lacked geniuses, and among these geniuses, I may not be the most dazzling one."

Images of many competitors flashed through his mind; some have now become legends, while others are still striving for that goal.

Li Ran then changed the subject back to the topic of retirement.

"Esports is ultimately a young person's game; nobody knows how long they can maintain their peak performance."

"Moreover, LOL is a team game, and I was very lucky to meet four teammates who were perfectly compatible with me. We helped each other succeed."

"But even so, no one can guarantee that they will always win or always stay at the top."

His gaze swept over the three people listening attentively, and his tone became more candid: "Instead of waiting until one day, when you leave with regret and remorse because of a decline in performance or unsatisfactory results, it's better to take the initiative to end things on a relatively perfect note while you're still at your peak and still have the right to choose."

"That way, my fans will remember me more for the way I held the trophy, rather than for the dejection after a defeat."

He picked up his beer, took a sip, and continued, "Besides, for me personally, these three years as a professional player have been more like a wonderful chapter in my life story."

At this point, a complex admiration appeared in Li Ran's eyes: "Actually, I really admire Faker. His pure love for the game and his extreme focus are things I admire but may not be able to do completely."

"Perhaps I'm more like an ordinary person."

Mao Buyi asked softly, "Many people are comparing you to Faker these days, discussing who is the best player in the league. What do you think?"

Li Ran smiled, his gaze distant, as if piercing through time and space.

He recalled the future he knew, in which the legendary mid-laner, after years of silence, led T1 to a resurgence in 2022. Although they suffered a setback at one point, they ultimately achieved an unprecedented three-peat, forging a true "godlike" status.

"He is destined to be a legend in the history of League of Legends, and even a monument in the history of esports as a whole."

Li Ran's tone was full of respect, "Although SKT's glory is not what it used to be, I think... five years from now, time will give the answer, and it will prove to everyone what true legend and perseverance are."

There was a moment of silence at the dining table, with only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Li Ran concluded with a calm yet firm tone, offering a clear farewell to this topic and to his past professional career:

"Esports was one of the most important milestones in my life. Now, that chapter has turned, and 'Burn' is a thing of the past."

He raised his head, looking at the fixed camera lens, as if making a vow to his future self, his eyes sparkling with a new light:

"Now I am an actress, an artist, Li Ran."

"Stay tuned for what's to come."