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

the next morning.

Li Ran drove to the audition location from last time.

He pushed open the conference room door, and there were already people inside.

Director Han Yan was sitting in the main seat, quietly drinking tea.

At the long table by the window, teachers Zhu Yuan and Xin Baiqing sat side by side, looking down at the script in their hands.

Li Ran quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said in a humble tone, "Good morning, Director Han, and good morning, both teachers."

When Han Yan saw him come in, she smiled and said, "Li Ran is here, please have a seat!"

Li Ran sat down and introduced himself to the two teachers: "Hello, Teacher Zhu, hello, Teacher Xin. I am Li Ran, and I play Wei Yihang, the son of the two teachers in the play."

Zhu Yuan looked him over gently, then smiled and said, "Oh, don't be so polite."

"I watched the audition footage, and you acted exceptionally well. This role is difficult to portray, but your performance was spot on."

As she spoke, she even put down the script and gestured seriously, "It's that feeling of lowering your head, pulling your shoulders in, wanting to speak but holding back, it's so accurate."

Li Ran was a little embarrassed by the praise, and replied with a smile, "Teacher Zhu Yuan, you flatter me. I still have a lot to learn."

As the group chatted, the meeting room door was pushed open again.

Xia Yu strode in, wearing a faded denim jacket with the hood upside down, and carrying a cup of Americano.

He glanced around, then waved to Xin Baiqing and Zhu Yuan, saying, "Good morning, brother and sister!"

Then he looked at Li Ran, walked closer, extended his hand, and smiled, revealing a set of white teeth: "Li Ran, I've seen the footage of you receiving the award. Young man, you are indeed full of vigor and spirit."

Li Ran clasped his hands together and bowed slightly: "Hello, Teacher Xia Yu, Venice Film Festival Best Actor. I'm finally meeting you in person today."

"Ouch!" Xia Yu exclaimed, clutching his chest dramatically. "Hearing that made my blood pressure rise."

"Don't call me teacher, just call me Brother Yu. You'll be my son-in-law in this drama from now on."

No sooner had he finished speaking than another round head peeked in through the doorway.

Yue Yunpeng walked in with small, quick steps, a simple and honest smile on his face.

As soon as he entered, he looked around, and his gaze settled on Li Ran. He immediately waved and said, "Hey! Li Ran! We meet again!"

Li Ran smiled and stepped forward to shake his hand: "Brother Yue, you're here too."

"you do not say."

Yue Yunpeng lowered his voice, but everyone in the room could hear him. "The director asked me to play a patient. I asked if I could do it. Director Han said I could, and that I should play the one who cries all the time."

"I said I know how, no need to act!"

Everyone else in the room laughed.

Before the laughter had even subsided, the door was pushed open again.

Liu Haocun stood at the door, holding Taxue in his arms, slightly out of breath.

The black and silver puppy in her arms was looking around curiously, and when it saw Li Ran, its little tail wagged like a propeller.

Ta Xue struggled forward, its four little white paws scrambling in the air, making urgent whimpering sounds.

Liu Haocun was thrown off balance by its struggle and quickly bent down to put it on the ground.

The little guy landed on all fours and immediately, like a little cannonball, waddled across the entire conference room, heading straight for Li Ran's feet.

It circled around Li Ran's trouser leg twice, raised its head, and let out a pitiful, coquettish whimper.

It's as if it's accusing you: Where were you yesterday!

Li Ran bent down and scooped it into his arms.

Ta Xue immediately buried her head in his arms, but her tail was still wagging outside.

Liu Haocun stood there, watching this scene, a smirk playing on his lips, his tone laced with sarcasm: "It's still closer to you. All those treats you fed it last night were for nothing, you little white-eyed dog."

Li Ran didn't look up, but gently scratched Ta Xue's chin, a barely perceptible smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Yue Yunpeng's gaze swept back and forth between the two men twice before he suddenly spoke.

"Hey, isn't that Li Ran's dog? I remember it was trending on Weibo, right? Ta Xue?"

He paused, his gaze falling on Liu Haocun with curiosity, "Haocun, how come you brought him here?"

After he finished speaking, the conference room fell silent for a moment.

Several pairs of eyes, some curious and some gossipy, all fell on Liu Haocun.

Liu Haocun stood there, meeting all those gazes, his face showing no sign of panic.

She even smiled and said frankly, "Oh, I went to Li Ran's house yesterday to see Ta Xue. I liked it so much that I played with it all night."

She spoke frankly, not taking going to Li Ran's house seriously at all.

Xia Yu was the first to react. He leaned back and said with a playful tone, "Wait, the movie hasn't even started filming yet, and you've already kidnapped my precious daughter?"

The crowd laughed.

Liu Haocun tilted his head, his eyes crinkling with laughter, neither admitting nor denying it.

"Teacher Xia, we can only do it after filming is finished."

Director Han Yan, who had been watching with a smile, finally spoke, her voice gentle.

"It seems our male and female leads have a good relationship off-screen, which is a good thing. A good atmosphere on set is essential for producing good work."

He paused, and seeing that everyone had arrived, said softly, "Alright, everyone, please sit down. Today's reading session isn't about rushing; there's only one thing: everyone will share their understanding of their role. Let's start with Wei Yihang."

He looked at Li Ran.

Li Ran gently placed Taxue on the chair next to him.

The little guy was very well-behaved and didn't make a fuss. He just obediently lay down, rested his chin on his two front paws, and quietly looked at him with his black bean-like eyes.

Li Ran opened the script and the character biographies she had written.

He spoke calmly, "Wei Yihang is someone who could shut down at any time. Brain cancer surgery removed his tumor, but it didn't remove his awareness of death."

"He knows he's different from others. Others can plan for the long term, but he can only plan for next week's check-up."

"So he used 'mourning' as armor."

Li Ran paused, then lightly traced a circled line of text on the notebook with his finger.

"He was unwilling to socialize and avoid contact with anyone. This wasn't because he didn't want to; quite the opposite, he desperately wanted to."

"But he dares not..."

After Li Ran finished speaking, he raised his eyes.

Director Han Yan was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Understood, very good."

The words were brief, but they carried more weight than any praise.

He turned to Liu Haocun: "Haocun, tell me about Ma Xiaoyuan."

Liu Haocun nodded.

……

The script readings lasted for three days.

After three days, the lead actors had become familiar with each other and successfully read through the script once.

The relationship between Li Ran and Liu Haocun is gradually getting closer, and he has gotten used to seeing her at his home.

July 8th, the day after the script reading ended.

Liu Haocun lay on the sofa, occupying the most comfortable position, as relaxed as if he were at home.

Today she wore two loose braids that hung down to her shoulders, with red ribbons tied at the ends, which swayed as she teased Ta Xue.

Ta Xue lay on her belly, her four little white paws spread out comfortably, her eyes half-closed, enjoying her gentle stroking.

Li Ran had just finished playing two games and came out of the study to get a drink when he saw this scene and paused in his tracks.

"You really think this place is your home?"

Liu Haocun continued rubbing Taxue's belly, saying casually, "Didn't you tell me I could come whenever I wanted?"

She raised her eyes, glanced at him sideways, and smiled mischievously: "What, not giving your older sister any face?"

Li Ran approached and looked down at her.

She looked up at him, her eyes crinkling, hiding a hint of provocation, a touch of coquetry, and something else entirely.

He suddenly reached out his hand.

Pinch the end of one of the braids with your fingertips and gently lift it upwards.

"oops!"

Liu Haocun exclaimed in surprise.

Her doe eyes widened, and she said in a wronged voice, "Li Ran, what are you doing?"

Li Ran didn't let go, and said slowly, "Of course I'm giving you face, sister."

Liu Haocun stared at him, his cheeks puffing out slightly.

"I'm giving you face, and you pull my braid?"

Li Ran laughed out loud, "Sister, I think I'm older than you, right?"

Liu Haocun blinked.

Those round, doe-like eyes instantly filled with glistening tears.

Her voice was soft and sweet: "Then...brother, can you let go? You're hurting me."

Li Ran looked down at her.

They really know how to act; they didn't even put in any effort.

Ta Xue squatted by the sofa, tilting her little head up, her black bean-like eyes darting back and forth between the two of them.

It couldn't understand human tricks, but it keenly sensed that something was wrong.

Its two favorite humans are confronting each other in a way it cannot understand.

Who should it help? Liu Haocun bought it snacks, but Li Ran took it home.

This dog's life has never been so difficult.

It was so anxious that it turned around twice in place, its little paws pattering on the floor.

Finally, driven by some primal instinct, it ran to Liu Haocun's feet and let out a low growl at Li Ran that had no power whatsoever.

"Woof!"

Li Ran remained silent for three seconds.

"What a dog," he said.

Liu Haocun was laughing so hard he was slumped on the sofa. He scooped Taxue into his arms and vigorously ruffled its fluffy head: "Yes! Bite him! Bite this bad guy! Let him bully Mommy!"

Li Ran raised an eyebrow. Mother?

Liu Haocun lifted Ta Xue up, making it face him, and hid behind Ta Xue's fluffy back, only revealing his two smiling eyes.

"Look, even Ta Xue is more sensible than you."

Li Ran didn't say anything.

He simply leaned down and got a little closer.

He was so close he could see the curve of her eyelashes, so close he could see the fluffy tail of her snow-white hair brush against his chin.

Liu Haocun's laughter stopped abruptly.

She didn't dodge.

She just looked up at him, her eyes fixed on him without blinking.

Her eyelashes trembled.

Then, very slowly, she closed her eyes.

Li Ran looked at the face so close to his.

He just needs to move forward one inch.

"Ding-dong—"