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

Li Ran packed his things and walked out of the hotel. The morning air was cool.

He looked up and his gaze quickly settled on the bright white SUV in the corner of the parking lot—the one Zhou Ye had rented the day before yesterday.

The passenger window was down, and Zhou Ye had one hand loosely resting on the steering wheel while waving the other hand at him forcefully.

"Li Ran! Over here!" Her voice was as clear as the morning light, and a smile radiated from the corners of her eyes and brows.

"Quick, get in the passenger seat, I'll take you for a ride!"

Li Ran couldn't help but smile.

Zhou Ye is always like this, like a happy little dog who is always smiling, making the surrounding air lively as well.

He quickened his pace and walked over.

Hu Lianxin, sitting in the back seat, leaned forward slightly, a shallow dimple appearing on her lips: "Brother Li Ran, are you all packed?"

"Okay, all done." Li Ran opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat. A light, sweet citrus scent wafted in, mixed with the aroma of the leather seats inside the car.

"Hold on tight!"

Zhou Ye snapped his fingers lightly, then gently pressed the accelerator, and the SUV smoothly glided out of the parking space, merging into the sparse traffic of the early morning.

She glanced at Li Ran sideways, her eyes sparkling. "Let's go straight to the inn near the hot spring. The navigation says it takes about forty minutes. When we get there, we can have a leisurely breakfast and then soak in the hot spring."

"Sure," Li Ran replied, turning to look at her with a broad smile.

When we arrived at the caravan inn, the morning mist had already dissipated, the damp bluestone path shimmered, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and vegetation.

The three followed the innkeeper up to the second floor. The room they had booked was simple and clean, and when they opened the wooden window, they could see the layered mountain shadows and the flowing mist.

After a short rest, the three went to a restaurant and ordered the local specialty, ear noodles.

The noodles were served steaming hot, soaked in a rich bone broth, topped with golden pig's ear, bright green cilantro, and bright red chili peppers.

Li Ran took a bite first, and the chewy noodles soaked in hot soup went down her throat. "It's pretty good."

Hu Lianxin took a sip of the noodle soup, her eyes sparkling, and couldn't help but exclaim, "It's so delicious!"

"Isn't it delicious! I specifically looked up this hidden gem of a restaurant online. After eating, you can go soak in the hot springs, and in the evening you can stroll around the nearby ancient town." Zhou Ye smiled broadly, looking at Li Ran and waiting for praise.

Li Ran looked at her with the expression of a well-behaved puppy waiting to be petted, his eyes full of doting affection.

"Yeah, Coconut, you're so capable. Whoever marries you will be blessed for life."

"Right! In the end, who knows which bad guy got the benefit?" She glanced at Li Ran, but seemed to enjoy his praise.

Xiao Hu ate his noodles quietly beside him, his expression unreadable.

After finishing their meal, the three of them went back to their rooms to change their clothes.

Li Ran did not wait for the two women. He walked alone along the bluestone path towards the hot spring area. Morning dew clung to the branches of the short pine trees, and the air was moist.

He slowly immersed himself in the pool, the water reaching his waist, the warmth seeping into his skin. Leaning against the stone by the pool, he looked up and saw the branches of camphor and sycamore trees intertwined overhead, wildflowers quietly blooming among the cracks in the rocks, and a gentle breeze carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees and a faint smell of sulfur, peaceful and serene.

Soon, Li Ran heard light footsteps. He looked up and saw Zhou Ye and Hu Lianxin walking in hand in hand.

Looking at Zhou Ye's figure in her light blue one-piece swimsuit, it was still just as unremarkable. Hu Lianxin was slightly better, but not by much.

Li Ran thought that there weren't many good actresses among the post-95 generation, and Zhang Jingyi was no exception. Suddenly, he remembered that girl with a contrasting sweetness, and it seemed that she was the only one who was decent.

Zhou Ye walked into the hot spring and came to Li Ran's side with a lively smile on his face. "Why didn't you say you'd wait for us?"

Hu Lianxin's face was flushed, and her eyes were somewhat evasive. She carefully sat down not far from the two of them without saying a word.

The three of them were soaking in the same hot spring, and the atmosphere was a little awkward. Li Ran and Zhou Ye were alright, but Xiao Hu looked a little embarrassed.

Although neither of them said it outright, Hu Lianxin sensed that their relationship couldn't be as simple as just being friends.

"It's not far, so I came by myself," Li Ran explained, glancing at Hu Lianxin and understanding her expression.

"The water temperature is alright! Xiao Hu, why do you look like you're already cooked?"

"Oh, no!" She hurriedly touched her cheek; it was indeed a little hot. "Maybe I'm just not heat-tolerant."

"Li Ran, how's the matter I asked you to ask going? Can Xiao Hu sign with Wajijiwa? If not, I'll recommend her to Sister Bing." Zhou Ye noticed the atmosphere was a bit awkward and got down to business.

Hearing her words, Li Ran became serious and nodded, "Well, Xiao Hu, if you want to sign with Wajijiwa, come back to Beijing with me this time, and we'll discuss it in detail then."

Xiao Hu exclaimed with delight, "Really? Thank you so much, Brother Li Ran!"

Upon hearing this good news, she was no longer embarrassed and became as lively as before.

After soaking for about half an hour, Li Ran slowly stood up. "That's enough. Let's go back. If we soak any longer, we'll get swollen."

Zhou Ye smiled and nodded, then stood up as well.

Hu Lianxin watched as Li Ran stood up, revealing his upper body to the air. She was surprised that he looked so thin, yet had such a great physique, with clearly defined six-pack abs. Before she knew it, her cheeks flushed a light pink.

She stood up somewhat flusteredly and slowly followed behind the two of them.

After returning to the inn, Li Ran took a quick shower in his room, and the two women also went back to their own rooms to rest.

He changed into loose, soft loungewear, lay back on the bed, and gently swiped his fingertips across the screen of his phone, starting to watch videos, as if trying to temporarily shut out the noise of the outside world in this moment of tranquility.

After an unknown amount of time, a soft knock came at the door. The sound was not loud, but Li Ran still heard it. He slowly got up and went to open the door.

He was slightly surprised to find that it wasn't his girlfriend Zhou Ye, but Hu Lianxin, when he opened the door. However, he still opened the door and let Hu Lianxin in.

As she walked into the room, he stood there quietly, his fingers twirling back and forth, looking very nervous.

Li Ran smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Sit down! Is there something you need?"

Hu Lianxin slowly sat down next to Li Ran, but still didn't say anything, keeping her head down and not daring to look at him.

Li Ran was also a little confused. Why did she sit down next to her? Hadn't she made herself clear? There was a chair right next to her.

"Where's the coconut? Why are you all alone?"

Hearing Zhou Ye's name, Hu Lianxin slowly raised her head, her cheeks flushed, "Coconut is asleep."

After she finished speaking, she stared straight at Li Ran, as if she had something to say, but remained silent for a long time.

Li Ran was even more puzzled when he saw her like this. In fact, he had sensed Hu Lianxin's affection for him, but she should also be aware of his relationship with Zhou Ye.

It's a bit too bold of them to suddenly come looking for me now, yet they're being so hesitant and coy, making it seem like they're being forced.

Hu Lianxin seemed to have made up her mind. She stared into Li Ran's eyes and slowly spoke.

"Thank you, Li Ran."

After saying that, she hugged him, brought her face close, and gently kissed him.