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

The following afternoon, Li Ran drove to the set of "All About My Mother".

It's an old neighborhood with red brick walls and plane trees, giving it a vintage feel.

The film crew set up a tent and cordoned off the area in the residential compound, and several staff members were smoking and chatting at the entrance.

Li Ran gave her name and was led inside by a staff member.

After passing through several narrow corridors, we arrived at a temporarily converted filming location.

Zhang Jingyi is filming.

Li Ran paused, noticing Director Qi standing beside him.

He certainly recognized Xu Yajun.

Qi Tongwei, the police chief in "In the Name of the People," is someone who evokes both hatred and pity.

He's a bit thinner in person than on camera, but his refined and composed demeanor remains unchanged.

Li Ran didn't disturb the filming, but instead walked over to Xu Yajun beside her.

He politely extended his hand: "Hello, Teacher Xu, I'm Li Ran. I really like your portrayal of Qi Tongwei."

Xu Yajun shook hands, glanced at him, and then smiled: "Hello Li Ran, I know you."

Li Ran was slightly taken aback.

Xu Yajun added with a smile, "A world champion, who doesn't know him?"

Li Ran smiled sheepishly.

Xu Yajun added, "There's been a lot of news lately, today it's..."

He glanced at Li Ran, then at Zhang Jingyi who was filming, a knowing smile in his eyes.

Li Ran said frankly, "I'm free today, so I came to visit Jingyi on set. I brought drinks and coffee, I'll be there in a bit, Teacher Xu, please have some too."

Xu Yajun smiled and nodded: "Thank you then, I'm just benefiting from Jingyi's help."

……

After the director yelled "Cut!", Zhang Jingyi walked over here.

Her face still had the lingering blush from the previous scene, but her eyes were bright as she looked at Li Ran and then at Xu Yajun, greeting him politely: "Hello, Teacher Xu, hello, Brother Li Ran."

Xu Yajun waved her hand: "Okay, you guys chat, I'll go prepare for the next one."

After he left, Li Ran looked at Zhang Jingyi seriously.

She did have some dark circles under her eyes, but her mental state was good, and her eyes were bright.

"Is filming tiring?" he asked.

Zhang Jingyi shook her head, a smile curving her lips. "It's alright. Don't you have anything planned for today? What made you decide to visit me on set?"

Li Ran looked at her, who was clearly happy but pretending to be calm, and couldn't help but smile: "Didn't I tell you last night? Did you receive the script?"

Zhang Jingyi nodded, her eyes filled with barely concealed joy: "I received it. My agent sent it to me this morning."

She paused, then softened her voice: "Thank you, Brother Li Ran."

Li Ran looked at her and said, "Why are you being so polite with me?"

He remembered the important matter: "When will this film wrap up?"

Zhang Jingyi thought for a moment and said, "October, I guess. I'll head to Qingdao the day after tomorrow to finish filming there."

Li Ran frowned: "That's a bit rushed. If you go straight into 'Lighter' after filming this, you won't have any rest time."

Zhang Jingyi smiled, a light but genuine smile: "It's alright."

She looked into his eyes and said softly, "Besides, I don't feel tired filming with you."

……

That evening, Li Ran took Zhang Jingyi out for dinner.

They chose a quiet, private restaurant, which was secluded and suitable for people like them who didn't want to be in the public eye.

Zhang Jingyi didn't eat much, but she seemed to be in a good mood and talked more than usual. She talked about interesting things on set, about how teachers Xu Yajun and Xu Fan taught her to act, and about how the director was strict but actually took good care of her.

Li Ran listened, occasionally responding with a few words and serving her food.

After dinner, he drove her back to her hotel.

Although Zhang Jingyi has an apartment in Beijing, she still stayed at a hotel arranged by the production crew for the convenience of filming.

The car was parked downstairs. She unbuckled her seatbelt but didn't get out immediately.

"Brother Li Ran," she suddenly said.

"Um?"

She looked at him, hesitant to speak.

After a while, he just smiled and said, "It's nothing. Drive carefully."

Li Ran looked at her, then suddenly reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

"Focus on filming," he said. "Don't overwork yourself."

Zhang Jingyi nodded, opened the car door, and got out.

After walking a few steps, she suddenly turned back and waved to him.

It was almost ten o'clock when Li Ran got home.

Li Ran pushed open the door, casually put down the flight case, and opened it.

Douzi poked its head out, sniffed around, and then happily ran out to explore this place that was both familiar and unfamiliar to it.

Then he noticed an extra pair of shoes in the entryway.

Women's shoes.

He looked up and saw a person lying on the sofa.

Wang Churan, wearing a loose white T-shirt, was curled up on the sofa looking at her phone. Hearing the noise, she looked up and raised an eyebrow at him.

Li Ran was taken aback: "When did you arrive? Why didn't you tell me?"

Wang Churan rolled his eyes: "A surprise inspection. Let's see which wife is with you."

She sat up, her gaze falling on Douzai on the floor: "You arrived this afternoon. Where were you? Why are you carrying Douzai?"

Li Ran walked over and sat down next to her: "I went to visit Jingyi on set. She's flying to Qingdao in a few days, I'll take care of the dog for a couple of days."

Upon hearing this, Wang Churan bent down, scooped up Douzai, and hugged him, rubbing him gently: "Come here, let Mommy hug you."

Douzi recognized her and didn't struggle. He nestled obediently in her arms and even stuck out his tongue to lick her.

Looking at this scene, Li Ran suddenly felt that the scene was somewhat familiar.

Ta Xue and Dou Zai both recognize her as their mother.

He snapped out of his thoughts and asked, "Haven't you been working lately?"

Wang Churan nodded: "No, what's wrong?"

Li Ran didn't say anything, stood up and went into the bedroom, picked up the thick script from the desk, and came out to hand it to her.

Wang Churan took it, and his eyes lit up when he saw the five characters "Snow Sword and Martial Arts" on the cover: "Hey! I've read the original novel!"

She opened the script, muttering to herself as she read, "You're playing Xu Fengnian?"

Then she looked up at Li Ran and smiled mischievously: "I have to say, you two are both big scumbags."

Li Ran gave her a speechless look. "I'm playing Xu Fengnian. Take a look at the role. Filming starts next spring."

He took Douzi from her arms and went to prepare food for it.

Fortunately, all of Ta Xue's original belongings were still there: dog food, treats, pee pads, and a little bed—everything was there.

Douzi followed at my feet, its little tail wagging happily.

After he poured the dog food, Douzai buried his head in eating. He walked back to the sofa and saw that Wang Churan had finished reading the script and was resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought.

"Have you thought it through?" He sat down next to her.

Wang Churan looked at him, her eyes sparkling: "How about I play Jiang Ni? Does your word carry weight?"

Li Ran looked at her, remained silent for two seconds, and then rolled her eyes in the same way she had just done.

Wang Churan immediately exclaimed, "You're copying me!"

Li Ran ignored her and continued, "Think about it, who is Jiang Ni? A princess of a fallen kingdom, aloof and cold, pitiful to behold. You..."

He looked her up and down, and before he finished speaking, his meaning was clear.

Wang Churan wasn't annoyed. Instead, he tilted his head and thought for a moment, pressing his tongue against his cheek. He looked rather adorable.

Li Ran looked at it and couldn't help but laugh.

"That's definitely not appropriate."

She readily admitted, "Then I'll play Nangong Pushe? The most beautiful woman in the world, and also your wife."

Li Ran thought for a moment and then carefully examined her.

Wang Churan has a striking and elegant beauty, with high brow bones, a straight nose, and a sharp jawline.

In terms of period costumes, she is indeed suitable for roles that are aloof and heroic.

"That works."

He nodded. "Your appearance is quite suitable for a Qingyi (a type of female role in Peking Opera). Besides, you look good in period costumes."

He paused, then added, "Actually, you would be quite good as Pei Nanwei too."

Wang Churan was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and grinned mischievously, "What? The kind where you have to lean against the wall to get out?"

Li Ran didn't respond, but just looked at her: "Nangong has a lot of action scenes, are you up to the task?"

Wang Churan put away her joke and thought about it seriously: "If it doesn't work, then we'll just practice! There are still a few months left, it should be fine."

In the previous version of "The Sword and the Brocade," all the fight scenes were in slow motion, which made it awkward to watch.

The director was actually a former cinematographer; the visuals were indeed beautiful, but the story was a complete mess.

Now that he's starring in this role, he definitely needs to avoid these problems.

The action scenes need to be real, the pacing needs to be tight, and the story needs to be coherent; we can't waste this big IP.

Although his own abilities are limited, he still has a father, doesn't he?

There was a reason why he was able to leave RNG unscathed back then.

Wang Churan blinked: "So what you said really works?"

Li Ran leaned back on the sofa, a slight smile playing on her lips: "What, you don't believe me? Just make sure you have the time."

Wang Churan stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"Okay, I trust you."

She sat back down, hugged the script to her lap, and began to read it intently, muttering to herself, "Nangong Pu She... the most beautiful woman in the world..."

"Tsk tsk, I'm definitely taking this role."

Li Ran couldn't help but smile when he saw her confident expression.

After finishing his dog food, Douzai ran over happily, jumped onto the sofa, squeezed between the two of them, and found a comfortable position to lie down.

Read Chapter 91, Wang Churan and Nangong Pushe, now! [Seeking first subscription]: Start your exciting day!