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

Chapter 211 Sold herself for two thousand yuan?

In the dressing room.

Li Ran leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let the makeup artist work on his face.

The hairstylist stood behind him, picked up a strand of hair with a comb, sprayed it with hairspray, set it, picked up another strand, sprayed it again, his movements as practiced as if he were working on an assembly line.

Lu Yuxiao sat on the chair next to her, legs crossed, holding a cup of milk tea in her hand, the straw flattened from her bite.

She chattered on and on, talking about everything from the steamed buns she ate this morning to the funny videos she saw yesterday, from the new milk tea shop that opened in Hengdian to how her dog has recently started grinding its teeth.

Her voice wasn't loud, but she spoke quickly, like a non-stop shredder, shredding everything indiscriminately and pouring it all out at once.

The makeup artist was amused by her several times.

The first time was because she said she almost fell off the wire when she played Xiao Yixian. Her expressions and tone were so vivid that the makeup artist's hand trembled and the eyeliner was drawn crooked.

The second time was because she imitated the way the director explained the scene, lowering her voice, frowning, and pointing at the script with her finger, acting like a complete drama queen.

The makeup artist tried to hold back, but the smile on her lips was impossible to hide.

Li Ran remained silent throughout.

His eyes were closed, his eyelashes casting faint shadows under his eyelids, and his expression was as calm as a stagnant pool.

His lips were slightly pursed, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or impatient.

Lu Yuxiao talked for a long time, but when she realized he hadn't replied to a single word, she couldn't help but stop and tilt her head to look at him.

"Why aren't you saying anything? I'll transfer the money to you later." Her tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction, as well as a touch of reproach that said, "Don't pretend with me."

Li Ran then spoke slowly, without even opening his eyes.

"Pay first, then receive the service; I'm afraid you'll back out of the deal."

Lu Yuxiao was taken aback for a moment, then pouted, "You really want money?"

"Otherwise what? You think I'm joking with you?" Li Ran finally opened his eyes, glanced at her, and a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

Lu Yuxiao's eyes darted around, then she lowered her head and muttered softly, "Then your top-tier status is too cheap, only two thousand for one night—"

Her voice wasn't loud, but the dressing room was so small that everyone could hear her clearly.

The makeup artist paused for a moment.

She looked up, glanced at Li Ran through the mirror, then at Lu Yuxiao, her expression incredibly subtle.

This sentence contains a lot of information.

Do top male celebrities these days earn two thousand a night?

She lowered her head and continued applying eyeliner, but she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.

Li Ran's face darkened, and he threatened, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Lu Yuxiao looked at him with a puzzled expression, her eyes filled with innocence.

"Didn't you say that?"

Li Ran sighed helplessly, "Just kidding."

Lu Yuxiao's expression changed from confusion to seriousness.

"No way, I'm serious." She said, taking out her phone, tapping a few times, then looking up at Li Ran, "I'll transfer the money to you right now."

Before Li Ran could react, her phone vibrated.

He picked it up and saw that it was a WeChat transfer of 2,000 yuan, with the note "overnight fee".

He was stunned for a moment, and was about to step back to explain when Lu Yuxiao quickly snatched his phone and tapped "Receive Payment".

"I've taken the money, no take-backs." She handed the phone back to him, stood up, straightened her skirt, and moved as quickly as if she were running away.

Li Ran looked at the "Payment received" notification on the screen and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"I'll return it to you—" he said, his voice carrying a hint of pleading.

"No way!" Lu Yuxiao had already reached the door, turned around, and made a face at him. "You've already taken the money, no refunds. You're mine tonight!"

After saying that, she opened the door and ran out.

The dressing room fell silent for a moment.

The makeup artist looked up at Li Ran in the mirror, smiled slightly, and continued applying eyeliner without saying a word.

The hairstylist also kept his head down, pretending not to hear anything, but the comb in his hand was noticeably slower than before.

Li Ran stared at the closed door, stunned for several seconds.

Then he looked down at the "Payment received" notification on his phone screen and sighed.

Two thousand dollars! He's only worth two thousand dollars.

He shook his head and turned his phone face down on the table. He closed his eyes and let the makeup artist work on his face.

The makeup artist chuckled softly, a gentle laugh tinged with good-natured teasing, and said slowly, "Teacher Lu is quite interesting."

Li Ran didn't reply, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up in a smile.

The little clay figure is still the same little clay figure.

After finishing the afternoon's filming, there were no scenes to film in the evening.

Inside the dressing room, Li Ran finished removing her makeup and looked at Lu Yuxiao standing at the door, leaning against the wall with a cup of milk tea in her hand.

When she saw him, her eyes lit up, and she asked eagerly, "Are you done?"

After the makeup artist and stylist left.

Li Ran glanced at her, stood up, and slowly said, "I'm going to change my clothes, aren't you going to leave?"

Lu Yuxiao smiled and remained standing at the door, showing no embarrassment whatsoever. "Go ahead and change!"

Li Ran looked helpless and warned, "Lulu Xiao."

Lu Yuxiao felt a little guilty under his gaze, but quickly regained her confidence.

"What? You think I'm peeking? I paid for this, what's wrong with taking a look?" She paused, then laughed to herself, "Alright, alright, I'll go out then."

As she spoke, she turned and walked out of the dressing room, closing the door behind her.

She stood at the door, leaning against the wall, her mind starting to plan where to eat later.

That old-established Zhejiang restaurant in Hengdian is pretty good. Li Yitong took her and Li Ran there last time. The food was very authentic and the environment was quiet.

Or that newly opened hot pot restaurant? She had seen a video of it; the broth was authentically Chongqing flavored and so spicy it brought tears to her eyes.

As she thought about it, the corners of her mouth curved up, and she began to look forward to the time she would have with Li Ran.

"Lu Yuxiao, why haven't you gone back yet?"

Tian Xiwei's voice came from the other end of the corridor.

She had already changed her clothes, wearing a light-colored casual outfit, with her hair down, and her face looking fresh and pretty even without makeup, after removing her makeup.

Lu Yuxiao was stunned for a moment, like a primary school student being called on by the teacher, and subconsciously straightened up.

"Ah! I'm waiting for you—Li Ran—" Her voice was halting, as if her tongue was tied in knots.

Tian Xiwei frowned, a hint of confusion in her large eyes. "Why are you waiting for him?"

"Li Ran—he promised me we'd go out to eat together—" Lu Yuxiao's voice grew softer and softer, as if she were talking to herself.

She kept her head down, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, like a little dog that had done something wrong, with its tail tucked between its legs and its ears drooping.

She knew Tian Xiwei's fighting prowess all too well.

Tian Xiwei was a little confused, and she reached out to push open the door to the dressing room.

Lu Yuxiao reacted swiftly, stepping forward to block the doorway, spreading her arms like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

"Li Ran is changing clothes—" Her voice rose half a tone, carrying an urgent "You can't go in" tone.

Tian Xiwei looked at her strangely.

What's wrong with changing clothes? It's not like she's never seen it before.

Her gaze lingered on Lu Yuxiao's face for a moment, then slowly moved away, a slight, enigmatic smile curving her lips.

After Lu Yuxiao finished speaking, she realized what she had said and her face turned red. Tian Xiwei was different from her; she was Li Ran's girlfriend.

What kind of behavior is it for her to block the doorway?

Just then, the door to the dressing room opened.

Li Ran came out after changing her clothes. She was wearing a simple T-shirt and casual pants, with a few strands of hair hanging down her forehead.

He paused slightly when he saw the two people at the door.

"What are you two doing?" he asked casually.

Tian Xiwei pouted, "Nothing, let's go back to the hotel————"

As she spoke, she reached out to pull Li Ran.

"No way!" Lu Yuxiao's voice exploded from the side like a firecracker, "Li Ran is mine tonight!"

She looked at Tian Xiwei, her eyes filled with stubbornness, a hint of resentment, and even a touch of grievance.

Why do you have to take Li Ran away as soon as you arrive? She already paid for it.

Tian Xiwei looked at Li Ran with a puzzled expression. "What's going on?"

Li Ran smiled faintly, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Just kidding."

Tian Xiwei turned her head and looked at Lu Yuxiao with a scrutinizing gaze. "How did he become yours?"

I'm his girlfriend.

Seeing that Tian Xiwei was about to get angry, Lu Yuxiao quickly explained, speaking at a speed like a machine gun.

"Sister Xiaotian, Li Ran took my money!" Her voice carried a hint of urgency, a hint of clarification that "you don't misunderstand," and a hint of self-righteousness that "I have evidence."

Tian Xiwei was stunned.

Li Ran took the money? What does that mean? Did Li Ran sell himself to her?

She turned her head and looked at Li Ran, her eyes carrying a commanding look that said, "You'd better explain yourself clearly."

"What do you mean?" Her voice wasn't loud, but it was already somewhat cold.

What kind of tricks is that stinky Li Ran up to now?

Before Li Ran could speak, Lu Yuxiao, as if afraid he would change his mind, quickly interjected, "Two thousand yuan a night, he's mine tonight!"

She spoke with such conviction, as if she were announcing an undeniable fact.

Tian Xiwei paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.

She laughed so hard she bent over, tears welling up in her eyes, leaving Lu Yuxiao completely bewildered.

"You, two thousand a night?" She looked at Li Ran, her big eyes filled with disbelief that "you're not kidding me," and a hint of teasing that "you're too cheap."

Li Ran laughed awkwardly, "Just kidding, we're just going to grab a bite to eat. Do you want to come along?"

Lu Yuxiao stubbornly raised her head and insisted, "No, you've already taken the two thousand yuan, so you can only stay with me tonight."

Her voice wasn't loud, but her tone was firm, as if she were defending her legitimate rights.

Tian Xiwei wasn't angry. She looked at Li Ran and nodded.

"Okay, where should we eat?"

Li Ran thought for a moment and said, "That restaurant that Sister Tong took us to last time was pretty good, shall we go there?"

He paused, then added, "I was just thinking about eating grilled fish too."

Upon hearing this, Tian Xiwei immediately pulled Li Ran towards the parking lot, her movements as natural as if she had done it countless times before.

Lu Yuxiao stood there, watching their backs as they walked away side by side, and pouted angrily.

"Li Ran, I'm your sugar daddy, why don't you even ask me?"

Her voice came from behind, accusingly: "You stinky Li Ran, is this your service attitude?"

Li Ran turned his head helplessly and looked at her.

Are you going or not?

"Go! Of course I'm going!" Lu Yuxiao followed angrily. "I paid for it!"

Tian Xiwei walked ahead, and when she heard the commotion behind her, the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

She didn't turn around, but slowed her pace so that Lu Yuxiao could keep up.

The three walked side by side on the streets of Hengdian at dusk. The setting sun cast long shadows of them, which overlapped and then separated on the concrete ground.

Lu Yuxiao walked on the other side of Li Ran, her puffed-up cheeks, but she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes. She secretly glanced at Li Ran, then quickly looked away.

Li Ran walked in the middle, with Tian Xiwei on his left and Lu Yuxiao on his right. He didn't speak, just walked quietly, feeling the cool evening breeze brushing past his ears.

Tian Xiwei suddenly spoke, her tone casual: "Lu Yuxiao, how old are you this year?"

Lu Yuxiao was taken aback, wondering why she suddenly asked this question.

"Twenty-two, what's wrong?"

Tian Xiwei smiled and said, "It's nothing, I just think you're quite young."

Lu Yuxiao was a little embarrassed by her tone, her face flushed slightly, but she still refused to back down.

"I'm not young anymore, I'll be twenty-three in a few days."

Tian Xiwei didn't reply, she just smiled.

She looked at Lu Yuxiao with an indescribable tenderness in her big eyes, as if she were looking at a disobedient but adorable younger sister.

She suddenly realized that if she and Li Ran had a daughter, she would probably be like Lu Yuxiao—stubborn, argumentative, easily angered, but kind-hearted, and carefree when she laughed.

The three of them walked to the parking lot. Li Ran opened the driver's side door, Tian Xiwei got into the passenger seat, and Lu Yuxiao hesitated for a moment before opening the back door.

The car started, drove out of the parking lot, and merged into the evening traffic in Hengdian. The street scene outside the window rushed past, and neon lights lit up one by one, illuminating the small city.

Lu Yuxiao leaned against the car window, watching the scenery flash by outside, and suddenly felt a little dazed.

She spent two thousand yuan to buy Li Ran for one night.

And what happened? He brought his girlfriend along, and she had to sit in the back seat.

The service was really not good.

No, I have to call 12315 tonight to complain about Li Ran operating without a license and deceiving consumers.

The three arrived at the restaurant and went into a private room.

The waiter handed over the menu, which Li Ran took, flipped through a couple of pages, ordered a grilled fish, and then pushed the menu in front of Tian Xiwei.

"Whatever you want to eat, just order it yourself," he said casually.

Just as Tian Xiwei picked up the menu, before she could even open it, a very soft cough came from beside her.

Lu Yuxiao covered her mouth with the back of her hand, but her eyes were fixed on Li Ran.

The cough was short and deliberate, as if it were a reminder of something.

Li Ran didn't react and looked down at her phone.

Lu Yuxiao coughed again, this time much louder, almost as if she were speaking with her throat, with a persistent "did you hear me?" attitude.

Li Ran looked up at her, his brows furrowing slightly. "No, is your throat sore? Then don't cough right in front of me, what if you infect me?"

Lu Yuxiao gave a soft hum, looking a little aggrieved, and said, "Li Ran, I'm not happy."

She paused, as if organizing her thoughts or trying to bolster her courage, and said, "Your service is poor. I'm going to file a complaint against you."

She raised her chin slightly as she said this.

Li Ran couldn't help but laugh when he saw her feigned seriousness.

"Shall I refund your money?"

Lu Yuxiao was stunned for a moment, her mouth slightly open, as if she hadn't expected him to answer like that.

She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but swallowed it back. In the end, she just glared at him, her eyes saying, "You dare?"

Tian Xiwei watched the two of them talking back and forth, and finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Alright, stop teasing her."

She handed the menu to Lu Yuxiao.

"What do you want to eat? You order." Her tone was gentle, as if she were coaxing a sulking child.

Lu Yuxiao took the menu, her expression instantly changing from aggrieved to happy. "Thank you, Sister Xiaotian."

Li Ran glanced at Tian Xiwei with some surprise, and Tian Xiwei glared back at him.