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

After finishing another match, Li Ran checked the time in the lower right corner of his computer screen.

"Alright, that's enough for today! It's getting late," he said into the microphone.

"No, Burning God, let's play a couple more rounds! I haven't had enough of lying down yet!" Luo Yunxi said, still wanting more.

"Let's meet up next time, Xiao Kai, Lao Luo, I'm logging off now," Li Ran said with a smile.

"Okay, Ran-ge, see you next time!"

"Goodbye, God of Fire! Goodbye, two beauties!"

Exiting the game and closing the voice chat software, the private room suddenly fell silent.

Li Ran stretched his stiff shoulders and wrists, then looked at the two girls beside him and said, "How was it? Had fun? Are you hungry? Shall we go eat now?"

Chen Duling wiggled her fingers, a satisfied smile on her face: "Happy! Playing games with you guys is so comfortable, I don't have to use my brain, I can just follow along and win! I'm actually a little hungry."

Zhang Jingyi nodded, turned to look at Li Ran, and said in a relaxed tone, "Yes, I am a little hungry."

Li Ran put on her mask, stood up, and said, "Let's go! It's on me today."

……

Two days later, Li Ran arrived at the location of the reshooting crew for "So Cute Us".

Since the original drama has already been filmed, this reshoot mainly focuses on the scenes of Tan Song, played by Li Ran. Other actors only need to come and film their scenes with him according to the schedule.

Naturally, Tian Xiwei, who was the female lead and had the most interactions with Tan Song, joined the crew with Li Ran, starting this intensive "two-person world" filming period.

On the evening of Li Ran's arrival, director Mao Deshu hosted a banquet at a local private restaurant to welcome her. The private room was elegant, and Tian Xiwei, as the female lead and matchmaker, accompanied her.

As soon as several exquisite cold dishes were served, Director Mao Deshu personally poured Li Ran a glass of baijiu.

He raised his glass, his face filled with heartfelt gratitude, and said sincerely, "Li Ran, this first toast must be to you."

"Honestly, if it weren't for you and Wajiji being willing to take over and make up the investment in time, my show... would probably have really fallen through, and all the hard work everyone put in would have gone down the drain. I will remember this kindness."

After saying that, without waiting for Li Ran's response, he tilted his head back and drank the spicy liquor in his glass in one gulp.

Immediately afterwards, he went to get the bottle to pour a second glass, his movements carrying an excited sense of relief.

Seeing this, Li Ran quickly reached out to stop him, saying, "Director Cat, you're too kind! You're too kind. I should be thanking you and the crew for giving me this opportunity to play the role of 'Tan Song'."

"I genuinely love this book, and I love the story of Song."

He also picked up his own glass, ready to offer a toast as a sign of respect.

However, as soon as the glass left the table, a hand reached out from the side, moving quickly and steadily, and "snatched" the glass from his fingers without any doubt.

Tian Xiwei held Li Ran's wine glass, smiled at Director Mao Deshu, and said in a clear voice, "Director, Li Ran is allergic to alcohol. He has a special constitution; even a little bit will require him to go to the hospital. I'm not being polite. This glass is for you on his behalf."

She spoke eloquently and acted even more swiftly, giving Li Ran and the director no time to react. With a flick of her wrist, she downed her glass of wine. The spicy liquid made her furrow her brow slightly, but her smile remained unchanged.

Li Ran was about to say, "Actually, it's okay to drink a little."

Tian Xiwei gently pressed her free hand under the table against his thigh, giving it a warning squeeze. At the same time, she turned her head and said quickly in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Don't be a hero. Have you forgotten how terrible it was last time?"

After saying that, she turned to the director, poured herself another glass, and said, "Director Cat, here, this glass is for you. I wish us a smooth reshoot and a huge hit series!"

Director Mao Deshu suddenly realized and quickly waved his hand, "Oh dear, Li Ran, you should have said you couldn't drink earlier! We can just have soft drinks, or tea! Today is just a small gathering, welcome to the crew, there are no big rules."

He looked at Tian Xiwei, "Xiao Tian, ​​slow down too, just get the gist of it."

Looking at Tian Xiwei's protective silhouette standing in front of him, Li Ran felt a complex mix of warmth and helplessness.

He opened his mouth, but Tian Xiwei seemed to have anticipated what he wanted to say. She quickly raised her other hand and covered his mouth, her action natural yet slightly coquettish.

Tian Xiwei smiled at the director and said, "It's alright, director. I can hold my liquor pretty well. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll have a drink with you. As for him..."

She released her hand from Li Ran's, then gently patted his shoulder, teasingly saying, "Those who can't drink should just drink juice and sit at the kids' table~"

Director Mao Deshu chuckled, and the atmosphere immediately lightened considerably: "Alright, alright, Li Ran, then help yourself, drinks are all you can eat."

"Xiaotian, let's eat in moderation, in moderation."

Li Ran saw Tian Xiwei raise an eyebrow at him with a slightly smug look in her eyes, and knew that she was determined not to let him touch alcohol.

He smiled helplessly, finally nodded, and obediently picked up the freshly squeezed juice next to him.

He knew in his heart that this body was indeed unusually sensitive to alcohol; calling it an "allergy" wouldn't be an exaggeration. It was some unknown aftereffect of merging the memories and physiques of two worlds.

The ensuing dinner took place amidst toasts and drinks between Director Mao and Tian Xiwei, accompanied by Li Ran serving juice instead of alcohol.

Although Tian Xiwei said she could hold her liquor, after two drinks, her cheeks gradually flushed, her eyes became brighter, she talked more than usual, and her laughter was crisp.

When the dinner party ended, Director Mao Deshu was still relatively sober, but Tian Xiwei was already unsteady on her feet and needed someone to help her.

Li Ran naturally took on this responsibility. He firmly put his arm around Tian Xiwei's shoulder and said to Director Mao, "Director, I'll take Xiao Tian back to her hotel to rest first. You..."

"It's alright, it's alright!" Director Maodeshu quickly waved his hand, a knowing and kind smile on his face.

"My assistant will be here soon. You guys go first. Take good care of Xiaotian."

As the director, he could easily see Tian Xiwei's unusual protectiveness towards Li Ran, and he vaguely knew that Li Ran's investment was the key to the show's revival, and Tian Xiwei was probably the key to that key.

Li Ran helped Tian Xiwei into her assistant's car.

On the way, Tian Xiwei was unusually quiet, unlike some people who get drunk and make a fuss. She simply rested her head on Li Ran's shoulder, closed her eyes, and her long eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyelids. Her breath carried a faint smell of alcohol and her own sweet fragrance.

Li Ran glanced down at her. Her rosy cheeks were less flamboyant than usual, and more docile, which made him feel soft and amused. Was she already drunk?

Upon arriving at the hotel, Li Ran half-carried and half-helped Tian Xiwei back to her room.

They carefully placed her on the bed. She whimpered and adjusted herself to a comfortable position, but still didn't open her eyes.

Li Ran stood by the bed, looking at her drunken state, and shook his head helplessly.

He bent down and gently took off her shoes, revealing a pair of fair feet. He then pulled the blanket over her shoulders.

Looking at her still tightly closed eyes, Li Ran shook his head, smiled, and turned to leave.

Just as he was about to leave the room, he heard a rustling sound from the bed behind him, followed by Tian Xiwei's voice, which was thick with a nasal tone but unusually clear.

"Li Ran, where are you going?"

Li Ran paused, turning back to look at her as if it were expected.

Tian Xiwei had opened her eyes at some point and was lying on her side on the bed, propping her head up with one hand. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were glazed yet determined as she looked at him.

Her large eyes seemed to be veiled with moisture, losing their usual sharpness and gaining a rare softness and dependence, along with a hint of something barely perceptible...

disturbed?