My Wife is a Big Star

Chapter 5 - I Have No Intentions Toward Sister Zhizhi

What Chen Ran said was heartfelt and sincere; he had only just transmigrated and hadn't even fully adapted yet, so how could he be thinking about marriage?

Moreover, the impression Zhang Fanzhi had left on him wasn't great—her temper was too explosive—and he truly hadn't considered having anything happen between them.

Therefore, when Chen Ran left, he didn't dawdle and simply turned to exit the residential compound.

Zhang Fanzhi watched him from behind and was actually stunned for a moment before pressing the elevator button to go upstairs.

When the Zhang couple saw their daughter return, there was another round of interrogation, as they wanted to know what her impression of Chen Ran was.

“Just so-so.” These were the only words Zhang Fanzhi would offer, no matter how they asked.

For a first meeting, how much of an impression could there be?

Chen Ran’s performance in front of her suggested he was either a person of strong principles or a hypocritical one.

Of course, regardless of which it was, there wouldn't be any story between them; at most, they might have some contact because of her father.

Nothing more than that.

……

A few days passed.

The program prepared by the column crew Chen Ran belonged to was broadcast.

As a program focusing on humanistic care within the province, the preparations were troublesome, but when it actually came time to broadcast, things were instead relaxed.

After work, Chen Ran stretched lazily.

Just as he was preparing to leave, he was caught by Director Zhang.

“Uncle Zhang, you gave me a start.”

Director Zhang let out a “hei” and said, “Why has a kid like you been avoiding me these past few days?”

“Avoid you? Uncle Zhang, do I look like that kind of person to you?” Chen Ran certainly wouldn't admit it.

“You're nowhere to be found as soon as noon hits, always saying you’re eating out with colleagues—if you’re not avoiding me, then what are you doing?” Director Zhang said,

“Alright, alright, your uncle is generous and won't press you on that. I just want to ask how your chatting with Zhizhi has been going lately.”

Chen Ran thought to himself, This is exactly what I was afraid you’d ask.

He hadn't touched Zhang Fanzhi’s WeChat since adding it. Chatting? Where would he even find a topic?

He stammered, “It’s... going alright, I guess.”

He would stall for now, and after some time had passed, he could just say they weren't a good match.

Director Zhang shook his head.

“You can't be so rigid. Since the chatting is going okay, you should ask Zhizhi out to have some fun. You're in your twenties; do you not even know how to make a girl happy?”

Chen Ran wanted to complain; what kind of situation was this, being taught how to pick up the man’s own daughter?

Director Zhang said, “Let me tell you first, given Zhizhi’s conditions, it’s only because your uncle likes you that I’m planning to set you two up—it’s not that my daughter can’t get married.”

“Uncle Zhang, what are you saying? With Sister Zhizhi’s conditions, how could she possibly be unable to get married? I know you’re being good to me, but I’m only twenty-three right now; I have no money, let alone a career. It’s a bit too early to start a family.”

Chen Ran thought about it; since Director Zhang had reached this point, he couldn't be perfunctory anymore, so he laid it all out.

Director Zhang knew he wasn't taking it to heart, but he hadn't expected this kind of reason.

“You can't be so old-fashioned. You can start a family first and then establish your career.”

“It’s not the same, Uncle. And it’s not just me; from what I can see, Sister Zhizhi doesn't have any thoughts about wanting to get married either.”

“Back then, before I met your Auntie Yun, I also said I’d focus on my career before I was thirty and wouldn't rush into marriage. In the end, we were married after dating for half a year.” After Director Zhang finished speaking, he shook his head.

“Forget it, let nature take its course. But Chen Ran, let me tell you, once this opportunity passes, it’s gone. Your Auntie Yun and I are quite fond of you, but there are also many backup candidates. If there’s no hope with you, we’ll have to introduce others to Zhizhi.”

Chen Ran said, “Uncle, I don’t have those kinds of thoughts about Sister Zhizhi...”

Director Zhang let out a sigh. Since things had reached this point, he couldn't force anyone, could he?

“Perhaps we simply weren't destined to become family.”

Chen Ran hurriedly said, “That’s not right; I already think of you as my own uncle.”

That's not the same.

Director Zhang patted Chen Ran on the shoulder and didn't say anything more.

……

After this incident, Chen Ran was still worried that it would affect his relationship with Director Zhang.

The next day, when Director Zhang was having lunch, he still called Chen Ran over; there was no change from before.

It was as if introducing his daughter had been nothing more than a minor interlude; he didn't seem to care at all.

He only mentioned in passing that he was going to introduce someone else to Zhang Fanzhi tonight, glancing at Chen Ran as he spoke, as if asking, "Do you regret it, kid?"

Chen Ran didn't feel much about it. Besides, Zhang Fanzhi had said she wouldn't marry before thirty and only wanted to focus on her career. A person like her would likely be very steadfast; once she had a goal, she wouldn't easily change it for other things.

So, no matter how many people Uncle Zhang introduced to her, it probably wouldn't be of any use.

Of course, it also couldn't be ruled out that she simply didn't feel a spark with him and that saying she didn't want to get married was just a tactful rejection. Regardless, it didn't have much to do with Chen Ran.

After that, Director Zhang shifted the conversation back to work-related matters with Chen Ran.

"Lately, the station has several programs slated for a revamp, and one is about to be completely redone. The production crew is currently being assembled. Since your program just wrapped up, I want to transfer you over there to gain some experience," Director Zhang said, looking at Chen Ran.

"A new program? Another revamp?" Chen Ran was slightly taken aback. For a provincial station like theirs, wasn't it rare for programs to change once they were set?

Several programs being revamped and one being redone from scratch—that was quite a drastic move, wasn't it?

Director Zhang said, "The audience share has been continuously declining, so naturally, we need fresh ideas. Well? If you can handle the pressure, I’ll transfer you to the new program. It’s a rare opportunity."

Getting to join a production crew from the very beginning of its preparation was a very rare opportunity for someone like Chen Ran who had just become a regular employee. He certainly wouldn't let it pass, so he nodded and said,

"I can handle it. I can definitely handle it."

Even if he couldn't handle it, he had to try. Chen Ran hadn't transmigrated just to be a "salted fish"; if there was a chance to advance, he certainly wouldn't let it slip away.

Director Zhang nodded in satisfaction.

"It’s good that you have this drive. It seems your desire to 'establish your career first' wasn't just talk."

Chen Ran felt awkward. How did the conversation circle back to that?

Director Zhang added, "Work hard once you're in the new production crew. I know you have plenty of ideas and novel thoughts. If you have any suggestions, feel free to voice them. If they don't pay attention to you, come find me."

He was aware of Chen Ran’s capabilities and knew he couldn't be viewed through the lens of a typical newcomer.

For instance, many of the highlights that people praised in the program that just aired were actually ideas suggested by Chen Ran, voiced through the Director.

Surveys conducted after the premiere showed that the most acclaimed parts were all born from Chen Ran’s creativity.

Since he possessed such talent, Director Zhang was naturally willing to open doors for him. Everything was for the sake of better results at work; as long as he didn't mess up, anything could be discussed.

"Understood, Uncle," Chen Ran nodded.

With his current status, no one would take his suggestions seriously; in this industry, seniority mattered far too much.

A newcomer had very little say.

Still, he’d have to wait and see when the time came; if the others did a good job, they might not even need him.

Even though he had the programs from his previous life as a reference, Chen Ran didn't assume his vision was necessarily ahead of its time; he still needed to be cautious.

Thus, Chen Ran successfully transferred to the new production crew and received the materials for the new program.