My Wife is a Big Star

Chapter 22 - Don’t Narrow Your Own Path

“Chen Ran, eat more meat. You’ve been working hard with all that overtime lately.”

Auntie Yun was extremely enthusiastic, piling piece after piece of meat into Chen Ran’s bowl.

“Auntie Yun, I really can’t eat any more. It’s not like it’s my first time here; there’s no need to be so formal.” Chen Ran held his bowl out, trying to fend off the hospitality.

He had already eaten quite a bit; looking at the meat now made his throat feel a bit itchy.

“Alright, alright. I can see Chen Ran really can’t eat any more,” Director Zhang said, coming to his rescue.

“Then I won’t push you. Chen Ran, have some of the other dishes then.” Auntie Yun finally put down her chopsticks.

Chen Ran let out a sigh of relief and shot an appreciative look at Director Zhang.

Director Zhang gave a toothy grin; back in the day at his father-in-law’s place, he had gone through the exact same thing.

However, back then, it wasn't just about eating meat—he had to drink, too.

Director Zhang himself didn't like drinking, but before his first visit years ago, he heard his father-in-law loved alcohol, so he gritted his teeth and practiced drinking for a while before showing up.

He lamented in his heart that Chen Ran was truly lucky to have met a father-in-law as reasonable as him.

Just then, Chen Ran’s phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID; it was actually Zhang Fanzhi.

Is this woman a fortune teller? How does she know I’m at her house? Chen Ran muttered to himself.

While he usually messaged Zhang Fanzhi or called her to put on a show whenever he visited the Zhangs, he hadn't done so this time.

“Is that Zhizhi?” Director Zhang asked.

Chen Ran gave an embarrassed smile, then stood up to take the call.

It wasn't until he walked out onto the bedroom balcony that Chen Ran asked, “What is it?”

Zhang Fanzhi paused for a moment before asking, “Are you at my house?”

Chen Ran asked in amazement, “How did you know?”

“I just know. Didn't we agree that you’d message me whenever you went to my house?”

“No, if you happen to call every single time I show up, aren’t you afraid Uncle Zhang and Auntie Yun will find it suspicious?”

“What’s suspicious about it? You only go to my house after work. That small window of time isn't even enough for a couple to chat,” Zhang Fanzhi said.

Chen Ran: “...”

Blame me then. I’ve never been in a relationship, so how would I know what a couple’s dynamic is like?

Zhang Fanzhi didn't dwell on the topic and shifted instead.

“I heard the program you made is doing very well and even broke several records. Congratulations.”

Where did she get the news? Did Uncle Zhang tell her?

Thinking about it, that was the only possibility.

Chen Ran said modestly, “The program wasn't made by me alone; it was the result of the entire production crew’s hard work.”

Zhang Fanzhi: “You’re quite humble. But excessive humility is just pride in disguise. Can I interpret this as you being arrogant?”

Chen Ran: “......”

When was I being arrogant?

“Actually, no matter how well a local program does, it’s not worth being proud of. It only counts as impressive once you’re making satellite TV programs,” Zhang Fanzhi added.

Satellite TV programs?

I’d like to, but how could it be that easy to get onto satellite TV!

Chen Ran asked, “Did you call specifically to shoot me down?”

Zhang Fanzhi said calmly, “No, I’m encouraging you.”

Chen Ran let out a dry "hehe." “Then I really should thank you.”

Zhang Fanzhi said, “No need for thanks. No matter how fake we are, we’re still a couple. It’s only right that I show some concern.”

“I’m starting to think you saw that I was in a good mood today and came here specifically to throw cold water on me,” Chen Ran said, catching on to her tone.

Zhang Fanzhi: “Am I really that bored?”

Chen Ran: “I feel like you are.”

Zhang Fanzhi: “What you feel is just what you feel.”

Chen Ran was speechless and didn't say anything for a long time.

This was pretty much the standard state of his conversations with Zhang Fanzhi. The other side probably just enjoyed shooting him down for fun, specifically targeting his mental state.

Every time the two of them chatted, it always involved this kind of mutual sniping.

Zhang Fanzhi appeared to be a person of few words, but in reality, she was a concise and comprehensive contrarian.

Add to that a short temper.

There were several times when she couldn't out-argue Chen Ran and just hung up the phone directly.

"Whoever marries this woman in the future is going to have a miserable time!"

Chen Ran curled his lip.

After roasting each other for quite a while, Chen Ran finally hung up the phone feeling refreshed.

When he returned to the living room, Director Zhang and his wife were both looking at him.

"Is Zhizhi doing alright lately?" Auntie Yun asked.

Chen Ran was stunned for a moment. The two of them had just been busy bickering and hadn't mentioned their current situations at all. However, thinking that she still had the heart to throw cold water on him, he guessed her mood was decent, so he could only say everything was fine.

Auntie Yun said with satisfaction, "Seeing you two in such a good relationship makes me feel at ease. Look, how about when she comes back, you take her back to see your parents?"

"See my parents?" Chen Ran didn't quite register it.

How long had it even been?

From meeting until now, it had been about a month at most, and they were already moving on to meeting the parents?

Director Zhang coughed, tugged at Auntie Yun, and then said,

"Your Auntie Yun's meaning is that you haven't been back in a long time. When Zhizhi returns, she can rest for a few days, and you can go visit your parents."

Auntie Yun also realized she had been a bit too hasty and smiled awkwardly.

"That’s what I meant. Although work is busy, don't forget to care for your parents."

Chen Ran smiled and said, "I've been calling home these past few days. Once I get paid in a few days, I'll take a few days off and head back."

Even though he knew exactly what Auntie Yun was getting at, he simply wouldn't take the bait.

……

While Chen Ran was chatting with the Zhang elders, Zhang Fanzhi, far away in Huahai, also put away her phone.

Her manager, Tao Lin, was wearing a black-and-white floral dress and high heels, yet she sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, looking at her with a highly suspicious expression.

Zhang Fanzhi frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that?!"

Tao Lin looked at her carefully and said, "I think you've been a bit off lately."

"What's off about me?" Zhang Fanzhi raised an eyebrow.

Tao Lin stood up and circled around Zhang Fanzhi. "There's the scent of romance!"

Zhang Fanzhi walked over and sat down, saying calmly, "Have you gone mad?"

Tao Lin gave two dry "hehes."

"I don't know if I'm mad, but you definitely are. Xiyun, you aren't unaware of how good your current opportunities are. Falling in love at this time—do you want to destroy your own future?"

Zhang Fanzhi tilted her head. "First, I am not in a relationship. Second, I am not an idol; how is falling in love 'destroying my future'?"

Tao Lin shook her head. "Your fans don't think that way. You have to realize that you don't have many songs yet, your fame hasn't been consolidated, and most of your fans are visual fans."

Zhang Fanzhi said, "What I need are listeners and music lovers; I don't care about visual fans."

"But the company cares!" Tao Lin said.

"Xiyun, you don't take certain bookings, and you've pushed away a lot of social networking favors. The company has a lot of issues with you, and now resources are already tilting toward Lin Hanyun. If news of a relationship breaks out at this time, the company will abandon you immediately."

"Fan popularity is the foundation of everything you have. Xiyun, your future is very good and bright—don't narrow your own path!"

Zhang Fanzhi frowned. "Sister Lin, you know that I only want to sing. I don't want anything else."

Tao Lin said, "I know your thoughts. You don't like socializing and you're tired of promotional appearances, but where in the world is there such a good deal? If you want the company to give you resources, you have to create value for the company. This is an equal exchange; it’s the rules."

Zhang Fanzhi pursed her lips and did not speak.

Looking at her like this, Tao Lin felt a headache coming on.

How did she end up with an artist like this...