My Wife is a Big Star

Chapter 33 - I am Lin Fan

The Zhang mother and daughter chatted for a long time before preparing to hang up the video call. Before Auntie Yun could hang up, Chen Ran quickly took the phone, exchanged a few casual words with Zhang Fanzhi, and then ended the call.

Auntie Yun teased with a smile, “Are you afraid I’ll see your chat history?”

Chen Ran gave a sheepish smile.

He really was afraid.

It wasn't that there was anything scandalous.

It was mainly because his chat history with Zhang Fanzhi was still stuck at four days ago.

He had just been claiming that he chatted with Zhang Fanzhi all the time; if Auntie Yun saw it, that would be awkward!

Auntie Yun didn't say much; it was normal for a young couple's chats to be private and for them to be afraid of people seeing. She said:

“Chen Ran, you heard that Zhizhi is releasing a new song. She’ll probably be back less often lately, so you’ll have to be more patient. She has a bad temper, so don't fight with her.”

Chen Ran said, “It’s fine, Auntie. I’m going to the Entertainment Channel to work on a new program, so I’ll be busy for a while too. Everyone is busy.”

Chen Ran wasn't lying. He would officially report to the Entertainment Channel tomorrow, and since everything for the new program was starting from scratch, he would definitely be busy.

Auntie Yun nodded with relief, feeling that Chen Ran was truly sensible.

She looked at Chen Ran like a mother-in-law looking at a son-in-law—it was the real deal—feeling that Chen Ran was good in every aspect.

He was handsome, capable, and most importantly, had a good temper, was understanding, and didn't smoke.

A son-in-law like this was hard to find even if you searched with a lantern.

She’d have to tell Zhizhi more often not to forget to connect with Chen Ran no matter how busy work got. A good son-in-law like this—if he really were to be snatched away like they mentioned earlier, who could she complain to?

After finishing the meal, Chen Ran declined the Zhang couple’s invitation to stay and returned to his own residence.

He was heading to the Entertainment Channel tomorrow and felt somewhat nervous. Although he hadn't been sleeping well, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He simply sat up and began pondering matters related to the program.

Since he was free anyway, and he didn't know what the situation at the Entertainment Channel would be like tomorrow, it was better to be prepared.

……

Early the next morning.

Chen Ran woke up before the alarm went off.

Rubbing his eyes, he just picked up his phone when the alarm rang right on cue.

Since his schedule had become regular, the alarm was always one step behind him.

Letting out a yawn, he watched the sky outside gradually brighten while brushing his teeth, beginning a brand new day.

At the TV station.

In the elevator, Chen Ran habitually pressed the floor where the Public Channel was located. Just as he was about to step back, he realized his mistake and hurriedly pressed the correct button again.

The people around him all glanced at him, making him feel a bit awkward.

He had been at the Public Channel since his transmigration; after working there for several months, it had become a habit.

In the Entertainment Channel's program department, at the Director's office, Chen Ran knocked and entered.

Inside was a bald man in his forties. The hair around the sides was still black, but the top of his head was shiny and oily.

This was Director Liu Xianlong of the program department; he would be Chen Ran's superior from now on.

Chen Ran said, “Hello, Director. I’m Chen Ran, reporting for duty.”

Director Liu was relatively mild-mannered and smiled.

“You’re Chen Ran? You’re even younger and more handsome than I imagined. Working in our industry is a bit of a waste; I feel like you’re enough to debut as an idol.”

Chen Ran smiled; having the Director praise his looks the moment they met made him feel quite embarrassed.

“I’ve also looked at your proposal. It’s excellent; I admit I couldn't have written it. A proposal written by one person that rivals our entire planning team—there has never been a precedent for this in our station.”

As Director Liu spoke, he gave Chen Ran a thumbs-up.

What the Director said was half-true: admitting he couldn't write it was true, but saying it rivaled a whole team was a bit of an exaggeration.

“The Director overpraises me. I still have many areas where I need to learn.”

Chen Ran naturally wouldn't get cocky just because of a couple of compliments; he remained consistently humble in his demeanor.

After some pleasantries, Director Liu arranged:

"I’ll arrange a place for you to work first. I’ll introduce you to everyone when we have the morning meeting in a bit."

Chen Ran nodded and followed the assistant out.

In the back, Director Liu nodded slightly; his impression of Chen Ran was quite good.

With a proposal that could be directly launched as a project, there was no need to doubt Chen Ran's ability.

Secondly, his personality—he didn't show much joy or excitement after being praised like that, which didn't match his age. Whether it was an act or real, at least on the surface, he was relatively easy to get along with.

"I just don't know what Lin Fan is thinking. I just hope he doesn't drop the ball on me."

Director Liu said secretly to himself.

He was the Director of the program department. Regardless of which side he favored before, now that the program preparations had begun, he hoped everything would go smoothly.

The ratings for the previous program were poor, and he was nearly at the point of anxiety. Now, naturally, he hoped the production would go smoothly and the program would be finished as soon as possible.

Chen Ran followed behind the assistant to the office area and found that most people were looking at him.

"This is Chen Ran?"

"He's a bit handsome; he's different from what I imagined!"

"He's too young, isn't he?!"

Someone was whispering below.

It wasn't the hiring season, and the TV station rarely had newcomers. Everyone knew Chen Ran was coming today, and as he followed behind the assistant, they all recognized him.

The people in the Entertainment Channel were actually quite curious about Chen Ran. They hadn't heard of him before, but since yesterday, his name had been ringing in their ears.

Everyone thought Lin Fan would take the position as Chief Planner for the new program, but someone had suddenly swooped in and snatched it. They were naturally curious.

Facing many curious gazes, Chen Ran nodded and smiled at each one.

Successfully arriving at his office area, Chen Ran breathed a slight sigh of relief that he didn't have that feeling of being an exhibit at a zoo.

His arrival was just an interlude; those who needed to work went about their business, except for a few chatty young ladies who occasionally let out a sentence or two:

"Are you sure he's a planner and not a host?"

"He really is a bit handsome..."

"I didn't expect such a handsome guy to come to our program department..."

The other men felt sour in their hearts; women are so fickle.

Yesterday, they were still filled with righteous indignation, saying that no matter how good Chen Ran's proposal was, they wouldn't be convinced and only respected Lin Fan.

That united front of shared hatred looked exactly like a women's army about to go to the battlefield.

Now that the guy is here today, you defected the moment you saw his face?

Even for a "face-slapping" reversal, there's usually a process; you're not following any procedure at all!

Too superficial!

Actually, one couldn't blame the young ladies.

It was mainly because Chen Ran's looks were indeed quite formidable. Those here were either bald on top or unkempt; there was nothing wrong with them looking at someone easy on the eyes and discussing it.

It was just like when men saw a beautiful woman and would exchange looks and winks.

In fact, when it comes to being attracted to beauty, regardless of gender, everyone has the same nature.

Just as Zhang Fanzhi said, pursuing beautiful things is human nature, and it doesn't distinguish between men and women.

……

While Chen Ran was sitting, he suddenly felt the space beside him darken. Looking up, a young man about twenty-eight or twenty-nine with slightly long hair and wearing glasses was standing there. He asked,

"Are you Chen Ran?"

Chen Ran didn't know who this person was. He stood up and said, "Hello, I am Chen Ran."

The young man looked at Chen Ran, his brow furrowing and then relaxing, his expression somewhat complex.

He reached out his hand and said, "I am Lin Fan."