My Wife is a Big Star

Chapter 35 - Want to Sponsor?

Chen Ran had just returned home when he received a call from Director Zhang.

“How are you feeling at the Entertainment Channel?” Director Zhang asked with concern.

Chen Ran said, “Everyone is quite kind. Because the program is very urgent, preparation began this afternoon.”

Director Zhang said, “It's good that you can get used to it. If there's anything you're unsure about, you can call me. Although I'm old and not as quick-witted anymore, I still have some experience.”

Chen Ran smiled and said, “Uncle, you aren't old at all; you look like you're only in your thirties.”

Director Zhang laughed heartily and said:

“If a thirty-year-old looked like me, that would be a tragedy. You’ll definitely be busy during the preparation of the variety show. Call me when you’re free at noon for a meal together, and come over when you have time; I'll have your Auntie Yun make some delicious food for you.”

A warmth rose in Chen Ran's heart, and he hurriedly said, “Understood, Uncle. Thank you.”

Director Zhang shook his head and said, “I just don't like hearing those two words; it makes us sound like strangers. If you really want to thank me, then be a bit better to Zhizhi.”

Chen Ran hummed in response, without much hesitation.

Being better to Zhang Fanzhi didn't just mean being her boyfriend; he could agree quite simply.

Director Zhang hung up the phone. Chen Ran processed some materials on his computer; these were materials Lin Fan had handed to him before work ended, saying he had some ideas about certain segments of the program and wanted Chen Ran to take a look.

Chen Ran got a bit of motion sickness and didn't dare use his phone on the bus; it was only now that he was home that he used his computer to process them.

He looked at them for a long time, lost in thought.

Lin Fan had been at the Entertainment Channel for a significant amount of time and was even able to make his way up to compete for Chief Planner; his performance was certainly not ordinary.

The suggestions he wrote were all very good. In terms of innovation, they were a bit conservative, but stable enough.

Although many parts conflicted with Chen Ran's opinions, he didn't reject them entirely. Instead, he chose a few relatively outstanding proposals, preparing to bring them up for discussion tomorrow.

The proposal he wrote was very complete, but that didn't mean it was perfect. If one looked with a critical eye, problems could certainly be found. It was a bit strenuous for Chen Ran to do it alone; it felt like needing to revise an essay but finding no place to start.

Now that there was a team to discuss things together, it would naturally be much better.

In the following days, Chen Ran remained in a busy state.

He found that Lin Fan’s ability was indeed very good; as a planner, he was even more qualified than Chen Ran himself.

From a certain perspective, he primarily had more experience than Chen Ran and also had some unique insights into programs.

But Chen Ran also discovered his weakness: a lack of innovation.

Most of the things he proposed were things that already existed, had been verified, and had high audience acceptance.

Being this cautious when making a program isn't a bad thing, but it also causes the program to lose its inherent appeal and highlights.

A program model like I Love Remembering Lyrics had never appeared in this world. Lin Fan tried hard to break out of his mental shackles, but this kind of thing is like a temperament—hard to change.

After a few days, once he realized this problem, he began to give up on his own ideas and follow Chen Ran’s line of thought.

Through these past few days, he saw Chen Ran’s hard work and talent—how he could see the key to many matters at a single glance. He was envious beyond words.

The program approval also came through, the stage set design was completed, everyone cooperated with a division of labor, and formal preparation began.

According to Chen Ran’s requirements, Director Wu Jin contacted several singing apps and held an I Love Remembering Lyrics singing competition.

First through fifth place would have the opportunity to participate in I Love Remembering Lyrics as permanent lead singers. Not only could they show off their voices on television, but each episode would also carry a certain appearance fee.

Being on TV, getting paid...

These two rewards gave plenty of motivation to many who liked to sing, and they signed up one after another.

Many people who like to sing have a dream of singing on a television stage.

Although the program itself only needed five people, getting into the top five meant an opportunity, so everyone wanted to give it a try.

What if they got selected?

Zhaonan TV Station’s Entertainment Channel and I Love Remembering Lyrics—this program that didn't even have a shadow yet—began to gain a bit of attention.

Regarding the KTV side, there were originally specific people to handle the outreach, but Chen Ran went along as well.

When he had asked them for data last time, they had given it readily; he certainly couldn't burn bridges now.

When the person in charge on the other side learned that the Entertainment Channel was really going to make such a program, they were almost ecstatic.

When Chen Ran first came to their door, they only had the mindset of giving it a tentative try; after all, data wasn't exactly some secret document. They hadn't expected this young man to actually produce such a program on the Entertainment Channel.

He had heard the general outline of the program from Chen Ran. If the program aired, it would definitely stimulate audiences to go to KTVs to consume; for them, it was absolutely a positive thing.

While talking to the person in charge, Chen Ran suddenly asked, “Manager Yao, I wonder if you’ve considered one thing...”

Manager Yao was dazed and said, “Please, go ahead.”

“Our program is aimed at all the chain KTVs in Zhaonan Province. I wonder if you would be willing to provide sponsorship?” Chen Ran said with a slight smile.

Manager Yao looked at Chen Ran's smile and instantly understood his meaning.

If they sponsored, then only their chain stores would appear on television, and the program's talent selection would only take place within their KTVs.

But speaking of sponsorship, the price wouldn't be low.

Spending this much money was not a decision he could make.

Manager Yao hurriedly said, “I can't make the call on this kind of matter; I need to ask the boss for instructions.”

Chen Ran said, “There's no rush. I'm just mentioning it in passing. These matters aren't under my control anyway. I just feel it would be a good thing for you, so I mentioned it casually.”

Manager Yao also knew this was an opportunity, but this sort of thing depended on the boss's intention.

Chen Ran smiled. “If there’s any interest, Manager Yao can contact our production crew. It would be best to settle it before we find a sponsor.”

Manager Yao nodded hurriedly.

If I Love Remembering Lyrics had good ratings, it would definitely be a long-term program.

Chen Ran was confident that the program's ratings wouldn't be too bad. If they sponsored, in the short term, it would definitely be a guaranteed profit without loss.

Furthermore, it was only in the preparation phase right now, so the sponsorship fee wouldn't be too high. If they waited until the program became a hit to talk, the price would be different.

……

At night, while Chen Ran was working overtime at the TV station, he suddenly received a WeChat message.

Standalone Beauty: “I’m coming back tomorrow.”

Chen Ran raised an eyebrow.

He hadn't contacted Zhang Fanzhi for several days.

He remembered she had just said a while ago that she was preparing a new song and wouldn't be free for a short time. Why was she suddenly coming back?

Chen Ran asked: “Coming back for how long?”

Standalone Beauty: “A few days at the least.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be releasing a new song?”

There was silence on the other end for a long while. Just as Chen Ran was about to put down his phone and continue working, he received a message.

“Fell through.”

Just by seeing those two words, Chen Ran could imagine the way Zhang Fanzhi would be slightly pursing her lips.

Everyone said she was releasing a new song; how could it suddenly fall through?

Chen Ran couldn't figure it out. How could something that had been settled like this still fall through?

Moreover, with Zhang Fanzhi's fame, it was indeed time for her to release a new song.

What was this all about?!