My Wife is a Big Star

Chapter 50 - If I Sing Again, My Vocal Cords Will Be Gone

Not many days after meeting Zhang Fanzhi, Chen Ran knew she was quite thick-skinned.

Anyway, when it came to acting shamelessly, Chen Ran was no match for her.

Later he discovered that not only was she thick-skinned, but her acting skills were also excellent.

Just like now; if she hadn't mentioned writing songs just a moment ago, Chen Ran would have truly believed she came specifically to show concern for him.

"Fine then, let's go write songs 'incidentally'." Chen Ran emphasized the word "incidentally" very heavily.

Zhang Fanzhi turned her head and said flatly, "Alright."

Chen Ran looked at her, curled his lip, and just as he was about to turn his head, said, "Next time you come out, you should probably wear earmuffs."

"Why?" Zhang Fanzhi slowly started the car.

Chen Ran said, "Look at how your earlobes are frozen; they're completely red!"

Screech!

Zhang Fanzhi slammed her foot on the brakes.

Chen Ran hadn't expected her to brake suddenly and was given a huge fright.

"What's wrong?" Chen Ran asked hurriedly.

Zhang Fanzhi said calmly, "It's nothing. There was a big black rodent in front just now."

Chen Ran was a bit suspicious; weren't these the words he used to brush her off yesterday?

Seeing Zhang Fanzhi driving smoothly again, he relaxed a lot and said to her, "You really should buy earmuffs; your earlobes are even redder than before."

Zhang Fanzhi didn't react this time, only giving an "oh," and then not only her earlobes but also her neck turned red.

They drove smoothly all the way to the Zhang residence without any more big black rodents appearing; Chen Ran felt a bit more at ease.

Director Zhang was watching a war drama. The TV was booming with explosions, and a character kept shouting "Captain! Captain!" though it was unclear where the battle had moved.

Hearing Zhang Fanzhi open the door, Director Zhang looked up and said in surprise,

"Didn't you say you were going out for a breath of air? How did you 'air' Chen Ran back here?"

Zhang Fanzhi was changing her shoes. She said, "I went by the TV station on the way."

Director Zhang clicked his tongue. "That's quite a 'on the way' you did there!"

Chen Ran was now well-acquainted with the Zhang household and didn't feel much embarrassment. After all, he and Zhang Fanzhi were a couple on the surface; meeting up normally wasn't a crime.

"Is your throat any better?" Director Zhang asked.

He was clearly asking Chen Ran.

"It’s mostly better now. Thanks, Uncle," Chen Ran nodded and said.

Director Zhang laughed. "She's the one who gave you the medicine; why thank me?"

"Dad, sit by yourself. Chen Ran and I are going to write songs." Having changed her shoes, Zhang Fanzhi pulled Chen Ran’s sleeve and led him toward her room.

Director Zhang watched helplessly as they walked away. Before entering the room, Chen Ran gave Director Zhang a somewhat awkward smile, and then the door was shut by Zhang Fanzhi.

"Hey, this..." Director Zhang stood up, not knowing what to say.

Auntie Yun came out of the kitchen, having just finished washing the dishes. She asked, "I just heard Zhizhi's voice, and Chen Ran’s too. Where is everyone?"

Director Zhang said, "Your daughter grabbed Chen Ran and went into her room, saying they're going to write songs."

Auntie Yun also paused. "Doesn't Zhizhi not know how to write songs? Does Chen Ran?"

Director Zhang asked, "Do I look like I know how to write songs?"

"What do you know!" Auntie Yun gave him a grumpy glance.

Director Zhang wore an 'exactly' expression and said, "Chen Ran and I are in the same trade. If even I don't know how, can he?"

Auntie Yun thought about it carefully; that logic made sense.

The couple looked at each other and, in perfect sync, slowed their movements, crept over, and pressed their ears against the door.

Their home had been renovated with various situations in mind, so the soundproofing was relatively good, yet they could still faintly hear some sounds from inside.

The elderly couple's expressions turned slightly strange...

It really was singing in there!

Zhang Fanzhi was playing the piano, and Chen Ran was singing, singing and stopping periodically.

Director Zhang said strangely, "It shouldn't be!"

Auntie Yun shook her head. "Just because you can't write doesn't mean Chen Ran can't."

Director Zhang glanced at his wife; he was just about to say something, but seeing the look in her eyes, he decided not to stoop to her level.

Women's narrow view!

Chen Ran isn't even a music student; he can write songs?

Maybe after Zhizhi started dating Chen Ran, she got inspiration and learned how to write!

As for why she had to grab Chen Ran to join her, he guessed that being with Chen Ran gave her more inspiration?

……

"Sing one more line—the previous one; I feel like a note is off." Zhang Fanzhi pressed the piano keys, lost in thought.

Chen Ran pinched his throat and said, "I feel like it's about the same."

Zhang Fanzhi said, "Sing it again, just one last time."

Chen Ran could only work while sick and sang it once more.

Zhang Fanzhi listened carefully, and then her eyes lit up slightly as she quickly played it once.

"Now it's right!"

She grabbed a pen, marked the lyrics nearby, and wrote down the numbered notation!

"Try playing it once."

Seeing she had finished, Chen Ran couldn't help but urge her.

Zhang Fanzhi glanced at him, placed her hands on the piano, and began to play gently.

They say men are most handsome when they are serious; actually, serious women are also very beautiful.

Zhang Fanzhi was very focused when playing the piano; her side profile was very attractive, her chin nodding slightly with the rhythm, and her snow-white neck was tinged with a faint crimson, appearing very elegant overall.

Chen Ran looked at her, his throat feeling a bit dry; hearing the piano start, he then turned his attention to the music.

This wasn't an accompaniment, just the melody of the song.

Chen Ran listened carefully; it was indeed the same as in his memory.

He immediately sighed in relief; today's goal was considered accomplished.

Actually, Zhang Fanzhi could have transcribed the score based on his recording from yesterday, but Zhang Fanzhi had said that Chen Ran's singing technique was a bit poor, so she wasn't sure if the tune was really this tune.

It was better for Chen Ran to sing it in person so she could transcribe it by comparing it bit by bit.

The reason it was so tiring was that Chen Ran's throat was bad and his singing kept drifting, differing from the recording, which made transcription difficult.

Zhang Fanzhi suppressed the urge to sing along and finished playing the melody, her eyes full of satisfaction.

Chen Ran peeled a throat lozenge and threw it into his mouth, saying, "I can't go on. Let's stop here for today. If I sing any more, my vocal cords will be gone."

Zhang Fanzhi asked curiously, "You say the melody is in your head; can you remember it without writing it down?"

Generally, once there's a melody, one has to write it down quickly and then deepen the memory during the perfection process; she had never heard of anyone completing the entire process in their mind.

Chen Ran thought to himself: If I told you, it would scare you; not only can I remember it, but I remember a lot.

He could only say vaguely, "Maybe this is just talent."

This perfunctory manner made Zhang Fanzhi really want to curl her lip, but she still held back; after all, Chen Ran worked while sick today to finish a part of it, which was hard work.

"Thank you."

Zhang Fanzhi suddenly said.

Chen Ran was a bit unaccustomed to it; when he turned his head, he saw her very serious expression.

"Uncle Zhang treats me very well, so there's no need for thanks—plus, you're going to buy it with money." Chen Ran gave an unnatural smile.

Zhang Fanzhi stared at him without speaking. Chen Ran stood up and said, "It's very late today, and I have to work tomorrow, so I'll have to trouble you to drive me back. I'll come back another day to write out the rest."

Zhang Fanzhi complied, put on her clothes, and drove Chen Ran home.