Ch. 55
Chapter 55 - Reaching Middle Age
Who was it that got drunk last time and called to say they wanted to get married?
Chen Ran only dared to think it in his heart; he didn’t dare say it out loud. After all, he was still in Zhang Fanzhi's car.
Although they had known each other for quite a while now, Chen Ran could never forget the scene of their first meeting, when Zhang Fanzhi had driven straight toward him with an expressionless face.
He didn't say anything, but his expression had already said it all.
Zhang Fanzhi turned her head; though she didn't speak, she felt somewhat embarrassed.
She reached into her bag, took out a box of chewing gum, and tossed it to Chen Ran.
"Cover up the smell."
Chen Ran was currently feeling uncomfortable with the taste in his mouth, so he caught it and popped a piece into his mouth.
He chewed for a bit and took a breath.
Watermelon flavor.
But it was a little too sweet!
"Thanks," Chen Ran said.
Zhang Fanzhi pretended not to hear and started the car to get on the road.
"I heard from my dad that your program broke the channel record?"
Chen Ran said, "It only broke the premiere record; it can't break the overall ratings record."
"The ratings record? Isn't that the one from the Public Channel? It seems you planned that one too!" Zhang Fanzhi didn't quite understand what the program was.
She had just heard Director Zhang say that Chen Ran’s starting point was very high now; both the premiere ratings record and the highest ratings record belonged to him.
"In any case, it can't be broken. I feel it will be very difficult to break it in the future."
Chen Ran didn't view Zhaonan Focus as his own achievement. The focus of that kind of news program was the news itself; in his view, the planning accounted for very little, as he had only provided a concept.
However, the stickiness and potential of a news program were too great. Looking at the current situation, the ratings were terrifyingly stable. If a piece of hot, socially-concerning news occurred, the ratings would go even higher.
Regardless, Chen Ran had heard that the Channel Director suggested excluding Zhaonan Focus from the ratings records; for those of them making variety shows, they should specifically stick to variety records.
"By the way, now that the song has been written out, aren't you going back to the company?" Chen Ran asked curiously.
Zhang Fanzhi glanced at him. "I'm not in a hurry."
Chen Ran said thoughtfully, "Lin Hanyun's new song is still being recorded. Are you waiting until after she releases hers to go back?"
"Are you saying I'm afraid of her?" Zhang Fanzhi knit her brows.
Chen Ran shook his head.
"I didn't mean that. It's just that the company is clearly pushing her right now. Even if you have a song, if the company doesn't promote it and your results aren't as good as hers, it will look very bad."
Zhang Fanzhi said, "Lin Hanyun's new song, just as you said, the quality is not outstanding. The company won't be able to push it up; it's impossible for it to be better than mine."
"And if the company doesn't give you any publicity?"
Zhang Fanzhi said, "I am the publicity!"
Her tone was very confident.
It seemed this song had given her a great deal of strength.
Zhang Fanzhi said casually, "Sister Lin will be coming over tomorrow."
"Sister Lin? Your manager?" Chen Ran had some recollection.
Zhang Fanzhi nodded slightly.
"I asked her to prepare a contract and bring it over. We'll sign the contract first, and then I'll leave."
"Why did she have to make the trip? Where's your assistant, Xiao Qin?" Chen Ran asked.
"I gave her a holiday," Zhang Fanzhi said.
She didn't know when she would be going back after returning this time. She couldn't have Xiao Qin following her all the time, so she gave her some time off.
Furthermore, even if Xiao Qin were here, Tao Lin would definitely come in person when it came to buying a song.
Up until now, she was still trying to persuade Zhang Fanzhi to give up on this idea and wait for good news from her end.
"Oh," Chen Ran finished speaking, and his heart felt a bit stifled.
Unknowingly, he had learned so much about Zhang Fanzhi.
Her manager, her assistant, her predicament at the company, her working state, as well as her current personality and temper—he roughly knew a bit about all of it.
Zhang Fanzhi would likely be busy for quite a while before returning to Lin City to release this new song.
Last time she said she was releasing a new song, she knew she would be very busy, but the result was that the song wasn't released, and instead, she spent most of her time in Lin City.
Now that she had a song, she ought to be busy upon her return.
Being a star seemed to be just like this, running around everywhere.
Thinking of this, Chen Ran felt a bit uncomfortable again and said, "Can I open the window? I feel a bit stifled."
Zhang Fanzhi shook her head. "It's cold out, and the wind is strong. You just drank alcohol; if the wind blows on you, you'll get a headache or catch a cold."
"I just want to get some fresh air," Chen Ran said.
Zhang Fanzhi pursed her lips and pretended not to hear.
Chen Ran was helpless and didn't dare say more; after all, Zhang Fanzhi was the one driving.
It wasn't until they reached the Zhangs' residential complex and he got out of the car that Chen Ran’s request for fresh air was satisfied.
The result was that the cold air irritated his throat, causing him to cough several times until his face turned red.
After Zhang Fanzhi parked the car, she came over and said, "You should stop drinking in the future."
Chen Ran thought to himself that coughing had nothing to do with drinking.
Zhang Fanzhi said, "My dad’s lungs are no good, so my mom makes him smoke less. Your body is no good, so you should drink less alcohol."
Chen Ran said, "My health is quite good; I just got choked by the wind."
Zhang Fanzhi didn't argue with him and walked toward the house first.
Chen Ran carefully pondered Zhang Fanzhi's words just now and felt something was off again. It was normal for Auntie Yun to manage Uncle Zhang, but what did it mean for her to tell him to drink less?
He didn't dare think too much; the "Three Great Illusions of Life" have caused plenty of harm to people.
……
The Zhang Residence.
As soon as Chen Ran entered the house, he saw a table full of dishes.
He hadn't actually eaten much at the hotel earlier, only grabbing a few bites of food. Now, seeing the dishes Auntie Yun had prepared, he began to salivate.
"I knew you wouldn't have eaten well," Director Zhang laughed heartily upon seeing his expression.
"Every time you eat with them, most of the time is spent bragging and the rest is spent drinking. By the end, the food on the plates has basically not been touched."
Chen Ran smiled and said, "That's because the food outside isn't as delicious as the food Auntie Yun makes."
"That hits the nail on the head! Concise and to the point!" Director Zhang gave a thumb up, agreeing completely.
Zhang Fanzhi muttered under her breath, "Ass-kisser."
Chen Ran didn't hear it, but Auntie Yun did. She wore a slight smile but secretly reached out and pinched Zhang Fanzhi.
Zhang Fanzhi curled her lip and said nothing.
Auntie Yun said happily, "When Chen Ran went to the Entertainment Channel last time, Zhizhi wasn't here. Now, it's complete."
The last time they video-called Zhang Fanzhi, she was participating in an event, and they had only spoken via video.
Zhang Fanzhi glanced at Chen Ran and also said, "Congratulations."
Chen Ran smiled. "Thank you."
Director Zhang looked at Chen Ran, becoming more satisfied the more he looked. He lamented:
"When I first met Chen Ran, I really never imagined a day like this. Back then, I wanted to take Chen Ran in as a godson. Looking at it now, a godson isn't nearly as close as a son-in-law."
Chen Ran and Zhang Fanzhi exchanged a glance, both feeling the other's embarrassment.
Auntie Yun served a dish to her husband and said, "Why are you saying all this? Are you drunk without even drinking?"
Director Zhang laughed.
"I'm just happy. When I was young, I always wanted to go to Satellite TV to make programs, but after struggling in the Entertainment Channel for a few years, I didn't make a name for myself. Later, I transferred to the Public Channel. At this age, I can't climb any further, and I can't do the work as well as I used to. Seeing Chen Ran with such a bright future, I'm happy!"
Although Director Zhang hadn't been drinking, he spoke a lot because of his happiness.
Chen Ran could roughly sense his mood of having unfulfilled ambitions now that he had reached middle age, and he just listened carefully.
He also wondered: would he be like this when he reached middle age?