Chapter 4 - I Don’t Want to Get Married Before I’m Thirty
Zhang Fanzhi was a big star with a bright future. Given her achievents and vocal conditions, if she developed steadily in the entertainnt industry, becoming a Heavenly Queen was only a matter of ti.
As for Chen Ran, he was rely an editor-director at a television station who had just beco a regular employee; the difference in status was massive.
Setting aside the difference in social standing, even their family wealth was not on the sa level. It would be a textbook case of "living off a woman."
Chen Ran believed that, aside from his looks, he didn't match her in any other way.
"Your uncle isn't so old-fashioned person. Back then, your Auntie Yun and I also married for love. I’m saying all this because I think you’re a very good person and you’ve caught my eye. Now that you have Zhizhi’s contact information, just get to know each other first. If it’s possible for things to work out, that’s for the best; if not, we’re still a good uncle and nephew."
Director Zhang said so much to Chen Ran mainly to get him to take it seriously. In truth, feelings must be mutual; if either Chen Ran or Zhang Fanzhi was unwilling, it wouldn't work out.
Director Zhang knew a bit about Chen Ran’s temperant; the young man was quite indifferent, appearing as soone who wouldn't fight or scramble for things. If the Director didn't do so preparatory work, it would be impossible for him to have any intersection with Zhang Fanzhi.
"Uncle Zhang, I’ll try to get along with Miss Zhang and see..."
Although Chen Ran still felt it was strange, since Uncle Zhang had put it this way, there was no point in refusing further. Saying they would "get along" probably just ant chatting on a phone.
Judging by Zhang Fanzhi’s current personality, if he sent "Are you there?" ssages for several days in a row, she definitely wouldn't reply. Over ti, Uncle Zhang would drop the idea.
Zhang Fanzhi returned after finishing her call. Her expression hadn't changed, yet it seed a few degrees colder, as if her mood had worsened.
After Director Zhang’s words just now, Chen Ran felt a bit peculiar whenever he saw Zhang Fanzhi.
At first, his impression of her was just as Uncle Zhang’s daughter, then as a big star, and now, she had beco a blind date...
Chen Ran found it quite awkward. Beautiful as she was, with that constant stiff face and that explosive temper, wouldn't choosing soone like this to live with be asking for misery?
Most importantly, she was a big star. Chen Ran had never thought about finding a celebrity to be his wife. Constant rumors were one thing, but the key issue was spending more ti apart than together; no matter how good the relationship was, conflicts would arise.
Uncle Zhang, it’s not that I want to be perfunctory with you, but in these matters, one can only follow the heart, Chen Ran thought to himself.
Chen Ran sat in the Zhang house for a while longer, chatting with Director Zhang and Auntie Yun. Since they had eaten together before when he was in the hospital, they got along quite harmoniously. Zhang Fanzhi stayed off to the side without speaking, looking sowhat absent-minded even when Auntie Yun occasionally called her out.
However, at Director Zhang’s request, Chen Ran’s way of addressing her changed from "Miss Zhang" to "Sister Zhizhi."
Originally, Uncle Zhang and Auntie Yun wanted him to just call her "Zhizhi," but that was clearly inappropriate and too intimate. Looking at his relationship with Uncle Zhang, and adding the fact that Zhang Fanzhi was older than him, calling her "Sister Zhizhi" wasn't excessive, right?
Regardless, Zhang Fanzhi didn't refuse or show any special reaction, so the form of address was accepted by default.
Looking at the ti and knowing he had to work the next day, Chen Ran offered his departure.
Originally, the couple wanted Chen Ran to stay the night at their ho, but as it was his first visit, how could Chen Ran be so bold? Furthermore, with a big star present, he was uncomfortable no matter what.
Director Zhang and Chen Ran both worked at the TV station and knew there was a lot of work tomorrow, so he didn't insist on Chen Ran staying.
Zhang Fanzhi sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the television. Director Zhang turned his head and said, "Zhizhi, go see Chen Ran out."
Chen Ran hurriedly said, "I won't trouble Sister Zhizhi. I can head back on my own; it's not that far."
"Alright, it's not like I haven't been to your place. Going from here, even the subway takes half an hour, and calling a taxi is even more of a hassle." After Director Zhang finished, he saw that Zhang Fanzhi hadn't reacted and added,
"Zhizhi, why is there no reaction?"
Zhang Fanzhi gave an "oh" and stood up sluggishly.
Seeing her expression, Chen Ran thought that if she sent him ho, it would be awkward to death. He hurriedly said,
"Uncle Zhang, I’ll just head back myself. If you’re going to be this polite, then I really won't dare to co next ti."
"That temper of yours." Director Zhang shook his head. He wanted to create an opportunity for Chen Ran and his daughter to see if they could hit it off, but Chen Ran wouldn't take the bait.
"Fine then. Let Zhizhi walk you downstairs." Director Zhang settled for the next best thing.
Chen Ran breathed a sigh of relief and said to Zhang Fanzhi, "Sorry for the trouble, Sister Zhizhi."
Seeing his behavior, Zhang Fanzhi’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, and she was the first to head out the door.
After the door closed, Yang Yun asked her husband, “How was it? What did Chen Ran say?”
Director Zhang frowned. “I feel like Chen Ran isn’t interested.”
“Zhizhi’s temper is a bit poor, but her physical appearance and temperant are top-tier, and she’s a fairly well-known star. How could Chen Ran not be interested...” Yang Yun didn't understand.
Initially, they were worried their daughter wouldn't take a liking to Chen Ran and were prepared to help things along; who would have thought things would run aground with Chen Ran first?
“This isn't like picking out pigs at a pig farm, where you take whichever one you set your sights on. It’s only the first eting; what can you see? I had the two of them exchange contact information so they can get familiar first, then we’ll see.” Director Zhang shook his head.
Yang Yun didn't say anything more.
Ever since her daughter beca popular, she had been constantly worried about her finding soone from the entertainnt industry.
Just look at what kind of news is on TV nowadays: either this star is getting a divorce, or that star is having an affair. There were even plenty of cases of second and third marriages, where one child has one father and another has another mother.
Yang Yun was worried her daughter had entered this "dyeing vat."
Director Zhang said, “Enough, we can’t control everything even if we worry. I’ve taken a liking to Chen Ran. We’ll wait a while and see. If those two still aren't interested, we’ll continue introducing others to Zhizhi...”
Other families worry because their daughters can't get married; their family worries because their daughter is too sought-after. It really isn’t easy being a parent.
……
Inside the elevator, Zhang Fanzhi stood expressionlessly next to Chen Ran. Since she was only seeing him downstairs, she wasn't wearing a mask.
He didn't know what perfu she used, but the faint fragrance was sowhat refreshing. The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Chen Ran was originally thinking of sothing to say, but Zhang Fanzhi spoke first.
She said seriously, “Chen Ran, my parents want to go on a blind date with you. I know they like you, and they’re also worried that I’ll marry a male celebrity. Actually, I’ve made a plan; I’ll be busy with my career until I'm thirty, and it’s impossible for to get married. So, I can only say I’m sorry to you.”
Hearing her say this, Chen Ran breathed an obvious sigh of relief and said,
“I feel relieved hearing Sister Zhizhi say that. I’m only twenty-three right now and haven't considered the issue of marriage either. It’s just that Uncle Zhang has expectations of , and it’s not good to hurt his feelings. Sister Zhizhi is currently in the rising phase of her career; the career should be the priority...”
The path of a celebrity is not easy to walk. It doesn’t an that once you beco famous, everything will be smooth sailing. There were plenty of cases of people suddenly exploding in popularity and then vanishing without a trace. It was normal for Zhang Fanzhi to want to put her whole heart and soul into her work.
Zhang Fanzhi hadn't expected Chen Ran to have such a reaction. Her brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed.
“It’s for the best that you can understand. You have my WeChat; if you encounter any difficulties, you can look for .”
Ding-dong.
The elevator doors opened.
Chen Ran walked out, wore a polite smile, and waved to Zhang Fanzhi.
“Go on back, Sister Zhizhi. It wouldn't be good if you were photographed by people outside. I can head back on my own.”
Zhang Fanzhi’s cool eyes looked at him, and she nodded slightly.
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