Chapter 63 - You Have a Younger Sister?
Tao Lin sized up Zhang Fanzhi, feeling sowhat uncertain.
She wouldn't believe Zhang Fanzhi's words outright, but after working together for so many years, she knew that Zhang Fanzhi truly rarely lied.
Facing a deadpan Zhang Fanzhi, Tao Lin decided to take things one step at a ti.
She had heard that Chen Ran was quite busy with his work at the TV station, and Zhang Fanzhi wouldn't be idle either once her new song was released.
If neither side had ti, they could just let things drag on; over ti, even a "thing" would beco "nothing."
Leaving aside the fact that things weren't certain between Chen Ran and Zhang Fanzhi yet—even if there really was sothing, that feeling couldn't compare to a married couple's.
When days spent apart outnumber those spent together, even married couples can't stand it and end up making a fuss about divorce, let alone sothing that hasn't even taken shape yet!
Tao Lin made a decision in her heart and imdiately changed her attitude toward Chen Ran.
She stopped calling him "Mr. Chen" and started calling him "Chen Ran, Chen Ran" quite naturally.
While she was being natural, Chen Ran found it strange and secretly asked Zhang Fanzhi,
"What... what's wrong with Sister Lin?"
He could sense that Tao Lin wasn't just putting on an act; her attitude toward him was indeed different from before.
"She’s usually like this. Just get used to it," Zhang Fanzhi said, her lips pursing slightly.
Although Chen Ran was puzzled, he didn't care too much. After all, he would have very little contact with Tao Lin; this was only their second eting, and there would likely be even fewer in the future.
Zhang Fanzhi, on the other hand, had the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, looking quite happy.
Before long, Tao Lin received a call: Lin Fengyi, the director of Flying Against the Wind, was about to arrive at the hotel.
She held her phone and ca out, shouting, "Xiao Qin."
Over there, Xiao Qin was feeling apprehensive, wondering how Sister Lin would punish her. Being called by Tao Lin made her jump in fright. She hurriedly stood up and said,
"Sister... Sister Lin, I'm here, I'm here!"
Seeing her like this, Tao Lin couldn't help but knit her brows. Am I really that scary?
"Go get the car. We’re going to the hotel. Director Lin and the others have arrived!" Tao Lin didn't have ti to bicker with her and gave the instruction.
Xiao Qin nodded frantically and ran out at a trot.
Zhang Fanzhi rembered sothing and whispered to Chen Ran, "When we go over later, don't call by my real na. Just call Xiyun."
Chen Ran asked curiously, "I think your na sounds quite nice. Why did you take a stage na?"
"What does a na sounding nice have to do with whether or not one takes a stage na?" Zhang Fanzhi asked back.
Chen Ran said, "I’ve only seen people take stage nas because their real nas didn't sound good, so I was just asking."
Zhang Fanzhi didn't explain much, only saying, "The aning of my original na isn't good."
Chen Ran pondered for a mont. Fanzhi—lush branches. It was filled with the beautiful aspirations of the older generation for the future; where was the aning bad?
Seeing that Zhang Fanzhi didn't want to talk about this topic, Chen Ran didn't press further.
The place they agreed to et Director Lin Fengyi was at a hotel; Tao Lin had booked the spot long ago.
When they arrived, Director Lin Fengyi hadn't shown up yet. Tao Lin stood to the side explaining the authorization details to Chen Ran.
After finishing, she even praised Chen Ran for writing the lyrics so well.
She felt the lyrics and the TV drama were a great match. Since she had previous contact with Director Lin Fengyi, she had sent the song over to ask.
As soon as the director heard it, he decided without much hesitation to replace the previously chosen the song with this one, "Initial Dream."
Chen Ran smiled and said nothing, appearing very humble. In reality, he was thinking: If you want to thank soone, go thank Miyuki Nakajima and Yao Ruolong; those two greats are the ones behind the music and lyrics.
Otherwise, with Chen Ran—a person who had never studied music—the things he wrote would probably not even compare to "My Skateboard Shoes"; at least "Skateboard Shoes" managed to go viral.
……
Director Lin Fengyi was a man who looked quite kind. He was about fifty years old with greying hair and black-rimd glasses.
After arriving and hearing Tao Lin’s introduction of Chen Ran, he was slightly surprised:
"I didn't expect Mr. Chen to be so young."
When he heard the song, he felt it was a perfect fit for the drama and had assud it was written by a well-known musician. Who would have thought the songwriter and composer was not only obscure but also this young.
Chen Ran shook hands with Director Lin Fengyi. In his mory, he rarely watched TV dramas and wasn't familiar with this Director Lin, but they could be considered acquainted now.
The matter of signing the authorization was quite simple.
Tao Lin had already finished the negotiations with them. Chen Ran picked up the contract and read it through carefully; seeing no issues, he directly signed his na.
After the business was finished, Lin Fengyi smiled and said, "The song is very good. I hope to hear more of your work in the future, Mr. Chen!"
"Thank you for the praise, Director Lin. It’s mainly because Xiyun sang it so well," Chen Ran replied humbly.
Lin Fengyi had a decent impression of Chen Ran, though he had no intention of forming a deep connection.
Primarily, Chen Ran was a music creator while he was a television director; the odds of their paths crossing much in the future were slim.
After chatting with Tao Lin for a while, Lin Fengyi turned his gaze back to Zhang Fanzhi and said,
"Miss Xiyun has a beautiful voice and is very stunning. I’m currently preparing an urban drama, and there’s a second female lead role with a singer persona. If Miss Xiyun is interested, you could co and give it a try."
This was effectively a direct invitation to audition.
Tao Lin was extrely tempted. An offer for the second female lead right out of the gate showed that Lin Fengyi thought very highly of Zhang Fanzhi. If the audition was successful, it could significantly change her situation at the company.
Zhang Fanzhi gave a slight smile.
"Thank you very much for your appreciation, Director Lin. However, Xiyun has never studied acting. I’m afraid I would only be failing your kind intentions."
It was a polite refusal.
She hadn't even hesitated for a second.
Tao Lin rolled her eyes; she knew Zhang Fanzhi would refuse.
Lin Fengyi felt a bit of regret but didn't push it. He simply felt that Zhang Fanzhi's looks and persona were a good match for the character and had extended the invitation casually. Even if Zhang Fanzhi had agreed, it would still have co down to her acting skills.
After Lin Fengyi left, Tao Lin imdiately asked, "Xiyun, why didn't you agree to try? For a second female lead role from Director Lin Fengyi, many actors would tear each other apart just for an audition slot."
Zhang Fanzhi said calmly, "I don't know how to act. Would I go there just to embarrass myself?"
Tao Lin found herself speechless.
She didn't bla Zhang Fanzhi for acting on her own initiative. It was just as Zhang Fanzhi said: she had absolutely no training in acting. Her ti at the company had been spent on singing and dancing.
A music company couldn't exactly be expected to handle acting training, after all!
Furthermore, Lin Fengyi had high standards for acting. Most people who went to his auditions were professional actors; if Zhang Fanzhi went, she would just be joining in the commotion.
Even if Director Lin chose her because she was beautiful, if she got on set with no acting skills—only knowing how to pout and stare—the producer wouldn't agree to it.
Besides, Zhang Fanzhi didn't know how to pout. In all likelihood, she would only know how to stare...
……
By the ti everything was wrapped up, the sky was nearly dark.
Zhang Fanzhi wanted Xiao Qin to book a return flight for Chen Ran, but he refused.
"I'm just thanking you for your help, I don't an anything else by it," Zhang Fanzhi said.
Chen Ran smiled. "I didn't think anything of it. My younger sister is studying in Huahai. It's a rare trip here, so I need to go see her."
Zhang Fanzhi was slightly surprised. "You have a younger sister?"
It seed she didn't know much about Chen Ran.
"Yeah, she's two years younger than and is in university here," Chen Ran nodded.
He hadn't originally intended to do this, but after hearing that Chen Yao was working a part-ti job, he planned to go check on her.
If it was too grueling, he would tell her to stop.
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