Chapter 94 - Testifying
"Yaoyao, did your brother ever have a girlfriend before?"
"No."
"That's impossible. He's quite handso and has a good temper. How could soone like that not have a girlfriend?"
"My brother was busy studying, he didn't have ti for a girlfriend."
"What about college? He must have had one in college, right?"
"No, he worked part-ti throughout college. Aside from going to class, he was working part-ti."
"That shouldn't be!" Zhang Ruyi was puzzled.
So of her classmates weren't even as handso as Chen Ran, but they changed girlfriends like they changed clothes.
And Chen Ran's personality seed pretty good too, otherwise how could he tolerate her sister's temper? Such a person should be very attractive to won.
Chen Yao said, "What's there that shouldn't be? Haven't you also never had a boyfriend?"
Zhang Ruyi said, "That's different, I'm a girl, I keep myself pure!"
"As if my brother can't keep himself pure either." Chen Yao gave Zhang Ruyi an exasperated look and asked suspiciously,
"Naonao, ever since you got back you've been asking for information about my brother. What bad ideas are you scheming?"
Zhang Ruyi put on a hurt expression and said,
"Yaoyao, your words are too hurtful. Am I that kind of person? My sister is dating, so I have to help act as a gatekeeper. Isn't it normal to get a proper understanding of him?"
She said the latter sentence with complete self-righteousness.
Chen Yao was montarily speechless. Just as she was about to say sothing, her phone rang. She grabbed it, took a look, and wanted to go outside to answer it.
Zhang Ruyi asked casually, "Whose call is it that you have to hide to answer?"
Chen Yao glanced at her and said, "Your brother-in-law!"
Then, ignoring her, she went outside to answer.
Zhang Ruyi choked on her words a bit, feeling sowhat depressed. She didn't expect Yaoyao to have learned to be bad too!
Outside, Chen Yao answered the phone and asked, "Brother, what's the matter? I didn't tell Mom and Dad about the matter between you and Naonao's sister!"
She didn't dare ntion the characters "Zhang Xiyun"; it wouldn't be good if soone heard it.
"No, I'm your brother, why does it feel like you're so afraid?" Chen Ran found it amusing.
Chen Yao thought to herself, of course I'm afraid.
Chen Ran was just dating; even if Mom and Dad knew, they would only be happy. This didn't count as her having leverage over him.
But she was different. Singing in a bar—if her parents found out, they would be angry enough to whip soone.
Chen Ran didn't make things difficult for his sister either, saying,
"Alright, I'm looking for you because of sothing. I wrote a song for you. I'll send it to your WeChat in a bit, rember to receive it."
Chen Yao was a bit dumbfounded: "A song? You wrote a song for ?"
"Mhm, I reckon you'll like it."
Chen Yao snapped back to reality and hurriedly said, "Brother, my singing is just a hobby, I don't want to be a singer!"
"It's just one song, I didn't say you have to beco a singer just because you sing it," Chen Ran said.
Chen Yao still refused, saying, "I can't sing it, I just sing covers for fun. It's too much of a waste to give the song you wrote to . How great it would be if you gave it to Naonao's sister."
"I said it's for you, so it's for you. This song doesn't suit her. People who like to sing have definitely thought about having their own original song; you definitely want one. I'm your brother, are you still feeling embarrassed with ?" Chen Ran added,
"This song was written by Zhizhi and together. If you really don't want it, then I'll go have a heart-to-heart talk with Mom and Dad..."
"How could you be like this..." Chen Yao felt a wave of powerlessness.
No matter what she said, Chen Ran would bring out their Mom and Dad to talk about it. How was she supposed to retort to that?
"Also, I heard from Zhizhi that your boss has a music studio. If you need to record or arrange the music, you can go to your boss. If you don't have enough money, let know..."
Chen Ran gave a few more instructions before hanging up.
Chen Yao entered the dorm, and Zhang Ruyi stuck to her again like glue,
"What's the matter with your brother?"
Before Chen Yao could answer, she heard her phone go ding-dong, and Chen Ran sent the sheet music file over.
"What's this?" Zhang Ruyi was curious.
Chen Yao said exasperatedly, "A song written by your sister and brother-in-law, for to sing."
Zhang Ruyi tilted her head, her eyes full of confusion:
"Wrote a song for you to sing? Isn't that a waste?"
Chen Yao shot her a glare, and Zhang Ruyi shrank back a bit.
Chen Yao ignored her and instead tapped to open the file...
Zhang Ruyi leaned over, their heads squeezed together. After reading the lyrics and the song title, the two looked at each other.
The corners of Zhang Ruyi's mouth twitched: "This... this is the song they wrote?"
Chen Yao snorted, "See that? Stop having those petty thoughts."
How could she not know what Zhang Naonao was thinking?
Zhang Ruyi didn't retort, just feeling a bit depressed.
……
Ti passed day by day.
The TV station's annual eting was approaching.
The stage was prepared, and the programs had been rehearsed.
Their program was a cody sketch.
It was about the funny happenings within a TV station's program crew, delivering one punchline after another—the kind that would make anyone working at a TV station smile knowingly as they watched.
Chen Ran originally hadn't wanted to participate in the discussion for the annual eting program, but Director Liu specifically called him out to co-write the script.
Chen Ran went along with it and offered so ideas, which counted as doing his part for the channel.
During this ti, he and Zhang Fanzhi kept in touch quite a bit. They would chat on WeChat almost every day; no matter how busy they were, they would still send a greeting.
Even when he wasn't at the Zhang family ho, they would occasionally start a video call.
Although they hadn't seen each other much, Chen Ran felt that their relationship was a bit closer than before.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but this feeling wasn't bad at all.
anwhile, Chen Yao and Zhang Ruyi also went on their winter break.
Because Chen Yao was going to record "The Rest of My Life," she needed to delay her return ho by a few days. Zhang Ruyi was keeping her company, so she would also be back a few days later.
Director Zhang called Chen Ran: "Co over to the house tonight, I have sothing to tell you."
Although Chen Ran was sowhat puzzled, he nodded and agreed.
Because tomorrow was the annual eting, everyone had worked overti.
By the ti Chen Ran and Director Zhang got off work together, it was already past eight o'clock.
Slling the heavy scent of smoke all over him, Chen Ran coughed and said, "Uncle, the sll is a bit strong."
"Sll?" Director Zhang was slightly taken aback, then reacted,
"Sigh, I didn't smoke either. I was just with Liu Bing and the others just now. You know those old heavy smokers; the office isn't big to begin with, so I've practically been marinated in the flavor."
Chen Ran wanted to laugh but didn't dare. It's useless explaining this to .
Director Zhang added, "Later on you have to help explain this to your Auntie, otherwise I'm going to be wrongly accused."
Chen Ran finally realized this was what Director Zhang was waiting for.
The corners of his mouth twitched.
Aunt Yun was so astute; it would be better if you didn't explain. Wouldn't explaining just be doing sothing superfluous and giving yourself away without being pressed?
Sure enough.
As soon as they returned ho, Aunt Yun frowned when she slled the odor on him.
Director Zhang hurriedly said, "I really didn't smoke. Chen Ran was with , he can testify. It was a few old heavy smokers from the station discussing programs in my office; they smothered in this sll."
Seeing Aunt Yun look over, Chen Ran smiled awkwardly and nodded.
Aunt Yun wanted to say sothing, but ultimately decided not to bicker with her husband.
"Whether you smoke or not has nothing to do with . Anyway, I'm not the one who will be suffering." After Aunt Yun said this, she turned and entered the kitchen.
Chen Ran finally knew where Zhang Fanzhi got her temper from; she bore quite a resemblance to Aunt Yun.
Director Zhang touched the top of his head and breathed a slight sigh of relief, feeling like he had managed to bluff his way through.
The two sat on the sofa. Director Zhang said, "Actually, asking you to co over today is mainly regarding the matter of the satellite TV channel."
Chen Ran sat up straight: "The satellite TV channel? Is it about those two new programs being prepared?"
Director Zhang gave an "Mhm," confirming it.
"One is a major production with a lot of funding, and the other is a late-night slot with less funding. Tomorrow is the annual eting, and it's still unknown whether you have a chance to win the award. I want to prepare for both scenarios.
Let's not think about the major production; even if you win Best Planner, it's impossible for them to let you intervene. But for the late-night slot, even if you don't win the award, I will help you secure an opportunity to compete for it."
Chen Ran looked at Director Zhang, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.
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