Chapter 46: “Let Me Stand Up for You”

"Then here's to a pleasant collaboration!" Chef Huang, after auditioning Zhou Ran, officially confirmed the male lead—it would be Zhou Ran. Zhou Ran's performance during the audition had completely won Chef Huang over. After two or three years of preparation, Chef Huang finally settled on the leading actors for his script.

"Ha ha ha, here's to a great partnership, Teacher Huang!" Zhou Ran extended his hand, shaking Chef Huang's in agreement.

Their handshake marked the beginning of their collaboration. From now on, Zhou Ran needn't worry about the details; Chef Huang would send the contract to Zhou Ran's agent, Li Mi, for negotiation.

Preliminarily, Zhou Ran's contract would be similar to Zhang Xiaofeng's—one of the highest standards among young actors, among the very best.

With the agreement reached, Zhou Ran's vacation was coming to an end. The very next day, he would begin an intensive, closed training under Chef Huang's guidance.

Chef Huang's film was aiming for the American Film Festival, and the submission deadline was February of the following year. That meant Chef Huang had only seven months to complete the movie and submit it before the deadline.

Time was tight, especially with two months reserved for lead actor training. That left just over five months for shooting; Chef Huang had to race against the clock.

So Zhou Ran had no choice but to end his rest immediately after passing the audition and join the crew for preparations.

But Zhou Ran didn't complain; he understood the urgency. And the news that Chef Huang's directorial debut would contend at the American Film Festival genuinely delighted Zhou Ran—it could only benefit him.

Zhou Ran's side was settled, but Li Mi's was another story. Zhou Ran and Li Mi shared a large room, doubling as their living and work space.

Li Mi was peacefully sipping milk in the living room when Zhou Ran entered, startling her so much that she dropped her glass onto the floor.

"What happened to you? Look at your face! Who did this? Tell Mi-jie, I'll take care of it for you!" Li Mi, seeing Zhou Ran's swollen face, was furious. Why should her boy be bullied? She stormed over, ready to avenge him.

"Ah, Mi-jie, don't get so worked up—calm down, calm down. Let me explain everything to you." Zhou Ran found Li Mi's reaction both amusing and moving.

Amusing, because Li Mi's response was nothing like the composed, unflappable person he remembered—no longer the aloof, always confident Li Mi.

Moving, because Li Mi's emotional concern made Zhou Ran feel protected, something he rarely experienced due to his family in his previous life. His eyes grew a little red.

"Come on, Mi-jie, sit down. Don't get so agitated, just listen to me," Zhou Ran pulled Li Mi onto the sofa and told her everything that happened at the audition.

"Oh, so that's what happened! You nearly scared me to death!" Li Mi finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Zhou Ran's explanation.

Once calmed, Li Mi poked Zhou Ran's forehead hard with her finger.

"Ouch, Mi-jie, why are you poking my head? Didn't I just tell you? If you keep poking I'll get dumb!" Zhou Ran rubbed his forehead, joking.

"You have some nerve! It was just an audition, my ancestor—did you really need to go all out?"

"What if something happened to you? How would I ever achieve financial freedom?"

Li Mi scolded Zhou Ran in a complaining tone, just like an older sister chastising her mischievous little brother.

"I know, I know, Mi-jie, don't be mad anymore, okay? I promise it won't happen again. Please don't be angry, alright? My dear Mi-jie!" After being scolded, Zhou Ran hurried over to massage Li Mi's shoulders.

Li Mi initially ignored Zhou Ran, hoping he'd learn his lesson. But Zhou Ran's swollen face looked so comical, like a miniature pig, that she couldn't help but laugh.

"Heh heh heh, glad you're not angry anymore!" Zhou Ran saw Li Mi smile and knew his strategy worked, feeling satisfied.

"Are you silly or what? Your face is so swollen, and you're still smiling. Wait here, I'll get you some medicine and ice."

Li Mi looked helplessly at Zhou Ran's foolish grin. But as she watched him smile, she couldn't help but smile herself, quietly snapping a few ugly pictures for posterity.

After taking the photos, Li Mi went to her room for medicine. Without treatment, Zhou Ran's face would stay swollen for days.

The injury couldn't be treated at a hospital—the place was too public. If someone took a photo, rumors would spread everywhere.

Fortunately, Li Mi always stocked first aid supplies and had learned some nursing basics; treating Zhou Ran's swollen face was no problem.

"Hold on, this might sting a bit," Li Mi said as she began applying ointment.

"Silly kid, why push so hard? Does it hurt?" Li Mi looked at Zhou Ran's split lip as she applied medicine, feeling a pang of pity.

"Heh, it doesn't hurt. Of course I have to work hard—didn't I promise to help you achieve financial freedom? Hiss..." Zhou Ran smiled as Li Mi treated him, barely flinching from the pain.

"What are you smiling at, Xiaoran?" Li Mi gently tapped his forehead.

"Heh heh heh heh," Zhou Ran enjoyed the moment, wishing time would slow down.

"Mi-jie!"

"Mm? What's wrong?"

"My face—please don't blame Teacher Huang, it wasn't his fault."

"Alright, we'll see how you behave."

"Heh heh heh heh!"

"Stop moving! I'm applying medicine!"