Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 20: Chapter 20 The Beginning of the Scandal: 20

This person’s name is Yin Zishi, a deputy general manager of a film and television production company, overseeing several production teams. He produces reputable TV dramas as well as caters to current trends by collaborating with online platforms on numerous web series, which are also quite popular.

Zhou Lan invited Yin Zishi over because she values his eye for projects.

The projects that come from Yin Zishi’s hands rarely fail.

Therefore, even though she was left hanging for half an hour, Zhou Lan’s face did not show any dissatisfaction, and she warmly said, ”President Yin, I must first congratulate you. This time ’Red Lantern’ has received four nominations at Bai Yulan, that’s truly awesome.”

Yin Zishi and Zhou Lan embraced warmly.

”Shouldn’t I also congratulate you for having a good eye for talent? Picking Zhou Yun, who became famous just a year after debut,” said Yin Zishi with a Smiling Face, glancing over at Zhou Yun, ”Among this batch of newcomers, Zhou Yun stood out, even someone as out-of-the-loop as me has heard about it. These past few days, Zhou Yun has been the hottest female celebrity, no one is on the trending search more than her.”

Every year, Chengqian Entertainment signs a batch of newcomers and debuts them. It’s just that everyone’s fate differs; they will gradually grow apart. Some rise while others keep struggling at the bottom of the mountain.

Zhou Lan’s hand was still on Yin Zishi’s shoulder. Hearing him finish, her smile deepened, ”Debuting newcomers need a bit of luck, and we would need more guidance from President Yin.”

Yin Zishi humbly waved his hand, ”I’m only good at managing projects, not at handling artists. In this regard, you are the expert.”

Zhou Lan snorted lightly, ”Look at what you’re saying. How am I an expert? I’m just winging it and feeling my way across the river. Otherwise, why would I shamelessly ask you to come over today? We still need you to take the helm and guide our newly launched boat out of its confusion.”

Turning his head, Yin Zishi smiled at a few people behind him and said, ”Look at Miss Zhou’s art of conversation. She almost had me floating on air, thinking I was actually that capable.”

”Aiyo, President Yin, please have a seat first. Let’s sit down and chat, and you can slowly tease me. I guarantee that even if you praise me to the skies today, I will make sure not to fall down and hit your foot,” Zhou Lan finished, laughing as if she was a tinkling bell, clear and lively.

Zhou Yun on the side maintained a sweet smile, fully embracing her role—a beautiful vase.

She could understand some of this verbal back and forth and rivalry, but not all of it.

Zhou Lan had her capabilities in this area; it was enough for Zhou Yun to quietly listen on the side.

After talking back and forth for a while, they finally got to the main topic.

Yin Zishi took out several projects he was preparing.

”For the second half of the year, we are planning to start shooting three projects. One is a spy drama, and the leads are already set, but there is a supporting female role that suits Zhou Yun. However, the director is Yang Yan; he’s very strict. If Zhou Yun can’t pass his approval, it wouldn’t be good for us to force our way in.”

”The second project is an ancient costume romance detective series. This year’s ’Six Gates Little Detective’ was a hit. This is also a custom series for a platform that wants to replicate ’Six Gates Little Detective’s’ success. The script is still being polished. I’ve read the draft and the quality is decent. If produced well, it could be a small sensation. The female lead and female number two have been appointed by the platform, but there is a female number three; her screen time isn’t much less than the female number two, and her character design is likable, the type that the audience loves. You can consider it.”

”The third project is a modern urban workplace drama with venture capital backing, adapted from a big IP. Wei Ru Xue is interested in this script and is in talks with us for the lead role. With her starring in it, this project will definitely attract a lot of attention. I can’t guarantee that Zhou Yun will definitely land a role in this drama.”

After introducing the projects, Yin Zishi spread his hands and said, ”Actually, with Zhou Yun’s current momentum, it would be better for us to create a project tailored for her, but I am indeed too busy. Several projects are in operation, and I really can’t do everything.”

After listening to all this, Zhou Yun was somewhat surprised.

She didn’t know if she misunderstood the meaning, or if Yin Zishi truly didn’t have a suitable project for her.

For the first project, the strict director might not fancy her. For the second project, the platform had already decided on the female lead and female number two, and the female number three isn’t bad, but it’s just a web drama, not a big production, not a great opportunity for her. The third project is even less likely; Yin Zishi explicitly stated he couldn’t guarantee Zhou Yun would get the role. If he were willing, how could she possibly not land it?

Unless he himself didn’t want to give that nod.

Zhou Yun calmly looked at Zhou Lan.

Zhou Lan was looking down at the information Yin Zishi had brought over. It took several seconds before she raised her head and smiled, ”President Yin, you’re a busy man, but Zhou Yun’s acting is indeed excellent, charismatic, with a good rapport with the audience. Now she just needs an opportunity.”

Yin Zishi tapped the table with his index finger, ”These three projects are here, and there’s definitely an opportunity, but you also know, in the current film and television market, production companies sometimes have even less say than the lead actors. I can only guarantee to get you an audition chance, but beyond that, I truly cannot do more.”

...

At noon, Zhou Lan took Zhou Yun to a restaurant near the company for lunch.

Before the food arrived, they were each looking at their phones, silent.

The earlier communication was not as smooth as imagined, and the offers from the other party were far from what Zhou Lan had hoped for.

What made Zhou Lan feel even worse was that she had arranged today’s meeting, originally thinking it would be smooth sailing and that Yin Zishi would not make things difficult, so she brought Zhou Yun along. Unexpectedly, Zhou Yun also personally experienced disappointment.

Zhou Lan thought this was her negligence as an agent.

”Don’t worry about the earlier matter, I will continue to communicate later,” Zhou Lan comforted Zhou Yun, fearing she was unhappy.

Zhou Yun simply nodded, smiling gently, agreeing.

Unfortunately, things that don’t go as hoped must be kept to oneself. Others won’t delay their schedules for your work.

This afternoon’s shoot was work set a month in advance. Zhou Yun was chosen by the editor-in-chief of a Hong Kong fashion magazine and invited to shoot several sets.

The pay wasn’t high, but since the fashion industry is closely related to the entertainment circle, such work is beneficial for Zhou Yun, so she accepted it.

The shooting lasted until the evening. After the photographer announced it was a wrap, Zhou Yun rubbed her face and walked forward.

Zhou Lan was accompanying an elderly lady with silver hair and chic fashion sense.

Seeing the eager smile on Zhou Lan’s face, Zhou Yun knew this old lady must be someone important.