Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 199: Chapter 167: Rising Phase: 03

Every choice is, in fact, a gamble.

If you bet right, your efforts will shoot you to great heights; bet wrong, and all your efforts will be in vain.

Zhou Yun said, ”President He, you say that me acting in an art film isn’t safe. So, do I have any better, safer opportunities now?”

He Yong thought Zhou Yun was still caught up with the matter of ”Luoyan” and said, ”Regarding ’Luoyan’, the company has already reached an agreement with Lew Qingqing. Indeed, we cannot replace her with you. But, our film and television department has specially prepared a major urban drama for you, guaranteed to be popular once it airs!”

”Major urban drama? I heard the news about an idol drama,” said Zhou Yun.

He Yong paused for a moment before responding, ”Idol dramas are more secure. In our country, we don’t really have the environment to produce authentic workplace dramas. Even if serious workplace dramas cast actors like Sun Li and produce quality series like ’Ideal City’, their broadcast performance still doesn’t meet expectations.”

”President He, a month ago, Ning Yao announced she would be in a TV drama adapted from a romance novel, which triggered mockery all over the internet. They said she’s aging yet still trying to play younger roles—is this what you call ’safe’?” Zhou Yun asked.

”You’re not the same as her; you’ve just debuted. It’s normal for you to act in idol dramas. Besides, you’re so beautiful, you’ll definitely be popular in idol dramas.”

”Eighth Heartbeat is already out?” Zhou Yun inquired.

He Yong was taken aback.

”It’s set to air early next year. Why?”

Zhou Yun said, ”This drama must have made you a lot of money, right? I heard you also invested in the second series.”

He Yong smiled and said, ”Most of the credit goes to you. You starred in the first series, and even before it aired, sponsors who approached us covered the cost. See, everyone believes the idol dramas you star in are sure to be a hit.”

”I am sure to make it a hit because I am acting, not because it’s an idol drama, President He. Don’t get confused about what’s important.”

”Yes, yes.”

Zhou Yun said, ”The company suddenly wants me to act in a self-produced idol drama because you saw the success of ’Eighth Heartbeat’ and want to replicate it. Especially after ’Eighth Heartbeat’ airs, you can ride that wave of popularity to secure sponsorship and sell ads. Whether it’s safe or secure is not important, what matters is whether it can make money and how much it can make.”

He Yong licked his lips.

He felt a bit of dryness.

”President He, I won’t beat around the bush. I’m not against taking the company’s self-produced drama, but the company must agree to let me take this movie role. Instead of sitting in the office debating what’s safe and secure, I believe more in a simple truth, that one should not put all eggs in one basket.” Zhou Yun put on her sunglasses again, ”What do you think?”

He Yong wanted to say more.

Zhou Yun stood up, ”President He, as for persuading others, I’ll leave that to you.”

He Yong had a confused expression, thinking, what is she leaving to me??

But Zhou Yun’s tone was so matter-of-fact that He Yong was dazed, feeling as if he should take on the task.

”I hope to see results this week.” Zhou Yun curved her lips into a brilliant smile, ”President He, you’ll surely be able to persuade them, right? Thank you so much, bye.”

Zhou Yun deliberately made an exaggerated gesture, raising her finger in a mock goodbye, then turned to Zhou Lan and said, ”Sister Lan, let’s go.”

Zhou Lan looked at Zhou Yun with an odd expression on her face and left He Yong’s office saying, ”President He, we’ll be leaving now”.

He Yong took a while to get back to his senses.

He felt like he was the little eunuch next to the Old Buddha.

Wasn’t Zhou Yun’s commanding tone just like that?

...

After leaving President He’s office, Zhou Yun and Zhou Lan did not go straight downstairs but to another place instead.

Shortly after, He Yong’s secretary knocked on the door and entered saying, ”President He.”

He Yong asked, ”Have they left?”

The secretary answered, ”No, I saw them going to President Lu’s office.”

”Lu Yicheng?” He Yong’s face immediately changed, his hand on his hips, somewhat furious, ”Why would they go to Lu Yicheng? When did they start mingling with Lu Yicheng?”

Seeing He Yong fuming, the secretary wisely kept silent, waiting for He Yong to vent before adding, ”President He, could it be that they are seeking Lu Yicheng’s support?”

”What?”

The secretary said, ”Zhou Yun wants to act in that movie, right? To get the company to agree, she has to gain the consent of a few vice-presidents. Zhou Yun has been supporting half of the company’s business and endorsements for the past six months; President Lu would probably support her.”

”Bullshit! How could Lu Yicheng support Zhou Yun? If Zhou Yun messes up that movie, it’s her reputation that’s at stake!” He Yong said, ”He’s the one who opposed the most in the meeting! He doesn’t care about an artist’s future developments, just whether they can bring in more business, make more money!”

The secretary said, ”But President Lu probably wouldn’t outright reject Zhou Yun, after all... If Zhou Yun isn’t that compliant with you, President He, then if President Lu doesn’t keep Zhou Yun content, she won’t cooperate with his work either. Moreover, President Lu wouldn’t want to offend Zhou Yun. She’s currently the hottest female artist in the company; everyone’s rushing to get on her good side.”

With this reminder, He Yong pondered for a moment.

He said, ”Go set me up a meeting with President Chen from New Shield—tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.”

The secretary immediately nodded and confirmed it.

...

Zhou Yun and Zhou Lan’s visit to Lu Yicheng was purely a bluff, deliberately performed for He Yong to see.

Zhou Lan had said, if they don’t make He Yong feel threatened, he wouldn’t help Zhou Yun.

They needed to give He Yong a strong dose of medicine.

Lu Yicheng was that dose.

Within Chengqian Entertainment, Lu Yicheng was He Yong’s biggest rival.

At noon, Zhou Lan got the message and smiled at Zhou Yun, ”He Yong has arranged to meet with President Chen from New Shield tomorrow night.”

It seemed that matters were half-settled.

He Yong had started to move.

They shared a smile.

”He Yong is probably piercing a voodoo doll of me in his office,” Zhou Yun joked.

”He wouldn’t,” Zhou Lan said. ”Until he raises the next cash cow, he hopes for nothing to happen to you the most.”

Zhou Yun shook her head, her black hair swaying, and remarked, ”How ironic.”

”Let’s set aside the irony for now, Xiao Yun. This afternoon I’ve arranged a meeting with Wen Bing for you two to meet,” said Zhou Lan. ”First, secure his approval, since he’s the director. It’s best if he can recognize and insist on having you.”

Zhou Yun asked, ”Sister Lan, have you discussed with New Shield before? What do you think their intentions are?”

Zhou Lan said, ”They’re somewhat hesitant.”