Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 244: Chapter 206: Rising Phase: 42

Victor Fashion Night.

This event garners significant exposure and typically sees a gathering of myriad stars.

These kinds of events are, in essence, another four words: a battle.

First, there’s the order of walking the red carpet.

Zhou Yun really isn’t particular about it. Many people vie to be the closing act, or at least second to last. Others, even if they don’t obsess over being the finale (more commonly because they know they aren’t in the running for that spot), would avoid stepping out before certain individuals.

Yet, Zhou Yun was indifferent to these concerns, even telling Zhou Lan explicitly not to fret over such matters.

Though many view the sequence of appearances as a status symbol—believing later appearances signify higher status—Zhou Yun has always believed genuine status isn’t earned by merely jockeying for a position in line. Still, Zhou Yun’s schedule on the red carpet was changed three times due to alterations in others’ schedules.

Next is the style for appearing on the red carpet.

Renowned stylists and makeup artists, once these large events come up, are incredibly busy. All the artists compete to book their times, ensuring they secure the best possible.

While Zhou Yun didn’t need to worry about her gown, being the brand ambassador for VX, she’d, of course, choose VX.

Zheng Xiaowen personally selected five alternatives to send to Zhou Yun for her choice.

The trouble was the hairstylist and the makeup artist. Zhou Lan had reached out to several well-known makeup artists and hairstylists in the industry, only to find they were all booked by leading actresses.

Zhou Yun could have settled for lesser-known professionals, but Zhou Lan wouldn’t allow it.

”It’s also about face. Your style needs an official announcement. If you use an unknown makeup artist, and they do well, it’s because you have a unique eye. But if it goes poorly, you end up tarnished by negative reviews, becoming a stylistic disaster. This would significantly impact your reputation and could lead to brands pulling out.”

Zhou Yun has several endorsements tied to the fashion industry, and her image is linked to those brands.

For now, the issue of the makeup artist was set aside, with Zhou Lan trying other avenues to find someone suitable.

The third complication related to attending a major fashion event soon followed:

The seating arrangement.

Inside the venue, where stars sit—first row or second, next to whom or explicitly not next to whom—anyone dealt with such logistical planning knows just how much pain and effort a thin seating chart can hold.

Zhou Lan said, ”Should we ask Victor not to seat you next to Su Yan? The seating chart I received has you and her together.”

”Su Yan is also going?” Zhou Yun smiled, waved her hand, and said, ”Then don’t bother asking, rest assured, Su Yan will certainly disagree first.”

Zhou Lan thought for a moment and nodded, ”You’re right.”

She shared the gossip she’d heard with Zhou Yun.

”Su Yan and Lew Qingqing fought over the same haute couture piece again,” Zhou Lan said, ”It’s hard to tell who will secure it.”

”Whoever gets it, it has nothing to do with me,” Zhou Yun said. ”I will just peacefully make my appearance and get my job done.”

”Your mentality is rare, if not unique,” Zhou Lan laughed. ”Why be in the entertainment industry with such a zen attitude?”

”True.”

”Also, often, the competitive spirit is incited by comparison. I don’t believe you’d be comfortable appearing makeup-free beside Su Yan if she dresses up beautiful one day,” Zhou Lan remarked.

Zhou Yun thought for a moment and nodded, saying, ”You’re right.”

-

Suddenly, Shi Luoqi contacted them, asking about their availability this week as she was planning to bring a new director friend to meet them.

Zhou Yun’s schedule was packed, nearly full every day. Zhou Lan could only free around three hours at noon.

”Sorry, Sister Luo Qi, Xiao Yun really can’t spare any other time but midday,” Zhou Lan humbly addressed Shi Luoqi, who was a distinguished producer both domestically and internationally.

Shi Luoqi didn’t mind, saying, ”No worries, lunchtime is better, we can have a meal together.”

Her new director friend was also a woman, a much younger woman, seemingly only about thirty from her appearance.

It is rare to see such young film directors domestically.

”Hello, I’m Xue Qin.” The newcomer extended her right hand, introducing herself.

”Director Xue, hello, I’m Zhou Lan, Zhou Yun’s agent.” Zhou Lan reached out for a handshake with Xue Qin.

”I am Zhou Yun.”

Xue Qin didn’t quite look like a director but more like a fashionable female model.

She was tall and slim, with a distinctive style in her attire.

From top to bottom, Xue Qin assessed Zhou Yun and said, ”Sister Luo Qi strongly recommended you to me, saying you’d be perfect for my upcoming project ’Falling Leaves.’ You are indeed beautiful.”

”Thank you.”

”However, a face too beautiful isn’t quite suited for the big screen,” Xue Qin was frank.

Zhou Yun was taken aback.

Xue Qin smiled slightly, explaining, ”Women and men are different when it comes to acting—you’ll find the roles for actresses are much narrower than those for actors, tending towards beautiful, typecast female characters. Among China’s top actors, you can find several not so handsome men, but among the actresses, there are none.”

Zhu Yun didn’t know quite what to say for a moment.

”Actually, if possible, I’d prefer to cast a girl with a more ordinary appearance for my film, but Sister Luo Qi wouldn’t agree,” Xue Qin shrugged. ”You’re too beautiful.”

Zhou Yun gave an embarrassed smile and said, ”No worries, if you don’t think it’s suitable, we can just be friends.”

Xue Qin raised an eyebrow, ”I heard you haven’t acted much?”

Zhou Yun hesitated, then nodded, ”Yes.”

”Do you know how to act?” Xue Qin asked.

Typically, Zhou Yun would have responded modestly, but perhaps Xue Qin’s demeanor prompted a less humble reply. Nodding earnestly, Zhou Yun said, ”Quite well.”

Even Zhou Lan was surprised by Zhou Yun’s response, knowing her character. After a few seconds, she understood Zhou Yun better and felt relieved.

Xue Qin mentioned, ”To be honest, there are other actresses in contact with me seeking to star in the film, two of whom are more famous and have more experience than you.”

Zhou Yun said, ”If you’re worried about my lack of acting experience, you could arrange an audition. Whether it suits or not is another matter, but as for acting, I’m indeed quite competent. Admittedly, I haven’t acted much.”