Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 268: Chapter 230: Rise: 66

”They’re clearly setting the stage for a showdown,” Zhou Lan hit the nail on the head, defining the two events taking place simultaneously. ”Former and current chief editors of Victor magazine, why bother?”

Zhou Yun said, ”Last time at the New Chapter Night, the drama on Victor’s red carpet was public knowledge, why is Ren Sumin so quick to organize a private party?”

”Everyone has their own needs,” Zhou Lan said. ”Many people in the industry need an occasion like this to get to know each other and strike some deals.”

”And why is Chief Editor Chen doing this?” Zhou Yun asked. ”Doesn’t she always live in Hong Kong? Why come all the way to Beijing for a private party?”

”She has many good friends on the mainland and often holds private parties in Beijing, but the news of her party was set after Ren Sumin’s date was fixed, specifically on purpose,” Zhou Lan said. ”I heard that Ren Sumin seriously offended Chief Editor Chen in Hong Kong. At a private event, she directly told others that Chen Ting was incompetent and got kicked out by headquarters. She said she was entrusted with the important task of bringing new vitality to Victor and even claimed that the magazine’s fashion taste had declined over the years, leading to a tarnished reputation.”

Zhou Yun frowned and said, ”Ren Sumin’s words are too much.”

”Who knows,” Zhou Lan replied. ”The last time I saw her, she didn’t seem like the showy type. Anyway, which private party do you plan to attend this time?”

”Neither. Just say I’m shooting and can’t spare the time,” Zhou Yun said.

Zhou Lan was surprised: ”Li Ci even took a break from filming to go to Ren Sumin’s.”

”Li Ci is Li Ci, I’m me,” Zhou Yun responded. ”Both parties are obviously taking a stance, why would I foolishly pick a side? If Chief Editor Chen really wanted me there, she would have called me herself, not just formally sent over an invitation through you.”

”Ren Sumin did call me personally, insisting that I get you to go,” Zhou Lan said. ”We also have a cover to shoot.”

”Just politely decline, I have filming to do. The cover is for the October issue, it’s still early, no need to shoot it now,” Zhou Yun said.

”I’ll talk to her,” Zhou Lan suddenly remembered something and said, ”This time Song Chi will also be there.”

”At Chief Editor Chen’s?” Zhou Yun asked in surprise, ”Isn’t he also filming a movie?”

”Song Chi and Chen Ting are very close friends, and during a time like this, he’ll still show up to support her,” Zhou Lan explained. ”At Song Chi’s level, unless it’s one of the top four magazines, he doesn’t have to worry about offending anyone.”

Zhou Yun asked curiously, ”Has Xu Siyao received an invitation?”

”I don’t know, but probably not,” Zhou Lan replied. ”I haven’t heard anything about her asking for leave from the set. After all, she really offended Ren Sumin last time, and Ren Sumin probably wouldn’t invite her again.”

Zhou Yun said, ”It’s not worth it.”

Zhou Lan responded, ”Not necessarily, she’s got five endorsements these past two months.”

Zhou Yun: ”It’s still not worth it.”

Zhou Lan smiled and said, ”Everyone wants different things.”

”Earlier you posted a photo with Wang Jing on Weibo. You haven’t had any exposure for a while now, so I’ve arranged for her to visit you on set these next few days. Let’s just issue a press release,” Zhou Lan said. ”Just a chat and a meal will do.”

Zhou Yun nodded and said, ”Sure, pick a day when I have fewer scenes.”

”Has Song Chi contacted you lately?” Zhou Lan asked.

”Nope, we haven’t been in touch for several days, what’s up?” Zhou Yun inquired.

Zhou Lan said, ”Someone’s seen him meeting with the same woman several times.”

”...” Zhou Yun frowned, ”Sister Lan, what are you trying to say?”

Zhou Lan: ”There are rumors that he’s involved with that woman. I thought you should know.”

”Don’t bother telling me about such baseless claims next time. Just because someone’s seen with the same woman several times, people suspect there’s something going on. That’s just idle gossip,” Zhou Yun said.

Zhou Lan asked surprise, ”You really don’t mind?”

”It’s not that I don’t,” Zhou Yun shook her head, ”but whoever’s blowing this rumor in your ear has unclear intentions. What are they up to?”

Zhou Lan was astonished and said, ”Are you suggesting it’s deliberate?”

”I don’t know. It might be intentional or unintentional, but it’s all just rumors, very boring,” Zhou Yun replied. ”There’s always been a lot of gossip about me and Song Chi anyhow.”

Zhou Lan nodded, ”You’re right. More than anything, they’re blowing this gossip in my ear just to see how you react when you find out. If you react even slightly, they’ll have an angle to work with.”

Zhou Yun pondered for a moment and then said, ”Still, find a chance to subtly remind Song Chi in private. Tell him he’s being watched.”

Zhou Lan agreed.

In the evening, after finishing filming, Zhou Yun returned to the hotel and was blow-drying her hair when her phone rang. It was a call from Song Chi.

Zhou Yun thought, why, just after they hadn’t been in touch for days, did he call tonight?

”What are you up to?” Song Chi asked.

”About to rest,” said Zhou Yun. ”Been filming all day.”

”Should I call you back tomorrow morning?”

”It’s not that urgent to rest, but did you call suddenly because something’s up?”

Song Chi asked, ”Did you have anything you wanted to ask me?”

Zhou Yun was puzzled, ”What should I ask you about?”

After about two seconds, Zhou Yun realized. She laughed subconsciously and asked, ”Did Sister Lan contact you?”

”Yeah, why didn’t you call me?” Song Chi said. ”I thought you’d want to ask who that woman was.”

Zhou Yun said nothing.

Song Chi continued, ”I thought I’ve been keeping a low profile lately, but there are still people targeting me.”

”Fame brings trouble,” Zhou Yun laughed. ”Even if you went abroad, people would still keep an eye on you.”

Song Chi asked, ”How’s your current film going? Shooting smoothly?”

”It’s just as usual.”

”How’s it going with Xu Siyao?”

”Stop, we’re not interacting, we can’t even use the word ’interacting’. I’m shocked she hasn’t thrown acid at me,” Zhou Yun said. ”These past few days, our scenes together have been as opponents. No NG takes, one-shot wonders, the tension is palpable, as you can imagine.”

Song Chi laughed heartily, his amusement clear.

”Your company is crafty, knowing you two together create buzz and stuffing you both in the same crew as female lead and daughter roles.”

”We have scenes of deep sisterly love coming up,” Zhou Yun sighed, thinking of the later scenes giving her a headache. ”Now it’s natural, but later it’ll be against my conscience.”