Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 275: Chapter 237: The Rise: 73

That night, Su Yan suddenly called in a rage.

Zhou Yun didn’t have Su Yan’s number, so it showed up as an unknown number.

But when Zhou Yun picked up the phone, she remained silent, ready to listen first and hang up if it wasn’t someone she knew.

As soon as the call connected, Su Yan’s curses came through: ”Zhou Yun, how dare you snatch my endorsement! Just you wait, I won’t let you off the hook.”

After cussing out, Su Yan hung up the call.

Zhou Yun guessed she was referring to the Jinling Jewelry endorsement deal.

She helplessly put down her phone, wanting to laugh but knowing it wasn’t appropriate. Why hadn’t Su Yan ever considered if there was something wrong with herself?

In July this year, Wei Ru Xue made a comeback with ”Spring Cold,” while Su Yan hadn’t had a hit drama for almost three years.

There are only so many spots for top actresses; those in position cling to their spots, while the newcomers wait eagerly. Su Yan’s lack of quality work for a long time naturally made her position shaky.

If not for riding on the popularity of ”Geology Talk,” Su Yan’s fame would have plummeted even faster.

That’s just how it is for actors. Some are lucky or naturally have the charisma; one role could sustain them for five or ten years, with a following to boot. Others aren’t as fortunate; they may have had success, but time tolls, audiences forget quickly, and if the work isn’t classic, it’s easier to fade away.

Of course, to say Su Yan was washed up would be an overstatement, but her waning popularity was a nailed-down fact.

Lew Qingqing could still attract attention with her new romance, trending on the hot search now and then.

Su Yan, however, had none of that buzz.

Zhou Yun rested at home for two days and had to attend a brand event, so she took a flight to Beijing with Zheng Xiaojue.

Summer in Beijing has a sense of vastness.

The temperament of the north is different from the south; it’s more generous, making one feel open-hearted.

The brand was quite generous and thorough, arranging a car, a driver, and an assistant to accompany her.

In the hotel, Zhou Yun ran into Wen Xi.

Wen Xi was also there for the brand event. She’s a top supermodel in China; any fashion-related event in the country would include her on the guest list.

They decided to grab coffee at a nearby cafe and chat.

Though their careers were different, they were both in showbiz and had plenty to talk about.

”I’ve been wanting to thank you for the last time, I’ve been meaning to invite you for a meal, but you were busy filming back-to-back movies, I couldn’t find the time,” Wen Xi said graciously.

She was thin but looked healthy, especially her eyes, which were very bright, making her very photogenic. Attractive people often resemble animals in some way; Wen Xi was like a deer with a forest vibe.

Zhou Yun shook her head and said, ”You don’t have to be so formal, but is Jin Su your junior brother?”

Wen Xi smiled and said, ”Yes, not the kind of junior signed with the same company, but my mentor who got me into modeling was also his mentor.”

”Got it, no wonder,” Zhou Yun thought, he came to her specifically for a favor.

Wen Xi continued, ”He doesn’t want to be a model; he feels male models can’t break out, with too low a ceiling, and wants to act. He’s auditioning everywhere. I advised him to stick with modeling. Going into acting now, with nothing to show, is too competitive. If he makes a name in modeling first, then enters showbiz, it would save a lot of effort. He’s suited for modeling.”

Male models aren’t as recognized as female models; that’s the status quo of the industry.

Ask anyone on the street to name a model, and many could name a few females but hardly any male models.

In the fashion world, women often get the spotlight.

Zhou Yun remarked, ”With his height, it would be disadvantageous to be an actor, right?”

”True,” Wen Xi replied with a resigned smile.

She suddenly remembered and said, ”I haven’t congratulated you yet; your new movie was nominated for the Venice International Film Festival. That’s impressive.”

Zhou Yun: ”It was just good luck; I didn’t expect it to be nominated while we were shooting.”

”I’ve also attended domestic and international film festivals red carpets in recent years, especially for international ones. There aren’t many Chinese around. Even though I’m not a filmmaker, I still hope to see more Chinese cinema people,” Wen Xi said, ”You’ll see, being Chinese overseas, we still receive different looks, unfair treatment.”

Zhou Yun: ”But you’re incredible. Even in such an environment, you’ve made it to the world’s top supermodel rankings.”

Wen Xi shook her head, laughing, ”Enough about me.”

The cafe owner recognized them and asked if they could take a photo together.

They both nodded, having no objections.

They went shopping and had dinner together.

They got along surprisingly well.

Not wanting the night to end, they bought some wine and watched a movie in the hotel room, chatting and laughing.

”I once walked a show for a brand abroad. They had settled on me opening the show, but at the last minute, they replaced me,” Wen Xi shared her experience, filled with emotion, ”I’ve been through this too often, it’s not that they think you lack ability, they just look down on Chinese people, thinking a model from China isn’t fit to open a show.”

”You’ve firmly made your stand at the peak of the modeling industry; no one can look down on you now. Many people call you the national model, saying you’ve achieved the best a Chinese model can internationally. Wen Xi, do you know how many girls see you as an idol? Not just as a fashion icon, but they’re inspired by your story, your persistence. It’s amazing.”

...

”I naively thought before that I’d never be one of those actresses fighting for the spotlight. I’d just mind my own business, and let others do what they want. But now I realize it’s so difficult. It’s simply not up to me,” Zhou Yun propped her face with one hand, tipsy, ”I can’t keep out of it; every actress wants to act in better movies, work with better directors, get better endorsements, achieve success, become famous, improve. But the path is so narrow, competition is inevitable, and I can’t just do my own thing; no one can only focus on themselves.”

...

”You’re already doing very well.”

”Really?”

”Truly. You know when did my attitude toward you change significantly? It was during that ’Victor’ red carpet event, when nobody wanted to go because of the order, and you were willing to step in to save the show. Really, at that moment, I knew you were someone who valued loyalty and didn’t fuss over certain things.”

”I couldn’t just let the red carpet stay empty.”

”Indeed.”

”It’s all work; we shouldn’t let others face embarrassment. I really hate to see someone mess up. Sometimes I’d rather mess up myself than see someone else fail, it makes me feel terrible.”

”Hahahaha...”