Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 293: Chapter 255: Rise: 91

What should a beautiful romance look like?

Two people walking hand in hand down the street.

Two people sharing an ice cream.

When you turn your head, he looks at you with a smile, and when he turns his head, you also look at him with a smile.

Waking up in the same bed, hearing the pitter-patter of rain outside the window, instinctively cuddling together.

Every romance is different, but the sentiment is generally the same.

Seeing something beautiful and thinking of sharing it immediately, encountering something fun and wanting to tell the other person right away.

Yet, the romance between Zhou Yun and Song Chi is a bit awkward.

It’s not that the two are awkward with each other, but rather they cannot love openly and must love in secret, surreptitiously, like stealing a sip of honey without leaving a trace.

Zhou Yun has never had such an experience and oddly finds it thrilling.

In August, Zheng Xiaowen approached Zhou Yun with a project proposal.

It was the fashion drama she had mentioned before.

Zheng Xiaowen wanted to create a fashion drama to promote the VX brand.

Zhou Lan was quite optimistic about this project.

In Zhou Lan’s view, it would be a waste for Zhou Yun not to star in a fashion drama. As long as it wasn’t the kind of script that was an idol drama in the name of fashion, Zhou Lan was keen to see Zhou Yun try different things.

When Zheng Xiaowen introduced the project, she said, ”I’ve also talked to President He about this play. He’s very interested and said he would help me make connections. Chengqian Film and Television will be invited to co-produce.”

Zhou Yun asked, ”The script hasn’t been written yet, right?”

Zheng Xiaowen said, ”Not yet, we’re looking at screenwriters, but there are too few reliable ones around, too many are deceiving—hanging a sheep’s head but selling dog meat. I hope this drama can be well-made.”

”I hope it can succeed,” Zhou Yun said. ”It’s too early to discuss these without a script.”

”It’s not too early. I want to confirm the main cast first, and then have the screenwriter create a script tailored to them,” Zheng Xiaowen said.

”Is that feasible?” Zhou Yun asked doubtfully, frowning.

Zheng Xiaowen said, ”After all, it’s a fashion-themed drama, and I hope it looks high-end and glamorous.”

”But in fact, such themes can easily turn out tacky if the production isn’t well-invested, and the sets would look cheap. I see many workplace dramas now have this problem,” Zhou Yun said.

Actually, Zhou Yun had her hopes and concerns about this drama.

There were no successful domestic precedents.

Fashion itself is discerning, and when it comes to TV dramas, scrutiny increases.

And this drama wasn’t created around the concept of fashion; it was made to promote the VX brand.

It was more like a commercial.

Would the artistic value of the drama itself have to give way?

Zheng Xiaowen saw the hesitation in Zhou Yun’s expression.

”Xiao Yun, are you worried about something?” Zheng Xiaowen took Zhou Yun’s hand and asked.

Zhou Yun thought for a moment and decided to speak frankly, to voice her concerns before moving forward with the drama. To take a part with such doubts would hardly solidify her resolve to commit.

”Sister Xiaowen, I’m thinking that ultimately, this drama is meant to promote the VX brand, and in essence, we are just tools. But for a commercial with more promotional value, will the audience actually like it?”

Zheng Xiaowen said: ”Xiao Yun, I understand your concerns. I want to correct you on one point: what I most want to convey through this drama is not just the VX brand, but VX’s, and mine, understanding of fashion, beauty, and our aesthetic approach to life. Each of us pursues a form of beauty in life, it’s our most common value, and a universal aspiration.”

”What then does this drama truly want to convey?” Zhou Yun asked.

Zheng Xiaowen thought for a moment and said, ”Effort, discipline, optimism, struggle, having an aesthetic, having standards.”

Zhou Yun: ”Those are all very conceptual words.”

”So, I need to set the main cast first and have the screenwriter write a script around these concepts.”

”Writing to a theme is like dancing in shackles; it may not turn out as well as hoped,” Zhou Yun said. ”You need to find a screenwriter who shares your vision, understands your pursuits, knows what you want to say, and has storytelling ability. Only then can what you truly want to convey be expressed.”

Zheng Xiaowen said, ”I’ll look for a screenwriter with President He, but regarding the cast, especially for the male lead, I want to hear your opinion. Zhou Lan also mentioned that you hope the male lead will be someone you like working with.”

Zhou Lan said, ”It’s clear this drama doesn’t want to focus on romance, which we agreed upon before. As Zhou Yun is the lead, the male lead’s role might even be smaller than the third female lead. Top male actors won’t take this drama, but if we just choose a lesser-known male actor to play Zhou Yun’s love interest, it would lower Xiao Yun’s stature. I’d rather pick a fresh, new face or someone who has just started their career.”

Zheng Xiaowen nodded and said, ”I understand your point. Do you have any recommendations?”

Zhou Lan said, ”We want to hold auditions.”

Zheng Xiaowen understood.

”Then let’s organize auditions.”

Zhou Lan said, ”At the same time, we also hope that in the final selection of the male lead, you’ll align with us.”

Zheng Xiaowen: ”Of course I’ll align with you. This drama was originally a collaboration with... oh, that’s what you meant.”

Zhou Lan said this to prevent He Yong from choosing an unsuitable newcomer from within the company to promote. Given He Yong’s past dealings, he was capable of such a move. The role was essentially a launchpad, and He Yong’s natural inclination would be ’not to waste resources on outsiders’, but Zhou Lan and Zhou Yun thought differently.

Since it was about romance, the guy had to be someone they both found appealing and exciting.

So, Zhou Lan wanted to bring Zheng Xiaowen into their camp too. Only then, in the later negotiations, could they have the upper hand.

After the talk with Zheng Xiaowen and reaching a consensus, Zhou Lan booked a restaurant to treat Zheng Xiaowen to a meal, bringing the newly-signed Wang Jing along to introduce her to Zheng Xiaowen.

”If there are suitable opportunities for this girl, please consider her,” Zhou Lan said.

Zheng Xiaowen knew Wang Jing’s background and glanced at Zhou Yun. Since Zhou Yun was present, it implied Zhou Yun’s tacit approval.

Zheng Xiaowen valued Zhou Yun, eager to maintain a long-standing cooperation.

Anyone could see Zhou Yun’s rising trajectory.

”No problem. In fact, our VX is planning to invite some models and celebrities to do a street photo shoot. Her look fits our VX aesthetics, so why not let her join in?”

Zhou Lan smiled and nodded, ”That would be wonderful. Wang Jing, aren’t you going to thank President Zheng?”

Wang Jing, overjoyed, said, ”Thank you, President Zheng, I will do my best.”