Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 311: Chapter 273: Rising Phase: 109

Zhou Yun understood.

Zhou Lan meant that if Zhou Yun wanted to pursue a career in film in the future, to perform well in movies, she would inevitably clash with Yu Sitian.

”There’s competition everywhere, nothing is peace and love,” Zhou Yun used a popular phrase of the moment.

Zhou Lan spread her hands, ”Although the saying is cliché, it’s really very practical. Xiao Yun, that’s reality.”

After taking the boat back to Lido Island, and a car ride with several turns, they returned to the hotel.

”Director Wen!” Zhou Yun happily embraced Wen Bing.

Wen Bing was wearing a white shirt and smiled lightly, his face expressing a relaxed and comfortable look.

”Did you arrive yesterday?” he asked.

”Yeah, I just tried on the gown for the red carpet tomorrow.” Zhou Yun asked, ”Did you just arrive?”

”Just got here, I came with President Yao and the others,” Wen Bing smiled. He still looked much the same as before, whether smiling or not, there was always a hint of shyness, like an introverted boy.

After chatting for a bit, Yao Yuanfeng came over, arm in arm with a woman.

”Xiao Yun is finally back,” Yao Yuanfeng released the woman’s hand and embraced Zhou Yun warmly, ”Our lead actress is too pretty, she’ll definitely steal the show on the red carpet.”

Yao Yuanfeng’s voice was a bit loud, attracting curious glances from the surrounding people.

Embarrassedly, Zhou Yun gestured with her hand and said, ”President Yao, please don’t tease me like that, I’m not as exaggerated as you say.”

She noticed that the woman behind Yao Yuanfeng had a somewhat unsightly look on her face.

Although she seemed well-maintained, she must be over forty years old. She wore an emerald pendant, had a slightly plump figure, and an elegant and graceful demeanor.

”President Yao, who is this?” Zhou Yun asked.

Yao Yuanfeng then seemed to remember, ”Oh, right, I haven’t introduced you yet, my wife.”

”Hello!” Zhou Yun smiled amiably, showing a friendly gesture and extended her hand, ”I am Zhou Yun, nice to meet you for the first time.”

Mrs. Yao’s attitude was somewhat lukewarm as she replied faintly, ”Miss Zhou looks even prettier in person than in videos.”

Zhou Yun didn’t understand why she was behaving this way and was surprised, but still said, ”Thank you, you are also very beautiful.”

Yao Yuanfeng did not seem to notice anything amiss and immediately interrupted their conversation, ”Since everyone is here, let’s go have a coffee together.”

The group of five people walked together.

Zhou Lan and Zhou Yun were at the end.

They whispered to each other.

”Sister Lan, I think President Yao’s Wife seems to have some issue with me, have I offended her?” Zhou Yun asked quietly.

Zhou Lan shook her head, just as puzzled, and said, ”It’s my first time meeting her, could it really be that I have offended her on first sight? Did I do something inappropriate just now?”

”Not at all, maybe she just simply dislikes young and beautiful celebrities like you?” Zhou Lan speculated, ”Yao Yuanfeng typically likes flirting around, I heard his wife caught him once.”

Zhou Yun was dumbfounded.

”Isn’t that a bit of an indiscriminate attack? Does she think her husband is so irresistible that everyone wants a bite?”

Zhou Lan chuckled.

”How many actresses do you think wouldn’t want a bite of the head of New Shield? If there’s anyone to blame, it should be Yao Yuanfeng for his unchecked ways and notorious deeds, making his wife suspicious of everything.”

Zhou Yun: ”An innocent victim.”

”Stay away from Yao Yuanfeng and keep your distance, don’t actually become a target of jealousy,” Zhou Lan said, ”You have two more films to work on with New Shield coming up.”

One was a cameo in an action movie that Wen Bing was going to direct next, and the other, ”Four Killers.”

Zhou Yun said, ”It feels precarious. If I become the target of Mrs. Yao’s jealousy, future collaborations are likely to be sabotaged.”

”Do you want it to be sabotaged?” asked Zhou Lan.

”Of course not.”

”Then go win over President Yao’s Wife and turn her into your ally,” Zhou Lan said, ”I also think instead of getting cozy with Yao Yuanfeng, it’s better to build a good relationship with his wife, so it won’t cause others to gossip. When a female celebrity gets close to a male boss, no one can view their interaction without bias, including myself.”

Zhou Yun looked at Zhou Lan in shock and said, ”Sister Lan, she’s giving me the cold shoulder, how can I build a good relationship with her?”

Zhou Lan said, ”Find a way.”

Zhou Yun: ”...I can’t think of a way.”

”Be proactive, be more affectionate, show that you have no designs on Yao Yuanfeng,” Zhou Lan suggested, ”Isn’t that the one thing she’s most apprehensive about with you? Just allay her fears.”

”I really don’t want to be so spineless,” Zhou Yun said.

Zhou Lan replied, ”It’s not quite like that.”

Zhou Yun pursed her lips and said nothing more.

When they sat down, Zhou Yun still took the initiative to be nice to President Yao’s Wife.

She asked if she needed some milk added.

President Yao’s Wife declined with a reserved shake of her head, ”No need, thank you.”

Zhou Yun picked up her own latte, smiled slightly, and took a sip.

At that moment, the evening’s dusk unfurled before them like an oil painting.

The setting sun was fiery like a cluster of vibrant, red flowers.

Yao Yuanfeng was quite happy.

The nomination of ”Life” for the Venice International Film Festival was completely an unexpected joy for him.

Most importantly, he prided himself on having a keen eye by signing Wen Bing.

With the talent and skill Wen Bing had shown, it wouldn’t be long before he became a renowned director.

The only regret Yao Yuanfeng had now was that Zhou Yun hadn’t signed with New Shield.

”Life” hadn’t been released yet, and others were still unaware of how astonishingly talented Zhou Yun was. With her looks, she was already equipped to dominate the entertainment industry, but she also possessed such acting prowess - to laugh, to cry, to burst forth, to be still; the person on the screen exuded a terrifying command - all within a tranquil, everyday sort of film. During an internal screening, Yao Yuanfeng and other New Shield executives felt unanimously that the actress Zhou Yun had a bright future. It was even possible that ”Life” could bring her the first peak of her career, securing for her a prestigious Best Actress award for her first film.

New Shield would undoubtedly campaign for Zhou Yun’s award.

”Life” was New Shield’s first major control over an artistic film, and they had done so well, earning recognition from an international film festival right out of the gate. Zhou Yun was the sole lead, with such an outstanding performance. New Shield wanted to redefine itself, and ”Life” was the perfect opening shot.

”How much longer does Xiao Yun have on her contract with Chengqian Entertainment?” Yao Yuanfeng asked.

Zhou Yun looked at him in surprise.

At that moment, Zhou Lan laughed and said, ”President Yao, I’m still here, and you’re already trying to poach in front of me?”

Yao Yuanfeng replied, ”With your exceptional abilities, I would of course welcome you and Xiao Yun to join my company, and the treatment will certainly be only higher, not lower.”

Zhou Lan expressed regret, saying, ”I really can’t make this decision; you’d have to ask President He if he’s willing to release her.”