Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 312: Chapter 274: Rise Phase: 110

No need to ask, it’s clear why He Yong wouldn’t let people go.

This is a refusal.

However, Yao Yuanfeng is not discouraged. Maintaining a stance of keeping possibilities open, he smiles and says, ”My invitation is always valid. For a talented actress like Xiao Yun, I have too many roles for her to choose from. I guarantee, within five years, I can help Xiao Yun reach the best actress award podium.”

Hearing this, Zhou Yun didn’t know what to say. She shook her hands repeatedly and said, ”President Yao, please don’t say that, I’m just a newcomer.”

Yao Yuanfeng confidently looked at Zhou Yun and said, ”Believe me, once ’Life’ is released, everyone will be impressed by you. I think even He Yong hasn’t realized the talent and brilliance you possess. You are naturally suited for acting.”

Zhou Yun listened as Yao Yuanfeng’s words became more and more extravagant, and his wife’s expression became increasingly ugly, unable to continue listening, she said to Zhou Lan, ”Sister Lan, President Yao is going to hype me to death.”

Zhou Lan smiled brightly at Yao Yuanfeng and said, ”President Yao, please don’t praise Xiao Yun so much in public. Once people hear you praising her like this, many will come out to criticize her. She still has two films to shoot with your company; it’s better to keep a low profile.”

Yao Yuanfeng slapped his thigh, ”It’s hard to find a low-key actress these days.”

”If President Yao likes Xiao Yun so much, find more suitable roles for us,” Zhou Lan said with a smile, then turned her gaze to Mrs. Yao and warmly said, ”Xiao Yun just mentioned to me that you came to Venice with Mrs. Yao, the two of you are so loving, surely a responsible and good man, I said yes, otherwise how could President Yao make New Shield a leading company in the industry? Many actors want to establish a good relationship with President Yao to participate in the films produced by New Shield.”

”I was just telling Wen Bing yesterday that Wen Bing is preparing another film with a role that’s particularly suitable for Xiao Yun, but since it’s still in the preliminary stages, I haven’t mentioned it to you yet,” Yao Yuanfeng said, ”I’m just afraid Xiao Yun will be too famous and busy around the world by then to schedule.”

Zhou Lan: ”We must arrange a schedule for your film.”

...

New Shield’s staff came over to report work to Yao Yuanfeng partway through.

Yao Yuanfeng, initially dissatisfied, complained, ”Why disturb at this time?” Then he apologized and stood up to leave, listening to the report to one side.

Zhou Yun smiled.

She picked up her coffee cup and took a sip.

Zhou Lan said, ”Drink less, so you don’t stay awake at night.”

Zhou Yun: ”No problem.”

Wen Bing raised his phone, not sure what he was filming.

Mrs. Yao suddenly asked warmly, ”Does Xiao Zhou have a boyfriend?”

Zhou Yun took about one second to react, realizing Mrs. Yao was referring to her.

Zhou Yun looked at Mrs. Yao in surprise, but told the truth, saying, ”Yes.”

Mrs. Yao nodded, her tone became somewhat milder.

”I heard you graduated from A University as a top student?” Mrs. Yao smiled reservedly and asked, ”Why did you choose this career?”

Zhou Yun thought, here comes this question again.

She still kept her smile, responding to the little kindness and amiability finally shown by Mrs. Yao, saying, ”Because I urgently needed some money, I needed that signing fee.”

Mrs. Yao raised her eyebrows in surprise, ”Really?”

”Yes,” Zhou Yun nodded, ”It was an unexpected turn, I never thought I would gain so much.”

Mrs. Yao suddenly sighed and said, ”If all girls could be as sensible as you, that would be great.”

Who is this a veiled criticism of?

Zhou Yun smiled faintly, pursed her lips, paused, but couldn’t help responding, ”Most girls still have their own aspirations.”

Mrs. Yao’s smile stiffened slightly.

Zhou Lan, seeing the conversation was heading in an awkward direction, quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying to Mrs. Yao, ”You are an idol to many young girls, many would wish to have a marriage and life like yours.”

Zhou Yun picked up her cup and lowered her head to drink coffee.

Mrs. Yao smiled slightly, her smile a bit cold, ”Don’t say that, the career ambitions of today’s girls are stronger than when I was young, they are indeed more ambitious than me.”

Zhou Lan forced a smile.

At that moment, Wen Bing suddenly turned his head, pointing in a direction, and said, ”Look, today’s sunset is truly beautiful, like a battlefield of the gods.”

”Truly an artist. We ordinary folks just can’t discover such beauty in our lives,” Yao Yuanfeng, also completed with his business, came back, laughing at himself and sat down, ”Tonight, I’ve arranged dinner with some other people who work in our country’s film industry, let’s all go together.”

Zhou Yun was startled.

She wondered if it was a drinking party.

But since Yao Yuanfeng organized it, of course, she had to go.

Once they arrived, Zhou Yun realized that indeed, it was an event with Chinese cinema people.

Although their film ’Life’ was the only Chinese-language film nominated at this festival, many Chinese cinema people came for various reasons.

The most surprising guests were Director Zhang Yiwei, who was in the main jury this year, and Director Chen Zian, invited to lead a masterclass.

Zhou Yun was meeting these two directors for the first time.

The long dining table could seat nearly twenty people. Sofas, chairs, and refreshments were arranged nearby for casual conversations.

People gradually appeared.

By the time Zhou Yun arrived, Wei Ruxue was already there, sitting beside Director Chen Zian, chatting cheerfully.

Director Chen Zian looked refined, exuding none of the air one might expect from a famous director, instead appearing a bit restrained.

Yao Yuanfeng directly went to greet Director Chen Zian.

”Director Chen, long time no see,” Yao Yuanfeng was very hearty, not only shaking hands with Chen Zian but even hugged him, which made Zhou Yun think of the term ”bear hug.”

Director Chen Zian seemed a bit overwhelmed by Yao’s enthusiasm and heartiness, calling out ”Mr. Yao.”

As a top director of Chinese-language films, Director Chen Zian is recognized globally as an outstanding director, with many of his works selected for various top 100 film lists.

Zhou Yun stood aside, somewhat wanting to introduce herself to Director Chen Zian, yet felt hesitant, worried about being too forward.

While she was conflicted, Yao Yuanfeng suddenly said, ”Director Chen, we’re inviting you to the premiere of ’Life’, not sure if you have time?”

Director Chen Zian said, ”If I have time, I’ll go.”

Yao Yuanfeng’s hand rested on Director Chen Zian’s shoulder, ”Then I must ask you to definitely come support us. Having a great director like you attend will bring us more attention.”

At that moment, Wei Ruxue looked up smiling and said, ”Director Chen, do give President Yao face and come, see I haven’t even received an invite.”