Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 325: Chapter 280: Rising Phase: 116

Chinese Film Night became especially exciting with Ning Yao’s appearance, reaching its first peak.

Celebrities always draw attention wherever they go, let alone a major star like Ning Yao.

There’s an old saying: When someone becomes famous, it merely attracts capital, but when someone becomes a legend, they capture the attention of the entire world.

Zhou Yun could feel from the attitudes of those around her towards her, towards Wei Ruxue, and towards Ning Yao, that there were three different responses.

All these attitudes were cordial, complimentary, and friendly, but whether they contained respect, admiration, or appreciation, the subtle differences in these attitudes truly set people worlds apart.

Zhou Yun saw something in Ning Yao. The image of the actress she aspired to be.

As Zhou Yun’s agent who understood her very well, Zhou Lan saw the longing in Zhou Yun’s eyes.

Zhou Lan smiled softly and said, ”Xiao Yun, go and greet Ning Yao. I’ve already spoken with her agent in advance, let’s take a photo together, and you can post it on your Weibo later.”

Zhou Yun nodded.

But there wasn’t enough time to find Ning Yao, as there was an important segment tonight where Shi Luoqi would announce the launch of the movie ”Falling Leaves.”

Since Zhou Yun had already signed the letter of intent as the leading actress, she would also go on stage with the director Xue Qin.

Shi Luoqi, the in-house producer for Chen Zian, was internationally renowned in the film industry.

She wasn’t only a producer for Chen Zian but had produced many movies, creating numerous masterpieces under her guidance.

Thus, her taking on a new project, especially a Chinese-language film, was certainly noteworthy.

Shi Luoqi was already on stage, and the audience erupted in applause.

She stood gracefully on stage, microphone in hand, her eyes sparkling as she said, ”Tonight, we, the cinema people of China, gather here. I see many familiar faces as well as many new ones. As a producer who has been in this industry for many years, I feel very emotional and reassured. I remember when I first started, it was incredibly challenging, especially internationally—there were so few Chinese faces. Thanks to the efforts over the years and your talents, which have produced outstanding films, the voice of the Chinese is becoming increasingly pronounced on the international stage.”

Her speech once again triggered a thunderous round of applause.

Shi Luoqi said thank you, then continued, ”In recent years, the movies I’ve produced were mainly English-language films. However, as a Chinese, I’ve always had a special affection for Chinese-language films that tell Chinese stories. Finally, among many projects, I encountered one that deeply moved me, as did finding a director and an actress who moved me equally. Allow me to introduce this film, ’Falling Leaves’. The director, Xue Qin, and the leading actress, Zhou Yun, please come on stage.”

Shi Luoqi looked towards the side of the stage amidst the applause.

Zhou Yun stood behind Xue Qin, preparing to go on stage with her.

The moment the applause began, Zhou Yun’s heart rate surged. She felt nervous, excited, and a certain inexplicable pride and self-esteem surged from within her, spreading through her body. Zhou Yun’s left hand covered her chest, smiling. Just then, Xue Qin, standing in front of her, suddenly turned her head, glanced at her, smiled, and extended her hand.

Zhou Yun was momentarily startled.

Xue Qin then moved her extended hand again.

Zhou Yun then realized what Xue Qin intended.

With a knowing smile, Zhou Yun handed her hand over to Xue Qin.

Xue Qin held Zhou Yun’s hand as they walked up to the stage under the gaze of all attendees.

...

This was an extremely significant film project.

Produced by Shi Luoqi, starring Zhou Yun—just linking these two names together was big news.

Most people who just heard the news expressed astonishment.

Especially since Zhou Yun was the star of the movie. A film opportunity that even Wei Ruxue would want to vie for had quietly fallen into Zhou Yun’s lap. Those already shocked by Zhou Yun’s rapid rise felt that the power behind her exceeded their imagination and expectations.

What kind of power had Zhou Yun relied on to be able to take on one major role after another?

Tonight, also attending the event were He Yong, Yao Yuanfeng, and several movie company bosses. Upon the announcement of this news, Yuanfeng immediately turned to He Yong, chuckling, ”President He, that’s quite the bold move, steering such a major project Zhou Yun’s way.”

He Yong chuckled and replied, ”It’s alright, mainly because Zhou Yun herself is likable.”

The others had various thoughts.

”President He, aren’t you afraid that by feeding the fish too much at once, it’ll swim off to a bigger pond?” another boss asked.

He Yong shrugged and remarked, ”You can’t exactly stop feeding the fish for fear it might swim away, can you?”

Although it was unknown what they truly thought of He Yong, He Yong himself knew that securing the movie for Zhou Yun had nothing to do with him or Chengqian Entertainment. He wasn’t wrong in what he just said: securing the movie was primarily because Zhou Yun was likable.

Was he afraid that Zhou Yun might slip out of his control?

Of course, he was.

However, Zhou Yun had already slipped from his control.

Over the past year, Zhou Yun and Zhou Lan seized multiple opportunities and circumstances to gradually expand their influence.

The situation now wasn’t something he could control simply by adjusting the speed of Zhou Yun’s ascent.

He was only relieved that Zhou Yun’s contract with the company still had three years left. There was much to be done before then.

Regardless of how jealous they might be of him, every agent would envy anyone fostering a talent like Zhou Yun.

And Zhou Yun, standing on this stage under everyone’s gaze—at least for now—had He Yong’s and Chengqian Entertainment’s names behind her.

He Yong raised his phone and took a photo of Zhou Yun standing alongside Shi Luoqi and Xue Qin on stage, then posted it to his Moments with the familiar caption, ”Our little princess from Chengqian is taking steps towards the queen’s throne, ’Falling Leaves,’ the latest Chinese-language film by top international producer Shi Luoqi!”

Meanwhile, Zhou Lan was also taking pictures of Zhou Yun.

Her face was filled with proud smiles.

Zheng Xiaojue stood beside Zhou Lan, her young face filled with admiration and awe.

”It’s so wonderful, Sister Xiao Yun looks absolutely beautiful today!” Zheng Xiaojue clenched her fists, holding them to her chest, extremely moved.

On stage, Zhou Yun received the microphone, her face tinged with a shy smile, and said, ”When I first received the invitation, I was very surprised. As a newbie actress, sincerely anxious...”

”So pretentious,” Wei Ruxue murmured softly at the side.