Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 1491: Chapter 675: Intentions

Loneliness is not uncommon.

Everyone encounters it.

Being alone, in a foreign land, or in a new environment where you haven’t yet settled in.

However, those feelings are temporary and will soon dissipate.

Zhou Yun was surprised that Wen Bing’s films contained such a lingering theme, and she only realized it now.

Is it because Wen Bing never emphasized this point that she was so slow to realize it?

Zhou Yun looked at Wen Bing, hesitated for a long time, wanting to say something but not knowing how.

”How’s it going with your foreign girlfriend?” Zhou Yun asked.

During the filming of ”Female Assassin,” Wen Bing dated the Danish actress Lucia Banks. When things were good between them, it was really good; they were inseparable. But after arguing and breaking up, a lot of drama ensued.

Wen Bing said: ”It’s just like that, keeping in touch.”

”Are you two going to continue this way internationally?”

”Yeah.” Wen Bing nodded.

Zhou Yun was quite surprised.

”Then... what do you plan to do after that?” Zhou Yun asked, ”Will you keep going internationally like this?”

”I don’t know, let’s see how it goes.”

Zhou Yun sensed something from Wen Bing’s attitude.

She wanted to ask Wen Bing some things but held back.

Initially, Wen Bing broke up with Lucia Banks, and later, because Lucia Banks said some bad things about Wen Bing after the breakup, public opinion turned against Wen Bing. New Shield was even prepared to target Lucia Banks, but Wen Bing didn’t want to ruin her, so he went to see her, and somehow they got back together.

But after they reconciled, Zhou Yun always felt that Wen Bing no longer had that kind of love for Lucia Banks.

She saw it but found it hard to say anything. After all, it was Wen Bing and Lucia Banks’ business, and Lucia Banks always kept her guard up around Zhou Yun, making it even harder for Zhou Yun to say anything.

In the evening, they returned to town and had dinner there; others decided to play cards together.

The card game was organized by photographer Yi Zhe.

During dinner, he said, ”Since there are no other plans for tonight, we might as well go play cards. I noticed there’s a mahjong club next to the hotel we’re staying at.”

This decision was supported by the others.

Zhou Yun and Wen Bing thought the mahjong club was too noisy, so they didn’t go but found a teahouse to have tea at night.

The owner was quite surprised to see them.

”Wow, celebrities!”

The owner recognized Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun smiled and said, ”Owner, are you still open? We’re here for tea.”

The owner was all smiles, ”Please come in, please come in.”

He said, ”I’ve heard you all came to our place; it’s great to finally meet you today.”

Zhou Yun and Wen Bing sat down.

The owner brewed a pot of tea for them, seeing their chatting demeanor, he brought some melon seeds and nuts before leaving them alone.

Wen Bing said, ”Do you have any ideas? About who should play that countryside youth?”

Zhou Yun thought for a moment and said, ”I have two recommendations. One is Yu Zhiyang, whom you know, and the other is Luo Zhiheng, who starred with me in ’Falling Leaves.’

”I know Yu Zhiyang, that kid is a bit gloomy, not that sunny. I’d still prefer someone with a naturally sunny, playful personality.”

”Then let’s go with Luo Zhiheng,” Zhou Yun said, ”but Luo Zhiheng looks too good, maintained too well, not rough enough, doesn’t quite feel like a country child.”

Wen Bing thought about it and said, ”Let me meet him first, do you have his contact information?”

Zhou Yun said, ”I have his mom’s contact information.”

She said, ”I’ll talk to his mom first; you’re a stranger, and they might not be willing.”

Wen Bing nodded.

Zhou Yun sent Luo Zhiheng’s mom a message, asking if it was convenient.

Luo Zhiheng’s mom replied instantly: It is convenient, Miss Zhou, is there anything going on?

Zhou Yun said: We have a film here; the director wants to add a role temporarily, quite suitable for Zhiheng, shooting in November, about a month. I wonder if Zhiheng has the time?

Luo Zhiheng’s mom: Oh, sorry, Miss Zhou, our Zhiheng is currently in school. Their school has rules; during freshman and sophomore years, they can’t go outside to shoot films.

Zhou Yun was a bit surprised by this: Is that so.

Luo Zhiheng’s mom: Yes, really sorry, it’s the school’s rules. Thank you for considering a role for Zhiheng, but I really apologize this time.

Zhou Yun: It’s okay, no worries, please don’t say that.

She finished chatting and did some research on Luo Zhiheng, finding out indeed... it’s been a good half year without any news.

News about him was still stuck at the time he registered for school.

Zhou Yun shrugged at Wen Bing and said, ”Luo Zhiheng can’t shoot, we’ll have to look at others.”

Wen Bing asked, ”Besides Yu Zhiyang, who else is there?”

”For those suitable in age, I don’t know anyone,” Zhou Yun said helplessly, ”All the actors I know are in their twenties or thirties, only those two are teenagers.”

Wen Bing pondered for a moment and asked, ”Then how about holding an audition?”

Zhou Yun: ”Is there enough time for that?”

Wen Bing thought about it.

”How about asking the casting director to send over profiles of actors that match the criteria?” he asked.

Zhou Yun said: ”That would take longer than getting recommendations from friends; it’s much quicker. You ask around, I’ll ask around too.”

The two of them got to work, started making phone calls in the teahouse, calling friends in the industry to ask for recommendations.

Zhou Yun first called Song Chi.

Song Chi knew many actors in this field, and now running a company, he meets a lot of actors; Zhou Yun thought he should be able to recommend a few people.

Upon hearing her intention, Song Chi said: ”Let me think about it, is there a requirement for their appearance?”

Zhou Yun said: ”Don’t be too good-looking, not that they can’t be good-looking, just don’t be too exquisite.”

Song Chi: ”Mm, got it.”

Then Song Chi quickly recommended a few people to her, along with their unedited photos.

They were all a group of sixteen or seventeen-year-olds.

After Zhou Yun received them, she forwarded them to Wen Bing.

Wen Bing looked through them all, pursing his lips without saying much.

Zhou Yun could tell from his expression that he wasn’t very satisfied.

”What’s up?”

”They’re all too clean,” Wen Bing said, ”You can tell they’re kids raised in the city.”

Zhou Yun actually shared the same sentiment as Wen Bing.

The young character in this story should be a sunny, playful yet inherently simple boy.

Like Zhang Zhen’s image in ”A Brighter Summer Day,” or Xia Yu’s character in ”Sunny Days.” Of course, they aren’t exactly rural kids — they’re seeking a more natural, untouched cinematic image, where once the camera rolls, a raw sense of youthful energy bursts forth.

Zhou Yun and Wen Bing looked at each other.

”If it really doesn’t work, let’s go with Yu Zhiyang,” Zhou Yun said, ”I’ve always wanted to work with him once, and he hasn’t acted much so he doesn’t have that polished feeling.”

Wen Bing couldn’t help but smile.

”You seem to regard him like a younger brother.”

”I don’t know how to put it; I simply liked him when I saw him,” Zhou Yun said. ”I want to collaborate with him, act together. Before, we shot an advertisement together; it was just a little bit of interaction, not a full-fledged performance, but it left quite an impact on me. Rarely do my past roles linger on my mind, but he’s a special case. I always felt that acting with him would feel right.”

Wen Bing said: ”If someone heard that, they might think you have some intentions towards him.”

Zhou Yun laughed slightly.

”I know very well, there’s no romance involved, not in that sense. I’m just... how to explain it, maybe it’s like finding a truly admirable colleague?” Zhou Yun said. ”Perhaps it’s also because of his experiences, I’ve always paid extra attention to him. Initially, I felt regret for him, and later, from time to time, I thought it’d be such a pity if I never collaborated with him.”