Caught in Affairs with Superstar-Chapter 1077 - 619: The Future Is Long (Part 3)

"Alright."

...

Zhou Yun thought for a moment and decided that she should call Yao Yuanfeng to have a proper discussion with him.

"President Yao." Zhou Yun called right away without any hesitation; she didn’t have many reservations about contacting Yao Yuanfeng, "Why did I hear that the script for ’Female Assassin’ hasn’t been finalized yet? Isn’t it supposed to start shooting in March?"

Yao Yuanfeng chuckled and said, "Xiao Yun, we never said we wanted to change the current content of the script. We’re just discussing adding a romantic subplot for you, like in 007. Doesn’t a stunning woman appear in every movie to attract audiences?"

Zhou Yun said, "But, President Yao, adding a romantic subplot would ruin the current script’s structure. This script is originally a thrilling escape and pursuit story. During such a tense and exciting plot, if you add a romantic subplot, unless it’s a one-night stand, how can it fit into the script?"

Yao Yuanfeng said, "A one-night stand is fine too. In any case, there needs to be some romantic elements to attract more viewers. Don’t you think so?"

"President Yao, it’s not okay. If you want to add a romantic subplot, mention it in the second or third installment. The script is already fully written now. Suddenly adding a subplot is just odd." Zhou Yun said, "Also, this isn’t like 007; it’s more of a passionate story about punishing evil and promoting justice. The character I’m playing is a killing machine, full of vigilance, cautious of her surroundings, and not someone who easily falls into romance."

Yao Yuanfeng: "Xiao Yun, I understand you want to stick to the artistic creation, but you also need to consider my position. This movie has such a high investment, and if it doesn’t do well at the box office, we’ll lose money. How am I supposed to explain this to the shareholders?"

"Do you really think that a film I work on with Director Wen Bing for the third time is going to fail at the box office?" Zhou Yun said, "I thought you already trusted in our creative ability. No one initially favored ’Life’ as well, deeming it a dull, non-sellable art film, but you saw the end result. Both Director Wen Bing and I are familiar figures to you, so you should have a bit more faith in us."

Yao Yuanfeng: "...Xiao Yun, the success of ’Life’ was due to various unforeseen factors. Of course, the most critical reason was your incomparable performance. However, ’Life’ had a budget of only a few million, while ’Female Assassin’ is different, with an investment in the hundreds of millions. New Shield can’t afford such a loss."

"At the end of the day, you still don’t trust Director Wen Bing and me to make a financial return." Zhou Yun sighed, "The confidence I got elsewhere has been destroyed by this phone call today."

Yao Yuanfeng: "No, no, no, Xiao Yun, you’ve scared me. Don’t say that. I didn’t mean it that way. I... I... Alright, how about this? You agree to act in the sequel to ’Four Killers’, and I’ll agree not to change the script for ’Female Assassin’. How about that?"

"President Yao, you’re being unfair." Zhou Yun snorted lightly, "With ’Two Tigers’ about to be released, the presale should be quite good, right? With the success of ’Two Tigers’, even if you don’t trust Director Wen Bing and me, at least have faith in the expectations for spin-offs following its success. I thought me agreeing to star in ’Female Assassin’ would earn me some brownie points, but it seems, in your eyes, this film is a huge risk."

"Alas, I’m really scared of you." Yao Yuanfeng clicked his tongue, "I support you, you’re my goddess of luck. If I don’t support you, it would be like opposing my goddess of luck. But I’m really not fooling you; the investment is over billions, and the risk is indeed high. You have to give me an explanation so I can handle the shareholders, don’t you think?"

"What further explanation is needed? In ’Under the Moonlight’, not only did I agree to play the lead, but I also brought Song Chi along." Zhou Yun said, "This is my first film collaboration with Song Chi, and we’re playing a couple. I brought this to New Shield for you, so please don’t tell me you’re also not confident in the box office performance of this movie. If that’s the case, Song Chi and I might as well clear our schedules."

Yao Yuanfeng: "Stop, stop, stop! With you and Song Chi acting, there’s nothing more to say. The script for ’Female Assassin’ will proceed as you and Wen Bing discussed. I have every confidence that the combination of you two most talented young people will bring me surprises!"

Zhou Yun: "See, I told you my relationship with New Shield is aimed at a long and lasting future. With you here, my cooperation with New Shield will be long-term."