Caught in Affairs with Superstar-Chapter 95: The Beginning of the Scandal

Emotions and reflections were reserved for before sleep; upon waking and opening her eyes, the daylight had already spread. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, and sat down to eat a simple breakfast that Zheng Xiaojue had bought. Led by Zhou Lan, the styling team entered one after another.

Another morning of work passed, and even noon didn’t offer a break. Zhou Lan had arranged a lunch with an executive from a video website. There wasn’t a specific intention for cooperation, but it was important to establish and nurture the relationship first.

In the afternoon, they rushed to another engagement without stopping and recorded two short clips during the period.

In the car transferring to the next location, Zhou Lan gave Zhou Yun a brief rundown on the background of the person they were meeting that evening.

If you want to be an actor, you either lean on a big tree, which takes care of all the connections up and down, and you just focus on acting, or you have to build these relationships yourself. This doesn’t only mean with production companies, but also broadcasting authorities, advertisers, TV stations, video websites, and so on.

Many things revolve around mutual needs. The more assets an actor has, the higher the probability of securing a role.

How much can acting skills contribute?

There’s no quantifiable standard—it’s unexplainable.

But Zhou Yun doesn’t have the temperament of an Artist; she also knows she doesn’t have the capital to be one either.

The company only sees her as a money-making tool; He Yong also wouldn’t have high hopes for her acting career. If she wants to fight for pride, for a long-term future, Zhou Yun must invest more energy and time to do what a person striving for success needs to do.

"Are you tired?" Zhou Lan asked Zhou Yun, who was sitting in the back, at nine o’clock at night.

Zhou Yun’s cheeks were somewhat red from drinking.

"I’m satisfactorily tired," Zhou Yun said with her eyes still closed, "all for myself."

"It’s good that you think this way. I heard something," Zhou Lan said jokingly, "Yesterday, Yu Sitian’s company took her to dine with a TV producer, but Yu Sitian refused to eat, saying she was on a diet. Later, she even scolded her agent in front of the producer for making her attend such a dinner and left with her purse midway. The producer was furious, declaring that he would never work with Yu Sitian again."

"She’s been spoiled."

"Lew Qingqing also offended people when she first debuted, but she dared to seek forgiveness, apologizing in front of someone’s office for a week straight, turning someone she had offended into someone who appreciated her," Zhou Lan laughed, "You see, it’s kind of interesting. I talk to you about capital, data, relationships, personal connections every day, but Lew Qingqing’s rise was because she had offended someone. After she apologized for seven days straight, this person started to appreciate her and gave her opportunities which she seized, quickly rising to fame. Yet, there are people who spend tons of money without making any splash."

"Song Chi said I have a knack for trending on social media."

"He’s not wrong."

Zhou Lan suddenly received a phone call.

She lowered her voice.

Zhou Yun, drowsy, dozed off with her eyes half-closed. When they arrived at the hotel, Zhou Lan, with some effort, managed to help Zhou Yun remove her makeup and apply some skincare before she collapsed into bed and fell asleep.

Zhou Lan watched Zhou Yun sprawled across the bed and sighed softly.

Actually, if the company gave her a bit more support, she wouldn’t have to work so hard.

Zhou Lan left Zhou Yun’s room.

She didn’t rush back to her own room; instead, she replied to a message from He Yong: It seems Zhou Yun really got a bit angry this time. By the way, today I heard that President Lu also called her.

President Lu, Lu Yicheng, one of Chengqian Entertainment’s vice presidents, although he did not wield as much power as He Yong, was still a high-level executive at the same level as He Yong.

He Yong promptly made a phone call.

"What does she mean by this?" He Yong was annoyed, "Didn’t she really dislike Lu Yicheng before?"

Zhou Lan sighed and said, "President He, after such a huge injustice, do you really think she can just swallow it down?"

Silence fell on He Yong’s side for a long time before he asked, "What does she want?"

"The autonomy to choose her scripts."

"You think that’s possible?" He Yong scoffed.

"Right now, she’s the company’s most popular female artist. It’s only natural for President Lu to contact her. On the business side, Wei Ru Xue carries herself with status, unwilling to take on many roles, but Zhou Yun doesn’t have such restrictions. Do you really want to see her actually getting involved with President Lu’s side?"

"Lu Yicheng is only in charge of the business division; does she not want to act anymore?"

"The movies she’s currently filming aren’t ones the company gave her."

"Autonomy over choosing scripts is out of the question."

"Alright then, I’ll go and tell Zhou Yun," Zhou Lan didn’t continue to argue.

Suddenly, He Yong cursed on the phone, "Zhou Lan, are you threatening me?"

"I wouldn’t dare, President He. I’m just a minor agent. I’ve only ever been threatened by you, how could I possibly threaten you?" Zhou Lan laughed softly.

"Zhou Yun has just started out; what gives her the right to choose her own scripts? Even Wei Ru Xue needs the company’s approval for her roles."

"If Wei Ru Xue doesn’t want to film a movie, can the company force her?"

"When has Zhou Yun ever reached Wei Ru Xue’s level to make such unrealistic demands?"

"President He, Zhou Yun doesn’t need to reach Wei Ru Xue’s level. Wei Ru Xue’s contract renewal is still undecided, whether she stays with Chengqian Entertainment is uncertain. Don’t forget, apart from Wei Ru Xue, Zhou Yun is the company’s highest-earning female artist this year."

He Yong: "She’s just gained a little fame, and now she’s challenging me. You’re quite something."

"President He, please don’t misunderstand me. It’s not me who’s angry this time. I’ve already warned you, the compensation and apology from the TV station must not be less. You decided to forgo Zhou Yun’s compensation and apology and exchanged the resources for other artists, that’s your prerogative. But no one can say anything if Zhou Yun is angry. If I can’t soothe her and you won’t meet her conditions, I haven’t said anything. But I have to tell her about this. If she continues to be angry, what can I do? If you can’t handle it, what can I do?"

Zhou Lan’s words left He Yong speechless.

Ever since He Yong pressured Zhou Lan to voluntarily resign last time, there had been a substantial rift between them.

"Actually, there’s no need to soothe Zhou Yun’s anger, right? After all, she’s just an artist of the company. No matter how angry she gets, she can’t cross the company. If you really can’t bear it, just don’t bother with whether she’s upset or not."

Zhou Lan deliberately said this. She knew that times had changed; He Yong didn’t dare let Zhou Yun stay angry over this matter.

"The autonomy for one movie per year," He Yong finally offered his terms.

"Zhou Yun has the right to veto any movie she doesn’t want to film," Zhou Lan upped the ante.

He Yong: "It doesn’t apply to the company’s own productions."

"For company-owned productions, there must be a market price; otherwise, she has veto power."

"Don’t overreach."

"It’s a fair request."

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