Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 1752 - 848: Reputation

After the media screening received great reviews, it started to ferment online.Most people saw the media and critics’ high praise for the first episode and instantly felt even more eager to watch it.

Initially, this series was highly anticipated due to its all-star cast.

With good reviews, the series’ level of attention seemed to be riding on a smooth sail.

"Tomorrow you’ll attend a Female Film and Television Forum with Cheng Shenlv, and I’ve had someone write your speech. Take a look," Zhou Lan said to Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun asked in surprise, "Female Film and Television Forum? What’s that?"

"It’s an event held by Sanfan Video. I agreed because the timing is quite suitable, and it’s a good opportunity to promote ’Chen Yin’ as well."

"What’s the discussion about?"

"The theme is the development of women in the film and television industry," Zhou Lan said.

"Wow, that’s a big theme," Zhou Yun said. "What did you prepare for me to say?"

"Honestly, these forums can easily go sideways. I’m actually not keen on having you talk about gender issues. They’re the most sensitive topics now, and you could easily be targeted by some people. However, I feel we should address the industry’s issues and advocate for certain things. That’s something we should do," Zhou Lan said. "I’d like you to talk about the challenges and issues faced by actresses in this industry, drawing from your own experiences and development."

Zhou Yun thought seriously for a moment and said, "I don’t seem to have faced many challenges and issues. If you want me to speak broadly, it’s quite boring and unnecessary. I know I haven’t faced those challenges and issues because I became famous early and got together with Song Chi quickly. Everyone knew about my relationship with him and didn’t dare misbehave with me. If you ask me about other things, there’s nothing really, whether it’s pay or becoming a producer, I haven’t encountered the unfair treatments or doubts that ordinary women might face. But that’s just my case; I’ve been luckier than most women, not because the environment created a balanced state."

Zhou Lan: "So, what do you think you want to talk about?"

"I don’t know. If I honestly talk about my experiences and development, it might sound arrogant, right?"

"That is an issue," Zhou Lan nodded. "Undeniably, your achievements are the kind that many people can only dream of."

"But I don’t know what I can say about focusing on the label ’actress’ and discussing this identity," Zhou Yun said. "Actually, after reflecting, Sister Lan, I realized I don’t have much to share."

"You certainly do, Xiao Yun. The most remarkable quality I see in you is that you never thought about relying on others," Zhou Lan said. "Look, you mentioned initially benefiting from your connection with Song Chi, and people didn’t dare misbehave with you. Did you consider relying on Song Chi? After acting with Song Chi in ’Heart Inquiry,’ did you rely on him for other roles? Whether it’s ’Gentle Little Horse’ or ’Life,’ these were opportunities you secured on your own. In fact, you could have depended on Song Chi, without putting yourself out there, handling everything alone. But you didn’t. When negotiating with the company, deciding to start a studio with me, or later deciding to produce ’Under the Grand Dress,’ outsmarting He Yong and the others, and taking on Treasure’s overseas distribution, I sometimes feel you don’t even need me as your agent; you could handle your work incredibly well."

Zhou Yun didn’t expect Zhou Lan to say that.

"Oh, Sister Lan, stop it. Without you, I could continue acting, but this studio would quickly shut down. I definitely wouldn’t manage it. Without this studio, I could only be an actress with less influence, you know," Zhou Yun said. "Don’t ever say I don’t need you as my agent again. I wouldn’t manage many things without you."

Zhou Lan: "I’ll leave the speech I wrote for you here, take a look at it and use what you can. If you have something you want to say, feel free to modify it. It’s a great opportunity. Putting aside the ’Chen Yin’ promotion factors, I’d like you to take on this work because you have many fans, many of whom are young girls. They see you as an idol. If there’s a chance to genuinely share something with them, they could gain strength or motivation from what you share, and that’s the most wonderful aspect. You’re the idol in the hearts of many young girls. They see your life as the dream life they aspire to, both in career and love, which are wonderful."

"Oh, I dread people saying that about me."

"Why?"

"There’s a sense of a perfect life winner."

"Don’t you think you are?"

"Come on now, being a so-called perfect life winner means sacrificing a lot to achieve that perfection," Zhou Yun said. "Consider how little time I spend with Song Chi every year and how much time I devote to my own life."

Zhou Lan: "That’s true. You rarely have time to hang out and shop or eat with friends. You don’t have that time or feel like it."

"But these are my choices, and I’m willing to sacrifice them. I just dread portraying everything as calm and easy, giving people the illusion that this is perfection, this is being a life winner," Zhou Yun shook her head. "I definitely don’t want to convey that impression and feeling to others."

Zhou Lan: "What you just said to me could actually work for tomorrow’s forum."

"No, no, no, saying those in front of everyone would appear too arrogant," Zhou Yun shook her head.

...

In the afternoon, Zhou Yun and Director Kang Xin participated in an exclusive interview with ’Victor’ magazine.

Hosting the interview was Wan Lanlan.

She is an old friend of Zhou Yun.

Wan Lanlan entered, first greeting Director Kang Xin with great respect.

"Hello, Director Kang. I’m Wan Lanlan, the lead writer for ’Victor’ magazine, and a loyal fan of yours," Wan Lanlan said. "Thanks to Xiao Yun, I finally have the chance to interview you!"

Director Kang Xin is known for serious films and has rarely interacted with fashion magazines like ’Victor,’ especially with writers primarily focused on textual work like Wan Lanlan.

He showed a surprised and delighted expression.

"Oh, hello, hello."

Zhou Yun happily took photos of them with her phone.

"Sister Lanlan owes me a meal, introducing Director Kang to you," she said.

Wan Lanlan said, "Not just one meal, ten meals are fine."