Chapter 117: The Beginning of the Scandal

Words : 1256 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 117: Chapter 117: The Beginning of the Scandal Li Yuning smiled and said, "If it’s not convenient for you to speak about it, that’s okay." Zhou Yun smiled awkwardly and asked, "Did I sound too fake?" Li Yuning also smiled and said, "It’s obvious that you’re new to this industry." Zhou Yun sighed softly, "I’m not experienced enough." Li Yuning said, "It’s okay, you’ll gain experience over time." Zhou Yun blinked, as if she saw Li Yuning in a new light, and said, "Our conversation just now sounded a bit strange." Li Yuning nodded and laughed again, saying, "I used to be an entertainment reporter and a TV editor. I’ve been dealing with the entertainment circle for years. Many celebrities, who are very popular now, were just like you, green and inexperienced at the start. Those who seem flawless from the beginning are truly crafty." She continued, "Someone from your company contacted us, saying they hoped to mention Xu Siyao more in the program. It seems that they didn’t reach a consensus with you on this?" Zhou Yun was surprised and asked, "They also contacted you?" "Yes," Li Yuning nodded, "These were the instructions I received, that’s why I found your earlier words problematic." Zhou Yun was speechless, "I really didn’t expect them to reach that far." Li Yuning said, "Does your company want to use your popularity to promote Xu Siyao?" "Maybe, I’m not sure. The company never discussed this intention with me clearly." "Okay then, we won’t mention her anymore." Li Yuning nodded in understanding, gestured an OK sign to the camera, tapped her earpiece signaling that they could turn the audio back on. During a break in Zhou Yun’s work, Li Yuning received a call from Huang Liping. "Hello, President Huang?" Huang Liping asked, "Yuning, what happened earlier? I heard from Xiao Yao that you asked him to turn off the audio for a while?" "Yes, there was a situation. President Huang, you mentioned yesterday that Zhou Yun’s company wanted us to mention Xu Siyao more in the program, but Zhou Yun herself is not willing." Huang Liping was slightly surprised, "Hm? What’s the situation?" "It seems their company wants Zhou Yun to boost Xu Siyao, but Zhou Yun disagrees," said Li Yuning. "You mentioned yesterday that we might invite Xu Siyao to participate in the program’s recording. I suggest we communicate with Xu Siyao in advance." Huang Liping said, "Don’t tell her about this yet. I’ll contact He Yong first." Huang Liping ended the call. It wasn’t known how Huang Liping communicated with He Yong, but that evening, Li Yuning received a call from Huang Liping: "Xu Siyao will still come to join the recording of the program as usual, but don’t tell Zhou Yun before she arrives." Li Yuning said surprisingly, "President Huang, is this okay? When we discussed it with Zhou Yun at first, it was requested that the guests involved in the recording had to be approved by Zhou Yun’s side." "Zhou Yun’s company has agreed. If Zhou Yun has objections, that’s an internal disagreement within their company," Huang Liping replied. "President Huang, I still suggest we communicate with Zhou Yun first. Arranging for Xu Siyao to join the recording without notifying her in advance, in case Zhou Yun..." "In case what? Is she going to get angry with us over this? It’s not our request but her company’s. Besides, she’s just a newcomer who’s recently risen to fame. If she’s unhappy, let her be unhappy. Do we have to cater to her whims?" Without waiting for a response, Huang Liping hung up. Li Yuning was somewhat helpless. She had been working with Huang Liping for several years. Huang Liping was capable but had the common issue of not listening to others’ opinions. In fact, those in their line of work often had some bias against celebrities like Zhou Yun, who rose to fame through scandals, hype, and fandom, looking down on them. Huang Liping’s fondness for Song Chi was as deep as her disregard for Zhou Yun. This, Li Yuning knew. But after all, making a show was about making a splash. No matter how nice it sounded, Huang Liping was playing the buzz card. Whether focusing on real life or not caring about artists’ scandals, it was more about convincing the artist teams. Having interacted with Zhou Yun these past few days, Li Yuning didn’t think Zhou Yun was that so-called type of female celebrity. They too would communicate in private, how long could Zhou Yun stay popular? One month, two months? A flash in the pan is the norm; Zhou Yun’s enduring popularity is the exception. Originally, like others, Li Yuning looked down on Zhou Yun, but her opinion has since changed. After pondering, she decided to go talk to Liang Tian. If there was someone in the team who shared some of her views on Huang Liping, it would be Liang Tian. ... That evening, Zhou Yun returned home and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. After showering, she went directly to bed, turned on the bedside lamp, and continued reading "Solomon’s False Testimony" until she felt sleepy and dozed off in a daze. The phone rang, and she thought it was morning already. Checking the time, it was actually 2:30 AM. Why on earth is Zhou Lan calling her at this hour? Definitely, something had happened. And not just a small issue, otherwise, Zhou Lan wouldn’t be calling so late. Zhou Yun’s heart sank as she answered the phone, asking, "Sister Lan?" Zhou Lan’s tone was very serious, saying, "Xiao Yun, do you remember where you were the night you went to record ’Geology Talk’?" "’Geology Talk’?" Zhou Yun’s mind was blank for a moment, struggling to respond, "Wasn’t that program not successfully recorded? The director was hospitalized." "It’s about this director who’s in big trouble now. Someone made a real-name accusation that the program’s director, Zhao Qin, had relations with many female celebrities in the entertainment circle, suggesting that sleeping with him would get them more program screen time. The accuser even posted screenshots of her WeChat conversations with him. It’s the middle of the night, but this has already blown up as a hot search topic. Someone is listing all the female artists that have appeared in Zhao Qin’s program, and you happen to be one of the last batch of female artists who recorded his program." Zhou Lan spoke as if she was spilling beans out fast, but Zhou Yun understood clearly. She subconsciously glanced at the camera in the room. Before going to sleep, she had covered the camera with a piece of clothing, but the sound was still being captured. Zhou Yun got out of bed and went to the balcony. "Sister Lan, what do you mean? What does it mean that I happen to be one of the last batch who recorded his program? Are they suspecting that I’ve slept with him?" A wave of nameless rage surged in Zhou Yun’s heart. Zhou Lan sighed and said, "Yes, there’s such a voice now." "Do they have evidence for saying such things?" Zhou Yun angrily said. Zhou Lan replied, "Don’t get agitated now. I’m calling you because there’s a need to confirm with you about this matter. Xiao Yun, I know your character, but I still need to ask, you really haven’t slept with Zhao Qin, have you?" Zhou Yun answered, "I haven’t." "Good, I’ll have the PR department handle the public opinion immediately."

Chapter 117: The Beginning of the Scandal

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