Chapter 160 - 136: The Beginning of a Scandal

Words : 1324 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Chapter 160: Chapter 136: The Beginning of a Scandal Returned to the set of "Eighth Heartbeat" that evening, Zhou Yun developed a high fever without any warning. Fortunately, Zheng Xiaojue went to see Zhou Yun that night intending to give her the call sheet for the next day, and upon entering through the digital door lock, found Zhou Yun collapsed on the floor. The ambulance rushed her to the hospital at top speed. Upon examination, there was no other reason but overexertion combined with the air conditioning being set too low at night, which caused her body to protest. But Zhou Yun could not properly recuperate in the hospital. The film shoot was soon wrapping up, and after that, her schedule was tightly packed with several important jobs that could not be delayed, as she was supposed to join the crew of "Heart Inquiry" in October. When she woke up, she only saw Huang Zhong pacing anxiously outside the ward, and learned that if she didn’t return to shoot, the film couldn’t be completed. Zhou Yun also knew that she took many leaves in August and September, which had already delayed the shooting schedule. She had no choice but to return to the set with a high fever, shooting during the day and returning to the hospital for IV drips at night. Xu Siyao was still provoking her from time to time, but Zhou Yun had no energy to bother with her anymore. She felt like she could faint at any moment on set and struggled through scene by scene, trying her best to perform well. Even Gu Huaichun couldn’t stand it anymore and insisted she should leave until her fever subsided. Zhou Yun, weakened, said: "If I delay by one day, the crew has to wait one day. The daily expense is hundreds of thousands; how could I have the heart to cause that?" It was already the final phase of the film’s shooting; it was not possible to rearrange to shoot others’ scenes first. Finally, when her health improved, Zhou Yun managed to persevere until her wrap day. Liu Pinran came again, holding a big bouquet of flowers and using a megaphone to praise Zhou Yun’s professionalism during her farewell ceremony. This film was Zhou Yun’s first leading role, with many reluctances and setbacks throughout. By the time it wrapped, Zhou Yun felt even more sentimental. She privately said to Gu Huaichun: "I am not very satisfied with my performance in this film, but acting with you was a joy. I mean it." Gu Huaichun, unusually, did not respond sarcastically but said, "Same here." The two exchanged smiles. In the beginning, Gu Huaichun saw Zhou Yun as a celebrity who had clawed her way up improperly, and they did not get along, mocking each other and even trying to sabotage one another during performances, hoping the other would make a fool of themselves. Unexpectedly, after months of filming and interactions, they found they had quite a bit in common. Both were persistent and demanding about acting, refining their chemistry and developing true friendship through mutual feedback and rehearsals. "Yin Zhou can’t come back; he said he was supposed to have one last meal with you before you left," Gu Huaichun mentioned. "It’s okay, there will be more days ahead," Zhou Yun smiled. Leaving the crew, Zhou Yun felt a sense of loss, emptiness. While passing the highway toll, Zhou Lan said, "Liu Pinran posted a long blog praising you." Zhou Yun heard it but had no interest in checking. But in the end, she looked at it anyway. Liu Pinran wrote on his blog: "Today, Zhou Yun wrapped up shooting. I am very emotional; she is the most professional actress I have worked with in recent years. Despite having a high fever, she was firm about shooting on set, always punctual. She is also very cooperative, never fussy about the catered meals, willing to shoot night scenes as needed, and very accommodating. She has gained a lot of popularity recently, an overnight sensation, but she hasn’t changed a bit. I highly recommend this actress to all my colleagues and audience. She is talented, spirited, professional, and easy to cooperate with. Her future is boundless." Attached was a photo, his photo with Zhou Yun that day. Zhou Yun put down the phone and smiled looking out the car window. Zhou Lan said, "He is trying to make amends and show goodwill both inwardly and outwardly." Zhou Yun took out her sleeping mask and said, "Sister Lan, I am going to nap for a while." After leaving the crew, her schedule became busier, but at least, it was not like on set where she had to remain intensely focused; she could relax between rushes. Only then did Zhou Yun finally get the revised and completed script for "Heart Inquiry." "Heart Inquiry" had already been quietly filming for a few days without much promotion. Zhou Yun had scheduled to join the crew in October, but the exact date had not been set yet, and the producers had been asking to arrange it earlier. However, currently, at the peak of Zhou Yun’s popularity, He Yong thought that delaying joining the crew by even one day could mean more business opportunities; once she joined the crew, she wouldn’t be available until early next year, and by then the peak of her popularity might have passed, and her market value might not be as high. These conflicts always existed. Zhou Yun was not an artist who could ignore material demands; she knew there was no precedence over profit for art in the market, but the commercial market should also abide by commitments and contract spirit to sustain longer. After completing another shoot, Zhou Yun left the studio and said to Zhou Lan, "Sister Lan, don’t take any jobs after October 10th; I plan to join the crew on the 11th." Zhou Lan was replying to messages on WeChat and looked up baffled at Zhou Yun’s sudden decision, "So sudden?" Zhou Yun said, "No one has rushed me, but I can’t keep dragging without giving them a definite answer, right? This film is important to me; you know that I got this role entirely because of Song Chi. I don’t want to delay joining and burden him." Zhou Lan was troubled, "But I’ve already scheduled work for you on the 12th and 14th." Zhou Yun frowned. "What kind of work?" "They’re all advertising shoots, and I’ve already coordinated with the brands." Zhou Yun said, "Then let it be until the 14th. I’ll join the crew on the 15th, Sister Lan, please talk to the ’Heart Inquiry’ team." Zhou Lan nodded. "But setting the date for joining the crew ourselves might upset He Yong when he finds out." "He won’t be," Zhou Yun had already figured out how these people operated, "as long as I’m still popular, he won’t get angry at me, maybe just think I’m not well-disciplined, but disobeying him is not new to me." If it wasn’t for unexpectedly going viral with Song Chi, He Yong would have already shut Zhou Yun away. Zhou Lan nodded, "As long as you’ve thought it through, I’ll coordinate the rest." "Alright." Zhou Yun got into the car to rush to the next appointment. Being busy day and night, her deepest feeling was that she could barely even remember the days. It felt very surreal; Zhou Yun felt like she was constantly moving from one place to another, spending most of her time on the road, then reaping substantial rewards from various kinds of work. Zhou Lan told Zhou Yun that she had made it onto Chengqian Entertainment’s latest financial report; up to now, she had become the company’s most profitable artist of the year. It was somewhat vulgar, but it also solidified Zhou Yun’s standing in the company, making it difficult even for He Yong to easily shake her.

Chapter 160 - 136: The Beginning of a Scandal

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