Chapter 213 - 181: Rising Phase: 17

Words : 1332 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 213: Chapter 181: Rising Phase: 17 Gu Huaichun, who was sitting in the second row, noticed Zhou Yun standing and quickly understood what had happened by following her line of sight. Zhou Yun, a hot female celebrity, stood by herself, and no one was talking to her, asking for chats or photos. It all seemed a bit awkward, strange. Those who noticed her looked over in confusion, thinking it was odd. Gu Huaichun got up and walked over to Zhou Yun. "What’s up?" he smiled, hands in his pockets, as if he was there to chit-chat with Zhou Yun, "Someone took your seat?" Zhou Yun nodded and said, "She might know the person next to her, so she sat there to talk." "It’s a big taboo to take someone else’s seat, and she’s not a newcomer who just debuted. She must know that, so it was probably intentional." Gu Huaichun asked, "Shall we talk to the event organizers’ staff?" Zhou Yun held her left arm with her right hand and shook her head, saying, "Let’s wait, maybe she’s just sitting there temporarily to talk to someone." Gu Huaichun found it amusing and said, "Sister, look at her posture; she even has a photographer taking her picture. She’s doing it on purpose, probably wants to issue a press release later, not wanting others to see her only sitting in the second row." "It’s just a photo, no big deal." Zhou Yun suddenly remembered and said, "We haven’t taken a selfie together yet." Gu Huaichun chuckled, "Oh, I thought you didn’t want to take a selfie with a small potato like me." "Small potato my foot, you hold the phone, quick, make me look good." Zhou Yun took out her phone, opened the selfie camera, and handed it to Gu Huaichun. So Gu Huaichun lifted the phone at an upward angle, and Zhou Yun found the right pose, smiling sweetly. Gu Huaichun took two pictures. Zhou Yun took a look and her vision darkened. "What the hell! Why are my eyes half-closed?" Zhou Yun looked at the selfie that resembled a car crash scene and angrily said, "Gu Huaichun, did you do this on purpose?" Gu Huaichun played innocent, saying, "I didn’t do it on purpose, it’s not my fault you asked me to take the photo, I’m not great at taking pictures." Zhou Yun snorted coldly, "I’d better do it myself." Zhou Yun raised her phone and started posing. Gu Huaichun was too tall, hard to get into the frame like a picture. Zhou Yun glanced sideways at him, "Squat down." Gu Huaichun had to squat down into a horse stance. Zhou Yun took a few shots, checked the results, and was quite satisfied. Looking over, Liu Zhen finally got up from her seat, chatting and laughing as she returned to her own. Zhou Yun smiled at Gu Huaichun, saying, "See, she just borrowed my seat for a photo." Gu Huaichun: "What if she decides to nest in your seat and doesn’t want to leave?" Zhou Yun: "What else can I do? Kick her out." Gu Huaichun, surprised, asked, "Kick her out on the spot?" Zhou Yun: "What else?" "You’re ruthless." Gu Huaichun cupped his hands in admiration, "Respect!" Zhou Yun: "The event is starting, hurry up and sit down." The event venue had nothing to write home about. After the event, the brand organizers prepared a self-service lunch for the guests. Zhou Yun originally did not want to attend this kind of self-service lunch. She currently had too many troubles, attracting speculative looks wherever she went, so she preferred to be alone when she was free. But she was a close friend of this cosmetic brand, and Zhou Lan had instructed her to try her best to maintain good relations with the brand’s executives and aim for a title promotion this year. Just then, a high-level executive from the brand personally came to ask if she would stay for lunch, and Zhou Yun accepted the invitation. The self-service lunch was more relaxed and private than the event venue. Without media or cameras around, everyone was more at ease. Upon entering the restaurant, many people took the initiative to come up and greet Zhou Yun, making small talk. She sat at a table with two executives from the brand, dining and chatting. Because of Sister Lan’s advice, Zhou Yun wasn’t reserved, actively participating in the discussion topics and conversing with the two lightheartedly. She didn’t expect to become close friends with anyone through a single meal, but she was certainly intent on leaving a good impression. One of the biggest differences between Zhou Yun and other artists in the circle was that she was a genuine graduate of a prestigious school, not from an arts program or admitted for special talents, but one who truly had crossed the highly competitive bridge by herself. It’s a common sneer that celebrities in the entertainment industry lack education, and in fact, most celebrities really don’t have much schooling. He Yong had once suggested creating an image for Zhou Yun as a graduate from a prestigious school, but Zhou Yun had refused. She didn’t want to use it as a gimmick to create buzz. Nonetheless, this didn’t stop some brand partners from holding her in higher esteem. Particularly in the current environment overrun with artists manufactured by companies, Zhou Yun’s credentials had become especially precious. After the lunch was over, Zhou Yun felt she could retire with success. She said goodbye to the executives with a Smiling Face, went to the restroom intending to wash her hands before leaving. When she entered the restroom, she bumped into Liu Zhen. She was on the phone near the window by the restroom. Their eyes met for a moment. Zhou Yun nodded politely in acknowledgment. Liu Zhen also nodded back. After washing her hands in the restroom, Zhou Yun came out to find Liu Zhen gone. In reality, it was only a matter of moments. Zhou Yun figured that perhaps Liu Zhen didn’t want others to overhear her call, so she had left. Heading towards the exit, Zhou Yun passed a fire door and heard Liu Zhen’s voice from inside: "He wants a hundred thousand to post a set of photos for me? Why doesn’t he go rob someone?" Zhou Yun paused in her steps. The voice of Liu Zhen followed closely: "Go and bargain with him again. A hundred thousand is too high, it’s just for posting a set of photos." Zhou Yun didn’t linger to eavesdrop further and quietly moved away. She was a bit curious and afterward asked Sister Lan, "What was that about?" Sister Lan understood immediately, saying, "What else could it be about? She must have had someone take photos of her at the event and wanted a top influencer in the fashion circle to help her publish them, to sing her praises. Photos from such events attract a lot of attention." "A hundred thousand for a set of photos?" Zhou Yun was shocked. Sister Lan replied, "What do you mean a hundred thousand just for posting photos? Posting the photos is secondary; the main point is to compliment her, to praise her fashion sense and good looks." Zhou Yun understood now. "Sister Lan, you don’t also need to spend money to have someone praise me, do you?" Zhou Yun asked out of curiosity. "You don’t need that. The editor-in-chief Chen Ting from ’Victor’ really admires you, and with your own qualifications and popularity, we don’t need to do anything. Those top influencers and media platforms will naturally pay attention to you and comment on your style. Don’t forget, they need the attention too," explained Sister Lan. "Speaking of which, there’s something I should tell you. ’Victor’ wants to schedule another cover shoot with you after the New Year. Chen Ting has appreciated you since before you were famous and even introduced opportunities to you. I think we ought to return the favor."

Chapter 213 - 181: Rising Phase: 17

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