Chapter 316 - 275: The Rise: 111_4

Words : 1333 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

Chapter 316: Chapter 275: The Rise: 111_4 Zhou Yun and Zhou Lan exchanged a glance, both corners of their mouths twitching into an incredulous, bitter smile. Dealing with favors and social networking is always troublesome. Zhou Yun never expected she would have to face all this so soon. It seemed she couldn’t afford to offend anyone with all these people coming to her. From Wen Xi recommending Jin Su to Luo Peiyao pushing for Chen Jing. Zhou Yun truly realized that keeping everyone happy was not as simple as sticking to her "principles" as she had thought. Some of these people were friends, like Wen Xi. Others were big names, like Luo Peiyao. A simple stance on "principles" wasn’t going to smooth out these social exchanges. "Let’s put this aside for now, anyway, this is something to think about after we return home. What’s most important right now is to focus on our tasks at the film festival," Zhou Lan squeezed Zhou Yun’s palm, "Let’s not think about this anymore." Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the dinner. When Zhou Yun got back to the hotel, she filled the bathtub and lay down in it. Lying in the bathtub, the sense of buoyancy and the dizziness from the steam made it easier to let go of the day’s annoyances and clear her mind of all thoughts. She soaked for about half an hour before getting out and as she was drying her hair, her phone suddenly chimed with a message. She thought that it was already the wee hours of the morning in China, who could be sending her a message? It turned out to be Song Chi. Song Chi asked: Not asleep yet? Zhou Yun turned off the hairdryer and called Song Chi. Song Chi picked up quickly. Zhou Yun asked directly, "Why haven’t you gone to bed so late?" Song Chi yawned, "I’ve been in the editing room cutting footage." "You’re personally editing?" Zhou Yun asked in surprise. Song Chi replied, "For ’Heart Inquiry’, some parts need to be re-edited urgently for another review, so I’m staying with Director Kang. After all, I’m credited as a producer; I should do some work, right?" The series was Song Chi’s brainchild. He had invested so much heart into it, naturally, he had to see it through to the end. Zhou Yun said, "Have you finished? Get some rest as soon as you’re done; staying up all night is no good." "As an actor, staying up late comes with the territory," chuckled Song Chi. "Director Kang has gone to the restroom, so I stepped out for some fresh air and thought that you might not have gone to bed yet." "Right, just finished bathing. Yao Yuanfeng organized a gathering tonight. Directors Chen Zian and Zhang Yiwei were both there, and I joined them," Zhou Yun said. "The two directors are quite different." "Impressive, meeting two major directors at once. Did they take a shine to you and invite you to act in their films?" Song Chi asked with a laugh. Zhou Yun rolled her eyes and said, "Do you think I’m like a novel’s female protagonist? Stunning directors with my first appearance, making those who have seen countless actresses beg and plead for me to star in their movies." "Honestly, haven’t you ever thought that way?" Song Chi asked. Zhou Yun fell silent. Song Chi laughed. "President He came to me," he said. "He has a project in his hands and wants me to act in it." "For you?" Zhou Yun was stunned, "I had no idea." "A TV series, a tribute drama approved by the authorities," Song Chi said. "Your President He is pretty capable to secure a tribute drama like that." "This news was kept under tight wraps; I didn’t hear about it," Zhou Yun said. "Yeah, I was surprised too. It’s not like your company is short of male actors." "So why did they come to you?" Zhou Yun asked. Song Chi laughed, "Because the guiding department doesn’t think much of those embroidered pillows in your company." Embroidered pillows... Zhou Yun muttered in her mind. But she didn’t think Song Chi was wrong. The young male actors in her company were indeed all embroidered pillows; not one of them was genuinely talented. They were all celebrities, idol types with high popularity and real fan bases. The problem was, their acting was mediocre. They would suffice for idol dramas or fantasy series, but they would be out of place in more serious dramas. No wonder the guiding department wasn’t keen on using her company’s artists. Zhou Yun asked, "So, did you accept the role?" "I did," Song Chi said. "Not long after he approached me, I was contacted by people from the guiding department. A leader specifically named me for the role, how could I refuse? Moreover, the subject matter is really good, it’s a profession I haven’t played before, and I really like it." Zhou Yun: "Congratulations." "Forget the congratulations. I’ve realized that we’re both busier than the other, this love affair is going nowhere," Song Chi cursed with a laugh. "Platonic love," Zhou Yun said. "A rich spiritual life." "Alright, no more talk of platonic love. Director Kang’s back, I’ve got to hang up," Song Chi said. "Sleep early." "Yeah, you too, rest up," Zhou Yun said. Song Chi replied, "Got it." After hanging up, Zhou Yun sat on the bed in a daze for a while. Coming back to her senses, she continued to dry her hair. Once her hair was dry, she picked up her phone, found Song Chi’s assistant’s WeChat, and sent a message: "Brother Chi stayed up late, remember to make him some soup tomorrow, let him have something warm before sleeping." Song Chi’s assistant didn’t reply, probably asleep by then. But he would see it the next morning. Zhou Yun put down her phone, lay on the bed, and began to ponder seriously. Based on their current workloads, she and Song Chi simply couldn’t consider advancing their relationship further in the next few years. But that was okay; both were still young, and it was unnecessary to settle down so early. Zhou Yun thought to herself that she should focus on her career while she was young. Everyone wants to reach higher, and she was no exception. On one hand, she enjoyed the freshness and involvement of creating when acting. On the other hand, with higher positions beckoning her, she couldn’t just settle. If she could secure the lead in Zhang Yiwei’s new film, she might have a shot at an award. As for this time, in Venice, the Horizons Unit, Best Actress? Zhou Yun’s mind echoed with the words Wei Ru Xue had said and she smiled lightly. Only a fool would take it seriously and have hope. Zhou Yun knew her own abilities very well. Her acting was purely instinctual, basically playing herself, just emotional expression in front of the camera. She might lose herself in the role, but couldn’t be said to truly sculpt the character. She had no real confidence in her own excellence. The two-week shoot of ’One Day’ had felt dreamlike. It was less challenging than the process of filming ’Heart Inquiry’. While thinking about these issues, Zhou Yun slowly drifted off to sleep. In her dream, Song Chi appeared again. He lay beside her, whispering and laughing. The two were affectionately wrapped up in bed, the sunlight enveloping them completely. It was a happy dream, and Zhou Yun didn’t want to wake up. But time marched on, and Zheng Xiaojue came to wake her. The dream vanished. With a tone like cajoling a child, Zheng Xiaojue said, "Sister Xiao Yun, it’s time to get up. We have several interviews today." These were prearranged tasks: film media, entertainment media, fashion media, and individual media. Many outlets had scheduled to accompany her and interview her. Zhou Yun had no choice but to get up and immerse herself into another day’s work.

Chapter 316 - 275: The Rise: 111_4

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