Chapter 99: The Beginning of the Scandal

Words : 1184 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: The Beginning of the Scandal "Besides those two, I think Zheng Xiaowen is also worth considering, and Wen Xi, the opening model who walked the runway with you last time. Though they’re not female celebrities, they have a tremendous number of fans in the fashion sector. Maybe we could do a fashion-themed episode." Zhou Lan’s suggestion surprised Zhou Yun. "Zheng Xiaowen is okay, and Wen Xi is very popular. Many variety shows want her but can’t get her because she’s focused on her modeling career. Do you think you can invite her?" Zhou Lan said, "I heard Zheng Xiaowen is planning to have Wen Xi be the spokesperson for VX. Now is when VX needs exposure, appearing on your show would also help Zheng Xiaowen gain more exposure. It’s mutually beneficial." "Have you discussed this with them?" "Not yet, I wanted to see what you think first. What do you think?" Zhou Yun said, "Sounds good." "Also, VX might consider placing ads on this show," Zhou Lan added, "A few days ago, Zheng Xiaowen was asking me if you have any plans to film a modern urban drama soon. Your outfit from VX received great feedback, many young girls learned about VX from your street photos." "Modern urban drama?" Zhou Yun asked, "Isn’t ’Eighth Heartbeat’ a modern urban drama?" "Yes, I heard Zheng Xiaowen is discussing advertising placements with Yuehai Network to sponsor all costumes you wear in this drama. But she hinted, if we have any thoughts on this side, whether we want to make a fashion drama with you as the lead and tailor the script around you." "She’s going that big?" Zhou Yun was shocked. "Yes, but our schedule for this year is already full. We don’t have time to shoot a fashion drama, so this proposal has been put on hold after discussing it with her a few times," Zhou Lan said. "But ’Eighth Heartbeat’ is about to start shooting, and the male lead hasn’t been decided yet?" Zhou Yun asked. Zhou Lan shook her head and said, "Yuehai Network will definitely cast an artist signed under them. You know, such in-house productions make it easier for internal disputes." "It can’t be that they haven’t settled on someone before shooting begins, right?" "No, a decision should be made soon." Sure enough, a week later, the male lead of ’Eighth Heartbeat’ was decided. Gu Huaichun. A complete newcomer, about to graduate with a major in acting, signed by Yuehai Network for less than half a year. Zhou Yun looked at the information provided by the production team, and from the photos, he had a handsome and strong appearance with well-defined features — thick eyebrows and big eyes. "This guy is quite handsome, right?" Zhou Lan said, holding a cup of coffee as she entered the van and sat next to Zhou Yun, "An iced, unsweetened latte." "Thank you," Zhou Yun took the coffee and took a sip. "This brings me back to life." "This young handsome guy is single." "How do you know that?" Zhou Yun looked puzzledly at the information in her hand. "Does it say so here?" "It’s Yuehai Network’s standard for contracting artists; they must be single," Zhou Lan shrugged her shoulders. "Surprising, isn’t it?" "What kind of era is this, still requiring artists to stay single." Zhou Yun was indeed surprised, "Even our company doesn’t have this rule anymore." "Yeah, we just require to report to the company. But Yuehai Network insists on this, especially for newcomers, saying it’s difficult to hype a CP if not single." "Wow." "Yuehai Network wants to arrange a meal between you and Gu Huaichun to stir up some rumors, then later clarify that he is just your male lead in the new drama, to generate buzz for ’Eighth Heartbeat’." "What do you think?" "Unnecessary." "I think so too." "’After the Scandal’ will start filming soon, then you won’t lack topics." "I don’t like stirring up these kinds of rumors." "I know." Zhou Yun and Zhou Lan shared a laugh. "Did you include it in the contract with them? Not to cooperate in this kind of publicity." Zhou Yun asked. "I did," Zhou Lan nodded. "It’s normal for Yuehai Network to think this way, hyping it up in advance benefits their negotiations for advertising placements." "Well, they don’t have to worry about me being accused of two-timing." "Being entangled in rumors is indeed not a good thing for female celebrities." Someone came knocking on the car door, ending their casual chat as Zhou Yun had to resume work. On Saturday night, as arranged by Zhou Lan, Zhou Yun met with the producer and director of ’After the Scandal’. The producer and director of this variety show previously worked at TV stations and came out a year ago to set up their own team, expanding their cooperative platform scope. The producer, named Huang Liping, in her early forties, is a seasoned producer, with a very impressive resume. Given such credentials, Huang Liping had the confidence to leave the TV station to work independently. The director, Liang Tian, was practically brought up by Huang Liping. The programs directed by Liang Tian in the past two years have all been under Huang Liping, basically binding them together. Zhou Yun didn’t expect the producer and director of the show to both be women, which surprised her when she met them. "President Huang, Director Liang," Zhou Yun politely shook hands with both. Huang Liping said, "Finally, we meet. I’ve been wanting to find a time to see you and talk, but it’s been hard to schedule." Zhou Yun knew it was because her recent time had been fully scheduled, extremely busy. "I’m sorry, President Huang, Director Liang, I had a lot of pre-scheduled work," Zhou Yun apologized with a smile. Huang Liping said, "No worries, we understand. Xiao Yun, we specifically wanted to talk to you about ’After the Scandal’. From the name of the show alone, you can see what kind of show we want to make. Nowadays, many celebrities are involved in rumors, true or false, some orchestrated by their own teams, some for publicity, and some maliciously fabricated by marketing accounts, but no matter what, the public’s interest in celebrity scandals is always high. Liang Tian and I were thinking, perhaps we could focus on this for a program." Zhou Yun nodded, "This perspective is very fresh; I haven’t seen a show with a similar theme." "Of course, if others had done it, we wouldn’t bother," Huang Liping laughed and spread her hands, "So now we need to personally confirm something from you, after this the show’s main tone can be set." "President Huang, please go ahead." Huang Liping maintained a smile and asked, "The rumors about you and Song Chi—are they true, or false?" Zhou Yun turned to look at Zhou Lan, "Sister Lan, haven’t you told them?" Zhou Lan helplessly said, "I’ve mentioned it, but they don’t believe it, they want to hear you say it yourself." "Oh, so that’s how it is," Zhou Yun smiled knowingly.

Chapter 99: The Beginning of the Scandal

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