He Yong: "Look at that, who else could be more modest than you?"
Feeling like no matter what she says, He Yong can always bring it back around, praising her like a flatterer.
Zhou Yun: "President He, you’re flattering me so much I’m embarrassed."
He Yong said, "This isn’t flattery, it’s just stating the facts. Last month when I went to headquarters to report, someone there asked me, with us pushing a newbie so hard, how long can she stay popular? You’re so capable, you’ve genuinely stayed popular for a whole month."
Zhou Yun asked in surprise: "People at headquarters care about these little things about me?"
"You don’t know, the company has been throwing publicity on you all month, with such a high exposure, of course headquarters knows."
"President He, I think you should help me get some good roles in the future, always pushing publicity, no wonder people at headquarters question how long I can stay popular." Zhou Yun smiled helplessly and sighed, "Only signature works can leave a good impression."
He Yong said, "Haven’t you already got two roles this year? The big productions ’Eighth Heartbeat’ and ’Heart Inquiry’, now’s not the time to rush into more roles. Wait until ’Eighth Heartbeat’ airs at the end of the year, then announce you’re starring in ’Heart Inquiry’, it will be easier to negotiate better roles for you by then."
Zhou Yun sighed softly.
"So being this popular now is useless, when negotiating partnerships, people still feel I have no substantial works, just empty popularity."
He Yong: "How could that be? Don’t you see how many scripts are coming your way, people offering you roles? Just to get to you we have to turn away two-thirds of them, but with this popularity, of course we need to choose the best of the best, and pick the cream of the crop."
"That’s great, then roles like ’Eighth Heartbeat’, you won’t make me take those on again, right?" Zhou Yun asked with a smile.
He Yong laughed heartily, saying: "You’re so beautiful, ’Eighth Heartbeat’ will definitely charm all the audience."
"So in President He’s eyes, I’m just a pretty vase." Zhou Yun sighed.
"Hey, Xiao Yun, that’s not what I meant. But it’s a fact that you’re beautiful."
Zhou Yun thought, when will this conversation ever get to the point?
When exactly will He Yong start discussing the real issue?
Just then, a tender voice calling "President He" came from ahead.
Zhou Yun turned her head in surprise.
She saw Xu Siyao walking over in a shimmering dress.
She looked at Zhou Yun with an excited face, "Sister Xiao Yun, you’re here too."
Zhou Yun gave a polite, non-committal smile and said: "What a coincidence."
Xu Siyao stood in front of He Yong with a pitiable expression and said, "President He, I got stood up."
He Yong immediately asked, "Stood up? What happened?"
Xu Siyao said, "I was supposed to meet a director today, but I’ve been waiting here half an hour and he hasn’t shown up. I’m calling him now and he’s not answering."
He Yong thought for a moment, then looked at Zhou Yun and asked, "How about letting her join us for dinner? The poor girl seems rather distressed, it wouldn’t be nice to send her back alone."
Zhou Yun thought to herself about what a ridiculous suggestion that was, but she smiled affectionately and nodded, "Sure, take a seat."
"Thank you, Sister Xiao Yun, you are really so kind."
Zhou Yun’s smile grew even warmer as she said, "You’re so cute, who would have the heart to let you go hungry? Order whatever you want, today President He is treating."
Xu Siyao seemed a bit overwhelmed and looked at He Yong.
He Yong handed over the menu, saying: "Take a look for yourself, whatever you want to eat, just add it."
Xu Siyao then took the menu.
At this point, the dishes they had ordered earlier were brought to the table.
"Add a set of utensils for her," He Yong instructed the waiter.
Zhou Yun was fully prepared for today’s meeting; no matter what move He Yong made, she was ready to defend and counter, not going along with Xu Siyao in any marketing ploys was her bottom line.
Xu Siyao asked with an innocent face, "President He, Sister Xiao Yun, what are you doing meeting up here today?"
He Yong said, "Just talking about some things with your Sister Xiao Yun."
"Is that so? I thought you two were secretly dating," Xu Siyao said.
He Yong: "Don’t talk nonsense, that’s not the case."
Zhou Yun had been holding her chopsticks the whole time, occasionally picking up some food to put in her bowl and eating a bit.
She acted as if she hadn’t heard the two of them talking at all.
Unless these two called her out by name, no matter what they were performing here, she would act as if she heard nothing.
"Speaking of which, Siyao, you’re about to join Sister Xiao Yun on the set of ’Eighth Heartbeat’, right?" He Yong asked.
Zhou Yun said in her mind.
Xu Siyao nodded, "Yes."
"That’s good, having sisters from the same company filming together, looking after each other." He Yong said, "You both are artists from Chengqian Entertainment. When you join the set, be professional, listen to the director, act well, and don’t throw tantrums."
"Ah, I know," Xu Siyao said dissatisfiedly, "President He, why do you have to lecture me every time we meet?"
He Yong: "It’s because I’m worried you’ll cause trouble."
"I’m not someone who causes trouble."
Zhou Yun wanted to say, why don’t you two take your flirting back to your room?
Just giving people the creeps for no reason.
Zhou Yun watched the two with a smile, saying nothing.
He Yong then said: "By the way, Siyao, didn’t you say Sister Xiao Yun is your idol? You’ve always been saying how much you want her autograph, and today you’ve got the chance, please ask her to sign something for you."
Xu Siyao turned her head to Zhou Yun at once and asked, "Sister Xiao Yun, may I?"
Zhou Yun smiled, "Am I really your idol?"
Xu Siyao nodded vigorously, with a very sincere look, "I really like Sister Xiao Yun a lot!"
Zhou Yun asked, "I haven’t acted in anything significant, how could you like me?"
Xu Siyao was taken aback.
"Alright, no need to say you like me just to please me, I’m aware of myself." Zhou Yun gave He Yong a gentle reproachful glance and said, "President He, really, I don’t believe Siyao wouldn’t like senior Ruxue, and you don’t have to make the girl lie just to make me happy. I’d feel so embarrassed."
This was a reaction He Yong hadn’t expected at all.
"No, Sister Xiao Yun, I really do like you," Xu Siyao said.
"Alright, let’s not make a big deal of it, you’re cute, and you’re sure to be liked by many people in the future." Zhou Yun patted Xu Siyao on the head, "Let’s eat, I’m about to starve."
She picked up her chopsticks and continued eating.
Xu Siyao glanced cautiously at He Yong, and, seeing no new instructions, oh’d and picked up her chopsticks to eat.