Gu Huaichun’s words were barbed and quite unpleasant to hear.
Even Yin Zhou seemed surprised by Gu Huaichun’s comment, and glanced awkwardly at Zhou Yun before trying to smooth things over: "Zhou Yun must be very busy, but it would be fun to play badminton together when there’s time."
"How do you know the big celebrity would want to play badminton with us?" Gu Huaichun teased sarcastically.
Yin Zhou did not know what to say.
He didn’t understand why Gu Huaichun disliked Zhou Yun so much and would insult Zhou Yun to her face.
Zhou Yun’s smile had already disappeared.
From the corner of her eye, she could sense the schadenfreude in Xu Siyao’s hesitant expression.
"Do you know me that well?" Zhou Yun spoke out.
Gu Huaichun looked at her.
With a blank expression, Zhou Yun looked back at Gu Huaichun and said, "I haven’t said a word, yet you guess I don’t want to play. Are you in love with me? Always trying to figure out what I’m thinking?"
Gu Huaichun immediately felt provoked and somewhat agitated, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly be in love with you!"
Zhou Yun questioned, "Then how are you so confident that you understand me so well to know my answer?"
Gu Huaichun glared at Zhou Yun unfavorably.
Of course, he didn’t understand Zhou Yun; his earlier words were merely to mock her.
Who knew Zhou Yun would turn the tables.
"Ah, Sister Xiao Yun, don’t be upset. Brother Chun surely didn’t mean it," the situation became somewhat awkward, Xu Siyao suddenly stepped forward to defend Gu Huaichun, saying, "Brother Chun was probably just worried that as the female lead, you’re too busy and won’t have time to play badminton with us, so he said those things. Don’t take it to heart."
Zhou Yun’s gaze flitted to Xu Siyao.
"Now you know exactly what Gu Huaichun is thinking? Do you like Gu Huaichun?"
Xu Siyao’s cheeks immediately flushed a deep red, "I- I do not, Sister Xiao Yun, why would you say that?"
"I just find it strange. None of you are clairvoyant or a gut reader to confidently guess someone else’s thoughts. Unless you like that person, always pondering about them, I can’t see any other possibility."
Actually, Zhou Yun rarely engaged in conflicts. She was not someone who look for trouble, and even if slightly offended by others, if it was unintentional, she wouldn’t take it to heart. However, today’s events could not be ignored. Otherwise, how could she raise her head high over the next few months if she let Gu Huaichun mock her openly without retorting?
Zhou Yun certainly wasn’t going to let herself be taken advantage of.
At that moment, Gu Huaichun suddenly sneered.
"Really living up to the celebrity title, getting fired up after a few words. If I said anything earlier that offended you, please forgive me, that’s just the way I am, I speak unpleasantly."
Zhou Yun’s eyelid fluttered.
"If you weren’t a big celebrity, would you not get angry? If I made you uncomfortable, would you forgive me? If you know you speak unpleasantly, then you should speak less."
Her retorts made Gu Huaichun’s face turn green.
Xu Siyao and Yin Zhou were dumbstruck, completely not expecting such a turn of events.
Initially wanting to smooth things over, Yin Zhou, remembering how Zhou Yun had just ridiculed Xu Siyao, swallowed his words.
He was afraid that once he spoke up, he would be caught in the crossfire.
Gu Huaichun sneered again, nodding vigorously as if letting out air, gritting his teeth, "You’re formidable!"
Zhou Yun thought, well, they hadn’t even started filming, and she had already seriously fallen out with the lead actor.
She wondered what Sister Lan would think if she knew about this, probably looking at her with disappointed eyes.
Sister Lan was like that, she might dislike someone, but that would never be the primary factor in her decisions.
They had to continue filming together, better to maintain superficial harmony unless absolutely necessary.
Zhou Yun thought her patience was usually quite good; it must be the recent events that had made her irritable.
The atmosphere in the private room remained completely frozen until Lu Yuan showed up, breaking the ice.
Xu Siyao affectionately called out to the director again, her voice as sweet and soft as ice cream.
Yin Zhou also made a hasty escape, getting up to embrace Lu Yuan.
Zhou Yun lifted her head and saw Gu Huaichun looking at her, his eyes filled with undisguised disgust.
She averted her eyes from Gu Huaichun and stood up to greet Lu Yuan.
"The director is finally here."
Lu Yuan didn’t notice anything amiss; he apologized and explained the reason for his delay, having been at a scene set-up where some issues had arisen, keeping him busy until now.
All the young actors were newcomers, and none had acted before.
Lu Yuan had no high expectations for this film, treating it as usual, aiming to complete it smoothly and move on.
To complete a film smoothly, naturally, the main actors need to be cooperative.
During the meal, Lu Yuan outlined the film’s basic concept and future broadcast expectations, painting everything in a positive light.
The young actors, except for Zhou Yun, were all unknown newcomers with a desire for fame.
They were filled with anticipation for their first movie.
According to Lu Yuan’s expectation, regardless, all the young actors should be intent on performing well in this film to achieve fame.
However, during dinner, Lu Yuan felt that the atmosphere was somewhat off.
Upon closer inspection, he discovered the problem.
Unexpectedly, the male and female leads seemed to be at odds.
This was beyond his expectations.
After dinner, Xu Siyao’s nanny car came to pick her up; she had a variety show scheduled for tomorrow by her company.
Only after an official start-up period would Xu Siyao join the crew.
Her scenes were fewer than Zhou Yun’s, so naturally, she wouldn’t spend all her time with the crew.
Zhou Yun and Gu Huaichun returned to the hotel one after the other, staying on the same floor, still awkwardly next door to each other.
Before entering her room, she glanced at Gu Huaichun, only to find him also looking at her.
Gu Huaichun turned his head away directly, snorted coldly, took out his room card, swiped the door open, and walked in, slamming the door behind him.
As if he specifically slammed it just for her to see.
Before going to sleep, a friend request came through.
It was from Yin Zhou.
She didn’t know how he got it.
Xu Siyao certainly hadn’t added her on WeChat.
Zhou Yun accepted the friend request.
Yin Zhou said: If you’re interested, how about joining me next time I play badminton?
She charged her phone, yawned, and put on a heated eye mask.
Before falling asleep, the thought of Gu Huaichun’s annoying face crossed her mind, and Zhou Yun thought to herself that perhaps next time she heard those indescribable noises from Gu Huaichun’s room, she would record them and anonymously send them to scare him.
Imagining Gu Huaichun’s astonishment and panic upon hearing the recording, she laughed gleefully, felt much better, and quickly fell asleep.