Leisure days did not last long, and on the day of the filming commencement, Xu Siyao did not make it back in time, leaving one principal actor absent. Nevertheless, the commencement ceremony proceeded as usual.
Zhou Yun and Gu Huaichun were at odds, yet they had to stand together for the group photo.
Regardless of whether Gu Huaichun had a sour expression, her smile had to be bright and dazzling.
After the ceremony, photos would soon be posted to the official Weibo account; this was her first appearance in front of the public after the scandal with Zhao Qin spread.
Under such circumstances, how could she not present herself in the best possible condition?
Even her lipstick was one shade redder than usual.
Group photos, creative team photos, principal actor photos, lead actor photos, solo shots; from start to finish, Zhou Yun carried herself with a defiant attitude that met exceedingly professional standards.
Following the commencement ceremony, the director arranged a few simple transition scenes for the first shoot, mainly to set a positive tone, hoping for smooth shooting without any obstacles in the scenes to come.
Song Chi sent a message to congratulate her on the new film’s commencement.
Zhou Yun: I’ve only just started filming, and you’ve already got the news.
Song Chi replied: Your agent just posted on Moments.
Zhou Yun: Really? I wasn’t aware. I’ll take a peek.
She clicked into Moments and sure enough, Zhou Lan had just updated with a post.
There was a photo of her at the commencement ceremony and a group photo of the entire cast.
The text was simple: Zhou Yun’s new film "Eighth Heartbeat" commenced today.
He Yong had already given the post a like and left a comment: The promotion is on track.
Zhou Yun curled the corners of her mouth disapprovingly, no longer wanting to look, and returned to her chat with Song Chi: What are you up to now?
Song Chi: What else? Working.
Zhou Yun: You’re working and still have time to chat with me?
Song Chi: I’m backstage, so I’m free. How’s life in the production crew? I heard that you fought with the male lead as soon as you joined the set?
Zhou Yun furrowed her brows and asked: And how would you know that? Did Sister Lan tell you?
Song Chi: It’s not about the talking; you’re rough enough when speaking to me, and now in the production crew, you’re like a sharp-beaked bird, careful or everyone will dislike you.
Zhou Yun: It’s not my fault, okay? You have no idea how outrageous Gu Huaichun is!
Song Chi: There’s no need to confront him face-to-face.
Zhou Yun: He declared war first! Last time I overheard it; his agent was advising him not to show his displeasure, do you know what he said? He told his agent that he can’t stand seeing a female celebrity who gets roles through popularity like me. If he were some kind of accomplished actor, that would be one thing, but he himself, fresh out of graduation, got a lead role in his first drama; what right has he to criticize me? My popularity got me the role, did I steal the role from him? Because of this damn issue, in front of Yin Zhou and Xu Siyao, he kept calling me ’big celebrity’ and said he looked down on them, insinuating that I had no regard for them. If I don’t fight back, I’d really be branded as arrogant.
Song Chi: ...I can see that you’re really angry.
Zhou Yun: Let’s drop it, the more I talk, the angrier I get.
Song Chi: What’s there to be angry about? If you really can’t stand him, just outperform him—the set is where the truth comes out.
Zhou Yun: Just the thought of having to play lovers with him gives me a headache; I worry we might turn into real enemies.
The conflict and tensions with Gu Huaichun were like a fishbone stuck in her throat.
Especially after the film started shooting, previously they might have ignored each other, but now that wasn’t possible—Zhou Yun inevitably had to interact with Gu Huaichun.
In the afternoon, she finally had to shoot her first scene opposite Gu Huaichun.
In the scene, they had to play out the coincidental meeting that almost every sweet romantic drama features.
Reading the script, Zhou Yun saw she was to be embraced around the waist by Gu Huaichun, which immediately disheartened her.
Such feelings were admittedly unprofessional and should not arise.
Zhou Yun had no choice but to prepare herself mentally, convincing herself to treat Gu Huaichun like a block of wood.
Speaking of which, there were also kissing scenes later; if she could not overcome her aversion to Gu Huaichun, there was no point in continuing the shoot.
Zhou Yun took several deep breaths; hearing someone call her, she stood up and moved on.
Lu Yuan was discussing camera movements with the cinematographer. Seeing Zhou Yun and Gu Huaichun approaching, he waved them over, saying, "Come here, both of you. Let me explain the scene."
Gu Huaichun approached with a stern face, while Zhou Yun seemed not to notice.
"Later, Xiao Yun, you’ll run from this side, and Xiao Gu, you’ll come from that side. At the corner, bump into each other naturally," Lu Yuan instructed. "I’ll pull a long shot from the corner, capturing you both coming from opposite directions and then colliding. Ok?"