During a break from her busy work schedule, Zhou Yun had already started to read the script of "Heart Inquiry."
She was cast as the female lead number two, Liu Rusu.
Initially, Song Chi took notice of Zhou Yun and wanted her to play this role, not because of any personal reasons but simply because he felt Zhou Yun and the character Liu Rusu were a perfect match.
Beautiful yet tragically unyielding, her portrayal was very close to that of Liu Rusu, who though fallen from grace and ending up in a brothel, remained proud and self-esteemed.
That was the impression Zhou Yun left on Song Chi.
There are many good-looking actresses, and quite a few who are absolutely stunning in their facial features, but it’s often not just the beauty of the face that can captivate a city.
Zhou Yun had done a makeup test with the "Heart Inquiry" crew.
As a brothel woman, she appeared pure and graceful as if a lady from a reputable family. Holding a scroll in her hands, sitting in a study, and speaking softly with downcast eyes, she was like a painting with an ethereal feel.
Upon seeing Zhou Yun’s makeup test photos, Director Kang had once said that Zhou Yun had both water and fire in her eyes.
Those who understood Director Kang knew that this meant he was very satisfied with Zhou Yun playing this role.
If shooting "Eighth Heartbeat" was of any help to Zhou Yun, the biggest takeaway was that she began to use the camera lens to imagine her performance.
That evening, Zhou Yun spoke with Song Chi over the phone, discussing the character of Liu Rusu.
She joked, "What virtues or abilities do you have, to be unchangeably loved by two women?"
In the story of "Heart Inquiry," Song Chi’s character He Mu had two women of paramount importance in his life: one his wife, and the other was Liu Rusu.
And Liu Rusu kept her affection and admiration for He Mu deep within her heart from beginning to end.
Song Chi laughed twice.
Zhou Yun could hear the tiredness in Song Chi’s voice.
"Finished work?" Zhou Yun asked.
Song Chi replied, "Yes, work’s done, but I have a meeting with the director next to discuss the following scenes."
Zhou Yun: "That’s tough."
"It’s self-inflicted," said Song Chi. He then asked, "What about you? Finished work?"
"Not yet, on my way to the next engagement, I have a charity ad to shoot, and it’ll probably last until midnight," Zhou Yun said. "I’ve already told Sister Lan that I will join the crew on the 15th. I’ll bring some delicious food for you when the time comes."
"Heart Inquiry" was being filmed at a very remote location, where the crew had specially constructed three major sets, the cost of which was considerable.
Generally, historical dramas rent existing film and television studios, but Director Kang and Song Chi, with their high standards, went as far as to build original high-rise buildings, having designs drawn and creating unique sets. This way of making films is rarely seen nowadays as renting studios is far less expensive than constructing sets from scratch.
Song Chi said, "We have a chef here; you can order anything you want to eat."
Zhou Yun, shocked and incredulous, responded, "Damn, really? That’s awesome?"
Song Chi laughed, saying, "Yes, indeed."
Zhou Yun: "I’m envious."
Song Chi: "No need to be, you’ll enjoy the same when you join the crew."
Zhou Yun asked, "Is Director Kang very strict? I’ve been reading some material about him, and I heard that he’s very tough on actors, often loses his temper on set, and has even made actors cry."
Song Chi said, "He is a very demanding director, but also a good one."
"I know, I really enjoyed watching his TV series when I was a kid, and in college, I discovered that many of my favorite series were directed by him, which was quite a surprise."
"When will ’Eighth Heartbeat’ air?" Song Chi suddenly asked.
"I don’t know; rumor has it that it is slated for the end of the year. Yuehai Network wants to release it as soon as possible," said Zhou Yun. "I also don’t know what the final outcome will be. I dare not hold any expectations."
"How do you think your performance was?" Song Chi asked.
Zhou Yun: "Honestly? To be honest, I really tried my best, but I don’t know how good it was. Unless I’m a true genius, the actual result is probably just so-so. I told you before, Lu Yuan’s standards are quite low; he doesn’t demand too much from us, and completing the script smoothly is sufficient."
Song Chi: "Completing the script smoothly is not an easy task."
"Then you have to believe me, our ideas of ’smoothly’ are not the same," Zhou Yun said. "I heard they’re already finding screenwriters to write the second season, which is about to be shot soon, and will be aired immediately after the first season ends."
"Looks like they’re shearing the sheep—that’s you," Song Chi laughed.