"Zhou Yun, tell me what conditions you want, and I’ll fight for them."
This time, He Yong was direct and kept a low profile.
Zhou Yun shook her head and said, "I’ve already got what I wanted, the autonomy to choose my own roles."
After the previous incident where the television station tried to pressure her, Zhou Yun had already obtained what she wanted from He Yong.
"You won’t get that kind of autonomy at Zuo Jing. Luo Zhiqiu is very controlling, even more than me," He Yong said in an attempt to disparage his competitor, inadvertently implicating himself, "Even someone of Song Chi’s caliber still needs her approval for everything he wants to do."
Zhou Yun: "President He, Luo Zhiqiu has never forced Song Chi to act in anything he didn’t want."
She was referring to "Eighth Heartbeat."
Wasn’t "Eighth Heartbeat" a project that He Yong had pressured her into accepting?
He Yong: "This won’t happen again, I promise you."
"Of course it won’t, or else why would we need that supplemental agreement?" Zhou Yun didn’t take He Yong’s promise to heart.
She had already fought for what she wanted.
Currently, the ball is completely in Zhou Yun’s court.
As long as Zhou Yun truly doesn’t give up and walk away, He Yong, no matter how upset he is, must appease her, with no other choice.
"President He, I’ve heard a rumor and want to verify it with you. Will you promise to tell me the truth?" Zhou Yun asked.
He Yong was startled, then nodded, saying, "Of course, the absolute truth."
Zhou Yun: "I heard that Xu Siyao and you are having an affair, is this true or false?"
He Yong’s face changed.
How could he expect Zhou Yun to verify such a scandalous rumor?
"Of course it’s false. Who’s been spreading these rumors?" He Yong said angrily, "It’s completely unfounded!"
"Then why did you previously try to tie Xu Siyao so closely to me?" Zhou Yun said, "Not only did you cast her as the second female lead in ’Eighth Heartbeat,’ but also pushed her to create a celebrity couple with me. If she really had something with you, I might understand it."
He Yong was at a loss for words for a while, then finally spoke: "Rest assured, she will never appear in your news again."
"So you mean there won’t be a Zhang Siyao or Li Siyao next?" Zhou Yun asked.
He Yong sighed, raised his hands in surrender, "Such things will absolutely not happen again."
"I don’t believe your words, put it in the contract," Zhou Yun said.
He Yong’s eyes lit up, "You’re agreeing to renew your contract with us?"
In other words, Zhou Yun was not planning to go to Zuo Jing!
Zhou Yun: "Remember the promises you made today, President He."
"Of course, of course," He Yong beamed with a smile at gaining the response he wanted, "Even though we had some unpleasantness, look, when I first laid eyes on you, I knew you had potential, and sure enough, you became famous within a year. Xiao Yun, we have a long time ahead; trust me, without a doubt, I will elevate you to an A-list actress."
Zhou Yun merely smiled noncommittally.
The words of He Yong were just to be heard; they should never be taken to heart.
Zhou Yun had never intended to go to Zuo Jing.
Going to Zuo Jing for her would mean jumping from one pit into another. Luo Zhiqiu’s willingness to pay for the termination fee was predicated on the commercial value she saw in Zhou Yun—believing that Zhou Yun could easily earn back those funds. Instead of this, Zhou Yun had initially planned to use this as a leverage to strike at He Yong and secure better benefits for herself.
The contract period was still long.
Compared to the previous conflicts, He Yong had made significant progress today—both able to take and let go, so long as there were no irreconcilable differences, he would shamelessly resolve them.
But Zhou Yun had not expected that He Yong would indeed intend to keep his promises this time.
A week later, He Yong, accompanied by Liang Haiyuan, appeared on the set of "Heart Inquiry," and met with Zhou Yun.
When Zhou Yun saw Liang Haiyuan, she did not recognize him.
Even though Liang Haiyuan was a very famous producer.
But his fame was limited to within the industry, known by name, not by face.
When He Yong introduced him as Liang Haiyuan, Zhou Yun finally realized. He Yong was genuinely starting to take her matters seriously.
"Xiao Yun, this is Producer Liang, he is starting a new series in April next year, ’Luoyan.’ You’ve already received the first ten episodes’ script, and your agent mentioned you liked it. So I’ve invited Producer Liang here."
He Yong hosted them, reserving a private dining room at a restaurant for their meeting.
Zhou Yun greeted politely: "Hello Mr. Liang, I am Zhou Yun."
Liang Haiyuan did not put on airs.
He smiled and said: "Miss Zhou, I’ve heard so much about you."
What sort of ’heard so much about you’? Zhou Yun had only been famous for half a year.
Zhou Yun was straightforward, saying: "I’m sorry that you’ve only heard some news about me. The dramas I’ve acted in haven’t been broadcast yet for you to see."
Liang Haiyuan was taken aback.
He had not expected Zhou Yun to start with mentioning that her own works had not yet been broadcast, which seemed like exposing one’s shortcomings.
"Miss Zhou is being modest," He Yong showed me a clip of your performance in ’Heart Inquiry,’ and it was brilliant. You don’t seem like a newcomer at all, especially one who hasn’t attended a professional school. I believe that once this show airs, many will be shocked by your prowess," said Liang Haiyuan.
It turned out that He Yong had already taken a clip from the "Heart Inquiry" set to show Liang Haiyuan.
Liang Haiyuan said, "I hear you’re quite interested in ’Luoyan.’"
Zhou Yun nodded, saying, "Yes, I read the first ten episodes’ script and really liked it. It’s not cliché at all, filled with plot twists. It doesn’t feel like a traditional Fantasy Series."
Liang Haiyuan chuckled.
"Indeed, I stumbled upon this script by chance, purchased it, and the scriptwriters are working on the latter parts now."
He Yong personally poured tea and water for them.
Liang Haiyuan waived it off, saying, "President He, you’re personally serving us water, I’m overwhelmed."
He Yong: "I am just a servant here, if I can serve to create a masterpiece, then the effort of pouring water is well worth it. Producer Liang, Zhou Yun is Chengqian Entertainment’s most famous actress this year, with great acting skills. And you are Chengqian Film and Television’s stabilizer; if you two could collaborate, this series will surely be next year’s most attention-grabbing work."
Liang Haiyuan smiled, glanced at Zhou Yun.
The look in his eyes was a bit complex.
Zhou Yun did not know what Liang Haiyuan meant, and waited silently.
Liang Haiyuan tapped his fingers on the table surface, paused for a few seconds, then spoke: "I won’t beat around the bush. This role, someone else had previously taken an interest in the character of Luoyan."