Under the watchful eyes of the public, could Su Yan not respond to Zhou Yun’s words?
If she dared not to respond, the next second, there would be new revelations on the internet: Su Yan tacitly admits she is the mastermind behind the scenes!
Su Yan forced a smile and said, "Of course it wasn’t me."
Zhou Yun laughed even more intimately, "That’s what I thought."
Su Yan could only manage to keep the smile on her face.
Amidst these chaotic and troublesome matters, they, on their side, finally wrapped up the filming.
Next, they would move on to another film base.
Zhou Yun’s scenes were nearly completed, with only the parts set in the brothel left to be filmed.
The production coordinator simply concentrated all of Zhou Yun’s remaining scenes into a few days, allowing both Song Chi and Su Yan a break to deal with other work away from the set.
Song Chi returned after five days.
There were also several of his scenes to be filmed in the brothel part.
Zhou Yun was about to wrap up her part and felt some reluctance to leave the "Heart Inquiry" crew. She really liked the filming atmosphere here, led by Director Kang Xin, meticulously working through scenes and infusing her character, Liu Rusu, with more and more details, bit by bit.
That night, they were shooting the scene where Zhou Yun and Song Chi meet in the brothel.
The scene wasn’t difficult, but there were many extras.
Director Kang had high standards for the extras; anyone appearing on camera must not act like a wooden dummy.
After many NGs, the shoot dragged on until eleven o’clock at night without wrapping up.
The head of the extras, either dissatisfied with Director Kang’s high standards or embarrassed by the frequent issues with the extras, lashed out angrily at his people.
While waiting, Zhou Yun sat on a chair aside, yawning.
Song Chi approached and asked, "Tired?"
"A bit." Zhou Yun nodded.
These past days, from morning to night, all her scenes were being filmed, which was more tiring than before.
Song Chi said, "You’re almost wrapping up now, what are your plans after?"
Zhou Yun said, "There’s a movie, the one I mentioned to you before. I’m in contact, but the company is hesitating and doesn’t want me to take it."
Song Chi: "Your company hasn’t finalised it yet?"
"Sister Lan almost got the deal done, but the company has a self-produced drama they want me to act in, and the schedules clash," Zhou Yun shrugged, "But I don’t want to act in that drama, it feels pretty mediocre."
Song Chi: "Do you really want to do that movie?"
"Then I’ll teach you a method."
"Get your company to postpone the self-produced drama. As long as they let you do the movie, after you wrap up the film, then go ahead and act in the TV drama."
Zhou Yun looked surprised: "Bargaining, huh."
"They want you to do the company’s self-produced drama; of course, you can take this opportunity to make your own demands. This is a good opportunity in itself."
"Sister Lan was about to agree to arrange for two variety shows in exchange for the company’s approval," Zhou Yun said, "But if I can exchange it this way, I’d rather act in the company’s drama."
Song Chi gave a slight smile.
Later, Zhou Yun relayed Song Chi’s suggestion to Zhou Lan.
Zhou Lan pondered and said, "We can try this first, if the company agrees, it’s indeed better than taking two variety shows."
Taking part in two variety shows was not a good choice for Zhou Yun at this stage of her career. An actor who, since her debut, has 99% of her popularity from topics and reality shows. If Zhou Yun doesn’t tone it down, her public image will become solidified as a variety show celebrity. The facts of these years have proved that such an image, once formed, is very damaging to an actor’s image. Even a best actor winner cannot escape its negative impact.
The company’s self-produced drama was an idol drama under the guise of being about the workplace.
This kind of TV drama has relatively low production costs, is easier to control, easily passes censorship, and has little thematic risk.
Moreover, it can incorporate many advertisements to earn more money.
Zhou Yun and Zhou Lan discussed and decided to put this matter on hold for the time being until "Heart Inquiry" wrapped up, then negotiate with the company.
Being too proactive on her part was not conducive to the negotiations.
As the wrap-up approached, Zhou Yun took commemorative photos with many people in the production crew.
On the day of her wrap-up, Zhou Yun had only two scenes left. After shooting, Director Kang presented her with flowers.
Under the emotional atmosphere, Zhou Yun’s eyes reddened.
Director Kang Xin hugged her and said, "We’ll work together again if there’s a chance in the future."
Zhou Yun said, "I hope Director Kang will think of me more often."
She hugged Director Kang Xin, "Thank you for your guidance during this time; I’m so happy to have learned acting with you."
Director Kang Xin: "As long as you don’t mind my strictness."
"Never have." Zhou Yun smiled, lifting the corners of her mouth, "I’ve always believed in a saying, strict teachers produce outstanding students."
Director Kang Xin laughed in surprise.
Zhou Yun said goodbye to each remaining person. She didn’t know where Su Yan had gone; she wasn’t seen on set.
Since the alliance between Zhou Yun and Lew Qingqing, the relationship between Su Yan and Zhou Yun had completely deteriorated.
Zhou Yun wasn’t bothered by this, bid farewell to everyone, and lastly, it was just Song Chi remaining.
"Okay, I still have some time to fight on."
The two walked to a quieter corner.
Zhou Yun looked up at Song Chi.
Song Chi said, "The day you joined the crew, I was happy to think of you coming, and now, it’s a surprise that you’re leaving so soon."
"Yeah, it feels a little hard to let go."
The two looked at each other and suddenly, as if by an unspoken agreement, they both laughed.
"Alright, I won’t keep you. I’m leaving."
Zhou Yun waved her hand, turned around, and walked away; one step, two steps. Suddenly, she turned back, ran two steps, and hugged Song Chi tightly.
She whispered to Song Chi, "Don’t get too lonely."
Song Chi, startled, widened his eyes, "What are you saying?"
Zhou Yun let go of Song Chi, faced him, and took a step back, then another.
"You know what I’m saying."
There was a sly smile on Zhou Yun’s face, along with blazing sunshine.
Song Chi’s mouth twitched into a smile.
He turned his head to look to the side, as if he wanted to laugh but felt a bit shy to let it out.
Finally, Zhou Yun turned and got into the nanny van with a smile on her face.
She was really leaving the "Heart Inquiry" crew.
Zheng Xiaojue asked in surprise: "Sister Xiao Yun, others are sad when they wrap up, why are you so happy?"
Zhou Yun: "Who says? I also don’t want to leave."
Zheng Xiaojue, looking at the word "radiant" written all over Zhou Yun’s face, hesitated for a moment and then silently swallowed back what she wanted to say.
Better not to say it.
Suddenly, the phone buzzed with a vibration.
Zhou Yun picked up her phone and saw a message from Song Chi: Mutual feelings.
Zhou Yun was stunned for several seconds before she realised what Song Chi meant by "mutual feelings".
The smile on her face grew even brighter.
Zheng Xiaojue, glancing at her through the rearview mirror, saw her angelic Sister Xiao Yun periodically bursting into silly grins, her expression growing even more peculiar.
Words on the tip of her tongue, yet unspoken.