Since the wrap-up of "Heart Inquiry," Zhou Yun had been working non-stop with a schedule packed with back-to-back engagements, visibly showing signs of weariness.
Zhou Yun had always wanted a vacation, and finally, the opportunity for a break was right in front of her.
She spread her arms wide and flopped onto the bed.
"I’m heading back to my room. I won’t be joining you for breakfast tomorrow; I have an early flight," Zhou Lan said. "Be vigilant on your own. No matter what happens, don’t act impulsively."
Zhou Yun nodded sulkily, "Are you going to repeat this every day?"
"I need to engrave it firmly in your mind." Zhou Lan curved his mouth into a smile. "Next time you mess up, I’m confiscating your Weibo account."
Zhou Yun: "Then I’ll just start an alt."
"I’d rather you have an alt." Zhou Lan waved a hand dismissively, "Well, I’m off. Xiaoju, are you coming?"
Zheng Xiaojue, who had been scrolling through Weibo on her phone, looked up sharply, "Yes, let’s go!"
Meanwhile, in another city, another hotel, another suite—more spacious and lavish.
The chandelier overhead cast a bright, golden light. Wei Ru Xue sat on a sofa, her long, straight legs draped over a footstool, the epitome of a popular ’dan’ actress in her thirties, where the phrase "blooming popularity nourishes people" could be seen vividly in her. Tight skin, perfectly retouched flawless face and features, and eyes that seemed to shimmer with an extra layer of light, as if from all angles she looked impeccably beautiful.
If Zhou Yun was last year’s dark horse, Wei Ru Xue was the queen defending her territory.
Even within the top ranks, there is a hierarchy, and Wei Ru Xue was at the very pinnacle, whether in terms of status or resources.
At her level, popularity and metrics weren’t as crucial anymore.
Producers trust her, brands trust her, audiences trust her, and investors trust her.
This is what true celebrities are like, not just fame built on numbers.
Yet, that evening, her expression wasn’t quite as pleasant.
"Sister Xue, you have to speak up for me, or I’m finished!" Xu Siyao’s voice came, pleading with a hint of tears, through the phone call, "So many people are attacking me in the comments on my Weibo."
Wei Ru Xue responded coldly, "And you never thought that if I speak up for you, won’t I be the one getting attacked?"
Xu Siyao said with grievance, "Sister Xue, I only said those things during today’s live stream following your advice. You can’t just watch me get boycotted by netizens, right?"
"Xu Siyao, you can mess with food, but don’t let your words get messy. When did I ever instruct you to say those things? Are you planning to smear me by making such an accusation?" Wei Ru Xue’s eyes flashed with an icy gleam, her voice dropping a few degrees colder.
Xu Siyao stammered, "No, no, Sister Xue, I misspoke, but I really do feel wronged. Zhou Yun’s fans are too crazy, they are like they’ve come from a mental institution. What if they discover my address and come after me for a reckoning?"
Wei Ru Xue remained indifferent, though her tone softened slightly as she spoke, "Don’t panic just yet. This may not necessarily be a bad thing for you; at least your fame has increased significantly overnight. As long as you insist that it was not your intention and that it was a slip of the tongue, it’s not a real stain. Chengqian Entertainment can clear your name."
Xu Siyao sounded pitiful as she asked, "Really?"
Wei Ru Xue: "Think about it, which current star doesn’t have some scandals? As long as you’re famous, and they’re not real stains, they’re not a problem. I will talk to He Yong about it. Later on, when the time is right, we’ll help you change the direction of public opinion. At the moment, it might be good for you to just let them slander you; being slandered means you’re getting attention. Many partners would rather use a controversial artist than an unknown one. This is good for you."
"Now you’ve seen for yourself how formidable Zhou Yun is. If you’re not properly prepared, you’ll crash and burn like today. Be more astute in the future, don’t act as recklessly as you did today," Wei Ru Xue advised.
Xu Siyao: "Understood, Sister Xue."
Wei Ru Xue: "I’ve already recommended you for Director Liang’s new film. Just perform well and seize the opportunity."
The tone of Xu Siyao’s voice immediately brightened, "Thank you, Sister Xue!"
Two days later, Zhou Yun saw Gu Huaichun at an event.
It was a beauty brand event.
Gu Huaichun, with no works released yet but with looks and a physique comparable to a male model, was favored by the fashion industry.
Backstage, Gu Huaichun said, "The show is about to air. Nervous?"
Zhou Yun smiled wryly, "I just hope there will be less criticism."
"You put a lot of effort into your performance. If viewers criticize, they won’t target you specifically," Gu Huaichun said. "Now, many of your fans are boycotting the drama because of the previous incident involving Xu Siyao; they’re clamoring for the producers to cut her out."
Zhou Yun: "It has nothing to do with me."
"I know you wouldn’t do such a thing, but isn’t Xu Siyao your junior from the same company? Doesn’t your company manage her?" Gu Huaichun asked with curiosity. "In our Yuehai, artists from the same company absolutely forbid stepping on each other."
Zhou Yun: "If she wants to go crazy, who can stop her?"
"Producer Huang is so anxious he’s getting ulcers, scared that Xu Siyao will be slammed too harshly, affecting the performance of the second part," Gu Huaichun said with a laugh. "Yin Zhou has already been notified that he has to reshoot all the interstitial ads that were originally done by Xu Siyao. None of the advertisers want to associate with Xu Siyao, afraid of being affected."
Zhou Yun curled the corner of her mouth, "She brought it upon herself."
After the event began, both of them went to the photo area before taking their seats.
Gu Huaichun was seated in the second row, while Zhou Yun was in the front row.
Hierarchy existed even in the entertainment industry; the front row was reserved for either high-ranking brand officials or popular celebrities.
Just after sitting down, someone approached Zhou Yun to exchange pleasantries. She had no choice but to stand and greet them, but this series of interactions seemed unending—exchange after exchange, taking photos.
Finally getting a moment’s respite, Zhou Yun breathed a sigh of relief. But when she turned around, she saw that someone else was seated in her place.
She paused for a moment.
After a closer look, she recognized the face—a somewhat familiar one. Zhou Yun knew her; it was an actress named Liu Zhen who had debuted years ago as the female lead in a major director’s movie, starting off with high expectations. However, after several box-office flops, her fame had severely declined, nearly fading into obscurity.
Liu Zhen was seated in Zhou Yun’s spot, chatting and laughing with others, with a photographer crouching in front of them, camera pointed in their direction.
Zhou Yun hesitated for a moment, standing there.
Should she approach and ask the person to leave?