"Victor" magazine’s Chen Ting had a high regard for Zhou Yun. Without Chen Ting’s invitation, she would never have met Chen Fusi and Zheng Xiaowen, or become the brand ambassador for VX.
Zhou Yun said, "Sure, no problem."
Just then, Zhou Yun suddenly remembered something.
When Chen Fusi took her to meet Chen Wenjun before, they mentioned that Chen Ting seemed to be stepping down soon?
"Sister Lan, hold on a second, could you check which issue my cover photo will be in?" Zhou Yun asked. "I heard that Editor-in-Chief Chen Ting is about to step down. Is she still in charge of the issue I’m in?"
After hearing this, Zhou Lan was somewhat surprised and asked, "Chen Ting is stepping down? Who told you that? I haven’t heard this news at all."
Zhou Yun replied, "The information should be quite accurate; I heard it from Chen Wenjun."
"Chen Wenjun from Seapool?" Zhou Lan was surprised.
"Then the news should be somewhat reliable. I need to inquire about it right away," Zhou Lan said. "This is big news; Chen Ting has been Victor’s editor-in-chief for over twenty years. Now she’s stepping down, who will replace her? We need to establish a good relationship with them quickly."
In the fashion industry, especially for female celebrities, it often acts as their second lifeline for their careers.
Whether as actors or singers, the fashion industry is the second stage for female celebrities.
The position of "Victor," this fashion magazine, is not low within the industry at all, and Chen Ting has a wide network of connections.
Zhou Yun has collaborations with two major labels, all thanks to Chen Ting’s introductions.
"Sister Lan, I’ll call Editor-in-Chief Chen Ting myself," Zhou Yun said.
Zhou Lan thought for a bit and said, "That’s also fine."
Generally, this kind of work invitation proceeds through official channels first.
Zhou Yun’s choice to call Chen Ting directly also meant to express gratitude.
"Aunt Chen, this is Xiao Yun," Zhou Yun said with a laugh when she got through to Chen Ting. "Is now a good time to talk?"
"Sure, Xiao Yun, what made you think to call me all of a sudden?" Chen Ting asked.
Zhou Yun said, "My agent just told me that ’Victor’ wants me to shoot a cover for an issue."
"Oh, ’Victor,’ huh? The new editor-in-chief must have chosen you. I’m about to step down soon, and after the new year, ’Victor’ will announce the news," Chen Ting said.
Zhou Yun: "You’re stepping down?"
"Yes, I’m getting older and it’s getting harder," Chen Ting said with a laugh. "But you’re doing very well in your career, and it’s going to get even better."
"I haven’t had the chance to thank you yet, for introducing me to several brand collaborations," Zhou Yun said. "I’ve been thinking about inviting you to dinner in Hong Kong to express my thanks if there’s a chance."
Chen Ting: "No need, don’t worry about it. I enjoy recommending collaborations to young people I appreciate, and you’re a very good kid."
"Aunt Chen, after you step down, are you going to retire directly?" Zhou Yun asked.
Chen Ting fell silent for a moment before saying, "I’ll take a break for a while. I’ve been working non-stop for so long and I’m indeed a bit tired."
"Alright, next time I’m in Hong Kong, I’ll come to visit you," Zhou Yun said.
Chen Ting chuckled, "Sure."
After ending the call, Zhou Yun reflected on the conversation with Chen Ting and felt it was a little strange.
—So after you step down, are you stepping away entirely?
—I’ll rest for a while.
Does it mean Chen Ting isn’t planning to retire?
If she isn’t thinking of retiring, then why is she stepping down?
Zhou Yun faintly sensed that there might be more to the situation than meets the eye.
Zhou Lan was faster at gathering information than Zhou Yun had anticipated; just one day passed, and Zhou Lan had figured out the hidden details behind the incident.
"It’s said that the reason ’Victor’ had to change its editor-in-chief is because, in recent years, Chen Ting, the editor-in-chief, had suppressed several celebrities from abroad that the head office wanted to feature on the cover, preventing them from appearing on it. The conflict between Chen Ting and the head office has been getting increasingly severe. At the end of last year, citing declining sales as the reason, the head office asked Chen Ting to step down."
"Declining sales? Ha, are there still any print media with increasing sales nowadays?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun immediately understood; ’Victor’ Group’s head office had simply found an excuse to oust Chen Ting. She asked, "Why wouldn’t Chen Ting let those foreign celebrities be on the cover?"
"There are various reasons. Each foreign celebrity rejected by Chen Ting had their own issues. Some supported Hong Kong independence, some were racist against Asians, and some would only shoot for the September issue."
"Is that so?" Zhou Yun suddenly realized.
"Yes," Zhou Lan said, "Now, I’m having second thoughts about the invitation from ’Victor.’ Although it is a cover shoot for a big-name magazine, but..."
Zhou Yun understood what Zhou Lan had left unsaid.
"Sister Lan, let’s just turn it down," Zhou Yun suggested. "We were featured in ’Victor’ before because of Chen Ting’s appreciation. Now that they’ve pushed her out, I don’t feel like I owe them any favors."
Zhou Lan replied, "It’s hard to give up such an opportunity."
Zhou Yun said, "I find it hard too, but... I need to support Chen Ting."
Zhou Lan sighed and said, "I actually guessed you would do this."
Zhou Yun said, "It’s just a magazine cover. After all, ’Victor’ isn’t the only magazine in the world."
Zhou Lan said, "True, let’s be a bit more assertive then. I got it, I’ll get back to them."
Finally, the busy work schedule came to an end, and it was time for the New Year celebrations.
After finishing the last engagement before the holidays, Zhou Yun booked a restaurant to treat Zhou Lan, Zheng Xiaojue, and Xiao Cao, the three members of her team.
Zhou Yun prepared a large red envelope for each of them, packed with hefty amounts of cash, as thick as a brick.
"Thanks for your hard work this year!" Zhou Yun said.
Zheng Xiaojue screamed upon receiving her red envelope, "Such a big red envelope! Sister Xiao Yun, I love you!"
Zhou Lan laughed and patted Zheng Xiaojue’s shoulder, "Calm down!"
Zheng Xiaojue, still excited, replied, "I can’t calm down, it’s the first time I’m seeing so much money!"
Xiao Cao was also touched, her cheeks blushing, as she said, "Thank you!"
Zhou Yun said, "We’ve made quite a bit this year, so I’ve included a little extra in the red envelopes. If we don’t earn as much next year, the red packets might get smaller. Of course, if we earn more next year, they’ll be even bigger."
Zheng Xiaojue immediately declared, "Let’s go, let’s go! Sister Xiao Yun will surely become even more popular next year!"
After chatting and laughing through the meal, Zhou Yun gave them time off to return to their homes.
Zhou Lan knew Zhou Yun wouldn’t be going back and would stay alone in Shanghai.
"Why don’t you come home with me?"
"You go back by yourself. I want to rest alone for a few days," Zhou Yun said. "I’ve had enough of seeing you around."
Zhou Lan replied, "Alright then, call me if you need anything."
And so, the Spring Festival arrived.
On the eve of Chinese New Year, Zhou Yun spent it alone in the apartment provided by the company, cooking herself a pot of hot and spicy hotpot. While eating hotpot and watching the Chinese New Year Gala, she considered it her New Year’s Eve dinner.