Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 1408: Chapter 732: Liking Myself (2)

Zhou Yun: "I thought Gu Huaichun was like this already, isn’t he?"

Zhou Lan shook her head and said, "You’re mistaken. What Gu Huaichun has is market recognition and popularity, but that’s precisely what needs to be defended and distinguished through ranking."

Zhou Yun fell into a state of bewildered contemplation.

Zhou Yun was not one of those artists who are well protected by their surroundings.

Neither was she an artist who started with a high point and never experienced hardships.

But at this moment, looking back, she had to admit one thing: her subsequent rise was indeed too fast.

In this industry, there are many, many "unspoken rules," and not just those between men and women.

There are many things Zhou Yun thought she understood, but in reality, she didn’t.

How does it operate according to certain patterns, and how does it form the current ecosystem?

Later on, Zhou Yun stood in a position where she could ignore the unspoken rules of this circle. When she said something, many people would be busy running around because of that statement.

Zhou Yun always thought she was easy to work with, and indeed she was very cooperative. But she also had to admit one thing: when a person reaches a certain position, her mere existence would make people cautiously observe her attitude and carefully ponder over every word she says.

Therefore, Zhou Yun disliked the ranking battle, but the ranking battle had its underlying reasons.

Just like she always hoped Gu Huaichun could transition, but from Zhou Lan’s perspective, it’s most important for Gu Huaichun to continue developing in this way.

Everyone’s position is different, phase is different, the resources they can obtain are different, and their influence is different.

What might be a one-sentence matter to Zhou Yun could take a year’s effort for others and still might not be enough.

Zhou Lan saw Zhou Yun pondering and didn’t want her to think too much.

She said, "We’ll have a shoot later. Lew Qing has invited a very famous photographer, Chen Zong. Do you know him?"

Zhou Yun nodded.

She snapped back to reality and said, "He’s the one who specializes in black-and-white photos, and he takes pictures of people in their natural state. I’ve heard he only shoots people without makeup."

Zhou Lan nodded.

"A photographer with a lot of personality, renowned internationally."

Zhou Yun said, "No problem, let’s just cooperate. Let’s see how he wants to shoot."

Zhou Lan said, "Are we cooperating like this?"

"I quite like his photography style. I’d be happy to leave an image of myself in his works." Zhou Yun smiled.

Zhou Lan: "Alright then."

"Sister Lan, if one day I become detached and unfeeling, you must tell me directly. I can’t do that." Zhou Yun suddenly said.

Zhou Lan was taken aback.

They were talking about Chen Zong, why did Zhou Yun suddenly shift the topic?

Zhou Lan looked at Zhou Yun in surprise.

Zhou Yun smiled at her.

"Promise me, Sister Lan."

...

Chen Zong was good friends with Lew Qing.

As an internationally renowned portrait photographer, he leads a reclusive lifestyle.

If he doesn’t reach out himself, others can only contact him through email to collaborate.

He’s just such an aloof person.

But in this industry, having talent, being temperamental, and having eccentric characteristics are not flaws.

Artists, after all, have traits that differ from ordinary people.

Chen Zong’s hair was a jumbled mess, yet not greasy, just evidently seldom attended to.

He wore the simplest jeans and a gray-blue tee, sporting sunglasses, looking like a street artist walking over, accompanied by a simple assistant.

Lew Qing personally brought him over to introduce him to Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun’s demeanor was very respectful.

But Chen Zong wasn’t as aloof as he appeared, greeting generously and openly.

"Finally met you, hello, I’m Chen Zong."

His manner was also frankly bold.

Zhou Yun said with a smile, "Hello, Teacher Chen, I’m Zhou Yun."

Chen Zong’s eyes, watching Zhou Yun, were extremely clear, like highland dwellers, unpolluted and pure.

Zhou Yun gazed at Chen Zong’s eyes with surprise, feeling a bit astonished internally.

A person’s eyes maintaining such brightness is rare, especially at Chen Zong’s fifty-something age.

Chen Zong did not set up a studio to pose Zhou Yun.

He simply held the camera, letting Zhou Yun do as she pleased.

In the next hour, Zhou Yun quietly went about her own things in the room.

Chen Zong leisurely snapped several shots, seemingly dissatisfied but didn’t speak, instead chatting with his assistant.

Zhou Yun initially was a bit puzzled, unsure of his intentions.

But seeing Chen Zong show no intention of speaking to her, Zhou Yun indeed did her own thing.

She pulled out her tablet, opened a variety show, and watched by herself.

No elegance, no serenity.

Chen Zong cast a surprised glance at her.

He is a photographer who enjoys capturing the authentic state of celebrity life.

Especially detesting staged photography.

It’s his unique aesthetic preference, so he allowed Zhou Yun free rein, aiming to completely relax her.

Celebrities and artists rarely truly let go when the camera’s on them.

Zhou Yun too.

She understood Chen Zong’s intention, so she specifically watched a variety show, genuinely immersing herself, laughing out loud, and forgetting the camera’s presence.

She knew what Chen Zong wanted.

In the moment of her laughter, Chen Zong pressed the shutter.

Thus, capturing Zhou Yun with her head thrown back in laughter, sunlight filtering through the window encompassing her entirely, lending an effortless and liberating aura to the picture.

This photo was publicly displayed in the evening’s event as a "gift."

When Zhou Yun saw it from the audience, she felt stirred.

She particularly liked this version of herself depicted in the picture.