CHAPTER 483: CHAPTER 379: ANOTHER REQUEST

Zhou Yun came to Beijing and didn’t post any news on social media platforms.

But as soon as Zhou Yun arrived at the hotel, Liu Yuqian dialed her phone: "Xiao Yun, have you come to Beijing?"

Zhou Yun said in surprise: "Wow, you’re incredibly well-informed. I just got to the hotel and you’re already calling."

"Haha, I just heard someone say they saw you at the airport. Do you have time at noon? I’ll treat you to a meal."

Liu Yuqian’s laughter was as crisp and cheerful as usual.

Zhou Yun said: "I can’t do noon, I have a shoot coming up. I can make time in the evening, is that ok with you?"

"Ok, yeah, I’m just idling around anyway, not filming anything currently."

So the two made arrangements to meet that evening.

After 5 pm, Zhou Yun finished the shoot and said goodbye to a group of new acquaintances.

Zheng Xiaojue asked: "Sister Xiao Yun, what do you want to eat tonight?"

"I have plans with Liu Yuqian tonight. You and Cao Jun go ahead and eat whatever you want, just put it on my tab," said Zhou Yun.

Zheng Xiaojue immediately whooped in joy, shouting: "Long live Sister Xiao Yun!"

After whooping, she asked in a low voice: "Sister Xiao Yun, is there a spending limit?"

Zhou Yun gave Zheng Xiaojue a sideways glance and said: "There’s no limit, but isn’t it about time for the year-end bonuses to be given out?"

Zheng Xiaojue took a deep breath and, with a mixture of respect and fear, turned her head and said solemnly: "Cao Jun, let’s just have a bowl of Zhajiangmian tonight."

Cao Jun chuckled.

Zhou Yun rolled her eyes and said: "Even if you eat Zhajiangmian, it won’t get you an extra penny in the year-end bonus."

Zheng Xiaojue pouted pitifully, "Sister Xiao Yun, my shriveled wallet is just waiting for you to infuse it with ample power."

Zhou Yun glanced at her disapprovingly and said: "When did you become such a smooth talker?"

Zheng Xiaojue giggled, "Being with you, of course my mouth has to be slick. Sister Xiao Yun, you don’t know just how many devils and monsters try to schmooze through me."

Cao Jun drove Zhou Yun to the place booked by Liu Yuqian.

"This is my friend’s place, security and privacy are guaranteed," Liu Yuqian introduced, "He’s also a fan of yours, might want to take a photo with you later."

Zhou Yun smiled and said: "Sure."

"What are you doing in Beijing today? Work?" Liu Yuqian asked.

"Some advertising shoots," replied Zhou Yun, "And I have two interviews tomorrow morning."

"You’ve got a packed schedule," Liu Yuqian commented, "Isn’t ’Heart Inquiry’ airing recently? Don’t you need to do promotional runs?"

"Indeed, there’s a Super Topic chat session tonight. The premiere was so rushed, we should’ve been on several shows to promote it, but there wasn’t enough time. The earliest show recording isn’t until three days from now," Zhou Yun explained, "TV drama premieres are pretty hurried these days."

"Yes, I remember back in the days, we could set a premiere for a TV drama six months ahead. Before airing, we’d go on shows to promote it, and organize offline fan meetings. Back then, the internet wasn’t as developed, but people were more enthusiastic," Liu Yuqian recalled, "Nowadays, with so many shows airing every year, there’s no longer that kind of drama that empties the streets."

"Song Chi recommended a web series to me that’s currently airing called ’The Beginning’, it’s really good, I recommend it to you too," Zhou Yun said.

"Oh, I’ve watched that, I’ve been following it. It’s just that the updates are too slow, only four episodes a week," Liu Yuqian said, "I still prefer the previous airing format, where you can watch one or two episodes every day."

Zhou Yun laughed.

"Song Chi must be pretty busy lately too, right?" said Liu Yuqian, "I see that ’Heart Inquiry’ is also going through some uneasy times, that drama ’Mother and Son Inn’ keeps clinging on to you all like a persistent adhesive to stir up topics."

"You’ve noticed too?"

"Do I even need to ask? Everyone’s talking about it," Liu Yuqian gestured dismissively and sat down, "We’re all actors here, in this industry. When a big production like ’Heart Inquiry’ airs, we all pay attention. Not to mention, ’Mother and Son Inn’ with their tactics... Sure, they might have a bad reputation now, but they’re definitely getting real results, I saw their Weibo post celebrating reaching a hundred million views today."

Zhou Yun grimaced.

Liu Yuqian continued: "But if you ask me, pay no mind to how they’re doing it. I’ve watched ’Heart Inquiry’ too, the quality is top-notch. It’s a slow burner, but with three heavy-hitters like you guys leading and Director Kang backing you, the drama will keep getting better. I’m not worried about its performance at all. You’ll have to treat me to a meal when that time comes."