Chapter 385: Chapter 318: First Light: 1_6
Zhou Yun sneered and said, "Since when did Zhouhai get to make the rules on whether you can make it in this business or not."
The comment was said in a sarcastic and direct manner.
Liu Pinran laughed helplessly and said, "Xiao Yun, to be honest, if those young people could really reach your position, we certainly wouldn’t restrict anything. But there are not many with your kind of talent, and not many with your luck either—to win the Movie Queen title with your first film. Of course, you can date, but for a production company, if your value lies entirely in your popularity, because of the boyfriend or girlfriend fans liking you, dating means you devalue yourself. That’s the harsh reality, and even Gu Huaichun is no exception."
Zhou Yun said, "Gu Huaichun has the talent for acting, why don’t you let him do some award-winning roles?"
Liu Pinran laughed.
"Tell me which roles can win awards, I’ll go get them for him," Liu Pinran laughed, "Even for those veteran actors who have been acting in art films for decades, it’s not easy to win awards. Not to mention the talented Gu Huaichun, winning awards takes luck; it’s not something you can just do."
"Doesn’t he have no chance of winning any awards if he keeps doing web series then?"
"But they make money," said Liu Pinran.
Seeing the two were about to argue, Zhou Lan quickly interrupted them.
"Alright, we can’t determine whether Gu Huaichun can win awards or not in one night, and really, to even argue about this..." Zhou Lan interrupted them, then turned to Liu Pinran and said, "Xiao Yun cares about Gu Huaichun and hopes he can do better because they’re close, don’t take it personally."
Liu Pinran shrugged noncommittally.
Seeing him shrug made Zhou Yun involuntarily roll her eyes.
This final dispute made the dinner end on a somewhat sour note. But at least, there was a superficial reconciliation.
Zhou Yun returned to the hotel, unable to resist complaining.
"Liu Pinran is truly a naked businessman, all he talks about is making money, treating artists as cash machines." Zhou Yun ranted fiercely.
Zhou Lan patted Zhou Yun’s back, signaling her there was no need to be so agitated.
"Liu Pinran is just that kind of person, you’re not meeting him for the first time. To put it bluntly, he’s all about profits," Zhou Lan said, "What’s the point of squabbling with him?"
Zhou Yun also realized that she was the one getting worked up.
"I’m a bit affected by the whole Yu Zhiyang incident, I don’t understand why, in the eyes of some people, an artist is not a person, but a puppet at their disposal, to do whatever they want with, as if artists don’t have emotions or genuine feelings," Zhou Yun said, "It’s really frustrating. Actually, it has nothing to do with the status of being an artist, I just particularly despise those who don’t treat others as human beings, where everything is about profit, everything is exploitable. Why can people be so selfish, building their happiness on the pain of others? This is what really angered me tonight."
Zhou Lan patted Zhou Yun’s back again.
"I don’t know how to comfort you, because I also don’t know how to make this situation better. The only thing I can tell everyone who is deeply affected by it is that only by becoming stronger can you avoid being oppressed by such an environment," Zhou Lan said, "I really wish I could tell you that we have a way to change this situation, but sorry, I don’t. So all we can do is strengthen ourselves."
Zhou Yun: "Sorry for letting my bad mood affect you."
"Why say such things."
Zhou Lan said, "As for Yu Zhiyang, I will contact her boss and make the appointment. But I suggest not to appeal to her sense of reason anymore. People like her, they’re just like Liu Pinran, it’s useless to talk logic with them."
Zhou Yun sighed melancholically.
"The soaring popularity and the enthusiasm of the people around me once made me think I had a bit of power to change the world. But reality always teaches me a painful lesson by bumping into walls, showing that I’ve overestimated myself."
"Do your best, use all your effort, stay true to your heart. By doing this, you are already an amazing person," Zhou Lan said, "Xiao Yun, I have to tell you, I really admire you for dealing with the Yu Zhiyang incident."
Zhou Yun smiled bitterly.
"And I admire you for your relationship with Song Chi, just keep moving forward bravely," Zhou Lan said, "I’m with you."